Gu Wenhan, dressed in a dark gray Zhongshan suit, sat in the main seat, exuding authority without showing anger. He looked at Gu Yan and spoke.
“Ah Yan, bring your wife over more often from now on, so she can spend time with the relatives.”
Gu Yan responded indifferently with a “Hmm,” then looked at Wen Miaomiao. “Call him Dad.”
Wen Miaomiao said politely, “Dad.”
A smile appeared on Gu Wenhan’s face. Seeing that Wen Miaomiao looked sweet and obedient, he was quite satisfied. He just wondered if she could keep Gu Yan in check.
Gu Wenhan spoke with a smile, “Today is a family dinner, and it’s also a meal to welcome Miaomiao. Everyone, please take your seats in the dining room.”
Due to the arranged marriage, the Gu family had never taken the Wen family seriously. There was no wedding ceremony or any special rituals, so this family dinner was mainly for the Gu family to meet Wen Miaomiao in person.
Meanwhile, Liu Yueqin wanted to test the waters—to see how Gu Yan’s hard-won marriage was going and whether there were any ulterior motives.
Everyone made their way to the dining room.
Wen Miaomiao asked curiously in a low voice, “Madam Liu isn’t your biological mother?”
Gu Yan tightened his grip on her small hand, his gaze slightly stiffening. “Hmm, my biological mother passed away.”
Wen Miaomiao’s heart sank, and a wave of guilt washed over her. “I’m sorry…”
Gu Yan smiled at her, as if to say, it’s all in the past.
Table manners also had their own intricacies.
In the Gu family, it was customary for the men to sit at one table and the women at another.
Gu Wenhan sat in the head of the family’s seat, with Second Uncle Gu Wenhong on his left, Third Uncle Gu Wenyang next, followed by their sons. To the right of the head of the family should have been the eldest son, Gu Hebai, but since Eldest Brother Gu had taken his family on a trip, Gu Chiyu took his place. Gu Yan sat next to his second brother…
And next to Gu Yan was… Wen Miaomiao?
Everyone looked at Wen Miaomiao in disbelief!
“Miaomiao, come sit here with us at our table,” Liu Yueqin warmly called out to her.
At the other table, the main seat was occupied by the lady of the house, Liu Yueqin, with Second Aunt and Third Aunt beside her, along with younger family members like Gu Wanqing.
Gu Yan, however, spoke up to his father, “Dad, let Miaomiao sit next to me. She’s socially anxious and doesn’t get along well with others.”
Gu Wenhan was actually somewhat pleased. Who would have thought this troublemaker Gu Yan would learn to care for his wife?
“Rules are rules. Without rules, there is no order,” Gu Wenhong was the first to speak coldly, adopting the demeanor of an elder.
Gu Yan sneered and said leisurely, “Rules? Second Uncle, if you want to talk about rules, go back to your own home. Today is my family’s dinner.”
Gu Wenhong slammed the table with a bang, his face filled with anger. He had been suppressing his temper since the earlier incident.
“Gu Yan! How dare a bastard like you speak to me like that?”
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone present froze, not daring to breathe…
Wen Miaomiao turned to look at Gu Yan, but his face showed no emotion.
Gu Yan…
Gu Wenhan, as the head of the family and Gu Yan’s biological father, remained silent at this moment, not defending his own son.
Gu Chiyu spoke up decisively, “Second Uncle, your words are too harsh. Ah Yan was allowed into the Gu family with Grandpa’s approval. If you’re dissatisfied, you can take it up with Grandpa.”
Mentioning Old Master Gu silenced everyone.
Everyone knew that Old Master Gu favored Gu Yan the most among his grandchildren.
Gu Wenhong’s face turned ashen as he sat in his seat, letting out a cold snort and muttering, “Ill-mannered brat.”
At this point, Gu Wenhan spoke with displeasure, “Enough, Wenhong. Ah Yan is your nephew. Watch your words.”
Gu Wenhong frowned. “Big brother, Gu Yan is full of flaws. His mother didn’t raise him properly, yet he’s back in our Gu family. I don’t know what Old Master was thinking, bringing back such a troublemaker!”
Gu Wenhan’s face darkened…
Gu Chiyu wanted to say something more, but was stopped by a look from Gu Yan.
Only then did Wen Miaomiao realize how much the Gu family resented Gu Yan… insulting him with their words, even slandering his mother.
“I’ll go eat at that table,” Wen Miaomiao said, not wanting to cause trouble, and started to stand up.
Gu Yan reached out and pressed his hand on her shoulder, making her sit back down. His voice was as cold as century-old ice. “You’ll eat right here.”
Wen Miaomiao sighed inwardly. How could she still have an appetite?
The meal was extremely oppressive.
The Gu family members all looked very displeased.
Earlier, aside from Second Brother Gu, no one had been willing to speak up for Gu Yan.
After the meal, the elders chatted about family matters and company affairs.
Gu Yan decisively took Wen Miaomiao’s small hand and left the Gu family ancestral home without even saying goodbye.
The two got into the car, preparing to return to the hillside villa.
Gu Han was driving.
The atmosphere in the car was heavy.
Wen Miaomiao could sense that the man beside her was in a terrible mood.
“Gu Yan, are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”
Gu Yan wrapped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her into his embrace. He gently stroked her head, his voice low and tender. “Baby cares about me now. I’m happy.”
Wen Miaomiao felt helpless.
When they arrived at the villa, Gu Yan went upstairs first and locked himself in the third-floor study.
Wen Miaomiao stood in the courtyard, found Gu Han, and intended to ask a few questions.
Gu Han spoke first. “My young master only returned to the Gu family when he was eighteen. The so-called ‘returning to his roots’—only Old Master Gu acknowledged him. The Gu family members all fawn on the powerful and bully the weak, constantly bringing up the ‘illegitimate son’ issue.”
“Why wasn’t Grandpa Gu there today?” Wen Miaomiao asked, her pretty brows furrowing.
Gu Han shook his head. “I don’t know. If Old Master had been there, no one would have dared to say those things.”
Wen Miaomiao asked, “Why didn’t the Head of the Gu Family speak up for Gu Yan either?”
Gu Han glanced around and lowered his voice. “Old Master Gu favors my young master and intends to groom him as the successor. My young master’s temper is also… so the Head of the Gu Family often lets those people deliberately suppress him.”
Wen Miaomiao couldn’t bear to listen any longer. Furious, she clenched her small pink fists.
“What kind of father is that?”
How outrageous! Just because Grandpa favors Gu Yan, he helps outsiders bully and suppress him?
Gu Han quickly made a shushing gesture, reminding her, “Keep your voice down. There are informants from the Gu family in the villa.”
Wen Miaomiao felt even more troubled. This wealthy family was indeed as deep as the sea! Too complicated.
“Who’s the informant?”
Gu Han leaned close to her ear and whispered, “That Butler Bai. Be cautious around him usually.”
Wen Miaomiao was stunned. Goodness! That butler with eyes like a rat really wasn’t a good person…
No wonder Gu Yan treated him that way!
“I understand. Thank you, Assistant Gu.”