Seeing Fei Erya being so formal, Yiyi also earnestly introduced herself, "Hello, my name is Mo Yiyi, I’m Er Ya’s good friend, and this is my partner, Gu Tingyu."
Gu Tingyu nodded at Fei Erya and Fan Qianshu.
Fan Qianshu couldn’t help but laugh, "You’re being so formal that it makes me feel a bit awkward. Since Er Ya and Yiyi are best friends, we can definitely relax a little."
At this, Fei Erya also laughed.
"Yes, Yiyi, let’s not be too stiff."
Yiyi heard this and smiled, saying: "Alright, let’s interact as we usually do."
After the food was served, the group began eating slowly.
"Yiyi, try this black date stewed pork knuckle, I think it tastes great."
Yiyi took a bite and found it soft, sweet, and delicious, "Mm, it’s really good."
"Then eat more of it."
Seeing that Yiyi also liked it, Fei Erya’s eyes were full of smiles.
Indeed, Yiyi ate quite a bit, but while eating, she was secretly observing Fan Qianshu. The other party seemed very perceptive, glancing at Yiyi as if he had noticed something.
Yiyi naturally smiled at him, making it hard for anyone to suspect anything, as if she just happened to look in that direction and then continued eating.
Fan Qianshu didn’t take it to heart and started talking with Gu Tingyu.
Gu Tingyu wasn’t too aloof and chatted about everything with Fan Qianshu. However, the more they talked, the more surprised Gu Tingyu became; Fan Qianshu’s knowledge was truly impressive. He could discuss any topic in depth, showing genuine breadth and depth of understanding.
By the end of the meal, the atmosphere between the group was quite amicable.
"Yiyi, let’s plan to meet up for dinner again next time." Fei Erya felt happy tonight and thought similar gatherings should happen more often.
Yiyi nodded with a smile.
After Fei Erya and Fan Qianshu left, Yiyi looked at Gu Tingyu and asked, "What do you think about Fan Qianshu?"
"Knowledgeable and quite handsome."
Even Gu Tingyu, as a man, thought Fan Qianshu was very good looking, showing how striking his appearance was, surpassing most people.
Yiyi promptly said, "That’s not what I was asking. I wanted to know if he’s trustworthy. I feel he’s not very fond of Er Ya."
Upon hearing this, Gu Tingyu raised an eyebrow, "I really didn’t notice that."
Yiyi gave him a glance and just asked, "What did you notice then?"
"Just noticed what you were eating."
Yiyi chuckled at Gu Tingyu and didn’t say more as they slowly walked home together.
"Gu Tingyu, are you free tomorrow?"
"Yes, I am."
Gu Tingyu answered without any hesitation and then looked at Yiyi, asking: "Is there anything planned for tomorrow?"
"Actually not much, it’s just that Old Master Ding wants us to visit the Ding Family. He wants my mom to recognize our ancestry. If you’re free, you can come along."
"Alright, I’ll go with you guys."
The next morning, Gu Tingyu came to Yiyi’s home bright and early.
When Ding Yuejun opened the door and saw him, she invited him in with a smile, "Tingyu, you’re here! Breakfast is just ready, come in and have some."
"Aunt Ding, you’ve been working hard these days, preparing breakfast for us every morning."
Ding Yuejun smiled and said, "It’s not hard work. I’m actually happy that you’re eating the breakfasts I make."
As they talked, they entered the room. Yiyi, who had just finished freshening up, noticed Gu Tingyu and her eyes were full of smiles, "You’re lucky today. My mom just made fish ball and eel paste vegetable noodles for breakfast, and those fish balls are handmade. They’re really good."
"Then I’m really lucky."
Gu Tingyu’s face was also full of smiles and then he said to Ding Yuejun, "Aunt Ding, you really worked hard."
"Alright, let’s hurry up and eat. No need for these pleasantries."
Ding Yuejun knew that Gu Tingyu had been reassigned to return to Shangjing soon, so she was quite delighted these past few days, knowing he’d come over in the mornings. She prepared richer breakfasts, as long as he was truly good to Yiyi, she’d be happy as a future mother-in-law.
After the three finished breakfast, Ding Yuejun didn’t go out but returned to her room to prepare a bit since they still had to head out later.
"Why don’t you rest for a while, I’m going to change clothes and tidy up a bit."
Although the visit to the Ding Family wasn’t a formal recognition occasion today, neither should it be too casual.
Once Ding Yuejun and Yiyi were ready, the three set off directly to the Ding Family.
Old Master Ding had arranged everything early on, so when Yiyi and the group arrived, they were invited straight to the living room.
"Yuejun, Yiyi, you’re here."
Old Master Ding greeted them with a beaming smile.
The housekeeper, Ding, was meeting Ding Yuejun and Yiyi for the first time, and once he clearly saw their faces, he was a bit emotional. He understood his master’s feelings for Wu Meng the most. Back then when he thought the young lady was lost, Old Ding nearly couldn’t bear it. Now, finally, she’s been found.
"Young lady, Little Miss, this is this year’s new tea, try it. If you don’t like it, I’ll have someone make another tea for you."
Seeing Housekeeper Ding being so enthusiastic, Ding Yuejun felt slightly uncomfortable.
"This tea is fine; no need to go out of your way to make another."
Actually, she wasn’t accustomed to drinking tea and couldn’t tell good tea from bad, so the type of tea was irrelevant.
Housekeeper Ding, looking at Ding Yuejun’s gentle features, quickly replied with a smile, "As long as the young lady enjoys drinking it, I’ll go check on the snacks in the kitchen."
When Housekeeper Ding left, Old Master Ding eagerly turned to Ding Yuejun, saying: "Yuejun, I picked an auspicious day; how about we hold the recognition banquet on that day?"
"Which day?"
Old Master Ding was quite anxious, so he chose a date nearby, "Three days from now, just before Yiyi’s engagement. That way, others will know the one engaged to the Gu Family is my precious granddaughter, Ding Wenzhi’s granddaughter."
Upon hearing this, Ding Yuejun didn’t object and nodded directly, "Alright then, let’s do it three days from now."
Having chosen to return anyway, it didn’t matter if the recognition happened sooner or later. If recognizing their ancestry was beneficial for Yiyi, then sooner was better.
Seeing Ding Yuejun agree, Old Master Ding’s mouth formed a wide smile of satisfaction.
But shortly afterward, Housekeeper Ding returned. He approached Old Master Ding and softly said, "Master, Second Miss has come with Miss Yunfang."
Old Master Ding’s cheerful expression began to dissipate, frowning as he said, "Why have they come? I don’t recall inviting them today."
"I heard they want to meet the young lady and Miss Yiyi."
Old Master Ding instinctively felt a headache. Although Chen Meilian was the one who made mistakes, Ding Yating being her daughter, even if she didn’t do anything wrong, would surely make things awkward when meeting Yuejun and them.
As Old Master Ding hesitated, Ding Yuejun spoke directly, "Since they’re here, we should surely invite them in. I haven’t properly met them yet."