Ever since the affair between Qiao Weimin and Wang Xiufen was made clear to Qiao Chu, Wang Xiufen began to infiltrate the lives of the Qiao family's father and daughter. Not only did she take care of all the housework at home, she also found ways to prepare delicious food for the father and daughter every day. Qiao Chu felt that it was a good thing that she had the God of Learning System, otherwise Wang Xiufen would have become a fat woman.
"Auntie Wang, you don't have to cook for us every day. You're already tired enough from running the store all day long. My dad and I can handle it ourselves. It's too much trouble for you!"
Qiao Chu looked at the table full of dishes - braised beef, fish head with chopped peppers, pork ribs stewed with beans, dry pot cauliflower, and lotus root soup. They were all her favorite dishes, and they all took a lot of effort to make. She felt very sorry.
"What's the trouble? It's not a trouble at all. I have to eat it anyway, so this is just a convenience. Besides, I don't have any special skills, but I can show off my cooking skills. And I love to cook these, so it's fine as long as you don't mind."
Wang Xiufen said as she portioned out the food and put it into thermos buckets. Qiao Weimin doesn't come back from the store at noon, so recently she prepares the food and sends it to him so they can eat together.
Qiao Chu smiled and shook his head: "Auntie Wang, how could I dislike it? You know I love the dishes you cook the most. I never get tired of them!"
As he said that, he picked up a piece of Wang Xiufen's most famous braised beef and put it in his mouth.
Soft, smooth and tasty, with a strong sauce flavor, it is so delicious that it is simply heavenly!
Qiao Chu felt so happy. Wang Xiufen's cooking skills were countless times better than hers and Qiao Weimin's. She kept picking out her favorite dishes. After eating like this every day, her appetite had become picky.
"It's so delicious! Aunt Wang, I really love the food you cook!"
Seeing Qiao Chu eating so happily, Wang Xiufen was so happy that she felt a sense of accomplishment in her heart, even happier than if she had eaten the food herself.
"If it tastes good, eat more. Auntie makes it for you every day. Just tell me what you want to eat."
"Well, thank you, Auntie!"
Qiao Chu feels that his current life is so happy! Wang Xiufen is such a good woman. She treats Qiao Chu better than her own mother.
Qiao Chu's biological mother Wu Yue is a fashionable and beautiful woman. She was not lacking in feminine tenderness, but she had very little of this tenderness towards her own children, and even less towards Qiao Chu. Wu Yue has always preferred her elder sister Qiao Li, and she has never concealed this fact. Originally, Wu Yue and Qiao Weimin only planned to have one child. Qiao Chu was an accident and she didn't plan to keep him. However, Qiao Weimin firmly disagreed to have an abortion, so Wu Yue had no choice but to give birth to Qiao Chu. Unfortunately, the birth process was not so smooth. It was a difficult labor and she had to have a caesarean section. Wu Yue was left with an ugly scar permanently on her body, which was undoubtedly a big blow to her who loves beauty. In addition, Qiao Chu looks and has a personality more like Qiao Weimin, and is not as lively and pretty as her sister Qiao Li, which makes Wu Yue dislike her even more.
Therefore, Qiao Chu has hardly ever felt the feeling of being spoiled by her mother since she was a child. However, now Wang Xiufen has joined her family, caring for her, loving her, and taking care of her meticulously every day...completely satisfying Qiao Chu's desire for maternal love in two lifetimes.
"Okay, Xiao Qiao, you can eat slowly at home. I'm going to bring food to your father.
Wang Xiufen packed the food and walked towards the door with the thermos bucket. Suddenly, she seemed to remember something, stopped, turned around and asked Qiao Chu: "Xiao Qiao, what are your plans for today? Are you going to stay at home?"
Qiao Chu nodded as a matter of course: "Well, I still have to study after dinner."
"Why do you study every day? Don't get too tired. You need to combine work and rest. You can go out and hang out with friends, buy some nice clothes, or eat something delicious. It's New Year's Day, so it's okay to take a break."
How come this child is so well behaved! Other children would rather not stay at home all day when they have holidays, but Qiao Chu stays in her room every day to study and never goes out. Wang Xiufen is really worried that she will be tired.
"It's okay, Aunt Wang, don't worry, I'm used to it. I'm a student now, what else can I do if I don't study? Don't worry, I will rest. Besides, there's nothing fun outside, I'd rather stay at home and study."
