He Hao's next question was clearly directed at Xia Ran, but Xia Ran was hearing about these things for the first time, so how could she possibly know?
"I... don't know much about it, he never said anything," Xia Ran said honestly. But she had some indescribable feelings in her heart.
He Hao was taken aback when he heard that Xia Ran didn't know about this either, and then he said...
"Oh, that's normal. After all, those aren't pleasant memories. He probably doesn't want you to feel sorry for him, so he doesn't want to tell you. After all, nobody wants to expose those unpleasant things from the past to their loved one."
The squid in Xia Ran's mouth clearly had no taste, probably because the person grilling it hadn't added any seasoning or salt. But for some reason, a bitter taste now filled Xia Ran's mouth.
Seeing Xia Ran's expression, He Hao assumed that Xia Ran was interested in Gu Zheng's past, so he couldn't help but say another word.
"Actually, I also heard Feng Ming say that Gu Zheng is known in the industry as an emotionless work robot, someone who doesn't understand social etiquette and seems to have emotional problems. But now it seems that's not the case at all. Look how good he is to you!"
As He Hao spoke, he glanced at Gu Zheng and the others and clicked his tongue twice. Xia Ran subconsciously followed his gaze.
Chapter 393 Zaizai
This time, Gu Zheng had the experience from the first time, and he did it quite well. At least he didn't have the same apprehensive expression as the first time, although he still seemed very nervous.
Xia Ran had mixed feelings about Gu Zheng, and the words He Hao had just said only added to his complicated emotions.
He knew these emotions were bad, but he couldn't control them, or rather, he couldn't control them after talking to Gu Zheng at the bar yesterday.
He felt as if this was the first time he had truly gotten to know Gu Zheng.
Gu Zheng and the others quickly baked some more. Although Gu Zheng's batch was still not as good as Feng Ming's, it was still presentable, at least not as dark as the first batch.
After Gu Zheng took it, he placed it directly in front of Xia Ran. His eager and expectant look was like that of a big dog. He Hao and the others watched with great interest. Unfortunately, this time Xia Ran did not take the plate from Gu Zheng's plate, but instead took the plate of roasted chicken wings from Feng Ming.
Gu Zheng's expression froze on his face, and in the end he didn't say anything. He just silently went back to the barbecue grill and started grilling chicken wings again. He comforted himself that he had just grilled squid skewers, and that Xia Ran probably didn't want to eat squid skewers anymore, so she went to eat the chicken wings made by Feng Ming.
Besides, he can just make more food, and the table will be covered with his baked goods. It will be hard for Xia Ran not to eat what he makes!
Gu Zheng was full of energy, and his movements became more and more skilled.
But before Gu Zheng could bake more, Feng Ming's parents returned, and his idea of baking more was temporarily put on hold.
Feng's parents seemed to be in a hurry to return.
He Hao introduced them directly. Xia Ran called them "uncle" and "aunt," while Gu Chen called Feng Nianhao "grandpa" and "grandma."
Gu Zheng was different. He already knew Feng Ming's parents before Feng Ming took over the family business, so he just nodded in greeting.
Feng Ming's parents looked younger than their actual age, but there were already some gray hairs on their heads.
Xia Ran was somewhat surprised. In a living environment like the Feng family, anyone with gray hair would have dyed it back long ago, but these two didn't, which is why Xia Ran found it a bit unexpected.
When Feng Ming's parents returned, they didn't know what had happened. They were only urged to come back by their son, who said he wanted to introduce them to a friend. The couple rushed back for a long time.
Feng Nianhao had a very good relationship with his grandparents, so he went straight to his mother.
But this time, instead of kissing or hugging him as usual, or calling him her darling, Feng's mother stared intently at Xia Ran.
Everyone gradually noticed Feng's mother's unusual behavior, especially He Hao and Feng Ming, who had long wanted to hit her; the two even exchanged a glance.
Xia Ran felt a little uncomfortable under Feng Ming's mother's intense gaze, but since she was Feng Ming's mother, he couldn't say anything and could only stand there awkwardly.
