Free Web NovelChapter 427: Chapter 426: Meeting the Parents
Two days later, the train arrived at a station in Black Province.
Yun Shu hugged her clothes tightly, her breath misting in the cold air.
She had never imagined Black Province would be this cold at this time of year. Even though she had already put on another layer of thick clothing after crossing into the province, she couldn’t help but shiver.
He Zichen, carrying the luggage for both of them, glanced at her and led her toward the exit.
They didn’t rush home. Instead, they bought quite a few things in town before renting a car to head back.
Although Yun Shu felt cold, she couldn’t help but look around curiously. ’So this is Black Province.’ She had only heard people talk about it before, saying that people here holed up at home for half the year to get through the winter. She hadn’t expected it to be true.
The road back to the village was a bit better than before, and they arrived at Da Liushu Village half an hour later.
At the village entrance, they ran into one of the villagers.
"Well now, you must be the He Family’s Little Chen, right?"
He Zichen nodded. "Uncle Zhuzi, it’s me."
"I thought it was you. Oh, and this must be your girlfriend, right?"
He Zichen nodded.
"Hahaha, bringing your girlfriend home to see your mom, eh?"
He Zichen didn’t say anything, just smiled in silent agreement.
When they reached the front door of his home, He Zichen turned and saw Yun Shu’s flushed face.
He paused. "Why is your face so red? You don’t have a fever, do you?"
As he spoke, he reached out to feel her forehead, but Yun Shu dodged his hand.
"No, I’m fine."
He Zichen gave her a strange look. "If you’re feeling unwell, you have to tell me right away. There’s no doctor in the village."
"Mm."
Yun Shu lowered her head, shrinking her neck into her clothes.
’She just wasn’t used to her boss telling people she was his girlfriend. It felt like a fire had been lit in her heart, and the heat rushed straight to her face. There was nothing she could do about it.’
He Zichen went over and knocked on the door.
"Who is it?"
Someone came out from inside. The sound of footsteps approached, and the door opened.
"Big... Big Brother."
He Zichen smiled and called out, "Xiao Ming."
He Ziming threw himself at He Zichen. Since both of He Zichen’s hands were full, he just let He Ziming hug him.
He Ziming said in pleasant surprise, "Big Brother, why are you back?"
He didn’t yet know that his mother had given his brother an ultimatum.
He Zichen said helplessly, "Our mom told me to come back."
He Ziming recalled how his mother had been running from one house to another recently, saying she wanted to pick a girlfriend for his big brother. ’This must be about that,’ he thought.
He Ziming was about to say more when he noticed a young woman standing next to his brother. His eyes instantly went wide, and his mouth fell slightly open.
"Big Brother, this can’t be your girlfriend, can it?"
He Zichen nodded, then glanced at Yun Shu.
"Let’s talk inside. She’s not dressed warmly enough."
He Ziming immediately nodded. "Right, hurry inside. It’s warm in the house."
Yun Shu followed the two brothers into the courtyard and looked around. It was very clean. She hadn’t expected to see such a nice house in the countryside.
He Ziming shouted toward the house, "Mom! Mom! Big Brother is back!"
Gao Cuiyun came out of the house quickly. Across the way, Wang Chunlan heard the commotion and came out as well.
"Big Brother, you’re back."
He Zichen nodded at Wang Chunlan.
Then he looked at Gao Cuiyun. "Mom, I’m back."
Gao Cuiyun didn’t look at him; her gaze was fixed on Yun Shu.
He Zichen’s expression shifted, and he introduced Yun Shu to Gao Cuiyun. "This is my girlfriend, Yun Shu."
"Yun Shu, this is my mom."
Yun Shu took a step forward and addressed Gao Cuiyun, "Hello, Auntie."
Gao Cuiyun was stunned. Not only was Gao Cuiyun stunned, but even Wang Chunlan was a little surprised. After all, her mother-in-law had been running herself ragged lately, checking out girls from several families and insisting on finding a wife for Big Brother this year. She never expected him to come back with a girlfriend in tow.
Gao Cuiyun was only dazed for a moment before snapping out of it. She quickly ushered He Zichen and Yun Shu into the house.
It was very warm inside. Seeing Yun Shu’s lips, which were purple from the cold, Gao Cuiyun said to her, "Hurry, get on the kang and sit. It’s nice and toasty."
Yun Shu looked at the large kang that took up half the room, blinked, and glanced at He Zichen.
He Zichen caught her gaze and also urged her, "This is a kang, something we have in Black Province. It’s where we sleep. It’s heated from the inside. Aren’t you cold? Go on and try it. It’s very warm." freēwebnovel.com
Yun Shu said, "But my clothes are dirty."
How could she not be dirty after two days on the train? Yun Shu felt that what she needed most right now was a hot bath.
Gao Cuiyun told her, "It’s fine, go on up. We’re country folk; we’re not afraid of a little dirt. You can just wipe it down before bed."
Since she had put it that way, Yun Shu had no choice but to take off her shoes and climb onto the kang.
Yun Shu touched the kang. It was a little hard, but it was incredibly warm. She thought it was magical, her eyes shining as she stared at it.
He Zichen thought she looked a little silly and couldn’t help but chuckle. When he turned his head, his gaze met his mother’s.
"Mom, where are Xiao Yang and the kids?"
Gao Cuiyun said, "They’re probably visiting someone’s house. Those two kids can’t sit still at home."
He Zichen pointed to the things he had set aside. "These are gifts Yun Shu bought for you all. Send some over to our sister-in-law later."
Gao Cuiyun glanced at the items on the table and said to Yun Shu, "You shouldn’t have."
Yun Shu quickly waved her hands. "It’s nothing, really. It was my pleasure."
After speaking, she looked at He Zichen, her eyes filled with bewilderment.
’This guy... Why didn’t he say anything beforehand? He just sprang this on me. No wonder he bought so many things. So this was the reason.’
Gao Cuiyun said to He Zichen, "Come outside with me for a moment."
He Zichen had a good idea what his mother wanted to ask.
He gave Yun Shu a reassuring look and followed Gao Cuiyun out of the room.
Only Yun Shu and Xiao Ming were left in the room.
Yun Shu smiled at him.
She picked at the surface of the kang with her finger. ’This is so awkward. This job is not easy at all.’
Xiao Ming poured Yun Shu a cup of hot water.
"Sister-in-law, have some hot water. It’ll warm you up."
Yun Shu’s eyes nearly popped out of her head in shock.
’Sister-in-law...’ She really couldn’t bear that title.
Yun Shu said sheepishly, "Um... my name is Yun Shu. You can just call me by my name. No need to be so formal, heh heh."
Xiao Ming had no choice but to say, "Then I’ll call you Sister Yun Shu."
Yun Shu nodded. "That works."
In the next room, Gao Cuiyun had He Zichen sit down.
She asked seriously, "Why did you suddenly bring a girlfriend home?"
He Zichen said slowly, "Didn’t you tell me to hurry back?"
Gao Cuiyun frowned. "You know what I mean. Where did this girlfriend come from?"
He Zichen laughed. "Mom, what are you saying? Where else would she come from? She’s my colleague. We’ve known each other for over half a year and see each other every day. We developed feelings for each other, so we got together. I didn’t originally plan to bring her back this soon, but you gave me such strict orders. I had no choice."
Gao Cuiyun stared at He Zichen for a few moments. "Really?"
He Zichen nodded. "Really."
