Mysterious Assistant of the Washed-Up Queen-Chapter 472 - 312: Xu Ruyan’s Cunning Move_2

"Should I buy some good liquor and cigarettes? Does your dad drink tea?"

"For your aunt... maybe I should buy some cosmetics? No, you should buy the cosmetics. Then, should I buy some jewelry? That’s not suitable either. How about supplements?..."

Chu Tian didn’t realize it at first when he was making suggestions for Xu Qingqiu. But when it came to his own turn, the thought of meeting her parents made his mind a complete mess.

"PFFT. Why are you so nervous?"

"Am I nervous? No way!"

"Not yet? You’re already talking nonsense. Just count how many things you’ve mentioned! The two of us can’t carry that much; just a small token gift will do."

"How can that be okay? If we can’t carry it, don’t we have a car? We can just put it in the car."

"My home is far away. Besides, driving isn’t safe. We need to take the high-speed train."

"Taking the high-speed train, huh..."

So the two of them began discussing back and forth, but it seemed like they had forgotten someone in all their planning.

Until Xu Qingqiu’s phone rang.

"Who is it?"

"It’s my little sister, Ruyan."

As soon as he heard it was his sister-in-law, Chu Tian stopped talking. He just remembered that he seemed to have left her with the production team and hadn’t really checked on her, aside from asking Hou Yichuan about her once.

And now she was calling today. Come to think of it, today seemed to be the day the production crew wrapped up, right? No wonder she called.

"Hello, Siiis!"

As soon as the call connected, an elongated, grudging voice came from the other side.

"What’s wrong with you? Itching for a beating?"

"HMPH. Sister, did you forget about me? It’s been so long, and you didn’t even ask if anything’s wrong. Aren’t you afraid your boyfriend might have sold me off?"

"Oh, so do you have any issues?"

"...No issues... But Sis, it’s almost New Year’s! Aren’t you going to discuss going home with me? Have you bought the tickets? Did you forget about me?"

"Not yet. I can forget anyone but you."

As she said this, Xu Qingqiu sneakily glanced at Chu Tian with an embarrassed expression.

One look at her expression and Chu Tian knew: she really had forgotten. He nearly laughed out loud.

As expected, birds of a feather flock together. He could claim he wasn’t close with Xu Ruyan to justify his forgetting, but for Xu Qingqiu to also forget her... there was no good excuse.

Luckily, Xu Qingqiu reacted quickly and dodged the issue.

"Oh no, why haven’t you bought them yet? I just checked, and there are no tickets left! We’re not going to drive back, are we?"

"No, I probably won’t be able to make it back for New Year’s this year. I have to attend the Spring Festival Gala on New Year’s Eve. Why don’t you go back first? If you can’t get tickets, I’ll arrange for someone to take you home."

"Wait! Did you say you are going to be on the Spring Festival Gala? Really?!"

"Of course, it’s true. Don’t you watch the news?"

"What did I miss?! The team has been rushing projects to meet deadlines recently, staying up all night, every single day! I’m practically dead from exhaustion! Where would I find the time to watch the news?"

"AHHHH! My sister is going to be on the Spring Festival Gala! Do our parents know yet?"

Listening to the scream on the phone, Xu Qingqiu’s usually calm heart suddenly fluttered.

Apart from the initial excitement that lasted for a long time on the day she found out she’d be on the Spring Festival Gala, she had grown somewhat accustomed to the idea recently.

She hadn’t expected that talking to her sister for a few minutes would get her excited again.

Especially hearing her sister’s excited tone, she suddenly felt like she had really accomplished something remarkable, making all her recent efforts worthwhile.

"I haven’t told them yet. I was planning to mention it in the next few days. But I can’t come back for New Year’s Eve; I’ll probably only be able to return on the first or second day of the lunar new year."

"You haven’t told them yet?! No wonder Mom and Dad haven’t called me. I have to tell them right away!"

As soon as Xu Ruyan finished speaking, she hung up the phone, leaving Xu Qingqiu with a lot of unsaid words.

"Hey, you..." Xu Qingqiu started, but listening to the busy tone on the phone, she sighed helplessly.

"I still wanted to ask her when she was planning to go back, but then..."

"Alright, just ask her later. She’s so excited because of you; she’s proud of you. I bet it won’t be long before your parents call."

