Yuan Yamin's studio is located in a slightly secluded alley. Along the road, at intervals, you can see restaurants and cafes with a charming atmosphere and a literary and artistic vibe.
There weren't many shops, and not many people either. Small groups of well-dressed young people were relaxed, exuding a strong petit-bourgeois vibe; and a few scattered people, whether tourists or not, were taking photos in the outdoor area of a shop.
The passing vehicles in Dansong caused no ripples; few people even looked up, most were immersed in their own world enjoying the peace.
Curious and slightly doubtful about this extraordinary lifestyle, Tong Zhao couldn't help but turn around and ask, "Do these shops really make money?"
Dan Song raised an eyebrow: "Why do you ask that?"
"There are so few people, and it's in a remote location. Although the decor is very stylish, it feels too distant. I felt a lot of pressure before I even went in. Plus, there are only a few seats, so it doesn't feel like they're very welcoming to customers."
After complaining, Tong Zhao asked Shan Song, "Have you been there? Are the things inside very expensive? Or is the owner just rich?"
Shan Song was amused by his long list of insights: "I haven't been there much either, but we'll be having dinner at a private restaurant inside in a little while, you can take a look."
Shan Song glanced at the little omega whose gaze was still drifting outwards and said, "If you want to go, I'll bring you next time. You can pay for it yourself."
Tong Zhao suddenly turned to look at him, her eyes shining brightly. Shan Song found it amusing. He had only said one thing and it hadn't even been fulfilled yet, and she was already this happy? What would happen if she was so easily fooled in the future?
As Shan Song was thinking, Tong Zhao suddenly pulled a card out of his pocket, shook it, and said happily, "Qin Siyuan gave me funds to prepare for the wedding, so I might as well spend it. It's on me!"
"Heh~ this little money-grubber," Shan Song thought helplessly as he raised his hand to smother the card dangling in front of him, his voice rising, "Okay."
After arriving at the location and parking the car, Shan Song led Tong Zhao through several twists and turns before finally finding the small door of the studio. He gently knocked twice and waited for someone to open the door.
Tong Zhao whispered in Shan Song's ear, "This is too secretive, it's like a rendezvous between spies."
Shan Song hugged him from behind, and lowered his head to mimic his mysterious tone, saying, "Yeah, be careful, don't get caught."
Tong Zhao smiled, her eyes crinkling, and gently tugged at his sleeve in protest against his teasing.
Shan Song loved seeing him like this. Lately, the kid had become noticeably more talkative and active, wanting to share every interesting thing with him. When Shan Song checked his phone between his busy moments, he felt he could work ten more Zhou Muyuans.
He felt that three to five months seemed like an overestimation of himself; if Tong Zhao had been like this from the beginning, he would have fallen for her in ten days or half a month.
"Hey, how long are you going to keep hugging and cuddling in front of the door?"
Yuan Yamin opened the door at some point and stood there smiling at the two of them.
"Aunt Yuan."
Tong Zhao suddenly emerged from under Shan Song's arm, her face flushed, and she lowered her head shyly.
"Is this Xiao Zhao?" A kind and gentle voice came from behind Yuan Yamin. Tong Zhao looked up and saw who it was.
"Grandma," Shan Song greeted her.
Seeing that he was stunned, she reminded him again, "Call her Grandma."
Tong Zhao suddenly snapped out of her daze, and then a wave of embarrassment washed over her: "Grandma!"
Oh dear, how come he was hugging and kissing Shan Song right in front of his grandmother?
—It probably doesn't count as hugging or cuddling.
But it really does look like he hugged her. Grandma must have seen it. Won't she think he's too casual?
Tong Zhao felt a helpless roar coming from within.
"Don't just stand there at the door, come in and sit down." Aunt Yuan's voice woke Tong Zhao from her dilemma.
Tong Zhao stiffly was pulled into the room by Shan Song. As they entered, Shan Song whispered to comfort him, "Don't be nervous. Grandma and Grandpa don't talk much, but they are very gentle people. And they will definitely like what I like."
