Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
They ate lunch outside and, by the time they finished shopping, it was already four in the afternoon.
Gu Yusheng had planned to head home with Qin Zhiâai after the long day but, shortly after driving away from the Mother and Baby Lifestyle store, Qin Zhiâai, who had been scrutinizing the scans, suddenly looked up. Turning to look at Gu Yusheng, she said, âYusheng, letâs head to your grandfatherâs house.â
Given their visits to the Gu Mansion had always been unpleasant to varying degrees, Gu Yushengâs face darkened, and he pursed his lips without replying.
âLetâs show your grandfather the photos of little peanut. After seeing these, his attitude might change for the better.â Seeing that he was not convinced, Qin Zhiâai tilted her head and continued saying, âFurthermore, since weâve already been snubbed so many times, itâs not like we canât handle it again. Iâve got some thick skinned now.â
As she spoke, Qin Zhiâai raised her hands in passionate gestures. Affected by her liveliness, a warm smile crept into Gu Yushengâs eyes, and he reached out his hand to pat her head. Without further response, he turned at the next intersection and drove to his grandfatherâs house.
...
When they drove up the driveway, Liang Doukou was taking a walk with Old Master Gu, who was walking slowly with his cane while laughing at something that she had said.
As the two heard the car, they turned to look. When Old Master Gu caught sight of Qin Zhiâai through the car window, his smile faded completely from his face. Turning his head and murmuring something to Liang Doukou, he walked back into the house with her assistance.
When Qin Zhiâai and Gu Yusheng entered the house, Old Master Gu and Liang Doukou were seated on the sofa, watching TV and chatting from time to time.
Gu Yusheng was aware that Liang Doukou was watching him and Qin Zhiâaiâthat she watched them enter, him squatting down to remove Qin Zhiâaiâs shoes for her and giving her a pair of slippers, and him holding Qin Zhiâaiâs hand as they entered the living room.
âGrandpa,â he called out. Old Master Gu threw him a look and replied, âMm.â
Qin Zhiâai, too, said, âGrandfather,â and just like her last three visits, he pretended not to hear her.
Gu Yusheng helped Qin Zhiâai to a seat and dutifully retrieved a pillow to prop behind her back. Old Master Gu and Liang Doukou were chatting next to them and, as if on purpose, Gu Yusheng asked in a raised voice, âIs this comfortable?â as he grabbed another pillow. âHow about this? Does this feel better?â
Liang Doukouâs speech began to falter with Old Master Gu until she had stopped speaking completely. Gu Yusheng then said, âGrandpa, I accompanied Xiaoâai to her pregnancy checkup today.â
Old Master Gu continued to stare straight at the TV without any sign of a willingness to converse. Fishing out the scans from Qin Zhiâaiâs purse, Gu Yusheng handed them over to Old Master Gu. âGrandpa, these are the photos of the fetus. The doctor saidââ
Before Gu Yusheng could finish his sentence, Old Master Gu swerved his head around toward Liang Doukou. Pointing at the TV, he asked, âXiaokou, you acted in this show. What happened after you played this part?â
Gu Yushengâs face visibly darkened. Afraid that he would fly off the handle, Qin Zhiâai silently squeezed his hand.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om