Study hard and become more beautiful every day! She can't stop learning for a moment.
Seeing that she couldn't persuade her, Wang Xiufen shook her head and could only let her go.
However, before she left, she still reminded him worriedly: "Then you have to take care of it yourself. Take a rest when you are tired of studying."
"Okay, I understand, Aunt Wang."
Qiao Chu didn't expect that he would be slapped in the face not long after Wang Xiufen left.
——She had to go out.
She suddenly received a call from Fu Zhen, saying that Grandpa Fu wanted to invite her to the Fu Mansion today to thank him for saving her life last time.
Qiao Chu declined repeatedly. She felt that the favor of saving her life was too much. She only helped a little and it could not be called a life-saving favor. However, Fu Zhen on the other end of the phone was particularly insistent, saying that Grandpa Fu was already ready and was waiting for him at home, and asked her to be sure to come... He had already said so much, and it would be too rude for her to refuse again, so she had no choice but to agree.
You can't be too casual when visiting someone's home to wish them a happy new year, so Qiao Chu quickly packed herself up and went to her own store to ask Qiao Weimin to pack a fruit basket for her, and told him that she was going to visit a friend's house today.
Qiao Weimin picked out some large and good-looking fruits and packed a beautiful large fruit basket. "Xiao Qiao, don't be rude when you go to someone's house during the New Year. Say more auspicious words. Also, you can play for a while longer and don't have to rush back."
Qiao Weimin was very happy to see Qiao Chu was finally willing to go out. This girl only cared about studying every day, which really worried him to death.
Qiao Chu took the fruit basket and agreed obediently: "Okay, Dad, I understand. Then I won't be back for dinner tonight. Please tell Aunt Wang for me."
"Okay, go ahead and don't worry. Be safe."
"Okay, I'm leaving now, Dad. Goodbye."
Qiao Chu carried the fruit basket and walked towards the entrance of her alley. Fu Zhen said on the phone that he would send a car to pick her up, and she just had to go there and wait.
After standing there for just a few minutes, a black Bentley drove over and stopped in front of her. A middle-aged man stuck his head out and said to Qiao Chu, "Miss Qiao, please get in the car."
Qiao Chu nodded to him politely, opened the back door and got in. Before she could sit down, her hand holding the fruit basket lightened, and when she raised her head, she saw a handsome face.
"Senior Fu?" Qiao Chu was a little surprised. She didn't expect Fu Zhen to be here too. "Why are you here?"
Fu Zhen put the fruit basket in his hand on the seat next to him and replied, "I'll pick you up."
Qiao Chu was somewhat flattered, "Senior Fu, it's really not necessary, it's just a small favor."
Looking at her little face, Fu Zhen suddenly chuckled, "Don't feel burdened, it's just a simple meal. Grandpa wants to thank you in person."
Qiao Chu stared at Fu Zhen blankly. She finally understood why he always had a cold expression. If he smiled like this often, those girls would eat him up...
It’s really beautiful…
Seeing her looking at him infatuatedly, Fu Zhen felt a little happy in his heart. He raised the corners of his mouth and deliberately smiled at her, like an ice lotus that had been frozen for a hundred years slowly melting... blooming... exuding fatal charm unscrupulously...
Qiao Chu, calm down!
More than three years and less than ten years!
Qiao Chu was so bewitched by him that her brain felt a little dizzy. She kept telling herself to stay calm.
Form is emptiness, emptiness is form... All appearances are false...
After reading a lot of Buddhist scriptures in her mind, she finally calmed down and looked at Fu Zhen. After hesitating for a moment, she said, "Um...Senior Fu...I think it's better for you not to smile like that."
Fu Zhen raised his eyebrows, "Oh? Why?"
"Your smile like this is so... seductive. It will drive your admirers even crazier."
"Flirting?" Fu Zhen repeated, then he suddenly turned sideways and leaned towards her, whispering in her ear, "Did I... flirt with you?"
The warm breath brushed past Qiao Chu's ear, burning her ears a little, "I...that..."
The cool fragrance of Fu Zhen was all he could smell, and Qiao Chu felt extremely uncomfortable.
Are they too close?
"Senior Fu, we..."
Qiao Chu looked up and spoke to Fu Zhen, but was met with a pair of focused black eyes.
Fu Zhen looked at her deeply, his expression serious and his eyes gentle, and said softly: "Then I will only smile at you from now on, okay?"
