Chapter 56: Second Installment

He simply prepared six or seven dishes. Five adults and a child sat around the table for dinner. Qin Yao and the elder sister-in-law sat on one side with child Miaomiao, while the three adult men sat on the other side.

The "man of integrity," Gu Cheng, poured a cup of wine each for his fourth brother-in-law and his elder brother.

Gu Xing took a curious look at his younger brother, seeing him sitting there, his expression cold and stern, like snow.

Why did his sister-in-law’s family think he was ‘honest, gentle, and well-tempered’?

The elder brother never thought in his life that these three words would be used to describe his own brother—they couldn’t be further apart!

When it came to his command style, many people had a belly full of grievances to share. They said he was strategically flawless, meticulous, almost unnaturally intelligent, with a memory that was frighteningly sharp. He had fought many times in the courtyard and never lost. His tricks were lethal, ruining people without mercy. He was the one who tricked others; no one could trick him.

As his elder brother, he never had the chance to support his younger brother.

Now, he has his chance!

Gu Xing guessed that his younger brother had probably used some small tactics in front of his wife's family. After all, when it comes to marriage, one must play the humble role, even if he didn’t usually.

It was touching that his younger brother had written so many love poems, melting tough steel into pliable softness.

"My younger brother is indeed honest and upright, with an excellent character. He is gentle and even-tempered with family. You can rest assured entrusting your sister to him, brother-in-law."

Gu Cheng: "..."

Qin Sigu nodded and returned the toast to Gu Xing with a cup of wine. He thought to himself: I trust your brother, but I’m not so confident about my sister.

Little Miaomiao lowered her head and took a few bites of rice, her eyes filled with confusion. She found the adult world quite complex.

Soon after the meal, Researcher Lu called back. Qin Yao took the call in the zoo's phone room. Researcher Lu expressed gratitude over the phone, "We're already at the hospital. It's pneumonia. Thanks to your reminder, it hasn’t worsened too much..."

Seizing the opportunity, Qin Yao asked on the phone, "Researcher Lu, my brother really likes animals. Could he have the chance to visit and learn?"

Standing behind her, Qin Sigu’s eyes widened.

"The conditions are tough? We need to be prepared for the conditions?" Qin Yao made some agreeing sounds over the phone and finally hung up. She turned around to meet her older brother's eyes, full of anticipation.

Qin Sigu nearly bit his tongue off. "Yaoyao, are you saying I could go too?"

Qin Yao said, "Brother, you need to think carefully before deciding whether to go. Lu Researcher said the conditions are very harsh, and the natural environment there..."

Africa today is not just home to many wild animals; there are still indigenous tribal communities living in traditional ways.

"Sister, I want to see the world," Qin Sige's chest felt like a pot of boiling water churning inside, on the verge of exploding at any second.

After all, he was still a young man of twenty. Which young person doesn’t dream of exploring and conquering the world?

In the past, he had only lived in a cramped large courtyard house, where his family saw each other every day, crammed into the tiny space. After coming to the zoo, he discovered a vast world of animals and realized that apart from humans, there were many complex species of animals in this world... And now, he had the opportunity to travel abroad!

Qin Sige held dreams in his heart. Previously, he found contentment in being a caretaker for the animals, but after today, his thoughts had changed. He wanted to become the director of a zoo.

As a zoo director, he would have the authority to oversee the renovation and construction of animal habitats and sincerely create homes for the animals.

Qin Sige understood the principle that opportunities must not be missed. Despite his limited educational background, this inspection tour would allow him to broaden his horizons and exchange knowledge with animal researchers from home and abroad.

There could even be opportunities for higher education in the future.

"I’m good at cooking, and I don’t have any other skills, but I can cook for their research and exchange team!"

Qin Yao nodded with a smile, "Exactly, brother. That’s how you should tell them."

A good cook is always in demand.

Qin Sige said, "If I can keep a red panda healthy, I can certainly do the same for people."

Qin Yao: "..."

After leaving the zoo and returning to the Gu family, Qin Yao had dinner and then went back to her room to start packing. During this time, her mother-in-law, Liu Shuqin, had made her many new clothes. There were several thick cotton-padded jackets. She planned to take only one set back to the island, leaving the rest at the Gu family home for her next visit.

She would take all her spring and summer clothes... Sigh, clothes were a minor concern. Her mother, Shen Guixiang, had asked her to stop by before she left, and her father had prepared a sack full of delicious food for her to take back to the island and eat slowly.

There were plenty of cured meats, sausages, chickens, and ducks. Qin Chuanrong had even invited her to have pigeon soup at home before she left.

It was a sweet responsibility.

It’s truly wonderful to be loved by one’s parents!

Thinking of these things, joy shone in Qin Yao’s eyes, and she was happy as she packed. After so many days, she missed Chen Baozhen on the island, Head Nurse Ge, the hospital, her vegetable garden, and her garden.

