Why didn't you tell me earlier that my little sister is still waiting for me?

On the way back, Lin Bufan kept glancing out the window at the dazzling array of shops while driving, muttering to himself, "Rose, really, don't you want to buy something? It's not a good idea to go empty-handed, is it? Does your dad like tea or wine? I see a pretty big tobacco and liquor store over there... Hey, there's a health product store over there. Should I buy some bird's nest or donkey-hide gelatin for Auntie?"

Huang Yimei leaned back in the passenger seat, fiddling with the seatbelt lazily. "Really? No need. My parents specifically told you not to spend any money, just a simple meal. That big gold chain nearly broke my dad's neck last time, and you still think it's not enough?"

"How can it be the same? Last time it was a meeting gift, this time I'm officially coming as your boyfriend, the meaning is different!" Lin Bufan retorted seriously, his fingers tapping the steering wheel unconsciously: "How about buying some fruit? There's a fruit shop over there, I think durian is good, buy some durian, watermelon or something?"

Huang Yimei finally couldn't help laughing, and she turned sideways to carefully examine Lin Bufan's tense face. Her eyes suddenly lit up, as if she had discovered something new, and her tone was a bit teasing: "Afan, don't tell me—are you nervous?"

Lin Bufan's grip on the steering wheel tightened noticeably, but he kept his eyes fixed on the road, feigning composure. "Nervous? These two words don't even exist in my vocabulary! I'm taking this seriously, respecting this, and being serious about this meeting! Besides, this is my first time meeting your parents as your boyfriend, so isn't it unreasonable for me to be a little nervous?"

"First time as my boyfriend?" Huang Yimei caught the key words and raised an eyebrow, asking, "Then what was your identity the last time you came to my house?"

"Your boss and doctor!" Lin Bufan answered confidently, "What a legitimate and noble identity!"

Huang Yimei couldn't help but roll her eyes, recalling the outrageous things Lin Bufan did last time at her house - calling him "brother-in-law" affectionately, making those fancy "Kung Pao Chicken with Love" in the kitchen, and that big gold chain that could be used as a weapon... Not to mention the boss and the doctor, even Fang Xiewen, who had been her son-in-law for many years, was not as familiar as Lin Bufan!

Huang Yimei shook her head, her tone somewhat helpless: "Do you have any misunderstandings about yourself? Judging from your behavior last time, it was as if you had the words "my boyfriend" carved on your forehead. Do you think my parents can't see it?"

Lin Bufan cleared his throat and explained seriously, "That's different! Last time it was a fake boyfriend trial card, so of course I had to act a little exaggerated to make a good first impression and max out my impression points! This time I'm working with a license—oh no, it's a real boyfriend, the nature is completely different! I have to show my steady, reliable, and trustworthy side to leave a good impression on my uncle and aunt. This is called a strategic adjustment!"

"Okay, okay, stop joking," Huang Yimei was getting a headache from Lin Bufan's nagging and quickly interrupted him, "The core of our strategy is just one thing - when you go there today, talk less and eat more. That's the ultimate way to be steady and reliable. Do you understand?"

"Really?" Lin Bufan turned his head abruptly to look at her, his eyes wide. "Is it really enough to just keep quiet? That's too low a request, isn't it? Are you sure?"

Huang Yimei nodded with absolute certainty: "Yes, definitely, definitely! If you just eat quietly, it will be the best gift for my parents."

Lin Bufan seemed to have received some important mission. He gripped the steering wheel with a serious expression: "Understood! I promise to complete the mission! Today I am the mute groom... Ugh, mute guest!"

However, when Lin Bufan walked into the Huang family's gate carrying two large boxes of top-quality fruits that he had secretly bought on the way, his previous solemn promise was instantly thrown to the wind.

"Uncle! Auntie! We're back!" He spoke in a resonant voice, his smile dazzling, his meticulously styled black hair radiating enthusiasm. "Oh! I can smell the delicious aroma the moment I walk in! Auntie, your cooking skills are so impressive that even a three-star Michelin chef would kneel down and apprentice!"

Huang's mother, wearing an apron, poked her head out of the kitchen and beamed at the compliment: "Xiao Lin is here? Come and sit down, the food will be ready soon!"

Father Huang was sitting on the sofa reading a newspaper. Hearing this, he pushed his glasses up and nodded calmly, "I'm coming."

"Uncle, you look so good! It seems your leg is really good again!" Lin Bufan rushed forward and took Huang's arm without saying anything. "Come on, let me help you walk a few steps to show you the results of your recovery! Look at your steady steps! Your aura is so powerful! If you didn't know, you would have thought you just participated in the National Day parade!"

Huang's father was so embarrassed by Lin Bufan that he didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He waved his hands repeatedly and said, "Okay, okay, I can walk by myself. You should sit down and rest for a while."

