This time, he did not return alone. With him was her Third Elder Brother, Gu Jinlin.
Gu Jinlin was Third Elder Uncle’s eldest son. He was now 23 years old and would be 24 after the new year. He was tall, suave and very handsome!
Gu Qingyao immediately smiled when she saw him returning with Gu Yunshen, carrying his bag. “Third Elder Brother!”
Gu Jinlin raised his head and saw his little cousin emerge from the courtyard door, wearing a padded jacket and scarf.
Gu Jinlin hurriedly shouted, “Don’t come down. The snow is too slippery. We’re coming up.”
The Gu house was midway up the mountain and the road leading from the courtyard led downhill. It had snowed that day so everything was covered in a blanket of dazzling white and the road was a little slippery.
Gu Qingyao stood there motionlessly, watching Gu Yunshen and Gu Jinlin climb up.
The two of them entered the courtyard and went into the main room. Gu Conghua and Wen Ruyu were naturally overjoyed to see their son and grandson.
After chatting with Gu Jinlin for a while and asking after Third Elder Uncle’s family, the two older folks allowed Gu Jinlin and Gu Qingyao to leave, but retained Gu Yunshen.
Gu Qingyao knew what her grandparents wanted to talk about. Actually, Gu Yunshen was also aware of the situation.
After all, he knew Zhang Xiaohui only too well. He also knew that Zhang Xiaohui had sought out Wang Guozhu before he left.
Gu Qingyao and Gu Jinlin left for Gu Jinlin’s former room.
The boys were not fortunate enough to have their own room. All of them shared rooms, or there would not be enough space in the house.
This room had two bunk beds and could sleep four.
They were seldom home, so the beds were not made. In fact, there was nothing on them.
When they entered the room, Gu Qingyao went to get bedsheets to make the bed for Gu Jinlin. As she worked, she said, “Third Elder Brother, why didn’t you write a letter to tell us you were coming? Then I could have tidied your room. See, we haven’t prepared anything.”
Gu Jinlin put away his luggage and laughed. “It’s not far, so I just came. Anyway, I can tidy the place myself now that I’m here. There’s no need for you to busy yourself.”
His grandmother and this younger cousin were both particular about cleanliness. Although the boys had not been back for some time, he was sure that the bed sheets and blankets were washed, and the quilts sunned. All he had to do was put them on the bed and they could be used. Why bother to make advanced preparations?
Gu Jinlin put away his luggage and Gu Qingyao made the bed. Gu Jinlin walked over and raised his wrist, showing the imported watch that he was wearing.
“Thanks! Did you spend all your pocket money to buy me this?”
Gu Qingyao had bought this watch on her previous trip to the city. This time, she had asked her Third Elder Brother for help, so she had requested Gu Yunshen to bring the watch as a present for Gu Jinlin.
Men always loved watches and cars, so Gu Jinlin was overjoyed to receive this watch.
His drew good pay, but his family’s expenditure was high. He had two younger brothers and he and his fifth brother, Gu Jinxuan, were getting older. They would certainly marry in the future, and then they would have to buy clothes and watches for the bride’s family, who might request for imported watches and other things like that. So they had to set aside a sum of money.
As a result, they saved all they could, spending only on necessities. They certainly could not bear to spend their money on such an expensive watch.
Gu Qingyao smiled mysteriously. “I still have plenty of pocket money. The next time I have a chance to go to the city, I’ll buy a watch for each of you. I’ll also buy one for each of your future wives!”
Gu Jinlin: “…”