My Mother-in-Law and I Became the Internet’s Hottest Power Couple

Jiang Lan said, "How is calling myself a pig considered bullying you?"
"Get up already, you're so heavy. Don’t you know your own weight?" Jiang Lan tickled Lu Yicheng’s sensitive spot, finally freeing herself.
Lu Yicheng retorted, "So you’re just going to let it slide after writing on my back?"
"What else can I do? Fine, not only will I treat you to fish head stew with pancakes, but I’ll also buy you ice cream as an apology. How’s that?" Jiang Lan thought she’d come up with a brilliant idea.
Lu Yicheng muttered under his breath, "More like you’re the one who wants ice cream..."
By the time they arrived at the fish head stew restaurant, it was already past six. It was a small, long-standing eatery that had specialized in fish head dishes for over a decade. There was only one flavor—savory soy sauce—served with a large fish head, garnished with scallions and cilantro, accompanied by a side of pancakes for dipping.
Jiang Lan skipped the cilantro, opting for just scallions. She and Lu Yicheng ordered a two-pound bighead carp, with bean sprouts and shredded tofu skin as side dishes. The place was bustling, with tables even set up outside. Jiang Lan and Lu Yicheng found a spot outdoors.
"It smells amazing! Lu Yicheng, you know what they say—‘you are what you eat.’ Make sure you have plenty." Jiang Lan noticed Lu Yicheng raising an eyebrow as he scooted his stool closer to her, so she quickly added, "I mean, since I’m treating, you might as well enjoy it."
Lu Yicheng reached over, took the utensils in front of Jiang Lan, unwrapped the plastic seal, and rinsed them with hot water. "Can’t even eat in peace. Here."
Jiang Lan rested her chin in her hands, watching Lu Yicheng. His patterned shirt looked quite nice today, and his hair had grown out quickly. She remembered it being almost buzzed short when he visited her family. Now it stuck up like a hedgehog’s.
Back when they first started dating, she hadn’t known Lu Yicheng was wealthy, so she’d teased and joked around without restraint. Even now, knowing the truth, she still acted the same. They still frequented these small eateries, and he still rinsed her utensils and ordered dishes she liked.
After waiting over twenty minutes, the owner finally brought out the fish head. The fish had been fried first, keeping the meat tender without overcooking it in the stew. The broth was a rich golden-brown, and the fish had no trace of gaminess—perfect for dipping pancakes or mixing with rice.
Lu Yicheng served Jiang Lan a big piece of fish before helping himself. Midway through the meal, he got up to grab a bottle of orange juice from the fridge.
Jiang Lan said, "I can’t study with you on Monday. The violin club is recruiting, and I need to film a promotional video."
As a senior, Jiang Lan normally wouldn’t be involved, but since Mother-in-Law Has Arrived had gained popularity, she was asked to be the welcoming face of the club.
The promotional video was part of a trending finger dance challenge, and the school wanted its most recognizable student to participate. Qinghua University had plenty of beautiful girls, but Jiang Lan was the most well-known. Since it was her last year, this was her final chance to be in the video.
The finished video would be posted on the university’s official Weibo as part of their admissions campaign. The dean noted that Qinghua’s appearance in Mother-in-Law Has Arrived II had been good publicity.
Jiang Lan’s influence on the school had been overwhelmingly positive. Many prospective students and parents called the admissions office because of her. Though Qinghua never struggled with enrollment—being a top-tier institution—it still competed with its rival, Peking University. The dean hoped to attract even more outstanding applicants.
There was also a welcome party after freshman orientation, where Jiang Lan had been asked to host. As a broadcasting major, it should’ve been easy, but she’d forgotten most of her coursework and declined. Playing violin for the club’s recruitment was simpler.
Lu Yicheng nodded. Jiang Lan had already hosted two welcome parties. After each one, Qinghua’s forums would buzz with posts like, Who’s that gorgeous senior? Is she single? He was used to it by now.
At least after her variety show appearances, no one asked anymore—everyone knew Jiang Lan had a serious boyfriend.
Lu Yicheng said, "Sure, I’ll come with you to the club’s recruitment. I’ll be part of the audience."
