Tang Momo didn’t expect that Zhang Xiaoli would suddenly ask this question. It was her idea not to tell Zhao Xiuli for the time being. 

Now that she asked such a question, it felt somewhat like she was forcing him.  

Zhang Xiao Li took in the performance of the two before gently explaining, “I know your concerns from before, but the situation is different now. Putting aside whether you can keep this a secret or not, just look at how Xiao Gu is back. Aunt Zhao is probably going to start arranging your marriage soon.”  

Zhang Xiaoli didn’t want Zhao Xiuli to hear the news about their relationship from someone else. 

Gu Chengze glanced at Tang Momo out of the corner of his eye and then looked at Zhang Xiaoli seriously. “Aunt, don’t worry; I will explain this to my grandma.” 

Zhang Xiaoli nodded and prepared to have a good talk with Tang Momo later; after all, this was still this girl’s problem. 

Tang Momo sent Gu Chengze outside the door. When she wanted to continue, Gu Chengze stopped her. “It’s too dark outside. This is good enough.” 

“Do you remember the way?” Tang Momo asked worriedly. After all, it was dark, and the road was not easy to find. 

“Yes, I remember. Tomorrow morning, I’ll take you to the food factory.”  

Gu Chengze still remembered the photo that Xu Xiaoyun sent him. Although he knew that there was nothing wrong with the two of them, he still felt a little uncomfortable, so he planned to declare his claim tomorrow, letting everyone know he was Tang Momo’s partner. 

“Are all your injuries really healed?” Tang Momo glanced at him worriedly. 

“Don’t worry; everything is basically fine.” 

Some injuries just took a bit longer to recover, but there was no need to tell her that. 

“That’s good; then come over so we can have breakfast together tomorrow.” 

Tang Momo thought about how he must not have eaten well on the train these past few days, feeling a bit sorry for him. 

“Okay, I’ll be here early tomorrow morning.” 

The curve of Gu Chengze’s lips couldn’t help but deepen. 

After Gu Chengze’s figure disappeared from her sight, Tang Momo closed the door and returned to the yard. 

Zhang Xiaoli was standing in the main room waiting for her. When she saw her coming back, she waved to her. “Momo, come here; Mother has something to ask you.” 

“Mother, do you want to ask about Gu Chengze and me?” Tang Momo had already guessed what Zhang Xiaoli wanted to say to her. 

Zhang Xiaoli nodded. “Well, before Xiao Gu was away, you said to wait and not tell Aunt Zhao, which was understandable. But now that he is back, it’s a bit unreasonable to hide it from Aunt Zhao.” 

To be honest, Tang Momo really hadn’t thought about it these days because she was worried about Gu Chengze’s career change. After hearing this, she nodded. “I will discuss this with Gu Chengze.” 

“I know you always have your own plans. Okay, you have to work tomorrow, so get some rest.” 

Zhang Xiaoli patted Tang Momo’s shoulder and said warmly. 

While lying on her bed, Tang Momo thought that Zhang Xiao Li was right; they really couldn’t keep this from Zhao Xiuli forever. Perhaps it was time to find an opportunity to come clean with her? 

Early the next morning, Tang Momo was woken up by Zhang Xiaoli. Tang Momo rubbed her eyes and said in a confused tone, “Mother, what’s wrong?” 

“Xiao Gu is here; get up quickly.” 

After Zhang Xiaoli finished speaking, she glared at Tang Momo. She didn’t know what this girl told Xiao Gu last night. As soon as she opened the door, Gu Chengze stood outside. She didn’t know how long he had been waiting. 

“He’s here this early?”  

Tang Momo was a little surprised. She originally thought that he had not had a good rest on the train in the past two days and would sleep a little longer today, but she did not expect him to come so early. 

“Yes, so hurry up and don’t keep him waiting too long.” 

As soon as Zhang Xiaoli went out, Tang Momo jumped up from the bed and quickly got dressed. 

Tang Yangyang was awakened by her movements. She rubbed her eyes, and said with a confused look on her face, “Sister, when did you come back?” 

“I came back last night. You need to get up too, or you’ll be late.”  

Tang Momo hurriedly urged her sister while getting dressed.  

“Oh, okay.” 

Tang Yangyang yawned and then obediently started to get dressed. 

When Tang Momo went outside, she saw that Tang Jianan and Tang Jianping were happily surrounding Gu Chengze. They were talking about something. 

Hearing the footsteps, the three of them turned around. Tang Jianping was the first to speak. “Sister, why did you just get up? Brother Chengze has been waiting for you for a long time.” 

Tang Momo stepped forward and pinched his cheek while snorting softly, “Didn’t I just come?” 

After Tang Momo finished speaking, she looked at Gu Chengze and asked casually, “Why are you here so early?” 

“I couldn’t sleep, so I thought I’d come over early since I had nothing to do.” 

After Gu Chengze finished speaking, he glanced at Tang Momo. What he didn’t say was that he came here just to see her as soon as possible. 

“Aren’t you tired from sitting on the train for so long?”  

Tang Momo had never taken a train after coming here, but she knew about the hardships of the old green trains. 

“It’s much easier compared to the training before.” Gu Chengze smiled faintly.  

Seeing him mention the past without any sad expression, Tang Momo’s worries were completely set aside. 

“It’s time to eat, Jianan, come over and get the bowl.” 

Zhang Xiaoli called to Tang Jianan for help. 

Tang Momo glanced at Gu Chengze next to her and said softly, “Let’s go and eat first.” 

After coming out of the house after breakfast, Tang Momo turned her head and looked at the person next to her, “What do you think about what my mother said yesterday?” 

