Chapter 732: Successfully Passed! (Two chapters combined)
The old lady took the things into the kitchen, and everyone else saw it.
Gu Qinglang raised an eyebrow and asked, "The food is almost ready, why are you still cooking?"
The old lady waved her hand: "Never mind that! Everyone's back today, let's just cook some noodles. Eldest daughter-in-law, you and second daughter-in-law clean these mushrooms. We'll use them to stew the chicken, and the chicken broth can be used to cook the noodles!"
Li Mengxin exclaimed "Ah!", took the bag, and poured the mushrooms into the basin. She had originally thought they would be dirty and troublesome to clean, but to her surprise, these mushrooms were not only not dirty, but also exceptionally clean!
"These mushrooms are huge! There's not a single empty space between them! They look like they were cultivated!"
Upon hearing this, Li Xiang picked it up, examined it, smelled it, and shook her head, saying, "It's not cultivated, it's wild. The smell is completely different! Wild ones have a particularly fresh and fragrant aroma! Cultivated ones all have a medicinal smell! Moreover, many of the fungi here can't be cultivated at will. Such high quality, did A-Yin bring them back from the Da Bai Mountain?"
Grandma Gu: "...Yes, she picked some up on her way back. Quickly wash them, the chicken soup will be ready soon." The second son's wife is really sharp!
After Gu Yin finished washing up and drying her hair, the meal was almost ready, and all that was left was for the noodles that the old lady would cook.
The old lady scooped up some noodles, saw they were cooked, and called out, "Dinner's ready! Set the table!"
As the noodles were served, the old lady smiled and said, "Try the noodles first. 'Dumplings when you're out, noodles when you're back!' These noodles are cooked in wild mushroom and chicken broth! They should be delicious!"
Since there were other dishes, everyone served themselves a small bowl, and that was about it.
Gu Yin and Chu Yan had eaten in the mountains, so they didn't think anything of it, but the other members of the Gu family who hadn't eaten there were all surprised.
"This noodle soup is so delicious! And the noodles are so smooth!"
"It tastes even better than what you get in restaurants!"
"This is the best noodles I've ever eaten!"
"I feel so much better after eating. I was a bit tired before, but now that I have a full stomach, I feel energized!"
Gu Shu finished her soup and looked at the table: "Is there any more? I'd like another bowl!"
The old lady, still a little reluctant to leave, chuckled and said, "These two bowls are for your Grandma Chu and Grandpa Chu. If you want more, we'll make more tonight!" She then looked at Gu Qinglang.
"Take the noodles over there."
Chu Yan stood up: "Let me take you. Let your uncle have a meal. You all just got back and must be tired. It's not far, just a few steps. I'll be right back!"
He took the food basket containing the bowl and went through the small door next to him.
When Chu Yan arrived home, the two elders were listening to opera. When they saw Chu Yan coming over with some things in his hands, they said helplessly, "We're full, don't worry about us! Your Grandma Gu told us before cooking, but we had just finished eating. We're old, how can we eat so much? So we refused. Your Grandpa Gu just came over to call us. We already agreed, why did you bring things over again?"
Chu Yan smiled and placed the food basket on the table, taking out two bowls of noodles with golden broth.
He said gently, “These are good things. Grandma Gu asked me to bring them over. There aren’t many, but everyone should try some. They taste good and are good for your health. The mushrooms and flour were brought by Ayin. Grandpa and Grandma should also try them. I can’t take these things back even if I want to.”
Chu Yan didn't elaborate further, trusting that the two elders would understand.
Upon hearing this, the old lady looked at the old man. The old man sat up straight, looked at the bowl of noodles that looked so appetizing, and nodded: "Eat up. There's some seafood that your father had someone send over. Take some with you when you leave."
Only through give and take can things last.
Although the Gu family already has enough of these things, whether they need them or not is their business, and whether you give them to them or not is your business!
So when Chu Yan returned to the Gu family's place, Gu Yin saw him carrying a bucket of seafood. It had all sorts of things, and it was obvious that the Chu family had bought it from abroad.
Gu Yin peeked out and said with a smile, "It's been so long since I've had barbecue! Let's have barbecue tonight! We also have seafood!"
Gu Shu agreed: "Let's grill it! Xiao Hao is here too!"
The old lady glared at him: "Who do you think you are to call me 'Xiao Hao'?"
Upon hearing this, Gu Qinghao, who was standing next to him, immediately laughed and said, "We're about the same age. I'm not used to being called 'uncle' either. Let's just address each other as people our age!"
