Chapter 427: If you're anxious, just get married for me!

The room door was pushed open.

Zhang Shen and Shitou walked in laughing, but they saw two people on the bed inside.

The old and the young were instantly stunned.

Gu Xixi sat on the bed, rummaging around for something unknown, and the bedding was all messed up.

The other was the long-absent future son-in-law.

He stood by the bed, dusting off the mosquito net…

Shitou reacted first, beaming as he lunged forward, "Sir's back! Great!"

Zhang Shen initially found it hard to believe her own eyes.

She rubbed her eyes, widened them to look closely, and confirmed they were family, not intruders.

Mu Nan Zhao was warmly welcomed by Shitou, who patted his small shoulder; he smiled, but it was somewhat forced.

"Mm, I'm back. Long time no see, you've grown taller."

He then glanced at Zhang Shen, inexplicably feeling like he'd been caught red-handed stealing someone else's vegetables.

"Aunt, I'm back."

"Oh, Xixi can't find something; I came in to help her look."

At that moment, Lv Jing also heard the sound and came over.

Seeing Mu Nan Zhao in Gu Xixi's room, she twitched her mouth trying to laugh, but held it back hard.

Her expression looked somewhat odd.

Inside the room, Zhang Shen had already recovered from her initial shock and calmed down.

She didn't smile, handed the food jar to Lv Jing, and said, "You've worked hard today; you must all be hungry."

"First go ladle out the lump soup, I'll have the two of them go out to eat."

"Shitou, go help Jingjing Jie fetch a bowl."

Zhang Shen still carries some parental authority in this household.

Lv Jing knew Zhang Shen wanted to speak privately with the young couple, so she swiftly took the jar and left.

Although Shitou was a bit clueless, he could only obediently follow along.

Zhang Shen closed the door behind her.

Compared to the two youngsters who appeared calm but were actually panicking.

Zhang Shen leisurely pulled out a chair, sat down firmly, then looked up at the two.

"Since you're in a hurry, this time you're back, hurry up and get married for me!"

"As someone who's been through this, having lived to this age, seeing you two like that as soon as I walked in, what's there not to understand?"

Gu Xixi startled, exchanging a glance with Mu Nan Zhao.

She felt that the many excuses she'd quickly prepared were now unnecessary.

Gu Xixi eased her embarrassment, forcing a smile, "Aunt, the marriage matter… isn't urgent yet."

Zhang Shen said sternly, "Is it him who's not in a hurry, or you?"

"Could it be that he's regained his status now and looks down on our humble family?"

Mu Nan Zhao remained silent.

It's not that he lacks responsibility.

Rather, the initiative for his marriage to Gu Xixi has long been entirely in her hands.

Gu Xixi glanced at Mu Nan Zhao and said, "It's not his fault; I just don't want to get married yet."

Zhang Shen frowned, looking at Mu Nan Zhao, "I've always known Xixi's thoughts on this."

"And you, what do you think?"

"In the past, we got along like family; at first I was somewhat dissatisfied with you."

"But after observing you coolly, you're cold‑outside, warm‑inside, educated, steady in your actions—someone worth entrusting."

"Aunt sees you as not the type to fawn over the high and despise the low, or to change affections easily."

"Exactly what are your own plans regarding this marriage? Speak up, make it clear."

Mu Nan Zhao pondered, then said, "I…"

Zhang Shen thought, as a scholarly man he should be able to speak, and had hoped he'd offer a few more arguments.

"As long as he can move Xixi, us elders can add a few words and the marriage will be done!"

However, Mu Nan Zhao raised his head and declared resolutely, "I'll follow whatever Xixi says."

Zhang Shen nearly fainted from anger.

"You!"

She exclaimed in frustration, "I told you to speak, and that's all you say?"

Mu Nan Zhao smiled, "Aunt loves Xixi the most."

"If I don't obey her, you'll definitely be the first to not spare me."

Zhang Shen hesitated, "Although that's how you put it…

"But you can't be too obedient, can you?"

Mu Nan Zhao humbly asked, "Then I don't know when, as the son‑in‑law, I should listen and when I shouldn't."

Zhang Shen opened her mouth, only to realize she'd been led into a circle.

But then she realized the future son‑in‑law had already started calling himself "son‑in‑law."

This made her both happy and a little embarrassed, "I'm not Xixi's mother; I'm just someone who works in this household."

"How could I deserve the title of aunt with such modesty?"

Mu Nan Zhao, however, put on a serious expression and said, "In Xixi's eyes, you are family, our elder, and we never distinguish between us."

"If you suddenly say that, wouldn't it leave Xixi with nowhere to hide?"

Gu Xixi didn't need Mu Nan Zhao to signal her; she cooperated with a solemn tone, "Yes, Auntie."

"After all, I was raised by you; even if you're not my birth mother, you are still the closest elder family I have."

Zhang Shen's eyes reddened with emotion, "Hey, I know you treat me well, and it's sincere."

Gu Xixi went over and hugged Zhang Shen, acting coquettishly, "From now on, you're not allowed to say such things again."

"I heard it, and I only feel that I must have done something wrong to upset you."

Zhang Shen, hearing her say that, became a bit anxious instead, "No, no, it's nothing."

Gu Xixi said in a coquettish voice, "You'd better not even think about abandoning me or this home in this lifetime."

Zhang Shen's voice trembled with excitement, she laughed through tears, "Okay......"

She hugged Gu Xixi and gently patted her, just like when she used to lull her to sleep as a child.

"How could I bear to leave my dear little one behind?"

"The matter of marriage was temporarily brushed over."

"I just don't know whether, once Zhang Shen understands, she'll bring it up again."

"Because Zhang Shen and Shitou only came back after having their fill at the Qin household."

"The dumpling soup was divided into three portions."

"Just then, the night was cool as water, the mountain breeze gentle, so everyone sat in the courtyard to enjoy the cool."

"The soup floated with egg flowers, fragrant, sweet, and smooth, melting in the mouth."

"It contained chewy little noodle dumplings, enriching the texture."

Gu Xixi ate and said, "The Qin family's sister-in-law's cooking skills are really good."

"I haven't seen her in a few days; I wonder how she's doing?"

Zhang Shen said, "I'm going to see her tonight."

"The medicine prepared by Old Ginger Head is effective; she takes it daily as usual,"

"She says she feels her sleep at night is much more stable than when she first became pregnant, and walking doesn't feel as heavy."

Gu Xixi nodded in relief, "That's good."

"With the master's care, she will surely have a safe delivery."

"On the other side, Shitou chatted endlessly with Mu Nan Zhao."

"I practice calligraphy every day; although my studies still can't compare to Dog Brother's, Mr. Song says my handwriting is the best among all the students he's ever taught this big! Don't believe me—look!"

"Is your home actually in the south, or in the capital?"

"Older Brother An often comes to our place, you know?"

……

Mu Nan Zhao showed surprising patience, answering every question, his eyes filled with a warmth he himself might not have noticed.

Shitou laughed and asked, "What should I call you from now on—Mr. Chen, Mr. Mu, or brother-in-law?"

Mu Nan Zhao's mouth corners turned up, unable to be suppressed.

He glanced at everyone without a trace, cleared his throat, "What do you think I should be called?"

Shitou was clever and perceptive; just by reading faces and tones, he found the answer himself.

"Brother-in-law!"

"Good boy!" Mu Nan Zhao replied happily, glancing at Gu Xixi with slight pride.

Then Shitou asked again, "Brother-in-law, you're not leaving again this time you've come back, are you?"