Chapter 23 Chapter 23
Grandma Bai's face darkened. "How could you be so heartless, child? Do you know how many people were drowned in this heavy rain? Your mother has been so worried these days that she hasn't had a good sleep."
"I know my mother is worried about me. Now you can rest assured! I am home safe and sound." Chen Zhen's heart softened as she held her grown-up daughter in her arms, coaxing her and acting coquettishly. She felt relieved.
"How did you meet?" Uncle Bai was very happy that his daughter came back, but he was a man and couldn't act like his wife. He patted his daughter's shoulder and walked to his son, playing with the lighter in his hand.
"My comrade happened to meet me while on a mission, so he brought her back with him."
"Then you have to help me thank them."
"Why not wait until you're on vacation and bring him to our house for dinner? It would be more sincere if I could thank him in person."
"Okay!" Bai Duan agreed immediately. After all, it was his family's job to improve the food for his comrades, so he had no qualms about it.
Bai Yu's return also cleared away the haze that had shrouded the family. Bai He stood in the corner and looked at the happy smiling faces of his family members, and his face became more relaxed.
The first person to calm down from her excitement was Grandma Bai. She looked through her granddaughter to the family of three behind her.
Considering what the granddaughter said before she came home, this is most likely their future in-laws and grandson-in-law.
Grandma Bai carefully examined the group. An older couple stood hand in hand. The man, wearing glasses, was refined and elegant, exuding the air of a scholar. The woman, slender and well-maintained, would have been the boy's older sister if Bai Yu hadn't mentioned she was bringing her boyfriend's parents.
Finally, she focused her attention on the young boy on her left. He was quite tall, about 1.8 meters tall, and Grandma Bai, who was only 1.5 meters tall, had to look up at him. Ning Zelan was nervous and excited about his first visit to his girlfriend's house, his eyes fixed on the Bai family. Meeting Grandma Bai's gaze, he couldn't help but hold his breath, quietly straightening his back. A bright and cheerful smile appeared on his handsome face, a look that would please the elders.
Don't hit a smiling person. Grandma Bai also smiled, but sighed in her heart. It was because Ning Zelan was too young and too good-looking.
Youth means immaturity. Since his granddaughter was willing to bring him home, she must be planning to get married. But does a kid, fresh out of school, understand the true meaning of marriage? Can he shoulder the responsibility of a family and provide his granddaughter with a stable and happy future?
Moreover, based on Grandma Bai's past life experience, a boy who is good-looking and likable is not a good thing for her wife. Especially since Bai Yu is older than the boy, if Bai Yu is old in ten years and the boy is still young and handsome, can he still treat Bai Yu well?
The risk is too great.
Ning Zelan had been observing the Bai family closely, and he immediately noticed the pessimism in Grandma Bai's eyes. Ning Zelan felt bad, as he liked Bai Yu very much, and therefore wanted to get the approval and blessing of her family.
However, he also knew the gap between them. As early as when he was with Bai Yu, he was prepared to deal with all kinds of difficulties. If he could convince his parents, he would definitely get the approval of Bai Yu's family.
Ning Zelan looked at Bai Yu's back with a determined gaze.
At this time, Grandpa Bai also came back from his brother's house. He was also very surprised to see Bai Yu. However, when he saw the three members of the Ning family still standing outside, Grandpa Bai slapped his thigh and said in surprise, "Look at how you left the guests outside."
"Yes, yes, welcome, please come in." The Bai family warmly welcomed them into their home.
Bai Duan, who had some important business to attend to, said something to his father and then took a truck to the village entrance.
When Bai Yu got home, she felt much more relaxed. She scratched her greasy head and said to Chen Zhen unbearably, "Mom, is there hot water at home? I want to take a bath."
After being stuck on the road for over ten days, Bai Yu could have taken a shower when conditions allowed, but he only had a few sets of clothes, and even if he washed them, they wouldn't dry. He felt like he was about to stink.
"Yes, it's heating on the stove." The temperature dropped sharply, and the family has been burning firewood for heating these days. It just so happens that the water heater at home cannot be used, so it is convenient to boil water directly on the fire.
"Xiao Ze, and Xiao Ze's parents, do you want to take a bath too?" Chen Zhen brought them some hot tea and asked.
"Okay, thank you Baiyu's mother." Ning Tingsong and Xu Li quickly stood up to take it and expressed their gratitude.
"Thank you, Auntie."
"You're welcome. It's cold, just have some tea to warm yourself up." Chen Zhen looked at the family in front of her with a smile.
"Come on, don't be polite, have some snacks to fill your stomach first..." Grandma Bai walked in with a plate in one hand, which was full of various snacks and fruits.
The Ning family members were still a little restrained, but Bai Yu took a grape from the box and put it into his mouth without hesitation. The sweet and sour taste made Bai Yu's eyes narrow with happiness. After chewing on dry food for more than ten days, his mouth finally came back to life.
