Chapter 16.1

Could it be that Gui Xiwen told her?

Regardless, Gu Ying was very thoughtful.

Zhang Dongling came out from the kitchen to greet her. When she saw the sesame cakes, she was a little surprised. She suppressed her curiosity and greeted warmly, “Come, come, sit down, sit down.”

Zhang Dongling quickly poured Gu Ying a cup of hot water. “Just sit for a while. I still have one more dish to stir-fry. Give me ten minutes, and then we can eat.”

Gu Ying immediately stood up and followed Zhang Dongling toward the kitchen. “Auntie, let me help you.”

Zhang Dongling stopped her, glanced at her small frame, and smiled, “No need, just sit in the living room and wait a little.”

Zhang Dongling went back to the kitchen to continue her cooking. She peeked out to see Gu Ying returning to the sofa and suddenly felt a strange emotion.

Although this girl Gu Ying wasn’t particularly pretty, her temperament seemed quite nice.

Zhang Dongling withdrew her gaze and continued working in the kitchen.

Gu Ying sat in the living room, surrounded by a slightly awkward atmosphere.

Opposite her, Gui Xiangrong was reading a newspaper. He clearly wanted to strike up a conversation but didn’t know how, so he just kept wiping his glasses to ease the awkwardness.

Gui Xiwu was even more obvious. He hid behind the bedroom door, glaring at Gu Ying through the gap.

Gu Ying found it a bit amusing. Kids really do hold grudges.

But she didn’t recall ever offending Gui Xiwu.

She glanced around the room and noticed that one person was missing.

Gui Xiwen wasn’t home.

Gu Ying broke the silence and asked, “Where’s Xiwu’s brother? Not at home?”

Finally, there was a conversation starter. Gui Xiangrong breathed a sigh of relief and explained, “Xiwen went to carry…”

Before he could finish, Gui Xiwen entered the door, carrying a television.

As he turned and saw Gu Ying sitting properly on the sofa, Gui Xiwen clearly froze. He even forgot to greet anyone and directly carried the TV into his room.

After placing the TV, he came out of the room. He had expected some awkwardness when facing Gu Ying, but she took the initiative to speak: “So you went to move a TV? Is this a new one for the wedding? It looks nice.”

Gu Ying spoke naturally and openly, not shy or reserved, which surprised Gui Xiwen.

The tension eased a little as he replied, “Yeah, just bought it.”

Gui Xiangrong heard this and wanted to interject, his eyes moving back and forth between the two of them. But in the end, he decided not to say anything and left the space for the two young people.

Gu Ying continued, “What else have you prepared? I’ve been to the market several times over the past few days—my legs are sore. It’s such a pain picking things out.”

Gui Xiwen sat down across from Gu Ying, listening to her speak so naturally. He felt a strange emotion inside.

Logically speaking, they weren’t close.

Even though they were going to be husband and wife, the fact was—they were not familiar with each other.

But the way Gu Ying spoke so easily and casually made it feel like they had known each other for a long time.

Gui Xiwen usually disliked people trying to get close to him. He had always kept girls at arm’s length, but somehow, he didn’t dislike Gu Ying talking to him like this.

Her tone didn’t feel forced or fake. She maintained a very appropriate distance—not too close to be uncomfortable.

Gui Xiwen found it odd. He started analyzing Gu Ying’s first sentence.

“So you went to move a TV”—that meant she noticed he wasn’t at home.

“Is this a new one for the wedding?”—that meant she looked forward to the wedding.

“It looks nice”—this was approval and praise for his choice.

And her second sentence:

“What else have you prepared?”—again, showing her expectations.

“I’ve been to the market several times”—she was also putting in effort.

“My legs are sore… picking things is a pain”—not only effort, but also showing understanding of his hard work.

No wonder her words made people feel comfortable—every sentence had meaning behind it.

As Gui Xiwen finished thinking all this through, he suddenly snapped out of it and felt a bit dazed.

Wait—what was he just doing? Was he dissecting every word Gu Ying said?

Help!

Unable to bear it, Gui Xiwen abruptly stood up and went back to his room.

His sudden and inexplicable action caught everyone off guard. Gui Xiangrong removed his glasses and looked toward the room, confused about what had just happened.

Weren’t they just having a nice chat?

