Seeing Gu Yuanshan's disapproving expression, Huo Yunlan said, "I didn't really care about him when he was little, so I can't just stand by and do nothing now. Do you think Xiao Chen might be willing to get married? But girls are shy and embarrassed to ask?"
Gu Yuanshan shook his head: "I don't think so. When she talked about starting a business today, she had the same drive as you back then."
Huo Yunlan was silent for a moment: "But I still got married and had children back then, didn't I? Why don't I find an opportunity to ask Xiao Chen? If she's willing, Jing Ran won't be able to refuse anymore."
Gu Yuanshan frowned: "If you really ask, the girl might overthink it and think we're pressuring her to get married. If Xiao Chen gets scared, that would be troublesome."
"No, I won't." Huo Yunlan shook her head. "I genuinely like that child. I see her like my own daughter, and I would never pressure her. I'll just chat with her and listen to her thoughts."
Gu Yuanshan hesitated for a moment, then nodded: "Then find an opportunity to explain things properly. Don't let anyone misunderstand. But what are your plans regarding Jingran? He made it very clear today that we shouldn't get involved."
Huo Yunlan snorted coldly: "I was just having a normal chat with Xiao Chen, what's it to him?"
Gu Yuanshan smiled helplessly and didn't try to persuade him any further.
Huo Yunlan, however, felt more and more that her idea was feasible.
She made up her mind: she must find an opportunity to get Gu Jingran away so that she could take Ye Linchen out alone and have a good talk with him to see what Ye Linchen really thought.
Ye Linchen had no idea what Gu Yuanshan and Huo Yunlan had discussed in secret in their room a few nights before, but he felt that this trip to the capital had gone exceptionally well.
In the following days, apart from spending the first day of the Lunar New Year at home with Huo Yunlan to receive relatives and friends who came to pay their respects, she spent almost all her time sightseeing in the capital.
Huo Yunlan was warm-hearted and treated her like her own daughter, arranging everything for her perfectly.
Although Gu Yuanshan appears calm and taciturn, he always shows care in the details.
With Gu Jingran's constant companionship and meticulous care, the entire Spring Festival was an unprecedentedly enjoyable one.
Their group visited almost all the tourist attractions in Beijing, including historical sites, shopping malls, and department stores.
Gu Jingran even took her to the gate of Beijing University so that she could go in and have a look around, making up for the regret of not being able to study at Beijing University.
Standing in front of the school gate, Ye Linchen asked Gu Jingran to take a picture for him, which would count as having been there.
The happy time flew by, and it was already the last day of the trip.
On the last morning, the dining table was filled with steaming hot breakfast.
While serving food to Ye Linchen, Huo Yunlan gave Gu Yuanshan a wink.
Gu Yuanshan understood immediately, put down his chopsticks, turned to Gu Jingran with a smile and said, "Jingran, today is your last day in the capital. Why don't you come fishing with your father? There's a farmhouse by the pond where you can cook the fish you catch for lunch. It'll be a good time for us two to get together."
Gu Jingran pondered for a moment, then nodded: "Okay."
Huo Yunlan chimed in with a smile, "Then you two go fishing, I'll take Xiaochen shopping and buy some local specialties so she can bring them back to Jiangcheng to share with her friends. We'll meet you at the fishpond for lunch."
Gu Yuanshan readily agreed: "Okay, I'll take care of it. You guys just wait and eat."
Huo Yunlan couldn't help but joke, "Last time, I don't know who didn't catch a single fish, and in the end, the boss had to go into the pond to fish them out."
"That happened so long ago, why are you bringing it up again?" Gu Yuanshan shook his head with a smile.
The atmosphere at the dinner table was lively and filled with laughter.
After breakfast, the driver first took Huo Yunlan and Ye Linchen to the mall.
The mall was bustling with people, and the festive atmosphere of the Chinese New Year had not yet dissipated.
Huo Yunlan led Ye Linchen through the shops, stopping at almost every one of them – clothing stores, specialty shops, and pastry stalls.
She picked out a lot of things for Ye Linchen to take back to Jiangcheng, and even bought two Peking ducks and had them vacuum-packed.
Carrying large and small bags, Huo Yunlan glanced at her watch and said with a smile, "There's still some time before lunch. Why don't we find a teahouse to rest and have some tea?"
Ye Linchen nodded: "Okay."
The two chose a rather elegant teahouse.
The building was quiet, with soft sunlight filtering through the old-fashioned wooden windows. A purple clay teapot and small porcelain cups sat on the table, and the fragrant aroma of tea brought a sense of peace.
They sat down, tea was served, and after a few words of casual conversation, Huo Yunlan finally spoke, her tone seemingly casual but with a hint of inquiry: "Xiao Chen, Auntie wants to ask you, what are your plans for the future?"
Ye Linchen took a sip of tea and smiled slightly: "I'm still tutoring now, and I'm currently tutoring two senior high school students. After they finish their college entrance exams, I plan to stop tutoring and focus on preparing for my startup project, hoping to get the entrepreneurship support from the school."
Huo Yunlan nodded slightly, then asked, "What about after graduation? Are you planning to keep starting your own business and running your own company? That's not easy, it's very hard work."
Ye Linchen said earnestly, "It's tough, but I want to give it my all while I'm young. I'm not afraid of being tired."
Huo Yunlan looked at her with gentle eyes, but also with a hint of scrutiny, and slowly asked, "What about relationships? What are your plans in this area?"
Ye Linchen paused for a moment, then subconsciously looked up at Huo Yunlan. Seeing her gentle expression, he slowly said, "I haven't thought too far ahead. Right now, I just want to focus on doing my own thing well. As for relationships... let nature take its course."
Huo Yunlan sighed inwardly.
The girl in front of me doesn't seem like someone who would easily depend on others for a living.
The strong will she has is so similar to my own when I was young.
Huo Yunlan took a sip of tea and smiled casually, "It's good to let things take their course. But, a woman always has to face choices in life. Striving for a career is a good thing, but if you meet the right person, don't be too stubborn."
"You know what happened when I was young. Back then, I moved to Beijing for my career without a second thought. But looking back, I have some regrets."
Ye Linchen listened quietly, without interrupting, only nodding.
Seeing her serious expression, Huo Yunlan felt a warmth in her heart.
She reached out and gently patted Ye Linchen's hand: "Xiaochen, you're a sensible child, and I genuinely like you. Auntie isn't trying to pressure you; I just want to hear your true feelings. Have you considered marrying Jingran?"
marry?
Although Ye Linchen had made preparations before coming, she still did not expect Huo Yunlan to bring up marriage so quickly.
She thought for a moment, then organized her thoughts: "Auntie, I haven't considered marriage yet, but I'm serious about my relationship with Jingran. I'm not against marriage, but I don't think it's the right time to think about it now."
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