"He went to the restroom," Jiang Mo replied. "I see you're quite concerned about him."
"Of course, you don't understand the friendship between us men," Li Zheng boasted. "Sis, when you and Brother Gu Ye have time, come visit me over here. I'll play the host and treat you both."
"You treat us? You haven't even fully explored the place yourself in these last two months," Jiang Mo said, looking at her younger brother's face, which had become slightly rounder than before in the video call. "Seems you haven't been skimping on yourself."
"Alright, do you have anything else? If not, I'm hanging up."
"You're the classic case of 'forgetting your brother once you have a boyfriend'," Li Zheng complained. "Just don't forget to transfer my allowance, sis. Whether I eat my fill depends on you."
As soon as he finished speaking, Jiang Mo ended the video call.
She decisively transferred two thousand dollars over, receiving her little brother's profuse thanks in return.
Gu Ye still hadn't come back from the restroom. Jiang Mo thought about the earlier scene, covered her face, and took a moment to compose herself again.
The water on the table was finished, so she simply ate some snacks and scrolled through her phone watching videos.
She didn't dare open that movie on the screen again.
A good while later, so long that Jiang Mo wondered if he had fallen into the toilet, Gu Ye finally pushed the door open and came in.
"What took so long?"
"Hmm, there were quite a few people in the restroom," Gu Ye offered a casual excuse.
Jiang Mo nodded, pursing her lips. "Um, maybe we should skip the movie and head back."
Gu Ye checked the time. "Alright, I'll walk you back."
Since they were already an acknowledged couple in front of Li Daming, Gu Ye didn't avoid it this time. He escorted her upstairs and swaggered right into the apartment.
Li Daming saw his daughter come in, followed by Gu Ye, and curled his lip. At this hour, why wasn't this kid going back to his own home?
"Uncle Li, are you free these next couple of days?" Gu Ye greeted him warmly.
"What for?" Li Daming kept a poker face.
Gu Ye stepped forward. "To invite you to go fishing. The weather's been pretty good lately."
Li Daming's expression softened a little. "I'm not sure. Most likely I'm off the day after tomorrow. We'll talk then."
"Sounds good. Just send me a message when you're free," Gu Ye said. He originally wanted to stay a bit longer, but with his future father-in-law standing right there, he didn't dare get too familiar. He said goodbye to Jiang Mo, "I'll head off now."
Jiang Mo saw him off to the elevator and then came back. Li Daming clicked his tongue twice. "It's just a few steps, all this seeing off and sending away."
"Dad, the way you said that sounds a bit sour," Jiang Mo said, picking up her bag from the sofa and taking it to her room.
Li Daming stood up and planted himself at her bedroom door. "I'm not sour. I just can't stand that kid's smug look."
"I'm not stopping you two, but your dad has to remind you. You can date, you're still young, dating for a few years is fine. Things like marriage, there's no rush."
"I know, Dad. Marriage is still a long way off," Jiang Mo hadn't even thought that far ahead.
"And also, even though that kid's family background is better than ours, and your mom and I work for his family, you shouldn't feel inferior. Don't hide it if you suffer any grievances, you have to tell us."
Li Daming felt that since the two were already together, his daughter shouldn't be wronged because of this difference in social status.
Jiang Mo nodded seriously. "I understand, Dad."
When Gu Ye returned to Yanjiang Bay, the cat came over. He scooped it up and held it in his arms. "You think this place is too empty too, don't you? Let's work on inviting your mom over sooner."
Perhaps influenced by the movie, that night after going to sleep, Jiang Mo had an embarrassing dream.
