Jealousy and rivalry
“The office is so big why didn’t you wake me up!” Qin Mingzhu complained angrily as she put on her coat. “How am I supposed to explain this to Grandma later?”
Gu Jingchen followed behind her leisurely.
Once they got in the car, Qin Mingzhu had no appetite left. Worried, she asked, “Will Grandma be angry?”
Gu Jingchen calmly flipped through a financial newspaper. “She will.”
Qin Mingzhu choked with frustration.
“Eat breakfast first.”
“No mood.” Qin Mingzhu pushed the buns away stubbornly.
Gu Jingchen looked at her steadily, a storm seemingly hidden beneath his calm gaze.
Qin Mingzhu instantly behaved and started nibbling on the buns.
The journey took nearly an hour. By the time they stepped into the estate, it was already eleven.
The Gu residence was enormous the garden alone spanned dozens of acres. Qin Mingzhu rehearsed what to say the whole way, just hoping the old lady wouldn’t make things too difficult for her.
“This way.” Gu Jingchen led her onto the stone path on the left. “Grandma is watering flowers in the west garden.”
After nearly ten minutes of walking, Qin Mingzhu finally saw someone among the flowers.
Summoning her courage, she called out. The old lady didn’t turn around, only snorted heavily. “I thought yesterday’s wedding was just a dream of mine.”
Old Madam Gu hated tardiness the most.
Qin Mingzhu’s scalp tingled as she carefully said, “Sorry, Grandma ”
“Did I allow you to call me that?” Old Madam Gu turned around, displeased, her wrinkled face tightening. “Is this the upbringing of your Qin family?”
Although she had mentally prepared for the old lady’s anger, facing it directly still left Qin Mingzhu at a loss.
She lowered her head in dejection. At times like this, any explanation felt weak.
“I had a board meeting at the company this morning,” Gu Jingchen suddenly said.
“You’re that busy?” Old Madam Gu frowned.
“Allen just launched. I don’t have time for leave,” Gu Jingchen replied calmly.
Old Madam Gu stared at Qin Mingzhu for a moment before turning toward the main hall. “Come in.”
Qin Mingzhu let out a sigh of relief, then couldn’t help but glare at Gu Jingchen.
He could have explained earlier why wait until she got scolded?
Probably because she teased his childhood sweetheart this morning this was his way of getting back at her.
Qin Mingzhu pinched his palm hard.
The main hall was decorated in a classical style, with spotless rosewood floors and many famous paintings hanging on the walls.
Qin Mingzhu only glanced briefly before lowering her gaze. She knelt respectfully to serve tea to Old Madam Gu.
Only after the old lady finished the entire bowl did Qin Mingzhu feel slightly relieved.
“Mingzhu, I know you are beautiful,” Old Madam Gu said meaningfully as she slipped a jade-green bracelet onto Qin Mingzhu’s wrist, “but relying on looks to please others is never a long-term solution.”
Qin Mingzhu felt a bit uncomfortable inside. “Thank you for your guidance, Grandma.”
“It’s good if you can take it in.” Old Madam Gu snorted lightly. “Don’t do such disgraceful things like clinging to him at the company again.”
Qin Mingzhu stiffened.
So she wasn’t overthinking it the old lady really was implying something about her.
Wait how did Old Madam Gu even know she went to the company?
Feeling the old lady’s disdainful gaze, Qin Mingzhu finally realized that this hostility had nothing to do with being late for the tea ceremony.
After the tea ritual, Old Madam Gu acted as if Qin Mingzhu didn’t exist, turning to discuss company matters with Gu Jingchen.
“People outside are saying you’ve replaced most of the staff at Gu Long Group,” Old Madam Gu said disapprovingly. “Your father is still in intensive care what do you mean by such a major overhaul? Are you trying to get rid of him?”
“You’re overthinking it. I’m just more used to working with my own people,” Gu Jingchen replied coldly. “If there’s nothing else, we’ll leave first.”
“You just arrived and already want to leave do you think this is a hotel?” Old Madam Gu tapped her cane in annoyance. “How long has it been since you last saw your sister?”
Gu Jingchen had a thirteen-year-old sister named Gu Man.
It was said that his mother, Zhuo Jin, had committed suicide back then, and this younger sister was somehow involved because Zhuo Jin had suffered from postpartum depression.
Qin Mingzhu sneaked a glance at him. Aside from his usual indifference, she couldn’t read any other emotion.
“I’m busy,” Gu Jingchen said flatly.
Suddenly, a young girl rushed in from the doorway, her eyes red and tear-streaked.
“Brother, you’ve forgotten about me now that you’ve got a wife!”
Qin Mingzhu raised her brows as she examined Gu Man. The girl had the same striking features as Gu Jingchen given time, she would definitely grow into a great beauty.
Sensing her gaze, Gu Man glared back fiercely, then ran over in her little leather shoes.
“I don’t care, brother you have to stay and spend time with me today!”
Gu Jingchen’s brows slowly furrowed.
He raised a finger and pressed it against her forehead, saying thoughtfully, “I remember you had a school exam. How did it go?”
Gu Man seemed prepared, lifting her chin proudly. “I got first place. So will you stay now?”
“Jingchen, today is the first day after the tea ceremony. Don’t be so improper,” Old Madam Gu said.
Since it had come to this, Qin Mingzhu quickly tugged at Gu Jingchen’s finger and whispered, “Why don’t we stay for a meal?”
“You sure you can handle it?” Gu Jingchen raised a brow.
What does that have to do with her?
Qin Mingzhu said, puzzled, “It’s just a meal.”
“Fine.” Gu Jingchen nodded.
Very soon, Qin Mingzhu understood what he meant.
The Gu family was vast. Old Madam Gu had four sons and three daughters, all living in the estate.
Just recognizing everyone already made Qin Mingzhu’s head spin, not to mention navigating among these sharp-minded people.
Old Madam Gu had raised her children well each of them dominated their own field. If an industry could make money, the Gu family had a hand in it.
No wonder the estate was so huge each descendant had their own courtyard. To fully explore it would take several days.
“Mingzhu. That’s a good name.”
Qin Mingzhu looked over and obediently said, “Hello, Seventh Uncle.”
The Seventh Uncle, Gu Yutao, was Old Madam Gu’s youngest child. He was 32 this year and had been in poor health for a long time recently, he could only move in a wheelchair.
“Don’t be nervous. Treat this as your own home,” Gu Yutao said, covering his mouth as he coughed, unable to hide his fatigue.
“Please take care of your health, Seventh Uncle,” Gu Jingchen said seriously.
The two men began discussing the Gu family’s recent business, leaving Qin Mingzhu free to listen. Other relatives couldn’t find an opening to join the conversation.
Qin Mingzhu clasped her hands in gratitude in her heart finally, she didn’t have to answer those probing questions.
“Brother! Grandma!”
A young girl’s breathless voice came from the doorway. Everyone turned to look and saw Gu Man, her hair slightly messy but her face glowing with excitement.
“What’s got you so happy?” Old Madam Gu asked curiously.
Everyone waited for her answer but instead, her gaze skipped over everyone else and locked directly onto Qin Mingzhu.