As the saying goes, "A golden nest, a silver nest, are not as good as one's own humble abode." When she returned to the island, she would overhaul her vegetable garden, planting not only vegetables but also many flowers, and raising a few chickens for their eggs.

Once back on the island, she would be free, able to do whatever she wanted at home, where she was in charge.

Qin Yao was happily packing her things when she turned around and saw Gu Cheng standing by the window watching the sunset.

He was wearing an army coat and black hiking boots. The coat was a bit short on him, or rather, it was too long for her. The coat, which reached her ankles, left much of his long legs exposed.

The deep green evoked images of ancient forests. Qin Yao suddenly realized it had been a long time since she had seen Gu Cheng in his white military uniform.

Though it had only been a month or so, it felt like much longer to her. Captain Gu in his white uniform now seemed almost like a stranger.

He felt more familiar when he took off his coat, revealing a dark green sweater, and held her down on the bed.

Qin Yao walked behind him. Outside, the sunset painted the sky with golden-tinted clouds. Dark clouds were about to engulf the golden light, but the glow still lingered, reluctant to depart.

The sunset was infinitely beautiful, but the approaching dusk brought a tinge of sadness to the air.

Qin Yao hugged him from behind. She thought Gu Cheng was reluctant to leave because he rarely got to come home. Now that they were leaving, he must be feeling sad.

For Qin Yao, the Gu family was her in-laws' home. Although her mother-in-law treated her well, she didn’t want to stay too long.

"Yaoyao..." Gu Cheng called her name in a low, husky voice, almost a whisper.

He turned around and held the woman in his arms. His forehead touched hers, their noses aligned, and their breaths mingled.

Breathing in her sweet scent, he realized how reluctant he was to leave. The past month of spending time together had been like a dream.

These happy memories were deeply etched in his heart.

They made him both greedy and weak.

"Yaoyao, I am afraid."

Qin Yao looked at him, puzzled, her shimmering eyes reflecting the man’s face in front of her.

"Why?"

"I'm afraid you will hate me and resent me in the future."

Gu Chen gently pinched her cheek and said calmly, "Yaoyao, married life is only the start."

"I won’t have much time to be by your side."

Qin Yao softly replied, "I understand."

"Do you remember the little panda we saw today?" Gu Chen said with self-mockery. "Like that little panda, after a brief taste of freedom, I’ll have to return to my cage."

"The sea is my prison."

Qin Yao grabbed his hand, surprised and a little confused. "I met Captain Gu on the ship, so confident and charming. I thought you loved it there."

"I once yearned for and loved it, but that was many years ago," Gu Chen said lightly. "Just like all the island guards I’ve encountered over the years. They arrive with high hopes and ambitions, planning to dedicate their lives to the noble cause of guarding the island, but as days and years pass, the sea erodes the shore, and time transforms people beyond recognition."

Even the most beautiful sunrises and sunsets turn into an unchanging cage over time.

"Life on the ship is confined to small spaces, mostly dull, boring, and monotonous."

Qin Yao said playfully, "In the future, when you’re bored, think of me."

Gu Chen stifled a laugh and squeezed her cheek hard, causing her pain. "When I first joined the ship, an experienced veteran told me his greatest wish was to have his wife and children at home, to wake up with his wife by his side."

"Back then, I laughed at him for lacking ambition."

Gu Chen chuckled self-mockingly. "Now I’m just as unambitious."

He rested his head on the woman's neck, breathing in her scent.

"Yaoyao, I’m not as cold and hard as I appear. I have a vulnerable side too."

Qin Yao hugged his neck, her voice sweet and firm. "Captain Gu, I’ll stay by your side through the long years ahead."

"Hmm," Gu Chen raised his head, his alluring eyes smiling at her.

"Fortunately, Baozhen is there." When mentioning the separation, Qin Yao felt sad too, but fortunately, her best friend was there.

Gu Chen's sharp eyebrows twitched, his handsome face darkening as he spoke in a fierce tone, "Even if I'm not home, you can’t share a room with Chen Baozhen."

"You two have to sleep in separate rooms. She can only sleep in the guest room when she visits, and you will sleep in our master bedroom."

"You should go to her place too."

Qin Yao remained silent.

"Alright, alright, so bossy."

Before they got married, Chen Baozhen often dreamed of the joy of staying up late chatting with Qin Yao, with the two of them alone in the house, lying on the same bed.

"Yaoyao, when I go out to sea, I'll write you a short poem every day, thinking of you."

Qin Yao, somewhat reserved, replied, "I'll confide all my thoughts to the sea breeze."

Gu Cheng: "What?"

"It’s better to save it and tell me in person. Telling the wind would be a shame."

"Why not write it down as well?"

Qin Yao, expressionless, continued, "When you hold a seashell to your ear, you’ll hear my longing for you."

Gu Cheng: "..."