Dinnertime arrived, and Wen Miaomiao ate with great relish—a true little foodie.
Gu Yan walked over and sat in the dining chair opposite her.
“Eat slowly, no one’s going to steal your food.”
“I’m so hungry.”
“Who told you to sleep until the afternoon?” Gu Yan regretted his words as soon as he said them.
Sure enough, Wen Miaomiao put down her chopsticks, her little face flushed with anger. “Do you have any idea why I woke up so late? Did you let me sleep at all last night?”
Gu Yan narrowed his long, slender eyes, gazing at her with adoration, as if she were a little kitten with its fur puffed up!
“How can a good girl like you curse?”
Wen Miaomiao had blurted it out without thinking. Only after speaking did she realize she had used foul language, her face turning bright red with embarrassment.
She truly disliked the man before her, with his careless, troublemaking demeanor.
She was always so easily provoked.
Wen Miaomiao ignored him and continued eating, her appetite still remarkably good.
“Will you come back to the old mansion with me tomorrow?” Gu Yan asked after taking a few bites, watching her.
“No,” Wen Miaomiao replied firmly, wiping her mouth with a napkin and taking a sip of water.
“Why not?”
“I don’t want to.”
Her eyes lowered slightly, her voice soft yet gentle and resolute.
Gu Yan was taken aback. Her mood had shifted so quickly—why was she suddenly so downcast?
“Wen Miaomiao, why don’t you want to go back to the Gu family’s old mansion?”
“No reason,” Wen Miaomiao pursed her lips. “If you must know, it’s because I can’t stand those people… targeting you.”
A warmth spread in Gu Yan’s heart, and a smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
“So you’re worried about me.”
Wen Miaomiao’s face flushed slightly, and she retorted softly, “That’s not it, I just can’t stand them.”
Gu Yan’s eyes filled with tenderness. He loved her—loved her stubbornness, loved the kindness deep within her bones.
Gu Yan picked up some food for her and said with a smile, “Tomorrow, no one will dare to point at me and call me a bastard, because Grandpa is back.”
“Darling, Grandpa wants to meet you.”
Wen Miaomiao looked up at him in surprise.
“Old Master Gu is back? Really?”
Gu Yan nodded emphatically, his expression serious.
Only then did Wen Miaomiao feel reassured and agreed to go to the old mansion.
The next day, at six in the evening.
Gu Chiyu’s car pulled up at the entrance of the villa. He got out and entered the house.
“Young Master!” Gu Han rushed in to report. “Young Master Chiyu is here.”
Gu Yan was pleasantly surprised as he watched Gu Chiyu walk in.
“A’Yan, I’ve come to pick you up so we can go to the old mansion together.”
Gu Chiyu was clever. Since Gu Yan had only recently returned to the country, rumors of discord between the two brothers were rampant in the Gu family. He wanted to show everyone that Gu Yan was his brother and that they shared a close bond.
How could Gu Yan not understand what his second brother was doing?
“Alright, wait for Miaomiao. She’s upstairs changing.”
Gu Chiyu sat on the sofa, calm and unhurried. Noticing the scratches on Gu Yan’s neck, he asked with concern, “What happened to your neck?”
Gu Yan touched his neck. “It’s nothing.”
Soon, Wen Miaomiao descended the stairs, dressed in a white gown and wearing a pearl necklace, exuding an elegant and refined aura.
Her short hair had been styled with a curling iron, now a playful and adorable wavy bob. Her delicate, pretty face was breathtakingly beautiful, like a fairy descended from the heavens.
“My wife is truly beautiful,” Gu Yan said with a smile, walking over to take Wen Miaomiao’s small hand.
Wen Miaomiao looked at Gu Chiyu, her voice gentle and sweet. “Second Brother Gu, what brings you here?”
Gu Chiyu replied, “I came specifically to thank you. Xue’er and I have gotten back together.”
Wen Miaomiao beamed with joy. “Congratulations.”
“My sister is all bark and no bite, cold on the outside but warm on the inside. She actually likes you; otherwise, even if you knelt down, she wouldn’t have made up with you.”
As they chatted, the group walked out of the villa.
