Chapter 53

With a smile, she said, "You're telling me why you're unhappy when I offer you gold?"

Gu Yinxing looked like she'd seen a ghost.

She stared at Yan Ren with her almond-shaped eyes, "You, what nonsense are you spouting? Why am I unhappy? I'm quite happy."

"Really?" Yan Ren raised an eyebrow. He was handsome, and this roguish gesture actually made him look quite masculine.

Yan Ren said, "If you were so happy, why did you have that expression just now?"

Gu Yinxing said, "That's because..."

She stopped mid-sentence, then realized what she'd said, put her hands on her hips, and looked at Yan Ren. "Oh, Captain Yan, you've used your tricks on me."

A smile appeared on Yan Ren's lips. He pinched Gu Yinxing's cheek and said, "Comrade Yin Xing, you're quick-witted too, and you're quite tight-lipped."

"Of course," Gu Yinxing scoffed, "Do you think I'm easy to fool?"

Having said that, she suppressed what was on her mind and said, "I've already asked for leave tomorrow morning. Come over at ten o'clock. Do you want me to bring anything to see your Grandpa? What do they like to eat?"

Gu Yinxing and Yan Ren got along Yan Ren. Yan Ren 'Old Master learned from their daughter that their grandson had a girlfriend, and they kept urging him to meet her.

Yan Ren brought it up today, and Gu Yinxing agreed without hesitation.

"You don't need to bring anything, I'll buy it for you. Just come tomorrow, and my Grandpa will be happier than if they ate anything."

Yan Ren said.

Gu Yinxing wanted to both scold and laugh. She looked Yan Ren up and down, thinking to herself that this Comrade Yan really had never been in a relationship, and his ability to talk was better than many men she had ever met.

"Alright, go on, hurry up and leave. I'm trying to talk to you about serious things, but you always tease me." Gu Yinxing coughed, pretending to Yan Ren, and waved for Yan Ren to leave.

Yan Ren insisted on taking her all the way to her doorstep before returning home. Gu Yinxing, meanwhile, peered out the window, watching until they were far away before turning her head. The moment she turned, she saw He Chunlian and jumped in fright, exclaiming, "Mom, are you trying to scare me to death?"

Are you that timid?

He Chunlian folded clothes and said casually, "Do you want your mom to help you prepare things tomorrow?"

"Mom, you eavesdropped on us!" Gu Yinxing pouted angrily, like a little frog.

He Chunlian snorted twice, "Eavesdropping? I don't care to hear that. What's the big deal? Fine, you handle it yourself."

"Mom, Mom..." Gu Yinxing quickly grabbed He Chunlian.

He Chunlian said she wouldn't help, but in reality, she wouldn't feel at ease if she really didn't.

This was the first time meeting the parents, and they were the Grandpa no less, so He Chunlian had to be careful. The next day, she asked Gu Jinshui to buy two boxes of freshly baked pastries, a basket of fruit, and a box of Korean Ginseng, which Lan Yeping had given her earlier, probably from abroad.

No one in the Gu Family needs to replenish their health, so this stuff is just sitting there unused.

"Mom, isn't this a bit too formal?" Gu Yinxing somewhat embarrassedly, fiddling with her braid.

He Chunlian said, "To put it bluntly, these are our tokens of appreciation. Our family background is far inferior to others, so people will say whatever they say whether we give a lot or a little. But we're not giving these to just anyone; we're giving them to Yan Ren 'Grandpa grandparents. We're giving them because of him, do you understand?"

Gu Yinxing nodded thoughtfully.

Sure enough, when Yan Ren arrived and saw that the Gu Family had prepared so many things, although he said it was unnecessary, he smiled more happily than usual.

Gu Yinxing was completely impressed by her mother.

As expected, experience matters.

Yan Ren 'Grandpa grandparents live in a detached small building in Compound.

Entry and exit required a thorough check. Even though Gu Yinxing knew beforehand that Yan Ren's family background was extraordinary, she only now truly realized what made it so.

"Is this Comrade Xiao Gu?" Grandma Yan, with her gray hair and reading glasses, smiled and said, "What a handsome young lady! Yan Ren, you've found a good match!"

