CHAPTER 50: CHAPTER 50: THE FIRST VISIT AFTER MARRIAGE

Gu Yi and Ye Hao carried their things to the Gu Family home.

On the way, they met neighbors who all praised Ye Hao for looking handsome and said Gu Yi had married well.

Ye Hao and Gu Yi thanked them together, and it was almost one o’clock when they entered the house, where Gu’s father was about to have lunch.

Gu’s mother looked at the two of them.

"How come you didn’t give us a heads up? We didn’t prepare anything."

Gu’s mother felt a bit flustered; it was the first time her son-in-law was visiting, and there weren’t any good dishes at home.

"Wait a moment, let your dad go buy some groceries."

"Alright, Ye Hao, take a seat for now."

Hearing what Gu’s mother said, Gu’s father was about to head out.

Ye Hao quickly stopped him.

"Mom and Dad, no need to rush. Yi and I brought some groceries."

Ye Hao lifted the things in his hand.

"Mom and Dad, the son-in-law is like half a son. He’ll eat whatever you eat; no need to specially prepare anything."

Gu Yi placed the things on the table.

"Yi is right. I’m just here to see Mom and Dad and apologize to both of you for last time when Yi came back alone."

"There’s no need to apologize. We understand you’re busy with the military. Come in and sit, Yi. Take Ye Hao inside and pour him a glass of water; have his dad come help me."

Gu’s mother said this and went into the kitchen.

Even though Ye Hao and Gu Yi both said it wasn’t necessary to fuss, after all, it was her son-in-law’s first visit.

"I’ll fry a few more eggs, and you go to the field to pick some chives and chili peppers,"

Gu’s mother said while scrubbing the pot.

"Alright, going right away,"

Gu’s father replied and left with a small basket.

"Mom, no need to cook. Ye Hao bought some dishes, and there are even some marinated ones."

Gu Yi and Ye Hao placed other things in the living room, gave some candies to Gu Hui and Gu Min, and then brought the groceries to the kitchen.

Gu’s mother watched Gu Yi take out two chickens, a duck, two fish, and a block of meat from one bag.

Then from another bag, he took out a piece of marinated beef and two roasted chickens.

"If you came, then come. Why bring so many groceries?"

Gu’s mother was very happy that Ye Hao and Gu Yi came to visit the elderly couple and even brought so many things.

It wasn’t that she wanted to be greedy for Ye Hao’s stuff, but it showed that he valued Gu Yi’s family, which meant he valued Gu Yi.

"Mom, I usually don’t have much time to come back and see you. Please forgive me and Dad."

"We know, as long as you and Yi are doing well."

Gu’s mother didn’t have any other thoughts; she just wanted Ye Hao to treat Gu Yi well.

"Okay, you two go out. Don’t stay in the kitchen; it’s too hot."

Gu’s mother quickly ushered them out.

"Then you take the dishes out; I’ll cut the marinated ones."

Gu Yi knew Ye Hao felt awkward just sitting and waiting to eat, so she gave him something to do.

"Mom, Ye Hao and I went to get the marriage certificate today."

Gu Yi quietly said to her mom as Ye Hao left.

"Really? You finally got the certificate, otherwise I would be worried."

Gu’s mother felt relieved after hearing they got the certificate.

Things are different now; unlike her time with Gu’s father when a banquet was enough.

Now, getting a certificate is required for national recognition.

"Yes, after getting the certificate, we came straight here."

Gu Yi looked at her mom with a face seeking praise.

"My eldest daughter is getting more obedient. It’s also good to bring Ye Hao here to get familiar with the place; he might not even remember the way or know the villagers as he only came on the wedding day."

"Yeah, that’s why I brought him back."

"Not going to the county today?"

"No, we told his parents when we left this morning that we’d come back here and stay overnight."

After a while, Gu’s father returned, washed his hands, and went to the living room to chat with Ye Hao.

Gu Yi and Gu’s mother washed the vegetables. Gu Yi made a chive and egg dish and sliced some of the meat they brought to make stir-fried pork with green peppers.

At noon, Ye Hao had a bit of liquor with Gu’s father; knowing they’d have to drink with the Gu Family Brothers later, Gu’s father didn’t let Ye Hao drink too much.

Gu Hui and Gu Min were interested in the roasted chicken; between the two, they ate more than half. If Gu Yi hadn’t stopped them due to digestion concerns, they probably would have finished a whole chicken.

After lunch was cleaned up, Gu’s mother brought out the bedding from Gu Yi’s bed, which had been washed and put away.

She just needed to spread it out.

Once that was done, Gu’s mother sent the two children off to nap.

Gu’s father napped every afternoon and urged Ye Hao and Gu Yi to nap too.

Gu Yi was really tired, her body aching after being up all morning.

"I want to sleep for a bit; I’m really tired."

Gu Yi lay on the bed, looking at Ye Hao with a hint of warning in her eyes.

"Alright, go to sleep. I won’t disturb you."

Ye Hao lay on the bed’s edge, smiling and patting her head.

"Why don’t you nap too? You’ll probably have to drink a lot tonight; better rest up."

Gu Yi spoke and shifted inward, making space for him.

"Okay, I’ll listen to my wife."

Both of them enjoyed a good nap.

When Gu Yi woke, she was alone in the room again.

She walked out and saw Ye Hao with his back to her, sleeves rolled up washing vegetables, joking with Gu’s mother, who laughed continuously.

Gu Hui and Gu Min squatted beside him, and he occasionally spoke to the kids.

The sun was warm but not scorching like at noon, cozy as it shone on them.

Gu Yi felt deep down that this was how a home should be, filled with laughter and fun.

"Yi, you’re awake."

Gu’s mother was the first to notice Gu Yi.

Ye Hao followed Gu’s mother’s gaze toward Gu Yi.

Gu Yi felt that Ye Hao’s eyes were full of light, pulling her in.

Gu Hui and Gu Min saw Gu Yi and quickly came over, each grabbing a hand.

"Auntie, you’re finally up. Can you make us something delicious tonight?"

Gu Hui wanted to eat Gu Yi’s braised pork.

"Sure, Auntie will cook something delicious for you two in a while, okay?"

Gu Yi smiled, crouching down to hug the two of them.

Ye Hao watched the scene, feeling his heart melt, thinking how nice it would be if they had a daughter in the future.

Dinner was led by Gu Yi, with Gu’s mother and Ye Hao assisting.

When the dishes were almost ready, the Gu Family Brothers arrived, and their wives came over too.

Knowing Ye Hao and Gu Yi were staying, the Gu Family Brothers drank freely.

Along with Gu’s father, the four of them drank five jin of liquor, ending up quite drunk.

"Why drink so much? Isn’t it uncomfortable?"

Gu’s mother could be heard scolding Gu’s father in the room.

"Men drink when they’re happy together. It’s the son-in-law’s first visit; we should really entertain him well, show him who’s boss so he won’t dare bully Yi in the future, and will treat her well."

Gu Yi was passing with water and overheard Gu’s father, her nose tingled with emotion.

Gu Yi went into the room to wipe Ye Hao’s face.

Ye Hao grabbed her hand.

"Yi, I will treat you well."

"Okay, I understand, let’s wipe your face and go to sleep."

Gu Yi saw that Ye Hao was a bit slurred in his speech but still looked at her earnestly.