As for Gu Zheng, he didn't care about any of that. After noticing Feng's mother's unusual behavior, he immediately stepped in front of Xia Ran and asked in a calm tone,
"I wonder what you're looking at, Madam? My wife is shy, and she's probably a little uncomfortable being stared at like that."
Gu Zheng spoke without any politeness, which made Xia Ran, who was standing behind him, so angry that she almost vomited blood.
Gu Zheng really dares to say anything. Even if he's a little uncomfortable, he doesn't have to say it so bluntly.
Xia Ran was about to say something about it being okay when Feng's father spoke first.
"I'm sorry, it's hard to wash. Your aunt is probably too tired from the flight. She didn't mean any harm, so don't worry. You young people can eat and have fun. I'll take your aunt to change her clothes before we come down."
Mr. Feng smiled and took his wife's hand, signaling Mrs. Feng to come back to her senses.
Upon hearing this, Xia Ran quickly said, "It's alright, it's alright, we were the ones who disturbed you."
This is someone else's home, and Gu Zheng actually said that kind of person, it's really... really making him feel helpless!
But he also knew that Gu Zheng was doing it for him, but knowing it was one thing, and being helpless about it was another.
When Feng's mother came to her senses, her expression was somewhat strange.
"Um, sorry, I just thought you looked a lot like an old friend of mine, so I couldn't help but stare at you for a while. You guys have fun first, we'll go change our clothes and then come down."
After saying that, Madam Feng glanced at He Hao and Feng Ming, signaling them to follow, but before entering the house, she couldn't help but glance at Xia Ran.
Gu Zheng frowned when he heard what Feng's mother said. He remembered that Feng Ming had said the same thing to Xia Ran when he first saw her.
Old friends? Gu Zheng felt a little more wary. If that were the case, then inviting them here today was probably premeditated.
"Um, Xia Ran, Mr. Gu, please wait here for us for a moment. We'll go see Mom and Dad first. They're out on business this time, and they probably have something to say to us."
Xia Ran nodded, "It's okay, you go ahead. We can handle things here. Do you want to bring the child? If the child doesn't want to go, they can stay here with us."
"Okay, then my chubby son will stay here."
After He Hao finished speaking, he pulled Feng Ming inside. After the two left, only Xia Ran, Gu Zheng, and the two children remained.
The two children were already drinking milk together. Xia Ran didn't want to pay attention to Gu Zheng, so he planned to go find the two children. But as soon as he moved, Gu Zheng grabbed his hand.
"Ranran, something's wrong."
Xia Ran instinctively pulled her hand away, saying, "Don't touch me."
Ignoring Xia Ran's words, Gu Zheng continued,
"The Feng family is not right; we must go back first."
"What do you mean?" Xia Ran asked in confusion.
"Do you remember when you first saw Feng Ming, he also told you that you looked like an old friend? And just now, Feng Ming's mother also said that you looked like an old friend when she saw you."
"Think about it carefully. Did He Hao really invite us here just to have a meal? Inviting us on our first meeting? Do you think the Feng family can just come like that? Even if there's a reason for the child, they shouldn't be invited to the house. Besides, Feng Ming's parents obviously rushed back just now. Maybe the reason they rushed back was because of our arrival."
After listening to Gu Zheng's words, Xia Ran thought about it and it seemed that it was indeed as Gu Zheng had said.
However, he felt that He Hao didn't seem to be trying to harm them.
"Let's go back first."
"No." Xia Ran thought for a moment and then refused. "They invited us over, and it wouldn't be good if we suddenly left. Besides, I don't think He Hao and the others seem to want to treat me badly. Maybe it's just that I really look like someone they know."
After Xia Ran finished speaking, she realized that she had talked too much with Gu Zheng and felt a little uncomfortable, so she turned around and went to chat with the children.
Gu Zheng, feeling helpless after being rejected by Xia Ran, walked over and continued speaking.
"Ranran, you..."
"Shut up! Don't call me that again!"
Xia Ran glared at Gu Zheng. He didn't like the name Ranran at all; it sounded like a girl's name.
Startled by the sudden glare, Gu Zheng was taken aback, but a secret joy welled up inside him. He was pleased that Xia Ran was willing to talk to him, even if it was with some angry words.
