Flash Marriage with My Ex-Boyfriend’s Nemesis chapter 25
Chapter 25: Marriage First, Love Later, and a Side of Scum-Bashing 3
The two of them drove directly to the villa area, where the sales manager was already waiting at the entrance.
“You two, we have townhouses here, but they are all fixed styles. The other side is detached villas. After the owner buys the land, they can design their own style. As long as the design drawings are reasonable for construction, our construction company will build it exactly according to the drawings.”
Gu Youchen nodded: “How many parking spaces are there usually in the garage?”
The sales manager said: “Generally, there are four parking spaces on the ground, and more underground, depending on the design. There can be up to twelve. Of course, if the owner likes to collect various cars, we have a special parking lot in the South District, and they are all independent parking spaces.”
Ning Qingqing, who was standing nearby, said: “How many stories can the villa be built?”
The sales manager said: “Generally, a maximum of three stories. A basement can be built as a warehouse. Some customers like to have an open-air bar on the top floor. The climate in Di City is not suitable for open-air swimming pools on the top floor, so our projects in the south have more infinity pools on the top floor.”
He said, showing some reference designs: “You two can take a look. These are the designs of our customers in the south.”
Ning Qingqing and Gu Youchen sat together and looked at them carefully. Ning Qingqing suddenly pointed to one of them: “This is also a design by a customer?”
The sales manager nodded: “Yes, I used to be in sales in the south, and I was transferred here this year. I remember this one. The customer’s son likes painting, so he built two studios.”
Gu Youchen turned to Ning Qingqing: “Do you like this one?”
Ning Qingqing shook her head, leaning close to his ear and whispering: “I’ve been here. This is my father’s house. We had a family gathering here for my grandfather’s birthday last year.”
Ning Qingqing originally wanted to protect her father’s family’s privacy, but she didn’t expect that leaning close to Gu Youchen’s ear to speak would make the man stiffen.
Although they weren’t that close, he could still feel the girl’s breath on his earlobe. Her soft voice, through his ear, went straight to his heart, winding around him like vines.
His Adam’s apple bobbed, and Gu Youchen heard himself say: “En, then let’s buy one that’s bigger than theirs.”
Ning Qingqing didn’t understand why Gu Youchen’s train of thought was comparing the size of their house to her father’s house. She said: “Actually, it’s enough if it’s livable.”
The heat at his ear disappeared, but Gu Youchen’s heartbeat still hadn’t calmed down.
He could only pretend to be calm, turning the pages of the brochure and discussing with Ning Qingqing.
Perhaps because his mind was distracted, Gu Youchen was a little off, and the suggestions he made lacked substance.
Ning Qingqing didn’t have any ideas either, so she said: “Or maybe we can talk about the styles we want later and ask the designer to give us a plan first, and then we can adjust it specifically.”
Gu Youchen nodded, then took the tablet computer from the sales manager and started looking at the land locations.
They were all 3D simulations, which could be zoomed in, and they were real pictures taken by drones, reduced according to the scale, eliminating the trouble of viewing the actual scene.
They were both quite in agreement about the location, both liking the position with a lake to the east.
Although the land area wasn’t the largest in the villa area, the location was good. Seeing that Ning Qingqing also liked it, Gu Youchen said: “Let’s choose this one.”
The sales manager calculated the price and asked the two: “Are you two planning to decide today? If you decide today, we can give you a 25-square-meter outdoor children’s sports facility for free.”
Gu Youchen looked up: “Okay, let’s decide today.”
Ning Qingqing quickly glanced at Gu Youchen and then pretended not to hear anything.
She told herself that Gu Youchen was decisive and had planned to decide today, not because of the children’s facility.
“Okay, are you two planning to pay in full or take a loan?” The sales manager said, opening his computer to prepare the contract.
“Full payment.” Gu Youchen said.
Ning Qingqing sat beside him, suddenly remembering his expression when he asked her for 900 yuan in allowance.
Pitiful, as if he really only had that little to live on.
The contract was signed that day. Since it was a large sum of cash, it required an appointment with the bank, scheduled for two days later at noon.
On the way back, Ning Qingqing thought: “The money for the wedding house, my family…”
With land prices in the hundreds of millions, and the need for further funds for construction after the design is completed, Ning Qingqing hadn’t contributed a cent and felt uneasy.
The man beside her turned to look at her: “Qingqing, I’m serious about marrying you, and we’ll work together to build this relationship. So, don’t be so particular about some things.”
Ning Qingqing understood the principle, but it was another matter to calmly accept such unequal contributions.
As she was struggling internally, Gu Youchen’s lips curved up slightly: “Qingqing, I still have a request for you.”
“What?” Ning Qingqing sat up straight, listening attentively.
Seeing her obedient look, as if she was about to take out a notebook to take notes, Gu Youchen’s eyes shone: “Don’t forget to send me your monthly allowance, I want to show off to my cousin.”
