Bai Yuyan stared at Su Nian’an, then let out a soft sigh before speaking. “Are you the daughter of the Su family?”
“I am… but before I came, I already wrote a document severing ties with the Su family. It was… Su Aiguo who made me write it.” Su Nian’an looked as though she were on the verge of tears—so pitiful that anyone seeing her would feel deeply for her.
Anyone but Gu Qingyu, who had already seen her true colors.
By now, night had fallen. Yet even in the moonlight, Gu Qingyu could tell that beneath Su Nian’an’s seemingly sorrowful eyes lay a glint of shrewdness, hidden just out of sight.
This was the same girl who had remained perfectly calm when a stranger raised a hand to strike her. Gu Qingyu was certain: even if he hadn’t stepped in to block that slap, Su Nian’an would have found a way to dodge it. She was not one to let herself suffer a loss.
“I… I had nowhere else to go. I changed buses so many times today just to find this place.” Su Nian’an looked at Bai Yuyan—kind-hearted and gentle—and tried her best to squeeze out a few tears.
Bai Yuyan frowned deeply. She had never imagined that the Su family would go to such lengths just to cut all ties with the Gu family.
“Nian’an, come inside with me first. It’s cold out here.” Bai Yuyan’s heart was overflowing with sympathy for the girl. She gently wrapped an arm around Su Nian’an’s shoulders and led her toward the house.
As she turned, she caught sight of her son—standing there, useless as ever—and shot him a sharp, disapproving look.
Gu Qingyu pretended not to see it. Even if Su Nian’an’s sister Su Nianxi had shown up instead, he would never acknowledge this arranged marriage.
Once they were inside, an elderly voice suddenly spoke up. “Who… who is it? Yuyan?”
Bai Yuyan replied quickly, “Father, it’s the Su family’s daughter—the one betrothed to Qingyu. She has come to us.”
A fit of coughing followed, then the old voice spoke again. “Quick… bring her in. Let me see her.”
Bai Yuyan glanced at Su Nian’an and said gently, “It’s the Old Master. Come, I’ll take you to meet him.”
Su Nian’an nodded. She had known full well that Old Master Gu was here.
In truth, given his age and status as a founding hero of the nation, he need never have been sent to the countryside for re-education. But he had insisted on staying with his family, sharing their fate, and refused to leave their side no matter who tried to persuade him.
Yet advanced age had worn his body down terribly. According to the story she knew, Old Master Gu would pass away just three months after arriving here.
The largest room in this earthen cottage had been given over to him. When Su Nian’an stepped inside, she saw the emaciated old man lying on the heated kang bed. His eyes were clouded, yet one could still discern the noble bearing he had possessed in his youth.
At the sound of footsteps, Old Master Gu turned his head toward the door. The room was dim—electricity had not yet reached this village, and only kerosene lamps lit the night.
“What is your name?” Old Master Gu asked first.
“Grandfather, my name is Su Nian’an.”
“And have you come here for Qingyu?” The old man looked at her and broke into a smile—the first smile anyone had seen from him since their arrival.
At his age, to see his family fall from grace so suddenly… In little more than a month, the once-glorious founding hero had been reduced to this frail, withered old man.
Looking at that gentle, sorrowful smile, Su Nian’an thought suddenly of her own grandfather. He had raised her himself; their bond had been unbreakable. In her youth, helpless and poor, she had been unable to give him a good life. And by the time she had finally built one for herself… he was gone.
Standing before this kind old man, Su Nian’an found she could no longer bear to wear a mask.
“Yes, Grandfather. I have come for Gu Qingyu,” she replied with a soft smile.
Hearing her speak his full name sent a strange, tingling sensation through Gu Qingyu. It was the first time she had ever said it—her voice so soft and sweet, it sounded like music to his ears.
“Come closer, child. Let me get a good look at you.” Old Master Gu beckoned to her, his face still lit with warmth.
Su Nian’an stepped forward without hesitation, right to the edge of his bed.
“Good… very good. What a lovely girl. Though… perhaps a touch too thin. Did the Su family not feed you well? Far too thin…”
Hearing him murmur this so tenderly, Su Nian’an felt her throat tighten and her eyes grow hot. It reminded her of her school days—every weekend when she came home, her grandfather would say exactly the same thing: You look thinner again, child.
“Why, my dear girl, why are you crying?” Old Master Gu asked gently. “You have suffered so much, haven’t you? I have lived a long life and seen much. I know what hardship is. To be driven here by your family… you have been through so much.”
He must have overheard everything they had said outside.
“Grandfather…” Su Nian’an looked up, eyes glistening. “I was not forced to come to the countryside. I came of my own will.”
And it was true. Though her motives were hardly selfless—she had come because she knew the Gu family would rise again—she had indeed chosen to come here, and to marry Gu Qingyu, of her own free will.
“What a good child.” Old Master Gu looked at her with profound affection. “You have chosen to stand with us, and the Gu family will never forget your kindness.”
His family had fallen, and they had seen so many turn their backs. In Su Nian’an’s arrival, Old Master Gu saw nothing short of grace—and he was deeply grateful.
“Father, would you like to sit up and eat?” Bai Yuyan stepped forward. “Or shall I bring your meal here and feed you?”
Old Master Gu thought for a moment, then said, “I shall sit up. And… I imagine An’an must be hungry too. Is there enough food in the house?”
He had already taken to calling her An’an, as though she were his own granddaughter.
“Plenty,” Bai Yuyan replied. “Only Yaoguo and Yuanyuan have not yet returned.”
Gu Yaoguo was Gu Qingyu’s father; Gu Qingyuan his younger sister. He had an elder sister, Gu Qingning, who was already married and so had not come with them. As the only son of his generation, Gu Qingyu was the Gu family’s hope for the future.
“Why have they been out so late?” Old Master Gu frowned.
Scarcely had the words left his mouth when the outer door creaked open.
“That must be them. I shall go see,” Bai Yuyan said, stepping out of the room.
Su Nian’an turned instinctively toward the doorway—and found Gu Qingyu leaning against the frame, his gaze fixed intently upon her.
She felt as though he could see straight through every pretense she wore. But she did not shrink from him. Instead, she met his gaze and rolled her eyes openly.
Once I get my jade bracelet with its storage space, I’m gone, she thought defiantly. The less we feel for each other, the better. Once the Gu family is restored to honor, I walk free.