Yaya looked at the two people holding each other tightly, not letting go, and asked Gu Zhaodi in confusion, “Mommy, why are Uncle and Auntie hugging like that? Weren’t they going to get milk tea? Why aren’t they moving?”
Big Sister Gu chuckled and covered Yaya’s eyes, whispering quietly to her, “You’ll understand when you grow up.”
The group went to eat some of Gu Yin’s favorite local snacks from her school days. Bai Yue tried all sorts of noodles, ordering a bunch each time, but her small appetite only let her eat a little. Gu Yin helped her finish the rest—there was a natural rhythm between them.
They also toured some of the area’s famous historical buildings. All in all, it was a very fulfilling trip, and everyone had a great time.
On the way back, Yaya and Bai Yue played various little games together. With Yaya around, Bai Yue seemed even more like a child herself.
Gu Yin and Bai Yue bought some clothes and daily necessities for Yaya and Big Sister Gu, then dropped them off at the porridge shop.
When Mother Gu saw that Big Sister Gu had really brought Yaya over, she pursed her lips, clearly displeased. Just as she was about to say something, Gu Yin pulled her aside.
Mother Gu knew her son had already made up his mind about this matter, so there was no way to change it. She had no choice but to reluctantly agree. She figured Yaya was just a child, and it wasn’t like feeding one more person at the table would cost much.
Besides, all of Big Sister Gu’s money was under her control. She could still save quite a bit, and use it later to help her son buy a house.
But before they’d even finished tidying up, Gu Yin secretly pulled his mother aside. “Mom, did you not pay Big Sister her wages?”
Mother Gu instinctively held her wallet tighter, her guilty expression plain as day. Gu Yin was speechless.
“Mom, your little shop has great business. You’re surely making a decent profit each month. Just pay Big Sister five thousand a month—that way she can properly take care of Yaya. And Yaya’s about to start school soon. She’ll definitely need money. You’re her grandmother; you should be helping out.”
Mother Gu shook her head. “Why would a child that young go to school? Besides, what’s the point of educating girls? They’re just going to get married someday anyway.”
Gu Yin sighed. “Mom, I’ve told you so many times—men and women are equal. Those old ideas of yours are wrong. We’ve already discussed Yaya going to school with Big Sister. All you need to do is pay her. And five thousand isn’t a lot. The waitstaff at restaurants around here make six to seven thousand, and Big Sister does so much work—if anything, you should be paying her more.”
“No, no, no. Your sister working here is what she should be doing. She eats and lives under my roof—why shouldn’t she help out? I won’t pay her.”
Gu Yin looked at his stubborn mother, his expression turning serious.
“Fine, then don’t pay her. But if Big Sister doesn’t have the money to send Yaya to school, she won’t stay here to help you anymore. She’ll go work somewhere else—she could easily earn more than she does here. You already don’t have enough help. What will you do if she leaves?”
Mother Gu’s eyes darted around. After living here for half a month, she had gotten to know the nearby shops and talked with other owners. It was true—waitstaff could make six or seven thousand yuan, and that didn’t even include cooking duties. If you added that, it would be much more.
People say mothers are strong for their children. Her usually quiet daughter had even divorced her husband for Yaya. If she really got pushed into a corner, she’d definitely go out and find work, and Mother Gu would be the one losing out. So, she had no choice but to agree, albeit reluctantly.
After resolving everything, Gu Yin and Bai Yue resumed their normal work routine.
Ever since they cleared the air, their interactions had become much more pleasant. During lunch, Gu Yin would often invite Bai Yue to eat together at the company canteen or at the Gu family’s restaurant, where Big Sister Gu would make a few dishes for them.
Yaya wasn’t old enough for school yet, so she helped out around the restaurant.
Whenever her uncle and aunt came by, the little girl would enthusiastically bring them drinks and utensils, which melted Bai Yue’s heart.
Each time, Bai Yue brought snacks for Yaya and played with her for a bit before going home.
One day, Bai Yue’s father suddenly called and asked her to bring Gu Yin home for a visit.
Although Bai Yue was reluctant, she still had Gu Yin tell his mother they wouldn’t be joining them for dinner that night, and then she drove to the Bai family home.
The Bai family lived in a well-known residential compound for retired cadres. The Bai family had been in politics for generations and were very used to living there.
“Yueyue, you’re back! Come in and have some fruit,” said Bai Yue’s stepmother, Wen Jing, with a fake smile as she handed them disposable slippers.
Father Bai was sitting on the couch, chatting happily with a young man. When he saw them, he called out heartily, “Yueyue, Gu Yin, come over. Let me introduce someone. This is your sister’s boyfriend, Yuan Zhi. His father and our family go way back. I was even thinking of introducing him to you before, but then you already had a boyfriend.”
His tone made it clear he was dissatisfied with Gu Yin’s qualifications. He had hoped to find a well-matched marriage for his daughter to benefit his political career.
Father Bai enthusiastically praised Yuan Zhi’s virtues while subtly belittling Gu Yin. “It’s just my daughter’s bad luck. Bai Jie grew up by my side—no different from my own child. I’m happy you’re together.”
Bai Jie cast a provocative glance at Bai Yue. She had always fallen short of Bai Yue—less attractive, worse grades—but when it came to finding a partner, she felt vastly superior.
Gu Yin was decent-looking, but his family background meant he’d never amount to much. Bai Yue, as his wife, wouldn’t have a better life either.
