Hearing Ye Linchen's answer, a hint of heartache flashed in Huo Yunlan's eyes: "Oh, I see... Then this time you're here, Jingran must keep you company. No, Auntie will personally take you around and show you all the fun and delicious places in Beijing!"
"Thank you in advance, Auntie," Ye Linchen replied with a smile.
The atmosphere in the car was relaxed and warm. The conversation naturally turned to Ye Linchen's university life.
When Huo Yunlan heard that Ye Linchen was not only studying but also working on some entrepreneurial project with his classmates, his brows furrowed slightly and his smile faded a little.
"It must be too hard for a girl to study and run her own business at the same time. Can she manage it all?"
His words seemed to carry a hint of disapproval.
Ye Linchen keenly noticed the change in Huo Yunlan's tone, but she took it as concern from an elder and explained, "It's alright, Auntie. I just want to try more things while I'm still young."
Huo Yunlan hummed in agreement and said nothing more, then turned to ask Ye Linchen about other everyday matters.
As we were talking, the car turned into a quiet alley and slowed down.
Gu Yuanshan turned his head and reminded him, "We've arrived, let's get off the bus."
The three of them got off the car together.
Before me stood a two-story building with a small courtyard, gray brick walls, and several tall pine and cypress trees planted in front of the door, still green in winter.
It may not be considered luxurious, but in Beijing, where land is incredibly valuable, such a house is enough to demonstrate the owner's status and position.
As soon as the gate opened, a middle-aged woman around fifty years old hurried out to greet them, her face beaming with smiles: "Sir, Madam, you're back."
Huo Yunlan then introduced her as their family's nanny, Zhang Ma.
Aunt Zhang was very quick and efficient. While greeting Huo Yunlan, she had already stepped forward and taken the things from his hands.
Upon entering the house, a wave of warmth washed over me.
The room was furnished with exquisite items. Blue and white porcelain was displayed on a mahogany display shelf, and several landscape paintings hung on the wall, creating an elegant and warm atmosphere with a strong scholarly ambiance.
Once everyone was seated, Zhang Ma immediately served the brewed hot tea.
Ye Linchen then took out the gift he had prepared and presented it to Huo Yunlan and Gu Yuanshan with both hands, speaking very politely: "Uncle, Aunt, this is a New Year's gift I prepared. It's just a small token of my appreciation. I hope you like it, and I wish you a happy new year and all the best in advance!"
Huo Yunlan was taken aback for a moment, then burst into laughter: "Oh dear, you child, you're already here, why bring a gift? You're still a student, it's not easy for you to earn money, there's no need to spend so much. Jingran, why didn't you stop her!"
Gu Jingran smiled and spoke up for Ye Linchen: "Mom, this is all from Xiaochen's heart, please accept it."
Huo Yunlan then lowered her head and opened the gift. When she saw that in addition to the exquisite lipstick, there were several neatly wrapped packets of Jiangcheng preserved meats and local specialties, her eyes immediately lit up.
"Oh my goodness, how did you know I like this so much?" She picked up a bag of cured fish with delight, examining it from all angles. "I was just talking to Lao Gu the other day about how the ones sold in Beijing never quite taste the same. I was wondering when Jingran could send some from Jiangcheng. Xiao Chen, you're such a thoughtful child!"
Seeing that they genuinely liked him, Ye Linchen finally felt relieved.
The group chatted over tea for a while, and seeing that it was almost lunchtime, Huo Yunlan stood up and said, "Let's go out to eat! I made a reservation at the most authentic copper hot pot restaurant in Beijing for lunch."
As she spoke, Huo Yunlan turned her head and asked Ye Linchen affectionately, "Little Chen, you've never had hot pot before, have you?"
Ye Linchen had long heard of this Beijing specialty in his previous life, but unfortunately he never had the chance to try it.
Upon hearing Huo Yunlan's question, Ye Linchen nodded vigorously, like a chicken pecking at rice.
"Yes! I've heard about it before and always wanted to try it!"
"That's perfect! I'll take you to try it out today!"
As Huo Yunlan spoke, she took Ye Linchen's hand and started to walk out.
At this moment, Gu Yuanshan, who hadn't said much, walked to Gu Jingran's side and lowered his voice to a whisper that only the father and son could hear.
"You'll still be staying in your own room this time. What about... Xiao Chen? What will happen to her? Will she share a room with you, or... will she have a separate guest room?"
Gu Jingran was somewhat surprised that his father would ask such a question at this time.
He was silent for a moment before speaking, "Since it's Xiao Chen's first time in Beijing, she should definitely have a comfortable place to stay. Let's arrange a separate guest room for her."
Gu Yuanshan, who had initially been somewhat expectant, paused upon hearing this, his expression shifting slightly, seemingly disappointed. He didn't respond immediately but instead frowned.
Gu Jingran noticed the change in his father's mood and couldn't help but ask, "What's wrong, Dad?"
Gu Yuanshan sighed and said, "Jingran, don't blame me for being nosy. The reason I asked you two to come back for the New Year is not only for family reunion, but also for another important reason: I want to ask about your plans. You and Xiaochen have been together for over a year now, shouldn't you take it to the next level? I mean, shouldn't you be considering when to get your marriage certificate?"
Gu Jingran was stunned, completely unexpected that his father would bring up marriage so directly. A hint of surprise appeared in his eyes: "Marriage? Dad, we haven't thought that far ahead yet."
"How far is far?" Gu Yuanshan immediately pressed, his tone carrying the urgency of an elder. "How old are you this year? You're almost thirty, and Xiaochen isn't a little girl anymore. You've been dating for a year, shouldn't you have a decision by now? You really don't plan to marry her?"
Gu Jingran was somewhat helpless when asked the question, and explained, "It's not that I don't want to marry her, I really hope to marry her, but Xiao Chen is still studying. Her focus is still on her studies, and marriage can only be discussed after she has settled down."
"Stable?" Gu Yuanshan raised his voice, his brows furrowing even more. "I just heard her say that she's also busy with a startup project and might start a company after graduation."
"Then tell me, when will she be able to settle down? Once her company is established? That will take several years. Have you thought about it? By then, you'll both be busy with your own careers and won't see each other often. Won't that cause problems in your relationship?"
“Dad…” Gu Jingran interrupted Gu Yuanshan, “This is something she has always wanted to do, and I fully support her, just like you supported me when I started my business. As for our relationship, we will handle it ourselves.”
“You’re oversimplifying the issue,” Gu Yuanshan shook his head. “Marriage isn’t just about providing support and managing things.”
"Dad, stop talking." Gu Jingran turned his head away. "I don't want to talk about this with you right now."
The atmosphere froze for a moment.
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