Huo Shaoheng, the son, had to be on duty during the New Year. Most likely, he would still have to represent the army by sending regards and greetings to all the subordinates.
As for Huo Guanchen, he was now her ex-husband. They had fallen out with each other a long time ago. They couldn’t spend the new year together. Secondly, Huo Guanchen was a general, and also the director of the military-political department. He would also be required to be at the headquarters during the new year, thus unable to spend time with her.
As for Song Jinning’s father, he had passed away 18 years ago during that accident.
Therefore, Song Jinning was somewhat like her, all alone. Gu Nianzhi had not had a family all along, so she did not feel much about it. However, Song Jinning had those things before, but now she was without all of them.
To think about it properly, Song Jinning was way more sympathetic than her.
Therefore, Gu Nianzhi treated Song Jinning much better after that. Moreover, hearing such a beautiful lady say with such a wide smile that she was alone and lonely made Gu Nianzhi almost want to go back to her place and spend the new year with her immediately.
Fine, fine, fine, she would agree to everything she said since she was so gorgeous…
Gu Nianzhi had a quick shower and changed into the set of clothes that she had prepared a long time ago for the new year. It was a skater dress in bright red by Chanel. Gu Nianzhi had matched it with a dark brown long woolen coat by Burberry, and a pair of high-heeled long boots that were also lined with wool. They were one of the fashionable pairs of long boots from UGG.
After that, she took out the red Hermes bag that Huo Shaoheng had bought for her and put her car keys, house card, and wallet inside. Then, she put in a pair of shades and a packet of tissue papers. Finally, she dropped a piece of chocolate inside the bag. With that, she followed Song Jinning out of the door.
“Auntie Song, did you drive here?” Gu Nianzhi looked around but did not see Song Jinning’s car.
Song Jinning smiled as she shook her head. “I called for a ride. It is so convenient to call for rides nowadays! Let us call again.”
Gu Nianzhi was speechless for a moment. “Let’s take my car then.”
Gu Nianzhi brought Song Jinning to the underground car park. “Wow, this is your car? It is so pretty. It matches so well with your outfit today!” Song Jinning praised generously.
Gu Nianzhi remembered that Huo Shaoheng was the one who had given her the car and blushed, but she still said, “…This is Huo Shao’s car. If auntie likes it, you can have it.”
She had intentionally left out the fact that it was gifted to her by Huo Shaoheng. Had she said that, Song Jinning would never have wanted it no matter what.
However, even without saying it, Song Jinning did not want it. Smiling prettily, she said, “It’s okay. I spend most of my time in the laboratory, so I don’t need a car. You have it. Moreover, this car suits you so well. Look! There is even your name on the car door.”
Gu Nianzhi blushed. She had totally forgotten about that…
Smiling sheepishly, she opened the door and let Song Jinning in before going to the driver’s side and getting in as well.
The bright red sports car had an all-black interior. With the contrast of red and black, it was very eye-catching. The car was obviously extremely expensive.
Song Jinning looked at the interior of the car carefully and understood that the car was a work of art from her son…
It was clean and had a low key elegance, and all the designs were based mainly on comfort and looking sleek. Realizing that there was nothing feminine about this car, Song Jinning tutted and wondered how she could make up for the things that her son lacked. She needed to salvage some of the preferences of a little girl for Gu Nianzhi…
Gu Nianzhi did not know what Song Jinning had in mind, but she felt slightly nervous.
Because Song Jinning was in the car, Gu Nianzhi put in extra effort to drive carefully. Thankfully, it was the eve of Lunar New Year. The roads were almost empty, and there was no traffic to speak of.
Following Song Jinning’s instructions, Gu Nianzhi managed to get to her new place smoothly. Of course, the location was top notch. It was a condominium apartment, located in a secluded corner with good privacy in Sanhuan, Di Capital. It was also the same condominium where Huo Shaoheng had bought an apartment for Gu Nianzhi last time…
Gu Nianzhi grumbled in her mind about it being a coincidence.
It seemed like Song Jinning didn’t know about the “nest” that Gu Nianzhi and Huo Shaoheng had together here as she showed Gu Nianzhi around the area enthusiastically.
