The Magician of Clow

Chapter 1513 Welcome Meeting at the Cabin
Today, the capital city is sunny and bright, with the sun shining brightly over the vast city.

During winter break, the Kyoto University campus was tranquil and bright. Under the blue sky, there were no classrooms, the lake shimmered, and the lakeside cottages were bathed in golden sunlight.

Normally, this would have been a scene of everyone chatting and joking around, relaxed and leisurely.

But the atmosphere inside the cabin was somewhat serious at that moment.

Fang Ran, Meng Lang, and Tang Bing were all sitting solemnly at the small table, their backs straight.

Fang Ran, who was in the lead, crossed his arms in front of his face, adopting a very solemn and tough commander's posture. His formal demeanor suggested he was facing an emergency, and an atmosphere of heightened readiness permeated the air.

If the lighting conditions were different, from bright sunshine to an overdue electricity bill, it would look like a villainous organization plotting something that the protagonist is sure to overturn.

Inside the small house, it looked as if a meeting was in progress.

After breakfast, when Gou Yu suddenly announced that his mother was coming to the capital, everyone at the small table was startled, each with a different expression.
No one expected that this would be the reason he had something to do today. The news came so suddenly that everyone was caught off guard and unprepared.
But considering how kind Gou Yu had always been to everyone, they felt they should give him the warmest welcome no matter what.
Therefore, Fang Ran immediately convened an emergency meeting at the cabin.

"Gentlemen, I believe you are all aware of the current situation. Xiao Huo's mother's plane will arrive in Beijing this afternoon,"

At this moment, Fang Ran, seated at the head of the small table, spoke in a deep voice with a solemn expression and his hands clasped together. His gaze was stern, and as the initiator of the meeting, he first glanced around at everyone.
Then he suddenly raised his voice and announced in a serious and forceful tone:

"Therefore, I now formally declare the cabin welcome meeting officially open!"

"And the theme of our meeting today is—"

"We need to plan a perfect welcome ceremony before the plane lands, and how to present myself as an excellent, smart, and reliable friend, so that Xiao Huo's mother can entrust Xiao Huo to us with peace of mind, while also spoiling me just like Xiao Huo!"

"Objection! Strongly questioning the theme of the second half of the meeting!"

Upon hearing him state the meeting's topic, a voice immediately rang out from the small table. Tang Bing raised her hand and loudly protested against this topic, which, under the guise of legitimate reasons, was rife with strong personal desires.

"The questioning was ignored; the meeting continues."

But Fang Ran, without batting an eye, still crossed her arms and rejected it. And this small meeting, whose topic had already veered off course from the very beginning...

Fang Xiaoran stood to the side as usual, while Gou Yu wore a helpless expression, having tried to stop him but failed.

Incidentally, after quickly ascertaining the specific pick-up time, Mingling hurriedly took Xia Yao home, and they went off to do something else.
"A welcome ceremony at the airport, huh?"

At that moment, listening to the meeting's theme, Meng Lang smirked and hummed softly, as if he had just stumbled upon something he was good at.
A glint of light flashed in his eyes, and he spoke with unwavering confidence:
"First and foremost, it has to be a banner! We'll get a big red banner, and when Xiao or Mom arrives, we'll just pull it up and it'll say—"

"Warmest congratulations to Xiao Huo's mother on her recovery and return to Beijing today! Mother and child are reunited to welcome the Spring Festival!"

Should we reconsider this content?
Hearing the slogan, which sounded like a welcome message from both a neighborhood office and a company, Gou Yu hesitated, his expression slightly complicated.

But Fang Ran hesitated for less than a second before considering Meng Lang's suggestion:
"Hmm, that makes sense, approved!"

"No, senior, what grudge do you have against that person's mother that you would publicly humiliate her as soon as you returned to the country?"

At this point, Tang Bing couldn't help but roll her eyes and complain about their decision to put up a banner. Then, with an air of self-assurance, she spoke up:
"When it comes to welcoming, flowers are definitely the first thing to do! No woman dislikes flowers! Let's prepare a huge bouquet and just shove it into Xiao or her mother's arms when they arrive,"

"It immediately gave her the illusion that she was standing at a celebrity awards ceremony, about to pretend to be very surprised and give an acceptance speech!"

Before Gou Yu could even voice his strange impressions of her, Fang Xiaoran, sitting next to Mingling, nodded quietly:

"I also think sending flowers is a nice gesture."

Hearing Fang Xiaoran's agreement, and knowing that she already possessed the [Flower Card], no rare flower was out of the question.
Fang Ran's hands seemed glued to her face, and she pretended to hesitate for half a second:
"That makes sense, approved!"

