novelraw Chapter 127 Taking Gu Wanning to the Zhang Family for the New Year
Chapter 127 Taking Gu Wanning to the Zhang Family for the New Year
Chapter 127 Taking Gu Wanning Home for the New Year (Happy New Year!)
The next morning, Gu Wanning arrived at the Nordic Doctor Garden early, ready to pick up Geng Zhi and go buy clothes for his parents.
After Geng Zhi finished packing his things and went downstairs, he glanced at the car and paused for a moment.
Maserati President.
These days, you can't get away with not having at least 200 million, right?
"Can I sit in the passenger seat?" Geng Zhi opened the car door and leaned half his body inside.
"Okay then." Gu Wanning gave a reluctant look and continued to ask, "Where are you planning to buy it? Give me directions."
"It's fine as long as it's near Xinzhuang subway station, there's a shopping mall there," Geng Zhi said casually as he fastened his seatbelt.
Gu Wanning slammed on the brakes, and Geng Zhi lurched forward.
She turned her head, staring at Geng Zhi with the same look she gave him as a criminal suspect: "No, Geng Zhi, are you even my biological son?"
upright:"???"
"Didn't you already receive the final payment of over two million yuan from Ma Chunmei's family?"
"Didn't you give each employee an Apple computer worth 20,000 yuan yesterday?"
"You're buying clothes for your own parents, and you go to Xinzhuang? Just that little shopping mall? And just buy any outfit there?"
Gu Wanning delivered a triple lash.
Geng Zhi opened his mouth, about to explain, when Gu Wan Ning continued, "Don't you have any conscience? At least try to be serious!"
"Let's go to the city center. I'll find you a shopping mall I frequent. There are lots of boutiques there, so I'm sure I can find some nice clothes for your aunt and uncle!"
After a barrage of criticism, Geng Zhi was rendered speechless and sat obediently like a primary school student.
Geng Zhi glanced at Gu Wan Ning's car, then at her obviously expensive outfit, and his heart pounded—he was worried that this young lady might accidentally choose an outfit worth tens of thousands of yuan.
It's not that I'm reluctant to spend the money, it's that I genuinely feel it's not worth it. Why wear such expensive clothes in a small town? You'll get stared at even if you just go out to buy groceries.
It's better to save this money.
"What's wrong?" Gu Wanning glanced at him. "Are you worried about taking a detour and wasting time? It's okay, we still need to pick up Luo Yanling, it's on the way. It's convenient to go through the city."
"No—" Geng Zhi said with difficulty, "Attorney Gu, it's not that I'm reluctant to part with it, it's that I—I didn't bring enough money."
""
"It's alright." Gu Wanning waved her hand, looking nonchalant. "I can cover it for you first. You can pay me back later."
After saying that, he stepped on the gas, and the Maserati roared off.
Gu Wanning drove Geng Zhi all the way from Da Minhang to the city's major commercial district.
Geng Zhi is truly clueless when it comes to buying clothes; he knows absolutely nothing about big brands, fabrics, or styles. So he just followed Gu Wan Ning around the whole time, watching her choose.
Gu Wanning also confirmed that she was seriously helping Geng Zhi choose.
She first bought her straightforward father, Geng Youcai, a mid-length wool coat, a solid-colored cashmere sweater, a high-quality long-sleeved shirt, and a pair of wrinkle-free business casual trousers made of pure cotton khaki.
Afterwards, I helped the straightforward mother, Yao Shufen, choose an oatmeal-colored cashmere coat, a silk blend undershirt, and a cashmere scarf.
"And one more thing," Gu Wanning said, pulling Geng Zhi to the watch counter, "buy your dad a watch. A man needs a decent watch."
Geng Zhi: "Okay."
"And this too." She turned to the jewelry counter, pointing to a simple and elegant gold necklace with a small, exquisite pendant hanging from it. "Get one for your mother. It's almost Chinese New Year, she needs new jewelry."
Geng Zhi: "Okay."
After all that, it cost exactly 8888 yuan.
Geng Zhi emptied his pockets, realizing he was far short of the money he had. Gu Wan Ning pulled out her card and promptly swiped it for him.
The two men emerged from the mall carrying large and small bags. Looking at their spoils, Geng Zhi felt a mix of emotions—this wasn't buying clothes, it was blatant robbery.
