The mention of the word “bastard” was extremely sensitive, causing Old Master Gu’s expression to darken.
Everyone held their breath.
“Ah Yan, don’t joke around. No one is stopping you from sitting,” Gu Wenhong spoke with a trembling voice, knowing Gu Yan was targeting him.
Gu Yan gave Gu Wenhong a meaningful look, then took Wen Miaomiao’s hand and walked over to greet Old Master Gu.
“Grandpa, this is Miaomiao, my wife.”
Wen Miaomiao was wearing an elegant white dress today, with her playful short hair and straight bangs, looking gentle and well-behaved. She politely greeted Old Master Gu.
“Hello, Grandpa.”
“Hello, Miaomiao. Granddaughter-in-law, please sit,” Old Master Gu’s face broke into a smile. Just one look at this granddaughter-in-law, so well-behaved, filled him with immense satisfaction.
Gu Yan sat next to Old Master Gu and pulled his wife down onto the sofa.
Even the usually stern and dignified Old Master Gu softened when he saw Wen Miaomiao.
Old Master Gu smiled and said, “You brat, you have good taste. I heard you picked your wife yourself?”
“Of course,” Gu Yan replied, crossing his legs with a slight smirk.
Wen Miaomiao sat there shyly, thinking that Grandpa Gu was very approachable.
The next second, Old Master Gu’s expression suddenly turned dark and stern.
His sharp gaze swept over the Gu family members present.
“Who mentioned the word ‘bastard’?”
Everyone lowered their heads, not daring to make a sound.
Gu Wenhong breathed rapidly in nervousness, sweat dripping from his forehead. He awkwardly spoke up, “Dad, I was just joking with Ah Yan.”
Old Master Gu’s face was cold, exuding an imposing aura.
Gu Wenhan stepped forward to smooth things over, smiling as he said, “Dad, I’ve already spoken to Wenhong. It was just a minor conflict a few days ago, nothing serious.”
Old Master Gu’s face showed disappointment. Was this not Ah Yan’s own father?
The power dynamics within the Gu family were very clear.
As the head of the family, Gu Wenhan had always held a grudge against his youngest son, Gu Yan.
“I’ve said before that no one is allowed to mention Xiao Yan being a bastard, including mentioning his mother. Do you all think I’m dead?” Old Master Gu said coldly.
Gu Wenhan took a deep breath and glared at Gu Wenhong.
Gu Wenhong immediately lowered his head and apologized, “Dad, I was wrong. It was my fault.”
When Old Master Gu got angry, the air seemed to freeze…
Wen Miaomiao even dared not breathe, the pressure was too intense, too terrifying.
Old Master Gu coldly commanded, “Apologize to Xiao Yan.”
Today, Old Master Gu was clearly standing up for his grandson, Gu Yan.
Gu Wenhong looked unwilling. Since Gu Yan was a junior, bowing his head to apologize was too humiliating.
“Ah Yan, I was joking a few days ago. I’m sorry, don’t take it to heart.”
These words were almost spoken through gritted teeth.
Gu Yan sneered and said mockingly, “It’s fine. I’m used to hearing it.”
Gu Wenhong: “…”
Old Master Gu’s expression grew even darker. He turned to Gu Wenhan and said coldly, “Wenhan, how are you managing as the head of the family? You can’t even protect your own son! Useless fool!”
Gu Wenhan quickly stood up and bowed, saying, “Dad, it’s my fault.”
Old Master Gu scoffed disdainfully and looked at the few people present.
“I’m old now, so you all think I’m dead?”
“Dad, please don’t say that. It’s my fault for not managing the family well,” Gu Wenhan panicked and knelt directly on the ground. He hadn’t expected the situation to be so serious.
Old Master Gu snorted coldly.
Gu Wenhong’s face darkened as he also knelt down, so close that it seemed he was kneeling before the old master, but he was practically at Gu Yan’s feet…
“Dad, I won’t say such things again. Please don’t be angry. Take care of your health.”
With both heads of the household kneeling, everyone else was stunned, not daring to speak.
Gu Chiyu walked over and sat to the right of Old Master Gu, speaking gently, “Grandpa, don’t be so angry. It’s not worth it.”
Old Master Gu’s expression softened slightly. “You may rise.”
Only then did Gu Wenhan and Gu Wenhong stand up.
At that moment, in the entranceway on the second floor.
Gu Wanqing was fuming, whispering, “Aunt, has Grandpa gone mad? To defend Gu Yan, he actually made my dad apologize to him?”
Liu Yueqin sneered coldly. “It’s normal. The old master has always favored Gu Yan.”
Gu Wanqing’s face was filled with resentment. She narrowed her eyes, thinking to herself, Hurry up and die, you old fool!
