Chapter 48: Marriage First, Love Later; Smacking Down Scum on the Side (Part 26) part 1
Hearing this, Ning Qingqing’s cheeks instantly turned crimson.
Ahhh, Mom really did misunderstand!
She thought she and Gu Youchen were doing that in the restroom!
Ning Qingqing was incredibly embarrassed and hurriedly wanted to explain that it wasn’t what Ning Ruojun guessed. But just then, her mother’s phone rang—it was a call from a business partner.
She answered the call and waved Ning Qingqing out.
Ning Qingqing wanted to cry but had no tears. she walked out of Ning Ruojun’s office.
Back at her seat, she sent Gu Youchen a sticker.
It was a picture of a child holding a large hammer, looking like they were about to hit someone.
Gu Youchen had met a client that afternoon. Just as he saw the person off, his phone notified him of a message.
Picking it up, he saw the “hammering” sticker from Ning Qingqing. The corners of his lips instantly lifted. He originally wanted to type a reply, but after two seconds, he decided to send a sticker back as well.
However, his phone was lacking in that department. Gu Youchen happened to call Zhou Linghang to discuss Ning Qingqing’s company matter, and that guy was indeed very enthusiastic.
Afterward, Gu Youchen asked Zhou Linghang for stickers.
The other party was immediately amused. “My Brother Chen is actually getting stickers just to message his sister-in-law!”
Nevertheless, he immediately forwarded a whole bunch of stickers suitable for young couples.
Gu Youchen picked one that wasn’t too racy and replied to Ning Qingqing.
Ning Qingqing had waited two minutes after sending her sticker with no response, thinking Gu Youchen couldn’t be bothered with her childish behavior. She hadn’t expected him to send a GIF back—
In the GIF, a handsome anime guy, shirtless with distinct eight-pack abs, was holding a girl and kissing her wildly.
Next to it was colorful text: Kiss kiss, don’t be mad.
Staring at that sticker, Ning Qingqing felt it looked exactly like the man in the restroom earlier.
However, did Gu Youchen have abs and pecs like the guy in the manga?
She replied with a sticker of disdain.
A moment later, Gu Youchen received the sticker. He paused for a moment, then realized what Ning Qingqing was questioning.
So he picked another one. It was a GIF of swimming.
Receiving the sticker, Ning Qingqing remembered that not long after they got married, Gu Youchen asked if she could swim and said he would teach her.
So, this man was hinting that she could see for herself while swimming whether he was as good as the manga guy.
She couldn’t help but raise the corners of her lips in a smile. This man compared even this!
She picked another sticker to send back—a girl on a sunny beach.
This time, Gu Youchen replied with a GIF of a couple holding hands and walking in the waves by the sea.
Seeing the GIF, Ning Qingqing suddenly felt a bit like going for a walk on the beach with Gu Youchen.
She imagined the scene, and her heartbeat unconsciously sped up a few notches.
Just then, the landline rang. It was work.
After Ning Qingqing finished responding, she realized she had been engaging in a “sticker battle” with Gu Youchen during work hours for quite a while. It was both childish and somewhat funny.
She sent him a message: “I’m busy with work now.”
Gu Youchen replied: “Mn, see you after work.”
For the rest of the time, Ning Qingqing’s colleagues noticed that even when she went to get water, the corners of her lips were upturned.
“Look at our Qingqing. Being in love with her husband is just so sweet!” someone teased at the end of the day.
Ning Qingqing took out her phone to look at herself and found that she really was smiling involuntarily.
Ning Ruojun finished her work as well and had someone bring the gifts over. Coincidentally, Gu Youchen’s car had arrived near the company, so he told the two of them to come downstairs.
After waiting for two minutes at the entrance of the building, Gu Youchen’s car pulled up. Ning Qingqing and her mother got in, and together they headed to the Tan residence.
Old Master Tan had two main hobbies: one was calligraphy, and the other was fishing.
Over the years, the grandchildren of the Tan family had all turned out quite well, especially the eldest grandson, who was fully capable of standing on his own. So, Old Master Tan and his eldest son had stepped back, enjoying a leisurely life.
Today was the Old Master’s 80th birthday, and quite a few friends from their circle were invited.
