In the evening, Xinyan shared a room with her grandmother, He Jinxuan and her grandfather shared another room. Both rooms were filled with conversations that lasted into the night before they finally rested.
After breakfast the next morning, they heard that the village ahead was going to break the ice for fishing. He Jinxuan followed Zhang Yueshan to join the fun.
Since the weather was too cold, Xinyan stayed home to help prepare lunch as they would be leaving in the afternoon, taking the night train back to the Capital.
Granny Zhang prepared quite a bit of wild produce from the area for Xinyan to take back: "Yanyan, take this to Grandma Tong as a little gesture from me."
Xinyan looked at the package: "Just watch, if I bring it over, Grandma Tong will surely scold me for not telling her in advance that Iâm coming."
Thinking of the scene, Xinyan couldnât help but laugh.
The Gu Family elders watched the interaction between Xinyan and Granny Zhang, feeling fortunate in their hearts. If they hadnât met this kind older sister back then, their granddaughter would have endured many hardships.
Thinking of the shameless Qiu Family, they felt a deep hatred, wishing they could tear them apart.
They decided that once they returned to the Capital, they would pay a visit to that ungrateful person.
When Xinyan glanced up, the elders quickly adjusted their expressions. Her grandmother, Tao Shuqing, smiled, "Your cousin is getting married soon, has Jinxuan been urging you?"
Xinyan hugged her grandmotherâs shoulder: "He certainly wants it to happen as quickly as possible, but this matter requires my parentsâ consent, so he has to prove himself."
The Gu Family elders exchanged a knowing glance, understanding their granddaughterâs meaning but tactfully chose not to expose her.
Granny Zhang placed the items together and joked with a smile: "Actually, considering your ability to balance studies, marrying early shouldnât affect your education. If in the future you have no time to take care of the child, leave it up to us. Of course, itâs up to you."
Granny Zhang had always envied othersâ children; back then she dared not even dream of it. Now her eldest son returned, though heâs not keen on marrying, making the hope of holding a grandson futile, hence she pinned her hopes on Xinyan.
In fact, this topic had been discussed by the elders before. Granny Zhang was the most impatient, and now, she had unwittingly revealed it.
Children were Xinyanâs biggest hope, something unattainable in her past life. Hearing Granny Zhangâs words, she didnât feel resistant at all.
She thought that since He Jinxuan had already convinced her parents, as long as they could eliminate the factions targeting the Gu Family, their wedding might not be far off.
When He Jinxuan and Zhang Yueshan returned, each had five or six fish in hand.
Granny Zhang asked, "Why did you bring back so many?"
Zhang Yueshan looked at He Jinxuan, "Itâs Jinxuan; he couldnât be persuaded, and before you know it, we ended up with so many."
He Jinxuan responded calmly, "Seeing how itâs almost the end of the year, Iâve heard from the village chief that thereâs only one more winter fishing before the new year. If Uncle Shanzi has to go to work, with this icy cold weather, you three shouldnât be out there joining the excitement.
Anyway, stored in the snow, they wonât spoil, and will last through the New Year, so weâre at ease."
He Jinxuan truly considered them his elders, knowing that settling them would ease Xinyanâs mind.
The Gu Family elders increasingly appreciated He Jinxuan as their granddaughterâs husband. The kid may not be a sweet talker, but his actions always prioritized their granddaughter, which was commendable.
With fish available, it was naturally part of the menu for the afternoon meal with pickled fish.
Zhang Yueshan left one fish behind, burying the rest in the yardâs snow, placing a large wicker basket over it to keep wild cats from smelling it.
He Jinxuan swiftly handled the fish and personally cooked the dish, which was Xinyanâs favorite.
The vow he made previously was never forgotten, even in the transport brigade, he frequently visited the canteen, learning culinary skills from Master Zhang on the stove.
After all, heâd promised that once Xinyan married him, heâd cook for his beloved, showing his seriousness in pursuing cooking.
They enjoyed a warm, cheerful lunch. Despite the reluctance, Xinyan still bid farewell to Granny Zhang, her grandparents: "Rest assured, wait for me to come pick you up to return to the Capital."