Chapter 714 - 617: An Amorous Scene in the Peach Grove
Chapter 714: Chapter 617: An Amorous Scene in the Peach Grove
Tang Qingshan and Gu Qifan carefully inspected the grassy area before setting the three little ones down. The little rascals immediately started rolling around gleefully on the grass, cackling with laughter and having the time of their lives.
Hao Wenli and Jiang Yuyan loved the spot, too. They wandered about, thinking every place looked perfect for a picnic blanket. One suggested putting it right in the middle of the grass so they could see in every direction just by turning their heads. The other said it would be too sunny and they should go under the maple tree instead.
Cheng Muniang suggested, "Why don’t we go into the peach grove? It’s on slightly higher ground, right across from the entrance. We could sit there and take in the whole beautiful landscape. If anyone else arrives, we’d see them right away. Besides, it’s flat over there, and the view is lovely."
The two moms, Hao Wenli and Jiang Yuyan, were in complete agreement. So the group started gathering the children, picking them up, and grabbing all their bags and gear. They chatted and laughed as they made their way toward the peach grove.
Xiao Man wanted to stop them, but she couldn’t think of a good reason, and it was already too late.
Fortunately, before they could enter the grove, a man and a woman emerged from its depths, holding hands. They looked like a couple in love.
Only when they got closer did everyone realize they weren’t a young couple. Both were very attractive, well-kept, and stylishly dressed, making it hard to guess their real ages. Xiao Man estimated they were both around forty. ’At that age, holding hands so tightly and exchanging amorous glances in front of so many people... they must be married.’ But they gave off the vibe of a couple in the throes of a passionate new romance. ’A middle-aged couple still in their honeymoon phase? That’s a little strange.’
Their expressions were only slightly unnatural. The woman’s face was still flushed, but she had already composed herself with a smile. She nestled delicately into the crook of the man’s arm and nodded graciously at the group. Xiao Man lowered her gaze, thinking, ’She’s got some serious nerve.’
Just a moment ago, while scanning the area with her Divine Sense, she had inadvertently stumbled upon an erotic scene starring these two. If Cheng Muniang hadn’t suggested heading to the peach grove, they wouldn’t have even stopped!
Dad Tang and Gu Qifan, being adults, wouldn’t think much of it. Xiao Man, however, was worried that once Gu Shaoqin caught his breath, he might also use his Divine Sense to scan the area. At this distance, he’d be able to see everything perfectly clearly. ’He’s still an innocent boy,’ she thought, ’it’ll corrupt him!’ That was why she had grown anxious when she heard Cheng Muniang and the two moms suggest heading for the grove. She had been trying to think of a way to lead everyone in a different direction. As it turned out, the "lovebirds" weren’t entirely shameless. They had scurried out, and quite quickly at that. Their clothes were all in order. Luckily it was summer—the woman wore a simple dress, the man a shirt and slacks.
The man greeted Tang Qingshan and Gu Qifan with a hearty laugh. In reality, just moments before, upon realizing a large group was heading for the grove, he had been fuming and cursing up a storm.
Embarrassed that she had spied on their private moment, Xiao Man couldn’t bring herself to keep staring. She set Xiao Fang down, then called to Little Bo and the siblings, Gu Shaoqin and Gu Shaoying, suggesting they go pick wildflowers.
Most women are quite perceptive. Grandma Hao and Cheng Muniang, who were lagging behind discussing something, didn’t notice anything. But when Hao Wenli and Jiang Yuyan glanced at the couple, they immediately sensed something was off. Jiang Yuyan frowned, not wanting Tang Qingshan and Gu Qifan to talk with them any longer. She called out loudly to the two men to hurry and find a spot to set up and rest, reminding them that the children were tired and hungry. Gu Qifan, thrilled to have a rare outing with his wife and child, was in such a good mood that he foolishly started to invite the couple to join them for lunch. Jiang Yuyan cut him off with a single line:
"We have our hands full with all these noisy kids. Let’s not impose on their quality time together!"
