Li Daming shook his head as he walked into the room. After a couple of steps, he remembered something and turned back.
"Gu Ye moved out a while ago. Was it just to make it easier for you two to date?"
"You're not living with that kid, are you?"
"Dad, I'm a grown adult living at home every day. Can't you see that?" Jiang Mo retorted. "If I were living with Gu Ye, would you even see me here at night?"
Li Daming muttered, "Can't be too sure. You kept the whole dating thing from us, who knows what else you're hiding."
"Does your mom know about you dating?"
"Mom doesn't know," Jiang Mo shook her head. "Only my little brother at home knows."
"Your brother knows? And he helped keep it secret?" Li Daming said, "His allowance for next month is cut in half."
Li Zheng, far away at school: This is an utter injustice. He figured it out himself. They couldn't see it, and now they just take it out on him.
"So, Dad, will you tell Mom about me and Gu Ye dating?" Jiang Mo asked.
"I won't say a word. You go tell your mom yourself."
After Gu Ye returned home, he sought out Jiang Mo to gather some intel. "What's Uncle Li's attitude towards us?"
He couldn't quite get a read on it.
Jiang Mo replied, "My dad probably just needs some time to process the news. It's a lot to take in all at once."
"Do you think Uncle Li will tell Aunt Wang about us?"
"My dad wants us to come clean ourselves."
Great. It seemed this future father-in-law still required more effort to win over.
He then thought of Wang Xia. He still didn't know if his future mother-in-law approved of him.
So, the next day, Gu Ye slipped back to the Gu family's old house.
He arrived around 5:30 PM. The family chef was preparing dinner.
Gu Xuan was playing with the dog in the yard. Seeing him return, he was overjoyed and rushed over. "Second Brother, I've missed you so much!"
"Is Mom and Grandpa home?" Gu Ye ruffled Gu Xuan's hair and headed inside.
"They are. Grandpa's recently gotten into Chinese opera, and Mom's obsessed with Tai Chi," Gu Xuan followed behind, calling Fugui to come in too.
Once inside, Gu Ye didn't go upstairs but looked around instead.
Gu Xuan was curious. "Second Brother, what are you looking for?"
"Aunt Wang?" Gu Ye asked.
Gu Xuan pointed the way. "I saw Aunt Wang in the backyard earlier."
Walking to the backyard, he indeed found Wang Xia tending to the flowers and plants.
"Aunt Wang!"
Hearing his voice, Wang Xia looked up. "Xiao Ye is back! Let me go tell the kitchen to add a couple of your favorite dishes."
Wang Xia put down her work, washed her hands, and hurried to the kitchen to give instructions. Turning back, she looked at Gu Ye with affection. "You look thinner than last time, child. Are you not eating well outside?"
"He hasn't lost weight. I think Second Brother looks a bit chubbier, actually," Gu Xuan chimed in from the side, spoiling the moment.
Gu Ye smiled and said, "The food outside really isn't as good as home cooking. I've been missing the noodles and buns you make, Aunt Wang."
"Dinner's already being made. If you want my homemade noodles, stay the night. I'll make them for you tomorrow morning," Wang Xia said cheerfully.
"Alright, it's been too long since I've tasted your cooking," Gu Ye said, pulling out a gift bag and handing it to Wang Xia. "This is a bracelet for you."
Wang Xia quickly waved her hands. "Such an expensive thing, I can't accept it."
What's going on with this mother and son lately? One outdoing the other with gifts.
"Aunt Wang, this isn't expensive. It's jewelry from a brand I endorse. They sent it to me, no cost," Gu Ye made an excuse.
"Then you should give it to the Madam. This isn't really suitable for me."
"Just accept it. It's the child's filial intention," Su YunJin came downstairs and happened to see the two of them politely refusing.
Gu Ye pushed the bag forward again. "Aunt Wang, please take it."
Wang Xia had no choice but to accept it. She thought for a moment, planning to give this bracelet to Jiang Mo to wear later.
Su YunJin settled on the sofa. When Gu Ye finished chatting and came back, she spoke lightly, her tone carrying a hint of complaint. "Ah, you come home and only have eyes for your future mother-in-law, and you're quite good at currying favor too."
"No wonder they say, 'A man bows his head to take a wife, a woman raises her head to marry off a daughter.' Looks like I'll have to bow my head three times over. They say it's better to be the mother-in-law. What a pity I never had a daughter of my own."
Gu Xuan asked sincerely, a bit confused. "Second Brother, who's your mother-in-law?"