His eyes were as deep as obsidian, as black as ink, twinkling with stars, and like a thousand-year-old cold pond that had melted, rippling with layers of soft waves...
What does it mean...to only smile at her?
Qiao Chu stared blankly at Fu Zhen's eyes. There seemed to be a magnetic field in them that wanted to suck her in...
The two of them didn't speak for a while, just staring at each other quietly, until -
"Master, Miss Qiao, we're here."
The driver's voice suddenly woke Qiao Chu up, and her face turned red instantly.
She was actually staring at Fu Zhen intently just now...
It’s really... so shameful!
They are just like those admirers chasing after Fu Zhen!
But... this can't be entirely blamed on her, right? Who can resist the fatal temptation of this top handsome man? Besides, what he just said was... too ambiguous...
While making excuses for herself in her heart, Qiao Chu avoided Fu Zhen's gaze on her. She quickly opened the car door and got out in a hurry.
As soon as I got out of the car, Uncle Qi, who I had met in the hospital last time, came to greet me. "Miss Qiao, you are here. Welcome, welcome. Come in quickly. Our old man is waiting inside."
"Uncle Qi, Happy New Year! Since you are my elder, please don't call me Miss Qiao. Just call me Xiao Qiao."
"Okay, okay, I'll call you Xiao Qiao from now on."
Uncle Qi welcomed Qiao Chu into the house with a smile on his face. The two chatted as they walked, looking very happy.
Fu Zhen got out of the car and saw only the backs of the two people. He was speechless...
Have these two forgotten him? Is he so non-existent?
Seeing the two people walking further and further away, Fu Zhen had no choice but to follow them with the fruit basket.
The Fu Mansion is located in a very ordinary medium-sized residential area. It is not far from Qiao Chu's home, but the geographical location is not advantageous. It does not have the convenient transportation of a bustling area, nor the quiet and secludedness of the suburbs, and it is not even a detached house. Each small building in this community is divided into two parts, each of which is inhabited by two families, and the Fu Mansion is just an extremely ordinary half of one of the buildings. However, each household has its own door and yard, and also has a small garden, so the environment is very good.
The decoration inside the house is also very simple, with snow-white walls, wooden floors, light blue fabric sofas... Just like thousands of ordinary homes, it is simple yet warm. This surprised Qiao Chu very much. She had originally thought that a family like theirs, even if not luxurious, would at least be noble and dignified. She didn't expect it to be so... ordinary.
As soon as Qiao Chu entered the room, Fu Quan stood up from the sofa with his iconic dragon-headed cane and said to Qiao Chu kindly, "Xiao Qiao is here. I called you here on New Year's Day. Did I bother you with anything?"
Fu Quan intended to invite Qiao Chu to his home as a guest to express his gratitude. However, he had originally planned to find time after the Chinese New Year, after all, every household is busy during the Chinese New Year. Who would have known that Fu Zhen hurried back from Beijing yesterday, and when asked what brought him back so early, he didn't say anything, but just reminded him in some ways not to forget to thank his savior... If he still didn't understand, he would have lived in vain.
He secretly glared at Fu Zhen who came in later.
The brat has grown wings and is even using his grandfather to pursue girls!
Qiao Chu hurriedly stepped forward to greet Fu Quan respectfully: "Grandpa Fu, Happy New Year, I wish you good health and all the best!"
"Okay, okay!" Fu Quan smiled and nodded, then took out a red envelope and handed it to Qiao Chu, "Here, this is a little gift from grandpa. I wish you academic progress and progress every day."
Qiao Chu quickly refused, "Grandpa Fu, I can't accept this, please take it back quickly."
Fu Quan straightened his expression and insisted, "It is a gift from an elder, and I cannot refuse it."
Qiao Chu felt a strong momentum coming at her, shocking her so much that she had to accept the red envelope obediently, "Then...thank you, Grandpa Fu!"
"You're welcome."
Only then did Fu Quan reveal a satisfied smile. When he first met Qiao Chu at the flower market that day, he had a good impression of this girl. He didn't expect that she would save his life by accident.
It's really rare to be neither arrogant nor impatient and still have good intentions! He glanced at Fu Zhen beside him with appreciation. I didn't expect that this kid would make a big splash and set his eyes on such a good girl when he first fell in love.
This vision... must have been inherited from his grandfather.
