No matter how long I will wait

  Gu Beichen, who had been eavesdropping at the door for half a day, finally couldn't bear it anymore and raised his hand to knock on the door.

  Just by listening to the rhythm of knocking on the door, I knew it was him. Ye Shanshan didn't even turn her head around and shouted with her back facing the doorway, "Come in!"

  Gu Beichen bought a big bag of food and drinks, categorizing them neatly on the bedside table. After finishing, he picked up a bottle of freshly brewed red tea and asked his wife seriously: "Should we call Aunt now?"

  "I'm ignoring you, I'm going to wash the fruit." Ye Shanshan glared at him with a bad temper, grabbed two big apples and slipped into the bathroom.

  "The tea is freshly brewed, drink it while it's hot." The old lady didn't say a word, so Gu Bei Chen could only continue to be evasive, neither calling her "Aunt" nor "Mom".

  "Shan Shan said you are still in the army?" Yang Su-lan took over the hot tea and sipped a mouthful, asking seriously.

  "Yes, this time I'm back on vacation, and next week I'll be going back." The strange worry in Gu Bei Chen's heart had been completely blown away by Shang Shang's words "fate", at this moment, his mood was exceptionally calm and serene.

  "Shan Shan is still a child herself, and she has to take care of another little one, can you be at ease?" After knowing that her son-in-law couldn't always be by Shan Shan's side, Yang Sulan had another reason to be dissatisfied with him.

  "There's nothing to worry about, Shanshan is very capable. Moreover, my parents are still in good health, and they can help with anything that needs attention." Gu Beichen still smiled calmly, but in his heart, he had a slight sense of discontent. He had gone to great lengths to help his mother-in-law and Shanshan rekindle their relationship, only to end up being suspected and doubted in the end.

  "Your parents' care and yours are still different after all, this can't go on like this, you just can't..." Yang Sulan was about to continue lecturing, but was abruptly interrupted by Ye Shanshan who came out holding two big apples.

  "Can't you just not interfere with my family life?" Ye Shanshan's tone was not only serious, but also a bit fierce. Although her mother was the only person related to her by blood, in her heart, her husband was obviously more important. It wasn't because she and her mother had been separated for ten years, it was just that girls who got married always put their husbands first, and she couldn't avoid being ordinary either.

  "How can you speak to your mother in this tone!" Shanshan's intention was clear to Gu Beichen, but he also didn't want the misunderstanding between the mother and daughter to be reignited because of him.

  "Who made her say that about you." Taking the blame for him and still getting scolded, Ye Shanshan felt very wronged, her eyes were almost bulging out.

  "What she said is all true." Gu Bei Chen smiled helplessly, took the apple from Song Song's hand, skillfully removed the stem, peeled it, cut it in half and removed the seeds, then handed it to his wife. All the actions were done in one go, without a single pause.

  Yang Su silently looked at her, and in her heart, she was still somewhat moved. All that Shan said, she knew, her son-in-law was a rare good man, but she just couldn't get over the hurdle in her heart.

  After eating half an apple, Ye Shanshan's emotions also calmed down a bit, "He will be called back, it's just a matter of time."

  "How long?" Yang Su naturally also knew that a long-term separation was unrealistic. Since he wanted to return, the sooner the better.

  "I'll be able to take time off before I graduate anyway." Ye Shanshan casually made an excuse, then gave her husband a look, hoping he would continue.

  "The job transfer application is pending approval." Gu Beichen's response was quite cautious, because this matter was not something he could decide.

  Ye Shanshan was stunned: When did this happen? How could I have no idea at all? Or... was he just casually saying it to comfort mom?

  Gu Bei Chen saw through her thoughts at a glance, holding her hand gently to explain, "I was afraid you would miss me, and I originally planned to tell you after the application was approved."

  Come on, how can something so important be forgotten? "Then...how long will it take for approval?"

  "Applications for transfers at the regimental level need to be submitted to the military district for approval, and I don't dare to specify a specific time." If possible, Gu Beichen also wanted to give her a definite deadline, but was worried that it would not be fulfilled in the end.

  "It's okay, I'll wait as long as it takes." Ye Shanshan knew the difficulties involved and didn't expect him to give a specific time either.

