Chapter 119 The Wedding [Part 1] [VIP]
Chapter Summary: Meeting the Parents
At the end of the year, Fu Xianyin graduated.
The two had been in a long-distance relationship for over half a year, and Gu Linzhao would come to the United States to see her almost every now and then. Not to mention Andrew, even Emilia, their fellow student, was shocked.
After seeing Gu Linzhao for what felt like the umpteenth time, Emilia secretly pulled Fu Xianyin aside and asked her, "Does your boyfriend live with you in America?"
Fu Xianyin said, "No, he just came to see me."
Emilia exclaimed, "The power of love!"
Fu Xianyin just smiled.
A few months ago, Fu Xianyin was joking with Gu Linzhao, saying that she shouldn't think that her long-distance relationship would end after she graduated. Andrew liked her very much and was very happy for her to join his research team to continue doing research. In addition to Andrew, other technical experts also extended olive branches to her.
She thought Gu Linzhao would be disappointed and sad, but to her surprise, he reacted even more matter-of-factly than she did.
He said, "That's great."
Fu Xianyin was completely stunned by his words, "That's great."
She paused for several seconds before speaking, "No, what are you doing so well?"
Gu Linzhao said, "I am in such a good place, your future is bright and limitless."
They were on the phone at the time, and Fu Xianyin couldn't see his expression; she could only hear his voice, calm and gentle.
There wasn't the slightest bit of dissatisfaction.
He said, "Andrew is willing to let you join his team, and many top people in the industry recognize your ability and talent. Fu Xianyin, I am very happy for you and very proud of you."
"Compared to your career success, being able to do what you love and realize your life's value is more important than everything else."
Fu Xianyin felt her eyes getting a little wet.
She spoke softly, saying, "I want to video chat with you."
"Right now, right now, I want to see you."
Gu Linzhao quickly made a video call.
It was nighttime in China. Gu Linzhao was still at the company. Fu Xianyin saw the floor-to-ceiling window behind him in the video, as well as the towering buildings outside the window, all brightly lit.
Fu Xianyin asked, "And what about you?"
Gu Linzhao smiled.
He leaned back in his chair, relaxed, and said, "The rest should be put on hold. It doesn't mean you should ignore everything else. Fu Xianyin, are you going to cultivate the Path of Ruthlessness?"
Fu Xianyin was amused by him.
She heard him say, "I can come to see you often. We can meet whenever we have time. It's only a dozen or so hours by plane, not far at all."
"I don't want you to give up your future for me, nor do I want you to be confined to a small space."
“Fu Xianyin, you must do whatever you want to do,” he paused, then repeated emphatically, “everything.”
"I'll cover for you."
“However,” Gu Linzhao thought of something and suddenly smiled, his originally serious and straight eyebrows curving into a smile. He said, “I know that even if I don’t say it, you will do it anyway.”
"I just want you to feel no pressure and to know that whatever you do, I will support you."
Fu Xianyin smiled.
A month later, Fu Xianyin received an offer from a domestic research institute.
The research institute offered her a high salary to return to China as a researcher after graduation.
Fu Xianyin told Gu Linzhao the news. It was unexpected, but not surprising. When Gu Linzhao heard the news, he did not treat it as if he had received great news.
He looked at Fu Xianyin very seriously and asked, "And what about you? What do you think?"
Before Fu Xianyin could speak, he continued, "If I weren't available, who would you choose?"
Fu Xianyin said, "If it weren't for me, do you mean if I had never met you, or if we had never spoken to each other since we parted ways in high school?"
"If it were the former, I might not even be alive today. With Chen Huimei and Fu Dongyuan pressuring me like that, I might have given up and ended it all one day. Even if I were alive today, I would probably just flip a coin and see which side it lands on, and that's which side I would choose."
“If it’s the latter,” she paused, then “I won’t go back to China.”
“I understand what you mean,” Fu Xianyin said. “You don’t want me to regret it, you don’t want me to give up anything for you. But Gu Linzhao, I didn’t say I would give up anything for you. No matter where I am, I can get whatever I want.”
She paused, then said earnestly and confidently, "All of them."
"You are my standard of consideration, an important standard of consideration. But this standard of consideration is not about what I have to give up, but about what I can gain."
She looked into Gu Linzhao's eyes, then sighed softly and said, "I know what you want to hear."
She said, "If I stay here, there will be more top people in the industry who can help me more, but at the same time, my freedom will be limited, and I may not be able to research everything I want to research."
“If I go back, I will be free. I will have absolute control, and I can do whatever I want.”