Ning Qingqing was amused: “Is that all you want?”
Gu Youchen nodded: “Yes, because it’s from you.”
She inexplicably felt like he was flirting with her again. This time it didn’t seem to be her imagination.
Ning Qingqing thought that Gu Youchen was deliberately cultivating their relationship.
Although their impulsive marriage was unplanned, she should also take the initiative.
She couldn’t let him down, and she should be responsible for their marriage.
So Ning Qingqing said awkwardly: “Okay, Youchen.”
This was the first time she called him that.
After saying it, she felt a little embarrassed, unsure why she was so nervous.
But what she didn’t know was that the man beside her was already overwhelmed by emotion.
Gu Youchen had never imagined that his ordinary name would sound so nice coming from Ning Qingqing’s mouth.
Her voice was as soft as the water in Jiangnan, with a slight lingering tone at the end, like a cat basking in the afternoon sun, gently curling its furry tail around his heart.
His heart began to take advantage of the situation, waiting for the day she would call him “husband.”
Two days later, the bank transferred the money successfully, and the purchase contract came into effect. Gu Youchen had already told his architect friend about his and Ning Qingqing’s needs.
Time flew by, and it was the weekend.
Gu Youchen was going to take Ning Qingqing to his old house to meet his parents today, leaving in the morning.
Before leaving, Ning Qingqing searched for information about Gu Youchen’s father, Gu Heng, in the finance section.
As for Gu Youchen’s mother, Li Lan, there was more information about her online, as she was a well-known realist oil painter. A single painting at auction would sell for at least one million.
Gu Heng and Li Lan, one a business elite and the other an artist. To make a good impression, Ning Qingqing put on a more intellectual and gentle light makeup and wore a linen dress.
The gifts were bought by someone Nie Yu helped her find at a small auction yesterday: a fountain pen from the Republic of China era for Gu Heng, and a Thangka painting by a folk master for Li Lan.
Today, Gu Youchen didn’t ask the driver to drive. He drove directly from the apartment, and Ning Qingqing sat in the passenger seat.
Seeing Ning Qingqing sitting upright, he comforted her: “Qingqing, my parents are easy to get along with, don’t be nervous.”
Ning Qingqing nodded. If she and Gu Youchen were now considered to be dating, then this was her first time meeting her boyfriend’s parents, and she didn’t know how to get along with them.
“Do they have any taboos?” Ning Qingqing was worried about stepping on a landmine.
“No.” Gu Youchen seemed to think for a moment, then said: “But there’s one thing to pay attention to.”
Ning Qingqing quickly responded: “What?”
Gu Youchen said solemnly: “They’re worried that our relationship isn’t good, so when we arrive at the old house, we should act as loving as possible.”
Ning Qingqing didn’t expect this to be his answer, but on second thought, it made sense. Parents naturally hoped that their son and daughter-in-law would have a stable and happy relationship.
She nodded earnestly: “Okay, I’ll do my best.”
Gu Youchen looked at her and smiled slightly.
Soon, the two arrived at the old house. Gu Youchen took the gifts Ning Qingqing had prepared from the back seat, holding them in one hand and extending the other to Ning Qingqing.
Ning Qingqing looked at the man’s large, strong hand and placed her hand in his.
He immediately enveloped her small hand, holding her as they reached the villa gate.
As he entered the password, the maid, hearing the noise, came to greet them: “Young master and young mistress are back!”
While they were changing their shoes, Gu Heng and Li Lan also came over.
Ning Qingqing looked up and saw them.
Gu Heng looked completely different from his usual appearance in financial interviews. The man was wearing a casual shirt and trousers, without his usual sharp aura.
Li Lan, beside him, was wearing a floral dress, tall and elegant, with a temperament different from what Ning Qingqing imagined. She was unexpectedly cute.
She was startled by her own thought and immediately got into character.
“Dad, Mom, hello, I’m Ning Qingqing.” She said, taking the gifts from Gu Youchen’s hand and handing them to each of them.
“Qingqing, come in and sit!” Gu Heng took the gift: “This child came and brought gifts. Youchen didn’t even stop her…”
Gu Youchen smiled: “Qingqing heard that Dad likes collecting fountain pens, so she specifically asked someone to help her buy one. And the Thangka painting Mom likes, the colors are very vibrant.”
Gu Heng’s eyes lit up: “Qingqing really knows what I like!” He opened the gift box immediately.
A black fountain pen from the Republic of China era, made in Germany, was said to have been a treasured item of a certain warlord. After Gu Heng picked it up and examined it, he saw the small seal script engraved on the pen.
He couldn’t put it down, like a child who had just received candy.
Ning Qingqing didn’t expect Gu Heng to be like this at home, feeling a sudden sense of closeness.
