The next day, I woke up with a bright smile. I stood up, opened the window, and the sunlight streamed in, casting a warm glow across my room. It's a perfect day for a date, I thought to myself.
I freshened up, wore my favorite dress, and made breakfast just for Lu. I waited, feeling butterflies in my stomach.
Meanwhile, on the other side of town, Lu was getting ready for our date — and he looked like a movie star. As he stepped out of his room, his mother called out, "Lu! Come have breakfast!"
He replied while slipping on his watch, "Ma, I have some work outside. I'll eat there."
His father chuckled from the dining table and said, "You're skipping your mom's food? Look at me — even if it's not great, do I complain? If I do, she'll say, 'Like husband, like wife. Cooked with love and still no appreciation!'"
Right on cue, his mother threw a towel at her husband's face and glared. Lu laughed at their antics, shaking his head.
But his mom wasn't fooled. Narrowing her eyes, she asked, "You're going on a date, aren't you?"
Lu froze with his glass of water halfway to his mouth. His dad slowly pulled the towel off his face and asked, "Is your mother right?"
Lu gave a sheepish smile. "I guess I can't hide it anymore… Yeah. I'm in love."
His mother gave him a happy slap on the shoulder, while his dad sighed dramatically.
"So who is she?" his mother asked, eyes shining. "Where does she work?"
"She was my patient at first… Now she's working at a kindergarten."
His mom clasped her hands in joy. "When do I get to meet her? Don't tell me you're going to keep her hidden forever."
"Ma~ we just started dating," he said, laughing. "When she's ready, I promise I'll bring her to meet you."
She held his hand gently. "There's no rush. When she's comfortable, bring her. I'll take good care of her."
His dad grumbled, "Well, if she's not like someone—"
His wife cut him off with a glare. "I dare you to finish that sentence."
He went silent.
Lu burst out laughing, then left the house with a wide grin.
---
When he arrived at my place, I was already waiting outside with the breakfast box in my hands.
"You're late," I pouted. "I was waiting! Look, I even made breakfast for you."
I handed it to him and hugged him tightly.
Lu smiled and replied, "My mom found out I was going on a date. She started asking me a hundred questions."
I giggled. "What did she say?"
"She said yes," he replied. "And told me to invite you home when you're ready. She really wants to meet you."
I nodded. "I'm ready whenever you invite me. I'd love to meet your mom."
He gently patted my head. We got into the car, and I opened the box for him.
He tasted it and smiled. "It's delicious."
A small blush crept up my cheeks. "Lu, you're the first person to ever taste my cooking."
He looked at me in surprise. "What about your friends? Not even Liang?"
I shook my head. "Nope. I rarely cook. Sometimes I just eat at Liang's house."
Lu chuckled, picked up the spoon, and fed me a bite.