Chapter 423: Chapter 423: An Invitation from the Mu Family
This was the first time the Fu siblings were spending a holiday away from home, so they just wanted to spend it talking with Su Shuochi and his wife.
The four of them sat in the Su family’s courtyard admiring the moon again, and the Fu siblings began telling Gu Jiaojiao about what was going on with the Fu family.
Since coming to this world, Gu Jiaojiao’s life consisted of treating patients and listening to gossip—something she had never experienced in her past life.
So, she listened with great enthusiasm. Now that their stepmother, Jiang Ruyan, was managing the Fu household, the siblings had even less desire to return home.
Fu Junyuan was quite capable; not only did he know how to make money, but he also knew everything that went on at the old family home like the back of his hand.
He had his sources in the Fu family, so he was fully aware of their every move.
Fourth Uncle Fu had taken his wife and child to the Xiao Family to celebrate the holiday. In the past, Fourth Aunt Fu was the one managing the household, so she never had time to visit her own family.
Now that she was no longer in charge of the household, she could come and go as she pleased. As for Fourth Uncle Fu, his favorite pastime was sucking up to his father-in-law.
That left only Mr. Fu and Eldest Fu with his wife at the Fu family home. With no children or grandchildren doting on him, it would be a wonder if the old man was happy!
Second Aunt Fu and the third aunt went home after lunch, as they had their own households to look after.
"I wonder if Grandfather has regretted his decision," Fu Junyuan lamented, gazing at the starry sky.
"Grandfather loves a lively house. It would be strange if he didn’t regret it," Fu Guoguo said happily.
"Jiaojiao, I sent some of the jerky and mooncakes you taught me how to make to my second brother."
"Did he write back to thank you?" Gu Jiaojiao teased the younger girl.
"He called home today and talked to me for a long time. He said the jerky and mooncakes were delicious. I told him I made them myself, but he didn’t believe me!
Jiaojiao, let me tell you, my second brother also said your styptic medicine saved his life, so I’m going to have to find a way to repay you properly."
Fu Guoguo was beaming as she spoke, and Gu Jiaojiao remembered how, when they first met, you couldn’t squeeze a single word out of the girl.
Gu Jiaojiao was happy to see the change in her. "Guoguo, you’ve become so much more outgoing. Keep it up."
"Really? I feel the same as always!"
"You wouldn’t notice it yourself, little sister. I also think you’ve become much more talkative, which is a very good thing," Fu Junyuan added in agreement.
"Let’s call it a night. You two should go home and get some sleep. Jiaojiao is exhausted today."
"Okay. Su, Jiaojiao, see you tomorrow."
"Jiaojiao, I want to make you breakfast tomorrow. Would you and Su come over to our place to eat?" Fu Guoguo asked with hopeful eyes.
"Of course," Gu Jiaojiao agreed instantly.
After Su Shuochi saw the Fu siblings out, he eagerly wrapped his arms around his wife and led her off to bathe.
Fresh from her bath, her cheeks were flushed, her hair was damp, and a light, elegant fragrance emanated from her body.
She was the very picture of a beauty emerging from her bath, looking like a flower bud ready to bloom.
Su Shuochi immediately took out a hairdryer to dry her hair, and in the middle of it, he stole a kiss from her lips.
He murmured in a low voice, "Darling, you smell so good."
"You’re impossible," she said with a playful slap on his shoulder.
Far from being annoyed, Su Shuochi was delighted and couldn’t help but bury his head in the crook of her neck, nuzzling her. "Darling, how am I impossible?~"
"Hehe..." Gu Jiaojiao burst into giggles at his nuzzling, and her clear, sweet laughter only encouraged Su Shuochi further.
The couple fell into another fit of laughter. The night was young...
The next day, Old Sir Han called Su Shuochi to say that his two grandsons and his daughter’s son all wanted to quit their jobs and come work for him.
Su Shuochi naturally agreed without a moment’s hesitation. He gave Mr. Han the factory’s address and said they could come find him at any time.
