Late at night.
Wen Miaomiao stepped out of the bathroom after her shower, utterly exhausted. She collapsed onto the bed, her long, fair legs dangling over the edge, completely unwilling to move…
Gu Yan finished his cigarette and walked back, his gaze catching on her glowing white legs beneath the bath towel…
“Wen Miaomiao, put your legs away. Don’t tempt me.”
Hearing this, Wen Miaomiao quickly pulled the covers over herself and retreated under the blanket.
She cursed him silently in her heart.
Gu Yan climbed into bed, reaching out to pull her into his embrace. His wife’s soft, fragrant body was too adorable to resist.
“Darling, one more time…” His large hand caressed Miaomiao’s cheek as he guided her hand toward his chest muscles.
“No, way!” Miaomiao firmly refused and pushed him away.
“Really not?”
“Mhm.”
Receiving her definite answer, Gu Yan turned away in frustration, his broad back facing her.
He muttered quietly to himself.
“Aren’t we married? Why not…”
Wen Miaomiao grew more aggrieved the more she thought about it, tears welling up in her eyes as she accused him tearfully, “You jerk, if you bully me again, I’ll jump off the building.”
Gu Yan’s heart clenched violently, and he turned to look at her.
“Why are you crying…” He admitted, he was truly panicked.
Gu Yan quickly pulled her into his arms, coaxing and promising, “Alright, alright, be good. I won’t bully you anymore from now on.”
Wen Miaomiao cried even harder, large teardrops falling until Gu Yan’s clothes were soon soaked.
Gu Yan, with his severe mysophobia, felt the dampness on his body and frowned, still trying to soothe her…
The next day.
At ten in the morning, someone arrived from the Gu family old mansion.
The mansion’s steward, surnamed Huang, was in his fifties, experienced, and a trusted aide of Gu Yan’s father.
Steward Huang got out of the car and, after some discussion, stepped into the villa.
In the main hall.
Gu Yan was coaxing Wen Miaomiao to eat.
“Young Master Third.” Steward Huang approached. With a somewhat shifty appearance and wearing glasses, he spoke respectfully.
“Master Gu says you are to bring the young mistress back to the old mansion tonight for a family banquet.”
Gu Yan listened and gave a faint “Mhm.”
“Understood.”
Steward Huang looked up, sizing up Wen Miaomiao—a gentle, short-haired girl who appeared docile and easy to bully.
Gu Yan’s cold gaze fixed on him as he raised an eyebrow. “What are you standing there for? Get lost.”
“Keep looking, and I’ll gouge your eyes out.”
Steward Huang trembled in fear, quickly lowering his head and retreating hastily.
Before he had gone far.
Gu Yan sneered, his lips curling as he cursed, “Dog of a servant.”
Wen Miaomiao blinked her dark eyes, watching the man before her lose his temper for no reason. No wonder his reputation was so poor.
Gu Yan took her small hand, his tone softening. “We’re going back to the old mansion tonight. I’ll take you to meet Grandpa.”
Wen Miaomiao nodded slightly, sensing that this man had a story in his heart.
He wasn’t inherently irritable…
In the afternoon, bored, Wen Miaomiao sunbathed in the yard. She had Gu Han make a swing and played on it for a while.
Gu Yan was reading in the second-floor study. He walked to the window and saw the girl in a floral dress swinging in the yard…
The setting sun cast molten gold across the earth, its golden light bathing the girl’s face. The scene was breathtakingly beautiful.
His hardened heart softened immensely in that moment.
“Gu Han, does your young master have anger issues?” Wen Miaomiao asked.
Gu Han, dressed in black, stood straight beside her and quickly explained, “The young master is perfectly fine!”
Wen Miaomiao: “Then why does he curse at people so easily?”
Gu Han: “The young master never scolds anyone who’s human.”
Wen Miaomiao: “You’re ridiculous.”
She glanced at Gu Han with a puzzled look, feeling something was off, then continued swinging on the swing.
A cold breeze blew past, making her shiver slightly.
Gu Yan walked over with an outer coat and draped it over her.
“Thank you…” Wen Miaomiao pursed her lips.
Gu Yan stood behind her, pushing the swing without any expression on his face, not saying a word.
He seemed preoccupied.
“Gu Yan, what’s wrong?” Wen Miaomiao looked up at him.
Gu Yan forced a smile and said, “It’s nothing. I’m just annoyed about going back to the old house—there are people there I don’t want to see.”
Wen Miaomiao thought for a moment and said, “It’s okay. We’ll come back right after dinner.”
Gu Yan felt a warmth in his heart and reached out to pat her head. Her short hair was so cute—she was like a pure, kind little angel.
