159, A Novel World

Her brother, Jing Qingmu, had gone away for training and would not be able to return home until the evening at the earliest. Jing Qingxin calculated the time and realized they would still be able to wait for her brother to come back and meet him.

What Jing Qingxin had not told her family was that Gao Shen had traveled through time with her—a surprise she had planned for them. Well, it was supposed to be a surprise, right?

As she spoke, Jing Qingxin picked up a photo frame and introduced the people in the picture to Gao Shen one by one, laying a foundation of knowledge for him so that when her parents returned, he would not be caught completely unaware.

After the introductions, Jing Qingxin took Gao Shen on a tour of their villa. Seeing his curious gaze toward the various high-tech appliances in the house, she took on the role of a guide, demonstrating them for him. She showed him the air conditioning, the ultra-thin flat-screen computer, the triple-door refrigerator, and the 100-inch LCD television.

When she brought him to the home gym, the sight of the various pieces of fitness equipment dazzled Gao Shen. He couldn't help but touch and test each one, his expression filled with joy and excitement.

What caught his attention most was a military model display built by her father and brother. Gao Shen could not take his eyes off it for a long time; it was clear he was fascinated. As a soldier who loved the military, he always became passionate when encountering anything related to it, his focus naturally gravitating toward such things. He even sighed, remarking that if the troops had such equipment and technology for training and combat simulations, it would make their work much easier.

Jing Qingxin listened quietly, offering only a helpless, gentle smile, choosing not to voice her own opinions. The successes of this era were, after all, the fruits of gradual development accumulated over the years, and those who built them were the ones truly worthy of pride.

After the tour, it was clear that every novelty was a source of wonder and shock for Gao Shen. While some things existed in his own time, they were nowhere near as advanced or convenient. The development of this era was truly sophisticated and remarkable.

Gao Shen suppressed the surging emotions in his heart, deciding to treat this as a unique and novel journey—one that had greatly broadened his knowledge and perspective.

Once the tour was mostly finished, Jing Qingxin brewed a pot of flower tea. Carrying a tray, Gao Shen followed her out of the living room into the villa’s small garden. As soon as he stepped outside, he was greeted by the faint, refreshing scent of flowers. Looking around, he saw a garden full of vibrant, colorful blossoms basking in the sunlight, covered in a soft golden glow. It was so diverse and beautiful that it felt as if he had stepped into a fairyland.

Jing Qingxin led him to a wooden gazebo in the garden. The sun was warm, making it a perfect time for tea and relaxation.

"This garden was created entirely by my mother's own hands. What do you think?" Jing Qingxin asked with a bright smile, a hint of pride for her mother in her voice.

"It is beautiful," Gao Shen replied sincerely. It was evident that this garden had been tended to with great care for years. There had been a back garden at the old Gao family estate, but it was nowhere near as exquisite as this one.

Receiving his praise, Jing Qingxin’s smile widened. She thought that if she ever had a small, independent courtyard of her own in the future, she would certainly cultivate a garden just like this.

The two sat in the gazebo, chatting as they drank tea. Most of the time, Jing Qingxin was telling Gao Shen about this era, with Gao Shen occasionally interjecting with a question.

In the midst of the sea of flowers sat a graceful and beautiful woman, wearing a warm, gentle smile as she gazed at a tall, handsome man. The man looked back at her with eyes full of tenderness, leaning in to listen intently to her words.

When her parents walked into the courtyard, this was the picturesque scene they beheld.

"Mom, Dad!" Jing Qingxin, who was facing the villa entrance, noticed them the moment they appeared.

Gao Shen, who had been sitting at a half-angle toward the door, did not see them immediately. However, the moment he heard her call out and saw her stand up, he rose to his feet, standing straight and tall to face them.

Jing Qingxin’s mother entered the gazebo, her eyes fixed on the young man beside her daughter. She had a vague guess, but still asked politely, "Yuanyuan, who is this?"

Her father stood beside her, his sharp eyes locked onto Gao Shen, scanning him from head to toe. *Not bad,* he thought. The soldier’s aura was strong, and his build was excellent.

Jing Qingxin tucked her arm into Gao Shen’s and introduced him with a playful, charming air: "Mom, Dad, this is the son-in-law I’ve found for you—Gao Shen!"

Gao Shen puffed out his chest slightly and gave them a crisp military salute. With a serious expression, he said, "Father-in-law, Mother-in-law, hello! I am Gao Shen. I apologize for coming to visit only now!"

Upon hearing his address, the expressions of both parents stiffened for a moment. It seemed that the reality of their daughter already being claimed by another man was still a bit difficult to accept.