Chapter Eight: Add My Dad

“Wow…” Zhao Nan-nan suddenly realized that, without her noticing, the coffee table had been filled with delicious dishes.

“Did we make all this?” She stared in amazement at the steaming fish still standing proudly on the plate.

“To be precise, I made all of it. You were more like a spectator…” Tian Lei said as he washed his hands, wiped them on his apron, then took it off and grabbed his phone to start taking pictures.

“Beep beep beep…” Zhao Nan-nan’s phone started ringing. As soon as she answered the video call, her father’s voice boomed from the other end. “Sweetheart, you’re not coming home this year? What’s going on over there?”

“Dad???” Zhao Nan-nan looked surprised, “Why are you at home? Aren’t you on duty this year?”

“What are you thinking, not coming home!” Her father ignored her question and pressed on, “Don’t you know how dangerous it is? What are you trying to do?”

“Oh, Dad!” Zhao Nan-nan feigned a spoiled tone. “Isn’t it more dangerous on a crowded train? Besides, I’m doing just fine here. Look—”

Her father paused, catching sight of the spread on the table. “Did you order takeout? You’re still brave enough to order delivery right now?”

“No… Tian Lei cooked all this!”

“Tian Lei? You two are still wandering around at a time like this? Why can’t you just stay home and be safe?” Her father’s voice grew even louder, mixed with background muttering, “Who? Nan-nan’s boyfriend? What did he make, let me see…”

The video call quickly switched over. “Nan-nan, did Tian Lei come to your place or did you go to his? Listen, don’t drink outside, come home early, things are tense over there!”

“Auntie.” Tian Lei greeted her mother politely.

“Oh, this is Nan-nan’s apartment, isn’t it? Things are pretty serious where you are, you really should go out less!” Nan-nan’s mother had already recognized her daughter’s rented place from the camera angle.

“Nan-nan, where’s your roommate? Invite her to eat with you!”

“Huh? They went back home!”

“Oh… oh dear…” Her mother looked like she wanted to say more but stopped herself.

“Give it here!” Her father quickly snatched the phone, “The latest by eight thirty, you both video call me from your own homes. It’s serious out there—stay inside!”

“Dad, I’m an adult, I know what I’m doing!”

“Cut the nonsense. Later, add Tian Lei’s WeChat for me, and at eight thirty we’ll video chat! Your mom and I have seen his place, don’t think you can pull any tricks!” Her father’s tone brooked no argument—everything else could wait.

“Fine, fine! I’m going to eat now!” Zhao Nan-nan hung up the call, exasperated.

“With your family being so strict, how did they let you move out on your own?” Tian Lei asked, puzzled. Usually, families would encourage boys to venture out, but for girls—especially from strict households—it was rare.

“I went to university in Binhai. I was planning to stay there after graduation, but something happened, so I moved here,” Zhao Nan-nan put down her phone, picked up her chopsticks, and explained.

“Oh, I see—you followed your boyfriend here, didn’t you?” Tian Lei said, convinced.

“…Typical male chauvinist!” Zhao Nan-nan muttered under her breath, picking up a piece of fish and putting it in her mouth. “This fish is really good, much better than lunch.”

“Of course. Lunch was just thrown together. This one I made with care,” Tian Lei replied, tasting a piece himself.

“Beep beep…” Zhao Nan-nan’s WeChat chimed.

“Hurry up and send me that boy’s WeChat. I want to add him!”

“Oh, come on! Is that really necessary?” Zhao Nan-nan looked at Tian Lei. “You heard him, right? I’ll give you my dad’s WeChat, just add him, and remember to set your Moments to block him from seeing your posts!”