She coveted the support that top figures in the industry could offer her, but she couldn't resist the absolute control and freedom.
At this point, Gu Linzhao understood.
He smiled, a genuine smile, and said, "Congratulations, Teacher Fu."
Fu Xianyin chuckled and said, "You should congratulate yourself first."
“Gu Linzhao,” she said, her voice laced with teasing and mockery, “you have a wife.”
On graduation day, Gu Linzhao flew to Boston to be with her.
Fu Xianyin went through almost the same process when she graduated from university. She didn't have high expectations for it, but everything changed the moment she met Gu Linzhao.
Because he said, "I'll make up for what I missed before. I want to witness every important moment in your life."
Fu Xianyin always felt that those six years were an insurmountable chasm.
Those were the six years in which they grew the most and changed the most.
It was a journey through one important moment after another, one turning point after another in life.
And the other party completely missed it.
However, at this moment, Fu Xianyin suddenly understood the sentence, "Their future still has countless six years ahead."
Therefore, there's no need to dwell on past regrets.
Wearing her graduation gown and cap, Fu Xianyin took photos in every corner of the school that Gu Linzhao had visited.
Somewhat unexpectedly, the moment she received her graduation certificate, Fu Xianyin glanced to the side.
She saw Andrew wiping away tears with a tissue.
Andrew was no longer just moved to tears; his tears overflowed and soaked the tissues in his hands.
He said, "Yin, you've graduated."
Fu Xianyin looked at Andrew.
The old man's hair had turned quite gray, and his face had many more wrinkles, making him seem several years older than when she first enrolled in school.
Fu Xianyin knew why he was crying.
After deciding on her post-graduation plans, Fu Xianyin first told Gu Linzhao, and then told Andrew.
The old man remained silent in the office for a long time. Fu Xianyin watched as tears gradually welled up in his eyes. Then, he looked at Fu Xianyin and said solemnly:
"Yin, I respect all the decisions you make."
He wasn't actually surprised by Fu Xianyin's decision.
She has talent and the patience to do those tedious and boring research projects; she's a natural-born talent for this.
Fu Xianyin's future is limitless.
She will be a dazzling star, with her own galaxy to shine brightly.
But he still couldn't help feeling sad.
He looked at Fu Xianyin in front of him.
She's matured a lot since she first enrolled, and her eyes are different now. They used to be cold and distant, but now they're warm and full of affection.
He knew that after Fu Xianyin graduated, they would almost never see each other again.
Seemingly sensing Andrew's thoughts, Fu Xianyin said, "Who says we won't meet after graduation? There will definitely be plenty of international exchange interviews. Besides, Alex loves China so much, don't you want to go and see it for yourself? And..."
She paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "I'm getting married, teacher. Aren't you coming to my wedding?"
The wedding was scheduled for the beginning of the following year.
Actually, it's winter now, and it's freezing cold, so it's not really suitable to wear clothes that show a lot of skin, like wedding dresses.
Gu Linzhao had actually asked her if she wanted to change the wedding date to summer, but she refused.
She said, "Gu Linzhao, I really don't want to wait even a day longer."
She has waited all these years.
“Besides,” Fu Xianyin said, “I don’t believe you’re willing to wait.”
So many years.
So many years have passed.
No one knows better than them how much they want this outcome, and no one knows better than them how much they desire this result.
The wedding venue was ultimately decided to be an island.
The scenery is beautiful, and the climate is just right. It's neither too hot nor too cold to wear a wedding dress or a formal gown.
Gu Linzhao handled almost all the wedding preparations himself.
Fu Xianyin only needed to try on wedding dresses and suits, and send out invitations to her friends.
The wedding was scheduled for early the following year.
Cheng Zhaozhao, Chen Nianke, and Zhao Wei were the bridesmaids.
The best man was Lin Anxu, along with two of Gu Linzhao's university classmates.
Fu Xianyin also sent an invitation to Fu Yeyang.
Fu Xuanyin didn't have high hopes for Fu Yeyang attending her wedding. Unlike Gu Linzhao, who started his business in his junior year of college and gradually stabilized Xingfan Technology this year, Fu Yeyang only ousted Fu Dongyuan half a year ago. At this time, the internal forces of the Fu Group were complex and intertwined, and the group was still in a state of instability.
However, on the phone, Fu Yeyang was silent for only ten seconds before saying, "I will go, sister. Remember to save a spot for me."
Fu Xianyin had already bought the wedding rings. She was very satisfied with the pair of rings she had chosen for the two of them, so she didn't plan to change them.
