Chapter 416: New Year's Eve

Starting from the twenty-ninth day of the twelfth lunar month, the sound of firecrackers in the courtyard never ceased.

Crackling and popping, it was incredibly lively, and every household was filled with the festive atmosphere of the New Year.

Su Yan's home was no exception; with spring couplets pasted and lanterns hung, everything was a vibrant, festive red.

At noon on New Year's Eve, they were called over to Su Jianxin's place for a meal.

At the dining table, the brothers Su Jianguo and Su Jianxin chatted happily.

After several days of interaction, Su Yao and Zhou Li were also becoming increasingly familiar with one another, so the table was filled with laughter and joy.

When evening came, Su Jianguo took Su Yan over before Gu Qingfeng even had to call them.

The two families had agreed to spend the New Year together beforehand; moreover, since Gu Yang had not returned, it was even more essential that Su Jianguo and Su Yan did not miss it.

Zhou Li did not come along this time, so there were only the four of them.

After several rounds of toasting, the topic discussed most, of course, was still Gu Yang.

Whether it was Su Jianguo, Gu Qingfeng, or Song Sining, none of them clearly doubted the fact that Gu Yang had gone on a business trip.

The three elders were even discussing how, once the New Year passed and Gu Yang's work became less busy, they should arrange the marriage between him and Su Yan.

Su Yan wanted to interrupt the topic several times, but seeing the happy smiles on their faces, the words she had on the tip of her tongue were repeatedly swallowed back down.

Her teacher had once said that if she married Gu Yang, it would be difficult to have a peaceful life in the future. Even for the sake of protecting Gu Yang's safety, they could not go that far.

But how could she say it in a way that wouldn't make the three elders worry and get angry?

"Yan Yan, you two should leave a bit later tonight. I think Gu Yang will definitely call back a little later." After all, tonight was New Year's Eve; even if Gu Yang was busy, he would surely find a little time to greet his family.

Song Sining naturally assumed this to be true.

Su Yan knew well that this possibility was slim, but a flicker of hope still ignited deep within her heart.

She had even prepared herself so that if Gu Yang truly did call back, she wouldn't ask anything extra; knowing that he was doing well would be enough.

Before she could answer, Su Jianguo, who was already somewhat tipsy, laughed loudly, "Tonight, Qingfeng and I are going to drink through the night!"

Although Su Yan didn't want to dampen his spirits, she still reminded him seriously.

"Your body has only just recovered. I have no objection to you having a long chat with Uncle Gu, but drinking all night is definitely out of the question."

Instead of being displeased, Su Jianguo was incredibly happy; being disciplined by his daughter was a form of happiness too!

Under the joyful atmosphere, time passed exceptionally fast.

As it approached midnight, the entire county town was enveloped by the deafening roar of firecrackers.

Su Yan and Song Sining stood at the doorway, watching the scattered sparks of the exploding firecrackers outside; the new year had begun.

Throughout the entire night, the two families ultimately failed to receive a safe call from Gu Yang.

While Su Yan felt oppressed, she could not show even a hint of it, and she did not forget to comfort Song Sining and Gu Qingfeng.

She said that Gu Yang probably had social engagements and might have returned too late to rest, which was why he couldn't contact the family.

She didn't know how much longer this excuse could soothe them; she only hoped that Gu Yang was truly safe and sound.

In the blink of an eye, it was the fifth day of the first lunar month. Over these past few days, Su Yan had been intentionally or unintentionally avoiding Song Sining.

Every time she saw Song Sining, she had to face her increasingly heavy gaze of suspicion and anxiety.

After all, Gu Yang had told them he was only on a business trip; there was no reason or excuse for him to be completely out of contact during these days of the New Year.

Even the number of times Su Jianguo mentioned Gu Yang had increased.

And almost every time, it was the same sentiment.

"That boy Gu Yang is usually so steady, how can he not even call back once during the New Year? Could something have happened to him out there?"

Every time he reached this point, he would subconsciously look toward Su Yan.

At first, Su Yan was still making excuses for Gu Yang, but later she could only say she wasn't quite sure about his business trip situation. By now, she had no words left at all.

Early on the morning of the sixth day, just as she had finished washing up, Song Sining arrived.

Su Yan's first thought was that Song Sining had surely come to ask about Gu Yang's situation again.

She was even thinking that if it really came to it, she might just tell them that she had also lost contact with Gu Yang.

However, the first sentence Song Sining spoke next made her breath hitch.

"Yan Yan, Gu Yang just called!"

A smile played on Song Sining's face, and her previous worries and sense of insecurity were swept away instantly.

Su Yan froze suddenly, unable to react for a moment.

Song Sining's smile grew even more radiant. "Look at this child, her reaction is even bigger than mine."

"You mean... Gu Yang contacted the family?" Su Yan used all her strength just to keep her emotions from being too obvious.

Song Sining continued with certainty, "Yes. Gu Yang said that the place he was on his business trip a few days ago was quite remote, and it was hard to even find a telephone, which is why he couldn't contact home. He even specifically asked about you."

"What did he ask me?" Su Yan could not describe her current feelings.

The heart that had been hanging in suspense for many days finally settled.

As long as he was indeed well, it didn't matter what he was doing or where he was.

"He asked if you were back yet, if you were doing well, and he also asked about Jianguo. Anyway, I've told him everything, and he was quite happy. I originally asked him to call you again, but he said it wasn't easy to make calls over there, so he just asked me to tell you that he is doing fine. The promises he wrote in the letters he left you before are all true."

Song Sining did not press for details about the letters or the promises; as a mother, she did not want to pry too much into the affairs of children.

Su Yan nodded incessantly.

Hearing the commotion, Su Jianguo also walked out of the room, and hearing that Gu Yang was fine, he also felt a sense of relief.

Song Sining stayed for a while longer, and only after her emotions had completely stabilized did she leave with a beaming smile.

Su Jianguo pulled Su Yan into the house and spoke earnestly.

"Yan Yan, before, I thought you were still young and that you were never by my side, so I only thought about keeping you here for a few more years. But I don't think that way anymore. Once Gu Yang finishes his work this time, we will quickly arrange your marriage with your Uncle Gu."

As her father, he could see that Su Yan's feelings for Gu Yang were very deep. Besides, even if she married into that family, they would still live in the same courtyard; it wasn't actually a big deal.

However, to his surprise, Su Yan actually refused.

"Dad, I don't want to get married too early. Actually, I've already discussed it with Big Brother Gu; we won't be getting married in the short term."

Su Yan did not dare to state directly that the engagement was being called off; she could only ask her father to first dispel this idea in his and the Gu parents' minds.

Su Jianguo showed an expression of astonishment. "Why?"

He thought his daughter should at least be willing in this matter.

"Big Brother Gu is very busy lately and won't be back for a short while. Besides, I still have some things to do. It won't be too late to get married after I've finished my business."

If everything could be settled, Su Yan felt that perhaps she might have a chance to live the life of an ordinary person.

(End of Chapter)