Chapter 36: Unexpected Visitor? Gu Yifan’s Surprise
"DING!"
"Host has been detected to require the absorption of a large amount of high school course knowledge. Would you like to use the Divine-level Learning Ability Card now?"
Gu Yifan froze for a moment when he heard the system’s voice.
’Divine-level Learning Ability Card?’
’Oh, that’s right. I almost forgot I had this thing!’
’With this, won’t getting first place be a piece of cake?’
’Does that mean I don’t even need to look at this pile of notes?’
He muttered under his breath, "System, don’t use it yet!"
Gu Yifan’s voice was so quiet that Su Qinghe, who was beside him, couldn’t quite hear. She asked, a little confused, "What’s wrong?"
"Huh?"
Her question snapped Gu Yifan back to reality.
"It’s nothing, nothing at all..." He waved his hand, looking a bit awkward.
Su Qinghe furrowed her delicate brow, but since Gu Yifan didn’t elaborate, she decided not to ask any further.
.....
「Twenty minutes later.」
The two of them arrived back at Cuihu District.
Building 7, Unit 3. It was still the same familiar Apartment 305.
Even though this was Su Qinghe’s second time visiting, she still felt a little shy.
CLICK~
Gu Yifan took the keys from his pocket and opened the front door.
The moment the door opened, the fragrant aroma of a home-cooked meal drifted over from the dining area.
Chen Dongmei, who was busy in the kitchen, heard the door open and came out, still wearing her apron.
"Qinghe, you’re here!"
"Quick, come in! I’m just finishing up the last soup. We can eat any minute now!"
"Hahaha..."
She pulled Su Qinghe in by the hand with a huge smile, greeting her warmly.
"H-Hello, Auntie."
"I’m sorry to be a bother again."
Su Qinghe’s cheeks flushed slightly as she spoke in a soft voice.
"Nonsense, nonsense."
Chen Dongmei took Su Qinghe’s hand and feigned a slight annoyance. "Oh, you silly girl, you’re no trouble at all! I wish you could come over every day!"
Gu Yifan stood at the doorway, watching the two exchange pleasantries with a look of resignation.
"Hey Mom, how long are you two going to stand there blocking the doorway?"
"Can you let me in first before you continue your chat?"
He said, shaking his head at them.
Chen Dongmei: "..."
Su Qinghe: "..."
The atmosphere was suddenly a little awkward.
Chen Dongmei shot Gu Yifan a glare and said, displeased, "You brat! If you don’t have anything nice to say, then keep your mouth shut. Nobody will think you’re mute!"
Then, she turned back to Su Qinghe with a doting expression. "Qinghe, this boy of mine is just so irritating! Come, let’s go in. Don’t pay him any mind."
"Mhm."
Her cheeks slightly flushed, Su Qinghe nodded obediently.
SLAM!
The door was shut!
And Gu Yifan was still outside...
Gu Yifan: -_-;
Staring at the closed door, he felt like crying but couldn’t muster any tears.
After standing there stunned for a moment, he was just about to take out his key to let himself in when the door opened again.
Su Qinghe’s face, pure and beautiful without a trace of makeup, appeared before him.
Their eyes met.
Su Qinghe’s face flushed, and she looked a little embarrassed.
Seeing the look of resignation on Gu Yifan’s face, she hesitated for a moment before offering a word of comfort. "Auntie probably didn’t mean to close the door on you."
"Sigh..."
Gu Yifan let out a soft sigh and couldn’t help but shake his head.
He knew his mom’s personality; she was just teasing him.
’Still, I can’t help but feel a little jealous!’
’I’m her actual son, and I’ve already been replaced by Su Qinghe, who she’s only met twice!’
Sigh...
’My life is so hard!’
He lamented inwardly.
"Q-Quick, come on in."
Seeing that he wasn’t saying anything, Su Qinghe spoke again in a soft, gentle voice.
"Okay."
What else could he say? Gu Yifan just nodded.
He followed Su Qinghe, and the two of them went inside together.
Gu Yifan had just finished changing his shoes and hadn’t even warmed his seat on the sofa before his mom called him over to help bring out the food.
Seeing this, Su Qinghe also stood up to help.
"Auntie, is there anything I can help with?"
She asked Gu Yifan’s mom.
Chen Dongmei said, "Oh, Qinghe, you should go back outside. These dishes are too hot, and I wouldn’t want you to get burned. Gu Yifan is thick-skinned; let him handle it."
With that, she ushered Su Qinghe out of the kitchen.
Gu Yifan: "..."
Leaving Gu Yifan alone in the kitchen, his thoughts in a jumble.
’Thick-skinned...’
’So I’m immune to getting burned, is that it?!’
Watching his mom’s antics, Gu Yifan shook his head in resignation once more, muttering under his breath, completely speechless.
"Hey!"
"What are you mumbling about over there, kiddo!"
"Hurry up and bring out the food!"
Chen Dongmei shouted at him from the kitchen doorway.
"Sigh..."
’Stuck with such an unreliable mom... I have such a miserable life!’
Gu Yifan grumbled under his breath again, but he still obediently made a few trips to bring all the food to the table.
"Hey, Mom, where’s Dad?"
Gu Yifan asked his mom at the dinner table.
"Oh, your dad’s busy with work at the bureau today. He can’t get away, so he won’t be back for dinner."
"It’ll just be us!"
Chen Dongmei explained casually.
"Oh, okay."
Gu Yifan nodded and didn’t say anything more.
After all, his dad was often like this in his past life, too. He was already used to it.
As he recalled, his dad had been constantly busy ever since he became the deputy director of the Mountain City Investment Promotion and Construction Bureau.
"Here, Qinghe. I slow-cooked this duck soup for a full two hours. Try some and tell me what you think!"
Once the three of them were seated, Chen Dongmei enthusiastically ladled a large, full bowl of the duck soup for Su Qinghe with a smile.
"Okay, okay. Thank you, Auntie."
At this, Su Qinghe quickly stood up to accept the bowl and thank her.
"Qinghe, eat up. Take whatever you like. Just make yourself at home, and please don’t be so formal with me, okay?"
Chen Dongmei said with a smile.
"Mhm... I will. Thank you, Auntie."
Su Qinghe nodded obediently.
Watching this harmonious scene, Gu Yifan didn’t know what to say. He could only lower his head and quietly drink his soup.
It was simple, really.
’A man should stay out of women’s business!’
For the first time, Gu Yifan felt that something his dad had once said made perfect sense.
DING DONG—DING DONG—
...
Just then, a series of rings came from the front door.
All three of them froze for a second before simultaneously looking toward the door.
"Who could that be at this hour?"
"Son, go get the door and see who’s here!"
Chen Dongmei said to Gu Yifan.
Since his mom had given the order, what could Gu Yifan say?
"Okay."
He nodded, then got up and walked to the door.
CLICK.
The door opened.
When he got a clear look at the person standing there, Gu Yifan froze.
...