Jiang Lan also wanted to ask Yu Wanqiu if she’d be free to attend the welcome party. Yu Wanqiu had mentioned wanting to go to college, and Jiang Lan planned to perform, though she hadn’t decided on what yet.
She hoped Yu Wanqiu could make it. She must be in a good mood today.
That afternoon, Yu Wanqiu and Lu Shuangchen had watched an old romantic film, the kind that moved audiences to tears.
Near the end, Lu Shuangchen handed Yu Wanqiu a tissue. He realized he still didn’t fully understand his wife. He’d always thought of her as strong-willed—someone who never complained about the hardships of acting, as if she were made of steel.
But deep down, she loved romance.
Lu Shuangchen said gently, "I’ve gotten in touch with Ms. Wu Qing. When would you like to visit her?" After a pause, he added, "Would you like me to come with you?"
Over the years, Yu Wanqiu had spent more on skincare than food. Lu Shuangchen had aged too—wrinkles at the corners of his eyes, streaks of gray in his hair—but time had lent him a dignified charm.
Yu Wanqiu replied, "I’d like Jiang Lan to go with me. Don’t overthink it. You’re a bit intimidating, and she’s much more likable."
She couldn’t help laughing—it was the truth.
Lu Shuangchen didn’t argue. He wasn’t about to compete with a younger generation for affection, and Yu Wanqiu wasn’t wrong. He wasn’t particularly likable.
Seeing his slightly dejected expression, Yu Wanqiu cleared her throat. "Come on, we’re too old for this. Can you return that necklace? If you can, just get a refund."
"How many necklaces do we even have at home? It’s not like we’re short on money, but why keep buying expensive, impractical things?" Yu Wanqiu placed her hand on his arm. "Money doesn’t come easy. Why waste it on luxuries?"
She’d never been obsessed with diamonds. For formal events, a nice dress was enough—she rarely wore jewelry.
Lu Shuangchen said, "I thought you liked them."
He can’t even tell what I like. Yu Wanqiu remembered loving diamonds when she was younger—who didn’t? They were rare and precious.
Yu Wanqiu changed the subject. "The congee you made today was good."
Lu Shuangchen brightened. "I’ll make it for you again."
Yu Wanqiu smiled. "Just don’t only make congee..."
For someone so sharp, he could be surprisingly dense about these things. If she asked, he’d probably say he just wanted to give her what he thought was best.
After the movie, they headed home. Lately, Yu Wanqiu had been exhausted from memorizing scripts and studying. A half-day out was enough relaxation—she just wanted to sleep.
The night sky was clear, dotted with stars—a rare sight in Beijing.
To Lu Shuangchen, this was romance. Simply walking side by side was enough.
The next day, Sunday, Jiang Lan slept in, practiced violin for two hours, and then headed to the violin club in the afternoon.
The handover of positions had already taken place in the first half of the year, and Jiang Lan was no longer the president of the club. The new president was a young girl named Zhang Yuanyuan, a physics major who had a great relationship with Jiang Lan. She was the one who had led the entire club in chasing the show and spamming the comments section with messages like, "Welcome, President!"
"Lanlan, so many people have signed up this year—it's completely packed! They must really love the atmosphere of our club!" Zhang Yuanyuan felt like she was on the verge of reaching the peak of her life, all thanks to Jiang Lan.
...
The presidents of other clubs must be green with envy!
Zhang Yuanyuan said, "We don’t need any more new recruits, but we do have to go on the morale-boosting performance tour."
The morale-boosting performance involved playing the violin for the military training squads. Though the weather had cooled down compared to the previous two months, standing under the sun for half a day was still scorching.
The annual military training was always a spectacle. As a senior in her fourth year, Jiang Lan had already watched three batches of freshmen go through it.
All members of the violin club were to perform for the freshmen as a gesture of encouragement and promotion.
Zhang Yuanyuan wanted Jiang Lan to perform for one of the squads.
Just two pieces would be enough—many people had joined the club because of Jiang Lan anyway, so there was no need to overdo it.
Jiang Lan had no objections. "Do your best and strive to take our club to greater heights!"
Zhang Yuanyuan was equally confident. "Lanlan, you have to dress up beautifully! Show them your charm and prove that we’re not just bookworms—we can do anything!"
