Chapter 538: Chu Xiong: You're no match for me!
When Chu Yan and Gu Yin arrived at the private room, the dishes for the New Year's Eve dinner were already laid out.
Upon seeing the two enter, Chu Xiong waved and said, "We've been waiting for you. Why did it take you so long to park, Ayan?"
The remaining two seats were right next to him. Chu Yan's eyes flickered, and he looked at Chu Xiong helplessly and said, "I parked the car in the office area behind the hotel, in your private garage. The hotel's parking lot for guests is full. There were too many people today, so it was a bit slow."
Chu Xiong nodded and smiled, "Luckily I reserved this room in advance. If we had come today, we wouldn't have had anywhere to eat!"
Gu Qinglang agreed: "Just now downstairs, the convoy was already backed up to the side of the road. Most of them are out for dinner around this time."
Gu Qingming nodded: "Many of the bosses I know also eat here."
The others started chatting about the topic.
After Gu Yin and Chu Yan sat down, Chu Yan tilted his head slightly to Chu Xiong's side and whispered, "Thanks, Dad!"
Chu Xiong glanced at the Gu family members, and seeing that they hadn't noticed them, he snorted, "Who told me I'm your father? Who told me I'm so fond of this girl, Ayin? Humph, I have to help you get a chance to be your daughter-in-law. You're much worse than I was back then!"
He let it go since the old man had arranged for him and Gu Yin to sit together.
After all the dishes were served, the eldest gentleman, Grandpa Chu, stood up with his glass and said with a smile, "It's fate and a blessing that our two families can have this New Year's Eve dinner together this year! I hope we can have it together again next year, and every year thereafter! I also wish everyone a successful career, academic progress, and good health in the new year! Cheers! The kids can just have soft drinks!"
Everyone stood up, raising their glasses, and took turns offering their blessings!
After that, it was free time to eat.
Gu Le sat to Gu Yin's left, Chu Yan to her right, and Chu Xiong next to Chu Yan.
“Ah Yin has been working hard on experiments lately, and she looks thinner. Come on, this is some bird’s nest porridge that I specially asked someone to cook. Eat more to nourish yourself! Ah Le, have some too!” Chu Xiong ladled out two bowls of porridge and had Chu Yan take them and hand them to them.
Gu Yin took it and said with a smile, "Thank you, Uncle Chu. I can do it myself, you don't need to trouble yourself!"
Chu Xiong waved his hand: "No trouble at all, eat up!" Then he looked at Chu Yan: "Learn from him!"
Chu Yan: "...You just need to take care of your own wife. You don't need to come here. I can do it myself." As he spoke, he reached out and picked up two crabs and began to dismantle them.
Chu Xiong snorted, seeing that he understood, and stopped paying attention to them.
After Gu Yin finished her porridge, Chu Yan had already prepared the crab. He placed a small bowl in front of her and instructed her, "Crabs are quite cold in nature, so just eat two."
After saying that, he put food on Gu Yin's plate, but Gu Yin quickly stopped him, saying, "Okay, if you can't fit any more, you can eat too!" He then put a few pieces of braised pork ribs on his plate.
As soon as they put it down, they saw Chu Xiong looking at them with a big, aunt-like smile.
Gu Yin: "..."
Gu Yin smiled awkwardly and then put her chopsticks away.
Chu Xiong quickly chuckled softly, "You guys eat your food, don't worry about me."
Chu Yan picked up a sea urchin and put it in his bowl: "Eat your food and don't look around."
Chu Xiong: "...You brat!"
Chu Yan felt a kick under the table and said helplessly, "Aren't you childish?"
Yao Jinse, who was next to Chu Xiong, looked over and said, "If you keep making a scene, we'll see how you explain yourselves when everyone is looking over here!"
The two of them finally quieted down.
When they had almost finished dinner, Gu Shu walked over to Chu Yan and whispered, "Are there any activities planned for tonight?"
The adults were still drinking and chatting, while the young people, having eaten their fill and with nothing to do, were quite bored. Gu Shu felt a little restless sitting there until the New Year.
In the past, after finishing his New Year's Eve dinner, he would go to the village to play with other people.
Upon hearing this, Chu Yan put down his cup: "Where do you want to go?"
Gu Yin also turned to look at him.
Gu Shu's eyes lit up: "Go to the city gate, or to the square?"
Chu Yan: "...That's it? Why are you being so mysterious? I thought you were going to a bar."
Gu Shu's eyes lit up, but after glancing at Gu Yin, he finally shook his head: "Forget it, A-Yin is underage, let's go to the square instead."
Chu Yan looked at Gu Yin, who nodded: "Then go ahead. You tell the adults, I won't."
Chu Yan looked at Gu Shu.
Gu Shu: "...Okay, I'll go talk to them."
After taking a deep breath, he raised his voice and said, "Grandpas, grandmas, uncles, aunts and uncles, we children are full. May we leave early and go to the square to take a look?"
Everyone looked over.
Gu Qingming was about to say that he didn't know the rules when Zhou Wansheng laughed and said, "Go if you want to. Kids can't sit still, and they're bored staying here with us. By the way, the higher-ups gave me a few tickets to the gala. Do you want to go and watch it? It's only a little past nine now, and it doesn't end until after midnight."
Gu Shu shook her head: "Thank you for your understanding, Grandpa Zhou! We won't go to the party. It wouldn't be appropriate to go in halfway through. We just want to go out and get some fresh air." The main reason is that they rarely watch parties during the Chinese New Year. They usually stay out until after 11 p.m. before going back home to celebrate the New Year.
Grandpa Chu looked at Chu Xiong: "There's a fireworks display at the square every year, right? There will be one this year too."
Chu Xiong nodded: "Yes, our group arranges this every year. Ayan, why don't you take Ayin and the others to take a look? Be careful."
Every year on New Year's Eve, the fireworks display in the square is organized by the Chu Group; it's a task assigned by their superiors.
Chu Yan nodded: "Okay, I understand. We'll be going now. Everyone, please enjoy your meal."
Grandma Gu instructed Gu Shu: "Keep an eye on your younger siblings; there are many people around."
After being reminded by everyone, the young people left the private room.
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