Gu Linzhao took care of all the other miscellaneous tasks, leaving Fu Xianyin with only one important matter.
Meeting the parents.
In order to graduate as soon as possible, Fu Xianyin hasn't even had time to return to China for the past six months. The only times the two of them meet are usually when Gu Linzhao visits her.
Therefore, even after being together for so long and now that they're about to get married, Fu Xianyin has never formally introduced Gu Linzhao's parents.
It's impossible not to be nervous.
Even though she knew that Gu Linzhao would be well prepared, and even though she knew that a family that could raise a child like Gu Linzhao must have an excellent atmosphere, Fu Xuanyin was still nervous, whether it was because of Fu Dongyuan's connection or because the matter of meeting the parents was inherently nerve-wracking.
The night before she was to leave for the Gu family, Fu Xianyin had insomnia.
She tossed and turned in bed, unable to fall asleep.
Until an arm wrapped around her waist.
Gu Linzhao pulled her into his arms, buried his head in the crook of her neck, and whispered:
Can't sleep?
The room was pitch black. Fu Xianyin turned over and looked into his eyes.
She sighed and said, "I'm nervous."
She hadn't been this nervous in years.
Gu Linzhao placed his hand on the back of her neck and gently pinched it.
He didn't say anything to tell her not to be nervous, he just quietly stayed with her.
After a long while, in the darkness, Fu Xianyin spoke.
She said, "What if your parents don't like me? What if your family has a problem with me? I..."
She paused, then suddenly sat up on the bed, looked down into Gu Linzhao's eyes, and asked, "What if I... what if I mess everything up tomorrow?"
Gu Linzhao just stared at her.
After a long pause, he asked, "For example?"
“For example,” Fu Xianyin said, “I broke a teacup while serving tea or water, I was so nervous when I saw them that I couldn’t speak, I tripped and fell flat on my face at your house, I…”
Her voice suddenly dropped a few decibels: "When they see me, they will think of Fu Dongyuan."
Gu Linzhao leaned against the headboard, and the moonlight from outside the window squeezed in through the gaps in the curtains, sprinkling onto the bed and casting a thin, translucent silver veil.
He said, "So what if the teacup broke? My family won't go bankrupt just because we lost a tea set. If you can't speak, I'm here for you. The weather's been changing lately, so I can tell you you have a cold and a sore throat, or that you've been busy with graduation and haven't had much rest. I won't be far from you; I'll be with you the whole time. Even if you're about to fall, I'll catch you in time. As for Fu Dongyuan..."
Gu Linzhao sighed softly, raised his hand, gently stroked her hair, and said:
“Fu Dongyuan’s mistake is Fu Dongyuan’s fault, and has nothing to do with you.”
“You are the victim,” he said, “and the victim is not at fault and should not be blamed.”
My heart feels warm and cozy.
Fu Xianyin wrapped her arms around his waist, pulled him onto the bed, and then clung to him like an octopus.
Another large hand was placed around her waist, and Fu Xianyin heard Gu Linzhao's amused voice ring in her ear:
"Can I go to sleep now?"
"That's enough," Fu Xianyin replied in a muffled voice, her head buried in his neck.
On the day she met her parents, Fu Xianyin got up very early.
She got out of bed around 6 a.m., putting on makeup and fixing her hair. She didn't leave until after 7 a.m.
Before leaving, Fu Xianyin did a final check to make sure everything was ready before following Gu Linzhao home.
Gu Linzhao's home is a two-story villa in the inner ring of Beichuan. Although Beichuan cannot compare with Beijing where land is extremely valuable, the price of this location and size is self-evident.
Small houses are more spacious and luxurious than ordinary residences, but they don't have the empty and lifeless feel of large villas.
Fu Xianyin stood at the door, took a deep breath, and was about to knock when she saw Gu Linzhao take out his key and open the door.
Sensing her gaze, Gu Linzhao was speechless. He said, "It's my house, of course I have a key."
After saying that, he pushed open the door.
Inside the door, Mr. and Mrs. Gu were also somewhat flustered.
The two of them got up before dawn, and even called Zou Yuqin over because they were worried that Fu Xianyin would feel too restrained.
Zou Yuqin said, "Who invites their aunt over when meeting the parents?"
Gu's mother said, "I'm just worried that Yinyin might feel awkward or embarrassed if she comes, so I asked someone she knows to come over."
As the key turned, not only Fu Xianyin tensed up, but the three people in the living room did too.
