Gu Shuangshuang’s words completely ignited Tian Niu’s passion, and he wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her fiercely.
He kissed her until she was breathless and her lips swollen before finally releasing her.
Gu Shuangshuang poured herself a cup of tea and gulped it down to calm the restlessness in her heart. Then she asked Tian Niu, "How many days are you going to stay for this home visit?"
"I’ll leave after the sixth day of the New Year."
Counting on her fingers, Gu Shuangshuang realized that he could probably stay for more than twenty days. That’s quite a long time to be off.
"So how are you going to arrange these days?" Gu Shuangshuang wanted to know how much time he planned to spend with her.
"I’m planning to stay here until New Year’s Eve before going back. I might not be able to see you after the New Year," Tian Niu said.
Gu Shuangshuang was quite happy inside, but she wondered if Tian Niu’s parents would mind him coming back so late.
"I’m naturally happy that you’re spending time with me, but what about your parents? Won’t they miss their son they hardly see all year round?"
"Shuangshuang, you’re so kind! Always thinking about me. My parents know about this; I mentioned it to my family in a letter. My mom said that if it’s possible not to go back, then don’t," Tian Niu said, smiling sheepishly.
"My mom said to take more time to accompany my ’wife.’ My dad also said it’s not too late to go back when I bring a wife home," Tian Niu said, feeling waves of warmth in his heart as he spoke.
Which parents don’t look forward to their son’s return?
His parents were almost sixty, hardly seeing him a few times a year.
It was not easy to get a vacation, and naturally, both parents really wanted him to come back. But when they heard he had a girlfriend, they were overjoyed.
They were all hoping he would quickly marry and solve his lifelong matter.
Tian Niu’s parents were farmers; although they had no formal education, they understood things no less than city folk.
They knew their son was a soldier; being a soldier was honorable, protecting the home and the country, so even when their son couldn’t come back, they understood.
Now that Tian Niu was finally coming back, how could his family not be happy? Yearning for this day, they awaited it like looking for the stars and the moon.
They just didn’t say it out loud, not wanting to put Tian Niu in a dilemma between love and family.
Tian Niu understood his parents’ intentions; he too wanted to bring home a wife soon to set their minds at ease.
But, this wasn’t something he could decide on his own; he needed to get Gu Shuangshuang’s consent.
Gu Shuangshuang detected a hint in Tian Niu’s words; the guy started by saying he wanted to accompany her, then mentioned his parents were looking forward to him bringing home a wife. He beat around the bush, ultimately hinting he wanted her to go back with him.
"Just spit it out. What was your original plan?" Gu Shuangshuang didn’t beat around the bush and asked him directly.
"Shuangshuang, I really want to marry you. If you’re willing, I’d like to take you back to meet my parents," Tian Niu expressed his true feelings.
Without a second thought, Gu Shuangshuang agreed, "Okay! I’ll go back with you to meet your family."
"Could I even lie to you?"
"That’s just great." Tian Niu hadn’t expected Gu Shuangshuang to agree so quickly, "Then, how about we head back after lunch today? If we take the train from here, we can reach my home by evening."
"What’s the rush?" Gu Shuangshuang glared at him, "We should at least leave some time to shop and buy some gifts to bring back, shouldn’t we? I can’t go meet my future in-laws empty-handed on my first visit, can I?"