"Come, Xiao Qiao, I'll show you around."
Fu Quan took Qiao Chu around the house, but there was actually nothing worth seeing. This Fu Mansion was really different from the wealthy families that Qiao Chu had in mind. It was neither luxurious nor ostentatious, and was just like an ordinary family. Finally, Fu Quan brought Qiao Chu to his study, where he usually reads and writes. The decoration is different from other rooms and is very grand and solemn. The floors, bookcases and desks are all made of pure wood, and when you are in it, you will be struck by a calm and simple temperament. Qiao Chu didn't know much about wood and couldn't tell what materials these were made of, but judging from the smooth color and dense texture, they were definitely not ordinary wood. Outside the study is a small balcony filled with green potted plants. They are still full of vitality and greenery in this season, and it can be seen that they are well cared for.
There are no extra decorations on the walls of the study, only a framed calligraphy. It is not any famous sayings, poems or songs, but only four simple words - no regrets in this life.
Qiao Chu looked at the four words and couldn't help but exclaimed: "What a good word..."
Although there are only four characters, the strokes are rich and full, the structure is enlarged and regular, the brushstrokes are strong and round, and the momentum is solemn and vigorous. It is a authentic "Yan style".
Seeing that she was staring at the calligraphy, Fu Quan walked over to her and admired it together, "What, Xiao Qiao also knows calligraphy?"
Qiao Chu shook his head and said modestly: "I don't understand. Calligraphy is a broad and profound subject. How can I say I understand it? I have only learned some basics."
Coincidentally, she chose "Yan Style" under the "Calligraphy" project in the "Comprehensive Development" system. She was taught by Yan Zhenqing, the founder of Yan style... I really don't understand how the system could be so powerful that it invited a person who had been dead for more than a thousand years to come here and go to such great lengths just to teach her how to write calligraphy...
She almost fell to her knees when she saw Yan Zhenqing, and she was always terrified during calligraphy classes...
"You've only learned a little bit?" Fu Quan glanced at him, and immediately became interested. He said to Qiao Chu, "Then tell me about this calligraphy. How do you think it is?"
Qiao Chu quickly shook his head: "Uh... Grandpa Fu, how dare a junior like me comment on your calligraphy? It's really inappropriate."
"Oh?" Fu Quan smiled even more deeply, "I didn't tell you that I wrote this, did I? How did you know?"
"Well... a person's handwriting reflects his or her personality. This handwriting is very similar to yours, Grandpa Fu. The writing is dignified and majestic, and the running script is vigorous and vigorous. You are the only one in the entire Fu Mansion who has such momentum."
“Hahahaha—good, good, good!”
Upon hearing this, Fu Quan laughed heartily and said "OK" three times in a row! When he looked at Qiao Chu again, there was a little more appreciation in his eyes, "Xiao Qiao is too modest. You can see that these are not just superficial learning."
"But..." Qiao Chu hesitated for a moment, and said to Fu Quan: "Grandpa Fu, if I'm not mistaken, this calligraphy should have been written by you when you were young, right?"
"You can even see this?" Fu Quan was surprised.
"I can't tell." Qiao Chu turned his gaze to the four words again and explained, "I guessed it. I think only young people with high spirits can write such sharp words. After experiencing the complexity of the world and the vicissitudes of life, who can really live a life without regrets..."
Fu Quan was silent. After a long while, he spoke, "You guessed right. This was written when I just got married to Grandma Fu Zhen. At that time, she was grinding ink for me." His eyes showed some nostalgia, and he continued, "With my beloved by my side, I felt that my life was regret-free. I wrote this couplet out of inspiration. Now it seems... Alas——"
Fu Quan had mixed feelings in his heart, which eventually turned into a sigh.
Seeing that he looked sad, Qiao Chu was obviously thinking about the past, and immediately regretted having said anything. Grandpa Fu is just fine, but don’t let him get too excited and something bad happen again, what should I do?
Just when she didn't know what to do, the door of the study opened, and it turned out that the meal was ready.
Very good! Qiao Chu breathed a sigh of relief, "Grandpa Fu, let's go eat quickly, I suddenly feel so hungry!"
After saying that, he quickly stepped forward and helped Fu Quan to the restaurant.
The food at the Fu Mansion was as plain as its decoration style. There was no abalone, shark's fin, or fish maw. They were just ordinary home-cooked dishes, except...
