Chapter 487 - 427: We’re Back
Chapter 487: Chapter 427: We’re Back
Just then, the sound of fireworks and firecrackers suddenly erupted from the direction of the front gate. Through the parlor’s glass windows, they could see brilliant bursts of light blooming across the sky like fiery trees and silver flowers. Gu Shaozhen, Gu Shaoqin, the brothers Zheng Shaolian and Zheng Shaojin, and Tang Haocheng all looked at each other in confusion. They had just set off plenty of fireworks at the entrance, so why was there another round now, crackling away? It couldn’t be the neighbors; the Gu Mansion’s estate was vast, and the neighboring gates were too far away for the sound to be this crisp and clear.
Who was setting off fireworks outside the Gu Mansion?
There were guards posted outside, yet no one had come in to report. Gu Qiming was just about to send someone out to check when he heard the sound of steady, uniform footsteps approaching from the main hall. A flicker of understanding crossed Gu Qiming’s mind, and a joyful expression lit up his face. Still, he spoke to Grandpa and Granny Gu in a calm tone, "Father, Mother, it must be..."
As he spoke, two handsome, upright figures appeared before everyone. They were dressed in pine-green military uniforms, the red five-pointed stars on their caps gleaming brightly. Standing side-by-side in front of the carved screen partition, they simultaneously raised their hands in a standard military salute and declared with solemn gravity, "Reporting! We... are back!"
Such a solemn declaration, with such emphasis on the word "back," naturally carried a special meaning.
Granny Gu and Zhou Hui Lan burst into tears on the spot. Everyone else’s eyes grew red as they all stood to welcome their long-awaited loved ones.
Grandpa Gu roared with laughter. He walked up to Gu Shaojun and Gu Shaofeng, gave each a punch on the chest, and clapped Gu Shaojun forcefully on the shoulder. Full of pride, he boomed, "Well done! Well done! Your grandpa is proud of you!"
"Grandma is proud too! The whole family is proud!"
Wiping her eyes, Granny Gu saw Grandpa Gu just thumping away at her grandson and her heart ached for him. She went forward, pulled Gu Shaojun over, and ran her hands all over him, muttering nonstop, "Oh, my dear grandson, you’ve gotten so thin! Are you alright, child?"
Zhou Hui Lan squeezed forward, so Granny Gu handed Gu Shaojun over, instructing Zhou Hui Lan to give him a thorough check for injuries. She then turned to fuss over Gu Shaofeng, only to spot a strip of white gauze peeking out from under the brim of his cap. Her heart instantly seized, and her expression changed. "You’re hurt? Your head? Does it hurt? Is it deep? Heavens! And of all times... Qi Yuan and Xue Qin aren’t here! Yu Yan, Yu Yan, come over, quick, take a look... Oh, good heavens!"
Grandpa Gu, Grandpa Tang, Gu Qiming, Tang Qingshan, and the other men stood around them, collectively speechless. Inwardly, however, they understood. ’A head wound is indeed serious, but it probably isn’t severe and has already been treated. Otherwise, would Gu Shaofeng be standing there so relaxed?’
During leisurely holiday times like this, it was usually the women who held court; the men had little say in the conversation. ’It’s best to just play along and keep quiet, lest we make things more chaotic.’
Gu Shaojun and Gu Shaofeng tried to comfort Granny Gu. Gu Shaofeng took off his hat to let his grandmother see more clearly, saying, "It was just a piece of shrapnel that grazed my head as it flew by. It took off a piece of skin, but it’s not serious. I’m fine now!"
Who knew that this explanation would only make Granny Gu more terrified in retrospect? She grabbed onto Gu Shaofeng, tears streaming down her face.
She didn’t have many grandsons, just these few, and in her eyes, each one was precious. She had personally watched them grow up. As children, they were mischievous and received their fair share of punishments from her, but sending them off to be soldiers, and eventually to the battlefield, had been a pain in her heart like the twisting of a knife.
The old lady was heartbroken, and Mr. Gu had no choice but to try and coax her, but Granny Gu ignored him, making the scene a little awkward and cold. This was when Gu Qifan was supposed to step in. When it came to cheering up his own mother, he, the youngest son, was the most adept.