Gu Wanning then drove Geng Zhi to Luo Yanling's house to pick him up.
"Wan Ning!" Luo Yanling dragged two suitcases, one large and one small, out of the elevator and bombarded her phone with messages, "You accompanied me on my drive home and even lent me your car! I'm so touched I could cry! Seriously, my eyes are brimming with tears!"
But the moment she opened the passenger door, she froze on the spot.
"Wan Ning, where did this handsome guy come from?" She looked at Gu Wan Ning in the driver's seat with a shocked expression through her straightforward manner.
"Hello, we've greeted each other before." Geng Zhi greeted Luo Yanling politely, showing a standard eight-tooth smile. "We finally meet."
But he didn't budge an inch, showing absolutely no intention of giving up the passenger seat.
Luo Yanling frowned at first, then realized what she meant: "You're Geng the conman, aren't you?"
"Uh-huh----"
Luo Yanling understood; she understood everything.
No wonder my best friend was so against driving back to Beijing with me before, but now she's suddenly changed her mind and wants to go on the road trip.
No wonder she said she was driving her own car, but it turns out she was driving her Maserati.
No wonder they agreed to leave early this morning, but then sent a message saying they would change it to noon.
It's all because of this straightforwardness!
Tsk tsk tsk!!!
Luo Yanling gave Gu Wanning a meaningful look, while the latter pretended to look out the window. She didn't call her out on it, and cheerfully stuffed her luggage into the trunk before climbing into the back seat.
"Let's go! Heading north!"
The three of them chatted and laughed as they drove north along the highway toward Shandong Province.
Gu Wanning was driving at first. After driving less than 200 kilometers, Luo Yanling couldn't sit still anymore and started clamoring to drive.
Gu Wanning couldn't persuade her otherwise, so she changed drivers at the service area.
But more and more cars were coming from behind, and the speed was picking up. She started to panic, and her hands on the steering wheel were sweating profusely. The speed had gradually dropped to 40 kilometers per hour.
"Wan Ning, you drive. I—I'm not really good at it."
"With your driving skills, you're still talking about driving home?" Gu Wanning rolled her eyes at her from the passenger seat.
"But I still have you—" Luo Yanling said with a pitiful laugh, "Why don't you drive? I don't want to be reborn yet. Really, I just bought personal accident insurance, and the waiting period hasn't expired yet."
Geng Zhi thought to himself: At your snail's pace, there's no way you'll be able to be reborn. You'd probably still be stuck in traffic on the highway if you were reborn.
But he joked, "Sister Luo, we're still on the highway. We need to make it to the next service area. At this rate, will we even get home by next Spring Festival?"
"You stubborn jerk!" Luo Yanling glared at him through the rearview mirror. "You're not even as good as me! You don't even have a driver's license, do you? You have the nerve to laugh at me, humph!"
Upon arriving at the service area, Gu Wanning was about to take over Luo Yanling's shift when Geng Zhi took the driver's seat first.
"Wan Ning, how about I drive?" He opened the car door. "You two rest."
Gu Wanning and Luo Yanling were both stunned.
Luo Yanling: "Straightforward, are you serious?"
Gu Wanning: "Do you have a driver's license?"
Geng Zhi didn't say anything, but directly pulled out his driver's license, which he had just obtained last summer, from his pocket and handed it to Gu Wan Ning: "I just got my license less than a year ago. According to regulations, I need someone with at least three years of driving experience to accompany me. Wan Ning, you have enough driving experience, right?"
Before Gu Wanning could answer, Luo Yanling interjected, "We both have enough driving experience, but I'm worried about your driving skills—"
""
Geng Zhi didn't say anything, just shifted gears, started moving, and merged into the main road. His movements were smooth and fluid, all done in one go.
Five minutes later.
The familiar "whoosh whoosh whoosh!" sound came from the back row.
Luo Yanling and Gu Wanning each held a mobile phone and started a fruit-cutting battle.
"Ouch! I cut the bomb!"
"You're so stupid! Watch this—thirteen-hit combo!"
"Wan Ning, you're cheating! Your fingers are longer than mine!"
Geng Zhi glanced at the rearview mirror and a slight smile appeared on his lips.