  If it weren't for the presence of his mother-in-law, Gu Bei Chen really wanted to pounce on her and give her a big kiss. Sometimes he was also puzzled, an 18-year-old girl in the prime of youth, how could she fall for him, who looked mature and serious, with no interest at all?

  Yang Sulan also had the same doubts as Gu Beichen, and sometimes she really wondered if Song Song was being manipulated by someone. It's not uncommon for young people to rush into marriage, so why did she choose someone so much older than herself, and on top of that, a military marriage?

  Come to think of it, didn't she marry a soldier herself? Shanshan's father stayed in the army for 13 years and finally became a lieutenant colonel. He was about to be transferred back to G city as an instructor for the reserve team when he died heroically on the battlefield.

  Shan Shan is right, this is fate.

  At 10 o'clock in the evening, the doctor came to check on the room again. Sophia and Ning's siblings, who had just finished handling exhibition-related matters and were worried about Shanshan, happened to arrive.

  Ning Ziyu hastily pulled Ye Shanshan out as soon as she appeared, poor Ye Shanshan, her idol was in front of her and she didn't even have time to greet him, it's inevitable that she would be a bit temperamental. "What's the hurry to pull me out, what do you want to say?"

  "What's going on now? Do you know her?" Ziyan's daughter always did this, whenever something happened to Shanshan, she was more anxious than the person involved.

  "Yeshan nodded frankly, 'She is my mother, this fact can't be avoided.'"

  "Was it just because she got hurt saving you?" Ning Xiaojie's thinking was straightforward, and there was no room for subtlety in her dictionary.

  Ye Shanshan was speechless at Ning Xiaojie's naivety, "Of course not, she didn't come back to see me for a reason, just make it clear and that's it."

  "Then... she should know about your relationship with Director Gu, right?"

  "Uh-huh." Ye Shanshan responded vaguely, her expression somewhat despondent. Her mom wasn't very satisfied with Director Gu, she felt quite worried.

  "Look at your reaction and I know something's wrong, your mom must be very dissatisfied with Director Gu!" Cough cough, Ning Xiaojie is rarely so clever.

  "How did you know?" Despicable, even Ziyu thought so. What was wrong with Director Gu that he wasn't welcome anywhere?

  "Nonsense, which mother wants her daughter to be a stepmother to someone else. Moreover... Director Gu is much older than you and has been in the army for many years. If I were your mother, I would also have thoughts." Ning Zi usually spoke carelessly, but this time she was unusually serious and made sense.

  "Grown-ups are really strange, at first my mother-in-law was dissatisfied with me, thinking I'm too young and don't understand anything. Now that it's about my mom, she thinks he's too old." Just thinking about this makes Ye Shanshan feel extremely frustrated. Marriage is a matter between two people, why do grown-ups always want to pick and choose according to their own standards?

  "The main reason is still because he has Xiaoxiao." Ning Zi spoke helplessly and shrugged his shoulders, getting straight to the point.

  "What's wrong with smiling?" Ye Shanshan looked away with an awkward expression, pretending to be stupid.

  Ning Zi spoke helplessly and rolled his eyes, using his fingers to flick Su Su's forehead, "Now it's useless to say anything, you and Director Gu aren't already... that way, are you?"

  Ye Shanshan's face suddenly turned bright red, and she pushed Ziyan towards the door of the ward, "It's late, go in and say hello, let your brother take you home quickly."

  Ning Zi said with a sly smile, "You've eaten everything and yet you're still so shy."

  "Stop talking nonsense or I'll break up with you!" Ye Shanshan had no choice but to bring out her killer move again.

  "Alright, alright, I'm afraid of you, let's just drop it from now on." Ning Ziyan didn't dare to continue the topic, her mind imagining all sorts of impure scenarios, but a smile kept flashing in her eyes: with Shu Shu's small build, could she withstand the energetic and robust Director Gu's passionate tosses?

  Luckily Ye Shuang didn't have a mind that was as narrow-minded as Gu's, otherwise she would've been driven to death by this little girl!

  Ning's siblings said goodbye and left, leaving four people in the hospital room.

  Yang Sulan's injury was not very serious, and the VIP ward had complete care facilities. Considering that Shanshan still had to go to school tomorrow, Sophia took on the task of accompanying her at night, "You can go back and rest early, I'll take care of things here."

