"You really think things through!" Tian Niu gave Gu Shuangshuang a thumbs up.
"Of course, it’s a matter of etiquette!"
"Alright. Then just take the money from me," Tian Niu said.
"That’s only right. I, a poor student, don’t have a single penny." Gu Shuangshuang felt somewhat regretful about this.
But she didn’t dare to ask her parents for money; they would find out she dared not come home for the holidays and Old Duan would dare to drive a tank over her.
The lesson from last time was still fresh; where would she get the nerve to blatantly disobey this time?
"Deal! It has to be my money! If you didn’t use it, I’d even be mad at you!"
Once the travel plans were settled, they’d leave the next afternoon and arrive home at night.
Bringing a girlfriend home was a big deal; Tian Niu felt Gu Shuangshuang definitely had to tell her parents first.
Gu Shuangshuang originally was not willing, but after thinking it over, it seemed better to let her parents have some mental preparation.
Especially Comrade Old Duan, she wanted to quickly dispel her intention of setting her up with suitors.
What Li Zhi? Lychee? She wouldn’t even consider him!
So what about the son of a division leader? Even if it were the child of the Emperor of Heaven, if she wasn’t interested, she wasn’t interested!
....................................
That night, Gu Shuangshuang told An Hao about her relationship with Tian Niu.
An Hao supported her decision; after all, marriage was a major issue, and she hoped Gu Shuangshuang would give her family a call first.
Gu Shuangshuang dialed the home number, and the person who answered happened to be her mother—Duan Aihua.
"Mom, it’s Shuangshuang! I’m calling from a friend’s house!"
Duan Aihua had been worried that Gu Shuangshuang wouldn’t come over for the New Year and was thinking about sending a telegram when suddenly, she received a call from her.
"Shuangshuang, Li Zhi is coming back tomorrow; why don’t you come with him? These past few years, you and I haven’t properly celebrated the New Year together. Just come over this year, alright? Jiangning’s scenery is nice, and there are plenty of festive activities. Then our family of four can go out and have fun," Duan Aihua said.
"Cut it out!" Gu Shuangshuang immediately interrupted her the moment she heard her mom emphasizing this, "We are not one family. They have the Li surname; I have the Gu surname. It’s not appropriate for me to go over during the New Year!"
"What’s inappropriate? Do you have anyone at your house? Isn’t your dad still in the military? Haven’t you had enough of spending the New Year in the military?" Duan Aihua held some resentment in her heart towards her ex-husband.
"It’s rather nice. What’s wrong with wanting to spend New Year with my dad?" Gu Shuangshuang didn’t like the way her mother spoke, her temper flaring a bit.
An Hao heard this and hurriedly tugged at her arm, signaling her to speak kindly.
Gu Shuangshuang exhaled deeply, softening her tone, "Mom, let me tell you something."
Duan Aihua was slightly choked up by Gu Shuangshuang’s words, feeling somewhat suffocated.
Over the years, she admitted she hadn’t contributed enough to her child due to the marital strife that ultimately led to divorce.
Shuangshuang held resentment in her heart towards her, and she understood that.
"Mom? Are you listening?" Hearing no sound from the other end of the phone, Gu Shuangshuang raised her voice and called out again.
"Hmm, I’m listening, go ahead and talk," Duan Aihua collected her scattered thoughts.
"I’ve got a boyfriend at school; just letting you know first!"
"What? You have a boyfriend? When did you start dating? Why didn’t you tell me?" Duan Aihua immediately became anxious, unsure about her child’s taste.
Overlooking Li Zhi, who had a promising future, who did she choose to date?
"I’ve grown up, you know! I’m already eighteen years old! Love is free; why should I have to tell you everything?" Gu Shuangshuang disliked Duan Aihua’s attitude, her anger rising.
"Shuangshuang, just tell me, can your boyfriend compare to Li Zhi?" Duan Aihua asked.
Gu Shuangshuang was repulsed by her mother’s materialism, "Can’t you be more objective? Do you now think Li Zhi is the best in the world? Fine, I’ll tell you, his parents are farmers; they live in a mountain village! There’s a bunch of brothers and sisters in the family! But I love him, so what?"