"Straightforward," Luo Yanling asked curiously while cutting fruit, "You just said you developed Fruit Ninja, is that true? That's amazing! Aren't you acting as a matchmaker for Jiaotong University?"
"Absolutely genuine." Geng Zhi gripped the steering wheel, his gaze fixed straight ahead. "I was very poor before, and to earn some extra money, I agreed to work part-time for a game studio. I never expected to be so lucky; the game I worked on became a huge hit."
"Now that you've started your own business, are you a millionaire?" Luo Yanling continued to ask, her hands still moving.
"I'm even poorer now that I've started my own business." Geng Zhi chuckled. "I'm so poor that I don't even have money to buy clothes for my parents, and I still owe Wan Ning so much in lawyer fees."
"Oh, right!" Luo Yanling first thought of Geng Zhi's title of "industry expert," and then she thought of the scene where she was wronged by netizens.
She couldn't help but feel sorry for Geng Zhi, then stared at Gu Wan Ning with a serious expression.
"No, what's wrong, Yanling? Why are you staring at me like that?" Gu Wanning didn't understand what her best friend meant.
"Wan Ning, I think it's already so difficult for someone to be so honest, so why don't you just not charge them legal fees? You don't need that money, or at least give them a 50% discount, okay?"
Gu Wanning: "Luo Yanling, who are you on board with?"
"I'm on the side of justice!" Luo Yanling declared righteously.
Geng Zhi was slightly touched and said directly, "Yanling, you're now a VIP user of 'Jiaotong University Matchmaker.' From now on, whatever kind of partner you're looking for, I can recommend the best ones based on your criteria, completely free of charge. And if you need anything else, just let me know."
"Wow! That's perfect!" Luo Yanling's eyes lit up, and she giggled, "Deal! I want a tall, rich, and handsome guy! Over 1.8 meters tall! With eight-pack abs!"
"Yanling," Gu Wanning sighed, rubbing her forehead, "Gengzhi is a complete liar; he's been dealt with now."
'
She was halfway through her sentence when she suddenly realized she shouldn't have brought it up, and swallowed the words back.
"By what?" Luo Yanling keenly noticed and immediately asked.
The car was quiet for a few seconds.
"I was kicked out by the matchmaker from Jiaotong University," Geng said calmly and frankly.
"Holy crap!" Luo Yanling's eyes widened in disbelief. "Is that Ma Chunmei? How can she be so shameless! She's really kicking people after they've served their purpose!"
"You know Ma Chunmei too?" Geng Zhi asked curiously.
"Of course!" Luo Yanling said matter-of-factly. "I've seen her giving a lot of interviews to various news media lately!"
They talked about "staying true to our original aspirations" and "thanking the team," acting like it was all genuine!
This straightforward person really didn't know, and neither did Gu Wanning.
After a few seconds of silence in the car, Gu Wanning spoke again: "Straightforward, I suspect this is a tactic by Baihe.com. They won't directly insult you, but they'll use praising Ma Chunmei to put you down."
"It's alright." Geng Zhi smiled, looking out the windshield at the road in the distance. "Then I should thank them even more."
"Thank them? You're not even crazier than me, are you?" Luo Yanling asked, looking puzzled.
Geng Zhi didn't explain, but the smile on his lips deepened.
For the rest of the time, the three of them only ate one meal at a service area. The rest of the time, Geng Zhi drove straight ahead, while the two in the back seat had a great time—cutting fruit, playing cards, gossiping, and generally enjoying themselves.
Nine and a half hours later, the three of them arrived in Jinan. By then, snow had started to fall from the sky and was falling heavier and heavier.
Gu Wanning was the first to become worried.
She checked the weather forecast, her brow furrowing deeper and deeper: "Yanling, it's snowing in Shandong, Hebei, and Beijing right now. We might not be able to make it; it's too dangerous. The highways might be closed."
Luo Yanling glanced at the snow outside the window, then at Geng Zhi in the driver's seat. Her eyes darted around, and she said nonchalantly, "How about this, Mingfan, you take me to Yaoqiang Airport, and I'll fly back to the capital. Then Wan Ning will take you home."
Gu Wanning: "Hmm? This—"
"Stop 'this' and 'that'!" Luo Yanling interrupted her, waving her hand. "The snow is getting heavier and heavier, and we can't move forward at all!"
