Chapter 89: Warmth
When Ding Yuejun heard this, Gu Tingyu naturally nodded and said, "Auntie, don’t worry, such a thing definitely won’t happen again in the future. But we really have to thank Yiyi this time; without her, we wouldn’t have completed the mission smoothly. If possible, I’ll try to get her some kind of reward."
"No, no need for a reward; it’s best enough that Yiyi can be of help. But helping others is a joy, and we don’t need any return."
At this point, Yiyi also nodded and said, "Yeah, Gu Tingyu, no need for a reward. If I need your help in the future, just give me a hand and that will be enough."
"Don’t worry, if you ever need anything, you can come to me."
Hearing Gu Tingyu’s promise, Yiyi’s face was filled with a smile, "Good, you said it. If I have questions in the future, I’ll write to you, and you must write back to me as soon as possible." With this incident, she could rightfully keep in touch with Gu Tingyu.
"Okay."
Gu Tingyu readily agreed.
Seeing her daughter chatting happily with the young man in front of her, Ding Yuejun was a bit taken aback. A mother knows her child best; although Yiyi usually smiles, there aren’t many who can truly make her open up. Fei Erya is one, and there aren’t any others, but to think this young man in front is another one, he must be a nice person too.
"Young man, why don’t you stay for lunch before you go back?"
Gu Tingyu originally should decline, but he ended up agreeing impulsively. It could be the warmth of Ding Yuejun’s invitation or perhaps Yiyi’s bright smile dazzled his eyes.
Seeing Gu Tingyu willing to stay for lunch made Yiyi even happier.
"Mom, let me cook later. I found some recipes in a magazine before; they seem really delicious, and I want to give them a try."
Ding Yuejun always goes along with her daughter, naturally not refusing, "Okay, then you make two dishes later. But you just got back today, you must be a bit tired. I’ll help you."
"Mom, no need, I’m really quick with it, and I’m not tired."
With that, Yiyi headed inside.
At this time, Mo Shan came out, full of excitement upon seeing Yiyi back, "Auntie, you’re finally back, Shanshan really missed you."
"Auntie missed you too."
Upon seeing Mo Shan, Yiyi quickly squatted down and picked her up.
"Giggle..."
Mo Shan couldn’t help but giggle after being picked up, but quickly she noticed Gu Tingyu, "Auntie, who is this handsome brother?"
"He’s Auntie’s friend, you can call him Uncle Gu from now on."
Being Mo Shan’s aunt, if her niece calls Gu Tingyu brother, wouldn’t that mean they’re of a different generation? So Yiyi quickly corrected Mo Shan’s way of addressing him.
"Uncle Gu."
Mo Shan obediently called him Uncle.
Gu Tingyu, watching the soft and sweet little girl call him, felt a bit softened. "Hello, then I’ll call you Shanshan just like your aunt."
As they conversed, they walked inside, and after Yiyi put her niece down, she went straight to the kitchen.
Yiyi worked quickly; by noon she had prepared a table of hearty dishes, including Houshan Town’s specialty pan-fried fish, salt-baked shrimp, stir-fried squid strips, fish paste baby bok choy, along with her favorite sweet and sour pork and stir-fried evening primrose. Lastly, she also made a rice fish soup.
Just as Yiyi brought out the dishes, Fei Erya returned from school.
"Yiyi...you’re back."
Seeing Yiyi back safe, Fei Erya felt nothing but happiness.
"Er Ya, you’re just in time, we’re about to eat."
Only then did Fei Erya notice Gu Tingyu, nodded slightly in greeting, and then joined Yiyi and the others at the table.
"Gu Tingyu, try this pan-fried fish, it’s our specialty here. See if you like it."
Hearing this, Gu Tingyu took a bite and praised with a smile, "It’s really delicious; I didn’t expect your cooking to be this good."
Fei Erya, hearing this, looked at Yiyi with some surprise, "Yiyi, did you make lunch?"
"Yes."
Yiyi nodded with a smile and warmly invited Gu Tingyu to try other dishes.
Gu Tingyu truly found it delicious, so he tasted all the dishes Yiyi made and ended up eating three bowls of rice before setting down his chopsticks.
Fei Erya shot Yiyi a curious glance, wondering if it was her imagination, but she felt Yiyi was somewhat overly enthusiastic about Gu Tingyu. She just returned today but cooked and urged him to eat, and now she’s looking at him with bright eyes, her smile sweeter than usual.
Ding Yuejun also found her daughter’s cooking delicious, eating two bowls of rice before she stopped. When everyone finished, she quickly cleaned up the dishes.
"Yiyi, I have to go back, we’ll meet again next time."
Seeing it was getting late, Gu Tingyu knew he shouldn’t stay any longer.
Yiyi knew he had things to take care of, so she didn’t insist, "Be careful on the road. When things are settled, remember to write me, so I know you got back safely."
Although Gu Tingyu thought Yiyi’s request was a bit unusual, he didn’t dwell on it, nodding directly and saying, "Alright, once I’m back, I’ll write you a letter." After saying that, he especially went to the kitchen to bid farewell to Ding Yuejun.
After Gu Tingyu left, Fei Erya took Yiyi to her room.
"Yiyi, what’s going on between you and this Gu Tingyu? You seem very excited about him." Earlier Ding Yuejun was washing dishes, and Mo Shan was playing nearby, so only she heard Yiyi’s final words.
Seeing her friend’s concerned look, Yiyi chuckled, "Yes, I am indeed very enthusiastic about him, because I think he is a good comrade."
"Oh oh."
Even still, Fei Erya felt something was off but couldn’t put her finger on it, so she didn’t ask further and shifted the topic, "Yiyi, since you’re back, are you going to class this afternoon? The class teacher has asked me several times."
"Of course I’ll go to class; I must have missed a lot these past two days. Er Ya, you must help me catch up tonight."
Fei Erya smiled and said, "Sure, I took notes, I’ll explain it to you later."
The two of them rested for a bit, then went to school together for the afternoon classes.
Yao Hailai, upon seeing Yiyi, couldn’t help but say, "This is your most important time, you can’t slack off."
"Teacher, don’t worry, I’ll definitely catch up on the lessons I missed these past two days."
Seeing Yiyi’s earnest and serious demeanor, Yao Hailai didn’t say more, "Alright, head back to class."
Having missed a few classes before, Yiyi found it indeed affected her a bit, with some trouble connecting to the lessons. But she still listened attentively, jotting down key points for review at home later.