Back To The 80s-Chapter 324 - 334: Pretending (Request for Monthly Tickets)_1

Chapter 324: Chapter 334: Pretending (Request for Monthly Tickets)_1

Gu Xiaobei waited for Lu Zhanguo to come downstairs and immediately cuddled up with Xiaopang for a nap.

Downstairs, Lu Zhanguo was sitting on the sofa, his arms tight around Mo Wang. He’d snuck down the toy soldier while coming downstairs and now he wound it up. It made a rhythmic drumming sound as it marched along the coffeetable.

Mo Wang opened her mouth in delight. This toy was fun, and it even made noise.

Wen Xiuqing was knitting some small wool trousers for the children in her bedroom when she heard noises from the living room. She put down her knitting and went to check it out.

"Xiaopang hasn’t woken up yet?" As soon as Xiuqing saw Mo Wang, her mood improved even more. She put down her knitting and reached out to pick up Mo Wang.

"Zhanguo, I’ve thought it over, I’m not going with you to the provincial city," Xiuqing suddenly announced after she sat down with Mo Wang in her arms.

Lu Zhanguo was a bit confused. "But isn’t it the same if you stay at home? Over there, you can see Mo Wang every day, right?"

A bitter smile appeared on Wen Xiuqing’s face. "You guys know how temperamental I can be. I’m not sure if I can change."

Lu Zhanguo saw how his mother’s bitter smile and felt a pang in his heart. He’d thought that Wen Xiuqing was just difficult by nature, but now he realized that she had been shouldering so many things.

"We’ll talk about it after the New Year. For now, let’s focus on enjoying the holiday," Lu Zhanguo consoled her.

Wen Xiuqing hugged Mo Wang but remained silent. She was torn between her love for Mo Wang and her reluctance to move to the provincial city.

It was the 28th day of lunar December and the atmosphere in Capital City was getting more festive ahead of the upcoming New Year. A local custom prohibited steaming dumplings or chopping and stir-frying food from New Year’s Day to the fifth day of the New Year. The names of these activities sounded like arguing and fighting, which was considered inauspicious. In order to ensure a peaceful and harmonious year, people would prepare all the food in advance, allowing them to simply take it out and heat it up during the holiday.

Wen Xiuqing put a considerable emphasis on this year’s New Year celebration. She had already prepared and steamed several boxes of dumplings ahead of time and stored them in the small storeroom outside where it was frozen.

On the 28th day, she started preparing various dishes for the New Year celebration with Aunt Li’s help, including stewed meat, braised chicken, fried fish, fried meatballs, fried lotus root slices...

Gu Xiaobei held Mo Wang and watched as Lu Aiguo and Fang Jing hung lanterns. Yueyue, holding a small lantern, ran around following them giggling. The smell of braised meat wafted from the kitchen, and the festive atmosphere filled the air.

Gu Xiaobei couldn’t help but smile. This was what New Year should feel like.

For lunch, Wen Xiuqing cooked thin pancakes with sliced pork. For Mo Wang and Xiaopang, she steamed a custard egg and made a mini omelette stuffed with cooked carrot paste.

Just as they were about to start lunch, two long-expected guests arrived -- Shen Heng and Qin Mei.

Gu Xiaobei was surprised. Seeing these two together, did that mean something good was about to happen?

Qin Mei was as chic and capable as ever. Her once pixie cut was now shoulder length and held back by a wide headband. That added a touch of feminine flair to her appearance.

"Aunt Wen, we just arrived yesterday, and came to wish you an early happy New Year," Shen Heng smiled and handed the gifts he brought to Xiuqing.

"Aunt Wen, let me introduce you, this is my girlfriend, Qin Mei. Qin Mei, this is Aunt Wen," Shen Heng presented."

Although Gu Xiaobei had anticipated it, the news stunned her. True enough, as Lu Zhanguo had predicted, they were now going to a wedding with children in arms.

With Xiaopang in his arms, Lu Zhanguo stood by the side, showing no sign of surprise. It seemed as if he had been expecting it all along.

"Aunt Wen." Qin Mei greeted Wen Xiuqing a tad awkwardly, then said to Gu Xiaobei, "Sister-in-law, these must be Xiaopang and Mo Wang, right? Even though I’ve not met them before, I’ve heard Qin Li talk about them nonstop."

