Chapter 110: The Gu Family Arrives
“Granny, I know,” Wanyan said, a wave of warmth washing over her. Even though she had an infinite supply of goods in her space and faced no real risk in bringing them out, she felt a deeper motivation knowing her loved ones were constantly thinking of her and looking out for her.
Grandma Sheng patted her hand. Her granddaughter had always been such a sensible child; seeing that the girl understood her concerns made the old woman feel truly at ease.
The Sheng family spent several days in a whirlwind of activity, finally reaching the morning the Gu family was due to arrive.
Sheng’s father and mother treated the occasion with the utmost gravity. Once they learned that Gu Tingxiao’s family were all high-ranking leaders, they became even more determined that their daughter should not be looked down upon by her future in-laws. They truly hadn’t expected Gu Tingxiao’s background to be so prominent. When the news hit that his father was a Commander-in-Chief, they were so stunned they could hardly close their mouths.
And when they discovered his mother was a high-level executive in the Capital Finance Department, their hearts practically trembled. The highest-ranking official they had ever encountered in their lives was their own factory director, followed by their daughter-in-law’s father, the teacher.
The couple didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Their son was marrying up, and now their daughter was doing the same. Knowing their status couldn’t match the in-laws, they resolved to support their children silently and ensure they were never a burden.
“No matter how prominent our in-laws are, we just need to keep a clear conscience,” Grandpa Sheng advised, seeing the nerves getting the better of his son and daughter-in-law. “We must provide the strongest support for our children so they have a place to fall back on if they ever encounter difficulties.”
He reminded them that while they weren’t elite officials, every member of the Sheng family contributed to the country in their own way. They didn’t steal, they didn’t beg, and they didn’t need to live off their in-laws’ wealth. There was absolutely nothing inferior about them.
His words hit home, and the heavy burden on the couple’s hearts finally began to lift.
The whole family rose at dawn to start the final preparations. Even Grandpa Sheng skipped his morning walk, staying behind to help scrub the floors and do whatever was within his power. Mother Sheng ushered Wanyan into the kitchen early; the prep work of washing and dicing alone took hours.
Mother Sheng’s menu was ambitious: potato and pork rib soup, stir-fried wild rabbit, braised pork, braised fish, and fresh seasonal vegetables, accompanied by two side dishes and a mountain of steamed buns.
“I’m leaving the soup and the rabbit to you,” Mother Sheng instructed her daughter. She had a plan; today was the day to showcase Wanyan’s strengths. Her culinary skills would undoubtedly earn her extra points with her future parents-in-law.
Wanyan nodded obediently. She couldn’t let her mother do all the heavy lifting alone.
“Old Sheng, help me knead the dough!” Mother Sheng called out.
“Coming!” Father Sheng hurried in to take the flour, setting up his workspace in the living room.
The Gu party was small—not like the crowd that had come for the Pan family’s proposal—but Mother Sheng still prepared massive portions. She knew Gu Tingxiao and his father were both soldiers with appetites to match.
To make things more comfortable, the Gu parents had asked Gu Tong to accompany them. Having a familiar face present would help bridge the gap and keep the atmosphere from becoming too stiff.
When a green military vehicle pulled into the courtyard of the tube-shaped building, the entire neighborhood erupted.
“Why is there a military vehicle here?” “I don’t know! What’s going on?” “Come on, let’s go see!”
Curious neighbors swarmed the vehicle, whispering and speculating. A soldier hopped out of the driver’s seat and hurried to open the rear door. “Commander, Ma’am, we’ve arrived.”
Gu Tingxiao stepped out of the passenger seat, rounded the car, and helped his mother down.
“Look! Isn’t that the Sheng girl’s boyfriend?” “It is! The soldier!” “How did they get a military car? And look at that woman getting out of the back—she looks so elegant.” “What is she wearing? It looks so warm and expensive.”
The crowd buzzed, but no one dared to approach. They simply stood back and watched the spectacle. Gu’s parents looked around, slightly surprised by the size of the welcoming committee.
“Third son, go get the candies and share them with the children,” Mother Gu said, coming to her senses. She smiled gently and patted Gu Tingxiao’s hand.
“Mhm.” Gu Tingxiao went to the trunk, pulled out a bag of sweets, and distributed them, giving several pieces to each child watching.
“Quite the crowd, eh?” Father Gu boomed. He was a classic, rugged military man with a booming voice and a towering frame. His eyes and brow were nearly identical to Gu Tingxiao’s, and when he looked serious, his aura was incredibly intimidating.
The onlookers winced at the power in his voice, and the children took a reflexive step back in fear.
“Commander, these are the families of the residents here. They’ve come to see the excitement,” the guard explained. Father Gu shot him a look as if he were an idiot. Did he really think he lacked that much common sense?
“I know that. You don’t need to tell me.”
The guard lowered his head, embarrassed. He was just trying to keep the Commander’s temper in check. Everyone knew their leader was tough on the outside but soft on the inside; he might scold his subordinates, but he was the first to rush into danger to protect them. They had long since grown accustomed to his ways.
Mother Gu shot her husband a quick, pointed glance. Father Gu immediately shut his mouth and offered a sheepish grin. He was famously “timid” in the face of his gentle wife, mostly because he adored her to the point of helplessness. Mother Gu truly was the picture of elegance; she radiated a soft, refined aura, yet every movement was crisp and efficient.
“Go get the things from the trunk,” she directed.
“On it!” At his wife’s command, the Commander-in-Chief immediately turned into a dutiful assistant and hurried to the back of the car.
“Xiao Gu, are these your parents?” a brave neighbor managed to ask. Gu Tingxiao nodded politely.
“Are you… here to propose marriage?”
“Yes.”
The crowd gasped. Not only had the Sheng daughter-in-law’s family arrived in a military vehicle last time, but now the future son-in-law’s family had done the same. What kind of family was this? Moreover, Father Gu was accompanied by personal guards. Only a truly high-level leader traveled with bodyguards!
“Where are you all from?” the neighbor pressed, the whole crowd leaning in to listen.
“From the Capital,” Gu Tingxiao replied.
The crowd collectively sucked in their breath. “My god, is smoke rising from the Sheng family’s ancestral graves?” one person whispered. “A daughter-in-law and a son-in-law both from the Capital? This is too much!”
The envy was palpable. Everyone remembered when Sheng Wanze had first brought Gu Tingxiao home for dinner; they had all suspected then that the Sheng family was destined for great things.