  "No need, you've been busy all night and must be tired too, just go back to the hotel and rest early." The one in the hospital was her own mother, and she was even injured while saving her, but Ye Shanshan still thought it made more sense for her to stay.

  It's no use arguing like this, so Yang Sulan stepped forward and made a decision: "You all go back, the doctors and nurses here are very responsible, if there's anything I'll find them."

  Gu Bei Chen also expressed agreement, "Then you have a good rest, I'll come see you again tomorrow morning."

  Yang Sulan smiled and nodded, but this smile was somehow forced no matter how you looked at it.

  Sophia happened to go out to answer a call and took the lead in leaving the ward. Ye Shanshan and Gu Beichen were about to leave, but when they reached the door of the ward, Ye Shanshan stopped in her tracks. "Mom, how about coming over for dinner at my place tomorrow after you're discharged? It'll be a good chance for Xiao Xiao to see you too."

  Yang Sulan did not expect Shanshan to make such a proposal, and for a moment she was at a loss for words, unsure of how to respond.

  "Our Xiaoxiao is very smart and lovely, you will definitely like her, that's settled then. Tomorrow afternoon, let Beichen pick you up." Mom didn't respond, so Yeshanshan took it as tacit consent. This matter was bound to be faced sooner or later, maybe after seeing Xiaoxiao, those unexplained dissatisfactions would disappear.

  Watching her daughter and son-in-law leave hand in hand, Yang Sulan suddenly felt a sense of helplessness that made her want to cry and laugh at the same time. Our family's Xiao Xiao? Ha, this silly child, it really rolls off the tongue. Probably not many women in the world can be as happy as she is being a stepmother.

  After leaving the ward, Gu Beichen and Ye Shanshan took the elevator directly to the underground parking lot, not feeling too cold along the way. Despite this, Gu Beichen still gave his coat to Shanshan, "On such a cold day, wearing a skirt is still not reliable."

  "It's you who is over-tensing, the coat on top is already very thick, okay?!" Ye Shanshan pretended to be displeased, but in her heart, she was sweet and mushy. Alas, his good mother couldn't see it, what a worry!

  "I have to take better care of you than before, otherwise... your mother will be even more worried." Although he was holding her hand tightly, Gu Bei Chen's heart still felt a little uneasy. A strange and inexplicable feeling kept swirling in his mind, but he couldn't grasp the key point.

  "I've told you before not to take mom's words to heart, how can you still..."

  Gu Beichen smiled and interrupted her, his tone somewhat helpless. "She's your mom, you want me to automatically filter out what she says, I can't do that."

  "After all, we're already married, no matter how dissatisfied she is, she can only accept reality." Ye Shanshan didn't bother to think too much about it, she was wholeheartedly thinking of living a good life with him, and had no time to care about other people's opinions, even if that person was her mother. "Think about it, your mom wasn't very satisfied with me before, but now everything is fine. Comrade Xiao Feng told me the other day that your mom is actually more fond of me than your sister."

  "That's different, Mom was dissatisfied with you before because she didn't understand you well; but my mother-in-law is dissatisfied with me because of some objective facts that can never be changed." For example, the age difference of over a decade between them, the special nature of their work, and... Xiaoxiao's existence.

  "It's better not to think about things that can't be changed." Thanks to this optimism, Ye Shanshan was able to find joy in this bizarre marriage that others couldn't understand.

  Gu Bei Chen slightly opened his mouth, but didn't know how to respond. After being married for so long, his little wife still managed to bring him countless surprises.

  "You said... should we inform my parents about my mom's return?" Ye Shanshan had a flash of inspiration, thinking that with her eloquent mother-in-law and intimidating father-in-law on the scene, there might be a new development.

  "Good." Gu Bei Chen also had this idea, Shanshan proactively brought it up, coinciding with his intention. "If possible, I'd like to arrange for them to meet as soon as possible."

  "Just take charge." Same old saying, the leader's decision is always right!

  Gu Bei Chen and Ye Shan Shan went home directly, Xiao Xiao was not there, they rarely could enjoy a sweet and warm two-person world. Unfortunately, too many unexpected things happened today, both of them were tired. After taking a hot bath and lying on the soft big bed, drowsiness suddenly struck.