Gu Qinglang, standing next to him, thought to himself that he wasn't used to it either. A child who had just come of age was younger than his daughter, and he had to call him "brother." Uh... he really couldn't bring himself to say it.
The old man nodded and said, "Then everyone can order whatever they want! Do as you please! Let's eat."
After everyone finished eating, they sat and chatted. Gu Hua coughed lightly and said, "I have good news to tell you all!"
Everyone looked over and saw that her face was full of smiles, clearly indicating that this good news was very important to her!
Gu Yin raised her hand: "Is there a result regarding Professor Chongjing's matter of accepting disciples?!"
Upon hearing this, Li Mengxin looked nervously at Gu Hua!
Everyone waited quietly.
Gu Hua's eyes sparkled as she nodded vigorously: "I got first place in my major in the final exam! I also got full marks in my coursework! I just received a message from my counselor saying that I've passed Professor Chong's requirements! Professor Chong has already spoken to my counselor and told me to go see him after the break! He'll assign me some study tasks then!"
Everyone cheered!
Gu Shu quickly got up and patted her shoulder hard: "Sis! You're amazing! You're so talented!"
Li Mengxin excitedly took a few steps forward: "I'm going to tell your dad this good news!"
The old lady's eyes narrowed with laughter: "Good, good, good! You've made something of yourself!"
The old man managed to hold back: "You must study hard from now on and listen to your mentor! We don't know anything, but as they say on TV, 'A teacher for a day is a father for life!' We must not be arrogant or complacent!"
Gu Hua nodded: "I will, Grandpa!"
Gu Qinglang looked at Gu Hua: "Why don't you ask your counselor, or ask Mingxuan, if he's now recognizing a teacher, shouldn't we prepare some things? Like a meal or something?"
"Yes! We need to ask! Some teachers don't care about this, while others do. We need to find out everything so we don't offend anyone right after we've chosen a mentor!"
Just as he finished speaking, the doorbell rang from the other side of the door.
Gu Yin, who was sitting by the door, glanced over and chuckled, "Speak of the devil, and he appears! Li Mingxuan is here." She then rang the doorbell: "Come in!"
Li Mingxuan nodded to the doorbell monitor, pushed open the door, and went inside.
He had visited the Gu family several times before, and each time his feelings were different. But no matter how many times he came, seeing the meticulously trimmed flowers, trees and shrubs in the garden, and the red and yellow carp swimming around, he was still deeply moved.
After crossing the wooden bridge, Li Mingxuan saw that the house was full of people and waved with a smile.
Everyone's home! Sorry to bother you!
Gu Shu pulled the person into the house: "Why are you being so polite! What brings you here?"
Li Mingxuan sat down, greeted the others, and then looked at Gu Hua with a smile, saying, "First of all, congratulations, Hua, on becoming Professor Chongjing's disciple! From now on, we will be fellow disciples, so please guide me in the future!"
Upon hearing this, Gu Hua exclaimed in surprise, "You've been accepted as a disciple too?!" A student is a student, and a disciple is a disciple. A disciple is also an apprentice. It means accepting a master's teachings, being able to use the teacher's name when traveling, having a powerful backer, and being family who share both honor and disgrace.
Li Mingxuan's lips curled up, and he nodded vigorously: "That's right! At our school, Professor Chongjing recruited three people: one each in the senior year, junior year, and me in the sophomore year, while Huada University only has you!"
Gu Hua is a freshman, and if she comes next year, she might not have this opportunity.
Looking at Li Mingxuan, Gu Yin sighed inwardly. Whether in his past life or this one, he had managed to escape rural life on his own. In his past life, he became a civil servant in Beijing, which directly changed his family's fortunes. In this life, with Professor Chongjing by his side, his starting point was much higher. She wondered if he would continue to take the exam, but Gu Yin believed that someone as smart as him would excel in whatever field he chose!
Gu Hua was also pleased to hear this: "You've been by Professor Chong's side for a while and you know his habits well! With someone I know here, I'm not so nervous!"
Li Mingxuan smiled and nodded, then looked at the old man and the old woman and explained the purpose of his visit.
