He Cuihua was just about to lose her temper when Fu Yufen immediately stepped forward, pulled her aside, and whispered in her ear, “Mom, this damn girl is in a fit of anger right now. Give her two hundred first once she cools down, we can slowly coax her back.
“Even if it’s to buy the marriage with Gu Yu, that boy is great at making money. He won’t short me anything this two hundred yuan isn’t a loss at all.
“Otherwise, if she really makes a scene at the school, it’ll be troublesome.”
Hearing this, He Cuihua felt it made sense. Reluctantly, she said to Fu Yunzhu, “There’s only two hundred left at home. If you want it, take it.”
Fu Weidong was startled and was about to speak, but He Cuihua snapped at him, “Enough. Shut up.”
Fu Weidong fell silent.
Two hundred? Fu Yunzhu was clearly dissatisfied, but judging from the original owner’s memories of this family, this was already He Cuihua’s limit.
Whatever she could get, she would take. She urgently needed this money to go to the capital to find the original owner’s biological mother.
She pretended to hesitate for a moment, then nodded reluctantly. “Alright.”
He Cuihua turned and went into the room, took out two hundred yuan, and handed it to Fu Yunzhu. Fu Yunzhu took the money and returned to her room.
Before long, there was a knock on the door. Fu Yunzhu knew it was Fu Yufen everyone else would have simply pushed the door open.
“Come in.”
The door opened, and Fu Yufen walked up to her, handing over the pastries she was holding. “Yunzhu, I specially brought these back from the county for you.”
Fu Yunzhu glanced at them but didn’t take them.
“Are you still angry?”
Fu Yunzhu wasn’t angry at all but she pretended to be. The more unwilling she seemed to let go, the more Fu Yufen wanted what she had.
Seeing that Fu Yunzhu didn’t speak, Fu Yufen gently coaxed her again. “You and Gu Yu aren’t a good match.”
“I know,” Fu Yunzhu said, putting on an act. “I just feel unwilling to accept it.”
“When I graduate from university and stay in the city, I’ll bring you out with me, okay?” Fu Yufen said soothingly.
Hearing this, Fu Yunzhu pretended to look touched yet guilty, and said in a reluctant tone, “Give these to Brother Gu Yu instead. He likes this kind of pastry.”
Fu Yufen thought about it. In the past, whenever Yunzhu had something good to eat, she always remembered to send some to Gu Yu she knew his preferences well. Fu Yufen had been worrying about how to find an excuse to get closer to him.
With that thought, she took the pastries back. “Then I’ll bring you some next time.”
“Okay.”
Fu Yufen let out a sigh of relief. She had been worried about Yunzhu’s recent changes, but seeing that she was as easy to fool as ever, she finally smiled. Sure enough, honest people couldn’t be pushed too hard they had to be coaxed a little to stay obedient.
Carrying the pastries, she headed out toward the Gu family’s home. Fu Yunzhu watched her eager, buoyant figure and slowly curved her lips.
It was Fu Yufen’s first visit to the Gu household, and the family received her warmly. Gu Yu’s maternal grandfather spoke up, “Gu Yu has already eaten and is resting in his room. I’ll go call him out.”
“No need, Grandpa Gu. I’ll go in and look for him myself.” Her manner was polite and composed, her voice clear and pleasant.
Fu Yufen walked to Gu Yu’s room and knocked. There was no response. Gu Yu’s grandfather stepped forward and pushed the door open. “Go on in.”
As soon as Fu Yufen entered, she saw Gu Yu sitting at the desk reading. His head was lowered, his half-dry hair falling across his forehead. Under the lamplight, his long lashes cast shadows over his deep-set eyes so striking that he looked completely out of place in the humble surroundings.
In the past, he had been a delinquent, and she’d never really looked at him carefully. Now, seeing him like this, she felt a belated sense of astonishment.
Last year, Gu Yu made money doing business and secretly donated five hundred yuan to the school. As a result, he was directly placed into her graduating class and allowed to study at home, only going to school for exams.
