A Sharp Edge Emerges From The Mist Chapter 42

Meet parents

On the last weekend before the Spring Festival, the Twin Cities ushered in the first decent snow since the beginning of winter.The snowflakes were not big, they were fine and dense, quietly covering the outline of the city, temporarily burying the hustle and bustle under the soft whiteness.

Lin Jianfeng drove, carrying Shen Qingwu, to an old but well-managed institutional family home in the east of the city.The speed of the car was not fast, and the wheels made a slight rustling sound as they ran over the thin snow.

Shen Qingwu was sitting in the passenger seat, looking out the window at the passing snow and familiar street scenes, but his fingers unconsciously tightened the woolen scarf on his knees.Today, she was going to meet Lin Jianfeng’s parents.

This suggestion was made naturally by Lin Jianfeng a week ago, late at night while working overtime together.”It’s almost the Chinese New Year. My mother has said that she wants to meet you several times.” She said it casually, as if she was just inviting a colleague to go home for a casual meal.

But Shen Qingwu knew that this was more than just a simple meal.This was the first time that she faced her family as Lin Jianfeng’s “partner” (although this identity is still subtle and complicated at the moment).Tension is inevitable.Even more than facing the shrewdest opponent or the toughest judge, she felt a strange uneasiness.

She didn’t know what Lin Jianfeng’s parents thought of her future daughter-in-law (if they could have a future) who “had a criminal record”, was “on probation” and had a “complicated reputation”.Is it vigilance?Curiosity?Or…tolerant?

Lin Jianfeng seemed to notice her tension. When the light was red, he reached over and gently shook her hand.”Don’t be nervous. My parents are very ordinary and reasonable people. My mother was a middle school teacher before she retired, and my father was an old technician at a machinery factory and has retired long ago. They… know some things about you, but they don’t know much, and they are not comprehensive. They only care about me, and they also care about… the people who make me different.”

Her hands were warm and dry, with a reassuring strength.Shen Qingwu held it with his backhand and said “hmm” softly. The tension in his heart had not completely dissipated, but at least he had something to rely on.

The car drove into the family’s courtyard and stopped in front of a six-story board building.The corridor is clean, and the walls are painted with a half-person-high light green dado, which gives it a sense of age, but is also neat and warm.

Lin Jianfeng’s home is on the third floor.As soon as I reached the door, the door opened from the inside.An old woman wearing an apron, with gray hair but energetic, poked her head out, with a warm smile on her face: “Here? Come in, come in! Is it cold outside? Oh, this is Qingwu, right? She’s so handsome! Come in and warm yourself up!”

It’s Lin Jianfeng’s mother, Teacher Wang.

“Hello, Auntie.” Shen Qingwu quickly bowed slightly to say hello, trying to make his smile appear natural.

“Okay, okay, you’re welcome, just treat it as your own home!” Teacher Wang grabbed Shen Qingwu’s hand, pulled her through the door, and shouted inside, “Old Lin! Jian Feng and the others are back!”

The living room is not big, but it is kept spotlessly clean. The furniture is all old-fashioned, but it is well maintained, with a warmth that has accumulated over time.Hanging on the wall are Lin Jianfeng’s certificates from childhood to adulthood and several family photos.A tall old man (Father Lin) with a kind face and reading glasses stood up from the sofa, smiled and nodded: “It’s good to be here, it’s good to be here. Sit down, sit down quickly.”

Lin Jianfeng took off his coat, hung it up, and went to the kitchen to pour water.Shen Qingwu was pulled by Teacher Wang to sit down on the sofa. Father Lin also sat down again. Across the coffee table, he looked at her with a smile, his eyes were gentle, and he had the unique wisdom of the elders, who seemed to be able to see through everything but tolerate everything.

“I heard Xiaofeng mention you many times,” Lin’s father said with a deep voice, “I said you helped her a lot and that you are… an amazing young man.” He carefully considered his words and avoided those sensitive labels.

Shen Qingwu waved his hands quickly: “Thank you, uncle. I…didn’t help much, but Lin… Jianfeng helped me a lot.” She almost called out “Officer Lin” out of habit, but changed her tune in time.

“Help each other, help each other!” Teacher Wang came over with a plate of washed fruits, sat down next to Shen Qingwu, and held her hand affectionately, “Xiao Feng, this child, has been stubborn since he was a child, has a good idea, and works hard. The two of us areShe has always been worried.In the past, she felt like she was bored when she came home.In the past six months, she seems to be more cheerful and talks more when she comes home.We know that this is all because of knowing you.”

Teacher Wang’s words were simple and sincere, without any falsehood, but they made Shen Qingwu’s heart feel warm and his nose felt a little sore.She didn’t expect that her “trouble” would actually make her daughter better in the eyes of Mother Lin.

“Auntie, I…” Shen Qingwu wanted to say something, but didn’t know where to start.

“Needless to say, kid, we all understand.” Teacher Wang patted the back of her hand, his eyes full of understanding and love, “Who hasn’t had any difficulties? If you take the wrong road, you know how to turn back and walk on the right path, that’s good! Xiaofeng believes in you and protects you, she must have her reasons. As parents, we hope that she will be well, and hope that she will have someone around her who can understand both cold and hot, and can support each other.”

