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Gu Xiaoxi wrapped her arms around his neck, "You are not taking me home, I’m already prepared. So, may I bring Yun Xiao with me? She gets bored by herself."

Quan Shaoqing’s face darkened instantly and he refused without hesitation, "No, I am taking you home. But not the home in City A, it’s the one in Imperial Capital!"

"You have a home here, too?" Gu Xiaoxi’s face immediately turned serious, this sounded like meeting the parents. A bit terrifying!

"Of course, my mom and dad live here, it’s just that my dad often isn’t home, so it’s just my mom at home now."

After hearing Quan Shaoqing’s words, Gu Xiaoxi felt a thin layer of sweat on her palms and her heart immediately became incredibly tense.

Last time, his mom had found him a girlfriend and sent her to his side, but he had rejected her.

She had no idea what kind of person this future mother-in-law was.

What if she didn’t like her? Following Quan Shaoqing home could affect the mood, it was always uncomfortable and unpleasant to be with people you were not used to.

"What are you thinking about with that little brain of yours?" Quan Shaoqing pinched her little nose, then took her reserved hand, "She’s human too, isn’t there anyone you’re afraid of?"

Gu Xiaoxi felt that she had never been this cautious, even when facing her own parents, she wasn’t afraid of them disliking her. But now, the thought of meeting his parents made her inexplicably nervous.

"Does she like anything in particular? Should I buy some gifts? Or maybe you can tell me about some of her habits..."

Gu Xiaoxi thought that knowing the other party well was the key to winning their hearts. If she was to be with Quan Shaoqing, she needed to have the elders’ blessing.

"You’re thinking too much, she’s just an old lady who is fully committed to her career. At 55 years old, she still doesn’t think of retiring, spends every day in the laboratory, with hair turning gray—a little bit of a powerful and spirited old lady," Quan Shaoqing explained.

Both his parents are alive; his mother was the director of the office of the aerospace center, and his father’s business spanned the entire country.

They originally had three kids, but his oldest brother died unexpectedly, and he himself had nearly died.

The youngest sister was a spoiled troublemaker, always lazy and unruly, which was a headache for everyone.

So his mother was counting on him to get married and have kids quickly. In the past two years his health hadn’t been good, and with duties to fulfill, he had deferred this matter many times.

As for Gu Xiaoxi’s case, it was completely due to Zhang Jingyue’s behind-the-scenes slander, maligning her, causing his mother to think that Gu Xiaoxi was not only young but also a child, and wholly unsuitable for marriage.

No matter how Quan Shaoqing comforted Gu Xiaoxi, she still felt nervous and uneasy.

The Quan family’s ancestral home was a true mansion, ostentatiously located in Biyun Lake where high officials and nobility resided, sprawling and beautiful, even at night one could see the roadside flowers blooming in profusion and the shimmering lights of the houses like solemn palaces.

The car eventually stopped in front of the largest house in the center.

The soldier guarding the gate saw the license plate number, stepped forward immediately, saluted Quan Shaoqing, then respectfully opened the gate, "The superior officer is back. The old lady has been waiting."

"Hmm!" Quan Shaoqing returned the salute, "Hard work."

With that, the driver drove the car into the courtyard.

As he opened the car door, Quan Shaoqing took Gu Xiaoxi’s hand and helped her out.

Gazing at the brightly lit mansion, Gu Xiaoxi’s nervousness deepened. This house was many times larger than the one in City A, with a bit of European style, the architecture full of artistic sense.

"This house could fit dozens of people, right! How many people are in your family?" Gu Xiaoxi asked.

"Usually, just my mother and Momo. Occasionally my father and I would come back to stay. My sister often wanders outside, and no one can control her. So, she also comes back once in a while."

Gu Xiaoxi nodded, feeling that such a large estate with so few people living in it must be even lonelier.

"If we’re talking about living quarters, there are about a dozen rooms occupied.

We have three maids, three cleaners, a gardener, and a chef, plus two security guards at the gate.

Since my mother is often not at home, Momo needs someone to take care of her.

Overall, it should still be quite lively.

Quan Ji often comes over to keep Momo company, helping her with her homework. "

As they spoke, the two had already reached the front doors of the grand villa.

Around came a burst of gentle laughter and the noise of children playing.

Gu Xiaoxi recognized that it was Quan Mo’s voice; she must be playing with the nanny.

Seeing that Gu Xiaoxi had stopped moving, Quan Shaoqing quickly grabbed her hand, pulled her a bit closer, then encouragingly patted her shoulder, "Relax, if you’re not afraid of a tiger, why be scared of a few people?"

Gu Xiaoxi criticized in her mind, if it were a tiger, that would be fine, she could just fight it off, but with elders, she had to retract all her claws, be a good girl, and listen and agree to everything.

