Chapter 81

"That's right." Grandma Yan was immediately delighted.

The fennel and pork dumplings were really delicious. Aunt Liu was worried that there wouldn't be enough for everyone, so she added a handful of noodles, but that was completely unnecessary.

Because Liu Yulan and Yan's Father didn't eat much, and Gu Yinxing and Yan Ren didn't have much of an appetite either.

After we finished eating, the nanny made tea and brought it up.

The Yan's Father then looked at Gu Yinxing and Yan Ren and asked, "Are you really planning to marry this woman?"

"Yes." Yan Ren without hesitation.

Gu Yinxing Yan Ren, whose eyes remained resolute, seemingly unmoved by anything external.

"Do you realize how much your future is being ruined by dating someone like this?"

The Yan's Father put down his cup, his eyelids bulging like sharp swords. "The partner I've found for you will save you at least a decade of hard work. If you find someone like her, all your peers will surpass you. Don't regret it!"

"Xunzhang!" Grandpa's face darkened. "I don't recall your mother and I ever teaching you such a utilitarian mindset!"

The Yan's Father remained silent.

Liu Yulan quickly smiled and said, "Dad, Xunzhang is only thinking about the child's future. Things are different now than in your time. These days, who gets promoted without connections? Comrade Xiao Gu is good in every way, but his family background is really too weak. How can he help Yan Ren?"

"Dad."

Yan Ren suddenly spoke, his eyes fixed on his Yan's Father, "You mean marriage has to be based on whether it can help one's career?"

"That's exactly what I meant." The Yan's Father thought he had convinced his son, and his expression softened.

Yan Ren said, "Alright, then you should set an example and divorce my Aunt Liu first!"

"Cough cough cough."

Gu Yinxing, who was drinking water nearby, nearly choked to death upon hearing this.

Chapter 85 The Eighty-Fifth Day of Being Eavesdropped On

"What did you say? Say it again!"

The Yan's Father was so angry that his eyebrows were trembling.

Yan Ren sat ramrod straight, looking directly at him. "Didn't you say that yourself, Father? Since you think so, you should set an example!"

"You, you unfilial son!" The Yan's Father was so angry that he grabbed a cup from the table and was about to smash it at Yan Ren.

Grandpa slammed his hand on the table. "Alright, so now you don't respect your father at all, coming here to beat my grandson!"

"Dad, he's really outrageous, completely disobedient and unfilial." The Yan's Father's facial muscles twitched, his hand gripping the cup tightly, veins bulging on the back of his hand, his expression not good.

Grandma Yan said calmly, "You, as a son, haven't been very obedient, nor have you been particularly filial. You never worried about Yan Ren's work before, so why are you worrying about his marriage now!"

Don't hit someone in the face, and don't expose someone's shortcomings.

An embarrassed look appeared on Yan's Father's face, and a hint of guilt and unease flashed in his eyes. Liu Yulan noticed his expression and quickly said, "Old Yan was too busy before. I used to have to worry about him. Now it's fortunate that his work is easier and he's back in Beijing, otherwise Chengzhi wouldn't see his father much."

Having found a way out, the Yan's Father went along with her words, saying, "Mom and Dad, I know you feel Yan Ren, but Yan Ren's also my son. How can I not think about him? He's already fallen behind others as a team leader. If he finds a good partner, he can catch up within at least two years."

"No need, I've already decided on this person."

Yan Ren grasped Gu Yinxing's hand, "If this is the only reason you came today, then we'll take our leave."

He helped Gu Yinxing up and prepared to leave.

Grandpa scolded, "Why are you leaving? This is your home. If anyone should leave, it should be them."

The Yan's Father and Liu Yulan looked somewhat embarrassed.

Liu Yulan glanced at Gu Yinxing and said, "Actually, I think Xiao Gu is not bad either. Lao Yan, you're anxious because your son doesn't have a girlfriend, but now that he does, why are you being so picky?"

Liu Yulan hadn't initially taken a liking to Gu Yinxing, but after witnessing Yan Ren and Yan Ren's Gu Yinxing Yan's Father so much over her, she changed her mind. If Yan Ren really married this woman, the conflict between father and son would only deepen. Would she still need to worry about Old Yan secretly supporting Yan Ren then?