Bai Yu caught a glimpse of Ning Zelan standing next to her with his back as straight as a ruler. She felt a little amused and picked up a grape and put it into his mouth.
Seeing his frightened eyes widen, Bai Yu chewed the grapes a few times and swallowed them whole like a thief. She raised her hands and rubbed his face. "Don't be so nervous, my family doesn't eat people."
When Chen Zhen saw this, he glared at her fiercely.
Bai Yu's expression remained calm as he asked, "Mom, where did all this fruit come from?"
"I bought the dumplings outside today." Chen Zhen looked to the side and was surprised to see Bai He nowhere to be found.
"That's quite rare." Bai Yu said as he stuffed an orange into each of the Ning couple's mouths.
Grandpa Bai and Uncle Bai also set up a few braziers in the living room. The temperature in the cold living room rose immediately and the brightness in the room increased a lot.
The three members of the Ning family also had a chance to take a good look at the Bai family. The Bai family built their own house, with terrazzo floors and white walls. It didn't have any particular decor, but it was clean and tidy, giving people a comfortable feeling.
At this time, Bai He came back quietly, carrying two large bags. He handed one of them to Chen Zhen.
"Aunt, the temperature changes so quickly. They probably didn't bring any warm clothes. These are all new." Bai He thought that they would not wear other people's clothes.
"You're really thoughtful. How much are these clothes? Auntie will buy them from you." Chen Zhen took the bag and reached into her pocket. But Bai He stopped her and said, "You don't have to pay. I'll ask my sister for it."
"Okay." Chen Zhen relaxed his frown and nodded happily.
After receiving the bag of clothes, especially seeing that in addition to cotton-padded jackets, there were also new sweaters and underwear... the smiles on the faces of the Ning couple became more sincere, and they felt that it was thoughtful of them.
After taking a nice hot bath and changing into warm and clean clothes, they all washed away their previous fatigue.
The unique aroma of hot pot was already wafting from the restaurant. Uncle Bai led them through the living room to the restaurant next door. "It's getting late today. Ning Ze, Mom and Dad, just eat something small first. We'll have a big dinner tomorrow."
Although it is said that you can eat whatever you want, there are quite a lot of dishes on the table, including fried beef, cured meat platter, braised pork with preserved vegetables...all kinds of hot pot side dishes are placed on the table.
The eyes of the people who had been eating dry food for more than ten days were all bright. This time, it was Grandma Bai's cooking skills that were amazing. The people who had just arrived home ate without even raising their heads.
The Bai family had already eaten dinner, but they joined the Ning family to eat, fearing they would make them uncomfortable. And that's how Chinese people are; once they get to the table, they start talking.
Grandpa Bai had traveled extensively in his youth and was a talkative person, so the Bai family soon learned about the Ning family's situation. Ning Zelan's father was a university professor, and her mother was a former elementary school teacher and now a housewife. They owned a house and a car in Hai City.
The Bai family naturally had no complaints about the Ning family's conditions. In comparison, Bai Yu was much worse in all aspects.
Uncle Bai and his wife exchanged a glance. They told the Ning family the details of their family's situation without embellishment. Honesty was paramount in establishing a relationship between two families.
Bai Yu was the only girl in the family, and the Bai family had already set several requirements for her partner: first, the boy had to be of good character and responsible, second, he had to be able to earn enough money to support the family, and third, he had to be respected by his family. Uncle Bai wouldn't marry his daughter off if any of these criteria weren't met. He would rather support his daughter for her entire life than let her suffer.
Uncle Bai spoke from the heart, and the Ning family's parents were also very touched. As parents, they all hope that their children will live a good life.
When Ning Zelan first introduced Baiyu to his parents, they had a bitter argument. As an only child, his family hoped he would marry a well-matched, talented, and studious woman, thus making his life easier. Most importantly, Ning Zelan was too young; they wanted him to gain enough experience and mature intellectually and financially before making this important decision. They didn't want him to regret it later. However, parents can't always persuade their children, and after careful consideration, Ning's father was convinced that Baiyu was indeed a good woman, capable, and, most importantly, perfectly worthy of Ning Zelan.
The Ning family's willingness to travel over a thousand meters to Gaolin City was a gesture of friendship between the two families.
Just as the Bai and Ning families were having a deep conversation, a group of people from the Bai family arrived. They were Grandpa Bai's brother Bai Hui, who lived in the same village, his younger brother Bai Qiujin, and his younger sister Bai Yueji, who lived in town. When they walked into the restaurant and saw the table still uncleared, they were stunned. Bai Hui touched his shaved head and asked with a silly smile, "Third brother, your family is only having dinner now?"
"We're almost done eating. Have you guys eaten? If not, I'll ask Huihui to cook two dishes for you." Grandpa Bai was very happy to see his brothers coming, and he quickly stood up and greeted them warmly.
"No, no, we've already eaten at home." Bai Hui kept waving his hands and shaking his head like a wave drum.
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