The Abandoned Daughter's Second Chance

Chapter 292: Chapter 265: Like

Huang Wei brought freshly brewed hot tea. Jun Heng poured a cup for his father and said, "Father, you can’t just indulge Ranran. The Gu and Tang Families..."

Old Sir Jun glanced at his son and said confidently, "Didn’t you hear what Ranran said? Shaojun was the first to show his displeasure, which means he’s very unhappy with the betrothal. After all, their age difference is too great. How many years would Shaojun have to wait to get married? Mr. Gu values his eldest grandson, and Old Mrs. Gu dotes on Shaojun the most. Plus, Shaojun is driven and has a boundless future ahead of him. If he’s the one who proposes to call it off, this marriage is definitely not happening! Since Ranran likes Shaojun, let her have a go at it. They really are a good match. I’ll find an opportunity to sound out Mr. Gu about it."

Old Sir Jun took a sip of his tea and added, "That girl from the Tang family who was just swapped back... she’s not as crude as Ranran made her out to be. On the contrary, I think she’s wonderful! What’s her name?"

Huang Wei answered, "She’s called Tang Manman!"

Old Sir Jun nodded and said to his daughter-in-law, "You should visit the Tang women more often. Let Ru’er have more opportunities to get to know that little girl. Childhood sweethearts... it’s a nice thought!"

Jun Heng said, "Father, isn’t that inappropriate? Even if the marriage between the Gu and Tang Families falls through, given our family’s relationship with the Gu family, to then pursue a marriage alliance with the Tang family..."

"What’s so inappropriate? If Gu Shaojun calls off the engagement, the Tang Family Girl will still need to get married. Tang Renqian isn’t going to marry his eldest granddaughter to the Gu family’s second grandson. Our Ru’er is an excellent candidate from every angle! Of course, we don’t need to be too obvious. If feelings grow over time and things progress naturally, no one will have anything to say."

Huang Wei pursed her lips and said softly, "Well, it’s not like this kind of thing is without precedent. Take the Tang family’s second daughter-in-law, for example. She was originally supposed to marry into the Bai Family... But now, aren’t the Tang family and the Bai Family back on friendly terms?"

Jun Heng glanced at his wife. "Ranran came back looking so wronged. Go and ask her what happened."

Huang Wei knew her husband thought she was gossiping again and was trying to get rid of her. She pouted, "I’m just speaking the truth... Ranran just came from the Gu family, what else could have happened? Zheng Shaolian is back in Beijing visiting family this year. It was probably that kid bullying her again!"

"It’s normal for the kids to bicker. If Ranran doesn’t bring it up, let them sort it out themselves," Old Sir Jun said. "As for the Tang family’s second daughter-in-law and the Bai Family’s Bai Lihua, that kind of situation isn’t rare. Among old friends and relatives, it’s just a tacit understanding. Everyone knows."

So, Jun Heng said no more.

Zheng Shaolian drove Xiao Man around for a while. They didn’t go far, avoiding the main avenues and instead slowly navigating the various alleyways so Xiao Man could get familiar with the area. Xiao Man, however, was more interested in seeing the old sights of Beijing from this era. It all felt strangely familiar, and she regretted not bringing a camera.

They meandered about, with Zheng Shaolian occasionally stopping the car to show Xiao Man places he used to frequent or liked to hang out at as a kid. They were out until well past eleven before heading back to the Gu Mansion. Gu Shaojun was already waiting at the entrance. He clapped Zheng Shaolian on the shoulder and urged him to hurry inside, saying someone was looking for him. Then, he took Xiao Man’s hand and asked as they walked, "Where did you go? Did you have fun?"

Xiao Man counted on her fingers, naming a few streets and alleyways. Gu Shaojun smiled. "There are even more fun places. I’ll take you tomorrow. We’ll go by bike!"

Xiao Man said, "Tomorrow, I want to take Grandpa and Grandma out for a walk. We’re heading back to the countryside after the Lantern Festival. Beijing is so big; I’m afraid we won’t see everything even if we go out for half a day every day."

Gu Shaojun nodded. "You should definitely take Grandpa and Grandma out for a walk. But today is only the first day of the Lunar New Year. Up until the third, the adults from both our families will likely be busy visiting relatives and attending New Year’s feasts. They won’t need us."

"Grandpa and Grandma don’t have to go with them, though."

"I’m afraid that’s not possible. Didn’t your family host a welcome banquet? Everyone knows that honored guests have arrived, so it’s customary for relatives and friends to host feasts in turn."

"Then do you have to go to the New Year’s feasts, too?" Xiao Man asked.

"If you go, I’ll go. If you don’t want to go, I’ll stay with you. I have to return to my unit on the morning of the fourth day. For these three days, I’ll be wherever you are."

Gu Shaojun glanced at Zheng Shaolian walking ahead, then gently squeezed the soft hand in his. "Why did you just go off with Shaolian like that? You didn’t wait for me."

Xiao Man pouted. "It wasn’t me following Shaolian, it was Shaolian following me, okay? Besides, you had someone to play chess with. You were having a grand old time and didn’t need me to wait!"

Gu Shaojun looked down at her feigned indifference, and his heart softened completely. But mixed in with that tenderness were faint, inexplicable threads of a bittersweet ache. He wanted nothing more than to pull her into a tight embrace, to meld her into his very flesh and bone, as if only that could calm the chaos in his soul.

He stopped walking, took her by her slender shoulders, and leaned down to look into her eyes, which were as clear and pure as a mountain spring. "I need to explain about staying behind in the parlor to play chess with Jun Ran," he said. "We so rarely get to be alone together, and I didn’t want us to be disturbed. But Jun Ran and Shaoling were intruding. If I didn’t deal with it directly, they would have continued! That’s why I had you go on ahead while I stayed to talk with them. Xiao Man, you’re the only one in my heart. I don’t need any other girl for company. No matter what you do, as long as you live in my heart and I can feel you there, I’m happy!"