Then, as if suddenly awakened by Tang Bing's words, upon hearing the words "awards ceremony," Fang Ran suddenly felt his mind open up.

His eyes lit up, and he spoke as if he had suddenly realized something:
"So, according to the awards ceremony format, shouldn't there also be a red carpet?"

Ok?
Upon hearing this, everyone around the small table looked at him. As he spoke, the image in his mind became clearer, and finally, the hands stuck to his face were removed.
Fang Ran slammed his hand on the table excitedly and stood up, revealing his perfect plan:

“That’s right! It’s a red carpet! We’ll do it like an awards ceremony—first, lay out an extra long and wide red carpet, and then place a flower basket every meter on both sides of the carpet,”

"Then play some grand music that makes everyone know they should applaud, and prepare some handheld ceremonial cannons,"

"We could also get two mascot costumes to serve as a backdrop for the mascot."

But before he could finish his impassioned speech, Gou Yu quickly reached out and forcefully pressed him back into his seat.

I feel like if he keeps talking, things like autographs, videography, and extras will all start to appear. This is just a fleeting thought.
Gou Yu could picture a red carpet with flower baskets resembling an awards ceremony at the airport exit, with several people holding bouquets and confetti cannons to grand music, and two mascot costumes holding up a tacky banner that enthusiastically welcomed XXXX—an absurd scene that resembled both a celebrity airport welcome and a wedding reception.
As a son, he felt he should stop this no matter what, so he pressed down and took a slight breath.

At this moment, Gou Yu spoke with genuine sincerity and effort:
"Captain, thank you all so much for your kind gesture, but there's really no need to go to such lengths."

But upon hearing this, Fang Ran merely crossed her arms and chuckled lightly, then wore a proud expression that said, "There's no need for formalities between us."

"No need for further words, Xiao Huo. Since Auntie is coming, and as your friend and living partner, we should show her the highest level of hospitality and welcome from our little house!"

It was rare to see Fang Ran standing to one side, and Meng Lang proudly crossed his arms.

"That's right! My brother is absolutely right!"

Gou Yu, although I'm very touched, this really isn't just politeness.jpg
"I know what everyone thinks, but my mom really doesn't like this kind of lively atmosphere, so let's skip the captain's welcome ceremony." Making a final effort, Gou Yu paused slightly before offering a new reason. Upon hearing this,
Fang Ran immediately became serious again and crossed his hands:
"You mean Auntie prefers more soothing music?"

Gou Yu: "."

Captain, are you listening to me?
"Hey, by the way, what kind of person is Xiao Huo's mother?"

Just then, listening to Gou Yu mention his mother's habits, Tang Bing took out the potato chips that Meng Lang had hidden from Fang Ran and handed them to Fang Xiaoran. Looking at the three of them, Tang Bing suddenly asked curiously,

However, to her surprise, Fang Ran and Meng Lang were also taken aback by this question.

In the small house, people rarely talked about their homes, and each had only a vague understanding of the others' homes, especially Gou Yu, who almost never discussed it.

That's why they were so surprised at first when they learned that Gou Yu's mother was coming to the capital and that they were about to meet that mysterious mother.

Upon hearing Tang Bing's question, Fang Ran, Meng Lang, and she exchanged glances.
Then the next second,
The first prediction contest for "What will your little house or mom look like?" suddenly starts!
"I bet she's a gentle, quiet, beautiful, and strong woman! After all, she's Xiao Huo's mother, so genetically she must look a lot like Xiao Huo!"

Contestant number one, Fang Ran, first made a deep, voiced conclusion with his hands clasped, then slammed his hand on the table and stood up again, his face more filled with excitement than certainty, saying, "That's how it should be!"

"She must also be the kind of gentle, caring, and capable perfect mother who can balance work and family very well,"

"While managing the company impeccably, she also possesses excellent culinary skills and cooks after get off work."

"She speaks softly and always has a smile on her face, and most importantly, she'll spoil me just like Xiao Huo did!!"

Putting aside right and wrong, Captain, isn't your genetic causal relationship a bit strange?
Hearing them suddenly change the subject and start guessing, Gou Yu listened speechlessly to his reasoning, while Meng Lang and Tang Bing immediately began to imagine what they were thinking.

After the image immediately flashed into my mind, I had to admit that his guess made some sense.