She, on the other hand, had landed Yuan Zhi, the son of Director Yuan—his future was limitless. That would benefit both her and Father Bai.
Thinking this, she looked down on Bai Yue and Gu Yin with smug superiority, as if they were ants.
Gu Yin laughed at her expression. What kind of brain thought marrying a bureau director’s son made her a director’s wife? Ridiculous.
He glanced at Yuan Zhi and suddenly asked, “Brother Yuan, where do you work?”
Yuan Zhi looked a bit shy. After a long pause, he replied, “The People’s Hospital.”
“The People’s Hospital?” Gu Yin feigned surprise. He had heard all about Yuan Zhi—people at the hospital said he was a backdoor hire with no real skills, assigned to the medical affairs office, even bumping a relative of the hospital director.
“We also work at the People’s Hospital, but I’ve never seen you before.”
Father Bai clearly knew the truth and quickly tried to smooth things over. “The hospital is huge—you can’t expect to know everyone.”
But Yuan Zhi, to his credit, admitted honestly, “My father just transferred me there. I’m still getting familiar with things.”
“Oh,” Gu Yin nodded with a smile. “Then we should stay in touch more.”
Bai Yue looked at Gu Yin in confusion, not understanding why he was being so friendly to Yuan Zhi. Gu Yin couldn’t explain it just yet, so he simply squeezed her hand and smiled reassuringly.
Throughout the visit, it was mainly Bai Jie and Father Bai who sang Yuan Zhi’s praises. Yuan Zhi himself said little, just shaking his head modestly.
At dinner, Bai Yue’s stepmother Wen Jing put a plate of silkworm pupae near Bai Yue and said enthusiastically, “Yueyue, eat more silkworm pupae—they’re good for your health.”
Gu Yin immediately moved the dish far away and said with a slightly mocking tone, “Bai Yue is allergic to silkworm pupae. Even the smell makes her nauseous. So please, Uncle and Auntie, you enjoy them instead.”
Wen Jing’s expression instantly changed. She had spent years crafting the image of a virtuous wife and mother. How laughable that she didn’t even know what Bai Yue was allergic to.
Hearing this, Father Bai couldn’t hide his embarrassment. He slammed his glass down and scolded Wen Jing loudly, “You don’t even know what the child can eat—what kind of mother are you?”
Wen Jing lowered her head, eyes glistening with tears, looking like a classic ‘white lotus.’ But this tactic didn’t work this time—after all, there were outsiders present.
Bai Jie looked at Gu Yin with displeasure. “Mom didn’t know because Yueyue never tells us anything and rarely comes home. Anyone would think Dad doesn’t even have this daughter.”
“Really? So if Yueyue isn’t Uncle’s daughter, then you must be?” Gu Yin sneered at Bai Jie, ignoring Father Bai’s darkening face.
“Even my mom and Big Sister, who just met Yueyue, know she’s allergic to silkworm pupae. If you’ve lived with her for so many years and still don’t know, then you must not care at all. Isn’t that right, Uncle?”
Bai Yue felt even more aggrieved. That’s right—when they first met, Gu Yin’s mother had made silkworm pupae. Seeing Bai Yue didn’t eat any, she gently asked why, and after learning the reason, never made them again. If they happened to have some, she’d always place them far away from her.
Even Big Sister Gu would whisper to Yaya that “Auntie is allergic to silkworm pupae,” so even the five-year-old knew Bai Yue couldn’t eat them. Yet her own father of over twenty years knew nothing.
“All right, enough arguing.” Father Bai looked unhappily at Gu Yin, his opinion of his son-in-law dropping even further. But he didn’t want to lose face in front of Yuan Zhi and said awkwardly, “Xiao Zhi, sorry you had to witness that.”
Yuan Zhi shook his head shyly, but inside he was thinking, Looks like this family isn’t as harmonious as it seems. I wonder if Bai Jie can really be the ideal wife my mother and I envision.
Gu Yin and Bai Yue didn’t say another word. They finished dinner in awkward silence.
As they were leaving, Father Bai called Bai Yue into the study. Gu Yin saw the smug expressions of Bai Jie and Wen Jing and instantly knew Father Bai was up to no good. But as an unofficial son-in-law, he couldn’t just barge in. Since Bai Yue had refused his company just now, he had no choice but to wait outside anxiously.
When Bai Yue came out, her face was pale, her eyes red. Gu Yin immediately pulled her into his arms and, without saying goodbye to anyone, took her straight to the car, where Bai Yue began crying.
“There, there, don’t cry. If they don’t cherish you, you still have us. Don’t be fooled by my mom’s snobbishness—she’s not a bad person. And Big Sister treats you better than she treats me. Even Ling Yun—you see how she worships you? She really likes you. If you don’t want this family, you don’t have to keep them. I’ll give you a new one—our family.”
Bai Yue looked at Gu Yin and nodded, choking back her sobs. Gu Yin gently wiped her tears and said, “Little crybaby, don’t get mad at people like that. Do you know why I asked Yuan Zhi where he works?”
Bai Yue shook her head cooperatively, acting very obedient.
“You don’t know this, but before he even arrived, he was already infamous in our hospital. His dad got him in by kicking out the director’s niece. Imagine how hated he is. He’s known as a classic mama’s boy. His mom’s super controlling—she picked all his past girlfriends, and if they didn’t meet her standards, she dumped them. Even his job at the hospital was arranged by her, because she thought it was ‘stable.’”
“He even had a long-term girlfriend back in college…”