Chapter 19: This Family Is Hard to Please

Cheng Fangping pressed Qian Lai back into her chair, finally allowing a faint smile to appear on her face. "They're all elders. It's your first time meeting them—of course there would be endless words of advice. Think of it as reverse encouragement. Why are you getting upset? You need to steady your temper." She exchanged glances with Gu Weiguo and the others, then asked Qian Lai, "Can you understand Shanghainese?"

Of course she could! Modern-day Qian Lai was born in Shanghai and only moved to Beijing with her family when she started elementary school.

"I can't," she replied.

Cheng Fangping was very pleased with her answer—it was just as she'd anticipated.

Immediately, the Gu family members began conversing in Shanghainese.

"Mother, she looks so restless, and her temper seems sharp. Will she really stay obedient by big brother's side?" Gu Yue said.

"As long as she listens, and can ease our worries, what does it matter what she looks like?"

"She comes from a small place; that doesn't guarantee obedience. Fourth sister-in-law, you must keep control of Han Chuan's salary yourself. You can't be too trusting. If Han Chuan can't move, and she develops other intentions over time, her own family will benefit," Aunt Gao Zhen said.

"As for the marriage gifts—three bicycles and a sewing machine—it's better not to add anything else. She's going to be taking care of Han Chuan all day, so she won't have the chance to use them anyway," Uncle Gu Weidong chimed in.

"She's not even nineteen yet, tsk tsk, and has such a seductive look. Will she end up cheating on Han Chuan in the future?"

...

"Enough! Is this really what elders should be saying? An eighteen-year-old girl, leaving her home behind to willingly take on the responsibility of caring for a paralyzed patient—that's already rare enough!"

Second Uncle Gu Weijia, who had remained silent until now, broke in, his expression stern.

"She's helping us carry burdens. I urge you all to be more generous!"

He turned to Gu Weiguo, his face serious. "Fourth brother. We've met the girl. I think she's clever and has her own opinions. Since we're entrusting Han Chuan to her care, we must trust her—if you doubt someone, don't use them."

With Gu Weijia's words, Gu Weiguo and Gu Weidong listened respectfully, no one daring to interject.

"If you don't approve of her, let her go back as soon as possible. If you want to keep her, stop criticizing and making things hard for her. That's my opinion. I have another meeting, so I'll take my leave."

He rose, walked over to Qian Lai, took out a red envelope and handed it to her, speaking in Mandarin, "Child, traveling so far alone to an unfamiliar place is not easy. Take good care of Han Chuan. If you need anything, tell the family. This is a welcome gift for you. It's not much, but keep it."

"Thank you, Uncle Gu."

Gu Weijia and his daughter smiled kindly and left directly.

With Second Brother's statement, Gu Weiguo spoke awkwardly, "Han Chuan's chances of recovery are extremely slim. For Xiao Qian to willingly serve him for life—that's not easy. Let's observe how she performs."

"Hmph, if big brother hadn't been paralyzed, how could a junior high graduate like her ever enter our family!" Gu Yue dropped her fake smile and complained in Shanghainese.

"Someone like her is easy to handle. You don't understand! Don't say this in front of her in the future. We still need to coax her into taking care of your brother without complaint."

Cheng Fangping, warning Gu Yue, also took out a red envelope from her pocket. "This is a token from Han Chuan's father and me. Take it."

Her smile never reached her eyes.

Qian Lai quickly took out some specialty products from Nancheng, holding them out. "Thank you, uncle and aunt. I brought some Nancheng specialties for you to try."

Cheng Fangping glanced sideways, the corners of her mouth curving slightly, but she didn't lift a hand. "Give them to Aunt Zhang."

She then called out to everyone, "Come on, let's have dinner."

At the Gu family dining room, Gu Weiguo sat at the head of the table, with Cheng Fangping and their children on his left. On the right sat the fifth brother's family. Qian Lai was placed at the very end, next to Gu Yue.

"Qian Lai, do you know how to cook?" Cheng Fangping asked.

"I can make a few dishes."

"Oh? Then breakfast tomorrow will be your responsibility. Han Chuan has no appetite lately. If you have good cooking skills, we'll feel more assured."

"No problem."

"Wonderful. We'll look forward to tasting your cooking," Gu Yue said, her smile tinged with hidden meaning.

As they spoke, Aunt Zhang began serving dishes: salad, steak with pasta, and a serving of borscht for each.

In this era, a Western dinner in a government official's household was indeed rare.

"Qian Lai, get a health check as soon as possible. We'll have plenty of meals together in the future. With a health report, everyone can rest easy."

Ah, so they're afraid she might have a contagious disease!

Qian Lai couldn't help but be impressed.

"You probably haven't eaten these before. Do you know how to use a knife and fork?" Gu Yue asked, watching her with a look of anticipation.

She nearly laughed out loud! Picking up the knife and fork, she cut the steak into small pieces, placed them in her mouth, and chewed quietly and delicately. She mixed the salad, tasted it, and said, "Aunt Cheng, if you have the chance, I can make some Caesar dressing for everyone to try. It goes very well with salad."

She took a sip of the borscht. "Aunt Zhang's cooking is excellent. If I hadn't known, I'd think it was made by a Russian chef."

Receiving her praise, Aunt Zhang smiled with pursed lips, mouthing silently, "Eat more."

The Gu family exchanged glances, all falling silent.

Gu Weiguo asked with a smile, "Xiao Qian, have you eaten Western food before?"

"Yes. When I was a child, my father's factory often had Russian engineers. I learned some recipes from their families."

"You know Russian as well?"

Gu Weiguo was even more surprised.

"I've studied a bit."

Gu Weiguo and his wife exchanged a look—Qian Lai's performance was beyond their expectations.

After dinner, Aunt Zhang bustled about, pouring tea, serving fruit for the Qian family.

Qian Lai wanted to help with the dishes, but overheard Cheng Fangping instructing Aunt Zhang, "Throw away all the utensils Qian Lai used. She hasn't had a health check yet."

Given that...

She turned and went back to the living room, curling up on the sofa with tea—wasn't that more pleasant?

After a whole evening of intensive Shanghainese listening, she finally watched the fifth Gu family leave.

Cheng Fangping, carrying a set of bedding, thrust it into her arms. "We don't have any spare rooms at the moment. Hope you don't mind making do for a night?"

Following Cheng Fangping's pointing finger, she saw—the infamous cupboard under the stairs, a la Harry Potter.

So, in the Gu family's eyes, she wasn't even worth a maid's room.

"And here is tomorrow morning's breakfast list."

Qian Lai took it, and once again was impressed!

The sheet was filled with a table, clearly listing each person's breakfast requirements, sprawling across a whole page.

She couldn't help but laugh!

Curling up in her tiny room, she looked at the paper—

Gu Weiguo: Rice with stir-fried bok choy, crispy fried fish, four seasons baked wheat gluten. Breakfast at 7:30.

Cheng Fangping: Two slices of bread with jam, two boiled eggs, unsweetened soy milk (at 40 degrees), one plate of vegetables, one portion of smoked fish. Breakfast at 6:30.

Gu Yue: Three meat buns, one fried dough stick, half a pancake, lean pork and preserved egg congee (no ginger), crispy salty pickles (must be sweet, rinsed to remove salt), 250ml milk. Breakfast at 7:00.

Gu Kanzhe: Beef rice noodles (no cilantro), two meat-filled baked buns. Breakfast at 8:00.

At the bottom, a small note read: For the health of the family, please do not purchase from outside.

Qian Lai thought: This family is truly hard to serve. Who knows if taking care of Gu Han Chuan will be even more difficult!