"Grandpa Gu and Grandma Gu, it's like this. In a couple of days, Professor Chong will invite us to have a meal together. Parents are required to accompany us. It's a way for us to get to know each other and for the parents to understand his character so they can feel more comfortable letting their children accompany him. Also, summer vacation is already halfway over. Professor Chong is not only teaching, but also writing books and popularizing his knowledge. He has a very tight schedule. During the rest of the vacation, he will go abroad for an exchange program and will take us with him. So, parents are needed to be present at this meal. However, my dad injured his leg, and my mom is taking care of him, so she can't come. I asked the professor, and he said that if my parents agree, he can talk to them on the phone."
At this point, he smiled helplessly: "Although my parents trust the teacher, they are still a little worried about such a big thing as going abroad. After they found out that Ahua and I became the professor's students, my parents wanted to ask Uncle Gu to take care of me at the dinner table and act as a parent."
He's all grown up now, he can get up and do it himself, but his parents just feel more at ease with Gu Qingming around. After all, Gu Qingming is a boss here and has met many people. If it's not safe, he'll be able to tell right away. Li Mingxuan came over to put his parents' minds at ease.
Hearing this, the old lady became anxious: "When are we eating?! Is there a definite time?"
Li Mingxuan nodded: "The day after tomorrow, the professor is in a hurry. Originally, the number of students would be announced at the beginning of the semester, but this time he is going abroad for an exchange program and felt that this was a good opportunity, so he submitted the list in advance. We will have dinner the day after tomorrow, and he will fly away the day after that."
Upon hearing this, the old lady took out her phone: "Then I have to contact the eldest son right away and tell him to come back immediately!"
The old man nodded: "Let Qinghao's mother keep an eye on things there for a few days!"
After saying that, he looked at Li Mingxuan and said with a smile, "Don't worry about your parents. We're all from the same village. You and Ashu are friends, so you're family! And from now on, you're Ahua's senior brother, so you're practically an older brother to him. If you need anything, just tell your Uncle Gu!"
That's how people in the countryside are. If a child goes on a long trip alone, even if the teacher is with him, they won't feel at ease. But if there are people from the same village or adults around, they'll feel at ease. They never think that people from the same village will bully their children!
Li Mingxuan smiled and nodded.
After finishing her phone call, the old lady looked at Li Mingxuan and asked, "Should we give the professor a gift for this meal? Like a formal apprenticeship gift or something?"
Upon hearing this, Li Mingxuan smiled helplessly and nodded: "Yes, we need to."
Gu Hua asked curiously, "What do you need?"
"After this exchange program abroad, I need to write a paper that can be published as a gift to my apprentice."
"Holy crap! That's brutal!" Gu Shu's scalp tingled with fear! She'd just gotten a tutor, and now she had to write a thesis before she could even settle in! How thrilling!
Gu Yin couldn't help but laugh: "Professor Chongjing truly lives up to his reputation!"
Gu Hua pointed to herself suspiciously: "Me too? I'm only a freshman! Even if school starts, I'll only be a sophomore! I haven't even figured out a lot of legal knowledge yet, and you want me to write a paper?! Did you hear me right?"
Li Mingxuan shook his head: "This is what the professor personally told me to tell you. He said that Ayin is so capable, and Ashu is almost the same. You are family to them, so he believes you can complete this task perfectly!"
Gu Shu, who was almost identical to the author, said: "...The professor even knows how to praise one while belittling another! Awesome!"
Everyone couldn't help but burst out laughing!
Gu Hua was both worried and excited: "I...I'll do my best! The pressure is immense!"
Li Mingxuan smiled and said, "Pressure is the driving force. The professor will give us a reading list. Just read it carefully and ask him if you don't understand anything. The paper shouldn't be too difficult."
Gu Hua nodded: "Yes! I will!"
After finishing his formalities, Li Mingxuan wanted to leave, but Gu Shu stopped him: "We're having a barbecue tonight! Stay and have some fun! It's a rare chance to relax! You've been busy for almost a month!"
Li Mingxuan is really busy. In addition to helping Professor Chong organize documents every day, he also works part-time as a tutor in the evening. He went home for a few days during the summer vacation and then came back to school!
Li Mingxuan himself hadn't relaxed in a long time, so he stayed after hearing this.
Since they still had some time, the group started playing badminton at the entrance.
"Shoot it higher! Don't let them catch it!"
"Ah Hua, where are you going to hit me! Hit me this way, my sister!"
"Ayin and Yan-ge, you guys are working together so well! No! We have to separate you! You can't team up! Your teamwork is just too perfect!"
"Just play ball, stop talking so much! Hurry up and serve!"
These playful young people are full of vigor and vitality! This is how they should be!
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