Chapter 48: The Perfect Husband

Shu Yan thought of the group of bachelors in the investigation division and couldn't help smiling, "That's true."

Lu Chengfeng smiled gently. "Go brush your teeth. The wontons should be eaten while they're hot."

"Oh," Shu Yan replied. "However, Captain Lu, could you please let go of your hand first?"

Yet, Lu Chengfeng showed no intention of letting go whatsoever.

He gazed at her and suddenly lowered his head to press his lips against hers.

A trace of sweetness rippled through both of their hearts.

After a long kiss, Lu Chengfeng finally released Shu Yan with evident reluctance.

"Alright, you can go now."

Shu Yan pouted, glared at Lu Chengfeng, and hurried away with a blushing, flustered face.

"Walk slowly, don't trip," Lu Chengfeng's voice sounded from behind.

"I'm not a child," Shu Yan retorted with mild dissatisfaction.

Lu Chengfeng chuckled. "You're our key protection object right now."

"Whatever," Shu Yan muttered as she slipped into the bedroom, rushing to the bathroom to relieve herself, brush her teeth, and wash her face.

When she returned to the dining room, the steaming hot sour-and-spicy wontons were already set on the table, along with the neatly arranged utensils.

Lu Chengfeng pulled out a chair. "Director Shu, please take a seat."

Shu Yan glanced at Lu Chengfeng, sat down leisurely, and comfortably accepted his service.

Lu Chengfeng walked around to the opposite side of the table and sat down.

"See if the flavor is strong enough. If not, you can add some more aged vinegar and chili oil."

Shu Yan picked up the spoon and took a small sip of the broth—it was tangy, spicy, and appetizing.

"Just right."

It tasted even better than the sour-and-spicy rice noodles she bought outside, and the best part was that it was clean and hygienic, allowing her to eat with complete peace of mind.

The wonton fillings were made of scallions and lean pork, and their freshness was unmistakably evident.

She had no idea what time Lu Chengfeng must have gotten up.

For a grown man to go to such lengths was truly remarkable.

Shu Yan was not someone who couldn't tell good from bad; she was seriously considering settling down with him to live a normal life and raise a cute child together.

After finishing breakfast, Shu Yan proactively gathered the bowls and chopsticks. "You cooked the meal, so let me wash the dishes."

However, Lu Chengfeng snatched the bowls right out of her hands. "Don't get your hands dirty. Go change your clothes and get ready."

Shu Yan felt a little embarrassed.

Lu Chengfeng smiled at her. "If you feel embarrassed, seriously consider my proposal of marrying me."

"Those are two different things," Shu Yan retorted. "Though, I will consider it seriously."

Lu Chengfeng raised an eyebrow. "Then consider doing the chores as the rent I'm paying you. Alright, go change your clothes quickly."

Shu Yan didn't argue with Lu Chengfeng any further. If she dawdled any longer, both of them might end up running late.

She went back to her room to change, and Lu Chengfeng came in to change as well.

He was quick with his movements, and by the time she finished getting ready, he was already fully prepared.

They changed their shoes and headed down together to the underground parking garage.

Once she was seated in the car, Shu Yan finally remembered to ask Lu Chengfeng, "Is it really okay for you to just use Shi Wei's car like this?"

Lu Chengfeng replied, "He has several cars under his name, and this one is the cheapest. He rarely drives it. I'll take you to look at cars when I have some free time. We can go pick one out together then, and you can choose the one you like."

Shu Yan pressed her lips together. Lu Chengfeng really was treating her like family already.

Seeing that Shu Yan didn't respond, Lu Chengfeng quickly added, "Don't worry, I'll pay for the car."

Shu Yan looked up, giving him a side-glance. "Of course you're paying. I certainly don't have the money to buy you a car."

Lu Chengfeng turned his head to look at her and asked with a smile, "Is your apartment bought on a mortgage? Have you finished paying it off?"

Shu Yan answered, "It's on a mortgage—a fifteen-year term, and I've only paid off eight years."

Lu Chengfeng thought for a moment and asked, "How much is left? I'll give you the money, and you can pay it off early."

Shu Yan assumed Lu Chengfeng was just casually joking, so she decided to tease him in return.

"What for? Are you trying to get me to add your name to the property deed? Keep dreaming. This is my pre-marital property. If you want a house, go buy one yourself; I won't ask you to add my name to it."