Zhang Dongling heard the commotion and came out of the kitchen to ask, “What happened to Xiwen? Is something wrong?”

Gu Ying smiled and explained, “It’s nothing. Maybe he went to his room to do some arranging.”

Gui Xiangrong lifted his gaze and gave Gu Ying a long look, then lowered his head again to wipe his glasses.

Zhang Dongling didn’t understand what had happened. Thinking it was nothing serious, she turned to go back to the kitchen, but suddenly remembered something and called out to Gui Xiangrong, “Oh right, since Xiwen bought a new TV, take the old one to get repaired.”

Gui Xiangrong responded, “Okay, give me the warranty. Repairs are free within five years.”

Zhang Dongling paused. “Didn’t you always keep the warranty?”

Gui Xiangrong raised his eyebrows. “You’ve always been the one keeping that.”

“You put—” The word ‘shit’ almost slipped out, but realizing Gu Ying was present, Zhang Dongling quickly changed it: “What nonsense are you talking about? I’ve always kept it? Aren’t you just blaming me because you lost it?”

Gui Xiangrong looked helpless.

He was a grown man—why would he keep track of something like a warranty? Obviously, Zhang Dongling had been the one keeping it, and now that she couldn’t remember where it was, she was blaming him.

Let me know if you’d like this adapted into a more novel-like or screenplay style!

Zhang Dongling looked at Gui Xiangrong’s expression and said uncertainly, “You mean you didn’t take it, and I really did? That’s bad. I don’t have the slightest memory of it—I have no idea where I could’ve shoved the remote.”

Zhang Dongling had a hasty personality. Once she wanted to find something, she’d jump into action full of urgency.

“This won’t do. I’ve got to find that remote first.” She buried her head and walked into the room, clearly not planning to stop until she found it.

Suddenly, Gu Ying stood up and pointed at the sewing basket under the table. “It should be in there, Auntie. Why don’t you take a look?”

As soon as she said that, all eyes in the house turned to her—even the pair of eyes peeking through the crack in the door from Gui Xiwu were fixed on her.

Zhang Dongling hesitated but still pulled out the sewing basket from under the table. She opened it, and sure enough, the TV remote was inside.

Holding the remote, Zhang Dongling looked at Gu Ying in confusion. “How did you know that?”

Gu Ying had never been to their home before, so how could she know something like that?

Just as Gu Ying was thinking about how to explain, Gui Xiwen walked out of his room and said calmly, “She’s been here before.”

Zhang Dongling: ?

Gui Xiangrong: ?

Gui Xiwu: ?

Gui Xiwen’s words instantly blew up the whole family.

Gu Ying had actually been to their house? Had she really? Did Gui Xiwen secretly bring her back?

In a flash, countless inappropriate thoughts ran through Zhang Dongling’s mind. Could it be that the two of them were truly in love?

“When did Gu Ying come over? Why didn’t any of us know?” Zhang Dongling voiced the very question everyone else was wondering. Gui Xiwu even came running out of his room and hid behind Gui Xiangrong, trying to hear the answer more clearly.

Facing the shocked looks of his family, Gui Xiwen said calmly, “She wanted to buy sugar before, but didn’t have a sugar coupon, so I gave her one.”

“Oh!” Zhang Dongling slapped her thigh in sudden realization.

That explained it—she’d noticed a sugar coupon missing before and thought she had misplaced it. Turns out Gui Xiwen gave it to Gu Ying!

Which raised another question—why would Gui Xiwen give Gu Ying a sugar coupon for no reason?

Could it be… they really liked each other?

Zhang Dongling was puzzled. Her eyes scanned Gu Ying from head to toe, and she clicked her tongue twice.

If that was really the case, then her son’s taste was… unique.

As she mulled over the matter, Zhang Dongling went to the kitchen to finish stir-frying the food.

Soon, it was time to eat.

Everyone sat around the table, and the atmosphere was fairly harmonious.

Looking at the delicious dishes on the table, Gu Ying could feel Zhang Dongling’s hospitality.

Though Zhang Dongling might not be very satisfied with this marriage match, her etiquette was thorough. Gu Ying smiled warmly at her. “Thank you, Auntie.”

“No need to thank me, go ahead, try it! See if it’s tasty,” Zhang Dongling said enthusiastically.