Ultimately, Hao Wenli and Jiang Yuyan chose a picnic spot to the left of the peach grove, not venturing too far in. The other couple, of course, didn’t try to join them. They returned to their own spot, which they had already set up, and went back to quietly enjoying their romantic time together.
Everyone sat in a circle, ready for lunch. Gu Shaoqin glanced at his father, then at Xiao Man sitting next to him. He opened his mouth to speak several times but always stopped short. Tang Qingshan noticed and asked, "What’s the matter?"
Gu Shaoqin said quietly, "Um, that man from the peach grove... he’s... he’s Brother Wei’s father."
"Brother Wei? Who’s that?" Gu Qifan asked nonchalantly, taking a big gulp of his drink.
"What Brother Wei? Why don’t I know anything about him?" Jiang Yuyan frowned. She disliked that couple, sensing something was not right about their relationship.
Xiao Man, however, was stunned. She turned to look at Gu Shaoqin. She had met Mrs. Wei before, but she didn’t know Mr. Wei.
Just as she thought, Gu Shaoqin whispered, "It’s Brother Zhen Ting, the one who’s in the same military unit as my older brother. He comes over to our house all the time, remember?"
Gu Qifan exclaimed, "Oh, wow! For real? No wonder he looked so familiar! I was just trying to place him. But wait, how come he didn’t recognize me?"
Jiang Yuyan saw that Cheng Muniang and Grandma Hao were looking after the three little ones, so she stopped worrying about Gu Shaoying. She handed a meat patty each to her son and Xiao Man, then took one for herself and bit into it. "So Zhen Ting’s last name is Wei? I’d forgotten. Zhen Ting does come over a lot, but I’ve never met his parents. Maybe your uncle and aunt are more familiar with them... Shaoqin, you have to be sure. If that man is Zhen Ting’s father, then the woman with him should be Zhen Ting’s mother, right? Make sure you’re not mistaken before you say such things!"
Gu Shaoqin sighed, looking dejected. "I’ve been to the Wei Family’s home with my older brother. I saw both Mrs. Wei and Mr. Wei the two times I went. I wouldn’t get them mixed up. I didn’t want to say anything, but I felt bad keeping it to myself... That’s definitely Mr. Wei, but the woman with him... she’s not Mrs. Wei!"
The adults exchanged stunned glances. Jiang Yuyan suddenly lost her appetite. She shoved her meat patty into Gu Qifan’s hand and pursed her lips. "I knew it," she said. "I knew something felt off about them. So that’s what was going on!"
Gu Qifan laughed awkwardly. "I’ve met Zhen Ting’s father once or twice. We even ate at the same table. It was a few years ago, during some Spring Festival, I think, when their family came over. Another time was when I went to the Wei Family’s home for the old folks’ birthday banquet. Both times were just hurried encounters amidst a crowd of people. Plus, he and his wife don’t work in Beijing, so I haven’t seen them much since then. This Old Wei... he’s really one of a kind, huh? The way he carries himself, he seems younger than Zhen Ting. Now that I think about it, the father and son do look a bit alike... Ugh, out here in the wilderness, under these circumstances... it would be way too awkward to go say hello now."
Grandma Hao, busy feeding the children, saw her own daughter and son-in-law had fallen silent. She couldn’t help but chime in, "If he didn’t recognize you, just let it be. But since you all know that Brother Wei so well, I think his mother needs to be told about this. You shouldn’t keep it from her!"
"Well..." Gu Qifan was at a loss.
Cheng Muniang smiled and started pouring milk for everyone. Tang Qingshan and Hao Wenli glanced at Xiao Man, who was staring down at her meat patty. They felt they shouldn’t let someone else’s sordid affair ruin their family’s fun. The husband and wife worked together to change the subject, and the lively, cheerful atmosphere soon returned to their picnic.