Chapter 65: Surprise? Su Qinghe Cried
Cuihu District,
Building 7, Unit 3, Apartment 305.
CLICK~
Gu Yifan had just taken out his key to open the door when it was pulled open from the inside.
"Huh?"
Gu Yifan froze for a moment, and the person inside was startled as well.
"Uncle Han?"
Gu Yifan was the first to recover, his voice tinged with surprise.
"Oh, Yifan, you’re back from school?"
"Heh heh..."
Han Jianzhang came to his senses and said with a chuckle.
"Uncle Han, are you leaving?"
Gu Yifan asked.
"Yes!"
"Good timing. Since you’re back, Xiaoning’er must be back too. No wonder your Aunt Qing was yelling at me to hurry home!"
That’s right!
You guessed it!
This was none other than Han Ning’s father—Han Jianzhang.
RING RING—RING RING—
...
Just as he said that, Han Jianzhang’s phone started ringing.
He glanced at his phone and saw the screen display "Wife Calling." He grinned at Gu Yifan and said, "Well! Your Aunt Qing is calling to rush me again!"
"Alright, Yifan, I’ll get going then! Come over and visit when you’re free!"
Hearing this, Gu Yifan quickly stepped aside to let him pass, nodding. "Okay, Uncle Han. Take care."
After stepping out the door, Han Jianzhang finally noticed Su Qinghe standing behind Gu Yifan.
He paused for a second but didn’t linger, rushing off in a hurry.
He couldn’t help it!
His wife’s calls were like a summons from the grim reaper. If he didn’t hurry back, he’d likely be facing the ’washboard punishment’!
He answered the phone as he hurried away, his tone placating, "I’m on my way back, on my way back! Almost there!"
...
Uh...
’Uncle Han is as afraid of his wife as ever!’
Gu Yifan shook his head slightly as he watched Han Jianzhang’s retreating figure.
Averting his gaze, Gu Yifan turned to Su Qinghe and said, "Come on, let’s go inside too."
"Mm-hm."
Su Qinghe didn’t say anything, just nodded obediently.
"Hey, Son, Qinghe, you’re back!"
The two had just finished changing their shoes when Chen Dongmei appeared at the kitchen doorway holding a spatula, a wide smile on her face.
"H-Hello, Auntie~"
Su Qinghe greeted Chen Dongmei softly.
"Yes, yes, hello! Qinghe, come have a seat!"
"Dinner will be ready in a moment!"
Chen Dongmei said with a welcoming smile.
Then she turned and ordered Gu Yifan, "You brat, go to the study and get your dad. We’re about to eat!"
Ugh...
’I just got home and I’m already being ordered around!’
Gu Yifan pouted and said with resignation, "Oh, I know!"
Chen Dongmei couldn’t be bothered with him. After a quick word with Su Qinghe, she disappeared back into the kitchen.
KNOCK KNOCK—
"Dad, time for dinner!"
Gu Yifan walked over to the study. Seeing his dad looking at some documents, he knocked on the door and spoke.
Hearing his voice, Gu Jiaguo turned to the door and nodded. "Alright, I know!"
He put down the documents in his hand, stood up, and the two of them walked out of the study.
When they reached the living room, Gu Jiaguo saw Su Qinghe and said with a smile, "Qinghe, you’re here!"
"Hello, Uncle~"
Su Qinghe quickly stood up from the sofa to greet him.
"Hello, hello!"
"Qinghe, it’s been a while since you’ve come over. Your Aunt Mei made a lot of your favorite dishes from your hometown today. You have to eat a lot later, okay?"
"Hahaha..."
Gu Jiaguo said with great kindness.
"O... Okay."
Su Qinghe was touched. She nodded gently.
...
Soon.
The food was served on the dining table. Looking at the huge spread of fragrant, colorful, and delicious Minnan specialty dishes, Su Qinghe’s eyes reddened slightly, her heart filled with emotion.
She knew that Gu Yifan’s mother had specially prepared all this just for her visit!
Noticing Su Qinghe’s emotional state, Chen Dongmei proactively took her hand and said with a smile, "Come, Qinghe, these are some Minnan dishes I learned to make especially for you. I don’t know if they taste authentic, but you have to eat a lot, and then give your auntie some feedback, hahaha..."
"Auntie, I..."
Su Qinghe’s eyes were red and shimmering with tears. Moved, yet feeling a mix of joy and insecurity, she was at a loss for words.
"Silly child, there, there. Hurry and sit down to eat!"
Chen Dongmei patted the back of Su Qinghe’s hand gently, her tone doting.
"Mm-hm."
Su Qinghe felt a wave of warmth spread through her heart. She didn’t say anything more, just nodded forcefully.
"Alright... Let’s all dig in!"
"Heh heh..."
Chen Dongmei said with a smile.
After that, the four of them began to eat.
...
The meal was filled with laughter and conversation, the atmosphere incredibly harmonious.
By the time they finished dinner, it was already seven in the evening.
Su Qinghe helped Gu Yifan’s mom clear the dining table and clean up the kitchen.
Although Chen Dongmei kept refusing, not wanting her to help, she eventually couldn’t win against Su Qinghe’s insistence and let her be.
This only made her even more satisfied with Su Qinghe, her "future daughter-in-law"!
As for whether Gu Yifan was satisfied, that wasn’t part of her considerations.
’Besides, so what if he isn’t satisfied?’
’My approval of a daughter-in-law has nothing to do with him, Gu Yifan!’
’Right!’
’That’s it!’
’Exactly!’
Chen Dongmei thought to herself.
"Um... Qinghe, dear, Auntie is going to use the restroom. I’ll have to trouble you with the kitchen for a bit!"
She turned and said to Su Qinghe, who was diligently washing the dishes.
"Mm-hm."
"Auntie, you go ahead. I can take care of the rest."
Su Qinghe nodded and said softly.
"Okay!"
"Then I’ll leave it to you, Qinghe! Thanks for your hard work!"
Chen Dongmei said with a smile.
With that, she turned and walked out of the kitchen!
Of course!
She was really going to the restroom, but that wasn’t the whole truth.
Once in the living room, Chen Dongmei said to Gu Yifan, "You can get ready now!"
"OK!"
Gu Yifan nodded.
「One minute later.」
SNAP!
All the lights in the house suddenly went out, startling Su Qinghe, who was in the middle of drying a bowl.
"Auntie~"
"Is it a power outage?"
She turned nervously towards the kitchen doorway and called out.
Suddenly!
A bright light appeared in the distance, slowly approaching her.
She couldn’t see clearly and instinctively squinted. Then, she heard the sound of singing.
"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you..."
...
CLICK!
At the same time, the lights in the house came on again.
Opening her eyes again, Su Qinghe saw Gu Yifan standing before her, holding a cake with both hands.
Beside him, Chen Dongmei and her husband were also looking at her with smiling faces.
Su Qinghe was dazed at first, unable to process what was happening.
Gu Yifan smiled at her and said:
"Happy birthday, Su Hanhan!"
...
Hearing those words, Su Qinghe’s eyes instantly turned red...