Sweet and sour spare ribs, spicy shrimp, Kung Pao chicken, steamed sea bass...
All of them are her favorite dishes! Qiao Chu was somewhat surprised and somewhat confused.
Fu Quan smiled and explained to her: "These are all prepared by Jinzhi in the kitchen, saying that you like to eat them."
Senior Fu actually knew what dishes she liked to eat...
Qiao Chu felt a little uncomfortable and shy. He lowered his head and dared not look at Fu Zhen. "Thank you, Senior Fu."
"Okay, sit down quickly. Xiao Qiao is hungry, so eat quickly. We don't have so many rules in our house. Be more relaxed and treat it as your own home."
"OK."
Qiao Chu sat down obediently, and then Fu Zhen naturally sat next to her. Qiao Chu moved uncomfortably. His presence was too strong. He always attracted her attention unconsciously and made her care a lot. Especially today, he did a 180-degree turn, shed his usual indifference, kept smiling, and always looked at her with ardent eyes...
However, her attention was soon diverted to the food on the table because - it was so delicious! It was the first time she ate ribs that were even better than those made at the second window of the school cafeteria. She kept eating one piece after another and couldn't stop.
If Xianxian were here, she would be so happy. Qiao Chu thought.
Suddenly, a peeled shrimp appeared in her bowl, and the white shrimp meat looked very tempting. She looked up and met Fu Zhen's handsome face with a smile.
"Don't just eat spareribs, have some shrimps. Shrimp are high in protein and good for your health."
He loved to laugh especially hard today, as if he wanted to make up for the time he didn't laugh in the past sixteen years, without caring at all whether others could bear it or not...
"Thank you, Senior Fu."
Qiao Chu quickly retracted his gaze and lowered his head to eat shrimp.
Fu Zhen felt a sense of satisfaction when he saw her eating obediently. Next, he seemed to be addicted to it and kept putting food into Qiao Chu's bowl, peeling shrimps, picking fish bones, and was very busy. He was so considerate that he wanted to feed the food to Qiao Chu himself, which shocked Fu Quan and Uncle Qi beside them.
This kid usually looks like a decent person, pretending to be more pure than anyone else, but now he is smiling like a male peacock seeking a mate, and is willing to serve others for dinner. It's really...
In your lifetime, Fu Zhen, you have come to this day!
Under the teasing gazes of the two old men, Qiao Chu's face became redder and redder... redder and redder... Finally, she almost exploded with embarrassment. Looking at Fu Zhen who was still enjoying it, she finally couldn't help but reached out her hand and used the cover of the dining table to twist his thigh hard.
This move really worked. Fu Zhen finally stopped. He looked at Qiao Chu, his eyes flashing with a trace of grievance, "Why are you pinching me?"
"puff--"
Fu Quan spat out the soup in his mouth. Fortunately, he reacted quickly and turned his head in time, otherwise the delicious food would have been ruined. He had never been so rude in front of guests. He felt a little embarrassed and left the table under the pretext of changing clothes.
Alas, kids nowadays are really...what’s that word called?
That’s right, it’s – love to show off your love! But...what does this have to do with dogs?
I don’t understand…
Fu Quan shook his head and went back to his room to change clothes.
Qiao Chu wanted to find a way to get in. Looking at Fu Zhen who looked innocent, she gritted her teeth and said word by word: "Eat well!"
Seeing that she was really angry, Fu Zhen finally stopped picking food for her and started eating honestly.
The meal gave Qiao Chu some indigestion, and as soon as it was over, she got up and said goodbye.
Fu Quan did not force Qiao Chu to stay. He said to Qiao Chu kindly, "Xiao Qiao, Grandpa is very happy to see you today. I hope you can come and see me often when you are free."
After spending time with her today, Fu Quan liked the girl in front of him more and more. Not only was she extraordinary in appearance and character, but she also had a maturity and insight that went beyond her age, which was very rare. He secretly winked at Fu Zhen, urging him to cheer up.
"Grandpa won't keep you here. You young people have your own plans. Let Jinzhi take you out for a walk again."
"Ah, Grandpa Fu, no need, don't bother Senior Fu anymore, I can go home by myself..."
Before she could finish, Fu Quan turned around and went back to the house.
“…”
"Come on, it's still early. I'll take you out for a walk and then take you home."
Fu Zhen had an attitude that would not brook refusal and had already asked the driver to drive.
"……All right."
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