  Ye Shanshan fell asleep as quickly as ever, and after a good sleep, her dreams arrived on schedule.

  Strictly speaking, tonight's dream doesn't count as a beautiful dream.

  A peculiarly shaped single-plank bridge, with him on one side and his mom on the other; two hands simultaneously reaching out to her, eyes filled with ardent longing; the single-plank bridge suddenly turned into a seesaw, she walked left, the right end rose up, mom teetered; walked right, the left end ascended, he lost balance.

  Finally, all three of them fell into the river at the same time. Ye Shanshan woke up with a start and broke out in a cold sweat.

  "What's wrong?" Gu Bei Chen had been in the army for many years, and his senses were extremely sharp. Even the slightest noise would wake him up.

  "I had a nightmare." This frightened look couldn't deceive him either, so Ye Shanshan could only honestly confess.

  Gu Beichen turned on the light and carefully hugged her, feeling both heartache and worry. "What kind of dream was so terrifying that it scared you like this?"

  "That... driving practice thing, I had a dream that I crashed the car." Ye Shanshan didn't dare to tell the truth and stuttered out a lie.

  It's better not to let him know...

  It's normal for people to have thoughts during the day and dreams at night. Ever since they booked a car, Shanshan had been thinking about getting her driver's license as soon as possible. It wasn't strange that she would have such a dream. Gu Beichen didn't think much of it, turned off the light with his hand, and unconsciously tightened his hug. "Alright, I won't pressure you to practice driving anymore. Take your time, and when you're completely familiar with it, we'll go take the test."

  "Don't worry, dreams and reality are always opposite. My skills are so good, I'll definitely pass smoothly." Turning off the lights and closing his eyes, Ye Shanshan became even more reckless and used kind lies to 'cheat' him.

  It's pitch black, and even if he wanted to read her expression, it wouldn't be of any use. Gu Bei Chen could only tentatively believe her, "It's almost two o'clock, go to sleep quickly. Think about something good and have a beautiful dream."

  "The most wonderful thing I can think of is to see you every morning when I open my eyes." Perhaps due to the lingering fear, Ye Shanshan's thoughts seemed a bit out of control, and some things were not suitable for now, but she said them unconsciously.

  She just said it casually, but Gu Bei Chen's heart was surging with huge waves. Her request was so simple, yet he couldn't satisfy her, and it wasn't strange that his mother-in-law had many complaints about him. No matter how much more he gave to her or how good he was to her, it couldn't make up for the hardships she endured alone with Xiao Xiao.

  His big hand patted gently on her back, and Ye Shanshan soon fell asleep. But the person who was coaxing her was still restless and sleepless.

  Director Gu's body is made of iron, he slept for less than three hours last night, and this morning he got up as refreshed as ever, without a single trace of sleep deprivation on his face.

  Watching him busy in the kitchen, Ye Shanshan suddenly had an outburst, "Mom should see how you've spoiled me."

  "What she wants is not today or tomorrow, but year after year and month after month." A week's holiday has passed in the blink of an eye for three days. On Friday, I don't know when I can come back. If my mother-in-law plans to stay in G city for a longer time, what she sees more is the hardship of Xiao Xiao alone supporting a family.

  Ye Shanshan quietly walked up behind him and suddenly hugged him, muttering to herself, "I'm your wife, what do you want with her?"

  Gu Bei Chen smiled with a hint of mischief, one hand holding the spatula to fry eggs, while the other hand took hers and placed it on his lips for a gentle kiss. "Time will reveal one's true heart, Mother-in-law will understand someday."

  After finishing breakfast, the couple drove to the Gu's house to take their little princess to school.

  "Dad and Mom, who did you go to the hospital to see yesterday?" The little ghost was so clever, he slept for a while and still remembered this matter.

  "A person very important to Mummy." Gu Bei Chen casually replied, throwing all the pressure onto Shan Shan.

  Smiling with an expectant face, she tilted her head back and waited for Mommy's response.

  "It's my mom." They had already planned to take their mother home for dinner, and Xiaoxiao would find out about this matter sooner or later. It was better to confess to her early on.

  There is another relative, Xiaoyao is very excited, "Mommy's mommy, is that Laugh Laugh's grandma?"

