NOVEL NEXT Chapter 1242: Ending
That day, Chen Xi arrived at the doorstep, arms laden with gifts, eager to find the children to play with. But to his surprise, the Su family had already left for their summer holiday back in their hometown.
Undeterred, he quickly sought permission from his brother and sister-in-law, bought a train ticket, gathered some cash, and decided to head to Guangcheng himself.
The day after Gu Zi and the family arrived in Guangcheng, An Yun and her husband went all out, shopping for the finest ingredients to throw a lavish welcome feast.
An Yun's face stretched into a grin so wide it seemed impossible to close, the kind of joy that comes from a rare, bustling family reunion. The lively chatter, the clatter of dishes, the happy children running about—all of it felt like a perfect portrait of prosperity and warmth.
Now that they were older, An Yun and her husband found comfort in maintaining a home for their daughter's family—a place to return to, where hot meals waited and a warm bowl of soup was always ready. That simple pleasure, sharing moments of family bliss, was their idea of fulfillment.
A few days later, Chen Xi showed up again, this time dragging a massive suitcase behind him, leaving Gu Zi momentarily speechless. She invited him inside, curiosity twinkling in her eyes. "Chen Xi, how on earth did you find us here?"
Chen Xi shrugged, a mixture of pride and nervousness in his tone. "I heard from Gao Lang and my brother. But honestly, I'm not here just for fun. My brother wants me to learn from Su Shen—intern at his company. I don't have any work experience yet, but I promise, I'll work hard and won't embarrass you all."
When Su Shen saw Chen Xi, he greeted him with a calm expression. "You're here. Tomorrow a car will take you to the pig farm." Evidently, Chen Yu had tipped Su Shen off in advance; he was expecting Chen Xi.
But the words 'pig farm' hit Chen Xi like a bombshell. "Wait—didn't my brother say you have a company here? Why am I going to a pig farm instead of the office?"
Su Shen's voice was cold and firm. "That's your brother and sister-in-law's special request. They want you to be toughened up at the pig farm. If you don't like it, talk to them yourself."
Chen Xi mulled it over. Well, pig farm or not, he was a university student—there had to be something to learn there. "So… I'm your assistant, right?"
Su Shen shattered that fantasy with a frosty smile. "You'll be learning to slaughter pigs with the farmhands. And remember, you're an intern there. Work hard, don't slack off, or you won't get your certificate."
Chen Xi blinked, stunned. Yet, since he was here, he had no choice but to grit his teeth and go through with it.
Gu Zi comforted him warmly, even packed some of her homemade snacks for him to take on the road. As he nibbled on the treats, a little warmth spread through him.
Well, if it meant eating Gu Zi's cooking, then so be it—he'd bear the pig slaughtering.
On the day of Jin Long's wedding, the entire Su family was present to witness the union of Jin Long and Gong Xin.
Amid the celebration, Gu Zi spotted Gong Zhan, who had recently joined the capital's military district in anti-drug operations. He'd come rushing back for the wedding, still in his uniform.
Though Gu Zi hadn't paid him much mind before, it was impossible not to notice how much he'd changed—more composed, more mature.
Su Shen saw it too. He knew Gu Zi held no special feelings for Gong Zhan, but memories stirred nonetheless. Wrapping an arm around Gu Zi's waist, he pulled her close and, with a hint of playful jealousy, whispered, "Let's enjoy the dance floor."
Gu Zi caught the subtle possessiveness in his tone and smiled softly. "Alright." She allowed herself to be led into the swirling crowd of dancers, couples moving gracefully as if their flowing skirts traced the unpredictable arcs of life itself. She thought to herself that as long as one didn't ask for too much, everyone would eventually find their own circle of fulfillment.
This trip back, Gu Zi didn't encounter anyone from the Gu family. They seemed to have vanished from social circles, spoken of no more. That suited her just fine. Their fate was theirs alone to bear, and she had no intention of pitying them.
As for herself, Su Shen, and their circle of loved ones—their story was still unwritten. Life had no final chapters, only new beginnings.
With that spirit, Gu Zi planned a spontaneous road trip. Su Shen took the wheel, steering their family southwestward to explore the breathtaking landscapes. Gu Zi believed education wasn't just about books; it was about experiencing the world firsthand.
She and Su Shen promised to take the children on a trip every holiday, confident that each journey would offer fresh lessons and growth. Someday, perhaps, the driver would no longer be Su Shen but Su Bing or Su Li.
As the children grew taller and stronger, so would she and Su Shen grow older—something Gu Zi did not find saddening at all. She relished the inevitable changes, looking forward to the day they would sit hand in hand in the backseat, watching their children, now tall enough to hold the sky, set off on their own journeys ahead.