Wearing an apron, Gao Qinyi really does give off the vibe of a virtuous wife and loving mother.

Two hot dishes: shredded pork with celery and shredded pork with garlic sprouts.

Moreover, they are all rich and dark in sauce, which makes them look very appetizing.

"Grandpa, dinner's ready." Gao Qinyi said as she took off her apron and walked up to her grandfather.

Zhou Chu was naturally ignored.

"Okay, let's eat, let's eat." Grandpa walked to the head seat with a big smile.

It's a rectangular dining table.

Grandma sat in the seat slightly below.

Gao Qinyi sat next to her grandmother, but slightly lower her head.

Zhou Chu sat opposite Gao Qinyi.

"Dinner's ready."

After receiving Grandpa's approval, the family began to eat.

"Qinqin's cooking skills have indeed improved again." Grandpa took a bite of celery and shredded pork, chewed it, and nodded in praise.

"Both of these meat dishes were made by your granddaughter," the grandmother chimed in from the side.

"And this shredded pork with garlic sprouts is very oily, but not greasy at all. The flavor is just right, not too strong or too weak, which is perfect for an old man like me." As he spoke, Grandpa couldn't help but sigh.

After making sure everyone's eyes were on him, he turned to Zhou Chu and slowly said, "You're in luck, kid!"

This is undoubtedly a veiled message.

As expected of a retired veteran cadre, he speaks eloquently and eloquently.

Zhou Chu didn't know what to say, so he could only put down the bowl and chuckle.

Suddenly, he was kicked under the table.

Gao Qinyi's gaze was full of questioning, as if she were accusing him of telling his grandfather about their relationship.

In all honesty, he really didn't say it.

Grandpa is so smart, he guessed it instantly, do I need to tell him?

Zhou Chu didn't know whether he should nod or shake his head, so he could only continue to chuckle.

He looks rather dull—that's Gao Qinyi's assessment of him.

"Grandpa!" Gao Qinyi's face was flushed, with a hint of annoyance.

The embarrassment and annoyance after having one's secret exposed.

"You have a day off today?" Grandpa noticed her embarrassment and finally changed the subject.

"It was a vacation specially approved by our supervisor," Gao Qinyi said, which was fairly the truth.

They told Shi Qianfei about this after they boarded the high-speed train.

Even if Shi Qianfei was furious, she couldn't say anything, and besides, she wasn't that unhappy.

That's how it is with these visiting scholars; it makes no difference whether there's one more person or one less.

And I wish them a good time.

"That's really good." Grandpa picked up a piece of food and was about to turn to Zhou Chu.

Zhou Chu hurriedly put down his chopsticks and presented the bowl with both hands.

A large chopstickful of shredded meat landed in his bowl.

"Thank you, Grandpa."

"No need to thank me." Grandpa waved his hand. "If you want to thank someone, thank your silly granddaughter."

"Thank you," Zhou Chu said, turning to Gao Qinyi.

Gao Qinyi kicked Zhou Chu in the shin again.

It is quite different from what is described in some youth novels.

Gao Qinyi's kick was perfectly timed and powerful, hitting his calf squarely.

Because kicking into the bone will hurt a lot.

The pressure should be just right, enough to make your calves feel sore and numb. It should be a disciplinary measure, not a flirtatious one.

"You're really thanking me?" This was what she really wanted to say but couldn't, and could only convey to him through her eyes.

"Haha." Grandpa laughed heartily, then turned his questions back to Gao Qinyi: "How have you been lately? Have you made any money?"

"Yes, yes." Gao Qinyi nodded hurriedly.

After all, if she hesitated even for a moment, her grandparents would think she was faking it.

Then, thousands of yuan in cash were handed to her.

They don't know how to make electronic payments, let alone use the internet.

"Even if the family is poor, the journey should be fruitful. We can't let the children suffer, can we?" Grandpa raised an eyebrow at Grandma: "When the children leave, don't forget to go to the room and get some money."

"Really, there's no need." Gao Qinyi hurriedly waved her hand, but her grandfather stopped her.

"Have a meal."

It was a delicious meal, the only problem was that Zhou Chu felt like he was being scrutinized countless times.

Moreover, Gao Qinyi would glance over every now and then.

He thought he hadn't done anything wrong, so why was he being kicked repeatedly in the calf?

"How are your parents now?" Grandpa continued with his question.

"Thanks to you, everything is fine."

"Still working for the railway?"

"That's right."

"If I remember correctly, your parents should have moved away too, right?"

“That’s right.” Zhou Chu pointed north: “It’s not far from here, it’s in a newly opened housing development over there.”

"There are fewer and fewer people living in this abandoned building."

Generally speaking, when chatting with the elderly, the final emotional tone tends to be nostalgic and melancholic.

...

By the time Zhou Chu and Gao Qinyi came out of their grandparents' house, it was already four o'clock in the afternoon.

Grandpa and Grandma originally wanted them to stay overnight, but Gao Qinyi refused.

Around four o'clock, the sun had already begun to set.

A lingering blush remained.

"Jump in?" Zhou Chu looked at the wall and asked Gao Qinyi behind him.

"Of course." Without hesitation, she quickly climbed up the railing.

It's a mesh fence, and there's nothing dangerous on it.

Gao Qinyi performed a beautiful turn in mid-air, gripping the railing with both hands, her feet still firmly planted even after she turned around.

We continued on, step by step.

Zhou Chu was amazed by her skills.

Even he couldn't do it; that turn could easily lead to a misstep!

To avoid falling, Zhou Chu chose to jump off the fence the moment he crossed it.

Below was a sparse, soft patch of grass, so there wasn't much of a tremor.

"I didn't expect you to still be as stupid as before." Gao Qinyi rolled her eyes at him.

This is the elementary school playground.

They haven't been here for a long time.

Everything that is both familiar and strange.

Towering flagpoles, tiered viewing platforms, and brand-new turf.

Gao Qinyi strolled in, and despite the height of the viewing platform, she climbed to the top in just three steps.

Zhou Chu followed her up.

“I remember watching the sports meets when I was a kid, right here!” Gao Qinyi pointed to the track: “When I was little, this lap seemed so long, but now it looks like such a small circle!”

“That’s right.” Zhou Chu nodded. “I remember after you won first place in the running race, you didn’t go to the podium but ran towards me. It startled me.”

"So why did you run away back then? I just went to share my joy with you!"

Her hand was pinching Zhou Chu's chin to prevent him from turning his face away from her.

Forced to meet each other's eyes.

Gao Qinyi was facing the light, and her face was very smooth, as if the sunlight was shining on glass.

It spins out a seven-colored charm that is hard for anyone not to be mesmerized.

As their faces drew closer and closer...