Chapter 422 Wine Glass

Before dinner, Sister-in-law Chen brought her two twin sons into the house. The children rushed into Chen Anna's arms and called her "Auntie."

"The whole family is here just in time." Mr. Chen gestured to the maid to serve more food.

Gu Yan got up and poured wine for Chen's father.

"Dad, Mom, I've spent a lot of time with Anna and I think she's kind and considerate. Today I want to formally tell you both that I hope to marry Anna."

The smile lines at the corners of Chen's mother's eyes deepened. "It's good that you two are in love. Your father and I have no objections."

"Regarding the timing..." Mr. Chen put down his chopsticks, "Do you have any plans?"

Gu Yan felt Chen Anna gently hooking his little finger under the table.

He sat up straighter: "I want to ask for your consent first, and then take Anna back to Jian'an to meet my family during the Mid-Autumn Festival. After that, we will go through the proper etiquette of the Three Letters and Six Rites. Although things are done in a new way now, Anna should not be neglected in terms of proper etiquette."

Chen's mother exchanged a glance with her husband, then turned and made the decision: "We'll do as you say. The most important thing is that you two live a good life together. We old folks won't fuss over such things."

She placed a piece of poached chicken in Gu Yan's bowl, saying, "We can discuss the betrothal gifts and dowry when your elders arrive."

"Of course." Gu Yan nodded slightly.

Sister-in-law Chen laughed and said, "Anna is finally getting married. I remember when we were little she always said she wanted to marry someone as handsome as you, big brother." She winked at Gu Yan, "Now she's found someone even more handsome."

Chen Anna blushed and focused on eating.

Brother Chen raised his glass and clinked it against Gu Yan's: "My little sister has been spoiled since she was a child, so you'll have to be more tolerant of her in the future. As for the marriage, you two can discuss it together. If you need any help from the family, just let us know."

"Thank you, brother." Gu Yan and Anna said in unison.

After dinner, Anna Chen was called to her mother's room for a private conversation.

When only three men remained in the living room, Mr. Chen finally got to the point:

"What are your plans after you marry Anna? Will you continue to live alone in Huacheng?"

Gu Yan swirled the ice cubes in his whiskey glass.

"Business must be done. But if Dad is willing to give some guidance, I've heard..."

Chen's father and eldest son exchanged a glance.

This kid really did sense something was up; they were about to make some changes, so sending a tough guy would be perfect.

“It’s good that young people are energetic,” Mr. Chen said softly, “but marriage is not a business transaction. Anna is our precious darling.”

Gu Yan put down his wine glass, the ice cubes clinking softly.

“I understand. I will be good to Anna.”

...

In the master bedroom on the second floor, Chen's mother sat on the chaise lounge with her daughter in her arms.

"I raised you all these years, and now you're getting married. When your sister got married, I could still smile and help with the arrangements, but now that it's your turn, I feel so empty inside."

Chen Anna looked up and laughed: "Ten years ago when my sister got married, you were beaming as you received the betrothal gifts."

"How can that be the same? Mom was young then, but now she's old." Chen's mother pinched her cheek, then suddenly lowered her voice, "My dear daughter, tell Mom the truth, how exactly does Gu Yan treat you in private..."

Anna Chen blinked: "He's very good to me, very considerate."

"No, that's not it!" Chen's mother patted her hand anxiously. "It's about in bed...is he still... capable?"

Anna Chen's ears turned bright red instantly, and she pulled the blanket over half her face: "Mom!"

Upon seeing this, Chen's mother gasped: "Could it be that he really...is impotent? No wonder he's over thirty and still so abstinent..."

She jumped up in a panic, pacing back and forth. "Oh no, oh no, what if we only find out after we're married..."

“No!” Chen Anna hurriedly grabbed her mother’s clothes. “He said he wanted to save it for our wedding night... It’s out of respect for me.”

"Insane!" Chen's mother slumped back onto the bed. "How could he possibly tolerate a couple in love living together in the same room for half a year?"

She suddenly remembered something, "Invite him over for soup in a couple of days; I'll have the kitchen prepare some Morinda officinalis and Eucommia ulmoides. Have him stay in the guest room tonight and see how he reacts..."

"I'm not going! What kind of girl would take the initiative..."

Chen's mother turned her daughter's shoulders and said, "Anyway, you can call him over. After he drinks the soup, he'll really be able to resist temptation... This marriage needs to be reconsidered..."

In order to arrive in Jian'an before noon on the Mid-Autumn Festival, Gu Yan and Chen Anna set off from Huacheng in the early morning.

As Gu Yan's car came to a stop, Nan Zhiyi and Gu Zhao heard the commotion outside the courtyard gate.

"Gu Zhao, quick, let's go see, Uncle is back!"

Gu Zhao greeted his grandfather, then grabbed his mother's hand and ran out of the yard.

"Uncle, Aunt!"

He ran breathlessly to the gate of the courtyard, where Gu Yan and Chen Anna were taking things out of the trunk.

Nan Zhiyi also greeted the two of them: "Gu Yan, Anna, you're back just in time, let's have lunch right away."

Nan Zhiyi and Gu Zhao had asked for leave in advance to return to Jian'an. The school did not give them a holiday. It was easier for her to ask for leave for Gu Zhao, but when she asked for leave herself, Professor Wang pestered her quite a bit. She only got two days off after repeatedly promising to work overtime to finish her thesis after returning to Beijing.

Gu Yan and Chen Anna smiled and nodded at Nan Zhiyi, "Sister-in-law, you're back so early."

Seeing that Gu Yan was still busy moving things out of the car, Gu Zhao volunteered, "Uncle and Aunt, let me help you! I'm strong!"

Gu Yanzhen handed over a light paper bag and patted his nephew's head: "Thank you for your hard work, Comrade Gu Zhao. Where's your father?" He looked up at Nan Zhiyi, his gaze sweeping over her shoulder and across the empty hallway.

Nan Zhiyi said with a hint of apology, "Gu Yan, your brother had an emergency tactical meeting, and his scheduled leave was canceled again. He was planning to take time off, but unfortunately... He even asked me to apologize to you."

Gu Yan chuckled: "How could I dare to make my brother apologize? He's a very busy man, I know that too."

He bent down and pinched Gu Zhao's cheek, "Remember to have your dad give you double the red envelope when you get married."

Gu Zhao hugged the paper bag without flinching, letting her uncle touch her all over, and excitedly said, "I want to give my aunt a big red envelope too!"

Upon hearing this, the three adults laughed and carried their bags into the living room.

Commander Gu has had difficulty walking for the past two years, so he couldn't go out to greet them just now.

Upon seeing the three people, Commander Gu made a move to get up, and his bodyguard, Xiao Li, quickly helped him up.

Gu Yan also saw his father's actions and immediately told Chen Anna to put the things in the entryway. Then, he pulled her to the sofa.

“Dad, we’re back.” He stepped aside to lead Chen Anna over. “This is my girlfriend, Anna.”

Anna Chen bowed slightly, her pale yellow skirt sweeping across the terrazzo floor tiles.

"Hello Uncle Gu, I am Chen Anna."

Commander Gu nodded, his wrinkles deepening at his temples. "Good, it's good that you're back." His gaze lingered on Chen Anna's face for a moment. "She's a good girl."