When Ning Qingqing and the other two arrived, Gu Heng and Li Lan were already there.
Seeing Ning Ruojun, they greeted her first, then told Ning Qingqing and Gu Youchen to go pay their respects to Old Master Tan.
“This is Youchen?” Old Master Tan laughed. “I often hear my granddaughter mention you. Indeed, a striking talent!”
After saying that, he looked at Ning Qingqing. “Ruojun, I didn’t expect your daughter to marry Youchen. Back then, I was hoping for your daughter to become my second grandson-in-law!”
Old Master Tan had known Ning Ruojun for many years. He and his son had done business in the south for a while back in the day, so he had essentially watched Ning Ruojun reach where she was today step by step.
Ning Ruojun smiled. “We elders can’t control the children’s affairs.”
Hearing this, Gu Youchen glanced toward where the Second Young Master of the Tan family was standing.
The other party seemed to sense his gaze and nodded at him with a smile.
Ning Qingqing and Gu Youchen presented their gifts. Seeing that it was a fishing rod and a calligraphy brush, Old Master Tan’s eyes instantly lit up.
Gu Youchen smiled and said, “Grandpa Tan, I asked a friend to buy this fishing rod from abroad. The reel is very light when cranking. You can try it out later.”
“Good, good, good.” Old Master Tan laughed. “When you have time later, bring Qingqing over to keep Grandpa company while fishing. If I catch anything, I’ll have the chef cook it in a new style for you to taste!”
Ning Qingqing was curious. “Grandpa Tan, there’s a new style of cooking?”
Old Master Tan looked proud. “That’s a secret. It’s my exclusive recipe. I can only reveal it to you when you come!”
Ning Qingqing and Gu Youchen smiled. “Alright, we will definitely come to keep you company fishing when we have time!”
Old Master Tan nodded. He asked Ning Qingqing, “Is Qingqing still studying calligraphy?”
Ning Qingqing shook her head. “I stopped taking lessons after coming to Dicheng for high school, but I do practice.”
Old Master Tan sighed with emotion. “How amazing Old Master Zhang’s calligraphy was back then. But he was only willing to stay in Qingtang Town. I invited him to come out of retirement several times, but he refused. He passed away the year before last, and I didn’t even get to see him one last time.”
Hearing him mention her teacher, Ning Qingqing also felt a bit sentimental. “Yes. When I heard the news and rushed back, I only arrived in time to hear his last words. He said he lived his life in peace and had no regrets.”
Hearing this sentence, moisture welled up in Old Master Tan’s eyes, but he quickly laughed again. “Look at me, getting sentimental in my old age! If he felt no regrets, then I am happy for him!”
Saying this, he stood up. “Let’s not talk about unhappy things. Qingqing, write some characters with Grandpa later!”
Ning Qingqing knew Old Master Tan had a habit of writing inscriptions for guests at every birthday banquet, but she was somewhat flattered that he asked her to join him.
“Grandpa, my level is…”
“I believe in you.” Old Master Tan laughed. “Although I haven’t had the chance to see what you look like all grown up until now, I know your mother. She has quite a few of your calligraphy and paintings saved on her phone. If I say you can, you can!”
Ning Qingqing could only agree. “Then I respectfully obey.”
Beside her, Gu Youchen turned and asked Ning Qingqing, “Qingqing, you practiced calligraphy for many years?”
Ning Qingqing nodded. “Mn, I became a student of Old Master Zhang when I was little and studied until I graduated from junior high.”
Hearing this, Gu Youchen lowered his gaze slightly. “Qingqing, I’m realizing I don’t know enough about you.”
His tone seemed a bit downcast.
Ning Qingqing didn’t know why he felt that way, so she instinctively reached out and tugged at his hand. “It doesn’t matter. We have many years ahead of us to get to know each other properly!”
Hearing this, the man’s lips finally curved into a smile. “Mn, okay.”
At this time, many more people came over to greet Old Master Tan. Ning Ruojun, Gu Heng, and the others also began chatting with other invited guests.
Gu Youchen had gone abroad for high school. Although many people knew what he had done since returning, this was their first time seeing him in person.
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