Gu Zhiyuan couldn't stand it anymore. He reached out and pulled Gu Zhixing aside, then looked at Xu Ningyan with some anxiety, "Don't mind him, children can't talk—"
Xu Ningyan glanced at Gu Zhixing with a smile. This was no longer a child; he was older than her.
Moreover, while these words seem to criticize Gu Zhiyuan in various ways, they are actually telling Xu Ningyan that her brother is a virtuous man who only developed feelings for her after meeting her.
She was subtly praising Gu Zhiyuan.
Sure enough, after hearing Gu Zhiyuan's explanation for him, Gu Zhixing couldn't help but roll his eyes, probably thinking that his own brother was really hopeless.
He immediately laughed: "It's okay, he was just speaking up for you, why are you blaming him?"
Upon hearing this, Gu Zhixing felt as if he had met a kindred spirit. If this weren't his future sister-in-law, he would have held Xu Ningyan's hand and been speechless with emotion.
At this moment, all she could do was wink at Xu Ningyan: "My sister-in-law really understands me! The old saying is true, birds of a feather flock together! You were definitely meant to be one of us—"
He really doesn't miss the chance to make a good impression on his brother!
As the group chatted and laughed, Jiang Yuan, who was anxiously waiting inside, walked to the door, intending to ask her youngest son if he had seen the arrival of the people.
And then even the youngest son disappeared?
He chased after them to the gate of the courtyard and saw his two sons talking to a woman.
It immediately became clear that this woman was probably the girl her eldest son was bringing home today.
Looking again, he saw that his seemingly gentle but actually cunning youngest son was all smiles and chatting happily, which made him feel relieved.
He quickly greeted them, "You're already at the door, why aren't you coming in? What kind of behavior is it to keep guests at the door while you talk?"
After saying that, she glared at her youngest son, Gu Zhixing.
Gu Zhixing immediately smiled ingratiatingly and turned his head, saying, "Coming right away—"
He then gestured for them to proceed.
The two brothers surrounded Xu Ningyan and walked up to Jiang Yuan.
Before Gu Zhiyuan could even introduce her, Jiang Yuan grabbed Xu Ningyan's hand: "You must be Xiao Xu? Are you hot? Tired? Come inside and cool off—"
Xu Ningyan smiled generously at Jiang Yuan and greeted her, "Auntie."
Jiang Yuan's eyes reddened, she patted Xu Ningyan's hand, looked her up and down carefully, felt satisfied, and smiled. She held Xu Ningyan's hand tightly and walked into the house together.
While Jiang Yuan was sizing him up, Xu Ningyan was also sizing her up.
Jiang Yuan is clearly a highly educated woman. Although she is over fifty, she looks no more than forty, and you can still see some of the beauty she had in her youth in her features.
When she's not speaking, she can seem a bit aloof, but when she smiles, she becomes as gentle as a spring breeze in April, captivating all who see her.
The two brothers, Gu Zhiyuan and Gu Zhixing, both resembled Jiang Yuan in their features. When the three of them stood together, they looked like a painting.
Jiang Yuan and Xu Ningyan walked ahead, while the Gu brothers, Gu Zhiyuan and Gu Zhixing, lagged behind. Gu Zhixing whispered to Gu Zhiyuan, "I heard you're bringing your wife home. The Gu family is bustling today! Everyone who should have come and everyone who shouldn't have come is back! I think they have ulterior motives and are planning to give your wife a hard time—"
Although they said they were speaking softly, Xu Ningyan and Jiang Yuan, who were walking ahead, both heard it.
Xu Ningyan felt Jiang Yuan tighten her grip on his hand. Turning to look at her, he saw a hint of embarrassment and anger on Jiang Yuan's face, but she quickly concealed it.
He patted Xu Ningyan's hand: "Xiaoyan, calling you Xiao Xu is too formal, I'll call you Xiaoyan! Don't listen to Xiao Xing's nonsense, there are quite a few people at home today, but you don't need to worry about them! If anyone says anything rude, just tell me—"
A few days ago, Jiang Yuan received a call from Gu Zhiyuan and told Gu Yong that today was a good day for Gu Zhiyuan to bring girls to his house. She had tolerated all the trouble he caused before, but if he was still restless on this day and ruined Gu Zhiyuan's good time, he shouldn't blame her for turning against him!
Gu Yong had personally promised that he would explain to everyone in his family that no matter what, they should be polite and respectful today, so as not to be laughed at by outsiders.
Jiang Yuan knew that she had no say in this family, not with the Gu family patriarch and matriarch, nor with Gu Yongqian's two sons.
However, they would still hear what Gu Yong said, so they weren't too worried.
Instead, the Gu brothers behind him exchanged a glance. Knowing the Gu brothers' character, even if they didn't show up today, their wives would probably jump out.
Anyway, when the time comes, the two brothers will push the responsibility onto their wives. At that time, how can Gu Yong, as a father-in-law, have the nerve to scold his daughter-in-law?
Only someone like Jiang Yuan, with her strong scholarly spirit and unwillingness to think too badly of others, would believe Gu Yong's words.
It was precisely because of Jiang Yuan's personality and temperament that Gu Yong had her completely under his control.
Gu Zhixing wanted to say something, but before he could speak, Gu Zhiyuan kicked him and gave him a wink.
Although Gu Zhixing didn't quite understand, he knew that since his older brother didn't want him to remind him, he must have his own plans, so he kept quiet.
The distance from the courtyard to the small building is only a dozen meters. Before even entering the gate, you can hear a noisy commotion inside.
Just as I stepped onto the steps, two children suddenly darted out from inside and tried to bump into me without any warning.
Jiang Yuan was caught off guard, but Xu Ningyan reacted quickly, pulling Jiang Yuan aside.
Gu Zhiyuan and Gu Zhixing, who were behind them, were even more agile and easily dodged the attack.
Seeing that they hadn't bumped into anyone, the two children didn't stop to apologize. Without even raising their heads, they rushed down the steps and went to play in the yard.
Jiang Yuan snapped out of her daze, looked at Xu Ningyan and her two sons' worried eyes, shook her head to indicate that she was alright, and then looked gratefully at Xu Ningyan: "Thanks to Xiaoyan, are you alright? Were you not scared?"
The noisy sounds inside quieted down after hearing Jiang Yuan's voice, as if they were waiting for Xu Ningyan to say something.
Xu Ningyan smiled slightly, her voice neither too loud nor too soft, just loud enough for everyone in the room to hear: "Auntie, don't worry, I'm fine! In our countryside, there are plenty of kids like this who don't know their place and run around everywhere. We're used to it! Auntie, do you know what we call these kinds of kids in our countryside?"
Jiang Yuan casually asked, "What's your name?"
"Call him a stubborn donkey!"
"Pfft—" As soon as he finished speaking, Gu Zhixing couldn't help but burst out laughing. He didn't try to hide it and laughed louder and louder, repeating, "A stubborn donkey! Haha, so apt, isn't he just a stubborn donkey?"
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