By the time Zhu Queqi got home, the family had already finished dinner. Her younger brother had gone back to his room to do homework—Zhu Mother had instructed him not to let any noise outside distract him while studying, and not to come out under any circumstances. Zhu Father was sitting in a chair reading the newspaper, and only Zhu Mother remained in the kitchen, still scrubbing pots and pans.
Zhu Queqi placed the packed dishes on the table. The clatter caught Zhu Father’s attention. He looked up, eyes widening in surprise. “My goodness! Where did all this food come from?”
Before Zhu Queqi could answer, Zhu Mother, hearing the noise and wiping her hands, came out of the kitchen. She too was stunned at first, then her expression hardened, and pointing at Zhu Queqi, she scolded sharply: “Where did you get the money to buy all this? Don’t you know what your father, mother, and brother eat every night? No wonder I wondered why you never touch this or that—you’ve been cooking for yourself all this time! You heartless child…”
Zhu Queqi didn’t bother arguing. She turned and went back to her room, locking the door with a click. No matter how much they yelled, she didn’t care at all.
When Gu Ansheng arrived home, it was already completely dark. His family had finished dinner and were sitting in the living room watching TV. Zhu Mother’s sharp eyes immediately noticed him. “Son, have you eaten? I saved some for you, I’ll go heat it up right now.” Fearing her precious son might be hungry, she hurried with Wang Ma toward the kitchen.
“Mom, don’t bother. I already ate outside,” Gu Ansheng said, stopping her with a hand, his tone calm. “There are two things I need to tell you.”
Zhu Mother, confused, sat back down, exchanging puzzled glances with Zhu Father. The couple, Gu Anguo and his wife, also looked at each other silently. Wang Ma, sensing it wasn’t appropriate for her to stay, made an excuse and left the room, leaving only the family on the sofa.
Gu Ansheng found a seat and quickly scanned his mother, then turned to his father. In a serious tone, he said, “Dad, I’m planning to marry the person I was seeing back when I was in the countryside.”
This statement caused an immediate stir. Before his father could respond, Zhu Mother reacted first. “You mean the girl who came to see you today?”
Gu Ansheng nodded. Zhu Mother slammed her hand on the table, voice rising: “No! I absolutely refuse!” She grabbed Gu Ansheng’s hand and tried to reason with him: “Ansheng, it’s not that I want to ruin your happiness, but that girl isn’t suitable! Did you see how she acted today? What respectable girl would go to a man’s home alone and even sleep in his bed?”
Gu Ansheng was momentarily speechless. He wasn’t confused because he thought Zhu Queqi’s behavior was improper—rather, it was how familiar she was with his home that struck him as unusual. The strangest part was that they had never visited each other’s homes, and he only knew her address because he specifically asked the night before returning to the city. She hadn’t asked him for his address, and he hadn’t told anyone who knew her.
But that wasn’t the point. The point was that Gu Ansheng was going to marry Zhu Queqi, and nothing else mattered. “Mom, Dad, she’s the only person I want to marry in my life. I’m not asking for your permission—I’m just letting you know,” he said firmly.
This remark hit a nerve with Zhu Mother. She jumped up. “What are you saying?! Gu Ansheng, if you insist on marrying that kind of woman, then you can move out!”
“That’s the second thing I wanted to tell you,” Gu Ansheng replied calmly. “After we get married, I plan to move out.”
“What?!” Zhu Mother couldn’t believe her ears and nearly screamed. Zhu Father, sitting closest to her, almost reached to cover his ears.
“Did that woman persuade you to move out? Huh?” Zhu Mother grabbed Gu Ansheng’s arm, pressing for an answer.
“No,” Gu Ansheng said, gently holding her hand, tone honest and firm. “I think that once I’m married, as a man, I should take responsibility. I can’t keep living with my parents like a child who can’t stand on his own.”
Beside them, Gu Anguo, silently watching the scene, felt like someone had shot him in the knee. Qiao Rongrong had already started envying her future sister-in-law.
Gu Anguo coughed, giving his younger brother a reproachful glance. Qiao Rongrong noticed and, seeing his posture, rolled her eyes—she was marrying a “mama’s boy”!
“Coughing? If you’re sick, go lie down!” Zhu Mother was like a powder keg, ready to explode.
Gu Anguo shrank back and stayed silent. Seeing this, Qiao Rongrong shot him another glance. Feeling slighted, Gu Anguo immediately straightened his posture, puffing out his chest, but didn’t say a word—earning another look of disdain from Qiao Rongrong.
“You could have any woman you wanted! Marry a virtuous one! That girl is cunning and calculating!” Zhu Mother implored Gu Ansheng. He remained calm, like a monk meditating, which only made her clutch her chest and gasp. Gu Anguo, playing the dutiful son, bent down to fan his mother.
Taking advantage of the moment, Gu Anguo scolded his brother: “Ansheng, look at what you’ve done to Mom. It’s not easy raising children—can’t you show some consideration?” He sighed, exasperated at his “stubborn” brother.
Gu Ansheng ignored him and addressed his mother. “Mom, last time I met Auntie, she asked me to tell you not to go for unnecessary check-ups at the hospital. Some tests, if done too frequently, can harm your health. You’re strong, healthier than most young people—so just relax.”
Zhu Mother went silent. Gu Anguo awkwardly put his hands down and sat back, while Qiao Rongrong’s eyes betrayed her continued disapproval.
“Ansheng, don’t talk to your mother like that,” Zhu Father intervened at just the right moment.
“Parents always act in the best interest of their children. Sometimes the method might not be perfect, but that doesn’t justify speaking this way to your mother,” he continued. “About your wish to marry—if you’ve made up your mind, then go ahead and marry…”
“Marry? Who agreed?!” Zhu Mother jumped up again.
“Quiet!” Zhu Father’s authority prevailed in matters of importance. Though Zhu Mother was unhappy, she remained silent.
“Since you’ve already found someone, bring her here so we can formally meet her. That shows respect for your mother and me. Everything else can be discussed later.”
“It’s late, go to your rooms and get some rest,” Zhu Father said, leading the still-chattering Zhu Mother back to her room. Even with her full of complaints, she had no choice but to stop—and before leaving, she shot Gu Ansheng a fierce glare.
That night, the only two who slept soundly in the Gu household were the brothers, Gu Anguo and Gu Ansheng.
Qiao Rongrong couldn’t sleep, upset at marrying a “mama’s boy”; Zhu Mother was worried and anxious about her son marrying such a “free-spirited” woman; and Zhu Father was disturbed by all the fuss his wife kept stirring up.