Gu Chengze was stunned for a second and soon understood what Tang Momo was talking about. He looked at Tang Momo and said in a very serious tone, “If you’re unwilling, then let’s not tell my grandma for now.” 

This was something they had previously agreed to, so Gu Chengze didn’t want to put her in a difficult position. 

Tang Momo shook her head, “My mother is right; I shouldn’t keep it from her. When I have a break, I’ll personally apologize to her. I really shouldn’t have hidden it from her before.” 

After Tang Momo finished speaking, she saw the smile on Gu Chengze’s face and then changed the topic, “Telling our parents doesn’t mean we can end up together in the end.” 

Saying this, Tang Momo couldn’t help but feel troubled about how to encourage him to study. She couldn’t just tell him that the college entrance examination would resume in more than a year. 

Tang Momo thinks this is a difficult problem, and she is not sure whether Gu Chengze wants to go to college. She can’t force him to do what she wants. 

Resuming the college entrance examination? Hearing these words, Gu Chengze was really surprised. It was not that he doubted the authenticity of these words, but he understood the time issue she emphasized before. 

It turned out that she was planning to take the college entrance examination and go to university. As for herself, at this moment, Gu Chengze felt unusually confused. He didn’t even know what his goal was. 

“That reminds me, when are you reporting to the machinery factory?” 

Tang Momo was a little curious. 

“Ten days later.” 

Gu Chengze turned his head and stared at her side profile and replied. In a short period, Gu Chengze made a decision. He also wanted to enter college. 

But he didn’t go to high school, so it was probably a bit difficult, but Momo said that there was still more than a year, so he could work hard. With that thought, Gu Chengze’s expression relaxed again. 

Since the food factory wasn’t far away, they arrived quickly. It was right at work hours, so there were quite a few people at the factory entrance. 

Everyone’s eyes stayed on Gu Chengze next to Tang Momo for a few more seconds. Then someone familiar faces greeted Tang Momo and asked casually, “Momo, is this your partner?” 

Tang Momo nodded generously, “Yes, this is my partner Gu Chengze. He just returned after changing his job and will report to the machinery factory in a few days.” 

“Then are you two getting married soon? Congratulations, congratulations!” 

Everyone looked happy for her. 

“I will tell everyone when I have good news.” 

Tang Momo felt that the word marriage was still far away for her. 

“Your coworkers seem pretty good,” Gu Chengze whispered in her ear. 

“They are quite good. I’m going in now; you should head back early,” Tang Momo said and wave goodbye to Gu Chengze. 

Tang Momo’s actions reminded Gu Chengze of the last time he sent her back. They had no relationship at that time, but this time, she was already his partner. 

Thinking of this, the smile in Gu Chengze’s eyes became even brighter. 

When Tang Momo’s figure disappeared from his sight, Gu Chengze turned around and left. 

He first thought of going back to the Qingshui Brigade to reassure Zhao Xiuli, and then went to the city to visit Zhang Xiaoli again. After all, he had been too rushed last night and this morning. 

With this plan, Gu Chengze felt it was good that even though he had been in the army for a long time. He didn’t have a lot of things, so the trip back was easy. 

Gu Chengze walked quickly, and by the time he returned, it was still not yet ten o’clock. Since Zhao Xiuli was injured last time, the Gu family no longer let her work. 

Hearing the sound of the door opening, Zhao Xiuli thought that someone who went out to work had forgotten something, but when she looked up and saw Gu Chengze’s face, she suddenly became excited, “Chengze, you’re back! Why didn’t you tell me in advance?” 

“I wanted to surprise you,” Gu Chengze replied, worried that if he told her, she would go to the train station to pick him up.  

“You child.” 

Zhao Xiuli pretended to be displeased and patted his shoulder. 

The two of them stood together and talked for a while, and finally, Gu Chengze said, “Grandma, let me put my things down first.”  

“Right, right! I almost forgot. I’ve already tidied up your room for you,” Zhao Xiuli quickly released her grip on his hand. 

After putting his things away, Gu Chengze casually looked around the room. Thinking of Zhao Xiuli’s expression every time she cleaned, he suddenly felt that maybe changing his career was the right decision. 

When Gu Chengze went out, Zhao Xiuli had already started making arrangements for lunch. Gu Chengze quickly stopped her, “Grandma, let’s eat something simple for lunch. I still need to go back into the city.” 

 “Why do you need to go back into the city so soon? Don’t tell me you’re going to work already?” 

Zhao Xiuli’s was a little confused. Although she knew he was going to work at the machinery factory, it felt too soon. 

Gu Chengze shook his head, “I’m not going to work; I’m going to the Tang family formally. That reminds me, Grandma, I didn’t tell you earlier, but Momo and I are already dating.” 

This surprised Zhao Xiuli. “Really? When did this happen?” 

Gu Chengze recounted how they got together and added, “I originally planned to bring her back to tell you during my next vacation, but I didn’t expect this to happen.”  

“It’s not too late to know now. But no wonder that girl made a special trip to see me before the Chinese New Year.” 

After saying this, Zhao Xiuli smiled all over her face, and she became more and more satisfied with Tang Momo. 

“She came to see you?” Gu Chengze was surprised; Tang Momo hadn’t told him about this. 

“Yeah, the day before New Year’s Eve. She must have come back to pay respects to her father,” Zhao Xiuli guessed. 

Gu Chengze nodded, indicating that he understood. 

“Then you should go visit her properly. I’ll go and cook quickly so I won’t delay you.” Zhao Xiuli said and went straight into the kitchen, while Gu Chengze just shook his head. 

After lunch, Gu Chengze rode his bike into the city. He didn’t expect to be stopped by Xu Xiaoyun just as he reached the village entrance. Her tone was full of pride: “So, Gu Chengze, do you regret it now?” 

***

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