Just then, Quan Mo suddenly stopped playing and ran happily towards the two people entering, "Daddy, Mommy, you’re back."

What?

Gu Xiaoxi was instantly petrified on the spot. Last time the child had called her auntie, but now she had switched directly to Mommy. How did she acquire such a big daughter? This was way too bamboozling.

"Good girl, Xiao Mo! Come here for a hug!" Quan Shaoqing wanted to hug her but was avoided.

Quan Mo happily walked up to Gu Xiaoxi, stretching out her arms, "I want a hug from Mommy!"

The five-year-old little girl was spirited and clever, her large watery eyes making her particularly endearing.

Gu Xiaoxi stepped forward, picked her up, and pinched her little nose, "You little rascal, I’m not your Mommy. Please call me Miss Gu."

"Can’t I? You married my daddy, so of course, I should call you Mommy. Just like that, we’ll be a family," Quan Mo clung to Gu Xiaoxi’s neck and wouldn’t let go.

Gu Xiaoxi sighed. This little girl probably really wanted a mother. That’s why she was so eager to call her Mommy, so she quickly explained, "Dear Xiao Mo, I haven’t married your daddy yet, so you can’t call me Mommy, okay?"

Just then, a gray-haired old lady descended the stairs, dressed in a white skirt.

She was tall and slender, her silver hair neatly combed, her skin free from any wrinkles, her forehead plump and full of vigor. Her large, shining black eyes brimmed with liveliness.

If it wasn’t for her white hair, you’d never believe she was fifty-five. Her skin and vitality made her seem more capable and energetic than many women in their forties.

She glanced at Gu Xiaoxi first, then turned to look at Quan Shaoqing, her voice was cool as she said, "Shaoqing, it seems like you’ve tricked this young lady into coming home."

Gu Xiaoxi, holding Quan Mo, politely called out, "Auntie!"

She really didn’t dare to call her Mom! After all, in her memory, Gu Lirou was young and beautiful, quite different from this old lady. It took a moment for her to adjust.

"Mom, how can you talk about your own son like that? I’m finding a wife, not deceiving anyone. If you scare my wife away, you’ll have to take responsibility," Quan Shaoqing approached, telling Quan Mo to go play.

Seeing that the adults were going to talk, Quan Mo immediately left with her nanny.

The mother of Quan Shaoqing was Song Xu. She walked over to the sofa and sat down, then gestured to Gu Xiaoxi with a calm expression, "Girl, come here and let me have a look at you."

Gu Xiaoxi felt that she had never been so awkward. Quan Shaoqing pulled her by the hand to sit down with Song Xu.

Song Xu looked Gu Xiaoxi over carefully, then nodded her head and asked, "Can you do household chores?"

"Yes!" Gu Xiaoxi hurriedly nodded.

Song Xu stretched out her hand with satisfaction, holding Gu Xiaoxi’s small hand and feeling her soft skin, she sighed with admiration, "Such beautiful hands. Can you cook?"

Gu Xiaoxi nodded obediently again. The hand holding hers was very strong, had a sense of boniness, and also carried the breath of the years. She couldn’t help but lament that time spared no one. Even if the cheeks seemed pretty and the spirit was good, the skin still wrinkled.

Hearing Song Xu’s question, Quan Shaoqing quickly became anxious, "Mom, why are you asking these things? You don’t even cook or do household chores yourself, why would you demand it from your daughter-in-law? Don’t bully her!"

"You shut your mouth. I’m talking to your wife. What are you butting in for? It’s very rude!" Song Xu glared at Quan Shaoqing, then turned her gaze back to Gu Xiaoxi. This time a sly smile crept up the corners of her mouth as she said, "So, girl, can you have children?"

"Yes!" Gu Xiaoxi replied almost reflexively, perhaps too nervous to think before she spoke.

As soon as she said it, her cheeks began to heat up unconsciously. She felt her answer was appropriate, but it sounded somehow odd.

Then she heard Song Xu suddenly burst into a radiant laugh, wrinkles forming on her well-maintained face as she did.

She spoke to Gu Xiaoxi with a gentle tone, "That’s good, let’s get married this year.

Next year, you can give birth to a grandson for me at home.

Our Quan family has only you as a daughter-in-law, and I’m counting on you to bear grandchildren.

In one more year, I’ll retire too. If I don’t have a grandchild, my heart won’t be at ease.

Momo is lonely playing by herself every day.

If we add a few more brothers and sisters, our home will truly thrive.

Her father’s wealth is meant to be inherited by his grandchildren.

Let me tell you, Xiao Xi, marrying into our family is a significant responsibility. "

Gu Xiaoxi’s heart trembled, and she suddenly teared up with noodle-like tears. This mother-in-law was so cunning; she was actually angling for her to stay home and have babies!