Free Web NovelChapter 214: Chapter 214: Adorable Dingzi
Gu’er didn’t kick Cao Qiu out. She knew what kind of person Cao Qiu was. Yes, she could have forced her out, but that would make Sun Jiaming lose face. Besides, Li Zhi and Dingzi would still have to interact with Sun Jiaming in the future.
"Oh, Gu’er, what wonderful things did you bring back? Let your Auntie have a look! Is there anything for me? I know my Gu’er is the most considerate girl. You surely didn’t forget about me and your uncle, right?"
Cao Qiu chuckled, putting on a pleasant face. If you wanted something from someone, you had to be nice.
Chen Fengjiao truly couldn’t stand Cao Qiu. Just the sight of her gave Chen Fengjiao a splitting headache; she wished she’d never have to see her again for the rest of her life. She really couldn’t understand how Gu’er put up with the woman.
Gu’er glanced at Cao Qiu. It wasn’t that she was "putting up with" her; it was just that she didn’t care. For people who weren’t her family, she didn’t let them get to her. So even if they were rather annoying, she wouldn’t take it to heart. At most, she’d just feel a bit irritated.
Gu’er opened the bag she’d brought back. She had already prepared a share for Cao Qiu, so there was no reason not to give it to her now. Besides, this trip had broadened Gu’er’s horizons. She no longer wanted to bicker with Cao Qiu. ’In truth, Cao Qiu is a pitiful person—always nitpicking over every little thing, making everyone dislike her. What has she really gained from it all?’
"This scarf is for you and Uncle, Auntie. And these are for you too."
Gu’er took out two wool scarves and some other small trinkets from the bag.
Cao Qiu hastily took them, stroking the scarves with her hands. They were so soft! And there were so many other little things, all looking so delicate.
A flash of envy crossed Chen Fengjiao’s eyes. Cao Qiu might not know their value, but she did. Pure wool scarves were very expensive. She’d seen someone selling them once but couldn’t bring herself to buy one. Yet Gu’er had given two to Cao Qiu. ’What a waste.’
"What else is there, Gu’er? Auntie can see you still have a lot of things in that bag."
But Cao Qiu wasn’t satisfied and kept staring at Gu’er’s bag.
Gu’er ignored her and took out two more wool scarves, a woolen overcoat, and a dress, handing them to Chen Fengjiao.
"Mom, these are for you and Dad."
Of course, Gu’er hadn’t forgotten her mother and Lin Shan.
"Oh, you silly child, always spending money recklessly. You must have spent all the money you earned on these things, didn’t you? I’m too old for something like this, it’s too colorful. Let Sui’er have it when she gets home from school."
Chen Fengjiao’s eyes were filled with pleasant surprise. She could tell that everything Gu’er brought back was high-quality, especially the woolen overcoat for Lin Shan, which must have been expensive. The dress for her was a nice item too. She had been planning to buy one this year, but to her surprise, her daughter had bought one for her.
"Mom, I bought this for you. It won’t fit Sui’er, the size is wrong. I bought one for her, too, so don’t you worry."
Gu’er could see the delight in Chen Fengjiao’s eyes. ’As long as Mom is happy, that’s all that matters.’
"Alright then, Gu’er, I’ll keep it."
Chen Fengjiao naturally had a love for beautiful things. Hearing Gu’er’s words, she happily accepted it, her hands stroking the fabric nonstop.
"Gu’er, how can you be so biased? She’s your mother, but I’m going to be your mother-in-law. How come what you gave your mom and dad is so much more and better than what you gave me?"
Cao Qiu was displeased. Extremely displeased. She looked like she wanted to snatch the items right out of Chen Fengjiao’s hands.
Gu’er looked at her. ’You didn’t give birth to me or raise me, and you treat me so poorly. You’re lucky to get anything at all, yet you’re still being picky.’
"Auntie, could you even fit into that dress?" Gu’er asked.
Chen Fengjiao pursed her lips. ’With Cao Qiu’s burly frame, it’d be a miracle if she could.’
