"Qingcheng, you're finally back."
Hu Lanfang immediately embraced her daughter.
She hadn't seen her for months, and after experiencing the terrible wind disaster, she had been extremely worried.
Fortunately, Gu Qingcheng usually wrote only about the easy things and didn't mention the several near-death experiences, not even being trapped in the cave for so long.
In this era of poor communication, Hu Lanfang had no way of knowing.
"Dad, Mom, aren't I back safe and sound?"
Gu Qingcheng said with a smile.
Hu Lanfang held her daughter tightly, while Gu Chaobei could only watch with relief.
With the intuition of an old father, he noticed that Gu Qingcheng had grown considerably. Her face, which still held a touch of childishness, now exuded a sense of maturity and grace.
Seeing Hu Lanfang and Gu Qingcheng hugging, Du Lancheng couldn't help but twitch his lips, finding Gu Qingcheng a bit too effeminate.
Such a big young man, acting so affectionately with his mother? What kind of behavior was that?
However, Du Lancheng also felt a hidden sense of happiness. He had initially thought Gu Qingcheng was perfect, and he had been completely defeated by her. But now, he seemed to have discovered some flaws in Gu Qingcheng.
At the same time, Du Lanyue found it perfectly normal. Even though she and her sister were unmarried, if they hadn't seen their mother for a long time, they would definitely want a hug when they did.
Hu Lanfang was content, her longing for her daughter satisfied. Then she smiled and asked:
"You must be Qingcheng's good friends, right? Welcome to Phoenix Village."
Du Lancheng, as the eldest among them, naturally stepped forward to respond. He quickly bowed and said:
"Uncle, Aunt, thank you for having us!"
Hu Lanfang saw that Du Lancheng was handsome and tall, over 180 centimeters, and so young. Her eyes flickered.
Qingcheng's age, while still young by modern standards, was considered of prime marrying age here.
Hu Lanfang certainly didn't want her daughter to get married yet, nor could she allow it. She hadn't fully developed in all aspects. Marrying and having children now would harm her.
But it didn't hurt to start looking for potential sons-in-law now.
Qingcheng hadn't dated before and didn't know the complexities of relationships. As long as the young man was decent, came from a similar family background, and had good character, Hu Lanfang wouldn't mind Gu Qingcheng trying it out.
Hu Lanfang was a very open-minded parent. She believed that children couldn't succeed with just one partner and immediately enter the halls of marriage. They should be allowed to make mistakes.
Gu Qingcheng saw her mother's gaze fixed on Du Lancheng and knew her mother had misunderstood. She quickly said:
"Mom, don't be fooled by Brother Du's youthful appearance. He's already a father of two. These two are his sisters, Du Lanyue and Du Lanxing."
Hearing that Du Lancheng was married with two children, Hu Lanfang was greatly disappointed.
However, she quickly rallied and praised Lanyue and Lanxing for their beauty.
Du Lanyue felt a little nervous.
Fortunately, Hu Lanfang praised them profusely for their exquisite beauty. She found Hu Lanfang to be kind and approachable, and her nervousness gradually subsided.
Gu Chaobei, aware of the many courtesies involved with female guests present, simply came to greet them and then retreated.
Gu Qingcheng introduced her father as a doctor and explained that the medicine sold at the Tea House Island Phoenix Pharmacy was prepared by her father and his partner, Ge Hong.
Du Lancheng was very interested and expressed a desire to visit their pharmaceutical factory.
Gu Chaobei then took Du Lancheng to tour the factory.
After a short rest, Hu Lanfang arranged for the siblings to stay in the side rooms of their own courtyard, while the servants were accommodated in the front. Their courtyard had been expanded and was now spacious enough to comfortably host these guests.
This was the first time Gu Qingcheng had brought guests and friends from the outside world home since coming to this world, so Hu Lanfang placed great importance on it.
She announced that everyone would have a gathering that evening and invited them to a family dinner.
In their home, there was no issue of needing to prepare special food. However, the selection of dishes required careful consideration to show respect. Therefore, Hu Lanfang had postponed the family dinner until the evening to allow ample time.
At noon, Gu Qingcheng took the guests to the communal dining hall for lunch.
The food at the communal dining hall was not bad, as Young Master Gu had instructed it to be prepared with care by Mei Xiang.
Seeing Gu Qingcheng, Mei Xiang also expressed her longing, making Du Lanyue feel that Gu Qingcheng seemed to be universally beloved.
Gu Qingcheng was clearly a popular figure here, indispensable to everyone.
For lunch, Mei Xiang roasted cumin lamb legs, made noodle soup, and prepared a fruit platter, which was both delicious and filling.
"Are you doing this specially for guests?"
One of Du Lancheng's subordinates casually asked Mei Xiang.
"No, our dining hall prepares meals like this every day. When there were fewer people, the whole village ate together. Now that there are more people, everyone lives separately. Our communal dining hall mainly prepares meals for festivals, and on normal days, it's for the elderly, the weak, the disabled, and the widowed villagers."
Mei Xiang's tone was calm, but a sense of pride could be heard.
"Ah? Meat and white flour? Can ordinary villagers afford this?"
The guests were greatly surprised.
"Of course, why wouldn't they be able to afford it? They don't have to pay; it's free."
Mei Xiang was accustomed to the shocked expressions and tones of outsiders hearing about these preferential conditions for the first time.
At these moments, she felt particularly proud.
As villagers of Phoenix Village, their lives were superior to those of ordinary people.
"No payment? Doesn't your village lose money?" The guests found it difficult to comprehend.
In everyone's impression, village chiefs were usually wealthy, and their wealth was often extracted from the villagers.
And here was someone who was providing free services, even losing money?
"Heh, I guess your free meals are just temporary, right?" The guest persisted.
"Our Young Master Gu said it's always free. And our communal system has its own operational methods; we won't lose money."
Mei Xiang didn't fully understand herself. She had heard from Qin Yue that the communal fund had no shortage of grain, oil, and rice, so her dining hall could go all out.
That's what she said, but having experienced hunger and hardship, how could she waste food? She always exercised moderation.
Of course, Qin Yue didn't mean for her to waste food. She said that merely to indicate that their resources were abundant enough, so Mei Xiang didn't need to worry.
The guests could only look on with envy.
Du Lanyue, listening from the side, began to understand why Gu Qingcheng was so beloved by the villagers of Phoenix Village, and why everyone treated her with genuine respect wherever she went.
If someone had once starved to the brink of death, and someone else provided food without asking for anything in return, how could the villagers not love and respect that person?
Du Lanyue suddenly thought that in the current chaotic times, a hero was truly needed to save the common people.
Huo Zeng had wanted to be that hero, but Du Lanyue felt he was not worthy!
She inexplicably felt that Gu Qingcheng was the most suitable person for the role.