Chapter 84: 84 A Warm and Happy Dinner

Chapter 84: Chapter 84 A Warm and Happy Dinner

“Sister, you’re putting a lot of pressure on me with those words.”

Sitting on a bench tending to the fire, Gu Qianqian deliberately pouted and complained.

Gu Qiaoqiao picked up a thin slice of pork belly and placed it into Gu Qianqian’s mouth, then pinched her tender cheek affectionately and said, “Qianqian, your sister is serious, once you get into university, I’ll support you. If you want to study abroad, I’ll send you there, whatever you want to do, I’ll support you…”

A voice in Gu Qiaoqiao’s heart was making a vow: In this lifetime, she would definitely protect her sister well, never letting her be lonely and helpless, without a path to follow.

As Gu Qianqian savored the delicious pork belly, she said with emotion, “Sister, you’re so good to me. Don’t worry, I’ll study hard and get into Imperial Capital University.”

Lian Yuhong, sitting nearby, scolded jokingly, “Even if Qianqian gets into university, your dad and I will support her. You just focus on leading your own good life, that’s important.”

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Gu Qiaoqiao didn’t argue, just smiled, “Of course, with you and dad here, there’s hardly any need for me, is there…”

“You were so stubborn about not finishing high school, just short of one year. Do you regret it now? It’s not because your dad and I didn’t support you.”

Lian Yuhong thought her daughter might be jealous, so she hurriedly explained.

Gu Qiaoqiao smiled, “Mom, I have my own plans.”

Gu Zishu came running in from the outside and sneaked a peek at Qin Yize playing chess with Gu Tianfeng, wondering if his brother-in-law might have forgotten to ask him about his final exam results.

But he was quite hungry and said urgently, “Mom, is the food ready? My sister’s husband must be starving…”

That cheeky kid really did deserve a beating.

Yet Gu Qiaoqiao still lovingly stuffed a piece of spare rib meat into his mouth, “Are you the one who’s hungry?”

“I’m hungry, so my brother-in-law must be hungry too. Sister, you’re not being a good wife…”

Gu Zishu kept eating hungrily while idly chattering away.

That little rascal really couldn’t be silenced with meat.

But what a wonderful little brother he was, as long as he didn’t poke a hole in the sky, the rest could slowly be taught.

As night gradually fell, the living room of the Gu family was brightly lit, and Qin Yize, when in Rome, chose to eat on the large brick bed.

Two bed tables were joined together, and the dishes came out in succession.

They were nearly all specialties of the North.

Pork belly stewed with sauerkraut, chicken stewed with mushrooms, braised spare ribs, braised carp, frozen tofu stew with big bones, stir-fried potatoes with chili…

The tempting aroma of food wafted in the air, placed one by one on the bed table.

Gu Qiaoqiao knew that her father and mother must have known they were coming back, so they had spared many of the New Year goods.

However, it didn’t matter, with her around, the days of the Gu family would get better and better.

And Gu Tianfeng went from being somewhat unfamiliar with Qin Yize to getting to know him, and then to appreciating him.

Thus, he was particularly happy.

Though Qin Yize might be a noble gentleman born into a prestigious family, due to his frequent stays abroad, there were times when he was a very hearty man.

Seated cross-legged beside the bed table, he didn’t seem out of place at all.

So the meal at the Gu Family was very joyful.

After the meal was over, it was time to give out gifts.

Qin Yize brought a set of books for Gu Tianfeng.

Seeing the light in her father’s eyes, Gu Qiaoqiao knew that the books must be precious.

For Lian Yuhong, it was a large piece of imported woolen cloth with a very nice feel.

For Gu Qianqian, a pink electronic watch, which Gu Qiaoqiao knew Qin Xiaoyu also had one.

For Gu Zishu, an airplane model.

There were even nutritional supplements for Gu Qiaoqiao’s grandmother.

The gifts were somewhat heavy.

Looking at Qin Yize, Gu Qiaoqiao wondered whether the gifts were his idea or Grandma Qin’s.

No matter who had prepared them, it was all a sincere gesture, and for her to say anything would be inappropriate.

Gu Qiaoqiao therefore closed her mouth.

At night, Gu Qiaoqiao and Gu Qianqian slept together.

Qin Yize and Gu Zishu stayed in the room to the east of the kitchen.

The large kang was already warmed up nicely.

Gu Qiaoqiao had also taken out the gifts she bought for the family, and Gu Qianqian especially liked the pink wool batwing sweater that Qiaoqiao had bought for her.

Stretching out her arms, the sleeves fluttered like butterfly wings, giving a sense of floating ethereally.

The little girl’s eyebrows were curved in happiness.

The night was growing deep.

After Gu Qiaoqiao had washed up, she paused and then followed Qin Yize into her brother’s room.

The room was very tidy, and the bedding was all new.

The pillowcases were hand-embroidered by their mother, featuring two butterflies ready to take flight and peonies.

Gu Zishu was jumping around excitedly.

In short, he was never properly behaved.

Gu Qiaoqiao gave him a flick on the back of his neck, which made him behave slightly better, but he kept staring at Gu Qiaoqiao with his eyes.

Gu Qiaoqiao asked curiously, “Why are you staring at me?”

Gu Zishu blurted out, “Do you think you’re also going to sleep here? I’m telling you, no way, you better go back to your own room…”

Qin Yize, who was beside them drying his hair, chuckled lightly with a glimmer in his eyes, and Gu Qiaoqiao, annoyed, slapped her brother on the back of his head.

This time Gu Zishu didn’t avoid his sister’s palm, and after being hit squarely, he yelped and scurried next to Qin Yize, pointing at Gu Qiaoqiao and complaining, “Brother-in-law, you deal with her. I’m a grown man now, and she still hits my head, which really hurts my dignity.”

This silly little brother of mine.

Gu Qiaoqiao glanced at him helplessly, then softly asked Qin Yize, “Are you comfortable staying here?”

“I used to stay like this when I came over before, I’m quite used to it…” said Qin Yize with an implied meaning.

Only then did Gu Qiaoqiao realize, right, according to the timeline, it hadn’t been a year since the last time Qin Yize came to pick her up.

“As long as you’re comfortable, you should rest early,” Gu Qiaoqiao said before glaring at the restless Gu Zishu, “Behave yourself, I’m going to check your winter vacation homework tomorrow…”

“Sister…” Gu Zishu wailed.

His sister was so mean, bringing that up in front of his brother-in-law. Besides, he couldn’t dare to show it.

There was still a week left before the school term started.

He had planned to cram the night before school started.

So, Gu Zishu swiftly dove under the covers and didn’t dare to make another peep.

Qin Yize watched Gu Zishu with amusement, finding that the kid seemed quite afraid of Gu Qiaoqiao.

It probably had something to do with Gu Qiaoqiao’s willingness to strike him.

After speaking, Gu Qiaoqiao left her brother’s room.

On the other side were the rooms of Grandpa and Grandma.

Gu Qiaoqiao thought for a moment and then pushed the door open.

She turned on the electric light, and everything inside was exactly the same as she remembered, no changes at all.

It was a separate suite with a study, bedroom, and a dedicated washing room.

The room was a bit cold, and Gu Qiaoqiao looked around at the familiar arrangements, at the old wedding photo of her grandparents.

Once again, tears unavoidably welled up in her eyes.

In her previous life, she also had an archenemy.

It was a family living on the west end of Stone Town.