Free Web NovelChapter 399: Chapter 397: Change
Sun Jiaming saw that Gu’er was embarrassed. Since they were in the bathroom, he knew he shouldn’t tease her anymore. If someone actually saw them, Gu’er would be mortified.
Sun Jiaming planted a light kiss on her ear. Before Gu’er could say anything, he let her go and walked out of the bathroom with a smile.
Gu’er touched her flushed cheeks. After their talk last night, the distance between her and Sun Jiaming had not only vanished, but their relationship was even better. ’Although I didn’t tell him the whole truth, it was a white lie. If I were completely honest, I’m afraid it would leave a thorn in his heart. This is for the best.’
The corners of Gu’er’s mouth lifted into a small smile. She quickly finished washing up and went out.
Next, Gu’er and Dingzi went to the insurance company, where they were greeted by a staff member. Insurance wasn’t a popular industry yet, and very few people in the area bought policies, so the employee recognized Gu’er the moment she walked in.
After Gu’er explained the situation, the employee took some notes. He then informed her that there would be an investigation. After all, the potential payout was a considerable sum, so they couldn’t just hand over the money based on her word alone. Furthermore, the case required an overseas investigation, which would take time. He said they would contact her after the New Year.
This was more or less what she had expected. Gu’er nodded at the employee, said she would wait for their call, and then they left.
With that out of the way, there wasn’t much left to do. They didn’t need to visit the nursing home, as the supplies had already been purchased and delivered. Gu’er had also paid to bring Wang Shun’s family over. Since Wang Shun couldn’t go home for the holiday, his family could celebrate the New Year with him and see his workplace. Wang Shun was incredibly grateful.
The nursing home wasn’t short on anything. The staff weren’t going home for the holiday, so Gu’er gave each of them a large red envelope and told them to take staggered breaks. She suggested they organize a party or something similar to liven things up for the elderly residents during the New Year.
Once all these arrangements were made, Gu’er and the others could finally relax.
They spent two days showing Marina around. Though they called it "sightseeing," there wasn’t much to see. It was winter, after all. Snow was everywhere, the ground was covered in ice, and you could look at snowmen and the frost on the trees. But once you’ve seen it, there’s not much point in looking at it again.
They also took Marina to the mall. Marina was fascinated by all the Chinese products and food, and she bought a lot of things. Although she wasn’t short on money, Dingzi insisted on paying. He said that a husband should provide for his wife, and since Marina had come back with him, it was his responsibility to pay for her food and clothes.
The way Marina looked at Dingzi was so full of tenderness it could melt your heart. Gu’er sighed to herself. ’Fate is truly a wondrous thing.’
After spending time with Marina, Gu’er and her group prepared a lot of provisions for the New Year. They also sent a large portion over to Cao Qiu. Gu’er and Sun Jiaming went together to deliver them, and Cao Qiu was delighted. Regardless of the amount, it was the thought from her son and daughter-in-law that mattered. Besides, they had brought so much that she wouldn’t need to buy anything else for the holiday.
Sun Ting was ecstatic. There were new clothes, new toys, and many of her favorite snacks. She clutched her gifts and refused to let go.
Only Wei Hong muttered something after looking everything over. It seemed she thought it wasn’t enough and that they should have brought a double portion so she could send one to her parents’ family.
Cao Qiu scolded Wei Hong for her comment. Gu’er couldn’t be bothered with her, so after sitting for a little while longer, she and Jiaming left.
The next day, she went to deliver things to Chen Fengjiao’s place.
Chen Fengjiao poured water for Gu’er and Li Zhi. Originally, Sun Jiaming was supposed to come with Gu’er, but just as they were about to leave, a man came looking for him. His surname was Zhou, and he seemed to be from their old village. He was decent-looking and dressed well, but Gu’er didn’t recognize him. Sun Jiaming, however, did.
This Mr. Zhou wanted to take Sun Jiaming out for a drink. Sun Jiaming was initially reluctant, but the man insisted, saying they were from the same village and he’d just gotten back. He said there was something he wanted to discuss and hoped Sun Jiaming would do him the honor. It was a hard offer to refuse. Gu’er told him it was fine, and that delaying the trip to her mother’s by a day was no big deal. Sun Jiaming thought for a moment, then called Li Zhi over to drive Gu’er instead. He told her that since everything was already packed, it was best to deliver it today. He asked her to give Chen Fengjiao his regards. Only after Gu’er and Li Zhi were in the car did he leave with Mr. Zhou.
Chen Fengjiao saw that the things Gu’er had brought were all-inclusive. Ever since Gu’er had opened her supermarket, Chen Fengjiao no longer needed to shop for the New Year, because Gu’er prepared everything. Now, all she hoped for was Lin Shan’s return so the family could be reunited.
Speaking of the Lin Family, Lin Sui’er’s transformation was impossible to ignore. She had dyed her bleached hair back to black, and the old hostility she used to show Gu’er was gone. Every time Gu’er came home, Sui’er would want to talk with her for hours, sharing her thoughts and asking for Gu’er’s opinions. They would still occasionally argue over different ideas, but their disagreements were no longer hurtful like they used to be.
Lin Sui’er had stopped messing around with her old crowd. Of course, they didn’t dare come looking for her anymore either. After getting her period and realizing she wasn’t pregnant, she had a long, hard cry. Then she shut herself in her room and started studying seriously.
Chen Fengjiao was the one who told Gu’er all this. She was grateful to Gu’er for her daughter’s transformation. Even though Sui’er now seemed to trust Gu’er more than her, she was just happy that her daughter was able to focus on her studies and was no longer rebellious. When Lin Shan returned, she would have a good report to give him.
Lin Zheng was still as well-behaved as ever. His grades were excellent, and he was the class president. His teachers always praised him, which made Chen Fengjiao incredibly proud. She was always boasting about him to all the neighbors—those next door, upstairs, and downstairs—to the point that everyone in the area knew Lin Zheng was the class president and a top student. It made Lin Zheng quite embarrassed.
Nevertheless, Lin Zheng was still very close to Gu’er and got along well with Sun Jiaming, Li Zhi, and Dingzi. In his free time, Dingzi even taught him some martial arts, and Lin Zheng really looked up to him.
All in all, Gu’er was very satisfied with how things were with the Lin Family now. Everything was harmonious. She would often come over to visit in her spare time, unlike before, when every visit ended in a fight and she just wanted to leave. The only thing that still bothered her was that Chen Fengjiao, just like Cao Qiu, was always asking why there was "no news yet." She’d ask if there was a problem with her or Jiaming and suggest she go to the hospital for a check-up.
Gu’er couldn’t very well tell her mother she was on birth control. But speaking of birth control... ’Last night, after Jiaming and I were done, I was so exhausted I didn’t get out of bed to clean up. Counting the days... I think it was during my fertile window. I wonder if something could happen?’
The thought of getting pregnant because of that one time made Gu’er a little scared, and she started to get lost in thought as she spoke.
"Gu’er? Gu’er? What are you thinking about?"
Chen Fengjiao called out to her twice.
"Oh, nothing. Just calculating how many days until Dad gets back."
Gu’er quickly snapped out of it. ’I can’t tell anyone about the birth control. Not even my mom.’
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Thank you to Hai Feng’s baby 060219 and Shuyou131021222728834 for the monthly tickets, and thank you all for your support. I just finished posting the bonus Chapter for the He Shi Bi donation, so I’m all caught up. I see we’re only two monthly tickets away from ninety. If we get there, I’ll post another bonus Chapter tomorrow.
