Just then, Ye Linchen got into the car. Seeing that the two had fallen behind, he leaned out and called out, "Uncle, Jingran, we're about to leave!"
Gu Jingran immediately responded, taking the opportunity to interrupt his father and quickly got into the car without replying to him.
After starting the car, Huo Yunlan turned to the two of them and teased, "What are you two talking about in the back? We've been waiting here for ages in this freezing weather."
Gu Jingran composed himself and replied casually, "He didn't say anything else, my dad just asked about some work-related matters."
Huo Yunlan glared at him: "All you ever think about is work. It's the New Year, and you're already thinking about work before you've even eaten."
After saying that, Huo Yunlan turned to Ye Linchen with a smile and said in a friendly tone, "Xiao Chen, you should try to persuade him more often in the future. He won't listen to anything we say, but maybe he will listen to what we say."
Ye Linchen could tell that Gu Jingran was in a bad mood, but she didn't expose him. She just nodded and softly replied, "Okay, I'll try to persuade him."
Soon, the car stopped in front of a long-established hot pot restaurant in Beijing.
Ye Linchen followed him in and immediately saw the steaming copper pot on the table. It was the first time he had ever seen such a thing in real life, and he looked at it with great curiosity.
The dish was served quickly, with thinly sliced lamb neatly arranged on a plate, accompanied by sesame sauce and condiments.
Although the taste was different from the Jiangcheng hot pot that Ye Linchen was used to, it was fresh and fragrant, with a unique flavor.
Ye Linchen ate with great interest, dipping his food in the sauce as he savored it, occasionally letting out a light laugh.
Gu Jingran, on the other hand, seemed uninterested and barely touched his chopsticks.
Ye Linchen noticed and couldn't help but ask in a low voice, "What's wrong? Is it not to your liking?"
Hearing this, Gu Jingran snapped out of his thoughts and smiled again: "Hmm, I prefer the taste of Jiangcheng to this. The copper pot is a bit too bland for me."
Ye Linchen couldn't help but laugh and said, "Then when we get back to Jiangcheng, I'll treat you to hot pot as a thank you gift for Mr. Gu's hospitality in having me eat hot pot."
Gu Jingran reached out and picked up a piece of meat with his chopsticks, putting it into Ye Linchen's bowl. He smiled and said, "Okay, then I'll wait for President Ye to treat me."
After lunch, Gu Yuanshan and Huo Yunlan took the two of them to explore the capital.
Huo Yunlan took it very seriously, arranging almost the entire itinerary for Ye Linchen. She not only took Ye Linchen to visit the Prince's Mansion, but also specially found some less crowded alleys to tell him interesting anecdotes about old Beijing.
Gu Yuanshan, meanwhile, held a camera and occasionally helped take photos.
Ye Linchen smiled brightly. He took many photos, and even took a special photo of her and Gu Jingran together.
The two stand side by side under the ancient city wall, or pose for photos in front of the frozen lake, looking like an indescribably perfect couple.
In the evening, the family went to the most famous hotel in Beijing.
The hall was brightly decorated, and the festive atmosphere was strong.
The dishes on the table were exceptionally plentiful, including Beijing specialties like roast duck and noodles with soybean paste, as well as hearty dishes that are only served on holidays, making for a lively and festive atmosphere.
Ye Linchen was attracted by the fresh dishes and ate with great satisfaction. She would occasionally whisper to Gu Jingran and sometimes burst out laughing.
Gu Jingran gradually put his mind at ease, and his expression softened considerably.
After dinner, everyone returned to the Gu family home.
The maid has already tidied up the guest room.
"Miss Ye's room is ready."
Upon hearing this, Huo Yunlan paused slightly, exchanged a glance with Gu Yuanshan, but said nothing more. She simply smiled and invited everyone to sit down, saying, "Come on, everyone, sit down. The Spring Festival Gala is about to start, let's watch it together."
The living room was warmly heated, and the lively singing and dancing from the television mingled with laughter from the room.
Although everyone had their own little thoughts, the atmosphere at this moment was warm and harmonious.
Ye Linchen nestled on the sofa, holding a drink and snacks handed to her by the nanny. The Spring Festival Gala on TV was lively and exciting, and the living room was brightly lit and warm.
She leaned back on the sofa cushions, watching Gu Yuanshan and Huo Yunlan occasionally comment on the program, while Gu Jingran sat to the side, looking relaxed.
This atmosphere made her feel exceptionally at ease.
A sudden surge of indescribable satisfaction welled up inside her, and she even felt a happiness that seemed unreal.
In her previous life, she lived with her uncle when she was a child.
Every year after the reunion dinner during the Lunar New Year, while other children run out to set off firecrackers and visit friends, she has to help the adults by carrying plates and washing dishes.
While everyone else is resting, she still has to wipe tables and clean in the kitchen, preparing breakfast for the next day in advance.
Later, after returning to the Ye family, in order to earn more money to help with the family's expenses, he would volunteer to work overtime every Spring Festival to earn some overtime pay.
At that time, she often stayed alone in the cold crane control room, listening to the constant sound of firecrackers, feeling empty inside.
Later, she was reborn, and although she was no longer alone on holidays, she still lacked that atmosphere.
Right now, everything about the Gu family makes her truly feel what reunion and the taste of home mean.
"If only these days could last forever," she thought to herself.
Perhaps it was the comfort that made her relaxed; the sofa cushions were just the right amount of soft, and the television lights flickered on and off. Her eyelids grew heavier and heavier, and before long, she drifted off to sleep without even realizing it.
When she woke up again, it was Gu Jingran who gently called her name.
"Are you sleepy? Do you want to go back to your room to rest?" Gu Jingran squatted down next to the sofa and asked gently.
Ye Linchen squinted, shook his head sleepily, and said in a drowsy voice, "No need, I still have to stay up late to celebrate the New Year. Didn't Auntie say she bought fireworks to set off?"
Gu Jingran saw that her eyelids were drooping and smiled, saying in a low voice, "It's okay, you go back and get some sleep first. I'll wake you up to set off fireworks when it's almost midnight."
Ye Linchen wanted to say something, but he was so sleepy that he hesitated for a moment before nodding.
Gu Jingran accompanied her upstairs, watched her go into her room to wash up, and only after confirming that she was settled did he turn around and go downstairs.
In the living room, Huo Yunlan was holding a cup of hot tea. Seeing her son return, she asked directly, "Jingran, what are you thinking right now?"
Gu Jingran's heart tightened, and his brows furrowed again.
He certainly understood what his mother was asking.
Gu Yuanshan put down his cigarette and sighed.
"It's not that your parents are pressuring you, it's just that you're not getting any younger. Now that you've met a girl you like, you should just settle down. If you keep dragging it out, things might change."
Huo Yunlan chimed in, "Yes, look at you now, so busy with work, and you always look thinner. You need someone to take care of you. Xiao Chen's startup project has only just started, and she can't just stop it. Why don't you have a good talk with her? When two people are together, one of them has to give in."
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