294 Close to home
“So, what’s the plan now?”
The four of them were seated at the dining table in their family house where the children spent their childhood. Since Gu Shangyan returned home the mansion was glowing with happiness. There was a peaceful smile on everyone’s faces. He could see clearly that just like him these people missed him a lot too. Truly, it felt so good to be back home. It was better than every dream he ever had about going back home.
“House hunting before joining the office, ” Gu Shangyan replied as he looked at the three of them.
“Why do you need to find a house? Isn’t our home quite big?” Gu Yanxi asked. He couldn’t understand why his nephew had to get a house when their house was too big to fit a family of five.v
“Come on, Yanxi, ” An Qinyan said, holding his hand. “You can’t expect these youngsters to live with you now. Lu Xuan moved out when he finished college. Shangyan has been living on his own since he left for college. They may not be used to living with us oldies. Let’s give them the privacy he wants.”
“Whatever, ” Gu Yanxi grumbled. He didn’t say anything for a long time and as an idea hit him he looked at his wife and let out, “We have several properties in the city. Why not let him choose among one?”
Among these properties, he would let Gu Shangyan choose the one nearest to his home.
“Not a bad idea, ” An Qinyan said, nodding her head.
“Auntie, don’t worry. I will manage, ” Gu Shangyan smiled. It looked good when they worried about him. But house hunting wasn’t a difficult job and he could manage it.
“This topic is not up for negotiation, ” An Qinyan said, glancing his way. “All of you are living on your own for too long. I understand your privacy needs. But as your elders, we have some responsibilities towards you too. We know you all are capable but let us do something for you guys now. It will make us feel wanted and happy.”
“Don’t say no,” Lu Xuan intervened. “Mom and uncle prepared a house for all three of us.”
The penthouse that he was staying at was gifted to him by his mother and stepfather. His father gave him a villa that he wouldn’t use because it was too much for a single person. But his father was of the opinion that when he would get married, the villa would come to use to him. He accepted both gifts because they had his parent’s love and affection and there was no point in refusing them.
“Okay, Uncle and Auntie, ” Gu Shangyan smiled at the two of them. “I will tell you what kind of place I want. Or we can always renovate it.”
Gu Yanxi and An Qinyan smiled in satisfaction.
“We have a strict rule, ” An Qinyan said a while later. “Once a week: Meal at home. No matter how busy you are, you can’t ignore family.”
“Don’t mind, Auntie but I’m thinking if it’s possible to get a house near home so I can come daily to eat here all the time, ” Gu Shangyan said, scratching his back. “My cooking talent is limited.”
The three of them chuckled and nodded their heads.
Everyone was discussing their past lives and sharing the wonderful memories that they had. The dinner was full of chatter and laughs.
An Qinyan sadly smiled as looked at the empty seat on the dining table between Lu Xuan and Gu Shangyan. It’s been seven years since anyone occupied that spot. Even now they were saving the seat for the rightful owner. If she had been here, would An Xiulan and Lu Xuan still fought while Gu Shangyan played the mediator between them? Or they would finally learn to eat in peace? There were so many questions that An Qinyan had and sadly she couldn’t get answers to them easily.
A while later, the doorbell rang and the housekeeper brought the guest in. It was as if the guest the housekeeper was too used to this guest who always came at odd times.
“Hi, Yanyan, ” The handsome boy waved at An Qinyan. He took the empty seat next to her and sat there, “Do you miss me? I missed you a lot.”
“Brat, this is how you talk to your elders?” Gu Yanxi asked in a strict tone. This was the second Lu person he didn’t like. Again, who let him inside?
“Hello, Mr Gu, ” The boy greeted him politely. He turned to look at Gu Shangyan and said, “Yan Ge. What’s up?”
“Lu Xun?” Gu Shangyan asked, amused. “You have gotten quite tall.”
It seemed his uncle was not overreacting over the phone when he said how much he disliked the stinky brat who always flirted with his wife. It seemed like Lu Xun and Gu Yanxi were at war over An Qinyan. How amusing!
“And handsome too, ” Lu Xun added as a matter of fact. He puffed his chest and proudly said, “I’m a ten years old handsome and tall boy.”
“Chubby, I didn’t know before but now I know that this narcissism can be hereditary, ” Lu Xuan commented as he pointed this chopstick at his younger brother who raided the family dinner again.
“Hello to you too, Ge, ” Lu Xun said with a huff. Someone tell him what makes him think that this elder brother of his was a nice person? Dare he tells you his elder brother was a devil!
“Chubby, who dropped you here?” Lu Xuan asked, dropping the pleasantries.
“I came with a driver, ” Lu Xun shrugged as if it was not a big deal.
“Do you inform your parents?” Lu Xuan asked the boy.
“Why should I?” Lu Xun retorted.
“You fought with your parents again, didn’t you? Whenever you fight with them, you come to stay here, ” Lu Xuan said. “What do you think my mom’s house is? A lodge for you to vent out? Don’t trouble her every time you fight with your parents. You know the address to my place too. Instead of going there, why are you always here?”
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A/N: Just brothers having little issues.