Sure enough, Granny Gu stopped crying. It was mainly because she remembered it was New Year’s Eve. She immediately cheered up and called for everyone to sit down and eat before the food got cold.
Gu Shaojun and Gu Shaofeng greeted each of the elders one by one. Afterward, they were naturally supposed to take their seats at the men’s table. Gu Shaofeng sat down and, out of habit, pulled out a chair for Gu Shaojun, but when he turned back, the man was gone. A quick glance over at the women’s table confirmed it: without a hint of embarrassment, that fellow had taken Gu Shaoying’s seat. He was holding Gu Shaoying in his lap, sitting right next to Xiao Man, with a smile on his face that could melt the frozen world outside.
Gu Shaofeng studied Xiao Man more closely, a hint of a warm smile flashing in his usually cool eyes. ’The sweet and adorable little girl from back then has grown up.’ Her height had clearly increased, and the two soft, playful pigtails had been replaced by a glossy black ponytail. With ruby lips, pearly teeth, and picturesque features, she was lovely. But the youthfulness on her face and the purity in her eyes showed that she was still an innocent, unblossomed flower, naive to the ways of love.
’Big brother, you’ve got a long wait ahead of you!’
Gu Shaofeng smiled and lowered his gaze as an exquisite, beautiful figure appeared in his mind’s eye. She had large, expressive eyes that seemed to talk. At the slightest disagreement, she would switch to her local dialect, and then, seeing his baffled look, would unleash a string of sweet, clear laughter. ’I don’t like to laugh myself, and I usually hate it when others laugh too loudly,’ he thought. ’But for some strange reason, I love hearing that woman’s bold, uninhibited laugh. It’s like music from the heavens.’
Across from him, Zheng Shaojin raised his glass. Gu Shaofeng picked up his own and drained it in one go, startling Zheng Shaojin, who had no choice but to frown and drink half of his. Gu Shaofeng chuckled, his mind made up. ’Liquid courage. A few more drinks, and tonight I’ll confess my feelings to Grandpa and First Uncle. I can make any sacrifice for the family, but they have to grant me autonomy in my marriage. In this life, it’s her or no one!’
The women’s table wasn’t crowded. Gu Shaoqin and Tang Haocheng, who weren’t drinking, were also sitting there. Gu Shaojun, holding Gu Shaoying, sat next to Xiao Man for a good ten or twenty minutes. Although they didn’t get to say much, as they had to field questions from the two grandmothers and their aunts, it was enough to soothe the ache of their longing. Feeling Xiao Man’s affection, Gu Shaojun’s heart filled with even more joy.
Granny Gu urged him to go over to the men’s table. After all, the elders of both families were there. It was one thing with their own family, but they couldn’t have the Tang family’s grandfather and uncles feeling slighted.
Before leaving, Gu Shaojun whispered a few words to Xiao Man, who blushed, smiled, and nodded.
Grandma Tang took in Gu Shaojun’s behavior and was quite satisfied. ’A lifetime is long, and it’s the husband and wife who have to live it together,’ she thought. ’No matter how much a son-in-law respects or fears his in-laws, it’s not as important as him genuinely and thoughtfully loving our girl. Shaojun is a good child, upright and honorable; I’m not worried that he would ever be unfaithful. But if he were only marrying to settle down, and their relationship became like that of a typical couple, as bland as water with little communication, that wouldn’t do! He must truly like Xiao Man, love her, and know how to cherish and worry over her. Only then can this marriage be made.’
Xiao Man was too excited to taste her food all evening.
She had all but given up hope for the night and was ready to pin her expectations on the next day, but who would have thought that Gu Shaojun would suddenly appear just like that? The moment she saw him, Xiao Man’s eyes went wide as saucers.
At that moment, Gu Shaojun still wore a solemn expression as he saluted Grandpa Gu and the others. But the instant he lowered his hand, his gaze swept accurately toward her for a split second, so fast it was almost an illusion. But Xiao Man knew. ’He looked at me!’