Yin Luoxue maneuvered her wheelchair over. “Ting Shen, you’re finally here. I’ve been waiting for you for so long.”
Gu Mian took a closer look – Yin Luoxue’s face had already returned to its normal shape, no longer swollen. She was wearing a haute couture dress in the classic Chanel style, with exquisitely applied makeup.
“Weren’t you supposed to be in the hospital? Why are you back?” Li Tingshen asked casually.
“It’s the family banquet today – how could I miss it? So I checked out early this morning.” Yin Luoxue completely ignored Gu Mian’s presence, gazing at him with affectionate eyes. “Ting Shen, thank you for avenging me. I heard Pei Jinchuan has been overwhelmed dealing with the trouble you stirred up for him.”
She glanced briefly at Gu Mian, a flash of triumph in her eyes. “Actually, you didn’t need to go to such lengths for me. When Grandma finds out later, she’ll surely say I’m the beauty who brings misfortune again…”
Li Tingshen didn’t say much. “Let’s go in.”
Watching their retreating figures entering the house, Gu Mian couldn’t help but smile bitterly.
They were betrothed before birth. Everyone in their social circle took it for granted that Yin Luoxue would marry Li Tingshen, and the Li family felt the same way.
That’s why Yin Luoxue never missed a single Li family banquet.
And she, Mrs. Li, though sitting beside Li Tingshen, didn’t fit in with them at all.
She never belonged here in the first place.
For a moment, Gu Mian just wanted to turn around and run away.
But that would undoubtedly anger Li Tingshen, and then her uncle would suffer the consequences.
Gu Mian lifted her legs that felt as heavy as lead and followed them into the house.
She first accompanied Li Tingshen to the second floor to see Madam Li.
In the room, Madam Li was dressed in white exercise clothes, meditating with closed eyes on a cushion. Hearing the sound of the door opening, she slowly opened her eyes.
The moment she saw Gu Mian, Madam Li’s face lit up with joy. “Mian Yatou, you’re finally back!”
“Grandma.” Gu Mian’s nose tingled with emotion, nearly bringing her to tears.
“It’s good to have you back.” Madam Li stood up and grasped her hands. “Did you suffer much inside?”
Gu Mian gently shook her head.
Tears welled in Madam Li’s eyes. “You’ve always been one to share good news but hide bad news. Even if you don’t say it, I know this past year must have been full of hardship.”
“Grandma, haven’t I returned safe and sound now?”
Madam Li nodded. “I’ve always said your destiny is exceptionally fortunate, with no prison calamity in your fate. Now that this disaster has been forcibly added, those who harmed you will surely suffer retribution.”
Li Tingshen frowned. “Grandma, you should refrain from making such superstitious remarks that clearly target Luoxue.”
“Me? Superstitious?” Madam Li laughed outright. “You brat! If I hadn’t been ‘superstitious’ enough to bring Mian Yatou into our family, you’d still be a vegetable lying in a hospital bed! You ungrateful little rascal!”
Knowing he couldn’t win the argument, Li Tingshen said, “You two chat. I’m going out.”
“Get out then! Don’t interrupt my private conversation with Mian Yatou.”
After Li Tingshen closed the door and left, Madam Li took Gu Mian’s hand and led her to sit on the sofa. “Child, I’ve already heard about your grandmother’s passing. You must take care of yourself in your grief.”
Gu Mian’s eyes reddened, her voice choked with emotion. “If you hadn’t arranged for Grandma to receive treatment at the Li family hospital three years ago, she wouldn’t have lasted until now. Grandma, thank you for giving me three more years with my grandmother.”
“Silly child, your maturity breaks my heart.” Madam Li tightly grasped her hand, “Your grandmother is gone, but from now on, I will be your support. This place is both your marital home and your maiden home. Rest assured, as long as I have breath in me, no one will dare bully you.”
Gu Mian’s tears fell like rain.
She didn’t know how to tell Madam Li that she was about to divorce Li Tingshen.
Like her own grandmother, Madam Li only wished for the young couple to live happily together. Hearing this news would surely break her heart.
Gu Mian couldn’t bear it.
She would wait for the right moment to tell her.
“Thank you, Grandma.”
“Good child…”
The two chatted for quite some time until a maid knocked on the door, saying Li Tingshen was looking for Gu Mian, prompting her to go downstairs.