"Okay, I won't call you that anymore." Gu Zheng looked at Xia Ran gently.
Xia Ran was taken aback. She ignored Gu Zheng and continued watching the cartoon on the big screen in front of her with her two children.
The cartoons at that time were much better and more diverse than those he watched when he was a child.
"Then, Ran, let's go first. I'll go back and figure out the Feng family's intentions first."
"I'm not leaving." Xia Ran answered directly, without even looking at Gu Zheng.
Gu Zheng expected Xia Ran to be angry or silent, but to his surprise, she answered him calmly.
This made him feel as if they had instantly returned to the way they were before their divorce.
Gu Zheng suddenly smiled, and this time he didn't let Xia Ran leave, but sat down right next to her.
Xia Ran frowned, but didn't say anything more, pretending not to see it. This made Gu Zheng's smile deepen.
Gu Chen glanced at his two fathers, blinked his innocent eyes, and ultimately remained silent.
Maybe the younger and older fathers are making up? Otherwise, why would they be sitting together? He can't talk and disturb them.
In the living room on the second floor, Feng's parents immediately bombarded Feng Ming and He Hao with questions.
"Feng Ming, who is the person you brought back? He... why did you bring us back? You said you wanted to introduce us to a friend, is that Xia Ran from earlier?"
Feng's mother's urgent questions gave Feng Ming and He Hao some ideas.
"Mom, don't get agitated. Sit down and let's talk slowly." He Hao helped Feng's mother sit down.
"Ah Hao, Mom, Mom can't sit still anymore! You need to tell us quickly what's going on with Xia Ran? Why do you insist we come back? You...you've found out something?"
As Feng's mother spoke, her eyes reddened. Although Feng's father didn't ask any further questions, his eyes were equally anxious.
As men, they have experienced too much disappointment over the years, so they dare not ask any more questions.
Feng Ming sighed, sat down, and said...
"We're not sure either. The first time I saw Xia Ran that day, I felt a sense of familiarity with him. It was a strange feeling, and I can't describe it. So I wanted to try to get to know him better. But Mom and Dad, judging from your reactions just now, it seems like you also have some different feelings for Xia Ran?"
Mr. Feng: "I feel very close to that child, but we'll have to see your mother for the specifics. This is the first time I've seen your mother like this."
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone's eyes fell on Feng's mother.
Feng's mother's eyes were red, and she choked up as she spoke.
"I'm not sure either, but you might not know, but Xia Ran looks a lot like your deceased great-grandmother, who is also my grandmother. And didn't you agree that his earlobes look a lot like yours and my father's? He... do you think he really is..."
Madam Feng didn't dare to say anything more. As she always said, after being disappointed so many times, she didn't dare to ask anymore, afraid that the answer she would get would still not be what she expected.
He Hao and Feng Ming felt uneasy looking at Feng's mother.
"Mom, we don't know the specifics yet, but as far as I know, he's doing quite well now, and he has a family, so the chances are probably slim. So you... you can't overthink it, you need to be mentally prepared."
He Hao was afraid that Feng's mother had too high expectations and wouldn't be able to accept the result if it wasn't what she wanted, so he could only offer her words of comfort first.
“No way!” Mrs. Feng said excitedly. “You don’t understand. It must be our baby. He is… he is our baby. You don’t understand a mother’s feelings for her child. I feel that he is, he is.”
He Hao and Feng Ming exchanged a glance; they hadn't expected their mother to react so strongly.
"Since that's the case, can't we just ask directly? Wouldn't it be clear if we asked openly and honestly?" Mr. Feng couldn't help but say with some anticipation.
“No way.” He Hao immediately rejected Feng’s father’s words. “You don’t understand. I’ve tested Xia Ran. Xia Ran cares a lot about his grandfather. Putting aside the fact that he has parents and grandfathers, even if it really is our younger brother, if we ask him, he will definitely feel very uncomfortable with his grandfather. He probably can’t accept it himself.”
"So, Mom and Dad, we need to take it slow. Anyway, we have a good relationship with Xia Ran now, so we can find out gradually. If all else fails, we can go to Xia Ran's house and sound out Xia Ran's grandfather, what do you think?"