As soon as the two walked into the Chi family compound, they saw Li Shu standing outside the door.
Chi Yu subconsciously paused. Li Shu usually didn't come here. Generally, when he came, it was to find Chi Weiguo on important matters.
It seemed that this meal today was not just as simple as a family dinner.
Although Chi Yu didn't know what Chi Weiguo was up to, for a moment he regretted bringing "Qingmian" back to the Chi family at this time.
Jiang Zhirou beside him sensed Chi Yu's mood and looked in the direction of his gaze.
Just then, Li Shu standing not far away nodded slightly at her as a greeting.
Jiang Zhirou responded as well.
Then she was led into the house by Chi Yu.
"Mom."
As soon as Chi Yu entered the door and saw Jiang Shu, he called out.
Hearing the voice, Jiang Shu turned around. The moment she saw Jiang Zhirou, there was still a flash of surprise in her eyes subconsciously.
She had thought that her son would at least wait until the current matter was resolved before bringing the girl home. Now it seemed that she had overestimated her son's self - control. He was in a hurry!
When Jiang Zhirou saw Jiang Shu, she also nodded politely and greeted, "Hello, Aunt Jiang."
"Come in and sit down."
Jiang Shu smiled and waved to Jiang Zhirou.
Without looking at Chi Yu, Jiang Zhirou let go of his hand and walked generously towards Jiang Shu.
"Aunt Jiang, these are some nutritional supplements I bought for you and Uncle Chi. They're not anything precious. I hope you don't mind."
Hearing this, Jiang Shu then noticed the two gift boxes in Jiang Zhirou's hands.
She shifted her gaze back to Jiang Zhirou, with a kind look in her eyes. "Why do you bring gifts just for a simple meal at home? Your Uncle Chi and I don't need these. Don't waste your money next time."
Although her words carried a bit of nagging, she felt warm inside.
"I didn't spend much. Chi Yu bought them." Jiang Zhirou didn't take credit for herself.
Hearing this, Jiang Shu was a bit surprised.
Although she knew that Jiang Zhirou was still a student and hadn't started earning money, it was rare for her to be so straightforward about not buying the gifts herself.
Thinking of this, Jiang Shu's gaze towards Jiang Zhirou became a bit more complicated.
It wasn't just her imagination. She felt that the girl in front of her had changed a lot and was different from before.
She had met Qingmian a few times before. Every time they talked, Qingmian always unconsciously avoided her gaze. She lacked confidence and wasn't as good at speaking as she was now.
The current Qingmian, aside from everything else, just the fact that she would look directly into people's eyes when speaking was already very different from before.
She had only seen such a huge change in a person in a short period of time in one other person...
"I haven't officially started working yet, so I haven't earned any money. Aunt Jiang, when I start making money, I'll buy you a bracelet."
Jiang Zhirou's voice rang in her ears again.
Jiang Shu suddenly came back to her senses.
She stepped forward and took Jiang Zhirou's hand. "Auntie doesn't need these things. As long as you two young people can get along well, nothing else matters."
Jiang Shu meant every word. Looking at the woman in front of her, Jiang Zhirou felt that these words were not fake.
Jiang Zhirou frowned slightly and gave Jiang Shu a sweet smile, but her mind was racing.
It seemed that the Chi family wasn't so opposed to Chi Yu being with Shen Qingmian.
But then why did Chi Weiguo say those things to Shen Qingmian at Aunt Yao's funeral?
Jiang Zhirou didn't have much of a clue for the moment, so she decided not to think about it.
Just then, Chi Weiguo came down from the study. The moment he saw Jiang Zhirou, there was a flash of something in his eyes. It was only for a split - second, but Jiang Zhirou caught it precisely.
It wasn't just her imagination. She faintly felt that Chi Weiguo seemed to know something about Shen Qingmian.
Thinking of this, Jiang Zhirou met Chi Weiguo's gaze, smiled, and nodded politely. "Hello, Uncle Chi."
"Um." Chi Weiguo didn't show much expression on his face. He responded coldly.
When he reached the stairs, Chi Weiguo saw Chi Yu standing behind Jiang Zhirou.
Chi Yu didn't seem to be going to greet him.
Chi Weiguo just glanced at him and then looked away. "Let's have dinner."
The group went to the dining room.
Chi Weiguo sat at the head of the table. Chi Yu and Jiang Zhirou were on his left, and Jiang Shu was on his right.
Whether intentionally or not, Jiang Shu sat directly across from Jiang Zhirou.
"Qingmian, this is the fresh shrimp that Auntie bought at the market this afternoon. Try it."
As Jiang Shu said this, she picked up a piece of shrimp and put it on the white porcelain plate in front of Jiang Zhirou.
Jiang Zhirou picked up the chopsticks beside her and sweetly thanked her. "Thank you, Aunt Jiang."
"You've been working out recently. Have some fish."
As soon as Jiang Shu finished speaking, Chi Yu put a piece of fish on Jiang Zhirou's plate.
"Thank you." Jiang Zhirou turned to Chi Yu and smiled.
Seeing everyone passing food around, Chi Weiguo frowned slightly.
"What have you been up to recently?"
This was directed at Chi Yu.
His voice was deep but full of energy, with the natural authority of a military man.
"Nothing much." Chi Yu responded casually.
Hearing this, Chi Weiguo was obviously dissatisfied. He frowned tightly, put down his chopsticks, and looked up at Chi Yu.
"Is this how you talk to me?"
Hearing this, Chi Yu's expression also changed. He met Chi Weiguo's gaze. "Is there something wrong with my attitude?"
Hearing this, Chi Weiguo was about to get angry when Jiang Shu suddenly kicked him under the table. He had to swallow his scolding words.
Jiang Shu's gaze fell on Chi Yu. "You and your dad haven't changed at all. The moment you meet, you start being sarcastic to each other."
Sighing, she picked up a shrimp and put it on Chi Yu's plate, then continued.
"We called you home for dinner today mainly to tell you that your dad and I are going on a long - distance trip in a few days. We're not sure when we'll be back. We thought we should have a family dinner before we leave."
As soon as she finished speaking, Chi Yu was stunned.
It was normal for Jiang Shu and Chi Weiguo to go on long - distance trips, but it was the first time they had a special dinner before leaving.
Chi Yu felt a sense of uneasiness in his heart.
He glanced at Chi Weiguo, pursed his lips, and then looked at Jiang Shu. "Are you going on a trip again this time?"
Hearing this, there was a flash of something in Jiang Shu's eyes. Then she nodded at Chi Yu with a smile. "Yes. Your dad is free recently, and I haven't been out for a long time. We'll take this opportunity to go out and have a look."
Hearing that it was a trip, Chi Yu immediately breathed a sigh of relief, and his body relaxed.
"Then have a good time."
"Take more photos and show them to me. I haven't had time to go on a trip yet."
Just as Chi Yu finished speaking, Jiang Zhirou beside him suddenly spoke.
"Aunt Jiang, where are you and Uncle Chi going this time?"
Hearing Jiang Zhirou's question, Jiang Shu hesitated for a while before answering, "Guatemala."