“Are you comforting me, little angel?”
Wen Miaomiao’s cheeks flushed slightly.
Gu Yan pointed to the garden not far away, which had already become overgrown. He smiled and said, “What flowers do you like? I’ll plant them for you in the future.”
Wen Miaomiao: “I like tulips.”
Gu Yan: “Alright.”
The two chatted for a while longer until it was about time, then got in the car and drove toward the Gu family’s old house.
Along the way.
Gu Yan sat in the back seat, rolled down the window, and smoked several cigarettes.
Wen Miaomiao coughed repeatedly from the smoke, but seeing how low his spirits were, she didn’t say anything.
When they arrived at the Gu family’s old house.
The two got out of the car, and a simple yet elegant gate came into view.
This was a century-old mansion, steeped in the passage of time, exuding cultural depth and historical charm.
The gate was pushed open, and inside the courtyard, two rows of black-clad bodyguards stood on either side of the path, solemn and cold.
“The third young master is back!” someone shouted, and the news was relayed inside.
Gu Yan held Wen Miaomiao’s small hand and strode inside.
Passing through the long corridor, they arrived at the banquet hall.
“Ayan.” Gu Chiyu was sitting on the sofa. Seeing him, he stood up and walked over.
“This must be Miaomiao, right?”
Gu Yan introduced him to Wen Miaomiao: “My second brother, Gu Chiyu.”
Wen Miaomiao naturally knew of him, though she had never met him in person—only seen his photo on her sister’s phone.
In person, he truly lived up to his name—gentle and refined, elegant and extraordinary.
“Hello, Second Brother Gu.” Wen Miaomiao greeted him politely, then added softly, “I’ve often heard my sister mention you.”
Gu Chiyu smiled gently at the mention of Wen Ruoxue, whom he treasured like a precious gem, his joy evident.
“Ayan, you must treat Miaomiao well, understand?”
“A couple of days ago, at Shengtian, I heard you tried to smash Miaomiao’s phone? And you were flirting around—this news has already spread!”
Gu Yan didn’t respond after hearing this. After all, his bad reputation was well-known, and he didn’t care—it couldn’t be washed clean anyway.
Wen Miaomiao said softly, “Second Brother Gu, Gu Yan treats me quite well. You don’t need to worry. Please tell my sister not to worry either.”
Upon hearing this, Gu Chiyu’s eyes flashed with sympathy, feeling that this girl was just… too understanding.
Even if she suffered grievances, she didn’t dare speak up, afraid of worrying her sister.
Gu Chiyu sighed and turned to walk back. “What a tragedy.”
Gu Yan led Wen Miaomiao to sit on the sofa. Not everyone had arrived yet, and many relatives came and went, glancing their way but not daring to approach…
These relatives avoided Gu Yan as if he were a plague.
“I need to talk to Second Brother about something. Will you be alright here by yourself?” Gu Yan asked her quietly.
Wen Miaomiao nodded and said softly, “Go ahead.”
Gu Yan stood up and left.
Wen Miaomiao sat alone on the sofa, playing on her phone and messaging her sister.
Since her sister might marry Second Brother Gu in the future, she needed to scout the path for her first.
Many people were watching her, their eyes filled with sympathy…
“Look at Wen Miaomiao—so delicate and frail. Won’t that scoundrel Gu Yan just toy with her to death?”
“What a tragedy. Such a pity for Miss Wen, she’s so beautiful.”
“What are you thinking? Once Gu Yan gets tired of playing with her, he’ll just toss her aside.”
Many whispered and gossiped, their words drifting into Wen Miaomiao’s ears, but she pretended not to hear any of it.
Just then, a lavishly dressed middle-aged noblewoman descended the stairs not far away.
It was none other than Madam Liu, Liu Yueqin.
The legal wife of Gu Yan’s father, Gu Wenhan—in other words, Gu Yan’s stepmother, and the biological mother of his elder brother Gu Hebai and second brother Gu Chiyu.
Liu Yueqin walked up to Wen Miaomiao and spoke with a smile, “Miss Wen, I am Madam Liu. Has A-Yan mentioned me to you?”
Wen Miaomiao put down her phone and politely stood up to greet her. “Hello, Madam. I am Wen Miaomiao.”
Though in her mind, she was a bit confused—whose wife was this?
Liu Yueqin smiled kindly. “Please, have a seat.”
Wen Miaomiao sat obediently, her hands resting on her knees, feeling somewhat restrained because the woman before her had a very strong presence.
Liu Yueqin sized her up and saw right through her.
Those pure, innocent eyes—absolutely easy to control.
“Miss Wen, do you know why you were able to marry into the Gu family?”