CHAPTER 391: CHAPTER 390: A HEART THAT OVERCOMES DIFFICULTIES

Gu Xiaoqing spoke up, "You haven’t been doing well lately, have you?"

Seeing the hint of annoyance and unease on Fang Shaohan’s brow, Gu Xiaoqing could immediately understand how great the pressure at home was.

Fang Shaohan shook his head as the car stopped at the gate, right in front of Gu Xiaoqing’s family villa.

The ignition was turned off.

"Actually, it’s nothing. Xiaoqing, please don’t change your heart about me because of anyone’s words or actions. I have the confidence to overcome any difficulties; I’m not the only grandson in the family, carrying on the family name isn’t my responsibility, and maintaining the family’s prosperity doesn’t have to be solely my burden. So don’t let anyone’s words affect us."

Fang Shaohan was worried that Gu Xiaoqing would be swayed by her family. This time, almost all relatives were involved to persuade Fang Shaohan; of course, they were unsuccessful with him, but Fang Shaohan believed that as long as there was a glimmer of hope, they would not give up.

After all these years, Fang Shaohan was quite familiar with the family’s methods.

The relationship between the two hadn’t had the time to truly grow, yet it had to face a significant test, which made Fang Shaohan anxious.

Gu Xiaoqing placed her fingers into Fang Shaohan’s hand and gently tightened her grip on his large hand; the warmth between the joints was still the same.

Softly comforting Fang Shaohan, "Don’t worry, I’m not someone who can easily change their mind. If I hadn’t agreed with you, it’d be different, but once I’ve made my choice, I will not fear any challenges or obstacles, and no one can change my mind."

Fang Shaohan wanted to hold Gu Xiaoqing, but unfortunately, the car’s confines frustrated him. Gu Xiaoqing playfully smiled and said, "Okay, I need to go home. I need to rest well to be ready to fight."

"Today you will rest well, tomorrow I’ll visit your parents." Fang Shaohan finally felt at ease.

Gu Xiaoqing nodded.

Fang Shaohan took Gu Xiaoqing’s suitcase out of the trunk and handed it to her, feeling a bit reluctant. After so long without seeing his beloved, the moment he saw Gu Xiaoqing, he didn’t want to part.

But that’s definitely impossible.

He still had to marry Gu Xiaoqing and bring her home soon.

Damn age!

Watching Fang Shaohan drive away, Gu Xiaoqing slowly walked back home.

The door was opened by Li Xuemei, and Gu Xiaoqing vaguely thought that it had been her mother waiting at the door every year she came home for the holidays.

Seeing Gu Xiaoqing, Li Xuemei happily took her suitcase and complained, "Look at you, how come you’ve lost so much weight this year? Living alone out there really isn’t good; see how well you can take care of yourself on your own?"

Gu Xiaoqing entered through the door and saw the people in the living room. As she changed her shoes, she greeted them.

"Big sister, brother-in-law, you’re both here."

Liu Ming and Gu Xiaoying were sitting in the living room.

From one glance, Gu Xiaoqing could tell that her big sister Gu Xiaoying already had a slightly protruding belly, excitedly discovering that her sister was pregnant.

Liu Ming was carefully slicing fruit for Gu Xiaoying; seeing his sister-in-law’s arrival, he immediately beamed a smile.

"Xiaoqing, you’re back. I was planning to pick you up, but the director said he would go, so I didn’t."

Liu Ming actually was aware of the situation between Fang Shaohan and Gu Xiaoqing, but Fang Shaohan didn’t want it mentioned, so he had to keep quiet.

Gu Xiaoqing sat next to Gu Xiaoying, touched her sister’s belly, and cautiously asked, "Big sister, how many months now?"

Gu Xiaoying said with a face full of happiness, "Five months."

It was a form of happiness and brightness that comes from being a new mother.

"Then why didn’t you call me earlier so I could bring you some of the latest baby clothes and items, as well as formula, from Shanghai?" Gu Xiaoqing genuinely complained.

Li Xuemei placed Gu Xiaoqing’s suitcase aside and said, "Don’t blame your sister; it was me who didn’t want her to tell you. You’re so busy that you barely call us once a month; how would you have the time to get things for your sister? Besides, we don’t lack those things here. I’ve already bought everything your sister needs."

Gu Xiaoying also comforted Gu Xiaoqing, "Yes, I know you’re busy; it’s often hard to reach you. Look at how you’ve lost weight over six months. My husband takes good care of me, and my in-laws are very kind. Our mom always buys me lots of things; are you really worried I don’t have enough?"

Seeing her sister who had lost weight, Gu Xiaoying felt quite concerned.

She truly cared about Gu Xiaoqing.

From upstairs came the sound of running, and Gu Xiaojie rushed down, immediately jumping over to Gu Xiaoying, "Second sister, you’re back!"

Now Gu Xiaojie was already thirteen. Given the good living conditions, a nutritious diet, Gu Xiaojie’s height had surpassed Gu Xiaoqing, looking every bit a big boy.

Gu Xiaojie was like a replica of Gu Ruhai, with facial features identical to another Gu Ruhai; his nature was also docile, but growing up in the city, his speech and actions had become quite different from those of rural children.

"Yes, I’m back. How did your exams go this time?"

Gu Xiaoqing was an absolutely strict sister.

Gu Xiaojie stuck out his tongue, hunched his head, and bashfully mumbled, "It’s alright, just the same."

Whenever he saw Gu Xiaoqing, Gu Xiaojie would basically feel like a mouse seeing a cat.

Li Xuemei patted Gu Xiaojie’s shoulder and said, "You say that, your sister never made us worry, she was always the most worry-free one in school, but you, every time there’s a parent-teacher meeting, your dad gets scolded like he’s some kind of grandson. How could I have given birth to such a troublesome kid?"

Since the first parent-teacher meeting where Li Xuemei was scolded thoroughly because of Gu Xiaojie, she vowed never to endure that at school again.

So Gu Ruhai always went instead.

But every time he went, he was scolded; it had become a routine.

Gu Xiaojie’s face turned red, "Mom, you say that, but it’s because you were partial; when you had my second sister, you used up all your wit and intelligence, so by the time it was my turn, you were so half-hearted, how could I be any different? If you want to blame someone, blame yourself."

He didn’t know who else to complain to.

Everyone knew he had a university-educated sister, and he was always ashamed with respect to comparisons.

But he really did study hard; it was just that every test resulted in the same scores.

Liu Ming came over to mediate, "Mom, don’t scold Xiaojie anymore. Boys are naturally a bit naughty; it shows intelligence. Once he gets into middle and high school, he’ll make great strides. Xiaojie is very smart; last time when I had issues with my computer data, Xiaojie helped me recover it."