Lin Hong and Xu Ningyan were both perceptive people. Lin Hong served tea to Gu Zhiyuan and then pulled Xu Ningyan out.
The two stood in the courtyard, talking under the pomegranate tree.
In such a short time, the pomegranate flowers have all faded, and the small, green pomegranates are faintly visible among the branches and leaves, which is quite lovely.
Neither of them was paying attention to the conversation; they stopped mid-conversation and listened intently to what was happening in the living room.
All you could hear was that the two people inside were having a very engaging conversation, spouting technical terms that neither of them understood, and occasionally throwing in a few English words.
Xu Ningyan and Lin Hong exchanged a glance, then unconsciously moved a few steps toward the living room, straining their ears to listen.
The half-open courtyard gate was pushed open again, and Lin's mother immediately noticed the two people acting suspiciously. She frowned and asked, "What are you doing standing at the gate? Why don't you come in?"
Xu Ningyan and Lin Hong were caught red-handed, and they turned around with silly grins.
Lin's mother looked at the two suspiciously, then walked into the living room. She saw that the two were having a deep conversation and were not disturbed at all.
He immediately understood what was going on and withdrew.
He glanced at Lin Hong and Xu Ningyan and said, "Alright, you two can play in this yard. Close the door and don't let any outsiders in. I'm going to cook."
Lin Hong hurriedly bolted the courtyard gate.
She secretly nudged Xu Ningyan with her elbow: "Is your fiancé really a graduate of Peking University? Why didn't you say so sooner?"
Xu Ningyan rolled her eyes. She had only just found out herself; where was she supposed to tell anyone?
Even after Lin's mother had prepared dinner and set the table to invite the two of them to eat, Lin's father was still not satisfied.
During the meal, he would occasionally ask a few questions, and Gu Zhiyuan would put down his chopsticks, ponder for a moment, and then give a brief reply.
Seeing this made Lin's mother's stomach ache, and she coughed twice: "Let Xiao Gu eat first. After he eats, he can't say anything more."
Only then did Lin's father restrain himself a little.
After dinner, Xu Ningyan and Lin Hong helped Lin's mother clean up the table and kitchen, while Lin's father pulled Gu Zhiyuan into the bedroom.
Xu Ningyan felt like she was being scratched by a cat; she really wanted to know what the two of them were doing inside, but she was too embarrassed to peek.
After cleaning up the kitchen, Lin's mother pulled Xu Ningyan to sit on the sofa outside, and under the guise of chatting, subtly inquired about Gu Zhiyuan's situation.
Xu Ningyan was frighteningly honest.
If you know something, say so; if you don't, just say you don't know.
As she asked around, Lin's mother discovered that Xu Ningyan didn't know much. Apart from knowing Gu Zhiyuan's name, his bad family background, that he came from Beijing, and that he had some money but had spent it all on renovating their house and buying furniture, she knew nothing else.
She only found out that Gu Zhiyuan was a graduate of Beijing University when her husband, Lao Lin, found out.
For a moment, the look in his eyes as he looked at Xu Ningyan became somewhat complicated.
Even if Lin Hong was naive and innocent, something seemed off. She couldn't help but say, "You don't even know anything about him, how did you become engaged to him? Isn't this deception—" The word "engagement" was swallowed back under her mother's glare.
Xu Ningyan said righteously, "Wasn't I forced into becoming engaged to him? My former family members led the way in spreading rumors about me and Brother Gu in the village. If we didn't commit, they would report us for having an illicit relationship!"
Lin's mother and Lin Hong stared at Xu Ningyan in disbelief.
Although, well, that's how it is, is it really okay to say it so bluntly?
Xu Ningyan said that it was better for her to say these things first, so that the Lin family would have a better understanding. In case any problems arise in the future, they might hear some dubious information from some unknown source, which could create a rift between them.
Lin Hong quickly came to her senses, and her eyes filled with sympathy and worry as she looked at Xu Ningyan.
I just don't know what to say.
Lin's father and Gu Zhiyuan had just finished their conversation when they heard Xu Ningyan's words. Lin's father couldn't help but look at Gu Zhiyuan.
But they found that Gu Zhiyuan's expression was calm, and his hands did not pause for a moment as he tidied up the pens and drawings on the table.
Clearing his throat, Lin's father couldn't help but ask, "Little Gu, is this really how your marriage to Comrade Xu came about?"
Gu Zhiyuan nodded.
"And what about your future—" Lin's father asked, his expression filled with unspoken worry.
At first, I felt that Gu Zhiyuan, a man of such great talent, was now down on his luck, but if given the opportunity, he would surely be able to ride the waves and achieve great things.
Xu Ningyan appears to be a smart girl, but her status, education, and vision are mismatched. They are only now being forced together because of rumors. In the future, after Gu Zhiyuan becomes successful, the two will probably find it difficult to become a good couple.
Then she felt sorry for Xu Ningyan. She was engaged to Gu Zhiyuan, but she was still young. When she came of age, would Gu Zhiyuan still be willing to marry her?
What will Xu Ningyan do then?
Now an opportunity is presented to Gu Zhiyuan. Should he give it or not?
If we don't give it to him, wouldn't that be a waste of Gu Zhiyuan's talent? It would also be a loss for their machinery factory and the country! Right now, the machinery factory and the country desperately need talent like him!
If he were to give it to Gu Zhiyuan and Xu Ningyan, he would feel guilty if it caused any problems with their marriage.
His expression revealed a hint of struggle and hesitation.
Gu Zhiyuan could guess Lin's father's thoughts and concerns with just one glance.
Although he and Xu Ningyan had a prior agreement, they were only pretending to be husband and wife.
Whether to avoid trouble or to gain the trust of Mr. Lin, it is best to tell him the truth.
But for some reason, when the words were on the tip of his tongue, he hesitated for a moment and only said, "In the future, I will never let her down!"
Lin's father's eyes immediately softened, and he patted his shoulder: "You're right! We men are born to take responsibility! Since we've made an agreement, we should keep it! We should shoulder the responsibilities we should bear!"
Gu Zhiyuan just nodded silently. His mind was a little confused, and he didn't know why he had said those words!
Although my heart is in turmoil, I have no regrets!
Because of his family situation, he thought he would never get married in his life. But if it were Xu Ningyan, it would be nice for them to live like this for the rest of their lives! At least he didn't reject her!
Moreover, that girl's feelings for him were so sincere and passionate; if he were to marry someone else in the future, that girl would be heartbroken.
Forget it, I'll just have to suffer the hardship myself and take care of her for the rest of my life!
Thinking this, I couldn't help but smile slightly, and my eyes softened a lot.
Seeing this, Lin's father's remaining worries finally dissipated. Comrade Gu still cares about Comrade Xu!
He had been somewhat hesitant, but now he was finally resolute and said "good" three times in a row: "Good, good, good! To tell you the truth, our machinery factory is facing a problem that urgently needs someone to solve! You've come at the perfect time. Tomorrow, I'll suggest to the leadership that you work alongside me, get familiar with the environment, and see if you can come up with any new ideas to solve the problem!"
"Your background is indeed a problem, but the factory needs talent right now. If I put in some effort, maybe the leadership will make an exception and hire you!"
"Don't go back to the countryside for the next couple of days. Just wait for my news in the county!"
Lin's father made the decision!
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