The morale-boosting performance was scheduled for Tuesday. Zhang Yuanyuan had arranged for students from the photography club to record and take pictures, which would be used for the violin club’s promotional posters.
Their preparations were thorough—now, they just had to wait for the big day.
Online, some posts had started circulating—all shared by students who had spotted Jiang Lan and Lu Yicheng in places like the library, study halls, the sports field, or the cafeteria.
Ordinary people might feel starstruck when they see celebrities, and fans of Jiang Lan and Yu Wanqiu from the show were especially attentive to Jiang Lan’s every move.
They wouldn’t approach her to disturb her, but they couldn’t resist shouting about it online.
Though Jiang Lan had returned to her normal life after filming the show, fans were still craving more sweet moments.
【A day in the life of a Qinghua University student—three-point routine check-in [photo]】
【Lanlan! Why is it with LYC?】
【I really want to see Lanlan and Teacher Yu again. It feels like it’s been over a month since the show ended.】
【I miss them so much, I really want to see them together again!】
【There’s been zero news.】
【Paparazzi, are you even doing your job?】
【If you can’t handle it, just quit already!】
【Paparazzi: ???】
【The paparazzi would cry—digging up scandals, gossip, and negative news is one thing, but now they’re expected to secretly photograph Yu Wanqiu and Jiang Lan’s mother-in-law and daughter-in-law interactions? [dog head]】
【Paparazzi: This isn’t part of our job description. If you want it done, pay extra.】
【Fans of "Lanzhou Lamian" are collectively weeping, while LYC is over the moon!】
【Actually, not really. I saw Jiang Lan and Teacher Yu over the weekend—looked like they were heading to a new audition. (No photos though, sorry.)】
【Weekdays: studying with the boyfriend. Weekends: dating Teacher Yu (just kidding). Jiang Lan, master of time management!】
【But it’s really nice. I was 30 points short of Qinghua’s admission score, but now I’m determined to push harder!】
【(Whispering) Feels like Jiang Lan and Lu Yicheng have contributed significantly to Qinghua’s recruitment efforts.】
【Compared to other dating shows, this couple is refreshingly down-to-earth.】
【Ah, this is what university life is all about.】
Netizens speculated that Qinghua might award Jiang Lan the title of "Outstanding Graduate" due to her influence, but her GPA wasn’t high enough to justify it.
So, the honor would most likely go to Lu Yicheng instead.
Qinghua was packed with top-tier students, and Lu Yicheng wasn’t the only outstanding one. But given his impeccable academic record, there was no question—it probably wouldn’t go to Jiang Lan.
Still, since they were a couple, it didn’t matter who got it.
On Tuesday, a week after the semester had started, Qinghua University’s official Weibo posted two updates.
The first one was captioned—The Campus Belle Has Arrived.
The video thumbnail featured a familiar face—Jiang Lan, her hair tied in a high ponytail, no bangs, wearing a white T-shirt with Qinghua’s emblem, paired with a short skirt. She stood at the university’s entrance, her smile sweet and natural.
The one-and-a-half-minute video was a sugar overload.
This was Jiang Lan’s second dance performance. Though not as technically challenging as her previous robot dance, it was absolutely stunning.
Under the bright sun, with two fluffy clouds overhead, her fair skin and graceful posture stood out as she moved to the music. Every frame was wallpaper-worthy.
Fans didn’t know how many times they replayed it.
Two minutes later, Yu Wanqiu’s personal Weibo and her studio’s account reposted it. Yu Wanqiu’s caption was simple: Here she is.
Just four words—at the time, fans didn’t realize the deeper meaning behind them, assuming it was just routine promotion.
"Campus Belle Recruitment Videos" were trending, with many universities posting similar content. Netizens were surprised Qinghua had joined in.
The second post was longer—five and a half minutes—showcasing the freshmen’s military training under the blazing sun, their uniforms drenched in sweat as they stood tall.
Then, at the two-minute-thirty-second mark, the background music shifted to the sound of a violin.
The melody lingered through the remaining three minutes. Though the footage only flashed a brief glimpse, eagle-eyed fans immediately spotted Jiang Lan in a white T-shirt, playing the violin on the field.
