Fortunately, Nian Suian's surprise didn't last long, as Gu Zhijing's WeChat message came through shortly after.
Gu Zhijing: [Dad says he wants to treat me to a late-night snack. He told me to wait at the school gate after class for you guys to pick me up.]
Nian Suian felt relieved upon seeing this message. She had been scared to death, thinking Gu Junxing wanted to talk to her about romance!
Nian Suian: [He told me too. I guess he suddenly felt like having a family gathering.]
Gu Zhijing: [Are you going?]
Nian Suian: [Why wouldn't I? Let's go feast on his dime. We'll eat him out of house and home!]
Gu Zhijing: [Great! I'll eat less for dinner then, and save room for the late-night snack.]
Nian Suian: [nodding.jpg]
"Nanny Zhang, please make less for dinner today. Your boss says he wants to treat Gu Zhijing and me to a late-night snack. I'll just eat a little for dinner," Nian Suian instructed.
"Alright, I understand!" Nanny Zhang seemed pleased. "You're a family of three now. You should go out to eat together often to nurture your relationships." Nanny Zhang thought to herself that usually, the boss was at work and the young master at school, leaving the house cold and empty every day. The young master and madam got along well, but the madam and the boss didn't seem to be on good terms. If they could really get along, the whole family would be truly harmonious.
Nian Suian had no desire to nurture a relationship with Gu Junxing; the generation gap was too wide to bridge. She was content being family with just Gu Zhijing.
At dinner time, Nian Suian only had a bowl of soup. By nine o'clock, she was so hungry her eyes were turning green. Thankfully, Gu Junxing's car arrived home right on time at nine.
Today, Gu Junxing was driving himself. Nian Suian opened the back door and sat directly in the back seat.
"Come sit in the front. Are you treating me like a chauffeur by sitting in the back?" Gu Junxing frowned.
Nian Suian didn't want to sit in the passenger seat. Hearing this, she retorted, "If you don't want to be the chauffeur, you can sit in the back, and I'll drive. I'll be the chauffeur, how's that?"
Gu Junxing seemed too lazy to argue and simply stepped on the gas pedal and started driving.
The two rode in silence. Perhaps because Gu Junxing was in a bad mood, they arrived at Gu Zhijing's school quickly, before classes had even ended.
Nian Suian took out her phone and sent Gu Zhijing a WeChat message. Then, not wanting to sit in the car anymore – it was too awkward being in such a small space with Gu Junxing – she simply got out and stood by the school gate to wait.
"Why did you get out too?" Nian Suian hadn't expected Gu Junxing to get out of the car as well and stand next to her.
"Just getting some fresh air," he said. In reality, Gu Junxing thought that when other parents picked up their children, it wasn't common for the mother to stand outside waiting while the father sat in the car. They were supposed to be playing the role of a harmonious, happy family of three, so they should start getting used to it.
There were other parents nearby picking up their children. Those who recognized Gu Junxing saw the two of them standing together and thought their relationship seemed pretty good, coming together to pick up their child after school.
When Gu Zhijing saw Nian Suian's WeChat message, he started looking forward to the end of class. In the last few minutes, he kept checking his phone frequently, so much so that even his deskmate, Qu Zizhou, noticed.
"What's up? Got plans tonight?" Qu Zizhou asked.
"Yeah, my dad and stepmom-sis are coming to pick me up after school," Gu Zhijing said, a hint of pride in his voice.
"Looks like your blended family is pretty harmonious!" Qu Zizhou said in a low voice.
"Of course, we're super harmonious, even more than a biological family. My stepmom-sis is really great," Gu Zhijing boasted.
"Oh my, aren't you pleased with yourself."
"Gotta go, class is over."
Ring ring ring~ (The end-of-class bell)
As soon as the bell rang, Gu Zhijing grabbed his backpack and rushed out, not even paying attention to the teacher still sitting at the podium.
"Stepmom-sis! What are we eating tonight?" Gu Zhijing called out to Nian Suian before he had even reached them, completely ignoring Gu Junxing standing nearby.
It was Nian Suian who replied, "Ask your dad, he made the reservation."
Only then did Gu Zhijing glance at his father and mumbled, "Dad." His tone revealed his reluctance.
Gu Junxing gritted his teeth and reminded himself: We're in public, can't scold the kid.
He managed a forced smile and said, "Get in the car. We're having Cantonese cuisine tonight. It's better to eat something light in the evening."
When they got in the car, Nian Suian still sat in the back, and Gu Zhijing followed suit, sitting next to Nian Suian in the back seat, showing no consideration for his father.
Gu Junxing had endured once, and now there was a second and third time. He couldn't be bothered to say anything more. He set the navigation to the Cantonese restaurant his secretary had booked and started driving.
Uninformed onlookers thought: The woman Gu CEO married later seems to get along well with his son. The family appears to be getting along nicely.
Nian Suian had been hungry all evening, and Gu Zhijing was in a similar state. As soon as the dishes were served and the private room door was closed, the two began to devour the food like a whirlwind, occasionally sharing particularly delicious morsels with each other.
Gu Junxing had wanted to say something, but now he could only hold his tongue.
He simply picked up his chopsticks and started eating as well, though his eating style was quite different from the other two – he ate with utmost elegance.
After more than ten minutes, the chopsticks of the other two finally slowed down. Gu Junxing held back, then held back again, but finally couldn't resist saying something.
"Don't they feed you at home? You should chew slowly when eating. Eating too fast can lead to indigestion."
It had to be said that the restaurant's flavors were indeed excellent. Neither Nian Suian nor Gu Zhijing paid any attention to Gu Junxing's words.
"These chicken feet are delicious. Let's order another serving. Do you want some?"
"Yes, yes, yes! I also want another serving of these shrimp dumplings."
"Alright, and let's get another serving of char siu too."
The two completely ignored Gu Junxing, ringing the bell to call the waiter and order more dishes.
"After we finish, let's get some takeout to bring back for Butler Su, Nanny Zhang, and the others," Nian Suian said to Gu Zhijing. When enjoying good food, one should think of others.
Gu Zhijing nodded, "Good idea. You're so thoughtful."
Once both of them were full and satisfied, Gu Zhijing finally spoke up, "Dad, did you just invite us out for a meal today?"
"I have something to discuss with you two," Gu Junxing said with a dark expression.
Gu Zhijing and Nian Suian thought the same thing: Well, there's no such thing as a free late-night snack in this world.
"What is it?" Nian Suian asked.
"Next Friday, there's a business dinner. Both of you will come with me," Gu Junxing said, thinking to himself that he'd better feed them well before going, or if they ate like this at the event, he'd probably never be able to show his face in Jinjiang City again.
"Didn't you always go alone before? You never even let me tag along when I wanted to join in the fun," Nian Suian said, unaware of the situation, but Gu Zhijing knew. He had heard from his classmates about attending various events with their parents and thought it sounded enjoyable. He had wanted his father to take him along too, but his father had always refused.
"You were too young before, that's why I didn't let you go," his father explained.
"So what are we supposed to do?" Nian Suian asked, not keen on the idea of attending an event that required extensive socializing.
"You don't need to do anything, just make an appearance," Gu Junxing replied. After a moment's thought, he added, "There will be lots of delicious food."
Nian Suian and Gu Zhijing exchanged glances for a moment before agreeing.
"Alright, I'll have a stylist come over in a couple of days to help you both choose outfits," Gu Junxing said.
Having achieved his goal, Gu Junxing stood up, ready to head home. Nian Suian and Gu Zhijing decided to order some of the restaurant's signature dishes to take home. Of course, Gu Junxing would be footing the bill.