Chapter 108: Godfather and Godmother (Eighth Update)

"Then I must thank you both for your support!" Gao Shen said obediently, taking the opportunity to express his gratitude.

"Haha, good! Tell us, how should we proceed?" Zhang Liangping replied with comfort in his voice. The couple had always shared a deep affection, but not having children had been a lingering regret for them. At this moment, regarding the adoption, he truly felt satisfied and joyful.

"First, we need to go to the household registration office and have Qingxin registered under your name. I'll make arrangements and handle the connections; you two only need to provide your household registration book, and then come forward to issue a proof," Gao Shen emphasized.

He paused, then reminded them, "There is one thing you must pay close attention to, and be careful not to let it slip in the future. Qingxin has no records in the country. If anyone asks, simply say you adopted her long ago, but due to family difficulties, you left her in the care of relatives."

Both Zhang Liangping and his wife nodded quickly, indicating their understanding. Since they had decided to take her in as their daughter, they naturally needed to be considerate of her circumstances.

Gao Shen thought for a moment, then added, "Qingxin has some knowledge of pharmacology and medicine. Godmother, you are also a doctor. If anyone traces Qingxin's origins, we'll rely on you, saying these skills were handed down from your ancestors."

Upon hearing this, Jing Suyun's expression brightened with delight. "Really? Little Jing knows pharmacology and pharmacy? That's wonderful! Old Zhang, look, how perfectly suited Little Jing is to be our daughter. She even shares my surname."

Seeing his wife's happy expression, Zhang Liangping felt joyful as well. The couple had always lived quietly, taking each day as it came with little to look forward to. Now, with a new focus for their lives, there was finally hope for the future.

"Goddess, Qingxin has many talents. You'll come to know her well in time. She truly is exceptional!" Gao Shen couldn't help but praise her proudly.

In his eyes, his Qingxin was the best in the world. No one could ever compare to the place she held in his heart.

Because she was truly unique.

His Qingxin deserved the best the world had to offer, so he would work twice as hard to improve himself, to become stronger, and to build a wonderful future for her.

"Having a wife really does make a difference!" Jing Suyun teased.

Gao Shen accepted his godmother's teasing with a calm smile. There was nothing wrong with praising his wife; after all, a wife was meant to be cherished and protected. If a man couldn't take care of his own woman and let her suffer, then he wasn't much of a man.

"Godfather, godmother, I'll go help Qingxin in the kitchen. You two relax and chat for a while," Gao Shen said, rising to his feet.

"I'll go," Jing Suyun hurried to say. Why let a man into the kitchen?

"No need, godmother, you sit and rest. Qingxin's culinary skills are excellent—you’ll see for yourselves soon," Gao Shen waved her off, growing more and more appreciative of his beloved. It seemed heaven had favored him, allowing him to find such a rare treasure.

**

When Gao Shen entered the kitchen, Qingxin had already prepared all the ingredients. Once the fire was lit, it would just be a matter of steaming the rice and stir-frying a few dishes.

Gao Shen gazed at her busy figure, his voice filled with affection. "Qingxin, thank you for your hard work."

Qingxin glanced at him. "Are you trying to be formal with me? Get the fire going! I’m really not good at this part."

Gao Shen smiled softly, saying no more. Everything was understood between them; as long as their hearts were in harmony, words were unnecessary.

A man and a woman working together made the task much easier. Before long, lunch was ready.

Qingxin, using the ingredients they brought and those already in the Zhang household, prepared four dishes.

She used a wild chicken as today’s main ingredient—half was cooked with mushrooms, half was simmered into a chicken and mushroom soup. Since the chicken was quite large, she shredded some of the meat for a cold chicken salad. The other dishes were stir-fried black fungus and vinegar-sautéed cabbage.

The chicken and mushroom soup was left to simmer on low heat for dinner. In the soup, Qingxin added ginseng root for flavor, wolfberries for color, and red dates for nourishment.

Four dishes and a soup, well-balanced between meat and vegetables. Of course, the soup wasn’t chicken soup yet—it was the rice water scooped out when steaming the rice, which was also nutritious and smooth.

The food was set on the table, looking appetizing and filling the air with delicious aromas.

The Zhang couple were pleasantly surprised. Earlier, they hadn’t paid much attention to Gao Shen’s praise, but after this meal, they had to agree—her cooking was truly excellent. They were lucky indeed! This daughter was a wonderful choice, exceeding all their expectations.

After lunch, when Qingxin and Gao Shen finished tidying up the kitchen and returned to the main hall, Jing Suyun called them over.

"Miss Jing, we’ve heard everything from Shen. We’ve always wanted a child, and we both feel a connection with you and like you very much. If you don’t mind the two of us, we’d like to formally adopt you as our goddaughter. What do you think?" Jing Suyun said gently, holding Qingxin’s hand.

Even though Gao Shen had explained everything, some words needed to be spoken face-to-face, seeking her opinion and consent—this was the most basic respect and etiquette. They were sincere in their affection for her and didn’t want to handle it casually.

Qingxin, after spending the morning with them, had grown fond of the two elders. From Gao Shen’s earlier descriptions, she already had a good impression—one was scholarly, the other gentle, and both were approachable and easy to get along with.

Now, seeing them carefully ask her opinion, it was clear they genuinely valued her, not merely because of Gao Shen.

With a warm smile, Qingxin walked over to the wooden cabinet where their gifts were placed. She opened the oil-paper wrapping around the floral tea and brewed two cups.

Seeing her actions, the three in the hall immediately understood. Their expressions softened, and Gao Shen quickly brought in a bamboo mat from the courtyard, placing it between Zhang Liangping and his wife.

Then Qingxin, holding an enamel cup in both hands, knelt on the mat and called out with a sweet smile, "Godfather, please have some tea!"

"Ah, wonderful, wonderful!" Zhang Liangping replied, his face full of smiles, deepening the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes as he happily accepted the cup and took a sip.

Gao Shen then handed another enamel cup, brewed with tea, to Qingxin.

"Godmother, please have some tea!" Qingxin offered, holding the cup with both hands and calling out sweetly.

This address brought tears to Jing Suyun’s eyes, though her lips curved in a delighted smile. With a gentle voice, she replied, "Ah, my good daughter!"

She took the cup, drank a sip, and then set it down. Reaching into her bag, she pulled out a jade bracelet, took Qingxin’s left hand, slipped the bracelet onto her wrist, and said with a smile, "This is my gift to you. Our family had many good things, but few remain. What I can give you now is this jade bracelet, passed down through generations in the Jing family. I hope you won’t mind."

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