【It’s my Lanlan!】
【Wow!】
【"Campus Belle Recruitment Video"—hahaha, they’re really going all out!】
【I’ll work harder just for my wife!】
【Teacher Yu reposted it—my ship is finally sailing again! Hehehe, Teacher Yu is so cute.】
【I’m a freshman! I worked so hard to get in, and now I want to join the violin club. I’ve never played before, but I want to learn so I can perform for someone special someday.】
【Yeah! Even if it’s just "Happy Birthday" for my parents.】
【Please post more daily updates! You promised you’d stay in the public eye—this doesn’t count!】
【Begging for more Weibo posts. Will there be livestreams in the future?】
【Can I still dream of a livestream?】
【Qinghua student checking in—hahaha, our campus belle has arrived!】
【Check-in: Woke up at 6 AM today, studied for an hour.】
【Check-in: Saw Lu Yicheng and Jiang Lan. Hope I’ll be even better in three years.】
【Check-in: Striving to be like the academic gods and my wife—100 words a day!】
【Not a Qinghua student, but checking in anyway. Starting tomorrow, I’ll wake up early to memorize vocabulary—I will pass the CET-6 this year!】
Somehow, the comments section turned into a motivational check-in thread.
Fans of "Lanzhou Lamian" finally got their reunion—no easy feat. They missed the summer days when they were practically feasting on sweetness every day.
That evening, Jiang Lan called Yu Wanqiu, who had just finished dinner. They made plans to visit Wu Qing over the weekend. Yu Wanqiu showed Jiang Lan her desk—aside from the script for The Poplar Forest, there were stacks of high school textbooks.
Yu Wanqiu had no issues with English—she could converse fluently with foreigners. Her Chinese was also strong, given her years of extensive reading. She had already gone through many required texts, and with her excellent memory, reciting ancient poetry and prose wasn’t difficult for her.
The real challenge lay in math and science. The knowledge she’d learned years ago had long faded, and with exams growing harder each year, scoring well required serious effort. Yu Wanqiu wasn’t the type to do things half-heartedly—if she was going to take the exam, she aimed for the top.
Her goal was Qinghua University. Whether she could get in was one thing, but setting a high target gave her more motivation.
Jiang ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‍Lan shared Xie Yunzhen’s contact with Yu Wanqiu, suggesting she ask for recommendations on study materials. Xie Yunzhen held no grudges against Yu Wanqiu—in fact, she admired her. If it were her, at her age and as a public figure, she wouldn’t have the courage to retake the college entrance exam. But Yu Wanqiu was bold and determined, living life on her own terms. Xie Yunzhen sent her a stack of books, hoping she’d succeed in getting into Qinghua.
Yu Wanqiu complained to Jiang Lan, "I just realized how much there is to memorize. I don’t remember studying this hard back when I took the exam. Am I getting old? Is my memory failing? Were high school students always this burdened? I haven’t been good enough to Lu Yicheng!"
Jiang Lan and Lu Yicheng were attending evening self-study sessions. When she couldn’t focus anymore, she stepped out to call Yu Wanqiu. She couldn’t recall how tough her own high school years were, but Lu Yicheng must’ve had it hard—studying for himself while also tutoring her.
"Old? You’re memorizing exam material faster than I ever could. If your memory’s bad, then I must have early-onset dementia."
Jiang Lan suspected her university exams had also been smoothed over by Lu Yicheng’s help—otherwise…
She suggested, "Why not let Uncle Lu study first and then highlight the key points for you?"
Self-studying without guidance was tough, especially without a targeted approach. Though Yu Wanqiu didn’t have a tutor, she did have a husband.
Yu Wanqiu was tempted, but she had never asked Lu Shuangchen for help before. "I won’t beg him."
Jiang Lan coaxed, "Between spouses, it’s not begging—it’s just helping. You’re memorizing scripts and sorting through study material alone. Doesn’t Uncle Lu know how to cherish you?"
She cleared her throat. "Not that I’m bad-mouthing him, but he really should lend a hand."
