Chapter 398 Welcome Party
Aunt Feng called ahead to say that the train would arrive in Beijing before noon.
The summer heat was intense, and the two sisters didn't bring Gu Zhao with them. Instead, Xiao Liu drove them to the train station to pick them up.
Throughout the journey, Zhang Yueran was restless, her fingers twisting the belt of her dress repeatedly: "Sister, do you think Mom will slap me twice in front of everyone? Even though she didn't say anything on the phone, is she holding a grudge inside?"
Nan Zhiyi deliberately put on a stern face: "Maybe. Aunt Feng hates it when younger people act first and ask for permission later."
Zhang Yueran was skeptical: "No way... Mom always dotes on me the most, Dad would definitely stop us..."
Seeing that her younger sister was serious, Nan Zhiyi chuckled: "Don't worry, I'll definitely stop them for you too."
Zhang Yueran then realized she had been teased and leaned on her shoulder, playfully scolding, "Sis, you're so mean!"
"Mmm," Nan Zhiyi blinked, "Right now, only Boss Zhou is a good person..."
"Sis!" Zhang Yueran's ears turned bright red. "If you say that again, I'm not talking to you!"
Nan Zhiyi stopped teasing Zhang Yueran.
She was in an exceptionally good mood today.
Although she had a long night out, she felt refreshed after catching up on sleep this morning. In addition, she and Gu Xiao had confessed their feelings to each other, and the sweetness in her bones had not yet dissipated... At this moment, she looked at the blue sky and green trees, and even the noisy cicadas sounded like songs to her.
Upon arriving at the station, a white sign with black lettering displayed the arrival times of the trains.
Nan Zhiyi: "Yueyue, look, we're here!"
The two sisters kept a close eye on the surging crowd. Before long, Feng Xuemei and Zhang Jianguo emerged with the flow of people, their hands and shoulders full of goods.
Zhang Yueran stood on tiptoe: "Dad, Mom!"
The two sisters quickly went to greet them, and Xiao Liu followed.
"Aunt Feng, Uncle Zhang, you must be tired from your journey." Nan Zhiyi took a canvas bag.
Zhang Yueran looked at the large bags her parents were carrying and asked, "Mom and Dad, why are you carrying so much stuff?"
Zhang Jianguo said sullenly, "Your mother insisted on bringing everything, as if she wanted to move the whole house here..."
Before he could finish speaking...
Feng Xuemei glared at her husband reproachfully, "Don't spoil my fun." Turning to her daughters, she smiled, "Come on, let's get in the car first."
Her gaze swept over Zhang Yueran's face, but she didn't ask a question immediately.
Zhang Jianguo put on a smile: "Okay, okay, let's get in the car."
Seeing that her parents didn't immediately press her about her relationship, Zhang Yueran breathed a slight sigh of relief.
"Yes, yes, let's talk about it when we get home."
Nan Zhiyi picked up another bag, and Xiao Liu cleverly took the heavy luggage from her and strode ahead to lead the way.
On the way back, Zhang Jianguo sat in the passenger seat, while the mother and her two daughters squeezed into the back.
Feng Xuemei held one in each hand, her gaze lingering on Nan Zhiyi's face: "It's been so long since I've seen Xiaoman. I can only satisfy my craving by looking at photos."
“Xiaoman is even prettier than in the photos,” Zhang Yueran interjected. “He’s growing taller quickly, and his features are starting to resemble his brother-in-law more and more.”
Feng Xuemei patted the backs of their hands with satisfaction: "That's wonderful, that's wonderful. In the blink of an eye, he's grown up so much."
“Xiaoman will be a primary school student when school starts,” Nan Zhiyi responded softly, “He is very sensible now.”
“I guessed so. He was well-behaved when he was little,” Feng Xuemei laughed, “much less troublesome than you two were when you were young…”
Zhang Jianguo muttered under his breath from the front seat, "Yueyue was such a well-behaved child when she was little, have you forgotten..."
The car fell silent instantly, with only the noise of traffic outside the window.
Zhang Yueran looked to Nan Zhiyi for help, only to see her sister lowering her head, pursing her lips, and trying not to laugh, clearly wanting to see her make a fool of herself.
She could only whisper her explanation: "Mom, I didn't mean to hide it... I told my sister as soon as we started dating, and I called you the very next day..." Her voice trailed off, "It's only been a few days, and we're already meeting the parents. Luckily, he doesn't think it's too fast..."
