"This is amazing! Young man, you've got some serious skills!"
"Mmm, mmm! I've been here for so long, and I haven't had anything this delicious in ages!"
Guo'er's parents were full of praise for Su Chen's cooking.
Tang Guo'er was also thoroughly enjoying the meal. It was the first time since arriving here that she had gotten to eat sliced meat.
"Uncle, Auntie, when are you planning to leave?"
Su Chen finally couldn't hold back and asked.
Tang Guo'er had a bit of a crush on Su Chen, but unfortunately, he didn't seem to feel the same way.
"We'll rest for a bit, then set off," her father replied.
She had already decided that once she found her parents, they would leave. But now, she regretted that decision. Yet, there was nothing she could do about it.
Guo'er's parents looked at the two of them, confused. The atmosphere became awkward.
After a few seconds of silence, her father spoke up.
"You brat, what's the meaning of this? Do you not know what happened last night? Now you just want to walk away like nothing happened?"
He pointed a finger at Su Chen.
"Agh, my hand hurts!"
Su Chen was startled by Guo'er's father's tone. Clearly, there had been a serious misunderstanding.
He immediately shook his head, his whole body radiating grievance, and hurriedly explained, "No, no, Uncle, you've really got it wrong!"
"Don't be like this, old man. Young people's affairs are none of our business," Guo'er's mother tried to mediate.
"Guo'er, if you like him, we should have a proper talk and see what he thinks," she added, clearly the more rational of the two.
Tang Guo'er lowered her head and explained, "Dad, don't get so worked up. He didn't do anything to me. You're overthinking it."
"Brother Su is really a good person. We're just friends—nothing more."
She finally said it out loud. This man had helped her too much.
She didn't want to become a burden to him.
She loved him, but he was free.
Tang Guo'er gazed at Su Chen with deep emotion.
How could Su Chen not understand her feelings? But right now, he had no intention of getting into a relationship. He just wanted to live a quiet, simple life.
He silently continued washing the dishes, unwilling to get involved in their family drama.
Guo'er's parents, however, had seen right through their daughter. They had raised her for so many years; they knew her better than anyone.
"Alright, alright. Then let's pack up and get ready to leave," her father sighed.
"Yeah, she already said she's not interested, so we shouldn't force anything. Otherwise, it'll just get awkward," her mother agreed.
Although they could be a bit reckless at times, they always respected their daughter's decisions.
Tang Guo'er sat on the sofa, gently stroking Er Bao, who was curled up in her lap like a well-behaved little puppy.
"Er Bao, you're really something. At times like this, you actually act like a little gentleman."
Su Chen overheard and immediately exposed the act.
"Normally, it's the complete opposite. Always acting spoiled and clingy."
Hearing this, Er Bao seemed embarrassed and didn't want to listen to Su Chen anymore.
"Hmph! Master is so mean today. I don't love Master anymore!"
Guo'er's parents burst into laughter. It had been a long time since they had felt such warmth and harmony.
At that moment, they thought to themselves: If only these two could be together, they would make such a perfect couple.
But alas, it wasn't meant to be.
"Young man, come here for a moment. I want to have a private word with you."
Hearing her father call Su Chen away for a private talk, Tang Guo'er immediately tried to stop him.
"Dad, what are you trying to do? Don't say anything weird!"
"Don't pressure the poor kid," her mother chimed in, ever the understanding parent.
Although she doted on her daughter, she knew that boys were also someone's child. They had to respect both sides.
She could tell her daughter liked Su Chen, but it was also obvious that Su Chen wasn't looking for anything more.
Su Chen felt uneasy all over. He had always been aware of Tang Guo'er's feelings for him, but he chose to keep quiet about it.
He didn't want to bring it up. Didn't want to acknowledge it.
Despite having dated a few times when he was younger, this was the first time he had ever met a girl's parents. Naturally, he felt a bit nervous.
Guo'er's father led Su Chen outside for a private conversation.
"Young man, what do you think of my daughter? She's an excellent student, and our family is well-off."
"Uncle, your daughter is still young. She should focus on her future."
"She's very beautiful, but that's all. I don't have any other thoughts."
Hearing this, Guo'er's father's expression changed—from hopeful to disappointed.
Inside the RV, Tang Guo'er was leaning against the door, anxiously listening to their conversation.
Her mother watched her and gently advised, "Guo'er, if you have something to say, just say it. Don't keep it bottled up."
Tang Guo'er wanted to. But this was the first time in her life she had ever liked someone.
Just a few days ago, she had still been a high school senior, drowning under the weight of academic pressure.
She had studied for years, yet had always been single.
She had assumed she would never experience love and would just focus on her career.
She used to watch her friends cry and laugh over relationships, never understanding why they acted that way.
But today, she finally understood what it meant to like someone. she realized that feelings for someone could be so heavy.
Meanwhile, Guo'er's father retrieved a blueprint from the RV and handed it to Su Chen.
"Young man, we really have to thank you. If it weren't for you, our family might never have reunited."
"This is a blueprint I stumbled upon. It seems to be for a very powerful weapon, but I don't have the materials for it."
"It's not of much use to our family, so I'm giving it to you."
Su Chen took the blueprint and unfolded it.
Damn! So their family actually had something this dangerous? He couldn't believe it.
At first, he didn't want to accept it. But since they had nothing else to offer in return, he had no choice but to take it.
"Uncle, I can't just take this for free. How about this—I'll give you some supplies. I have plenty of food."
"I don't really lack food at the moment."
"You don't have to, young man. This is our way of repaying you for saving us."
"Ah, might as well help all the way!"
Without giving them a chance to refuse, Su Chen quickly stuffed two packs of grilled skewers, five liters of bottled water, a bag of fruit, and a liter of gasoline into their RV.
Tang Guo'er saw this and understood everything.
Her heart was filled with reluctance.
Silently, she returned to the RV, her mother following behind.
"Brother Su, if fate allows, we'll meet again."
"Goodbye."
Their RV gradually drove off into the distance.
Would they ever see each other again?