  "Hmm." Looking at the smiling and excited little face, Ye Shanshan really couldn't think of a reason why her mother wouldn't like her.

  "Then... I'll take Xiaoxiao to the hospital to see her after school this afternoon." Xiaoxiao thought to herself, Dad and Mom have both gone to visit, but she hasn't, it doesn't seem quite right.

  "No need, by that time grandma will have been discharged from the hospital. Dad will pick her up and bring her to our home, then you can see her." Alright, since we've already talked about this much, might as well arrange for tonight too.

  "Okay, Xiaoxiao will definitely behave well." Little girl likes lively atmosphere, grandma is going to visit their home, she's more excited than her dad and mom.

  Haha, your mom has been waiting for this sentence!

  After sending his wife and children to school separately, Gu Bei Chen did not go directly to the hospital, but instead returned to the Gu residence first. He wanted to confess about Shanshan's mother as soon as possible to his parents.

  This news is also a surprise for the two old men of the Gu family, especially Mr. Gu. He had heard some things about the Ye family from Zheng Liang. Since her father's death, Shanshan's mother had left G City and hadn't been in touch for ten years. Now that she has suddenly returned, it's probably not just a simple visit to her hometown.

  "Ten years ago, you ruthlessly abandoned your daughter, what are you doing coming back now?" Compared to the old man's astonishment, Mrs. Gu's emotions were more anger. In her opinion, this kind of woman was not worthy of being a mother!

  "Things aren't what you think they are. Shanshan's mother left back then to go abroad and seek better development, in order to give Shanshan a better life. Who would have thought that soon after arriving in France, she encountered a serious car accident. For several years afterwards, she spent her days in a wheelchair, and only after getting a prosthetic leg was she able to walk like a normal person again. And... last night, she got hurt because she was trying to save Shanshan." The mother's reaction was within Gu Beichen's expectations, so he naturally had a plan in place.

  It sounds like she's had a pretty miserable experience. Gu Lao Tai isn't that heartless, "Is she back this time to look for Shanshan?"

  Gu Beichen did not respond with a yes or no, "The misunderstanding between her and Song Song has been cleared up, so I think you and Dad should meet with her."

  "Is she still in the hospital now?" The meeting was a must, and Gu Lao Tai had always been impatient, eager to put it into action immediately.

  "It's just a superficial wound, nothing serious, should be able to leave the hospital this afternoon." Gu Bei Chen seemed to think that the hospital wasn't an inappropriate place for a first meeting with his in-laws.

  "Whether it's a big injury or a small one, they're still in the hospital after all, we should go visit them." Old Lady Gu said as she beckoned Little Feng over, "Help me order some flowers and fruit baskets for visiting patients. Also, prepare two boxes of bird's nest, make sure the packaging is exquisite."

  Mom has already started preparing for visiting the sick, this matter is probably unstoppable. Gu Bei Chen can only call his mother-in-law first to let her prepare.

  "Your parents are too polite, I can be discharged just by talking, so I'd better visit in person." And the first meeting with relatives was actually in the hospital, Yang Sulan also felt not quite right.

  Mom is checking the packaging of swallow nests not far away, and it should be within ten minutes to set off for the hospital. Gu Bei Chen can only express helplessness, "In our family, my mother has the final say, and no one can persuade her otherwise. Don't think too much about it, rest assured that's what matters."

  The son-in-law all said so, Yang Sulan also didn't want to decline again, "Let them trouble you, you first help me bring a good one, see the face I will personally thank."

  After confirming the gift box, Old Lady Gu urged her husband to go upstairs and change his clothes. "Others have just returned from abroad and are worldly, we can't be too casual, put on those two stars as well."

  "Mom, aren't you being a bit too exaggerated? Going to visit the sick and still bringing along general shoulder badges, what's going on?"

  "You too, dress properly, soldiers must have a soldier's demeanor!" Old Lady Gu gave the order with a serious face.

  General Guo nodded in agreement, "Alright, I'll go change now. Consider it a favor for my son."

  Under the urging of Old Lady Gu, the father and son quickly changed into their formal attire, and such a solemn and formal dress also made the two look exceptionally dignified.

  "Hmm, not bad." Old Lady Gu nodded in satisfaction. "Later when we arrive at the hospital, you two try to speak as little as possible. If she has any questions, I'll handle it."