Seeing Fu Xianyin enter, Gu's mother paused for a second before quickly standing up to greet her: "Yinyin, you're here so early?"
Fu Xianyin looked a little lost as she carried the things, so Gu's mother quickly gave Gu's father a look, and the latter hurried over to take them, saying, "Just give me the things."
Fu Xianyin exclaimed "Ah!" and handed over the items, saying, "Thank you, Uncle."
Gu's mother pulled Fu Xianyin to sit down on the sofa, stroking her wrist gently, her eyes filled with delight.
She said, "Yinyin has already graduated? Will she stay in China after that?"
Fu Xianyin nodded and said, "Yes, the research institute will hire me back. If nothing unexpected happens, I'll start working next year."
Mother Gu beamed with joy: "Oh, that's wonderful!"
Zou Yuqin added, "Since you two are both in Beijing, it's a good idea for you to settle down here. If anything happens, you'll have each other's company. Wouldn't that be great?"
Fu Xianyin nodded, a slight smile appearing on her face, and said, "Yes, it's quite good."
Gu's mother kept asking her all sorts of questions, like whether she was busy with work and what her main research area was. Fu Xianyin answered them one by one, but that was all she did.
Even though she had prepared herself mentally, Fu Xianyin's mind still went blank the moment she saw Mr. and Mrs. Gu.
In her more than twenty years of life, she had never experienced such a harmonious family atmosphere.
So much so that now that they've suddenly met, Fu Xianyin doesn't even know what topics children usually talk about with their parents in a normal, harmonious family.
She looked up, her eyes pleading for help as she looked at Gu Linzhao.
Gu Linzhao sat down on the sofa and said, "Mom, you haven't asked about the wedding yet."
Still immersed in the joy of having a daughter like Fu Xianyin, Gu's mother didn't think twice before smiling and saying, "Oh right, Yinyin, have you tried on your wedding dress yet? We'll definitely dress up beautifully then, and leave all the other troublesome things to Gu Linzhao. We'll just focus on having a beautiful wedding."
Fu Xianyin tried to suppress the upturned corners of her lips, but she couldn't do it no matter what.
She could only lower her head, smile quietly, and then said, "Okay, Auntie, I'll definitely look beautiful that day."
After chatting for a while, Gu's mother took Fu Xianyin upstairs.
She led her to a room on the south side of the second floor and opened the door. Inside was a cozy and tidy bedroom, with a large monitor on the desk.
Mrs. Gu said, "This bedroom is for you. Take a look and tell me if you need anything, and I'll get it for you."
The room was beautiful and comfortable; even the decorations on the table and bedside table had been carefully selected.
Fu Xianyin felt her eyes well up with tears. She sniffed and said, "Thank you, Auntie."
Mother Gu waved her hand and said, "There's no need for thanks."
She said, "Auntie really likes you."
She pulled Fu Xianyin to sit down on the bed and said softly, "Auntie already knows about what happened when you were little. Lin Zhao also told me about your concerns. I was afraid that Lin Zhao wouldn't be able to explain it to you clearly, so I thought I had to tell you again."
She said, "Fu Dongyuan is Fu Dongyuan, and Fu Xianyin is Fu Xianyin. Fu Dongyuan's crimes do not need to be redeemed by Fu Xianyin."
Fu Xianyin bit her lip and nodded.
It wasn't that Gu Linzhao was worried she wouldn't explain it clearly; it was that Gu's mother was afraid Gu would overthink things and wanted to tell her again in person.
With a look of heartache, Gu's mother hugged her and said, "My poor little thing."
She affectionately patted Fu Xianyin's head and said gently, "Alright, let's go downstairs for dinner. I already asked Lin Zhao about your preferences and prepared a whole table of dishes. Go and try them to see if you like them."
When she came downstairs, Gu Linzhao was already waiting for her at the door.
He rolled up his long sleeves to his elbows, as if he had just gone to help in the kitchen. When he saw her come down, he raised his eyebrows and said, "Come on, go wash your hands, and then we'll eat."
Mr. Gu came out carrying a plate, smiling as he said, "I've made a lot of dishes. Yinyin, see if you like them."
Fu Xianyin felt a stinging sensation in her eyes.
Their attitude was natural and familiar, so friendly that it seemed as if it were always meant to be this way.
He treats her like family.
It made her realize what a home is.
Fu Xianyin suddenly felt that she had a home.
She walked alone for more than twenty years, traversing desolate places and enduring wind, frost, rain, and snow all by herself.
And now, she has a family.
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