"Mmm," Tong Zhao responded softly, but she was still a little nervous.
He was led to a rest area in the corner of the studio, facing the two elderly people. Because he hadn't spent much time with his elders, he felt a little uneasy, but this unease was different from when he met Aunt Yuan before.
At that time, he and Shan Song had not yet confessed their feelings to each other, and he only regarded Aunt Yuan as a friend of Shan Song's mother, unlike today when he clearly knew that the two elderly people opposite him were his close relatives by blood.
Tong Zhao's memories of his grandmother were still from a long time ago. Now that he's grown up, he has no experience in how to get along with her. His eyes clearly show confusion and helplessness.
Aunt Yuan went to get the dresses she designed for them. Shan Song wanted to help, but seeing Tong Zhao like this, his heart felt like it had been pricked by a needle, a pain that lingered.
He sat down next to Tong Zhao, took his hand, and introduced him: "Grandpa, Grandma, this is Tong Zhao, you know him."
Grandma nodded, her eyes full of love: "I know, Xiao Yuan was just talking to us, saying he's a good boy, and seeing him today, it's definitely true."
The old man's gaze shifted between the two. If he had already felt somewhat relieved when he heard that the Qin family's child was the one who had once saved Shan Song, then seeing the two's seemingly genuine intimacy at the door just now put his mind at ease for the rest of the time.
"It's not easy to have such a fate. Your grandfather and I were worried that this marriage would be bad for you, but unexpectedly, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise, allowing you to meet your little benefactor. You're a bit older, so you have to take good care of Xiao Zhao, okay?"
Shan Song smiled and agreed, gently squeezing Tong Zhao's cold little hand with the hand at his side.
Tong Zhao felt encouraged and felt a little relieved.
The old man noticed Shan Song's movements and his gaze shifted to Tong Zhao, who was sitting upright with her back straight. He said in a gentle tone, "Child, don't be nervous. We heard Xiao Zhao mention you a long time ago. Thank you for helping Xiao Song back then."
"No need to thank me, Grandma. I didn't do anything, and Shan Song has already repaid me a lot." Tong Zhao waved her hands repeatedly, her mouth almost unable to speak.
The old woman looked at him with a smile: "I can see that you two have a good relationship, which puts my mind at ease. If you don't mind, you can treat this place as your home, just like Xiaosong, okay?"
"I don't mind at all, I'm more than happy." Seeing that the old man's expression really didn't show the slightest dissatisfaction with him, Tong Zhao finally smiled.
“If Xiaosong says or does anything that makes you feel wronged, come and tell us. We will absolutely not cover for him,” the grandfather, who had been silent, interjected.
"Thank you, Grandpa and Grandma." Tong Zhao turned to look at Shan Song, but stopped halfway and whispered, "Don't worry, Shan Song is very good to me and won't let me suffer any injustice."
The two elderly people looked at each other and smiled.
Yuan Yamin came out at that moment, carrying her formal attire, and overheard this. She laughed and said, "I told you that this child must have been intimidated by Shan Song. He was clearly on Shan Song's side in everything he said. You didn't believe me?"
The two elderly people smiled, and Shan Song said helplessly, "I really didn't."
Aunt Yuan looked at me with a "Do you think I believe you?" expression.
The atmosphere was so relaxed that Tong Zhao was infected by their joy and couldn't help but secretly smile, which Shan Song noticed and pinched her cheek.
"Alright, is there anything else? If not, let's end the meeting with the parents part. Hurry up and try on the clothes, there's not much time left. If they don't fit, you'll need to alter them quickly." Yuan Yamin shoved the clothes into Shan Song's hands and urged him on.
"Okay, okay, let's go right away." Shan Song held the dress in one hand and pulled Tong Zhao to her feet with the other: "Let's go."
Tong Zhao took a few steps and then turned back: "Grandma, Grandpa, let's go try on the clothes."
"Go, child."
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