Gu Yan took Wen Miaomiao into his car.
Gu Chiyu rode in a separate car.
The two vehicles headed toward the Gu family’s old mansion.
Inside the car, Wen Miaomiao sat in the back seat, fastening her seatbelt, and suddenly asked, “Is Second Brother Gu coming to the old mansion with us?”
Gu Yan gave an affirmative hum.
“Second Brother Gu is really a good person.”
Wen Miaomiao sighed, having also discerned Gu Chiyu’s deeper intentions.
Gu Chiyu was gentle and refined, elegant and handsome, mature and steady, with an exceptionally good temper—a perfect match for her sister’s cool and reserved nature.
Gu Yan wrapped his hand around hers, and she didn’t resist.
Upon arriving at the Gu family’s old mansion, the two got out of the car.
They were greeted by Huang Guanjia, with Butler Bai standing behind him.
“Young Master Second, Young Master Third, Third Young Madam, please come in.” Huang Guanjia’s expression held a hint of surprise, not expecting the two brothers to arrive together.
Gu Yan glanced at Butler Bai and deliberately remarked, “Oh, Butler Bai, found a new job so quickly?”
Butler Bai naturally caught the sarcasm and replied with his head lowered, “Thanks to the Head of the Gu Family for not abandoning me, allowing me to continue working at the old mansion.”
Gu Yan said, “Congratulations on returning to your old master’s side. Finally, you don’t have to suffer under my roof anymore.”
Butler Bai instinctively explained, “What old master? I don’t understand.”
Gu Yan replied, “It’s best if you don’t.”
With that, Gu Yan took Wen Miaomiao’s hand and strode inside.
Gu Chiyu glanced at the two butlers but said nothing, following them in.
In the courtyard, all the servants stood respectfully.
Some relatives of the Gu family whose names she couldn’t recall also came over to greet them warmly.
Goodness, their attitudes changed so quickly!
Wen Miaomiao inwardly sighed at the fickleness of human hearts, especially in wealthy families, where it was even more unsettling.
“Ah Yan is back!” A middle-aged man approached with a cheerful smile—Third Uncle Gu Wenyang.
Gu Yan responded indifferently with a hum, his expression blank as he said, “Third Uncle.”
Gu Wenyang looked at Wen Miaomiao and praised, “My niece-in-law is so beautiful! Ah Yan has good taste!”
Hearing his wife being complimented, Gu Yan finally showed a hint of a smile.
“Third Uncle, if you have something to say, just say it.”
Gu Yan understood that Third Uncle was a troublemaker who loved watching family drama, especially heated conflicts.
Gu Wenyang glanced around, ensuring no one was nearby, then lowered his voice. “The Old Master is in the pavilion.”
“Your Second Uncle is also there. You should go quickly.”
Gu Yan curled his lips into a smile and nodded. “Alright, I’ll go now.”
Gu Wenyang was overjoyed, eager to see Gu Wenhong dig his own grave.
Gu Yan led Wen Miaomiao toward the pavilion.
From behind, they could hear Gu Wenyang and Gu Chiyu’s amusing conversation.
“Chiyu, are you going to the pavilion too?”
“Yes, I’m going to see Grandfather.”
“Let’s go together.” Gu Wenyang was in high spirits, brimming with excitement.
Gu Chiyu chuckled. “Third Uncle, why are you so happy? Did you win the lottery?”
Gu Wenyang laughed heartily.
He couldn’t wait to see Gu Wenhong get scolded.
The group walked to the pavilion, climbed the stairs, and entered the banquet hall.
Inside the banquet hall, they spotted Old Master Gu in the distance.
Old Master Gu sat on the main sofa, flanked by the Head of the Gu Family, Gu Wenhan, and Second Uncle Gu Wenhong.
Gu Wenhong saw Gu Yan arrive, and his face instantly darkened, as black as charcoal.
“Ah Yan is here, come sit quickly!” Gu Wenhong stood up first, walking over to greet him warmly, putting on a show of uncle-nephew harmony.
Unexpectedly, Gu Yan walked straight over and said with a smile, “Second Uncle, as a bastard son, do I even deserve a seat?”