Chapter 34: Chapter 34 Full of Bromance

    The nutritionist mentioned that Gu Jinxiu’s dinner should be as light as possible, so An Junxi made some very home-style dishes: scallion eggs, stir-fried mung bean sprouts, onion-fried meat slices, mushroom stewed chicken, and tea tree mushroom pork rib soup. These were common dishes on the family’s farmhouse menu. Before cooking, she asked Gu Jinxiu specifically, "Do you all eat onions?"

    Gu Jinxiu said, "I eat them, but my father doesn’t. However, he probably won’t be back for dinner."

    "Why?"

    "There seems to be some project at the company. Uncle Yue said he’s been very busy these days."

    An Junxi didn’t ask further and quickly finished cooking the meal. The maids were used to seeing An Junxi busy in the kitchen, so they set the table and then left them to eat undisturbed.

    Gu Jinxiu couldn’t eat abalone, but had a great appetite for An Junxi’s home-style dishes. He ate two bowls of rice and drank two bowls of soup. An Junxi reminded him, "Don’t eat too much. Eating too much at night is bad for the digestive system."

    She only ate a bit of rice and drank a bowl of soup.

    Despite that, Gu Jinxiu couldn’t resist finishing the eggs, "So delicious!"

    Just as he spoke, a tall figure walked in at the doorway. Gu Yikun unbuttoned the top two buttons of his white shirt as he entered and sat directly at the main seat, "Just in time, we haven’t eaten either." He looked at An Junxi.

    An Junxi looked at Gu Jinxiu, utterly confused.

    Didn’t he say they wouldn’t be back? She hadn’t saved any food!

    Gu Jinxiu was also baffled, "Father hasn’t eaten?"

    Gu Yikun glanced at the clean plates on the table and then at An Junxi’s expression, asking, "Nothing left?"

    An Junxi felt a bit embarrassed.

    Just then, an exuberant laugh came from outside. A familiar figure quickly appeared at the dining room door; Yue Xiaoyang strode in and sat down opposite An Junxi, "Little Xi Xi, I’m here to taste your cooking! President Gu even skipped a dinner party to come, I thought there was a top chef hidden at home, turns out it’s you, Little Xi Xi!"

    An Junxi greeted him, "Long time no see, Xiaoyang."

    Yue Xiaoyang said, "It has indeed been a while. You never even came to the hospital to see me!"

    An Junxi was speechless, who would visit the hospital for no reason?

    Clueless, Yue Xiaoyang urged the maid, "There must be food in the kitchen, hurry and bring it out."

    The maid was at a loss, "Miss An, she..."

    An Junxi went to serve them two bowls of soup, "I didn’t save any dishes. You should drink the soup first, I’ll quickly make a few more dishes."

    Gu Yikun stood up, "Just have the chef send food from the hotel."

    An Junxi grabbed his arm and pushed him back into his chair, "It will be quick, have some soup first."

    Gu Yikun looked at the hand holding his arm and then stared at her, eyes full of astonishment.

    Gu Jinxiu was equally shocked, "Sister Jun Xi is amazing! She actually dares to touch my father like that!"

    When An Junxi met Gu Yikun’s gaze, her hand recoiled as if burnt, "I-I acted a bit rashly."

    "Okay, go ahead." Gu Yikun’s expression was unreadable as he began sipping his soup.

    At this point, Yue Xiaoyang had already finished his soup, too preoccupied with drinking to notice the earlier scene, simply saying, "Little Xi Xi, your soup has conquered me, I won’t eat the hotel’s food, I’ll wait for your cooking!"

    What a foodie.

    An Junxi took this as a good excuse to escape the awkward situation, "Alright, I’ll be quick."

    She ran into the kitchen, feeling her face burning. Oh my, what had she just done!

    Thankfully, Gu Yikun didn’t hold it against her!

    After splashing some water on her face to cool down, she started preparing food again. With the servants helping to prepare ingredients, she still made some of the same dishes but replaced the onions with shredded carrots. She realized that these rich folks, used to delicacies, actually had a keen interest in home-style dishes.

    When she brought out the dishes, Gu Jinxiu had already slipped away.

    As the servants helped serve the food, Yue Xiaoyang eagerly grabbed his chopsticks and took a bite of mushrooms, giving a thumbs up, "The wait was worth it, Little Xi Xi, you’re awesome!"

    An Junxi wasn’t used to being called "Little Xi Xi," but knowing Yue Xiaoyang loved to joke, she didn’t correct him, "I’m glad you enjoy the food." She looked at Gu Yikun.

    After a long moment, Gu Yikun finally said two words, "Not bad."

    An Junxi pouted.

    Yue Xiaoyang, ever the translator, added, "He means it’s actually very good."

    An Junxi couldn’t help but cover her mouth and laugh.

    Gu Yikun silently observed her and took in her reaction. This woman was surprisingly easy to fool; she seemed somewhat clumsy! Had he picked the wrong tutor?

    An Junxi didn’t want to interrupt them, "Take your time eating, I’m going to check on Jin Xiu’s homework."

    Yue Xiaoyang, in between his busy eating, asked, "Little Xi Xi, what are you cooking tomorrow? I’ll come to eat again!"

    Before An Junxi could answer, Gu Yikun coldly glanced at him, "Have you paid the board?"

    Yue Xiaoyang nearly spat out his food, put down his bowl heavily, "I’m not eating anymore, this life is unbearable! You’re actually charging me for food?"

    Gu Yikun ignored him, continuing to eat, "If you’re not eating, even better."

    "Dream on, I’m going to finish all the dishes, not letting you have any!"

    Yue Xiaoyang, unashamed, picked up his chopsticks and started eating heartily again. The scene of the two dining together looked very harmonious.

    An Junxi left the scene in a cold sweat, feeling that their bromance was strong?

    When she arrived at the study, Gu Jinxiu was waiting for her. As soon as she came in, he gave her a thumbs up, "Sister Jun Xi, you actually dared to pull my father’s hand, impressive!"

    An Junxi’s face turned bright red as she stammered, "I-I just got a bit rash because I was in a hurry and didn’t pay attention to the occasion."

    Gu Jinxiu still looked at her with admiration.

    An Junxi curiously asked, "Does this mean you’ve never held his hand? He’s never hugged you?"

    Gu Jinxiu’s face showed a hint of sadness as he lowered his head, "Father has never hugged me." Once, he came back late, pretended to sleep in the car, hoping his father would carry him to his room, but in the end, it was Housekeeper Cheng who carried him.

    Gu Jinxiu said, "Sister Jun Xi, I heard from the maids that father hates my mother, so he also hates me."

    An Junxi was taken aback, she closed the door softly and whispered, "How could that be? I heard that outside, your father loved your mother very much. Since she passed away during childbirth, he hasn’t remarried." She wasn’t sure if it was appropriate to say this to a child, but seeing Gu Jinxiu’s expression, he obviously understood everything, just keeping it all inside.

    At this age, children most need companionship and guidance.

    An Junxi suddenly felt a heavy responsibility on her shoulders.

    Gu Jinxiu shook his head and said, "Not only the maids, but I also eavesdropped on my grandparents. They said they shouldn’t have forced father to marry my mother. Father didn’t love her, so he doesn’t like me. Even my uncle said when taking me to school, it’s all the adults’ fault, causing me to suffer along with them."