On the other side, Li Lan took the Thangka painting to her room to appreciate it, not even letting her husband see it first.
Gu Youchen held Ning Qingqing’s hand and sat down on the sofa. They were very close, and the man’s cool scent faintly swept across Ning Qingqing’s breath.
Gu Youchen explained in her ear: “My parents are like this. They’re serious and intellectual outside, but at home, they’re much more childlike.”
Ning Qingqing laughed: “They’re quite good like this. They look very loving.”
Gu Youchen intertwined his fingers with Ning Qingqing’s, slowly tightening his grip: “We will be too.”
Ning Qingqing looked at their clasped hands for two seconds, then looked up at Gu Youchen and said, “I’ll try my best.”
Gu Youchen met her eyes: “Okay, let’s work together.”
Ning Qingqing felt that the distance between them had narrowed again.
Gu Heng and Li Lan finally finished appreciating their gifts and came out.
“Qingqing, what kind of food do you like? I’ll ask the chef to prepare it in advance.” Li Lan asked.
Ning Qingqing said: “I lived in the south before, but came to Di City for high school, so I’m used to both northern and southern food, I’m not picky.”
Li Lan’s gaze drifted to Gu Youchen and Ning Qingqing’s clasped hands, and then the smile in her eyes deepened: “En, my son is not picky about food either, but he’s very picky about his girlfriend. He’s 26 years old and hasn’t dated, making me think his girlfriend is Zhou Linghang!”
Ning Qingqing had heard of Zhou Linghang, although his appearance didn’t quite match, but… he was a man!
Li Lan continued: “It’s good that you’ve accepted him, Qingqing. This child is very reluctant to get married but doesn’t make any effort, making me think he’s going to be a bachelor for life!”
Hearing this, Gu Youchen looked at his mother helplessly.
Li Lan pretended not to see it, turned around and went to the study to get some photo albums: “Qingqing, let’s look at Youchen’s childhood photos!”
Ning Qingqing’s curiosity was piqued, and she took them to look.
Li Lan had already quietly gotten up, and Gu Youchen received his mother’s subtle hint. He told Ning Qingqing that he was going to the restroom and followed her to the study.
“Youchen, why do I feel like I’ve seen Qingqing before?” As soon as Li Lan saw Ning Qingqing, she felt she must have met her before.
The girl’s appearance and temperament were too unique. At least in the circles of Di City’s socialites, few could compare.
After asking, she suddenly seemed to remember something: “Wasn’t she with Shen Zhiqian before?”
Gu Youchen pressed his temples: “Yes, but…”
Before he could finish, Li Lan’s eyes lit up: “So I wasn’t wrong?”
Gu Youchen nodded.
Li Lan’s smile instantly brightened: “My son is amazing! Directly stealing someone’s girlfriend? I was worried that you couldn’t find a girlfriend, but you’ve done it in style!”
She gave a thumbs-up: “Just like your father back then. If he hadn’t taken the initiative, I would have had to marry Zhou Linghang’s father for an arranged marriage. How could I have given birth to such a smart and handsome son!”
Without giving Gu Youchen a chance to respond, she tidied her skirt and walked out gracefully: “I’m going to accompany my daughter-in-law to look at your childhood photos!”
Gu Youchen had nothing to say and quietly followed his mother out.
On the sofa, Ning Qingqing looked at photos of Gu Youchen from the time he was born.
From a baby in swaddling clothes to a little boy holding a toy gun, Ning Qingqing found that Gu Youchen was cute and mischievous when he was a child, completely different from his mature appearance now.
At this time, her gaze was drawn to a photo.
Cobblestone roads, a small bridge, flowing water, houses. The scene was like a spreading watercolor painting, and a fifteen or sixteen-year-old boy stood in that watercolor painting, his facial features already becoming more prominent.
“Have you been to Qingtang Town?” Ning Qingqing couldn’t help but ask in surprise.
A scene suddenly flashed in her mind…
When Ning Qingqing turned to this page, Gu Youchen’s gaze had already fallen on that photo.
That was where he first met her.
“En.” He nodded, his eyes deepening as he looked at Ning Qingqing.
Ning Qingqing didn’t notice anything unusual but looked at the clothes and appearance of the boy in the photo. After thinking for a few seconds, she looked up and asked Gu Youchen: “Have we met before?”
Author’s Note:
Gu Youchen: She remembered me!!!
When I wrote about Qingqing saying she could eat both northern and southern dishes, I couldn’t help but cook myself a bowl of spicy beef noodles… I wasn’t planning to eat anything after eating zongzi tonight, but… I won’t write about food in the future. Late-night food stalls, it’s too hard! The time spent cooking noodles delayed my writing, I wrote a few hundred fewer words…
I’m going to start a new round of scum-bashing tomorrow~
Thank you for the rewards and nutrient solutions!
Thank you very much for your support, I will continue to work hard!