At this time, Huang Zhenhua and Su Gengsheng also came out of the room, followed by Fang Taichu who was jumping around.

"Hey! Brother-in-law! Sister-in-law!" Lin Bufan immediately changed his target: "It's been a few days since we last met. Brother-in-law, your...um...hairstyle is quite unique? Did you cut it yourself? It has a very postmodern style!"

Huang Zhenhua subconsciously touched his hair which he hadn't combed in the morning, and glared at Lin Bufan unhappily.

Fang Taichu rushed over and hugged Lin Bufan's legs: "Uncle Lin! Where is my Rainbow Lion King? Why is it gone?"

"Oh my little princess!" Lin Bufan picked up the little girl and pulled out a rainbow-colored lion keychain from his pocket like a magic trick: "You can play with this first. When we get back to the Magic City, I'll get you a real rainbow lion king, the kind you can ride on!"

When Fang Taichu heard Lin Bufan's words, his eyes lit up like stars and he excitedly hugged Lin Bufan's neck: "Really, Uncle Lin? Can I really ride the Rainbow Lion King?"

Lin Bufan was infected by the girl's joy and was about to pat his chest to make a promise when he suddenly felt a slight sting in his waist. He took a breath and turned to see Huang Yimei withdrawing her hand, glaring at him angrily.

"Don't talk nonsense," Huang Yimei lowered her voice, "Children will take it seriously!"

Lin Bufan rubbed his waist innocently. "Just take it seriously, it's true, right? I, Lin Bufan, can't go back on my word. How could the promise I made to the child be false?"

Huang Yimei's eyes widened even further, and her voice rose a few degrees: "What? You really can get a lion? Let's not talk about whether you can get one or not. Even if you did, would I dare let Xiaochu ride it? It's a ferocious beast!"

"Who said I'm going to get a real lion?" Lin Bufan didn't know whether to laugh or cry, and quickly explained: "Am I that kind of unreliable person? I mean, that bastard Sang Biao has a super-large Tibetan Mastiff in his training ground. When he stands up, he's taller than a person and looks very majestic! When the time comes, I'll have someone give it a rainbow lion mane, dye it a cool color, and give it a special saddle. Wouldn't it be a living Rainbow Lion King? It's guaranteed to be safe and cool!"

Huang Yimei was stunned when she heard this. She imagined the scene of a majestic dog dyed rainbow colors and wearing a lion's mane. She couldn't help but burst out laughing and punched Lin Bufan in anger: "You are the only one who has so many tricks! How can it be the same?"

"How is it different?" Lin Bufan raised his chin proudly. "In the eyes of children, that's a dream come true! Besides, Sang Biao, the Tibetan Mastiff, is very well trained and extremely docile and obedient. I guarantee it's ten thousand times safer than a real lion!"

Although Fang Taichu, who was held in Lin Bufan's arms, didn't fully understand the adults' conversation, the key words "Rainbow Lion King", "big dog", and "you can ride" made her dance with excitement: "I want to ride the Rainbow Lion King! Uncle Lin is the best!"

Huang's mother came out of the kitchen carrying some dishes. She just happened to hear the last few words and shook her head with a smile: "Xiao Lin, just spoil her! Come and eat quickly, the dishes are all ready!"

This home-cooked meal was particularly heartwarming. Huang's mother's homemade braised pork was tender and flavorful, the steamed fish was fresh and delicious, and the seasonal vegetables were stir-fried to a crisp and refreshing taste. Lin Bufan, mindful of Huang Yimei's instructions, diligently implemented the strategy of "talk less, eat more," diligently working hard and enjoying the meal with exceptional relish, occasionally offering sincere compliments: "Auntie, this braised pork is amazing! Fatty but not greasy, it melts in your mouth!" "This fish is steamed to perfection, so fresh!"

Huang's father and mother were happier to see Lin Bufan eating so heartily than if they had eaten themselves, and they kept picking up food for him. Huang Zhenhua, watching from the side, couldn't help but say sourly, "Mom, why do I feel like Xiaolin is your real son? He doesn't even have as much meat in my bowl."

Huang's mother laughed and scolded, "Go to hell! Xiaolin is a guest, how dare you argue with him?"

Lin Bufan's mouth was full of food, and he retorted incoherently: "Aunt, you are not right. I am not a guest, I am a family member!" As he said that, he winked at Huang Yimei.

Huang Yimei kicked him lightly under the table, but couldn't help but smile.

The atmosphere after dinner was more relaxed, and everyone moved to the living room to drink tea and chat. After Huang's leg healed, he became more energetic and talkative, chatting with Lin Bufan about everything from the international situation to technological development.