  It seems that Mrs. Gu has made sufficient psychological preparations, and as a mother, how could she not imagine the thoughts in her daughter-in-law's heart? If it were her, marrying off her 18-year-old daughter to a man over 30 who is always in the army and has a child, she would also have her own thoughts.

  "What's going on? Is she still dissatisfied with our family's Beichen?" Old Master Gu was a rough man and didn't have many thoughts, so he naturally couldn't guess the worries in his partner's heart.

  The old lady didn't even have time to speak before her own son preempted her, "It's hard to say."

  "You don't have to worry too much, as time goes by, she will understand." Old Lady Gu naturally thought of the scene when she first met Shanshan, at that time she was not very satisfied with this young daughter-in-law. Looking at her now, she would like to go to Puning Temple on the 1st and 15th of every month to thank the ancestors for their blessings, giving her such a good daughter-in-law.

  After being pulled by his wife for a while, Mr. Gu quickly reacted, "So you're worried about this, when did you lose confidence in your own son?"

  "This has nothing to do with trust, it's just that our positions are different and so are our expectations. If tomorrow Xiaoran were to bring back a son-in-law in his forties who already has children, you wouldn't be happy about it either." Old Lady Gu didn't dare to slack off, even using her youngest daughter as an example.

  The old man had no strength to refute, and could only smile helplessly and give up.

  Comrade Xiao Feng quickly confirmed the preparation of flowers and fruit baskets, and just went to pick them up when passing by. With a word from Old Lady Gu, they set off!

  The two golden stars on the old man's shoulder badge were particularly dazzling, and as soon as he appeared, they attracted a crowd of onlookers. It seems that this formal attire was well worth wearing, with such an aura, ordinary people could only look on in admiration.

  Although I had expected that the Gu family's background wouldn't be bad, after seeing the two relatives with my own eyes, Yang Sulan was still shocked, "General Gu and Madam are too polite, it should be me who personally visits to pay respects."

  "We're already family, so it's unnecessary to be so polite." Old Lady Gu smiled tactfully and turned to her own son, asking, "I think the mother-in-law looks fine, she shouldn't need to stay in the hospital for too long, right?"

  "Uh, I'll probably be able to leave the hospital after another injection of anti-inflammatory medication this afternoon." Gu Bei Chen replied matter-of-factly.

  "I think it's almost the same, if I can be discharged from the hospital, let's go home and have a simple meal tonight. Your mother-in-law has come all the way back, it's not easy, we should treat her well." Old Lady Gu said this to her son again.

  "I and Shanshan discussed it last night, after your mother is discharged from the hospital, we'll first bring her to our home for a look." Ming knew that this response might displease his mother, but Gu Beichen still decided to follow Shanshan's decision, a married man definitely puts his wife in the first place.

  "How can this be, your little..."

  "Just do it according to Beichen and Shanshan's meaning." Old Master Gu spoke slowly, his tone sounding light, but with an unyielding dignity.

  "Maybe next time, I don't plan to leave for a while, there will always be opportunities." Yang Sulan also smiled and agreed, compared to visiting the majestic and dignified Gu's residence, she obviously preferred to take a look at Shanshan's little nest.

  One mouth can't convince three people, and Mrs. Gu couldn't insist anymore. "Alright, Beichen's little home environment isn't bad either. Shan Shan is meticulous and keeps the house spotless. Anyway, there are spare rooms on that side, so it's fine even if you want to stay."

  "This child has to go to school during the day and still has to do chores when she gets home at night, I'm afraid it's too much for her." After the polite words were said, they finally got down to business.

  "Young people, after all, will only grow up with experience. My daughter-in-law is capable and meticulous in her work, and I can entrust my son and granddaughter to her without any worries." Tsk, tsk, Old Lady Gu's words are indeed straightforward, praising her own daughter-in-law like this also indirectly means that the family has raised a good daughter, even if others are not satisfied, they cannot say anything on the surface.

  Yang Sulan, after all, is a designer and can be considered half an artist. Her verbal skills are no match for her mother-in-law's quick wit. When the latter praises Shanshan so much, whether openly or secretly, she cannot complain anymore. "My daughter has been kind-hearted since childhood, and she is also clever. Relatives, friends, and neighbors all like her. Unfortunately, I haven't taken good care of her in all these years."