Chu Tian was right. About half an hour later, Xu Qingqiu’s phone rang again.

"My parents..."

"Hurry up and answer it, what are you waiting for?"

"Oh, it’s a video call! You should step out for a bit. They can’t see you, or it’ll ruin the surprise!"

Chu Tian couldn’t help but smile wryly and sighed as he stepped out onto the balcony, faintly hearing the laughter from inside.

In the living room, Xu Qingqiu sat on the couch, dealing with her excited family while forcing a smile.

She had to force a smile. Some neighbors happened to be visiting, and as soon as the video call connected, they crowded around with her parents, all talking at once and joining in the excitement.

All sorts of questions were thrown at her. Some people even took out their phones and started recording the video call screen. The whole scene was chaotic, with a wild variety of questions.

However, due to a confidentiality agreement, she couldn’t say much and could only give vague answers.

It wasn’t until her father, with a stern face, drove everyone out that it finally quieted down a bit.

"Does this mean you won’t be coming home for New Year’s?"

"No, Mom. I just can’t make it back on New Year’s Eve itself. I’ll be home on the first day of the New Year."

"The first day, huh? The first day is fine too. As long as you can come home for the festival, that’s what matters. Take care of yourself out there. Wear more clothes before you go on stage, and don’t catch a cold..."

Listening to her parents prattling on, Xu Qingqiu’s expression gradually became more natural, and her smile sweeter.

No matter how old you are, you’re always a child in your parents’ eyes.

After ending the call, Xu Qingqiu was just about to call Chu Tian back when her older brother’s call came in.

No need to think about it; it was definitely Xu Ruyan, that big-mouthed youngest sister.

After finally dealing with her older brother, Xu Ruyan called again.

"Sis, can I get into the Spring Festival Gala venue?"

"Aren’t you coming home for the New Year?"

"Aren’t you not going back either? Mom and Dad just said you’re returning on the first day, so I’ll go back with you then."

That youngest sister of hers was certainly well-informed. It was a mystery how she managed such seamless transitions. She had just finished talking to their parents, and Ruyan knew about it right away. Had she been waiting by the phone the whole time?

Not dwelling on her sister’s uncanny knack, Xu Qingqiu started to think things through.

Generally, the Spring Festival Gala audience consists of several groups: first, some willing officials and their families, families of staff members, and some celebrities. The rest are typically exemplary workers, advanced individuals, and other such distinguished guests.

Additionally, there are employees from local state-owned enterprises and their families.

These audience tickets aren’t sold; they’re complimentary. Some are distributed by government agencies or organizations, while others are given to those who apply in advance and are selected through a screening process.

Of course, performers who wish to can also obtain some tickets.

In Xu Qingqiu’s case, the TV station had actually inquired. She had also set aside a few tickets, originally intending them for her staff, like Chu Tian and Sister Hua, thinking they couldn’t just stay backstage the whole time and it would be fine for them to go out and watch some of the show.

Now that Xu Ruyan wanted to come, getting one or two more tickets for her wouldn’t be a major problem.

"Yes, you can come watch, but let me know in advance, and I’ll send you the tickets."

"That’s great! I’ve never seen it live before! Sis, you’re awesome! MWAH!"

"Get lost!"

After hanging up the phone, the smile on Xu Qingqiu’s face never faded. Though she feigned annoyance, the warmth of her family’s atmosphere was incredibly comforting. Even though her little sister wasn’t always reliable, her lively personality made it hard to stay upset, no matter how much she stirred things up.

What she didn’t know was that Xu Ruyan, who had also just ended her call, wasn’t thinking as simply as Xu Qingqiu imagined. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Not coming back on New Year’s Eve... Mom and Dad must be quite bored at home, right? Besides, every year when Sis goes back, the neighbors all crowd around, which is pretty annoying.

The main thing is, Mom and Dad don’t seem to know about her boyfriend, do they? And speaking of that brother-in-law she somehow acquired, is he also going back with her this year, or...

Could it be that Sis is planning to give Mom and Dad a surprise? If that’s the case...

Maybe...

Xu Ruyan’s eyes twinkled as an idea struck her. She picked up the phone and called her parents again.

"Hello, Mom and Dad, why don’t you come to the Capital for New Year’s?"