Gu Yan winced in pain, but his smile deepened, clearly enjoying himself.
Wen Miaomiao looked at him expressionlessly and withdrew her hand.
Gu Yan leaned close to her face and whispered in her ear, “Just wait until tonight.”
Wen Miaomiao curled her lips, her little face unflustered, and whispered back, “We’re staying here tonight. I don’t believe you’d dare do anything.”
Gu Yan raised an eyebrow, chuckled, and looked at her word by word, “The rooms are super soundproof.”
“…”
Wen Miaomiao regretted it a little. She had been too arrogant just now—too rash.
She instinctively used her small hand to rub his leg.
The couple’s little exchange was noticed by everyone present.
The old fox Gu Wenyang saw it and could tell the young couple had a good relationship. He smiled and asked, “A-Yan, do you still keep cats at home?”
Gu Yan hummed in acknowledgment and replied casually, “Stray cats outside the villa.”
Gu Wenyang said, “You have to be careful with strays. If you get scratched, you must get a shot.”
Gu Yan smiled and glanced at Wen Miaomiao with interest.
“No choice, my wife likes cats.”
At that moment, Gu Xiaoxi, who had been playing on her phone, looked up and said, “Sis-in-law, I have a few Ragdolls at home. I can give you one—it’s just over three months old and just got its vaccines.”
Wen Miaomiao turned to look at her. “Sure!”
Gu Xiaoxi took out her phone and showed Wen Miaomiao photos.
Wen Miaomiao immediately took a liking to one—an especially beautiful and lively little cat.
“This one is called Yuanyuan, and the one next to it is Xinxin. Yuanyuan is male, Xinxin is female,” Gu Xiaoxi introduced with a smile.
Wen Miaomiao instinctively glanced at Gu Yan and said with a smile, “Then I’ll take Yuanyuan.”
Gu Xiaoxi nodded.
“Tomorrow’s a holiday, so I can bring it to you!”
“Great.”
The two girls chatted happily, while Third Uncle Gu Wenyang’s face flashed with a sly gleam.
Sitting on the dining chair, Wen Miaomiao deliberately clicked her tongue and said, “Yuanyuan—such a nice name.”
Gu Yan looked at her, and scenes of his mother calling him flashed through his mind.
[“Yuanyuan, the Gu family doesn’t acknowledge you. You can only suffer with Mom.”]
[“I’m sorry, Yuanyuan. Mom is sorry. Mom shouldn’t have gotten sick. Mom can’t stay with you anymore.”]
[“Yuanyuan, with Mom gone, how will you live?”]
[“Yuanyuan, Mom shouldn’t have given birth to you…”]
Gu Yan snapped back to reality, his deep gaze turning dim, his eyes glistening with moisture, and the corners of his eyes slightly reddened.
The family banquet ended.
Everyone dispersed.
Old Master Gu only kept Gu Wenhan behind for a private chat.
Gu Yan took Wen Miaomiao upstairs, found the best room—already cleaned up—and the two walked in, closing the door tightly behind them.
Gu Yan sat on the bed and spotted a box of condoms and a pink pill on the bedside table.
His face darkened, thinking to himself, Who the hell put this here? Who do they think they’re looking down on?!
Wen Miaomiao turned to look at him, saw the condoms, and her little face instantly flushed red.
“Wen Miaomiao, shout loudly and test the soundproofing. Second Brother lives next door.”
“I won’t shout.”
“Then… shower together?” Gu Yan sat on the edge of the bed, legs spread wide apart, posture lazy and unrestrained, a mischievous smile on his face.
Wen Miaomiao swallowed hard, walked to the room door, and yelled at the top of her lungs.
“Ah!!”
A deep male voice came from outside the door.
“Miaomiao, is something wrong?” Gu Chiyu happened to be passing by when he heard the shout from inside the room.
Wen Miaomiao was so frightened that she took several steps back, her face flushed red as she hurriedly explained, “It’s nothing, just playing around. Second Brother, rest early.”
Gu Chiyu said, “You and A’Yan should sleep early. I’m going out.”
Soon after, the sound of Liu Yueqin’s high heels and voices could be heard.
“Chiyu, where are you going with your coat on?”
Gu Chiyu replied, “Mom, I’m staying outside.”
Liu Yueqin’s tone was full of reprimand and impatience as she said, “What time is it? Are you going to see Wen Ruoxue again? You’re not allowed to go! Go back to your room and sleep properly!”
Gu Chiyu curled his lips into a smile and said, “Mom, I’m 27 this year, not 17. You’re overstepping.”
Liu Yueqin was so angry she couldn’t even speak.
Soon, the sound of Gu Chiyu’s departing footsteps echoed.
Inside the room, Wen Miaomiao and Gu Yan pressed their ears against the door, listening to the commotion and enjoying the drama.
“Gu Chiyu, sooner or later, you’ll be the death of me!” Liu Yueqin pointed at Gu Chiyu’s retreating figure and shouted angrily.
Gu Yan suddenly opened the door, startling Liu Yueqin.
“Aunt Liu, don’t shout in the hallway. It’s disturbing our rest.”
Liu Yueqin, still shaken, patted her chest, her face pale, her voice trembling from the fright. “Alright, you two sleep early.”
With that, Liu Yueqin walked away down the corridor in her high heels.
Having succeeded, Gu Yan closed the door, locked it, and returned to the room.
Wen Miaomiao couldn’t help but giggle, covering her mouth. “You’re so mean.”
Gu Yan took her small hand and led her to the bathroom to shower together.
Before showering, Wen Miaomiao realized she had lost her amethyst bracelet, a gift from her sister on her birthday last year.
Wen Miaomiao insisted on going downstairs to look for it.
What if the housekeeper, who cleaned the old mansion every day, had thrown it away?
“You go downstairs and look first. I’ll be right down,” Gu Yan said, feeling restless and uncomfortable, wanting to take a quick cold shower to calm himself down.
Wen Miaomiao nodded slightly and pushed the door open to leave.
The corridor was brightly lit.
She tiptoed downstairs and walked into the empty banquet hall.
The carpet was clean and tidy, and the sofas and tables had been cleaned as well.
She searched around but couldn’t find the bracelet.
“Miss Wen, what are you looking for?” A man suddenly reached out from behind and grabbed her shoulders in a lewd manner.
“Ah!” She was startled and immediately turned around, her face filled with terror as she took several steps back.
The man was Gu Yuanxu, the eldest son of Second Uncle Gu Wenhong. He had been sitting next to Second Uncle during the family banquet, and Wen Miaomiao had seen him before, though they had never spoken.
“Are you insane!” Wen Miaomiao instantly flared up, shouting angrily.
Gu Yuanxu sniffed his palm and sneered, “So fragrant. That kid Gu Yan is really lucky.”
“Miss Wen, after you divorce, why not come with me? How about it?”
Gu Yuanxu sized up the woman before him—her delicate, beautiful face, her pure and charming appearance. The anger on her face now only made her more alluring…
Wen Miaomiao didn’t want to engage with him and tried to walk away, but he grabbed her wrist and pulled her back…
“Let go of me! I’ll scream!”
She shouted furiously.
Gu Yuanxu pinned her against the wall, preventing her from moving, and said with a smile, “Go ahead and scream. Don’t think Gu Yan can protect you. He’s just an illegitimate child who can’t see the light of day. Without Grandpa, he’s nothing.”
“Get away from me!”
Wen Miaomiao struggled desperately, her wrist already red from his grip, her face filled with rage.
Gu Yuanxu leaned down, moving closer as if to kiss her face…