Feng Xuemei gave a soft "heh," her gaze sweeping over her daughter's flushed cheeks: "Well, I've only said one thing, and you're already making all these excuses for him... Is he really that good? It's true what they say, daughters grow up and leave home..."
Nan Zhiyi quickly smoothed things over, gently shaking Feng Xuemei's arm: "Aunt Feng, we've inquired about Boss Zhou, and he's indeed a good person. Once we get home, if you have any questions, please sit down and we can talk."
Zhang Jianguo, who had been silent all along, received his daughter's pleading look and coughed lightly: "Honey, our daughter told me right away. These days, when young people are dating, if they're this serious about meeting the parents, it means they're serious..."
"Fine, fine," Feng Xuemei said sternly, "So I'm the only bad guy, just like the Queen Mother of the West who separated the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl."
"How could that be!" Zhang Jianguo said with a forced smile. "You're the backbone of our family. Don't we rely on you for everything, big or small? We're all waiting for your decision."
As he spoke, he turned to the side from the passenger seat and winked at Zhang Yueran.
Zhang Yueran understood, "Mom, when we meet him, you should personally oversee the process, and we'll all listen to you."
Feng Xuemei's expression softened slightly, and she gently tapped Zhang Yueran's forehead: "If you can't get past me when we meet tomorrow, see how I deal with you."
Zhang Yueran secretly stuck out her tongue and leaned on her mother's shoulder affectionately, saying, "You'll definitely like him..."
When the jeep returned to the army compound, Gu Xiao and Gu Zhao were already waiting at the gate.
He leaned down and whispered in his son's ear, "If Grandma Feng and Grandpa Zhang call you Xiaoman later, be sure to respond politely. They are all your mother's family, so you must show them extra respect."
Gu Zhao nodded earnestly: "I know, Dad. Mom told me about it yesterday."
As soon as the jeep came to a stop, Feng Xuemei got out of the car and saw Gu Zhao standing outside the courtyard gate.
She quickly stepped forward and took Gu Zhao's hand, her eyes slightly red: "It's been so many years since I last saw you, you've grown so tall..."
She carefully examined the child's features. "This look is more and more like your father's when he was a child."
"yes."
Zhang Jianguo also came over to take a closer look at Gu Zhao. This was the first time he had seen Gu Zhao in person; he had only ever seen him in photos before.
Gu Zhao felt a little embarrassed by the gazes of the two elders, but still politely bowed, saying, "Hello, Grandma. Hello, Grandpa."
"Hey!" Two voices rang out simultaneously, and Feng Xuemei and Zhang Jianguo beamed with joy.
Gu Xiao and Xiao Liu were busy moving luggage, while Nan Zhiyi also picked up several light packages.
After the group settled into the house, Feng Xuemei watched Gu Xiao bustling around and couldn't help but sigh, "Gu Xiao is so thoughtful. He's taken such good care of Zhiyi and the child all these years. It must have been so hard for you."
"Of course," Gu Xiao replied gently, "It's just that it's a weekday, and I have to go to the ministry this afternoon. I'll take you guys sightseeing in Beijing properly after I have a couple of days off."
Zhang Jianguo quickly waved his hand: "Work is important, we can have Yueyue and Zhiyi accompany them."
"That's right," Feng Xuemei interjected, "Don't let this interfere with important business."
Gu Xiao nodded, then apologized to Zhang Jianguo, "I have to go to work, so I can't have a couple of drinks with Uncle Zhang these next few days..."
Feng Xuemei scolded, "What are you drinking for? This old drunkard has finally found an excuse! Don't spoil him!"
Zhang Jianguo scratched his head sheepishly: "Give me some face in front of the children..."
Zhang Yueran, in return, tried to save her father by jokingly pulling her parents to wash their hands, saying, "Hurry up and wash your hands before eating. We can chat while we eat."
After a lively welcome dinner.
After dinner, Gu Xiao rushed off to work, while Nan Zhiyi advised Feng Xuemei and Zhang Jianguo to wash up and rest first.
"You must be exhausted after sitting on the train all night."
Feng Xuemei patted the back of her hand: "Don't bother, let's make ourselves at home. You two go and take a nap."
Zhang Yueran also said, "Sister, leave Mom and Dad to me, you go and get some rest."
Nan Zhiyi responded and led Gu Zhao upstairs.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com