Upon entering the living room, she heard Yin Luoxue’s voice, “You have no idea how arrogant the Pei family is. Even an assistant dared to lay hands on me – truly overestimating themselves.”
“That’s indeed bold. You’re my brother’s woman. Anyone who dares touch you is simply seeking death.”
The speaker was Li Tingshen’s younger brother, Li Xingze – young and flamboyant, who had rejected inheriting the family business to enter the entertainment industry, now a popular idol.
Seeing Gu Mian, Yin Luoxue put on a gentle smile, “Gu Mian, you’re here.”
Gu Mian asked, “Ting Shen was looking for me. Where is he?”
“Sister-in-law, it wasn’t my brother who wanted you – it was me.” Li Xingze turned around. Though he addressed her as sister-in-law, his eyes were full of contempt. “I’m craving your cake. The ingredients are already prepared by the maid. Go make it.”
Li Xingze had always looked down on Gu Mian. Though he maintained superficial courtesy out of respect for Madam Li, he frequently ordered Gu Mian around under the guise of calling her “sister-in-law.”
Gu Mian loved Li Tingshen and had always strived to be a good Mrs. Li. She considered caring for Li Tingshen’s family her duty, so she never refused her brother-in-law’s requests.
But now, having decided to leave Li Tingshen, she no longer wanted to please those who fundamentally looked down on her.
Seeing Gu Mian standing motionless, Li Xingze immediately grew impatient, “Are you deaf? Didn’t you hear what I said?”
Gu Mian wanted to refuse, but remembering this was the family banquet Madam Li had been most looking forward to, she didn’t want to spoil her mood and swallowed her pride. “Alright, I’ll go now.”
Watching Gu Mian’s retreating figure, Yin Luoxue feigned concern, “Xingze, you shouldn’t speak to Gu Mian like that. She is your sister-in-law.”
Li Xingze sneered, “She’s not worthy. Luoxue, in my heart, you’re my only sister-in-law.”
“Don’t say that. Brother Tingshen isn’t divorced yet. Nothing can happen between us.”
“My brother divorcing her is just a matter of time. Anyway, I don’t care – I’m sticking to you being my sister-in-law…”
Their conversation clearly reached Gu Mian’s ears, and she knew Yin Luoxue had intentionally let her hear it.
Though long accustomed to it, and though the hurt couldn’t compare to what Li Tingshen inflicted, Gu Mian’s heart still ached.
She had tried so hard, yet in Li Xingze’s heart, she wasn’t even qualified to compare with Yin Luoxue.
Gu Mian quickly left the living room and went to the kitchen, familiarly finding an apron to put on before starting to make the cake.
When she was young, her grandfather always said her hands were meant for practicing medicine and saving lives – he never let her step foot in the kitchen.
But after marrying into the Li family, she began cooking, preparing various dishes, medicinal meals, and desserts, all just to become the qualified Mrs. Li in others’ eyes.
One last time.
This was her final time entering the Li family’s kitchen.
……
During dinner time, all members of the Li family gathered around the table.
Madam Li sat at the head of the table, frowning as she looked at the empty seat beside Li Tingshen. “Where is Mian Yatou?”
Only then did the others notice Gu Mian’s absence.
Li Xingze spoke carelessly, “She’s making a cake for me, Grandma. I’m hungry, let’s start eating without her.”
“No manners! She’s your sister-in-law.” Madam Li’s face darkened. “It’s one thing that you asked her to make food for you, but you won’t even call her for dinner? If it were me, I’d throw that cake right in your face.”
Li Xingze pouted, “Grandma, why do you always side with Gu Mian?”
“In the old days, you should respect your sister-in-law as you would your mother.” Madam Li said seriously.
Li Xingze snorted coldly and muttered, “As if she deserves it…”
“What did you say?”
“Am I wrong?” Li Xingze suddenly lost his temper. “She personally pushed Luoxue down the stairs, leaving her in a wheelchair to this day. Someone with such malicious intentions doesn’t deserve to step through the Li family’s door. And you actually expect me to respectfully call her sister-in-law? How ridiculous!”
“You…” Madam Li’s face turned pale with anger. “I said no one was to mention Mian Yatou’s prison time today! Are you treating my words as empty wind?”
“Grandma, facts are facts. What’s the point of burying your head in the sand?”
“How dare you continue!” Madam Li looked at Li Tingshen. “Ting Shen, go call your wife to dinner.”