Chapter 324: You should just listen to me

"I've also heard about you and your dad arguing," Yu Xing picked up a dumpling and put it in his bowl, "Marriage is ultimately your own business; if you don't want it, no one can force you."

Gu Xingnan lowered his eyes, his eyelashes trembling slightly, "Mm, thank you for your understanding, Uncle Yu."

"What's there to be polite about." Yu Xing waved his hand, "Your dad is someone who's been domineering all his life, always likes to impose his will on others; he was like that when young and never changed even in old age. You're not wrong at all for not wanting to suffer this injustice."

He moved the plate a bit closer to Gu Xingnan, often saying: "If you really don't want to go home, just stay a few more days here; the Yu family always has a room for you, no one can say a word about it."

He continued: "If you really don't want to go home, just stay a few more days here; the Yu family always has a room for you!"

Gu Xingnan hadn't even responded when Yu Ci beside him snorted, propped his elbow on the table, and said matter-of-factly: "What's a few days? If you're staying, stay forever; those trivial matters at Gu Xingnan's house are annoying enough to drive you crazy."

He spoke bluntly, completely unaware that his offhand remark had made the teenager beside him feel a faint warmth in his heart.

Gu Xingnan glanced at him sideways, then quickly looked away, picked up his water cup and took a sip, suppressing the surging emotions in his chest.

He gave a soft "Mm," "As long as it's what you say, I'm willing."

"That's right, you should listen to me." Yu Ci raised his eyebrows proudly.

Yu Xing looked at the two children who had grown up together since childhood, his smile deepening, and went along with the saying: "Then listen to Xiao Ci, stay here permanently; having more people at home makes it livelier."

Gu Xingnan spoke gently and politely: "Thank you, Uncle Yu."

"What's there to thank, we're family." Yu Xing laughed openly, then looked at Yu Ci: "You usually take more care of Xiao Nan, don't just know how to play around all day."

"Do I need you to say that?" Yu Ci lazily glanced at him, "Wherever I go, I bring him along; whoever dares to provoke him has to get past me first."

The meal was eaten in quiet peace, and the servants gradually cleared the bowls and chopsticks.

Yu Ci flopped onto the sofa, picked up the remote, and searched for a drama he liked to watch.

Gu Xingnan followed behind, brought over the fruit platter, and also handed him a grape to his mouth.

Yu Ci didn't even lift his head, opened his mouth and bit down; his lips unintentionally touched the palm of his hand, a faint coolness.

He didn't think much, asking: "Want to go out this afternoon? It's boring at home; the elders will surely come over later to pay New Year visits, it's really annoying."

"Where to?" Gu Xingnan sat down beside him.

"Whatever," Yu Ci thought for a moment, "How about a lap at the racetrack? Or go play games; that newly opened shop supposedly has good equipment."

"Either works." Gu Xingnan had no objection.

Yu Ci nodded satisfactorily and casually said: "I don't know what Youbao and A Jin are up to now; probably the whole family is bustling with liveliness."

Gu Xingnan followed his gaze and glanced at the screen, lightly saying: "They're probably busy with the elders' affairs."

"Whether this afternoon or tomorrow, let's invite them out to play," Yu Ci's interest rose, "It's been a long time since we all got together."

"We just saw them a few days ago, didn't we?"

"That was a chance encounter, it's different."

"Okay." Gu Xingnan replied.

At that moment, Yu Xing's phone rang; it was a call from the elders at home, saying they'd be coming over soon for the New Year's Eve dinner.

Yu Xing answered a few times, hung up, and looked at the two on the sofa: "If you don't want to stay at home, just head out early; later it'll be crowded and you won't be able to leave."

"Did you hear that?" Yu Ci immediately stood up, grabbed Gu Xingnan's arm, "Let's go out to play some games, then hang out at the racetrack for an afternoon, and come back for dinner tonight."

Gu Xingnan was pulled up by him, his wrist clenched by Yu Ci's warm fingers, his heart beating uncontrollably faster, letting Yu Ci pull him toward the door, "Okay."

Yu Ci threw his jacket over his shoulder casually, "Let's go, let's go."

On the other side, Mu Youyu had finished lunch and obediently sat on the living room sofa.

The elders were all chatting; she furtively lifted her gaze to Jiang Liangjin beside her, lightly tugging his sleeve with her small hand, "Can we go out?"

With so many families gathered, if she directly said she wanted to go out, it would likely turn into a big family outing.

Jiang Liangjin had long seen through her little thought, reached out to help her put on her hat, "I'll go say it."

"Okay."

Not far away, Jiang Yizhu clung to the sofa, eyes fixed on the two, his little mouth slightly pouted.

When older sister Youyu and her cousin get married, she will definitely be the prettiest little bridesmaid!

Jiang Liangjin rose and walked over to Jiang Ye Ye, speaking a few words in a low voice.

Upon hearing it, Jiang Ye Ye immediately clapped his hands and laughed loudly: "Perfect, staying home is boring; we'll get the whole family ready with cars and go out for a stroll."

Mu Youyu: "……"

Well, the planned trip for just the two of them turned directly into a big family outing.

Jiang Liangjin reached out to ruffle her hair, softly coaxing: "Later I'll take you out alone."

"All right then." Mu Youyu finally felt satisfied, obediently taking his hand and following behind her grandmother.

Several families went to play together, splitting into over a dozen vehicles heading the same way.

Mu Youyu, Jiang Liangjin, and Mu Xin rode together in Mu Xi's car.

Mu Xi gripped the steering wheel, glancing faintly at the rear seat through the rearview mirror.

The younger sister sat next to Jiang Liangjin, her head almost leaning on his shoulder, still gripping his phone in her hand, her little finger unconsciously swiping across the screen.

Mu Xin leaned against the window on the other side, eyes closed, resting his spirit.

Mu Youyu played for a while, felt bored, quietly lifted her eyes, and met Jiang Liangjin's downward gaze.

He had been looking at her, his eyes holding a tenderness that no one else possessed.

She shoved the phone back into his hand, muttering softly: "Not fun."

Jiang Liangjin gave a low chuckle, his voice kept soft so only she could hear: "Then what do you want to play?"

"I want to set off fireworks."

"I'll give you a whole courtyard of fireworks at night."

Mu Xi in the front seat felt a bit jealous, deliberately drawing the younger sister's attention: "I also want to set off fireworks."

Jiang Liangjin took over: "The sparklers are ready for the second brother."

Hearing the younger sister laugh, Mu Xi silently closed his mouth.

The car drove smoothly all the way to the busiest commercial district in the city centre.

As soon as the several families arrived, they practically booked out the entire leisure floor, with bodyguards silently guarding the perimeter.

It was unobtrusive yet kept all unsafe factors outside.

Mu Youyu had just stepped out of the car when a group of brothers surrounded her.

"Sweetie, want to go catch some dolls?"

"That dessert shop over there is still open; I've booked it just for you."

"What do you want to eat? I'll have someone buy it for you."

"Let's go play some games."

"Want to take photos? The photographer is over here."

The elders also turned their gazes toward her.

She was surrounded like the moon among stars, but her gaze unconsciously drifted toward Jiang Liangjin, "Let's take photos first."

The temporary photographer Song Ze had his equipment ready; seeing Mu Youyu nod, he immediately stepped forward with a smile, "Young Lady, let's take a few solo shots first, then a family photo, okay?"

Mu Youyu obediently hummed, and just as she was about to step over, her wrist was gently pulled.

Jiang Liangjin adjusted her small hat for her, "You take the solo shots first."