Just after she had said that the child was good with words, Gu Xiaoxi’s words made her feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
Gu Qingjiu smiled widely and carried Gu Xiaoxi up with an arm while the other dragged her luggage in.
The living room was still arranged in a familiar way. Father Gu and Great Aunt’s husband, Yao Liguo, were chit-chatting on the sofa as they watched the television.
When they saw Gu Qingjiu enter, shock colored Yao Liguo’s face. “This is… Qingjiu?”
Gu Qingjiu nodded as she smiled. “Great Uncle, I’m Qingjiu. It’s been a long time.”
He was a straightforward person who preferred not talking much.
In the family, Gu Shouyan was the one with a stronger personality.
“Isn’t this change too drastic?” Gu Hong smiled from the side. “To have changed this much from staying three months in the army was something we didn’t expect as well.”
A tinge of pride was laced within his tone.
Yao Liguo sized Gu Qingjiu up. Seeing her perfect posture even as Gu Xiaoxi were on her arms, her eyes were bright but determined, and her entire form seemed to emit confidence unlike that of the gloom from before. He nodded his head in satisfaction before he praised. “Gu Hong, not withholding the fact that she made the right choice, her entire aura seemed to have changed, too!”
Yao Liguo stuck his thumb up and at this moment, Gu Shouyan walked out from the kitchen.
She was already forty-five years old and time has left obvious traces on her face.
But she maintained herself well, so it wasn’t showing too badly.
Because she had to lead the employees in her company, her facial features appeared a little cold and strict, even with her pursed lips.
She was clad in a navy blue jacket paired with a long dress of the same color. Her stockings were nude, and her black stilettos clicked on the floor. Around her neck was a pearl necklace.
Within that exquisiteness, a trace of an unforgiving nature seemed to exude through.
She looked like a career woman.
When Gu Qingjiu saw Gu Shouyan, her heart clenched a little.
Perhaps it was because the last time she saw Gu Shouyan, she was glaring at her with hatred. The present Gu Qingjiu frowned slightly, and she looked amicable.
But unlike her usual self, Gu Qingjiu greeted loudly, “Great Aunt!”
This greeting made her feel a little guilty for some reason.
She remembered how magnificent and collected her Great Aunt was, but her bright and glorious persona crumbled down to a haggard state when she next saw her in the jail.
Gu Shouyan eyed Gu Qingjiu and a trace of shock flashed across her old-fashioned eyes before she looked at Gu Xiaoxi. “Hmph. Looks like your strength improved, too. I guess it wasn’t completely useless for you to join the army.”
To carry Gu Xiaoxi with a single arm was something the Gu Qingjiu in the past would never be able to do.
Since she couldn’t tell if it was a compliment or an insult, Gu Qingjiu lowered her head slightly and awkwardly laughed as if not knowing how to reply.
“It’s the new year. Can you not treat this child like how you scold your employees? You’re scaring her!”
Yao Liguo stood up to defend Gu Qingjiu.
Gu Hong laughed casually. “Older Sister has always been this way. It’s probably Qingjiu, who hasn’t seen her for a long time, who is not used to it. Kids are all like this. Qingjiu put down your luggage. We will go shopping with Great Aunt and her family.”
Gu Qingjiu nodded and placed Gu Xiaoxi down. “Okay!”
Gu Xiaoxi immediately tugged on Gu Qingjiu’s wrist. “Older Sister Qingjiu, I want to follow. I wanna see your room, too!”
Usually, when she wasn’t around, Mother Gu wouldn’t allow anyone to enter Gu Qingjiu’s room.