Old Man Yan was stern-faced, but it was clear he was trying to be friendly. He glanced at the things Gu Yinxing had brought and said, "You're here to visit, why bring so much money? Why spend so much money?"

"Grandpa, this is just a small token of our family's appreciation."

Gu Yinxing smiled sweetly, "My mother said that Yan Ren is so good to me, so I should repay him and be filial to you both."

Grandma Yan was even happier when she heard this.

She pulled Gu Yinxing aside and asked her questions carefully. Gu Yinxing wasn't shy at all and openly talked about her family's financial situation.

She didn't intend to lie. Her family's circumstances were what they were; if she bragged, she'd only embarrass herself if her boast backfired.

As expected, the elderly couple didn't say anything. Grandma Yan even asked about the work at the hospital, Gu Yinxing smiled and said, "It's busy, but I think it's good that we're young and busy, so we can learn more."

"That's right, young people should learn to put hardship first and enjoyment later."

Old Man Yan nodded. "Xiao Gu did a great job in this regard. Nurses are also dedicated to saving lives; everyone should contribute their social value..."

Seeing that the old man was about to launch into his saga of profound wisdom again, Grandma Yan had a terrible headache. Her grandson had finally found a girlfriend; she didn't want him to scare her away.

But Gu Yinxing showed no impatience whatsoever, and even listened with great interest, adding, "You're absolutely right, that's what I often say to my colleagues too."

Yan Ren gave her a half-smile.

This little girl complains of foot pain even after walking a lot, yet she puts in the hardship first and enjoys the pleasure later.

"Dad, Mom, are you home?" Just as Gu Yinxing was chatting happily with her two elders, a woman wearing a gray woolen overcoat, sheepskin shoes, and carrying a basket walked into the living room.

The woman seemed somewhat surprised to see Gu Yinxing and Yan Ren, and clapped her hands, saying, "Yan Ren is here too! And who is this?"

"My partner,"

Yan Ren's smile, which hadn't faded since, vanished. He met Gu Yinxing's probing gaze and nodded, saying, "This is Aunt Liu. You can just call her Auntie."

Hello, Aunt Liu.

Gu Yinxing immediately recognized her; this was the wife Yan Ren's father later married.

"Okay, okay." Aunt Liu smiled. She was well-maintained; although she was almost forty, there wasn't a single wrinkle on her face. "Dad, Mom, I brought you honey especially because I didn't expect to run into Yan Ren's boyfriend here."

Liu Yulan put down the basket. "Look, I've come at a bad time. I only brought honey. Oh, right, and this box of chocolates too. Please give it to the little girl."

She took a box of chocolates out of the basket and handed it to Gu Yinxing with a smile.

Thank you, Auntie.

Gu Yinxing accepted it immediately and thanked her.

Liu Yulan paused, seemingly only then looking at Gu Yinxing properly. "This is French chocolate, with a liqueur filling. Has the little girl ever tried it?"

"Chengzhi's mother, if you have nothing else to do, you should go back first."

Grandma Yan smiled faintly, "We didn't know you were coming, so we didn't prepare lunch for you."

A hint of embarrassment flashed across Liu Yulan's face.

She laughed and said, "Mom, are you worried I've eaten too much? I'm just here to deliver something, I'll leave after that."

She picked up her basket as if to leave, then slapped her forehead and said, "Oh right, it's all my fault for having such a bad memory. I came here this time because Old Yan had something to tell Yan Ren. Your Uncle Song and Aunt Song are coming to our house tonight. They have a daughter who's only a year younger than you. You two used to play together quite well when you were little. She's a doctor now..."

Tell him I'm not going.

Yan Ren interrupted Liu Yulan directly, saying, "My affairs are none of his concern."

Liu Yulan was secretly pleased, but on the surface she frowned and said with difficulty, "I dare not tell Lao Yan this, he will definitely be angry if he finds out. Lao Yan is actually doing this for your own good. A partner should be someone of equal social standing..."

"If that were the case, my son wouldn't have chosen you as his wife in the first place."

Grandma Yan quietly unleashed her ultimate move.

Liu Yulan's face suddenly showed an embarrassed expression.