It's just that Huang's father couldn't understand a lot of the scientific and technological knowledge that Lin Bufan said. He always felt that Lin Bufan was talking nonsense. However, Lin Bufan had actually developed a lot of powerful technologies, which made Huang's father not know how to refute. He even suspected that he, a professor of physics at Tsinghua University, was not knowledgeable enough!

Just when Lin Bufan talked about creating an award that would be more influential than the Nobel Prize and inviting Huang's father to be the award presenter, and Huang's father seemed somewhat interested, Huang Yimei could no longer bear to listen. She suspected that if Lin Bufan continued to talk like this, her father's leg, which had just been cured, would be crippled again!

Huang Yimei stood up and pulled Lin Bufan's arm: "Alright, alright, it's getting late. Don't you have something to do tomorrow? Let's go back quickly."

"Ah? Going back now?" Lin Bufan looked unsatisfied and glanced at the wall clock. "It's still early. I'll chat with my uncle for a while. That extraordinary award just now..."

"We'll talk about it next time!" Huang Yimei pulled Huang Yimei up from the sofa without saying anything and pushed her towards the door. "Dad, Mom, Brother, Susu, I'm going to see Afan off!"

Huang's mother quickly stood up: "You're leaving now? You won't sit for a while? You haven't eaten the fruit yet..."

"No, no, Mom, he really has something to do." Huang Yimei said as she pushed Lin Bufan out.

Lin Bufan was pushed to the door, but he didn't forget to turn around and shout, "Uncle and Aunt, I'll come to see you next time! Big Brother-in-law, I'll definitely let you play basketball next time!"

Upon hearing this, Huang Zhenhua couldn't help but frown!

Huang Yimei pushed Lin Bufan out of the door and closed it behind him. Lin Bufan stood outside the door, looking aggrieved: "Rose, what are you doing? I was having a great time chatting with my uncle..."

"Why are you so happy? Didn't you see that my dad is almost fainting from your tricks?" Huang Yimei said unhappily, "Go back quickly."

"You said you would give it to me..." Lin Bufan pulled Huang Yime's hand and acted coquettishly.

Huang Yimei glared at Lin Bufan and said, "Just send her downstairs!"

The two of them went downstairs together. The neighborhood was very quiet at night, and the streetlights cast a warm glow on the ground. When they reached the door of the unit, Lin Bufan suddenly stopped and pulled Huang Yimei into his arms.

"What are you doing?" Huang Yimei exclaimed, but did not resist.

"Rose..." Lin Bufan's voice suddenly became low and gentle, especially seductive in the night: "We just got together today, I can't bear to leave you..."

Moonlight poured like mercury across the quiet family quarters, shrouding the two embracing in a soft glow. Lin Bufan's arms were tightly wrapped around Huang Yimei's waist, as if to pull her into his body. Huang Yimei tilted her head slightly, responding to his embrace, her fingertips unconsciously entwining the hem of his coat. The air was filled with the sweet, yet inseparable, bond between lovers.

Huang Yimei didn't say anything, but her actions expressed the same sentiment. She suddenly raised her hands and cupped Lin Bufan's cheeks, her fingertips feeling the warmth of his skin and the slight stubble of his beard. Then, she stood on tiptoe and kissed him without hesitation.

The kiss was sudden, passionate, and unreserved, like a volcano that had been building up for a long time, filled with eager desire and intense love. Her lips were soft, yet with unquestionable strength, actively prying open his teeth, her tongue boldly exploring his scent.

Lin Bufan was stunned for a moment, then responded even more passionately. He tightened his arms, pressing her deeper against him, lowering his head to capture her sweetness. The kiss became turbulent and prolonged, with a force that threatened to devour the other. Their breaths intertwined, their air blending, creating a faint, blushing, heart-pounding sound in the silent night. The streetlights stretched their shadows, overlapping them, as if they could no longer be separated.

Just when the two of them were immersed in it and forgetting everything else, a deliberately loud cough suddenly came from inside the unit door.

"Ahem! Uh-huh!"

The sound was like cold water poured onto boiling oil, instantly waking the two intoxicated people. Huang Yimei pushed Lin Bufan away like a frightened deer, her cheeks flushing instantly. She hurriedly lowered her head to straighten her not-so-messy clothes, her heart pounding, and she wished she could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.

Lin Bufan was also startled, but quickly calmed down. He turned around and saw his brother-in-law Huang Zhenhua standing in the shadow of the unit door with an embarrassed and slightly funny look on his face.

Huang Zhenhua touched his nose, his eyes drifting away, and spoke as naturally as possible: "Um... Mom hasn't been going up to Rose for a long time. She was afraid... afraid something might happen, so she asked me to come down and take a look." He paused, then added: "Um... I'm done looking, I'm glad everything's fine... You guys... continue? Or... go up first?"