Father Lin also nodded in agreement: “Yes. Let the past pass. Looking forward and living a good life is better than anything else.”

No questions, no exploration, just the simplest and warmest acceptance and blessings.Shen Qingwu had a lump in his throat and hot eyes, so he could only nod hard.

Lin Jianfeng came out with water. When he saw this scene, the corners of his mouth raised slightly, and he placed the water glass in front of Shen Qingwu: “Mom, don’t keep dragging Qingwu to talk. People will make you feel embarrassed.”

“Aren’t I so happy!” Teacher Wang glared at her daughter angrily, and then said to Shen Qingwu, “Qingwu, we will have dinner at home tonight! Auntie will make dumplings for you, stuffed with pork and cabbage, Xiaofeng’s favorite!”

“Mom, Qingwu might…” Lin Jianfeng wanted to remind his mother that Shen Qingwu’s taste might be lighter and more refined.

“Okay, thank you, auntie. I like dumplings very much.” Shen Qingwu spoke first, with a subtle choking in his voice, but it was extremely clear, “I…I haven’t eaten dumplings made at home for a long time.”

When Teacher Wang heard this, he felt even more distressed and stood up quickly: “Then you guys chat while I go make some noodles! Old Lin, come and help me!”

Father Lin happily followed him into the kitchen.

Lin Jianfeng and Shen Qingwu were the only two people left in the living room.Shen Qingwu picked up the water glass and took a sip, hiding the turmoil in his heart.

“My parents…that’s it.” Lin Jianfeng sat down next to her and whispered, “Simple, direct, and can’t hide things in his heart, but he also protects his own shortcomings. If they identify you, they will treat you sincerely.”

“I know.” Shen Qingwu put down the water glass and looked at Lin Jianfeng, his eyes gleaming with water, but with a smile, “They… are very good. Much better than I imagined.”

She was originally prepared for scrutiny, explanations, and even tactful persuasion, but she didn’t expect that she would be greeted with such unreserved warmth and acceptance.This kind of kindness from family and the most ordinary elders is a luxurious feeling that she has almost forgotten in the past ten years of cold calculation and dark struggle.

The rhythmic sound of the rolling pin hitting the chopping board and the voice of Teacher Wang nagging and directing Father Lin came from the kitchen, mixed with the aroma of food.

The fireworks of ordinary people, the care of ordinary parents.

To Shen Qingwu, it was as precious as the sunshine after snow.

At dinner, the table was filled with dishes, and in the center was a large plate of steaming, white and plump dumplings.Teacher Wang kept bringing food to Shen Qingwu, while Father Lin asked with concern about the work of the new department (Lin Jianfeng briefly mentioned it). His words were full of support and advice for their future work, and he never mentioned any sensitive topics.

Shen Qingwu slowly relaxed, talked more, and even asked Teacher Wang for advice on how to make dumplings.Lin Jianfeng watched from the side, watching the real and relaxed smile gradually blooming on her face, and the long-lost warmth of “home” in her eyes, and felt peaceful in his heart.

After the meal, Lin Jianfeng helped clean up and wash the dishes. Shen Qingwu wanted to help, but Teacher Wang pushed him down on the sofa and stuffed a plate of washed apples.”Have a rest and let them do their work! Let’s talk!”

Teacher Wang pulled Shen Qingwu and talked about Lin Jianfeng’s childhood embarrassments, interesting stories about the neighborhood in the compound, and his experience in growing flowers after retirement.The topic was trivial and heartwarming. Shen Qingwu listened carefully, occasionally chuckled, and occasionally agreed. The atmosphere was so harmonious that it seemed like they were already a family.

When we left, the night was already dark, the snow had already stopped, and there was a thin layer on the ground.Teacher Wang stuffed Shen Qingwu with a large bag of pickled vegetables and dumplings that had just been wrapped and frozen. Father Lin told them to be careful on the road and come back often for dinner.

As the car drove away from the family compound, in the rearview mirror, you could still see the figures of two old people standing at the door of the building waving, which looked particularly warm under the street lights.

It was quiet inside the car.Shen Qingwu hugged the bag of dumplings that were still cold from the refrigerator and looked at the quiet snow-covered streets passing by outside the window. After a long time, she softly spoke:

“See the edge.”

“Huh?”

“Thank you.” Shen Qingwu turned his head and looked at her, his eyes shining brightly with the street lights, “And…thank you, uncle and aunt.”

Lin Jianfeng turned his head, smiled at her, reached out and held her hand again.

“You’re welcome,” she said, “From now on, this will be your home too.”

This simple sentence made Shen Qingwu’s eyes turn red instantly.She squeezed back hard and turned her face to the window, not wanting Lin Jianfeng to see the tears welling up in her eyes.

But the surging, full feeling of happiness truly filled her chest.

She passed the test of meeting her parents.

Not only was he accepted, but he also found a harbor where he could safely dock, a place he could call “home”.

Snowflakes began to fall sporadically again, dancing in front of the headlights.

There may still be wind and snow on the road ahead, but with this person beside you and the home behind you, no matter how cold the winter is, there seems to be warmth against the severe cold.

That’s enough.