"Auntie, I’m not He Zhilan, she is." Chen Xiting pulled He Zhilan forward and pushed her in front of Tan’s mother.
"Ah? Did I mistake you for someone else?" Tan’s mother took a glance and chuckled, "Why are you so skinny? You look like a bamboo pole used for hanging clothes in our yard, no wonder I didn’t recognize you!"
"I feel bad for making you come all the way here, Auntie Tan." He Zhilan wasn’t offended, though Tan’s mother liked to tease, she had no ill intentions.
"It’s okay, I’ve been wanting to visit you for a while, just didn’t have the time." Tan’s mother then stopped joking, sighed and showed some affection, "You were so chubby and adorable as a kid, now you’re all grown up and so thin, it breaks my heart. Even your mother might not be able to recognize you. They say girls transform as they grow older, you really have changed a lot. You’re still beautiful, but not as carefree as when you were a child."
"Let’s stop reminiscing here. Tan Heqian should have booked the inn by now, right? Let’s put our stuff there first, then bring out He Zhilan’s husband to meet up. Don’t mention anything. It’s just that mum came and liked Xiaoqian’s friends a lot. Heard He Zhilan got married, so I’m curious to meet him." Tan Heshu came forward as he was weighing down by the things hanging on him and interrupted their reminiscing; he knew his mother’s character. If she started reminiscing, she could talk until dawn.
After Tan Heshu said this, Tan’s mother finally remembered He Zhilan’s husband, He Teng, she really wanted to meet He Teng, "Miss Zhilan, have you told your husband? Later, find a place, and I will take you out for a meal! Can’t believe that our annoying Xiaoqian made such lovely friends at school!"
"Mom! You’re at it again!" Tan Heqian said with a headache, "I’m scared that after you return, I will have no friends left!"
Tan Heqian’s words made everyone burst into laughter.
"Auntie Tan, I haven’t told him yet. After you settle in, I will call him at his dorm, if he’s free, he will be at the dorm, ready to meet you anytime!"
And just like that, they set off for a decent, clean inn not far from the train station. Tan Heshu and Mina went to their own rooms to put their stuff. Meanwhile, He Zhilan and others followed Tan’s mother to her room.
"These are some gifts I prepared for you three. I asked Xiaoqian about your preferences before coming. I don’t know if what he said was accurate, or if the things I brought are to your liking. Even if you don’t like them, you must not be discontented!" Tan’s mother unzipped her large suitcase and took out the gifts one by one, "As Xiaoqian said, Chen Xiting likes food, this is homemade dried meat I’ve prepared for you; Miss Zhilan likes books, these are some meaningful books I brought back from my business trips, giving them to you now; Jiang Biyun likes beauty, this is a pearl bracelet I made on a trip, try it on, see if it fits. I originally thought of giving it to Xiaoqian’s future wife, but considering Xiaoqian’s dullness, he might not end up finding a wife, so better give it to you now!"
Tan Heqian knew that his mother’s visit would inevitably lead to him being reprimanded.
As Tan’s mother finished speaking, Jiang Biyun and Chen Xiting gave Tan Heqian a glare. Really, who talks so candidly that it makes them lose face in front of elders?