"Heng, you guys should sit and chat. I’ll go prepare a couple of dishes," Wen Xiuqing said with a bright smile. She then retreated to the kitchen to ask Aunt Li to prepare some more dishes. Luckily, the array of ingredients for the New Year’s preparation was abundant and varied.

Seeing Wen Xiuqing move to the kitchen, Shen Heng made an observation. "Aunt Wen seems different."

Lu Zhanguo didn’t say a word, allowing the two to get seated before he casually asked, "Why did you come back suddenly?"

"Working on a case," Shen Heng replied concisely without concealment.

Sitting across from Gu Xiaobei, Qin Mei spent most of her time avoiding eye contact with Shen Heng. Xiaobei noticed this and thought to herself, ’this doesn’t look like a couple’s behavior at all.’

"Sister-in-law, you’re holding Mo Wang or Xiaopang? They’re so adorable!" Qin Mei asked while admiring the baby in Xiaobei’s arms.

"This is Mo Wang. Xiaopang always wants his dad, and no one else will do when his dad’s home," Gu Xiaobei replied with a small chuckle.

Qin Mei couldn’t resist touching Mo Wang’s soft, little cheeks, and then asked, "May I hold her for a while?"

"Sure, just be careful she doesn’t pee on you," Gu Xiaobei cautioned playfully, as during daylight they didn’t put diapers on the babies anymore. Their bowel movements were regular, just once daily, and when they were made to urinate at set times, instances of wetting their pants were rather scarce.

Seeing this interaction, Shen Heng commented jokingly, "You do look like you know what you’re doing when you hold a baby, Mei."

Qin Mei seemed to ignore his comment and continued to play with Mo Wang in her arms.

Shen Heng awkwardly rubbed his nose and changed the subject by asking Lu Zhanguo, "When are you guys going back?"

"10th day of the Lunar New Year."

"If we finish our work here, maybe we can go back together," Shen Heng suggested, cleverly steering the conversation away from his previous awkwardness.

Lu Aiguo and Fang Jing, along with Yueyue, came down after decorating the upstairs hallway with many red lanterns. Noticing Shen Heng, Lu Aiguo told Yueyue, "Hurry and bow to Shen Da-ye and wish him a Happy New Year. Remember not to get up until he gives you five big unity - money, I mean."

Stepping down the stairs, Yueyue ran to Shen Heng and bowed before him, wishing him a Happy New Year. Quickly standing back up, she outstretched her hand, "Shen Da-ye, red envelope, please."

Caught off guard, Shen Heng looked at Lu Aiguo and laughed, "You’re really something with money-making, aren’t you?" As he chuckled, he took out several new ten yuan notes, gave three of them to Yueyue, and said, "Yueyue, make sure you give one each to your younger brother and sister."

Chuckling, Lu Aiguo turned to Shen Heng, "So, this is your girlfriend? Good choice."

Shen Heng gave Lu Aiguo a smug wink, only to receive a sharp look from Qin Mei.

Gu Xiaobei watched silently from the side. No matter how she looked at it, Qin Mei and Shen Heng didn’t seem like boyfriend and girlfriend. Plus, it seemed like Qin Mei was somewhat hostile towards Shen Heng.

After lunch, Shen Heng went to the study with Lu Zhanguo to have a chat.

Gu Xiaobei asked Qin Mei to help hold Xiaopang as they went upstairs to nap.

Once in the room, she asked, "How are Mrs. Jin and Jiujiu? And what about Qin Li? How’s she doing lately?"

Qin Mei smiled, "Everyone’s fine. My mom keeps talking about how she regrets not seeing your twins. It’s been bothering her."

"So are you and Shen Heng about to get married?" Gu Xiaobei couldn’t help but prod.

Qin Mei responded a bit awkwardly with a nod. She couldn’t reveal to Xiaobei that she and Shen Heng were merely pretending to be a couple for the sake of their case.

Gu Xiaobei scrutinized Qin Mei, but as she saw that Qin Mei didn’t want to talk about it, she didn’t ask any more.

In the study, Shen Heng puffed on a cigarette, looked at Lu Zhanguo and remarked jokingly, "Fatherhood really changed you. You’re so much more human now."

Lu Zhanguo’s eyes narrowed, and he retorted, "Really? Fooling someone into your home – that’s not the best behavior either, right?"