Gu Jiaojiao knew Old Sir Han would agree to her suggestion, but she hadn’t expected him to be so decisive.
"Mr. Han is truly a hero of his time. His vision is remarkable, and he assesses situations with extraordinary accuracy."
"That’s because my Jiaojiao was the one who inspired them." For Su Shuochi, his wife always came first, and everyone else came second.
After breakfast, the couple went about their own business, and Su Shuochi was so busy he didn’t get home until after dark.
Ever since Jiang Ruyan stopped attending school, no one bothered Gu Jiaojiao anymore.
Gu Jiaojiao’s days were relaxed and carefree. When she wasn’t in class, she was at the hospital giving acupuncture to Mu Ziquan and Xia Qiuming.
Although Xia Qiuming hadn’t been discharged yet, he would still personally go to the emergency room to guide his assistants through surgeries even while he was ill.
Every day, Gu Jiaojiao had time to go home and cook dinner, waiting for Su Shuochi to return so they could eat together. Of course, Su Shuochi was always the one to make breakfast.
Their sweet days passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, it was the day of Mu Ziquan’s discharge from the hospital.
Mu Ziquan’s discharge was scheduled for a Sunday. Early that morning, Mr. Mu went to the hospital personally to welcome his grandson home.
That day, the Mu Family had prepared a banquet at their home, inviting close friends and relatives to feast with them.
Old Mu had specially hired a professional chef for the occasion. It had been a long time since the family home was so lively, so the feast was prepared to be especially sumptuous.
Mu Shan, who was sent to pick up Gu Jiaojiao, told her that the Mu Family didn’t have many relatives, but that Mr. Mu had also invited several of his closest old friends.
Among them were Elder Xiao and Mr. Han, both of whom Gu Jiaojiao knew, so she would have people to talk to.
Mu Ziquan didn’t have any friends at home; his comrades-in-arms were all still fighting at the front.
Su Shuochi had already arranged for the Wang father and son to work at the electronics factory he was running in partnership with Mu Ziquan.
Since the factory was new, they weren’t taking Sundays off for the time being, so they would only arrive when it was time to eat.
Mu Qingtong and her third son had the Sunday off. She was in the kitchen managing arrangements, while her son was tasked with receiving guests.
When Gu Jiaojiao arrived at the Mu residence, Mu Ziquan was at the courtyard gate to greet her personally.
The moment he saw her, Mu Ziquan whispered, "Divine Doctor, I heard from my grandfather that the eldest son of the Bao Family has been asking him about the whereabouts of Divine Doctor Su Gu.
The Bao Family will be coming to our house today as well. Uncle Bo wants to ask the Divine Doctor to treat his father-in-law.
He said that if you can cure his father-in-law’s ailments—unprovoked heart palpitations, coughing, full-body fever, and sleepless nights—he will grant the Divine Doctor one request."
Gu Jiaojiao smiled at his words and asked, "And did your grandfather tell him that I’m the person he’s looking for?"
"No. Even though our two families have some connections, we wouldn’t dare spread the news until we had your permission."
"So, from what you’re saying, your grandfather is quite eager for me to treat his father-in-law?"
"The Bao Family is large and prosperous, and its descendants are all very promising. Some serve in the military, and others in the government.
Uncle Bo is usually busy with his work in the government, so he rarely visits us.
His father-in-law also used to be in politics. He retired two years ago, but his connections are still intact. My grandfather says that a single promise from him is very... very..."
Mu Ziquan’s face flushed red, frustrated that he hadn’t studied enough to find a more suitable word.
Seeing Mu Ziquan stutter, Gu Jiaojiao finished for him with a grin, "Very valuable, right?"
"You could say that. His promise is incredibly valuable." Mu Ziquan’s heart stirred. ’So it can be expressed so bluntly,’ he thought.
Just as the two were enjoying their conversation, a sharp voice rang out, "Ziquan, is this young woman your girlfriend?"