The atmosphere was somewhat awkward.
After Gu Wenhan and the others left.
Old Master Gu chatted warmly with Gu Yan and Wen Miaomiao.
“Miaomiao, how old are you this year?”
Wen Miaomiao was still a bit frightened, but now, Grandpa Gu seemed very kind.
“Grandpa, I’m twenty-two years old.”
“Good. Ayan is three years older than you. ‘A man three years older brings gold bricks.'” Old Master Gu said with a smile.
Gu Yan curled his lips into a faint smile, asking about his grandfather’s health with concern.
Wen Miaomiao responded from time to time.
Gu Chiyu sat beside Wen Miaomiao the entire time, not saying much, simply keeping her company.
“Gu Yan, I need to use the restroom,” Wen Miaomiao turned her head and whispered.
Gu Yan nodded. “I’ll take you.”
The two quickly stood up and headed toward the first-floor restroom.
Gu Chiyu got up and followed them.
Wen Miaomiao entered the restroom, while the two men stood guard at the door like door gods.
Gu Yan frowned in surprise. “Second Brother, why did you follow us?”
Gu Chiyu leaned against the wall, speaking earnestly, “I promised Xue’er that whenever we come to the old house, I’d stick close to Miaomiao and not let her be bullied.”
Gu Yan chuckled, patting his shoulder. “Henpecked.”
Gu Chiyu wore a proud expression. “Being henpecked is quite happy. You’ll understand someday.”
Gu Yan fell into thought, a helpless look appearing on his unruly face.
He wished he could be henpecked, but he didn’t even have the chance.
Gu Wanqing walked down the corridor in her high heels, arriving at the restroom door. Seeing the two men, she paused for a moment.
She stepped inside, walked to the sink, and washed her hands, her jealous face muttering, “Even going to the restroom requires guards. Sick! Absolutely sick!”
Wen Miaomiao opened the door, walked out, and looked at her, frowning unhappily. “Who are you cursing?”
Gu Wanqing finished washing her hands. “Cursing a bitch.”
“A bitch who climbed up the social ladder.”
“A bitch pretending to be innocent.”
“A short-haired bitch acting all obedient!”
Wen Miaomiao walked over, turned on the faucet, and washed her hands, ignoring her.
Seeing Wen Miaomiao’s lack of reaction, Gu Wanqing felt she had made a fool of herself and turned away angrily.
Wen Miaomiao walked out of the restroom and saw Gu Yan, then noticed Second Brother Gu, feeling somewhat surprised.
“Second Brother Gu, why are you…”
Her face flushed slightly with embarrassment.
Gu Chiyu smiled and said, “It’s fine. Just protecting you.”
Wen Miaomiao said cheerfully, “Did my sister ask you to? Don’t worry, I can protect myself.”
Gu Chiyu gave a gentle smile, said nothing, and continued following behind the two.
Gu Yan and Wen Miaomiao walked side by side, with Second Brother Gu trailing behind them, feeling rather odd.
“Congratulations, you’ve gained a human-shaped bodyguard.”
“What’s that supposed to mean!” Wen Miaomiao sighed helplessly, feeling a bit embarrassed about troubling someone.
The two chatted away.
Soon, it was ten o’clock in the evening.
The family banquet began.
All members of the Gu family took their seats.
This time, Wen Miaomiao didn’t want to cause any trouble and went straight to sit at the table where Liu Yueqin was.
“Aunt Liu, wherever you arrange for me to sit is fine,” Wen Miaomiao said.
“According to seniority, you should sit… over there.” Liu Yueqin pointed to a spot at the edge, far away from Gu Wanqing.
To her left were Aunt Gu Yun and several aunts, and to her right were the daughters of the uncles. Wen Miaomiao sat at the far right.
Gu Xiaoxi was the youngest daughter of Third Uncle Gu Wenyang, looking about seventeen or eighteen. She smiled and greeted, “Hello, sister-in-law.”
Wen Miaomiao smiled gently. “Hello.”
Gu Xiaoxi took out her phone and said excitedly, “Let’s add each other on WeChat, quick, quick!”
After adding her as a friend, Wen Miaomiao chatted with Gu Xiaoxi, quite satisfied with her seat—far from the noise, she could just quietly enjoy her meal.
Gu Wanqing leaned over toward Liu Yueqin and whispered, “Aunt, is it appropriate to have Wen Miaomiao sit there? Won’t Brother Gu Yan be angry?”
Liu Yueqin put on a stern expression, assuming the air of the official lady of the house, and slowly replied, “I am the lady of the house. Where she sits is up to me.”
Gu Wanqing couldn’t help but give a thumbs-up, gloating with a smug look on her face.