Grandma Yan looked at Gu Yinxing and smiled, "Our family doesn't have such feudal customs. As long as they are of good character and the children like each other, that's fine. You can tell my son later that it was I who said it was unacceptable."

Yes, Mom.

Liu Yulan quickly composed herself, smiled, and agreed to go.

Despite the unexpected incident involving Liu Yulan, overall, both parties were satisfied with today's meeting with the parents.

Grandma Yan was particularly pleased with Gu Yinxing; she wasn't shy at all. Of course, if He Chunlian had said that, she would have been considered shameless and attention-seeking.

Grandma Yan noticed that Gu Yinxing liked the Sichuan sausage, so she specially brought some home for her to try.

Although the Old Master didn't say anything, he still gave Gu Yinxing a red envelope.

Once outside the Compound, Gu Yinxing felt completely relieved.

She let out a breath and looked around. She had never been to this area before; she had only heard of this place.

"You've seen something today, are you scared?"

Yan Ren suddenly spoke up and asked.

"What?" Gu Yinxing was watching a butterfly fly by and didn't react for a moment. She looked at Yan Ren, "Oh, you mean Aunt Liu?"

"If you're with me, you'll inevitably have to deal with this woman a lot in the future."

Yan Ren said, "Although I have planned to move out after getting married, the family that my father and she formed is not something I can easily sever ties with."

Gu Yinxing chuckled and said, "What's so special about that? She's just a wicked stepmother. Don't underestimate me; I, Gu Yinxing, have plenty of ways to deal with her."

Seeing that Gu Yinxing didn't seem to care about the matter, Yan Ren breathed a sigh of relief. He held Gu Yinxing's hand and said, "I won't let her bully you, you can trust me."

Gu Yinxing's ears turned red as she kicked at a stone on the ground. "I won't let her bully you either. Just you wait, I'll become really, really powerful, even more powerful than that Uncle Song's daughter."

She wasn't stupid. Aunt Liu had clearly found out her identity and job beforehand. She was a nurse, but in reality, she was a doctor. Wasn't that deliberately trying to put her in a superior position?

If we're talking about coincidences, there aren't that many coincidences in the world.

Chapter 61 The Sixty-First Day of Being Eavesdropped On

3 PM.

The Qi Family waited for Shanhu at the door.

Seeing the sun rising higher, Qi Dafei became worried and asked, "Father, will Shanhu not come?"

"Impossible." Old Man Qi sat on the doorstep, scratching himself with one hand and holding a pipe in the other. "I sent someone to check on him. He's been staying at a friend's place these past two days and hasn't gone anywhere else."

Qi Dafei breathed a sigh of relief.

He glanced at the old man, thinking to himself that the old man was quite cunning. He had thought the old man was really confident, but it turned out he had sent someone to check it out.

"They're here, they're here."

Qian Yuejin his sharp eyes, spotted Shanhu and his group entering at a glance and quickly spoke up to warn them.

Qi Dafei immediately stood up straight, but Old Man Qi deliberately acted pretentiously, remaining squatting on the threshold until Gu Jinshui and Shanhu came up. Only then did he raise his eyelids, tap his pipe against the doorframe, and stand up. "You've come."

"Sir, how have you all been these past few days?"

Gu Jinshui greeted him with a smile.

Qi Dafei snorted, crossed his arms, and said arrogantly, "What does it have to do with you whether it's good or bad? Have you thought it through? Are you going to give me money or marry my sister?"

"Shanhu..."

Qi Zhenzhu looked haggard, with dark circles under her eyes.

She was wearing the outfit that Shanhu had bought for her before: a small blouse on top and tight jeans that accentuated her long legs.

If Shanhu had seen her like this before he knew the truth, he would definitely have softened.

At this moment, Shanhu only felt nauseous.

He looked away, which surprised and angered Qi Zhenzhu.

Shanhu looked at Old Man Qi: "Let's go inside and talk."

"Hey, you're pretty tough." Qi Dafei chuckled, his eyes widening as he rolled up his sleeves, looking ready to fight.

Old Man Qi sensed something was amiss. His eyes flickered, and he nodded, saying, "Alright, it's better to discuss these things at home than in public."

But even so, in Shanhu's little house, if you were paying attention, you could hear the person inside turning around and coughing from outside.