Chapter 723: Tangtang Went Home
Although the atmosphere was still a little cold, they finally sat down at the table.
As Shen Li sat next to Shen Zhijin, she looked at the food on the table and said in surprise, “Yam glutinous rice porridge? Dad, don’t you like this a lot?”
Old Madam Gu smiled and said, “Zhijin, quickly try it. Does it taste the same as before?”
Something seemed to flash in Shen Zhijin’s eyes, and the corners of his lips curled into a faint smile.
“Thank you.”
“What for?” Old Madam Gu shook her head with a smile. “Old Ding knew that you were coming over tonight, so he specially cooked it.”
Old Ding was the head chef of the Gu family and had been in the Gu family for many years.
Shen Zhijin was filling up a bowl to serve Shen Li, but when he heard this, he paused.
Shen Li also subconsciously looked over.
She had never asked too many questions about the relations.h.i.+p between the Gu family and Shen Zhijin.
However, as they spent more and more time together, she gradually realized that the gap between them was very deep, but at the same time, there was also a deep bond between them.
The entire Gu family must have liked him in the past. Otherwise, how could even Old Ding have remembered his tastes so clearly?
After all, so many years had already pa.s.sed.
Moreover, if it were not for Old Master Gu and Old Madam Gu’s acquiescence, this bowl of porridge probably would not have even been on the table.
Shen Zhijin placed the bowl of porridge next to Shen Li before helping himself to some.
Shen Li took a sip and smiled.
“It’s delicious.”
When Old Madam Gu saw that she was happy, she was happy too.
“Ah Li has been attending meetings with Zhijin for the past two days. How do you feel?”
Shen Li savored the taste of the porridge as she nodded.
“I feel great. I gained a lot of knowledge. In the middle, Dad even took me around on a tour of Mill Laboratory.”
Ordinary people were not qualified to enter such a top laboratory, much less bring any guests in.
But of course, Shen Zhijin had the right.
Old Madam Gu could not help but laugh.
“I heard from Qi Yang that the laboratory’s specifications are very high. Did you benefit from your father’s influence?”
Shen Li blinked.
“Well, yes! Wouldn’t it be normal for me to benefit from my father’s influence?”
Old Master Gu looked over and said plainly, “You could have told your family earlier that you wanted to go. Your uncle is also one of the investors of that laboratory.”
Shen Li, “…”
She stirred her spoon as she softly muttered, “Thenwhy didn’t you mention it before…”
How could she have thought of this?
Shen Zhijin said, “Tangtang has previously published a paper in the Universe. She was already eligible to enter.”
Old Master Gu’s expression softened a lot.
“That’s more like it.”
What kind of laboratory was it that their Ah Li could not enter?
Shen Li listened quietly at the side as she realized that her grandfather’s sentence was not directed at Shen Zhijin, but at Mill Laboratory…
She glanced at Shen Zhijin out of the corner of her eye. Seeing his calm expression, it looked like he already expected her grandfather to say something like that.
It had to be said that even though it had been many years since they had interacted, her father still knew her grandfather quite well…
“Actually, this visit was mainly because my a.s.sistant was temporarily replaced with Tangtang. The communication with Mill Laboratory had not been done properly in time, so they did not officially invite Tangtang over to visit.”
Shen Zhijin said, “I talked to the person in charge of their laboratory before. They have long wanted to invite Tangtang over, but she was busy with her final exams at that time, so I didn’t tell her about this.”
Shen Li looked at him in shock.
“Dad?”
He had turned it down on her behalf just like that?!
That was Mill Laboratory…
“Yes, she can go to the laboratory whenever she wants, but Ah Li’s exams could not be delayed.”
A rare look of agreement appeared on Old Master Gu’s face. He was obviously very satisfied with Shen Zhijin’s approach.
Shen Li, “…”
She picked up a small piece of rib and began to feel as if there was a barrier in communicating with these two people.
Old Madam Gu seemed to see what was going on and began to give some advice.
“Zhijin, no matter what, you should at least have told Ah Li about it first.”
Shen Li immediately nodded in agreement. “Yes–”
“That way, Ah Li could have chosen a time that she likes. Now, you can see that it’s a little rushed this time.”
Shen Zhijin thought for a moment and nodded seriously.
“You’re right. I’ll take note of it for next time.”
Shen Li was speechless and thought, ‘Never mind, forget I said anything.’
Old Madam Gu then asked about school.
Shen Li had been following Shen Zhijin’s research team ever since she entered Xijing University. Over the past few months, Shen Zhijin had a good understanding of her situation in school.
He carefully chose his words carefully as he spoke.
Old Madam Gu nodded repeatedly. Although Old Master Gu did not speak much, his mood was clearly much better than before.
After the meal, the icy aura that they had started with had mostly disappeared.
Old Madam Gu finally asked, “Zhijin, Ah Li said that you’ve been staying at the hotel that was arranged by the laboratory in Hong Kong City for the past few days?”
Shen Zhijin nodded.
Old Madam Gu wanted to say something but hesitated. In the end, she looked to Old Master Gu.
Old Master Gu was silent for a long time before he finally said slowly, “Tomorrow morning, you… should take Ah Li to see Yin Yin.”
Shen Zhijin’s body stiffened and his fingers trembled slightly.
Shen Li had come on New Year’s Day and a whole week had already pa.s.sed since then.
This whole time, he had always thought that the Gu family had already taken her to pay their respects to Yin Yin.
It turned out that they had not. They had been waiting for him.
His throat tightened, as it felt extremely dry.
After a long while, he said softly, “Okay.”
“Father, Mother, thank you.”
…
At nine o’clock in the morning the next day, Shen Zhijin led Shen Li to Seven Treasures Mountain together.
It was very close to Suyue Mountain, with a stone path that extended up the mountain path. The surrounding trees were lush, and the place was quiet.
Shen Zhijin held a bunch of red camellia in his arms, as Shen Li followed behind him.
The two of them walked silently all the way until they finally reached the halfway point of the mountain.
A stone tablet stood quietly there– That was Gu Tingyin’s grave.
Unlike the quiet and solemn silence that they had expected, the stone tablet was surrounded by a large expanse of camellia plants that had been planted there.
Red, white, silently, and blooming abundantly.
The mountain wind blew, rustling the flowers and causing them to sway.
Shen Zhijin stood in front of the stone tablet with his gaze fixed on it for a long time.
Shen Li stood beside him, silently accompanying him.
“Yin Yin.”
After a long time, Shen Zhijin finally spoke.
His speaking speed was slower than usual, and his clear and clean voice had also become low and gentle, as if he was afraid of disturbing someone’s dream.
“I’ve brought Tangtang to see you.”
As he spoke, he handed Shen Li the bouquet of camellia.
“Tangtang, go and give the flowers to Mommy.”
Shen Li took it and moved forward to place the bouquet down.
She looked at the name carved on the stone tablet.
Gu Tingyin.
Unfamiliar, but familiar. Far away, yet close at hand.
She had heard this name from so many people before. At that time, she had not known that this was her closest relative.
Bitterness surged up and blotted out the sky and the earth.
Countless images and sounds flashed past.
A tear fell and landed on the camellias.
Her lips moved slightly, and she finally called out softly.
“Mommy.”
She had never thought that she would ever call this name again in this lifetime, yet it turned out that she would still never really have this opportunity again.
Shen Zhijin gently caressed her hair, and a faint smile appeared on his elegant face.
“Yinyin, Tangtang finally came home today.”