Thinking of this, Liu Yulan smiled and asked, "How old is Xiao Gu this year?"

Gu Yinxing was somewhat surprised. She exchanged a glance with Yan Ren and said frankly, "Twenty years old."

"Twenty? That's still young," Liu Yulan said. "I think Yan Ren is not young anymore. Since you two are serious about this, have you considered when to get married?"

Although Grandma Yan was puzzled as to why Liu Yulan had turned to help them, she became happy upon hearing this topic. "Yes, Yan Ren, I think you two should hurry up with your marriage. Isn't Xiao Gu going to school now? These next four years will be much easier than working."

The Yan's Father was taken aback. "What do you mean, 'studying'? Wasn't she supposed to be a nurse?"

Grandma Yan probably wanted to elevate Gu Yinxing's status, so she praised Gu Yinxing a lot, saying things like the leaders valued her and arranged for her to study at school.

The Yan's Father's expression softened slightly. He glanced at Gu Yinxing, but still remained silent.

Gu Yinxing tugged at Yan Ren's hand.

Yan Ren coughed and said, "We know what we're doing, Grandma. I think it's getting late, I'll take Yin Xing home."

"Alright, alright." Grandma Yan was delighted to see Gu Yinxing's face flushed red and asked the aunt to get some fruit for Gu Yinxing to take home.

Yan Ren and Gu Yinxing boarded the bus together.

The bus was packed with people, Yan Ren found her a seat and stood next to her.

The evening breeze blew in through the window.

Gu Yinxing rested her chin on her hand, her porcelain-white face Yan Ren from head to toe.

"Why are you looking at me?" Yan Ren noticed her gaze and lowered his head to ask.

Gu Yinxing's lips curled up. "You seem quite different today. Well done, Captain Yan. You're neither arrogant nor humble, incorruptible by wealth and power."

She patted Yan Ren's arm; his arm was strong and powerful, and even a little hot.

A hint of a smile flickered across Yan Ren's eyes. He looked out the window at the street scene rushing by like flowing water, at the pedestrians riding bicycles past on the road, and suddenly lowered his head. "I'm sorry about what happened today."

"What's wrong? I just remember the dumplings were delicious today."

It would be a lie to say that Gu Yinxing didn't take her Yan's Father's words to heart. How could a young girl like her not be angry when someone insulted her like that to her face?

But Yan Ren's attitude towards her turned Gu Yinxing's anger into joy.

Gu Yinxing knew how Yan Ren men were; the fact that Yan Ren could give up such a high-status relationship and choose her showed her importance in his heart.

Yan Ren couldn't help but laugh. Just then, the Streetcar stopped, and the older woman next to Gu Yinxing got off. Yan Ren then sat down next to Gu Yinxing, and Gu Yinxing sat down next to her.

"Just trust me. My Grandpa and I all like you very much. Although what Liu Yulan said today was unpleasant, there's something I want to ask you: are you willing to marry me?"

The afterglow of the setting sun shone through the window, casting a golden hue on Yan Ren's chiseled features.

His eyes were deep black, and his eyebrows were thick and sword-like. When he stared at Gu Yinxing, his eyes were like a deep pool.

Gu Yinxing's heart was pounding.

The surrounding noise—talking, ticket sellers shouting, and loudspeakers—was incessant, but she could clearly hear the sound of her blood rushing through her body.

Her gaze fell on Yan Ren's full lips, and when she came to her senses, she realized that she had actually asked stupidly, "What?"

A moment of silence fell over the surroundings.

The world seemed to stand still for a moment; fallen leaves swept up by the wind outside the window were suspended in mid-air, and pedestrians turned their heads to look at the flow of traffic.

The next moment, Yan Ren spoke, leaves rustling as they fell to the ground, pedestrians hurrying through traffic on their bicycles, "It's nothing."

"You're back. Have you eaten?" He Chunlian came out of the house and saw her daughter enter the house looking lost and dejected. She threw down her backpack, put the bag in her hand on the table, and leaned against the official's hat chair in the center of the main room, looking like a lump of mud.

"What happened?" He Chunlian was startled and went over to ask.

Gu Yinxing's gaze was fixed on the air, her eyes unfocused. She thought about her words countless times, and felt an urge to slap herself.