I just checked, and there are still flights from Jinan to Beijing. I'll just buy a ticket and go home! I'll avoid getting stuck in traffic during the New Year.
"No, Yanling!" Gu Wanning looked completely bewildered; she was genuinely stunned. "You're gone! What am I supposed to do? You promised to go see the snow with me! You can't just stand me up like this!"
"Now we can see the snow, right? Don't you still have Geng Shaonian?" Before Gu Wanning could speak, Luo Yanling leaned over and patted Geng Zhi's shoulder. "Master Geng, let's go to Yaoqiang Airport."
Geng Zhi: "Okay!"
Gu Wanning: "???"
At the entrance of the teachers' residential compound in a county town in Shandong Province.
By this time, the snow had accumulated into a thick layer, making a crunching sound when stepped on.
"Youcai, with such heavy snow, isn't it dangerous on the road?" Yao Shufen stood at the entrance of the residential area, holding an umbrella, tiptoeing, and anxiously looking towards the intersection.
-
"Don't worry, don't worry." Geng Youcai was also a little anxious, but he still patiently reassured his wife, "Didn't Geng Zhi say we're almost there? Just wait a little longer. It's normal for cars to drive slowly in the snow."
He glanced at his phone, then at the swirling snowflakes.
"We clearly agreed to take the train back," Yao Shufen grumbled, her brows furrowed. "Why did you suddenly decide to hitch a ride? Honestly—it worried me to death."
"Our son was just trying to save money," Geng Youcai patted her shoulder. "That's good. He knows how to save money now; he's growing up."
.
"Save money, save money! What's the use of saving a few dollars if something happens?" Yao Shufen glared at him.
"Pah, pah, pah, what are you saying during the New Year?" Geng Youcai quickly smoothed things over. "We'll be home soon, don't overthink it."
Two and a half hours later, the snow was already quite deep, more than ten centimeters. There were less than two hours left until the New Year's bells rang.
In the distance, two dim headlights pierced the snow curtain and slowly drove towards the entrance of the residential area.
"Talented! Talented!" Yao Shufen saw the car from afar and hurriedly patted her husband's arm, so hard that Geng Youcai grimaced. "Look at the license plate number of this car, isn't it the car our son was talking about?"
The snow was so heavy that the license plate was covered in a layer of snow. Geng Youcai squinted, trying hard to make out the details.
"Let me see—yes, it's a Shanghai license plate, the last four digits are 1120, it's that car!" Geng Youcai exclaimed after taking a closer look.
The car slowly came to a stop at the gate of the residential area.
When Geng Youcai saw someone in the passenger seat, he assumed it was his son and was about to open the passenger door when Geng Zhi got out of the driver's seat.
"Huh?" Geng Youcai was quite puzzled. "Geng Zhi, didn't you say you were taking a rideshare? Why are you driving yourself now?"
"Yes, son," Yao Shufen chimed in, looking the car up and down with a hint of worry in her eyes. "This car looks pretty expensive, doesn't it? A Maserati? Don't let them get away with this."
She knew her son's skill level; after all, he had only had his driver's license for six months and hadn't even driven a car since getting it.
Before Yao Shufen could finish speaking, the passenger door opened.
A pair of exquisite ankle boots stepped on the snow.
Gu Wanning slowly got out of the passenger seat, stood still, and adjusted the collar of her coat.
Geng Youcai and Yao Shufen were both stunned. Their gazes were fixed on Gu Wanning, as if they had been frozen in place.
Yao Shufen's inner monologue: This girl—this aura—this look—my goodness!! No…did her son secretly bring back a daughter-in-law while hitchhiking? And she's so beautiful!! No wonder he's her good son! So promising! So very promising!!
Geng Youcai's inner monologue: "The student has truly surpassed the master! He's much better than his old man was back then!!"
Yao Shufen was about to say hello—
"Hello, Uncle and Aunt!" Gu Wanning spoke first, bowing slightly with grace and poise.
Her voice was clear and crisp, and her smile was appropriate; Yao Shufen's heart almost melted.
"Dad, Mom," Geng Zhi introduced, "This is my good friend Gu Wan Ning. I hitched a ride back with her. She went out of her way to give me a ride."