Lu Yicheng had come out to look for Jiang Lan and had been listening for a while. He tugged her braid. "Who are you bad-mouthing?"
Jiang Lan glanced up at him. "I’m on the phone with Teacher Yu. Definitely not talking about you. Go back inside and study."
Yu Wanqiu asked, "Is Lu Yicheng there?"
Jiang Lan turned the camera toward him. "He’s helping me outline key points for the Marine Animal Protection Association volunteer exam. It’s too much for me alone. Without him, I’d never pass."
Lu Yicheng greeted Yu Wanqiu. "She’s hopeless. I’m just helping so she doesn’t take forever to prepare."
Yu Wanqiu nodded thoughtfully. Jiang Lan had a point.
Lately, Lu Shuangchen had taken up cooking—a newfound hobby.
Specifically, cooking for Yu Wanqiu.
Left to himself, he’d never bother. Cooking for one wasn’t worth the effort. But for Yu Wanqiu, he did it willingly.
Following recipes was simple. Measure the salt, time the heat—with his intelligence, it was hard to mess up.
If a dish didn’t turn out well, he’d eat it himself. He wasn’t one to waste food.
Yu Wanqiu’s appetite had returned to normal, but she studied late into the night. Lu Shuangchen made sure she had midnight snacks—sometimes noodles with a fried egg and ham, sometimes fried rice. She’d always eat a little.
Tonight, he made crispy fried chicken cutlets. The last time they’d passed a fried chicken shop, Yu Wanqiu had glanced at it longingly, but her stomach hadn’t been up to it then.
Now, after a few days of recovery, she could indulge a little.
The aroma of the fried chicken was rich and tempting. Lu Shuangchen set out small dishes of salad dressing and ketchup, poured a glass of orange juice, and brought it to her.
But Yu Wanqiu wasn’t in the mood. "Ahem… husband."
Lu Shuangchen sat attentively. "Hmm?"
"The math problems are tough. Do you still remember how to solve them? Teach me."
A spark lit up Lu Shuangchen’s eyes. He had never imagined Yu Wanqiu asking him for help—such a thing had been unthinkable before.
Whether it was acting or securing roles, Yu Wanqiu had always done everything on her own. Her early career hadn’t been smooth sailing. As her husband, he’d witnessed the struggles when she first debuted—being dismissed as just a pretty face, rumors about her being kept, standing in the corner during interviews.
Others might’ve forgotten how hard the beginning was, but he never had.
Countless times, he’d wanted to step in, but he held back. He respected her choices.
This was the first time she’d ever asked for his help. "Wanqiu, this makes me happy."
He smiled warmly. Yu Wanqiu fidgeted. "Just so we’re clear—I’m only asking because I’m short on time, not because I’m admitting you’re better than me. If I had the time, I could manage on my own."
Lu Shuangchen had never thought that way. He took her hand. "You’re an award-winning actress, about to star in a National Day tribute film. I’m just a businessman, reeking of money. When have you ever been beneath me?"
He was downplaying himself. Yu Wanqiu chuckled. "I don’t want to hear that. If you were just a businessman, would I have fallen for you?"
Lu Shuangchen had been an outstanding young man in his day—remarkable in his own right.
She shoved the math book into his arms. "Study this, along with the past few years’ college entrance exam papers. My chances of getting into university depend on you now."
And so, Lu Shuangchen added "tutor" to his new role as a cook. If it were Lu Yicheng, he might’ve bargained for perks—like a kiss from Jiang Lan for every question she couldn’t answer.
But Lu Shuangchen only worried about not teaching well enough. He poured 200% of his focus into it.
Lu Shuangchen’s executive assistant noticed the CEO’s life had become unexpectedly vibrant. Between cookbooks and high school math textbooks, the overseas-returned Ph.D. was now scribbling notes on thick A4 paper with academic fervor.
It was bizarre.
But with Lu Shuangchen’s help, Yu Wanqiu’s load lightened considerably.
On Wednesday, she traveled to N Province to film a milk commercial at Yuexiang’s production base.
The grasslands stretched endlessly under the sun, the sky a brilliant blue with scattered clouds. Every shot was postcard-perfect.
Galloping on horseback here would’ve been exhilarating.
