Cui Tonglan found it strange. How did her brother-in-law know Su Xiaotian? They shouldn't have had any interaction. After all, her brother-in-law had been working for several years, while Su Xiaotian was still in college. They were not from the same circle and shouldn't know each other.
Gu Chengxuan, on the other hand, hadn't expected that the benefactor who saved his nephew, as his sister-in-law had mentioned, would be this young girl. A few days ago, when he had hit someone, he had prepared himself to be extorted. However, the three people involved hadn't extorted him at all; instead, they had been very kind to him, the one who had made a mistake. They had even refused when he offered to give more compensation. He had been thinking these past few days about finding the injured girl, at least to confirm that she hadn't suffered any internal injuries. Although he appeared to be a pampered and unruly person, he actually had good judgment. He knew who was worth befriending and who shouldn't be treated sincerely. He felt that these two sisters were people worth befriending; their character was excellent.
"Third brother, how do you know Xiaotian?" Cui Tonglan asked.
Gu Chengxuan knew he couldn't avoid telling her now. He simply recounted the incident where he had almost hit someone while driving. He emphasized that they had refused to accept more compensation when he had offered it.
Cui Tonglan gave Gu Chengxuan a reproachful look and said, "Third brother, that was wrong of you. Even though Xiaotian and her sister didn't want you to pay more compensation, you should have at least gotten their address and visited them to inquire about their well-being."
"Sister-in-law, you're right. I realized that later and searched for days but couldn't find them."
Hearing Gu Chengxuan readily admit his mistake, Cui Tonglan didn't say anything more. She was just his sister-in-law; saying too much might annoy him, so it was best to hint at it. Fortunately, they had met again now.
"Xiaotian, I truly didn't expect our two families to have such a connection. On behalf of my third brother, I apologize to you and your sister. Please don't hold it against this inconsiderate person," Cui Tonglan said directly, knowing that Su Xiaotian was not petty.
Su Xiaotian felt a bit embarrassed by Cui Tonglan's words and replied, "It's nothing. Everything is fine. Moreover, Comrade Gu had a very good attitude in admitting his mistake and even took Xiaocao sister and Teacher Xie to the hospital for treatment."
"Comrade Gu also enthusiastically offered to drive us back."
Hearing that her brother-in-law hadn't done anything too outrageous, Cui Tonglan felt much more at ease.
After finishing these matters, Cui Tonglan noticed that although Yiming Pavilion was crowded today, the guests weren't there to dine. Instead, it seemed like someone was celebrating an event. However, there was no sign indicating a celebration.
"Sister Tonglan, Yiming Pavilion is celebrating an event today. You've arrived just in time. Please come in and have a cup of celebratory wine."
Cui Tonglan quickly refused, "I've come at an inconvenient time today, so I won't disturb you. These are the thank-you gifts I prepared for you. Please accept them, and I'll be leaving now."
When she came today, Cui Tonglan had actually intended to chat with Su Xiaotian for a while longer. But unexpectedly, she had coincidentally encountered a family celebration.
"Speaking of which, today's celebration is also related to Comrade Gu. It's only right that you stay for a drink," Su Xiaotian thought she should thank Gu Chengxuan at this moment. If it weren't for this fellow driving recklessly, finding such an opportunity wouldn't have been so easy.
"Xiaotian, you call me sister-in-law, so why not call me Third Brother Gu? This 'Comrade Gu' really doesn't sound good." Gu Chengxuan felt that being called 'Comrade Gu' made him sound like his father, aging him considerably, which was unacceptable. Since he was the third eldest in his family, it was perfectly fine for the young girl to call him Third Brother.
"Third Uncle, Third Uncle!" Unexpectedly, before Su Xiaotian could reply, the little one in Cui Tonglan's arms spoke.
Su Xiaotian couldn't help but laugh.
"Little one, he's your Third Uncle!" The little one didn't understand but just grinned.
Cui Tonglan asked, "What does it have to do with my third brother?"
Su Xiaotian then explained that Su Xiaocao had saved Teacher Xie Nan, and Teacher Xie Nan wanted to take her as a goddaughter.
Cui Tonglan laughed, "It really does have some connection. I never expected that your mistake would actually facilitate someone else's connection."
Instantly, Gu Chengxuan felt as if he had actually done a good deed.
"In that case, we should indeed stay to offer our congratulations." Since this matter also had some relation to her brother-in-law, they couldn't just leave. However, encountering someone else's celebration meant they had to give a gift. Where could they find a suitable gift on such short notice?
Cui Tonglan grew up in a large family and married into a large family. Although the family's education wasn't what it used to be, Cui Tonglan had learned what she should, and was naturally very particular. Fortunately, among the various gifts she had prepared for Su Xiaotian today, there was indeed an item suitable as a congratulatory gift. The packaging was a silk bag, which looked presentable. The contents inside were moderately priced, not overly luxurious, but not cheap either.
She held the little one with one hand and took a small red silk bag from Gu Chengxuan's hand.
"Xiaotian, these gifts were originally prepared for you, but since Teacher Xie is celebrating today, I must express my regards. Your Sister Tonglan will make it up to you later. Do you have any objections?" Cui Tonglan was a straightforward person and didn't hide her intentions when speaking. She also believed that Su Xiaotian wouldn't fuss over such a matter.
As expected, Su Xiaotian smiled and said, "Sister Tonglan, you are too kind. You've brought so many gifts, I feel embarrassed. I only did it as a favor back then and don't deserve your thanks. Little one, don't you think so?" Su Dan Xiao Shuo Wang
Su Xiaotian affectionately pinched the little one's chubby cheek. The little one nodded repeatedly, whether understanding or not.
"You little rascal, what do you know to be nodding like that!" Cui Tonglan was also amused by her son's behavior.
As they were talking, Teacher Xie Nan saw them and came over to greet them.
Cui Tonglan smiled and said, "Congratulations, Teacher Xie, on gaining a beloved daughter."
"Tonglan, why are you here too? Huh, and Comrade Xiao Gu, why are you here together?" She had long suspected that Cui Tonglan and Gu Chengxuan might be related, but their appearance together was indeed a bit surprising.
"I came to thank Xiaotian, and coincidentally encountered your celebration here, so I thought I'd come for a cup of celebratory wine to mark the occasion."
Teacher Xie Nan busily invited them inside to sit. Cui Tonglan took the opportunity to hand the small bag in her hand to Teacher Xie Nan.
"A small gift, perfect for a young girl, for your beloved daughter." Teacher Xie Nan accepted it graciously and thanked her.