  "It's all in the past, don't worry too much about it. Our family only has this one son, North Chen, and as soon as Shanshan entered our household, she became like a half-daughter to us, my husband and I will not treat her with any less love." The old lady's words had once reconciled several couples who were on the verge of divorce, although she had retired for many years, she was still sharp-tongued and as charming as ever.

  The father and son were already used to it. Yang Sulan, however, was a bit overwhelmed, having prepared a lot of words but not knowing where to start, listening to her mother-in-law praise her family's Shanshan as if there was no one else in the world, apart from smiling with satisfaction, she really didn't know how to respond.

  Old Lady Gu's chatterbox was opened and couldn't be closed, pulling her relatives to chat all over the place until the doctor came in for a routine checkup and had to stop. Just as it was almost lunchtime, Gu Bei Chen took this opportunity to let his parents go back first.

  The purpose of this trip has been achieved, and Mrs. Gu also had no intention of staying longer. "Our family's North Star will return to the troops next Friday, so please ask your mother-in-law to come home for a meal at that time, just to see him off."

  Others have already made it clear that they will see you off, Yang Sulan couldn't refuse anymore, "I've also heard Shanshan mention this, even if you don't invite me, I'll still go."

  After the most polite farewell, General Gu and his wife, who was as eloquent as a tongue twister, were finally sent off.

  However, Gu Bei Chen did not leave with his parents. After sending them into the elevator, he returned to the ward room. "My mom is like this, some things you just have to listen to and don't take too seriously."

  Everyone has left, Yang Su still had some lingering fear in her heart. "After seeing your parents, I can probably imagine what it was like for Shanshan to visit your home for the first time."

  "It's not as serious as you think, when Ye Lao was hospitalized, my dad often went to visit him, he and Shanshan have known each other for a long time, so there's basically no problem; as for my mom... she has a sharp tongue but a soft heart, on the surface she looks strict, but in fact she cares about Shanshan more than my dad does." Gu Bei Chen smiled calmly, responding with ease.

  "I didn't expect the prestigious Gu family to accept a daughter-in-law like Shanshan." The two relatives had already left, and Yang Sulan didn't have anything to worry about, so she spoke her mind freely.

  "My mom just said so much, don't you understand how good Shanshan is yet?" Although my mom was exaggerating a bit, every sentence of praise came from the heart. This point Gu Beichen can absolutely guarantee with his character."

  "That's also true, being able to marry such a young daughter-in-law is indeed a blessing for your family." Yang Sulan wasn't one to mince words either, and this remark was clearly a veiled criticism of her son-in-law's age.

  "I completely agree with that. Our Xiaoxiao always says, all these years I've been single just waiting for Shanshan to appear." Gu Beichen was clever and naturally heard the dissatisfaction hidden in his mother-in-law's words. It was time to let her know some things too.

  "Excuse me for being presumptuous, but what's going on between you and Xiaoxiao's mother?" This was a question that Ye Shanshan had never asked before, but her mother seemed rather anxious.

  The fish really took the bait, and Madame Yue's powers of association were quite good. She casually threw out the word "single", and immediately hit the spot. "You might not believe it when I say it, but this is a question that Xian has never asked me before."

  Yang Sulan furrowed her brow unintentionally, "She's still a kid, doesn't have so many calculations."

  "Xiao Xiao is the child of a fellow comrade, and soon after her birth, he sacrificed himself in a peacekeeping mission. Xiao Xiao's mother had already found someone else, and with her husband gone, she took the opportunity to leave with that man after Xiao Xiao was a month old. At that time, Xiao Xiao's grandfather had suffered a stroke and couldn't take care of her. So, Xiao Xiao became my child." Recalling those distant events still stirred up emotions in Gu Bei Chen. There was nostalgia for his fellow comrade, lamentation at the unfairness of fate, and indignation towards Xiao Xiao's heartless and ruthless mother.

  "So......" Yang Su Lan wanted to speak but stopped, really didn't know what to say.

  "Shan Shan is not Xiao Xiao's stepmother, she just... takes care of that poor child with me." After revealing the secret in his heart, Gu Bei Chen's mood also relaxed a lot. If Madam Yue was still dissatisfied with him, he had nothing to say.