The area had ranches, herdsmen living off the land, feasting daily on roasted meat and flatbreads.
The roasted lamb here is absolutely delicious, far more fragrant than anywhere else. The large skewers threaded onto red willow branches are incredibly aromatic, grilled to a golden crisp and sprinkled with a layer of white sesame seeds. Holding one skewer in each hand, along with the golden roasted flatbread, makes for an unforgettable meal.
Yu Wanqiu planned to bring a young lamb back home to make hotpot and grill more skewers. The advertisement shoot took a day and a half, and by Friday, they returned to N City. Yu Wanqiu brought some lamb skewers to pick up Jiang Lan at the gates of Qinghua University. Over the weekend, they planned to visit Ms. Wu Qing.
Ms. Wu Qing lived in a sanatorium in B City. Her daughter was no longer around, leaving her as the only elderly person in the family. She had dedicated much of her life to the country, yet she had little wealth to her name, living a rather frugal life.
Yu Wanqiu agonized over what gift to bring—whether to choose something expensive or practical. She couldn’t decide. Jiang Lan, however, always had a knack for picking gifts that resonated deeply. Yu Wanqiu wanted to ask for her opinion.
Jiang Lan said, "She must miss the Gobi Desert dearly—the land, every plant and tree, and the memories made there. Teacher Yu, why don’t we bring her some soil from the Gobi, along with poplar leaves? We can also bring some local delicacies and fresh fruits. That should be enough."
Wu Qing was over ninety years old, and her health had declined. She had only returned two years prior, and if not for her failing body, she would have stayed in the Gobi indefinitely.
Yu Wanqiu agreed.
The two of them made a trip to the Gobi. Unlike the grasslands, where the sky was a clear blue, the sky here had a yellowish tint. Though the immediate surroundings were lush, further out lay vast stretches of desert and barren land.
Wu Qing had planted many trees, but much of the land remained covered in yellow sand. Following Jiang Lan’s suggestion, Yu Wanqiu scooped up a handful of Gobi soil and pressed a few poplar leaves between the pages of a book.
Finally, they bought a small sapling from a local.
It was tiny, its leaves tender and fragile, as if a gust of wind could snap it. But the locals assured them that poplar trees could live for a very long time.
On Saturday, they traveled to the sanatorium in B City.
Dressed simply and wearing light makeup, Yu Wanqiu didn’t bring her script. This visit wasn’t about gathering material for her role—it was simply to pay respects to the elderly woman.
The sanatorium was well-kept. Ms. Wu Qing lived in a sunny first-floor room, which was neat and tidy. She had already eaten breakfast and had gone for a walk in the small garden.
Her age made walking difficult, so after two laps, she returned to her room.
Years of hardship had left her with many ailments. When the weather turned gloomy, her legs ached. Her arms hurt too. Wu Qing believed that the reason she had lived so long was because of all the trees she had planted—the spirits of the Gobi were watching over her.
Yu Wanqiu knocked on the door. A frail voice answered, and only then did she step inside.
Wu Qing was still very thin.
Yu Wanqiu had contacted her in advance, so Wu Qing nodded in recognition. "You’ve come."
Yu Wanqiu introduced herself. "Hello, I’m Yu Wanqiu. I’ll be portraying you in Homage, specifically in The Poplar Forest. I came today to visit you. This is my friend, Jiang Lan."
Jiang Lan introduced herself briefly and stood quietly beside Yu Wanqiu.
Wu Qing gestured for them to sit. "Have some fruit. Did you come to ask me anything?"
She assumed Yu Wanqiu was here to discuss the script—after all, no one knew her story better than she did.
Yu Wanqiu shook her head. "I didn’t come to ask anything. I just wanted to chat. Are you comfortable living here? Is there anything you need?"
The room was sparsely furnished—a single bed, a table with fruit, and an old-fashioned calendar. It was hard to imagine that a woman who had spent decades planting trees lived so simply.
Wu Qing was alone. Her grandchildren were grown and didn’t need her worry. What was there to adjust to?
She was like a poplar tree—if she could thrive in the Gobi, she could certainly adapt to the comforts of a sanatorium.
