Chapter 26 – Spending New Year at Su Qingshuang’s House

He Xiulan couldn’t help but say to Su Jianbin, “When did our younger daughter become so close to a girl?”

“This really is a first—just like a bride in her wedding sedan chair!”

“Exactly! Her friends before were all boys. This is the first time I feel at ease.”

“I’m really looking forward to meeting that girl Qiangwei—she must be beautiful and kind!”

The two of them chatted with smiles on their faces, and in the blink of an eye, it was already the morning of New Year’s Eve.

Su Qingshuang got up early to tidy up and checked the guest room, which had already been cleaned and prepared. Seeing that everything was in order, she went to pick up Gu Qiangwei.

She followed the address to Gu Qiangwei’s home and knocked on the door.

“Qiangwei!”

Su Qingshuang called out cheerfully as the two of them entered the house.

Gu Qiangwei poured her a glass of water. “Sit and rest a bit. I’ll just pack up, and then we can go.”

Su Qingshuang didn’t quite understand but nodded anyway. Then she saw Gu Qiangwei bringing out several boxes from her room.

“I bought these yesterday, figured I’d bring them over to your place.”

Su Qingshuang immediately stood up with her cup, flustered. “No need! Don’t bring so many things. We have plenty at home. This visit is just to invite you to spend the New Year with us and hang out for a couple of days.”

But Gu Qiangwei shook her head. “If you don’t let me bring these, then I won’t go. You know what kind of person I am—when visiting during New Year, I must bring gifts. That’s basic courtesy.”

Seeing how insistent she was, Su Qingshuang could only nod. “Alright, alright, bring them then.”

Once everything was packed, they moved the boxes to the car and drove to the Su family’s house.

Parking outside, Su Qingshuang honked the horn, and soon a man and a woman came out of the house.

The middle-aged man was tall with a scholarly, dignified aura reminiscent of an old-fashioned intellectual, yet with a commanding presence.

In her past life, Gu Qiangwei had learned that Su Qingshuang’s father was also a high-ranking military officer.

Standing beside him was his wife, He Xiulan.

A formidable businesswoman, she had earned a fortune ever since private enterprise was permitted.

Looking at the two of them, Gu Qiangwei felt a sting in her eyes. She remembered the comforting words they had once said to her in her past life—how they supported Su Qingshuang’s choice to protect her and never blamed her.

Thinking about that made her eyes burn with emotion, but she suppressed the feeling and got out of the car with a smile.

“Uncle, Auntie.”

She greeted them sweetly.

He Xiulan immediately came forward and took her hand. “You must be Qiangwei! Xiaoshuang has told us so much about you. We’ve always wanted to meet you, but never had the chance.”

“Well, here we finally are.”

She held Gu Qiangwei’s hand affectionately. “Since you’re here for New Year, just treat this as your own home.”

“Dad!”

Su Qingshuang called out, “Come help me carry the stuff. I told Qiangwei not to buy anything, but she insisted and said if she didn’t bring gifts, she wouldn’t come!”

As He Xiulan and Su Jianbin walked over and saw the boxes, they were both stunned.

Gu Qiangwei had brought so many gifts.

“This is my first visit, so I brought some presents,” she said politely. “I hope you won’t reject them.”

Her thoughtful gesture made an excellent impression on the couple.

They had already been curious about their daughter’s “amazing friend,” and now, seeing Qiangwei in person, every positive adjective seemed to fit her.

Beautiful, kind, polite, intelligent—and full of ideas when doing business with their daughter.

The more they looked at Gu Qiangwei, the more satisfied they became.

Excited, they welcomed her into the house. Their overly warm hospitality made Gu Qiangwei feel a little embarrassed.

After settling her in, the couple came back out to help Su Qingshuang move the groceries—meat, vegetables, fruit—everything one could need. Once again, they exchanged a glance: This girl really is thoughtful.

They liked her already.

Su Qingshuang took Gu Qiangwei to the guest room next to her own. “You’ll stay here the next couple of days. Celebrate New Year with us—let’s have a lively holiday together!”

“Okay!”

Gu Qiangwei carried her things in and quickly tidied up, then came out to join the others in the living room. He Xiulan held her hand and started talking about business.

Soon, it was time for breakfast.

Since the reunion dinner would be in the afternoon, they had a simple breakfast. He Xiulan and Su Jianbin headed into the kitchen.

Su Jianbin did the cooking, and He Xiulan helped out.

Gu Qiangwei rolled up her sleeves and offered, “Auntie, let me help!”

But He Xiulan quickly waved her hands and pushed her out of the kitchen. “No, no, no—you and Xiaoshuang stay here and watch TV. Your uncle and I will handle it. We’re just making something quick. This afternoon we’ll wrap dumplings and cook up something nice.”

Just as He Xiulan shooed her out, Gu Qiangwei peeked back in. “I’m actually pretty good at cooking. Let me show you two quick dishes!”

He Xiulan and Su Jianbin exchanged a look.

“I insist.”

“If you don’t let me help a little, I’ll feel bad staying here for a few days.”

With that, Gu Qiangwei stepped into the kitchen. Su Qingshuang also rolled up her sleeves. “Mom, Dad, you two rest. Qiangwei and I will cook together.”

“I’ll help!”

Since the girls were already bustling about, the couple decided to take a break.

For breakfast, they originally planned to make stir-fried pork, mapo tofu, a vegetable soup, and braised ribs.

But Gu Qiangwei said that was too much, so she made stir-fried pork, tofu, and a big pot of mixed vegetable stew.

Su Qingshuang didn’t do much aside from washing some vegetables and handing her a bowl or two.

Soon, the food was on the table. After one bite, Su Jianbin was stunned. “This tastes amazing!”

Hearing that, both Su Qingshuang and He Xiulan tried it for themselves.

The vegetable stew was delicious, and Su Qingshuang couldn’t help giving a thumbs-up as she kept eating.

The stir-fried pork was also just right—perfect for their family’s taste.

“You’ve been hiding your talents, Qiangwei! Your cooking is incredible. How did I not know you were this good?” Su Qingshuang’s eyes sparkled.

“You’re amazing! You can do business, give great advice, contribute to my designs—and now you cook this well too?”

Gu Qiangwei smiled, and He Xiulan and Su Jianbin both nodded in agreement.

“She really is the full package,” they thought. Not only could she help with business, but she could also cook a delicious meal. Truly the ideal blend of elegance and practicality.

“I just like studying food and recipes in my free time. I thought I’d show off a bit for you,” Gu Qiangwei said with a smile.

After the meal, He Xiulan went to wash the dishes.

Gu Qiangwei insisted on helping, but He Xiulan firmly refused. “You already cooked, no dishwashing for you. That’s our house rule.”

Unable to argue further, Gu Qiangwei stayed outside with Su Qingshuang.

When the dishes were done, He Xiulan joined them again, chatting about business.

Since it was New Year’s Eve, they rested for a while and then began making dumplings.

Gu Qiangwei prepared several types of dumpling fillings and had He Xiulan taste them.

“These are incredible! My eldest son—Xiaoshuang’s brother—loves dumplings. He’ll be thrilled with these!”

As soon as He Xiulan mentioned him, Gu Qiangwei suddenly pictured a tall, imposing figure in her mind.

Even though she had been reborn, the memories from her past life remained vivid—especially the face of Su Qingyi.