Who doesn’t love hearing their child praised for being outstanding and promising?
After hearing Gu Hai’s words, even if they were partly true and partly false, Xu Qinghe was delighted. He humbly said, "Your child is just as excellent."
The hustle and bustle of the restaurant didn’t let up until half past seven in the evening, by which time Xu Nian’an’s stomach was so hungry it could sing.
"We’ve already ordered some dishes next door, and we’ll be able to eat shortly," Gu Hai offered proactively.
"Thank you, Uncle Gu."
Xu Nian’an said gratefully. After a satisfying meal, the two families separated to their respective hotels. It was then that Xu Qinghe explained, "I was just about to go there and order, but the Gu family was very quick to pay, hardly giving me a chance."
Xu Qinghe, patting his bulging wallet, wasn’t short on money for the meal, but since Gu Hai had already paid, he wasn’t able to outbid him.
He had just intended to contend for the bill when Gu Hai said, "Xu, my brother, you can’t compete with me over this. You’ve raised Nianhua so well, it’s only right that I treat you to a meal."
Once Gu Hai had said that, Xu Qinghe was left without a response.
"We’ll remember this," Xu Nianhua chimed in, thinking that she didn’t want any entanglements with the Gu family. She would remember these things and find an opportunity to repay them later.
"Alright," Xu Qinghe didn’t question his daughter’s words. He added, "Oh, about the stuff the Gu family sent over last time, I’ve estimated its value. That set of gold jewelry, we’ve kept it in good condition."
Xu Nianhua smiled sweetly, thinking that, aside from her own family, there would be no one else who could love her unconditionally.
The image of Pei Yicheng flitted through her mind. Recently, in order to enter an international architecture award, he had traveled abroad with his design drafts two days ago. His designs were so impressive; he was bound to win an award.
"We are a family, what’s there to thank for," Xu Qinghe looked at his daughter with a face full of contentment. When he had first found her, she was so thin that she was all skin and bones. When they first brought her home, Liu Sanmei had even said the child wouldn’t make it, crying in a voice softer than a kitten’s meow. In the blink of an eye, the child had grown tall and graceful, now a college student with a bright future ahead of her.
"Exactly, Nianhua, if you say that, Mom will be upset," Ji Ying said, taking Xu Nianhua’s hand and admonishing, "Your father and I are planning to go home tomorrow."
"So soon?" Xu Nianhua asked in surprise.
Xu Nian’an also spoke up, "Dad, Mom, you’ve come such a long way. Stay for a few more days."
"No," Xu Qinghe refused, "If it weren’t for the Gu family, we wouldn’t have had the time to come to Ningbei. Now that we’ve met, it’s time for us to go back."
"Yes, and you two should focus on studying well at school and not worry about anything else," Ji Ying advised. "Remember to have three meals a day and don’t end up with a stomach illness because you skip meals. If you feel unwell, make sure to see a doctor. Don’t just drag it on. Nian’an, your boutique is doing well, but your health is more important."
"Your father and I have earned enough to support you both until you graduate from college, so your most important task right now is to study hard and learn as much as you can."
"As long as you’re safe and sound at school, your father and I can rest easy at home," Ji Ying continued her verbose admonitions, clearly reluctant to part after this brief reunion.
"Mom, don’t worry, we will take good care of ourselves. It’s you and Dad who are getting older and should take better care of your health," Xu Nianhua reassured her.
No sooner had Xu Nianhua’s words fallen than Ji Ying playfully slapped her hand and said with mock anger, "What, are you saying your Dad and I are getting old?"