"It’s quite nice here. There are plenty of companions, and we chat while sunbathing. Never a dull moment." There wasn’t a trace of loneliness in Wu Qing’s eyes. Jiang Lan thought she truly resembled a poplar.
Yu Wanqiu smiled. "That’s good to hear. If you ever feel bored, I can come visit and chat."
Wu Qing chuckled. "Alright."
She knew her life story had been adapted into a film and that Yu Wanqiu would be playing her. Wu Qing had seen Yu Wanqiu’s movies before—they had been a source of comfort during her lonelier days.
...
The two of them stayed for a while, but Wu Qing tired easily due to her age. They left the gifts behind without explaining what they were—just calling them "local specialties" and hoping she’d like them.
After leaving the sanatorium, Yu Wanqiu felt a strange emptiness. Wu Qing seemed so solitary—elderly, unable to go out for long, with no friends nearby and no family left. "Jiang Lan, will we be friends for life?"
It seemed the only thing keeping Wu Qing company was her memories.
Jiang Lan squeezed Yu Wanqiu’s hand. "Of course. You’re the first person like you I’ve ever been friends with—not at all what I expected. No pretenses, just endless conversations."
Yu Wanqiu knew many people envied her.
After driving for about ten minutes, Wu Qing called. Her voice was choked with emotion. "Come back for a moment. There’s something I want to give you."
Wu Qing stood by the windowsill, staring at the small sapling. Her eyes were red. Age had covered her face in spots, and by conventional standards, she wasn’t beautiful. But from this angle, Jiang Lan thought she looked radiant.
She must have been stunning in her youth.
The Gobi soil, the poplar leaves—Yu Wanqiu had also brought a book of poetry, its pages holding pressed poplar leaves.
Wu Qing pulled two notebooks from her cabinet. "These are my notes from when I first went there. I hope they help you."
They were filled with details—how to plant trees, how many, the cost of each sapling. Part journal, part ledger.
Wu Qing hadn’t planned to give these to Yu Wanqiu, but the gifts had moved her deeply.
At her age, she hesitated to ask too much of the country. Being able to live in such a place was already a blessing. She hadn’t planted trees for recognition or money.
Wu Qing wiped her eyes. "You don’t need to return them. Keep them."
To Yu Wanqiu, these notebooks were priceless.
Wu Qing’s handwriting was elegant. Suddenly, Yu Wanqiu had an idea—a way to better portray her on screen.
The script didn’t include the notebooks, but she thought they should be added.
It would also help promote the importance of afforestation. Wu Qing’s efforts alone weren’t enough.
She had spent a lifetime planting, yet deserts and barren lands remained. It would take many hands to make a difference.
Yu Wanqiu wanted to plant trees too.
The emotional weight of the day left her sighing softly as she leaned back in the car. "Let’s go home and have a good meal."
Jiang Lan nodded. "Then I’ll head back to school. You should rest."
Yu Wanqiu sat up straight. "Why go back to school? Let’s go home. I brought a young lamb from N Province—we’ll grill skewers and make hotpot. The meat is so tender!"
Yu Wanqiu sent Lu Shuangchen two messages, asking him to thaw the sliced meat so they could start grilling as soon as she got home.
Lu Shuangchen was currently at the office, having originally planned to eat lunch there, but then Yu Wanqiu’s messages came through.
He couldn’t very well admit he wasn’t home, so he grabbed his coat and hurried back.
Yu Wanqiu suddenly remembered she also had a son. "Oh, right—what about Lu Yicheng? Is he free?"
Jiang Lan felt it might be a bit awkward for her to go to Yu Wanqiu’s house…
Thinking back to when Lu Yicheng had visited her place, he’d brought so many things, while she hadn’t prepared anything at all.
"Professor Yu, maybe I should just head back to school. I…"
Yu Wanqiu understood what Jiang Lan meant. "It’s just a meal. You’ve already met everyone in the house—what’s there to be shy about? There won’t be any strangers."
...
"Look at it this way—you’re coming to my place for dinner, not Lu Yicheng’s. Problem solved," Yu Wanqiu said. "But if you’re really that uncomfortable, I’ll just tell them not to come back."
With that, she picked up her phone to message Lu Shuangchen again.