The more Aunt Wang looked at Xu Ningyan, the more she liked her. Such an obedient, well-behaved, and lovable daughter—oh my, she was so much better than her own few stinky boys.
She couldn't help but give a few more instructions on what gifts to bring for the first visit to the man's home, something that would be both practical and polite.
Finally, as it was time to cook, she reluctantly said goodbye and went home. As she left the yard, she turned back several times to remind her, "Remember what your aunt said, don't be too eager—"
Xu Ningyan couldn't help but laugh, and after laughing, she felt a warm glow in her heart.
The Beijing aunties are quite kind and lovely; she should appreciate their kindness.
Gu Zhiyuan came back for lunch, carrying a bunch of things into the house. He put them on the coffee table in the main room, wiped his sweat, and said, "These are gifts I bought after consulting with people at work. Pack them up this afternoon, and I'll pick you up when I get off work."
Xu Ningyan nodded. She had planned to tell Gu Zhiyuan during dinner that afternoon to ask him to go to Fukui Department Store to buy a gift for her. After all, although they were an engaged couple in public, it was generally accepted that they had just transitioned from a business relationship to a romantic relationship.
Furthermore, this trip to the Gu family was to persuade Jiang Yuan to take the lead, which was also at Gu Zhiyuan's request, so naturally he was the one taking care of all of this.
This is also a test. If Gu Zhiyuan can think ahead and handle things properly, he will naturally score points with Xu Ningyan.
Fortunately, Gu Zhiyuan did not disappoint her. As always, he was meticulous in his actions and would not make things difficult for Xu Ningyan in these matters.
Satisfied, she pushed the stir-fried pork with green peppers toward Gu Zhiyuan, indicating that he should eat more.
Gu Zhiyuan really loves this flavor: the green peppers are spicy but not overpowering, the meat is stir-fried until crispy, and with a touch of fermented black beans, it's especially good with rice.
After finishing his meal, Gu Zhiyuan went to wash the dishes and pots.
Xu Ningyan went to the living room to pack up the gifts that Gu Zhiyuan had bought for his visit.
As expected, Gu Zhiyuan's colleague was reliable. What Aunt Wang said was pretty much the same: a net bag full of fruit and several packets of pastries. Even the pastries were wrapped in ordinary kraft paper, not in gift boxes.
After Gu Zhiyuan finished washing the dishes and came over, Xu Ningyan pointed to the pile of things in the living room and asked with a smile, "Is this all you prepared? Aren't you afraid the Gu family will think it's shabby and make you lose face?"
Gu Zhiyuan scoffed: "Those who dislike you will still complain even if you send them a mountain of gold. Those who like you will appreciate even a single feather as a small gift! My mom and brother like you, so they'll be happy with whatever you bring when you visit! As for the rest of the Gu family, even if you bring cigarettes, alcohol, and tea, they'll still complain that it's not classy enough!"
"Besides, nobody's money grows on trees! I'm happy to spend as much of my money on you as I want, but I wouldn't be happy to spend even a penny on the Gu family! You've met them this time, and you'll have a long time to spend with my mom and brother in the future. If you have anything good, just give it to them privately. Giving it to the Gu family is just benefiting other people!"
"Furthermore, these days everyone advocates thrift and integrity, isn't this just right?"
Xu Ningyan realized that Gu Zhiyuan, that scheming fellow, was using this gift to both sever ties with the Gu family and express his feelings to her.
She spat at him and waved her hand, signaling him, "Go inside and rest for a while. I'll take two pears to Aunt Wang next door. She knows I'm going to the Gu family today, and she came all morning to share her experience with me. I should thank her properly."
Gu Zhiyuan raised his eyebrows, eager to know what experience Aunt Wang next door had shared, but Xu Ningyan ignored him and took out the two largest pears from the net bag and went out.
I knocked on Aunt Wang's door. Aunt Wang wasn't taking a nap; she was tidying up the kitchen.
Hearing a knock at the door, she ran out with her hands still wet. When she saw Xu Ningyan, she was taken aback: "What's wrong, daughter?"
Xu Ningyan stuffed two pears into Wang Da Niang's hands and said with a smile, "Brother Gu just brought these back after get off work. Here are two for you to try with Uncle Ma."
He ran away after saying that.
Holding two heavy pears, Aunt Wang made a happy decision. If things didn't go well for this young lady Xu at the Gu family, she would simply find a reliable match for her. Turning around and going inside, she began to mentally sift through the people she knew to see who might be suitable.
Gu Zhiyuan, who had just been resting in bed next door, couldn't help but sneeze several times. He was wondering if he had caught a cold in this hot weather.
Gu Zhiyuan was somewhat absent-minded all afternoon, mentally rehearsing countless times the scene of taking Xu Ningyan back to the Gu family that evening.
After finally getting off work, Gu Zhiyuan, who usually voluntarily works overtime, was the first to pack up and leave the office.
He didn't even bother to acknowledge Sun Zhou and his group's winking and grinning faces.
On the way home, I pedaled my bicycle very fast. When I opened the door, I saw that Xu Ningyan was already prepared.
He changed into a military green shirt, dark blue trousers, and a pair of liberation shoes, which was the most acceptable outfit for the general public at that time.
He was sitting calmly under the tree, listening to the radio and flipping through a book.
This immediately calmed down Gu Zhiyuan's restless heart.
He parked his bicycle against the wall, said hello, took a shower in the bathroom, changed into clean clothes, picked up the gifts prepared on the coffee table, and said, "Let's go."
Xu Ningyan was about to get up and follow him out when Gu Zhiyuan stopped and hesitated, saying, "Why don't we just eat something at home first to tide us over? I don't think I'll be able to eat anything once we get back home!"
Xu Ningyan was speechless, not expecting Gu Zhiyuan to have such thoughts at this moment. She patted him on the shoulder and said, "We at least bought gifts and went to visit. Auntie is still at the Gu family home. They still have to do these things to save face, right? Why shouldn't we be able to eat when we go? As long as they dare to cook and serve it, I dare to eat! Okay? We have to eat our money back on these gifts, right? Otherwise, wouldn't it be a waste for them?"
Gu Zhiyuan's lips curled up. He knew it. His Aning was different from other girls. It seemed that no embarrassing thing was a big deal to her.
She always managed to comfort him in a unique way.
Since Xu Ningyan wasn't worried, Gu Zhiyuan felt relieved and rode his bicycle with Xu Ningyan to the Gu family home.
The Gu family's house is quite a distance from Mao'er Hutong. It took about half an hour to get there by bike.
High walls stand tall, and there are sentries and guard posts beside the gate. Registration is required to enter or leave.
People came and went in the compound one after another; their clothes and demeanor were quite different from those of ordinary people.
Gu Zhiyuan rode his bicycle to the gate. He was originally a member of the compound. Although he hadn't been back for a year or two, his information had been re-entered before his last return, and the sentry remembered him.
However, Xu Ningyan was a new face, so naturally she had to register.
Gu Zhiyuan accompanied Xu Ningyan to register at the entrance. People coming in and out greeted him in surprise when they saw Gu Zhiyuan: "Isn't this Gu Zhiyuan? We heard you were back, but we haven't seen you come home. What's going on today?"
Everyone's eyes were fixed on Xu Ningyan, who was gentle, well-behaved, and obedient beside him.
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