After that, he outperformed her in every exam. The teachers said that if he maintained steady results, he would definitely get into the best university in the capital.
She had asked him several times how he studied. After all, his middle school grades had been average, and he hadn’t even gotten into high school his change was simply too drastic.
Gu Yu was indifferent to her questions. When she pressed him, he said he had once studied under an elderly man who had been sent down to the countryside.
Fu Yufen remembered this vaguely. Unfortunately, that old gentleman had already returned to the city. She truly hadn’t expected Gu Yu, at such a young age, to be so deeply hidden in his talents she had nearly missed him.
Now he had money, ability, and looks. Not only could he help her academically, but once she entered university, she wouldn’t have to worry about living expenses or tuition either. Standing next to him would also give her a lot of face.
The two of them were a perfect match. With that thought, Fu Yufen stepped forward and called out sweetly, “Gu Yu.”
Gu Yu didn’t even look up. “What is it?”
“How about we go to school together the morning after next?” As she spoke, she placed the box of pastries in front of him.
“Not interested.” After answering, Gu Yu pushed the pastries aside.
The smile on Fu Yufen’s face stiffened. She sat down across from him. “Even though self-study at home is fine, having teachers explain things and classmates to discuss with will make learning easier. It’ll also give you more confidence when taking the college entrance exams.”
“That’s you. Not me.”
Fu Yufen choked on her words, her tone turning a little aggrieved. “Have I offended you in some way?”
“From the moment you started speaking with such self-importance are we even that familiar?” Gu Yu’s lips curved in a faint, mocking smile.
“Gu Yu…” Fu Yufen stood up angrily. Gu Yu’s expression carried a hint of amusement, and the arrogance and superiority that radiated from his very bones made her suddenly realize that she couldn’t influence him at all.
Fortunately, she knew how to soften what was hard. A thin layer of moisture immediately welled up in her eyes as she forced herself to endure the grievance. “Our matter you’ve already been told by your family, right?”
Gu Yu nodded indifferently. “Mm.”
“Gu Yu, since the two of us are going to be seeing each other from now on, shouldn’t we spend more time together? Study together and help each other?”
Gu Yu didn’t answer. He turned, picked up a small round mirror from the cabinet, and pushed it in front of Fu Yufen.
She was taken aback. “What do you mean?”
“See if this mirror can even fit your face.”
Fu Yufen’s face instantly turned pale. This was clearly an insult. “You’re unhappy about the marriage swap?”
“Mm.”
“Between Fu Yunzhu and me, anyone with eyes knows who should be chosen. Your family is happy too so why are you unhappy?” Fu Yufen didn’t understand.
“Am I, Gu Yu, some kind of garbage dump? Whatever trash you stuff in, I’m supposed to happily accept?”
At those words, Fu Yufen’s eyes reddened instantly. She rushed out the door.
When Fu Yunzhu saw Fu Yufen return looking furious and utterly aggrieved, the corners of her lips couldn’t help but lift slightly. She knew that dog of a man never disappointed.
Before transmigrating into the book, Gu Yu’s mouth had been venomous enough to kill, and his methods ruthless. Since her dear little sister had taken over, there was no way she would retreat so quickly. She asked with concern, “What’s wrong? Did Brother Gu Yu make you feel wronged?”
As she spoke, she helped Fu Yufen into her room.
Fu Yufen wiped her face and forced herself to maintain some dignity. “No, it’s just that he’s a bit rude when he speaks.”
“Brother Gu Yu is like that,” Fu Yunzhu said softly. “When you’re not familiar with him and get too close, he’s all thorns. But once you’re close, he treats you very, very well. I only got even a little bit of his kindness after giving endlessly, day after day.”
Hearing this, Fu Yufen wasn’t very pleased. How could Fu Yunzhu compare to her?
Seeing that she didn’t respond, Fu Yunzhu was afraid she might give up and quickly added, “He’s just a bit cold in attitude. But anything I’ve ever asked of him, he’s agreed to.”
Hearing that, Fu Yufen lifted her chin and looked at Fu Yunzhu. “Really?”