Lu Chengfeng laughed. "Director Shu, does that mean you've agreed to marry me?"

Shu Yan frowned, feeling as though she had walked right into Lu Chengfeng's trap.

"I didn't say I agreed. I'm just telling you not to eye my apartment."

Lu Chengfeng chuckled. "Don't worry, Director Shu, I don't have intentions like that."

Shu Yan asked, "Then why are you being so kind as to help me pay off my mortgage early? Don't tell me you're doing it out of selfless devotion."

Lu Chengfeng replied, "Of course not. Since we're getting married, don't I need to give you a bridal gift? Just consider this as the bride price."

Shu Yan hadn't expected Lu Chengfeng to be so generous.

"The bride price in our Licheng doesn't need to be nearly that much."

Lu Chengfeng smiled. "Director Shu, are you being polite with me?"

"I am certainly not being polite with you," Shu Yan said, raising an eyebrow. "Since you're so eager to give me money, hand over your salary card then."

"No problem, I'll give it to you as soon as we get to the office," Lu Chengfeng answered readily.

Seeing that Lu Chengfeng didn't look like he was joking, Shu Yan said, "Forget it, I don't like managing money. Let's just keep our finances separate."

Lu Chengfeng curved his lips into a smile. "It's not about making you manage the money; it's for you to spend. You can use it to pay off the mortgage, or for shopping, and all future household expenses can be drawn from this card. You can keep saving your own salary."

Shu Yan refused. "That wouldn't be fair to you. I won't do that."

Lu Chengfeng said, "A husband making money for his wife to spend is only natural and right. For a man, it's a great honor. You don't need to be polite, and certainly don't need to carry any burden."

Shu Yan stopped talking. She didn't know whether Lu Chengfeng was saying these things just to coax her into a good mood or if he genuinely meant every word.

She felt his behavior was almost too flawless—taking over all the housework and even offering to hand over his salary card.

Was there really such a perfect husband in this world?

Shu Yan's home wasn't far from their workplace, and since they drove, they arrived very quickly.

When they were still a hundred meters away from the office building, Shu Yan insisted on getting out of the car, afraid that if their colleagues caught them together, she would have to scramble for excuses to explain it.

Knowing Shu Yan's temperament, Lu Chengfeng yielded to her wishes, stopping the car to let her out so she could walk the rest of the way.

He drove to the office parking lot, parked the car, and watched from inside as Shu Yan walked into the forensic center in the annex building before finally stepping out and heading upstairs with peace of mind.

Once they arrived at their respective offices, both of them plunged into their work.

Around noon, just as Shu Yan was getting ready to head to the cafeteria for lunch with Taozi, she received a message from Lu Chengfeng.

Lu Chengfeng: "Going out to eat? I'll take you somewhere good."

Shu Yan glanced at Taozi and replied as she walked.

Shu Yan: "No thanks, Taozi asked me to eat at the cafeteria with her. We're heading downstairs now."

Lu Chengfeng: "Alright, see you in the cafeteria."

Shu Yan: "..."

She didn't seem to have invited him along, did she?

Noticing Shu Yan continuously staring down and texting, Taozi asked with burning curiosity, "Director Shu, are you in a relationship lately?"

Shu Yan hurriedly denied it. "No way."

Taozi wore a knowing, meaningful smile on her lips.

"Director Shu, I've been through this. People in love are different. I can sense that you're right in the middle of your sweet honeymoon phase."

Shu Yan frowned. "You've misjudged."

Taozi stubbornly smiled without another word, maintaining an attitude of knowing all without exposing it.

The two of them arrived at the bustling cafeteria.

Taozi grabbed a food tray and eagerly ran off to line up for food.

Shu Yan followed unhurriedly behind her.

When it was her turn to be served, the cafeteria worker suddenly looked past her toward someone behind and shouted with a smile, "Captain Lu is here too."

Shu Yan turned her head and realized that Lu Chengfeng was standing right behind her.

"Not planning to eat much today, Director Shu?" he asked deliberately, looking at her.

"Would Director Shu like some extra portions?" the worker chimed in as well.

Shu Yan quickly shook her head. "No need, thank you."

"Director Shu, with just that little bit of food, it wouldn't even be enough between my teeth. Can you really fill your stomach with that?" Lu Chengfeng asked again.