Gong Ruini yawned, leisurely got up, and went to the kitchen to see if there was anything to eat. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

At this time, she expected everyone at home was already asleep. As for food, maybe there would be some chicken soup or something like that.

Given the choice, Gong Ruini really didn’t like eating noodles, but since she was alone, she didn’t want to make a fuss and preferred to keep it simple.

"Eh, why is the study light on?" Gong Ruini was quite puzzled and very curious.

Although Gong Ruini always kept important things in her personal space, she really wasn’t used to people entering her study without her permission.

"Could it be Gong Jiaxin?" Gong Ruini thought it must be her? But that didn’t make sense; didn’t they have their own courtyard to stay in?

Could it be it wasn’t set up properly? Gong Ruini yawned again, about to ask Gong Jiaxin if she wanted to eat something together.

She walked over and was surprised for a long time, "You’re not sleeping?"

She glanced at the big clock by the wall—it was ten o’clock in the evening, on a winter’s night, very late in the 1980s when nightlife was uncommon.

As soon as Gong Ruini turned on the study light, Zhao Xuran sensed it, but he didn’t move because he was sure Gong Ruini would come over.

"Are you hungry?" Zhao Xuran put down his book and motioned for Gong Ruini to sit.

Gong Ruini nodded, "Are you hungry? I’ll go cook something."

The feeling of having someone to eat with was really nice, especially eating with Zhao Xuran – it was indescribable.

"I brought the stuff over." Zhao Guangran motioned for Gong Ruini to sit as he got up and went out to the corridor.

Gong Ruini peered for a long time and then smelled the scent of charcoal; were they going to have a barbecue?

Although the food was hot, she pinched her waist, feeling like crying. It was true that coming home during these few days had her eating and sleeping well.

Even though she had lost weight initially due to Zhang Lan’s funeral, she soon gained it back.

"I know you’ve gained weight, so today we’re having hotpot without any meat, just vegetables." Although Zhao Xuran had his back to Gong Ruini, he seemed to know her inner struggle.

Ah, how did he know? Someone must have sold her out, either Gong Ruizhi or Gong Jiaming, as only those two big-mouths would do such a thing.

"It wasn’t Gong Jiaming and Xiao Zhi."

Ah, how did this guy know what she was thinking? Although she was happy that Zhao Xuran understood her so well, it felt like there were no secrets at all.

"I guessed it myself. You eat so much every day and get up late in the morning; how can you not gain weight?"

Well, Gong Ruini hadn’t thought that Zhao Xuran could deduce her weight gain from her daily eating habits, showing how much he cared.

"At this hour, how are there such fresh vegetables?" Gong Ruini opened the door to let the warm air out, so she wouldn’t be cold while eating hotpot in the hallway.

Seeing the fresh, green vegetables next to the hotpot, Gong Ruini was stunned.

Eating such vegetables at home wouldn’t be surprising, but in the North, how were such fresh vegetables possible? They couldn’t have been brought from the South.

Even if they were, they should have wilted a bit.

"Don’t they have greenhouses? Houses can’t be built there, but growing vegetables is possible." Zhao Xuran calmly said that he initially planned to surprise Ni Zi on New Year’s Eve, but couldn’t keep up with changes.

However, now it seemed even better; seeing the smile on his girlfriend’s face, Zhao Xuran felt all his efforts were worthwhile.

Growing vegetables by the hot springs is truly a luxury, "Thank you, I love this surprise."

Remembering earlier when Zhao Xuran said he had a surprise for her, Gong Ruini felt genuinely satisfied.

Surprise? Is this really a surprise? Zhao Xuran said it wasn’t really a surprise at all, "It was just a perk from buying that plot of land."

Ah, not a surprise? Gong Ruini decided not to overthink what surprise could be coming, as it was needless brainwork, and her mind needed to focus on more important matters.

"Here, eat. I specifically asked Granny Cai to prepare this broth—it’s bone soup, not greasy, and I added some kelp."

"Even if you don’t eat meat, there are fish and shrimp balls."

Wow, fish and shrimp balls made Gong Ruini’s eyes widen. "Shrimp, yay!" Gong Ruini especially loved shrimp, and Gong Zhuang had even arranged for some large shrimp. Although expensive, he couldn’t resist Gong Ruini’s fondness for them.

"Unfortunately, they’re not fresh shrimp, but once conditions permit, let’s go to the seaside to eat seafood." Zhao Xuran knew he couldn’t, like Gong Zhuang, get fresh seafood. It wasn’t about lacking channels but transporting from the South during winter meant it came frozen.

Wow, was this an invitation to travel together? But probably there’d be no chance for them to go out alone.

"Next year for New Year’s, I’m thinking our family could celebrate in the South, Yangcheng is nice." It’d also be a great chance to check out Yangcheng’s development.

Celebrating New Year in Yangcheng? Gong Ruini didn’t want to make any suggestions; even Zhao Xuran didn’t have the authority to decide.

"We’ll see then. In the summer holidays, let’s go to the seaside for some seafood."

Ah, to the seaside? Aren’t we supposed to be earning money? If nothing goes wrong, the summer holidays should be their cram school’s maiden attempt, something Gong Ruini needed to ponder carefully; after all, the first business couldn’t go wrong.

"You need a break, and so do those kids. If you keep holding classes non-stop, it’s stressful for them. Maybe give them a ten-day holiday, and we can drive around nearby." Zhao Xuran wanted to be reckless, but realized he couldn’t indulge like that.

Alright, she thought the boss might suggest a spontaneous trip, but even he had pressures.

"Let’s go to QD then; I quite like the buildings there." Though not from an architecture major or industry, Gong Ruini really loved beautiful buildings.

"Sure." He picked a shrimp ball for Ni Zi, "Finish it, or Guang Ran will get it all tomorrow."

"Let him eat; otherwise, he’ll just stare at me again." Gong Ruini expressed feeling stressed, having not worked today, which already caused some objections from that money-minded kid.

But being left out of the shrimp balls made by his big brother would be utterly heartbreaking.

"What could he eat? He’s been busy throughout the entire Spring Festival, and if he keeps eating, I’m afraid he’ll end up like a certain animal." Zhao Xuran unceremoniously joked.

Ah, did Zhao Guangran gain weight? Gong Ruini tried recalling and felt he’d gained a little, but surely, despite the festival, exercise was still maintained.

Could Zhao Guangran be seeking trouble? But even if he was, there was no way Zhao Xuran would ever let him.