Chapter 33: Grandma Gu is Back

The rest of the drive home was spent in silence. It was only when they had greeted Old Madam Gu and was seated for dinner that Su Ning realized she had forgotten to ask Gu YuChen who was the girl he liked. 'Well I am certain that he will let me know sooner or later. Maybe they are still in the phase of getting to know each other. If that is the case then Gu YuChen may not want to make the news public yet.' Su Ning nodded to herself as she contemplated.

Father Su and Mother Qin had also arrived and were accompanying Old Madam Gu to eat dinner. The old madam had been feeling under the weather recently and was recommended by her personal physician to take some time off work out of the city. It appears the fresh air and sunshine at the temples did her well as her complexion is now looking more ruddy. Grandma Gu was now in her mid-sixties yet she is still sharp-witted and sprightly. After eating a week of temple fare, Grandma Gu was quite excited to eat Mother Qin's flavorful cooking.

"Lan-er, this old grandma has really missed your cooking." said Grandma Gu as the rest of the table suppressed their smiles.

"Grandma, You were only at the temple for a week." Gu YuChen reminded bluntly.

"Mm. YuChen-Ge is right. You only had the monastic diet for a week." Su Ning said and nodded at Gu YuChen.

"NingNing…" Mother Qin and Father Su both called out slightly amused.

"Oho, these two kids are ganging up on this old grandma now ah?" (Grandma Gu)

"Yes, our NingNing has become rather close to the Young Master Gu." (Mother Qin)

"Young Master Gu, please forgive NingNing if she gets too headstrong." (Father Su)

"Oh?! Dad! Why do you assume I make trouble for YuChen-ge? I am the one who takes care of him okay?" (Su Ning)

"But isn't Young Master Gu the one driving and cooking for you?" (Mother Qin)

"..." **silence** "How could my own mother and father take another person's side in front of me." Su Ning whined petulantly as Gu YuChen patted her head and motioned for her to eat. Su Ning in turn poked Gu YuChen and mouthed "It's your fault." to which the teen just nodded at her placatingly.

"Hahahahha" Grandma Gu watched their exchange in front of her and laughed. 'Su Ning has brought out the softness in this boy.' she thought. Grandma Gu had been worried that her grandson would grow up too cold and heartless from the lack of familial affection and living with constant threats to his life. Grandma Gu had quickly noticed Su Ning's change in temperament years back and had taken that as a sign from the heavens, 'She would make a good companion to my Xiao Chen.' Grandma Gu had thought then. It appears that that was truly a wise decision on her part.

The table was filled with light hearted conversations and before the meal had ended Grandma Gu brought up the topic of Gu YuChen's upcoming university enrollment.

"Xiao Chen, Grandma is assuming you already have a school in mind?" (Grandma Gu)

"Yes. I will be studying Law at Cambridge University." (Gu YuChen)

"En. That's a good choice. Certainly, it will be helpful when you take over the business." (Grandma Gu)

Grandma Gu nodded in approval at her grandson's decision. Unexpectedly, Grandma Gu turned to Su Ning to ask, "NingNing, what about you? I know it's a little early but have you thought about what you'd like to study?"

Su Ning was slightly taken aback since she was just about to start her freshman year of high school however this was a topic she had thought of since her rebirth so she readily responded to Grandma Gu, "Mm. I plan to study Engineering. Likely in B University or T University."

"Oh? You are planning to stay in C Country? If NingNing is concerned about the tuition, grandma can help so you can study abroad like Xiao Chen if you want." (Grandma Gu)

Su Ning gave a soft laugh as she shook her head. "Grandma Gu has helped me enough by letting me stay here. I thought about this before, I would rent an apartment close to my school and come visit you often. I won't be able to do that if I study abroad."

"Ai, this old grandma would be happy if you come visit often but I don't want you to miss a good opportunity. Well since there are still a few years before you need to decide. Promise me you will think about this more okay, NingNing?" (Grandma Gu)

"En. Okay grandma" Su Ning politely answered. However, in her heart she has already decided she will not be taking Grandma Gu's money to study university. The only way she will be studying overseas is if she could get a scholarship.

Unnoticed by the others, Gu YuChen's fingers tightened on his chopsticks upon hearing Su Ning's response. 'I will be separated from Su Ning after this year? This cannot be.'