But at this moment,
"Hmph, brother, while your perspective on similarities is indeed valid, you've overlooked the fact that being small, gentle, capable, and a good cook could be the exact opposite of what you'd expect,"

Contestant number two, Meng Lang, let out a meaningful snort, crossed his arms, and exuded an air of knowing confidence that 'you're all still too young.'
Then, with a resounding shout and unwavering conviction, he stated his deduction:
"That's because Xiao Huo's mother is a strict, strong woman who's like an ice queen! Xiao Huo became like that because she took care of her mother since she was little!"

"She's probably the kind of cool, taciturn, highly capable, and authoritative female CEO who's not good at expressing emotions or managing her family. She cares deeply for her son but doesn't know how to express it, and she's so busy with work that she neglects herself."

"Only after finishing work and coming home, when faced with a meal that Xiao or I have carefully prepared for me, will I eat it and then casually say something."

At that moment, Meng Lang seemed to have already seen that scene with his eyes closed.

"Well done."

Actually, I wasn't very good at talking before. Why are all the women I talk about strong women?

Gou Yu wore a subtle expression that suggested he wanted to say something in response to Meng Lang's fabricated and seemingly serious speculation.

Upon hearing this guess, Fang Ran and Tang Bing both thought about it seriously for a moment before looking at him with admiring eyes that said, "You have good taste" and "I understand you."

"My turn! My turn!"

Contestant number three, Tang Bing, eagerly raised her hand high. Her eyes shone brightly with confidence, and she puffed out her chest, speaking crisply in a tone that said, "Seniors and brothers, you're all wrong."
"I think she should be a strong, queen-like woman! Xiao Huo's noble air perfectly matches this character!"

"She's the kind of career woman who's decisive and authoritative in public, commanding respect in meetings the moment she sits in the head seat, but in private, she's actually a doting father who's very satisfied with her outstanding son."

"She usually dresses in a cold and elegant manner, giving orders casually, but she spoils her son, saying things like, 'Do you have enough money? Mom will give you some more, go buy something you like.'"

"And he'll arrogantly pull out his bank card at wicked women who try to get close to his precious son,"

At this point, Tang Bing, with an arrogant and aloof expression, imitated certain classic scenes:

"Here's five million. Get out of my son's sights right now!!"

So everyone's asking why they're all strong, independent women!?
Listening to Tang Bing's version at this point, Gou Yu was already somewhat speechless. He felt that they seemed to have formed some strange preconceived notions.

Meanwhile, Fang Ran and Meng Lang were speechless for a second at Tang Bing's question, "How much of this stuff have you watched?" Then they glanced at Gou Yu, and the image of a queen-like mother gradually became clear in their minds.
Suddenly, they all had expressions that said, "You know what, you really shouldn't have said it," as if they had discovered something.

Then, after the three of them had finished guessing, contestant number four...
Oh, contestant number four didn't participate. Fang Xiaoran had been quietly listening to their wild guesses since earlier.

"So, who's right, Xiao or us?!" ×3
After they had all shared their guesses, Fang Ran, Meng Lang, and Tang Bing all looked at Gou Yu at that moment, as if waiting for the judges to make their decision and reveal the answer.

Knowing the truth, and understanding what kind of person one's own mother truly is, makes hearing these novel speculations from them always feel incredibly strange.
Seeing the expectant looks on the three men's faces, Gou Yu seemed to think seriously for a moment, then subconsciously glanced at Fang Ran, and for a moment, unsure how to describe it, he began to speak:
"My mother is a little different. I actually find it hard to describe what kind of person she is. If I had to sum her up in one way, I'd say she's someone who dares to love and hate and is very free-spirited."

"In short, you'll see when you see it."

Hearing him say that, the people at the small table became even more curious.
But then she thought about meeting him in person that afternoon, and realized Gou Yu was right—the mystery would be revealed soon anyway, so there was no need to rush.
Of course, all three of them now firmly believe that they are right.
"That's true, oh, I've gone off-topic."

It was only then that I realized we had unknowingly gone off-topic. As the initiator of the meeting, I quickly steered the conversation back to the original topic of welcoming preparations.

Fang Ran's expression instantly returned to serious and profound. He crossed his hands and pressed them back to his face, his gaze sharpening as he said in a deep voice:
"Now let's continue with our previous topic—how to present myself as an excellent, smart, and reliable friend, leaving a perfect first impression on my child or mother."

Gou Yu: "."

Wait, was this the topic we were just discussing?
It's been a long time since I wrote until 1 a.m., but I've finally finished. I feel like I have so much to say, like the confusion of the whole year, the pressure of life, the writer's block, and the sharp decline in finances. But since it's the Lunar New Year, I won't talk about these worries. Here, I wish everyone a Happy Chinese New Year and all the best. Happy New Year!