Niannian thought Gong Yu did not reply because he could not agree. Then, she lowered her small head and said quietly, “Uncle Gong, it doesn’t matter if you don’t agree. My mummy said that you would not agree. I’ll still call you Uncle Gong.”
Upon hearing this, Gong Yu became softhearted as if the softest place in his heart was prickled badly with bleeding. Especially when he saw Niannian’s miserable appearance, he did not know how to refuse. He answered in a low voice, “Niannian, as long as you’re happy, you can call me whatever you want”
Suddenly, her little face was as bright as sunshine, which lit up his heart. Gong Yu smiled faintly which was extremely warm. Seeing that, Niannian was happier and asked with surprise, “Daddy Yu, you’re so pretty when you smile.”
Niannian called smoothly. She sounded like a copper bell, echoing in his mind for a long time, which made him look colored and dazzling.
Just then, Gu Yuxuan appeared at the bedroom door, saying, “Niannian, take Uncle Gong to wash hands. We’re going to have dinner.”
What Yun Muxi prepared for was hot pot. Gu Yuxuan and Yun Muxi washed and picked vegetables in the kitchen. They got the food ready quickly. Then, they set up the pot and put a soup base. Once the soup was boiling, they could begin to eat. It was very simple.
Gu Yuxuan asked them to dinner while Yun Muxi served all dishes on the table.
Niannian ran to Yun Muxi after washing her hands with Gong Yu. Yun Muxi held her up and put Niannian next to her. However, Gong Yu sat down at the other side of her. Tong Nan sat opposite to him. Gu Yuxuan had to sit next to Tong Nan.
As the host, Yun Muxi lifted her cup and began to say, “Xiao Nan, welcome back to the homeland. Everyone, please help yourselves and enjoy the food. Make yourself at home.”
The rest of them all lifted up the cups and clinked lightly. Gu Yuxuan said to Tong Nan with a smile, “Xiao Nan, welcome back!”
Gong Yu was trying to ignore Tong Nan but he still nodded lightly for courtesy as he kept a poker face.
Then, they took sips of their drinks.
Tong Nan looked at the hot pot as her mouth was drooling with greed. “Oh, my! I missed it very much in the U.S.A these years. Sister Xiao Xi, you know me too well.”
Yun Muxi laughed and said, “I remember that you like hot pot, so I prepare it especially for you today. Eat more if you like.”
Yun Muxi tilted her head and said to Gong Yu politely, “Mr. Gong, I don’t know your flavor. Please help yourself and make yourself at home.”
Gu Yuxuan looked up at Yun Muxi and Gong Yu with intriguing eyes.
Gong Yu darkened his face and said hoarsely, “Please call me Gong Yu!”
Tong Nan said with beaming smiles, “He is right, Sister Xiao Xi. Since you’re neighbors, it sounds strange that you still call him Mr. Gong.” Then, she spoke to Gong Yu, “Brother Yu, what do you like to eat? I can help you with an instant-boil.”
Gong Yu looked sterned and said coldly, “I can manage it! You’d better call me Gong Yu instead of Brother Yu.”
Tong Nan had been dissed by Gong Yu several times, so she felt awful.
Seeing that Tong Nan was unhappy, Yun Muxi brought up a topic, “Xiao Nan, what are you planning to do this time when you come back?”
Tong Nan answered, “Eh, I did model in the U.S.A for one year, so I’m going to enter the modeling circle. Before I return, I’ve negotiated with a brokerage. I will sign a contract these days. I plan to develop at home for several years. Actually, I do not want to go aboard again. However, my parents hope that I can stay with them. Although I have come back this time, I’m afraid that my father will take me back in several years. Anyway, I will stay here as long as I can.”
Speaking of this, Tong Nan seemed to remember something. She asked, “Sister Xiao Xi, when did Daddy Yun pass away? I just asked you but you did not tell me the details.”
Hearing this, Gong Yu glanced at Yun Muxi and pricked up his ears quietly.
Yun Muxi looked solemn and said in a low voice, “It’s been three years.”
Tong Nan raised her head in amazement and continued to ask, “Daddy Yun was so young. How could it happen?”
Yun Muxi looked somber and said nothing. Gu Yuxuan explained to Tong Nan, “Five years ago not long after you went abroad, Daddy Yun joined the International Medical and Humanitarian Aid Organization and became a doctor without borders after Xiao Xi entered the college entrance examination. He never came back after leaving. Originally, he was going to stay there for two years. Unexpectedly, at the end of the two-year period, it’s reported that cholera broke out in a small place in Africa. Unfortunately, Daddy Yun was infected in the treatment of patients. At that time, drugs were scarce and undersupplied. He was badly ill and died. He never came back. It was the worst time of Xiao Xi’s life…”
Gu Yuxuan paused in the middle of her speech when she saw Gong Yu slightly narrow his eyes and stare at her.
Tong Nan felt sad and said with a little guilt, “Sister Xiao Xi, I’m very sorry. If it was not for me, you would have a mother at least. It’s all my fault that you lost your mother. Unfortunately, your father also passed away…”
Yun Muxi sighed and said calmly, “Well… Everyone has his or her own life. I can blame nobody for anything. It’s my fate.”
Looking at Xiao Xi, Gu Yuxuan could not help speaking, “Xiao Nan, you don’t know how hard Xiao Xi was. At that time when the bad news about Daddy Yu came, Niannian was just born. However, his last words was that…”
Yun Muxi looked stern and shouted at Gu Yuxuan, “Xuanxuan! Don’t mention it again!”
Gu Yuxuan suddenly shut up.
Tong Nan had an idea and continued, “Sister Xiao Xi, what’s the matter about Niannian? How could you have such a child?”
Hearing Tong Nan’s question, Gong Yu thought the girl was useful for the first time. He waited to listen to Yun Muxi’s answer.
Gu Yuxuan looked up at Gong Yu and Yun Muxi. Yun Muxi ignored Tong Nan’s question but said, “Everybody, eat up. The soup is boiling for a while. Hurry up to eat the instant boiled food.”
While speaking, she put the meat in the pot. The sliced mutton was box-packed and bought from the supermarket. She thought they were enough to empty all the mutton, so she put the whole plate of meat in the pot. Suddenly, a big chunk of ice fell out of the meat. When it fell into the pot, it splashed up a lot of hot soup, which squirted on her hand back. The hot soup contained oil, so it was hotter than the ordinary hot water. Yun Muxi took a deep breath because of the pain and threw the plate on the table.