Gu Ying keenly noticed that after Zhang Dongling said this, everyone at the table had slightly strange expressions. Not knowing why, she picked up her chopsticks and took a bite of the stir-fried bamboo shoots with pork.

One bite—and she understood the strange expressions.

Zhang Dongling’s cooking… really wasn’t very good.

Looking at the braised chicken with mushrooms, steamed catfish, braised pork ribs, and spicy stir-fried pork, Gu Ying felt it was such a waste of good ingredients.

Yet Zhang Dongling was watching her expectantly, waiting for a review: “So? Do Auntie’s dishes suit your taste?”

Without changing her expression, Gu Ying praised, “Your cooking is great, Auntie. Very unique style. It’s a blessing to eat your food every day.”

Gui Xiwu, who had to eat Zhang Dongling’s cooking every day, silently rolled his eyes.

Ha, bootlicker.

Zhang Dongling had never received praise for her cooking before. She always cooked her heart out, only to be met with complaints instead of gratitude.

Now, hearing Gu Ying’s praise, her face lit up with joy. “Really? You think it tastes good?”

Gu Ying nodded.

Getting affirmation, Zhang Dongling grinned like a child being praised. “Did you all hear that? Xiao Ying’s brother is a professional chef, so her taste must be picky. Yet she says my food is good! From now on, if anyone dares say my food is bad again, they better reflect on themselves first.”

Well, looks like the way she addressed her had already changed from “Gu Ying” to “Xiao Ying.”

Gui Xiwen listened quietly and was the first to cooperate with a soft “mm.”

Zhang Dongling, still full of enthusiasm, scooped up a big bowl of chicken soup for Gu Ying. “Here, have more.”

“And these two chicken legs—you eat them both. Look at you, so skinny. You need to be nourished.”

Watching Zhang Dongling put both chicken legs into Gu Ying’s bowl, Gui Xiwu pouted in grievance.

Those chicken legs used to be his!

Everyone at the table seemed to enjoy the meal—except for Gui Xiwu.

After finishing her meal, Gu Ying didn’t stay long and soon got up to leave.

That one meal completely changed Zhang Dongling’s opinion of Gu Ying. Seeing her about to leave, she took her hand and finally asked the question that had been on her mind.

“Xiao Ying, I heard you had a little conflict with Mingxue at the big market?”

Gu Ying’s eyes flickered. “It wasn’t anything serious.”

“Oh, but I did hear a few unpleasant things—don’t know if they’re true. Like… you were worried that our Gui family might look down on you?”

Zhang Dongling had heard this from Aunt Wu and couldn’t stop thinking about it. She wanted to know what Gu Ying really felt.

Gu Ying lowered her head and responded softly, “Mm.”

“Oh, you silly child, what’s this talk about looking up or down on someone? Don’t you worry about that. Our family isn’t the kind to judge others by their background. Besides, you’re a likable girl. We might have misunderstood you before, but now I think your personality is really nice. Don’t worry, no one in this house would look down on you, got it?”

Gu Ying seemed to have already expected that Zhang Dongling would bring up this matter. Her eyes darkened slightly, and she responded sincerely, “I understand. Thank you, Auntie.”

Zhang Dongling liked Gu Ying’s obedient and well-mannered attitude. She patted Gu Ying’s shoulder with satisfaction and casually asked, “By the way, what exactly caused the disagreement between you and Mingxue? Was she deliberately causing trouble that time?”

Gu Ying thought for a moment and answered seriously, “Maybe she regrets giving up such a good marriage. Seeing me pick up a great bargain probably made her unhappy.”

Thud—Zhang Dongling felt as if she could hear her own heart pounding violently.

One of the things Zhang Dongling regretted most in recent days was agreeing to the engagement between Mingxue and Gui Xiwen in the first place. Heaven knew how much she blamed herself.

No one in the family actually blamed Mingxue for breaking off the engagement, but she couldn’t get over it herself. She would bring it up repeatedly in front of Gui Xiangrong, hoping it would ease her own guilt.

Now, Gu Ying’s words were undoubtedly the best balm to her conscience.

After Gu Ying left, Zhang Dongling abruptly blocked Gui Xiwen’s path and declared:

“Let’s move the wedding up.”

They needed to marry this lovable girl into the family—as soon as possible!