"Okay, okay!" Yao Shufen nodded repeatedly, her smile wide and bright, the wrinkles around her eyes crinkling with laughter. "Thank you for your hard work, Wan Ning. Come on, Wan Ning, come home with Auntie and warm up! It's cold outside!"
"Geng Zhi, hurry up and drive your car in, I'll find you a parking spot." Geng Youcai hurriedly led the way.
Yao Shufen grabbed Gu Wanning's hand and pulled her into the residential area.
Gu Wanning was taken aback, a little flustered by Yao Shufen's enthusiasm, and subconsciously tried to pull her hand back: "No, ah—"
Auntie, I just came to drop off Gengzhi. I gave him a ride on my way back—"
"Silly girl!" Yao Shufen interrupted her, gripping her hand even tighter. She turned back and gave her a reproachful look. "It's so late at night, the New Year is almost here, and it's snowing. Where can you go?"
"But""
"No buts!" Yao Shufen said firmly. "Now that we're at Auntie's house, we have to listen to her. Come on, come on, it's warm inside, Auntie will cook you dumplings!"
Gu Wanning turned back to look at Geng Zhi helplessly, her eyes filled with "Explain yourself!"
But Geng Zhi had already stopped the car under Geng Youcai's guidance and didn't see her distress signal at all.
What could she do but be pulled along by Yao Shufen, stumbling along the muddy path towards Geng Zhi's home?
The snow was still falling, landing on her shoulders and in her hair. Gu Wanning's mind was a jumbled mess.
Gu Wanning didn't understand. She had only asked Geng Zhi for a ride because she felt sorry for him, but how did she end up getting herself involved?
She didn't understand, she had absolutely no idea why the plot had spiraled out of control. It was as if her aunt, Luo Yanling, and Geng Zhi were all in cahoots, and that this was a setup they had orchestrated long ago.
15 minute later.
After exchanging pleasantries, Yao Shufen and Geng Youcai finally calmed down—at least outwardly.
"Mom," Geng Zhi began taking things out of the bag, "this is the cashmere coat Wan Ning picked out for you, this undershirt, and this scarf."
Yao Shufen took the clothes, her eyes lighting up. "Ah, wonderful, wonderful, so beautiful!" She touched the soft cashmere fabric, looked at Gu Wanning, and smiled broadly. "Thank you, Wanning, thank you! As expected, it has to be my daughter-in-law—it has to be Wanning who buys the most suitable clothes! Much better than what my son could buy himself!"
"Dad," Geng Zhi turned to Geng Youcai, "this is the wool coat, cashmere sweater, long-sleeved shirt, and casual pants that Wan Ning picked out for you."
Geng Youcai took the clothes, his heart, which had just calmed down, becoming excited again. He secretly glanced at his son, then at Gu Wanning, already planning in his mind when the two kids would get married.
"Dad, there's also this Mido watch." Geng Zhi pulled out another box. "Wan Ning picked it out for you too."
"Mom, and this gold necklace too." The last box was opened, revealing a delicate little necklace. "Wan Ning picked it out for you too."
Gu Wanning stared blankly at Geng Zhi's actions, momentarily at a loss for words, and could only maintain a polite smile and nod in agreement.
"Wan Ning, this is your first time visiting our home," Yao Shufen said, holding her hand, her eyes welling up with tears. "And you've spent so much money—we can't possibly accept this!"
She was already starting to plan what gifts she should give back to their parents. She needed to return at least three to five times the amount, so they wouldn't think her family was being inconsiderate.
"Mom," Geng Zhi interrupted her thoughts in time, "Wan Ning picked these out for me, but she only lent me the money temporarily. I have to pay her back later."
Yao Shufen and Geng Youcai were both slightly taken aback.
Yao Shufen quickly smiled and smoothed things over: "Yes, that's right, you have to—"
9
"Honest!" Gu Wanning suddenly spoke up, giving him a slight glare. "You're talking nonsense! This was specially bought for your uncle and aunt! What do you mean by 'paying in advance'?"
Geng Zhi was taken aback and looked at her.
The New Year's bells rang.
Outside the window, fireworks burst forth, illuminating the snowy night sky.
Happy New Year, fellow book lovers!
To the young people selling goods on the subway, I wish you all a prosperous and successful new year, and may all your wishes come true!