"So what if I can’t wear this... thing! Your sister-in-law can wear it, can’t she? When you marry into our family, you’ll have to get along with her. Besides, we have a lot of relatives on our side. You should give me something to take back as gifts for them."
Cao Qiu’s shamelessness knew no bounds.
"There are only two dresses. One for my mom, one for Sui’er. I didn’t even get one for myself."
Gu’er was beyond speechless.
"That Sui’er girl isn’t even nice to you. She’s so mean. Why give it to her?"
Cao Qiu didn’t dare try to snatch the dress from Chen Fengjiao’s hands, so she set her sights on the one meant for Sui’er.
"You back off! That’s for my Sui’er. Who do you think you’re taking it for? In your dreams!"
Chen Fengjiao wasn’t having it. She already couldn’t stand the sight of Cao Qiu, and now that the woman was trying to take her precious daughter’s dress, she exploded.
Cao Qiu was shoved aside by Chen Fengjiao. She hadn’t expected Chen Fengjiao to be so strong. She watched as Chen Fengjiao took the other dress from Gu’er, knew it was a lost cause, and said, "Fine, so I don’t get one of those... things. But what about the coat? Why don’t you give us one?"
Cao Qiu was referring to the woolen overcoat.
"One is for my dad, and one is for Brother Jia Ming. There are only two. And don’t you go grabbing Brother Jia Ming’s, Auntie. I’ll be giving it to him myself."
Gu’er made herself clear.
After that, Cao Qiu kept rambling on about one thing or another, until Gu’er eventually stopped responding.
"Why don’t you two stay for dinner? I’ll cook something delicious for you," Chen Fengjiao said, turning to Li Zhi and Dingzi.
Chen Fengjiao felt a little embarrassed, seeing that Li Zhi and Dingzi had been watching the whole spectacle for some time.
"No need, Auntie. We just got back too and have to get home. Our families are waiting. I just came up to make sure Gu’er got back to you safely."
Li Zhi smiled. The truth was, he’d stayed behind because he was worried Gu’er wouldn’t be able to handle Cao Qiu and thought he could help if she couldn’t.
"Then hurry up and go. Don’t overstay your welcome in someone else’s house. She’s already got a boyfriend, yet you still hang around."
Cao Qiu shot Li Zhi a glare. She couldn’t stand the sight of him.
Li Zhi didn’t say anything. Arguing with someone like Cao Qiu was beneath him. He left a can of Russian dark beer for Lin Shan and gave Chen Fengjiao a bracelet, a piece of Russian handicraft. He and Gu’er had agreed to buy different gifts.
Chen Fengjiao was especially delighted. In her heart, her approval of Li Zhi grew even stronger. ƒгeewebnovёl.com
Cao Qiu watched with envy and started muttering again.
Li Zhi ignored her and walked straight to the door.
Dingzi also walked to the door, but he suddenly turned back, darted behind Sun Zhuzi, and grabbed him by the scruff of the neck. It was hard to see how he did it, but he lifted Sun Zhuzi right off the ground. Sun Zhuzi let out his first sound since he’d walked in: "AHH!"
Next, he found himself airborne. Then, he realized he was moving. By the time his "AHH" ended, he was already at the doorway.
Everyone stared, wide-eyed. No one had expected Dingzi to make a move, not even Gu’er.
Cao Qiu immediately shrieked and lunged forward.
Without even glancing at her, Dingzi shot Gu’er a look, then hauled Sun Zhuzi down the stairs. Cao Qiu followed, shouting all the way.
Gu’er understood. Dingzi found Cao Qiu too annoying and was worried she would bother Gu’er, so he took Sun Zhuzi away. With Sun Zhuzi gone, Cao Qiu naturally followed. Now she could finally have some peace and quiet.
’Brother Dingzi is just the cutest,’ Gu’er thought, the corners of her lips turning up.
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I can’t believe I messed up some of the previous Chapter titles. They were supposed to be 211, 212, and 213, but I wrote 201 for all of them. Is it the heat? Or did I get heatstroke? Haha.