"Mom, I... I did something stupid."

"What stupid thing did you do? Did you offend their Grandpa?"

He Chunlian asked with concern, but seeing that she could still speak, she was somewhat relieved.

Gu Yinxing shook her head, then suddenly screamed, clutching her two whips and burying her head in her arms, "Why did I say that?!"

Gu Yinxing has gone mad.

This is what Gu Jinshui said to Gu Yousi, "Your aunt has been acting crazy lately, stay away from her."

Gu Yousi: "..."

He really is my brother.

"Niuniu, why is your auntie standing there all alone, grinning like an idiot?" Lan Lin brought a puzzle over to play with Gu Yousi.

The two children, though three or four years apart, get along very well.

Gu Yousi frowned slightly, while the little boy's face showed dissatisfaction. "No, you're not allowed to call Niuniu."

"Okay, Niuniu." Lan Lin was very stubborn about this.

Gu Yousi glanced at him speechlessly, then lowered her head to continue working on the puzzle, saying, "She's gone mad."

"Are you crazy? Is this serious?"

Lan Lin was startled and quickly and carefully pulled Gu Yousi and the toys to play on the side.

Gu Yousi it for a moment and figured it wasn't a big deal. Judging from her aunt's silly, giggling and screaming appearance every day, it might actually be a good thing.

She shook her head and pointed to the ground. "Play."

Her words were concise and to the point, but Lan Lin understood her meaning. Like a little follower, he followed Gu Yousi's gaze and pieced the puzzle together one by one.

Gu Yinxing was happy for a few days before she realized something was wrong.

Yan Ren has been elusive these past few days. When I called him to offer him movie tickets, he declined, saying he was too busy.

"The Public Security must be busy," Chen Deng Deng, resting his chin on his hand as he analyzed the situation for her.

Gu Yinxing stirred the porridge in her bowl. "He was busy before, but never like this. Every time I call him, he doesn't answer."

"Perhaps something has happened?"

Chen Deng Deng, "If you ask me, don't overthink it. If you really can't figure it out, just ask. You weren't this cowardly before."

Gu Yinxing glared at Chen Deng Deng: "Who's a coward? I... I had my reasons."

She looked away, staring at the grease stains on the table.

Chen Deng Deng immediately realized something was amiss from those words.

She leaned closer and asked gossipily, "What's the reason? Tell me quickly!"

"No, I can't say." Gu Yinxing shook her head.

Chen Deng Deng held her hand, "Just tell me honestly what happened. Only if you tell me can I give you advice."

Even with her iron will, Gu Yinxing couldn't resist Chen Deng Deng's persistent pleading, so she relented and told him about what happened that day.

After she finished speaking, Chen Deng Deng fell silent.

Chen Deng Deng released his grip, crossed his arms, and looked at Gu Yinxing in disbelief. "You really said that?"

"I really didn't mean it," Gu Yinxing helplessly, putting down her spoon. "I don't know why I said that."

"Yin Xing, oh Yin Xing, what can I say to you?"

Chen Deng Deng his head repeatedly. "I think your boyfriend is probably just embarrassed, so he's been making excuses these past few days. Why don't you find a chance to talk to him and clear up this misunderstanding? Actually, you two have almost finished talking, so marriage would be a good idea."

"I didn't say I wouldn't get married."

Gu Yinxing muttered, "I... I was just too shy back then."

"Alright, it's not a big deal,"

Chen Deng Deng was actually happy for Gu Yinxing, saying, "Your wedding is coming soon, so the wedding must be a grand affair. We have to outshine that other person."

Gu Yinxing had no such thoughts. Her mind was preoccupied with what to do about this matter. After work, as she was pushing her bike home, she ran into Yan Ren coming out of their house at the doorstep.

"Yan Ren."

Gu Yinxing exclaimed in surprise.

Yan Ren looked up at her, seemingly somewhat surprised.

He Chunlian, who came out after him, saw Gu Yinxing and hurriedly said, "You're back just in time. You stay home and watch over Second Girl. I'm going out to buy some groceries."

"Mom, I have something to do." Gu Yinxing was helpless and anxious, Yan Ren to wait for her.

But Yan Ren seemed to be blind at this moment, and even laughed, "Then I'll go first."