A Long-Awaited Marriage - Chapter 3

She gently stroked the ring on her ring finger for a while, then took it off and placed it with her diary and phone.

Lu Anran sighed deeply. It’s all in the past; she should let it go.

Perhaps that dream was telling her to let go, to let go of her obsession…

Lu Anran took out her running gear from the closet, put on her running shoes, and styled her hair into a neat bun.

After warming up, she sets off for a run around the neighborhood. This has been her habit for the past two years; when the weather is bad, she practices yoga indoors.

The pleasure that exercise brings is obvious.

In the quiet morning, I could hear a gentle breeze, the soft chirping of birds, and my own firm footsteps.

It seems that as long as you start running, all your worries can be left behind, and your thoughts will become clear.

Lu Anran thoroughly enjoyed the tranquility and beauty of the place.

After a 30-minute jog and brisk walk, Lu Anran’s forehead and back were covered with a thin layer of sweat.

Stretching after running is essential. After completing a set of stretches, all the cells in your body are fully activated, leaving you feeling warm and comfortable.

Thinking of the start of summer today, Lu Anran took out her phone and transferred eight thousand yuan to her father.

A little while later, Dad called.

“Ranran, why are you sending money to Dad again? I still have the money you gave me last month.”

Lu Anran smiled and said in a good mood, “Dad, my brother is in high school now, and he’s at the age where he’s growing a lot. Your health isn’t very good either, so you and your brother should buy some more good food!”

“I’ve been a bit busy lately. I’ll go back to see you when my younger brother has his Dragon Boat Festival holiday.”

On the other end of the phone, the father seemed to be silent for a minute, probably pleased with his daughter’s understanding.

“It’s not easy for a girl like you to run a shop outside, so keep some money on you. Dad still has some. The poverty subsidy has also come through, it’s 4,000 yuan. With Dad’s health, I can’t help you much…”

“Dad, you have to believe that your son and daughter are both capable people. As long as you are happy, I can work hard outside without worry!”

Lu Zhenjiang, the father, believes he has accomplished nothing in his life. When he was young, his wife disliked him for being poor, and she ran off with someone else less than two years after their son was born.

When his son Lu Youzhi was five years old, he was in a car accident, which left him with a leg ailment.

Lu Anran was only fifteen years old at the time, and she had to take care of him, a grown man, as well as her younger brother.

So many years have passed in the blink of an eye. The children have grown up, life has improved, and the house has been renovated into a two-story building.

Everyone in the village who meets him praises him, saying, “What a blessing to have such sensible children.”

Yes, let’s look on the bright side. His children are successful and filial, he should be happy!

“Oh! Dad is so lucky to have you two, a brother and a sister. By the way, today is the Beginning of Summer, don’t forget to eat eggs.”

“Dad, I know! I even made egg bags with colorful threads, so I can put the boiled eggs in them later,” Lu Anran said with a smile.

“Okay, take good care of yourself out there. Don’t worry about things at home!”

Lu Anran hung up the phone and went back to her room to make breakfast.

Two boiled eggs, two slices of steak, two kiwis cut into small pieces, a small handful of nuts, a dish of broccoli, and two cups of hot milk.

Lu Anran placed two hard-boiled eggs into pre-woven egg sleeves and called out to the inner room, “Yaoyao, get up and have breakfast!”

There was no response.

“Lazybones, get up! Have you forgotten you have an interview today?” Lu Anran raised her voice.

A moment later, the door opened, and Ding Shuyao, with her messy hair and sleepy eyes, shuffled to the dining table in her slippers and plopped down: “Ranran, I really admire you, getting up so early every day~”

After saying that, he yawned again.

Lu Anran picked up an egg and put it in her arms. “Here, it’s the Beginning of Summer today, we have to eat eggs. Remember to hang it on your bag when you go out later.”

“No need to go out, I’ll take care of it right now!” he said, reaching for the eggs.

“Hey~ Hurry up and brush your teeth and wash your face!” Lu Anran pushed her to the sink.

“I have to deliver goods today, so I won’t be able to keep you company. Keep an eye on the time, don’t be late~” After finishing breakfast, Lu Anran gave Ding Shuyao a few instructions and then went out.

She turned back a little while later, having forgotten to bring her Summer Solstice Egg.

When I was little, my dad would boil two eggs every year on the day of Lixia (the beginning of summer). He would give one to me and one to my brother, and we would hang them around our necks for a while before eating them to cool off in the summer heat.

Eating eggs on the day of Lixia (the beginning of summer) brings peace and good health.

This is the most heartwarming sense of ritual in ordinary life.