  "It's better for you to confess to her as soon as possible. No matter how much you pamper and spoil her, the fact that she is a surrogate mother will always be a thorn in her heart. This child has a straightforward mind, if you don't tell her, she might keep this secret buried in her heart forever." Although they had been apart for ten years, after all, Yang Sulan still had a deep understanding of Shanshan's character as her own flesh and blood.

  "Don't worry, I have a plan." Gu Bei Chen didn't intend to wait for the rabbit to come to him, he would rather confess early and be able to love her wholeheartedly without any worries.

  "Shan Shan is so good to Xiao Xiao, maybe it's also related to when I left her back then." No wonder Yang Su Lan was a designer, her imagination was indeed exceptionally rich. Fortunately, Shan Shan didn't inherit this trait from her, her life was already turbulent enough, if she loved to indulge in wild fancies, she would really be unable to live.

  Gu Bei Chen did not deny it either, "Can't say completely none, but it's not the main reason. Xiao Xiao is indeed clever and obedient, and Shang Shang also gets along with her."

  "This is indeed true, Shanshan was originally a childlike personality, and children must like her. However... I still can't imagine the scene of Xiaoxiao calling her mom." One eighteen years old, one six years old. These two people standing together, probably no one would think they are mother and daughter.

  "You may not believe it, but the scene... was unusually harmonious."

  After listening to her son-in-law say this, Yang Sulan also had some expectations in her heart. A big child and a little child, what kind of mother-daughter relationship would they portray?

  At noon, Sophia brought a sumptuous lunch. Gu Bei Chen had something to do in the afternoon and took the opportunity to bid farewell, "This afternoon I'll go pick up Shan Shan and Xiao Xiao first, and come back to pick you up around 6 o'clock."

  "It's okay, if you're busy, just give me an address and I can go there myself." After learning that Xiao Xiao wasn't Beichen's biological child, Yang Suyan's dissatisfaction with him decreased significantly.

  "It's all right, it's convenient to come from home. You have a good rest and see you tonight." The alarm has not been completely lifted, and Director Gu is not too daring to be careless.

  After Gu Bei Chen left, Sophia couldn't wait to gossip with Yang Su Lan about the handsome man in military uniform. "No wonder he single-handedly solved those bandits last night, turns out he's a military officer."

  "At his current age, it's not easy to get promoted to this position. He must have some real skills to make it happen." Last night at the exhibition, her son-in-law made a big splash, and thinking about it, Yang Sulan felt both relieved and worried. It's good that her son-in-law has talent, but he's still in the army, and military exercises, peacekeeping, and disaster relief are all routine for him. If he's like his father...

  "Song Song has found such a good husband, you should be at ease now." Sister's trip to G city this time was successfully completed, and there were also unexpected gains. Sophia is happy for her too.

  "Children are the creditors of their parents' past lives, and it's not easy to let go. Thinking that her son-in-law would soon return to his unit, Yang Sulan's mood became heavy again, as she thought about how her daughter would have to take care of her child alone, and be anxious all day."

  "Last night you said that Shanshan was also studying design in college, have you ever thought of taking her abroad with you? Sylvie College is a much higher level than the university she's currently attending, and it would be more convenient for you to take care of her, isn't it a win-win situation?" After all, they're not real family members, so Sophia considers Shanshan's career development more.

  "I've certainly thought about it, but... putting it into practice isn't easy." Not to mention whether her son-in-law and his family would agree or not, even Shanshan herself didn't have the confidence to persuade Yang Sulan.

  "How do you know it won't work if you don't try? You're also thinking about Shanshan's future, I believe she and her family will understand." Although Sophia has a quarter of Chinese blood in her body, after all, she grew up with a Western education. In her opinion, women also have the right to start their own careers, and family should not be an obstacle to career development.

  "This is China, some things... I said you wouldn't understand. Besides, you don't know Shanshan either." Yang Sulan's tone was quite helpless, but no matter how many possibilities there were, she would try her best. She did this not just for herself, but also for Shanshan's future.

  Digression

  Finally confessed with a smile about his identity, thank you everyone for the flowers, diamonds and rewards, ╭(╯3╰)╮