"Uncle? Professor Bao, is Brother Shi Qian your uncle?" she heard her own voice, filled with surprise, asking Huo Shiqian.
And Professor Bao, sitting in the rattan chair, was no less surprised than her.
"Qian’er, is Xia the person you mentioned before?" Professor Bao also said with some astonishment.
Hearing this, Xia Chuyi glanced at Professor Bao, then turned to look at Huo Shiqian.
Uncle Liberation Army had mentioned her to Professor Bao?
"Mm," only heard Huo Shiqian say, "Chuyi, Professor Bao is my uncle."
"Uncle, Chuyi is the person I told you about."
As soon as Uncle Liberation Army finished speaking, Professor Bao’s gaze reevaluated Xia Chuyi.
Previously a student, now a niece-in-law, naturally the considerations were different.
Xia Chuyi: ... actually felt a bit nervous.
With a stiff but not polite smile on her face, she thought to herself: Is this like meeting Huo Shiqian’s parents?
Luckily, Professor Bao soon took back his gaze.
However, Professor Bao’s expression did not change, still wearing that serious look, he just nodded slightly.
"I see, go and see your aunt," Professor Bao said, without giving any critique.
Xia Chuyi breathed a sigh of relief, knowing Professor Bao, this reaction from him meant she had passed.
When they reached Mrs. Gu’s room.
"Qian’er, you’re here?" Mrs. Gu, who was already gentle, seemed even more tender today, dressed and prepared nicely.
Clearly, they knew Huo Shiqian was coming back today.
Just like Professor Bao, Mrs. Gu showed a slight surprise when she saw them holding hands and entering together.
Unlike Professor Bao, that surprised expression quickly turned into delight.
"Chuyi?" Mrs. Gu joyfully said, "Qian’er, Chuyi is the girl you talked about?"
"Good, good, that’s wonderful!" Mrs. Gu eagerly motioned for them to come closer, grabbing their hands, one on each side, and said, "Aunt never imagined that the person Qian’er spoke of was Chuyi!"
"This child Chuyi is grounded, diligent, kind; I like her very much."
"Qian’er, if you hadn’t said that you had already found a wife, I had thought about introducing Chuyi to you."
"To think, you ended up together on your own!"
"This truly is fate, fate indeed!"
Xia Chuyi could tell that Mrs. Gu was genuinely happy.
Mrs. Gu chatted with them for quite a while until Professor Bao could no longer hold back, interrupting her, saying, "Xiu Zhi, you are unwell, speak a bit less."
This was out of concern for Mrs. Gu’s health.
Mrs. Gu smiled and said, "People are spirited when happy, Jiaye, not to hide from you, ever since Chuyi started studying Gu Embroidery with me, I’ve felt my energy has improved quite a bit compared to before."
"Now that Qian’er is back, I feel overjoyed, and my spirits are even higher."
Professor Bao, however, was rather disapproving, saying, "It’s give and take; being temperate is better for the health. Otherwise, you might feel unwell again later."
In dealing with his wife’s health issues, Professor Bao was never willing to compromise.
"Alright then." Mrs. Gu knew her husband, knew she couldn’t change his mind, and could only say with slight regret, "It’s just my poor health... Why don’t you go out and talk for a bit, and I’ll rest awhile."
"What do you mean poor health? Just rest well, and don’t think too much," Professor Bao said somewhat discontentedly.