After all, it was their first date, and Gu Liqing did not want to appear too forward. She also wanted to show her good upbringing.
"Is Old Master Gu so strict with your sister too?" Han Zhen suddenly asked teasingly.
Gu Liqing was stunned for a moment before she covered her mouth and chuckled. "Young Master Han, you're mistaken. I don't have any sisters—just a 10-year-old brother. My grandfather is more traditional. Girls have to be home by 10 o'clock at night."
Han Zhen nodded with a faint smile. "I see."
• • •
Gu Liqing was very scheming and did not drive to the clubhouse on purpose. She thought that Han Zhen would be chivalrous and send her home. However, just as she walked out of the clubhouse, a taxi stopped at the door.
"Miss Gu, please."
Gu Liqing looked at Han Zhen in protest. "Young Master Han…"
"I'm sorry, I just drank a little, so I can't drive you," Han Zhenzhen said in a gentlemanly manner and extended his hand. "Please."
Gu Liqing pursed her lips and waved her hand before getting into the car gracefully.
After the taxi left, Han Zhen walked towards his white Bentley by the road.
• • •
The next morning at 6:00 am, the train arrived in Chongcheng.
Gao Xiaoxiao held Xiaobai's hand as they walked out of the train station. As they were waiting for the public bus, they ran into the woman who sat opposite them in the train.
A car with a military license plate came to pick her up. Gao Xiaoxiao heard someone call her respectfully, "Mrs. Yu."
…
An hour later, mother and son arrived in town.
Gao Xiaoxiao led Xiaobai around and then stopped in front of a rustic door.
After her grandmother passed away five years ago, this old house had been empty. Gao Zhenning had said a few days ago that she would not be coming back, but…
Gao Xiaoxiao looked at the brand new lock on the door and frowned. "Could it be… auntie is back?" she wondered.
"Mommy?" Gao Xiaobai looked up at her. "Did you forget to bring the key?"
Gao Xiaoxiao mumbled, "Uh…"
It was not that she had forgotten to bring her key, but… she did not have it.
"Is it Xiaoxiao?" An uncertain voice sounded behind them.
Gao Xiaoxiao turned around. It was her next-door neighbor, Auntie Zhang.
"It's really you." Auntie Zhang laughed. "Why are you so unlucky? You came just after your boyfriend left."
"Boyfriend?" Gao Xiaoxiao frowned.
"That good-looking young man. He came over a few days ago and stayed here for two nights. Because he didn't have the key, he changed the lock. Wait a minute, I'll get you the new key." With that, Auntie Zhang smiled and returned to her house.
Gao Xiaobai frowned and asked her, "Boyfriend? Who?"
Gao Xiaoxiao did not know what to say.
Gao Xiaobai wanted to ask if it was his father, but seeing how distracted Gao Xiaoxiao was, he pursed his lips and held back.
• • •
She had not been home for more than a year, but it was spotless. One look and she knew that someone had tidied the house.
After a short rest, both mother and son went out to sweep the grave.
Grandma's grave was located on the mountainside at the back of the village. As it had just rained, the winding road was muddy and difficult to walk on.
Gao Xiaoxiao wanted to carry Xiaobai, but the little guy rejected her and they held hands as they made their way up the mountain.
When they arrived at the cemetery, they saw a bouquet of fresh white chrysanthemums placed in front of the grave. It was wet with dew.
Recalling Auntie Zhang's words, Gao Xiaoxiao lowered her eyes, deep in thought.
Gao Xiaobai held her hand and said nothing.
After a long while, Gao Xiaoxiao touched the back of her son's head. "Xiaobai, bow to great-grandma."
Gao Xiaobai bowed solemnly at the grave.