“Nianzhi, your apartment in Hepingli district is good, but it was better for when you were a student. Now that you are working, won’t it be too inconvenient? Do you want to move here with me?” Song Jinning invited Gu Nianzhi warmly.
“Look. I have so many rooms here.” Song Jinning brought Gu Nianzhi to have a look around all the rooms. It was true that this apartment was way bigger than the one they used to have. It was a duplex apartment with six bedrooms, two studies, four bathrooms, two dining rooms, two kitchens, and a huge living room that would be great for parties. A kitchen was situated on each of the two floors. The smaller one on the higher level, and the main kitchen on the ground level.
Gu Nianzhi looked around, astounded. After she was done, she did not dare to ask about the price of the place…
Song Jinning spoke as she brought Gu Nianzhi to a north-facing room upstairs. The moment she opened the door, Gu Nianzhi was almost blinded by a flash of princess pink in front of her.
“Nianzhi, this is the room that I have reserved especially for you.” Song Jinning pulled her by the hand. “Even if you and Shaoheng don’t end up together, it is okay. I like you as a person. If you do end up together with him, then you will be my daughter-in-law. If not, you will be my goddaughter. Either way, you will still have to call me your mother.”
Gu Nianzhi’s eyes turned red the moment she heard those words. Such concern from an older woman was so precious to Gu Nianzhi. Whenever she was in Ma Qiqi’s home, she was still secretly envious about Ma Qiqi’s mother…
“Mom?” Gu Nianzhi could not help but try it out once. Her plump lips were closed tight at first, with the tip of her tongue pushing at her teeth. Then, they produced a sound. The sound escaped from her lips, and it was as sweet as eating a glutinous rice ball with sesame filling.
“You are my daughter then!” Song Jinning held Gu Nianzhi by her shoulders and felt touched as well. “I have been dreaming of having a daughter all my life. Then I had Shaoheng. After that, when I still wanted to have another baby, I had no more opportunities.”
Gu Nianzhi remained silent and held on to Song Jinning’s arms tightly. She placed her head onto Song Jinning’s shoulders, showing how much she loved doing that.
Song Jinning pulled Gu Nianzhi into the room and looked around. “Nianzhi, you will stay here, okay? Just move your things over after the new year. I’m not here often, as I will stay at the institute. It will be almost like you are still living alone.”
Even though Gu Nianzhi really loved how Song Jinning made her feel, she rejected her kindness. “Please do not worry, auntie. I will look for you once I’ve had my holidays. Gu Nianzhi pulled Song Jinning out of the room. “What shall we eat for reunion dinner tonight?”
Song Jinning smiled and replied, “I will make fried rice and send it to Shaoheng. He used to love the fried rice that I made when he was young.”
Gu Nianzhi was speechless.
Would it be a good idea to just have fried rice for reunion dinner? Gu Nianzhi realized that this was someone who did not know about socializing more than she did, but did not look down on her. Instead, she felt that Song Jinning was even more adorable.
This Madam Song was really an amazing person.
Gu Nianzhi looked at Song Jinning and thought about how this beautiful woman was giving her entire life to her research.
“Nianzhi, will you send it over for me please?” Song Jinning turned on the rice cooker to make the rice first, then headed over to prepare the ingredients that she needed for fried rice.
Gu Nianzhi looked in Song Jinning’s refrigerator and approved of the ingredients inside. At least there were quite a few ingredients. She took out two T-bone steaks, melted some butter onto a pan, and began cooking the steaks.
The most important factor in having good steaks was the steaks themselves. As long as the ingredients were good, the dish would practically already be a success. The control of fire was not important. It would be fine as long as it was done to the wellness the person liked.
Gu Nianzhi made two pieces of T-bone steaks for Huo Shaoheng. She seared them to medium well, then squeezed some lemon and pear juice over them. They smelled amazing.
Even Song Jinning, who was busy making fried rice beside her, was praising her nonstop. She even asked Gu Nianzhi to make more steaks later on.
Of course, Gu Nianzhi agreed readily.
With both of them working together, they managed to make fried rice and steaks in a short time. Gu Nianzhi even brought a container of washed organic blueberries for him as fruits. After placing them nicely in a meal box, Gu Nianzhi sent it over to Huo Shaoheng.
