The next day, just as dawn broke, a light rain began to fall under the gloomy sky, and the lilies in the courtyard were drenched, looking even more delicate and vibrant.
At this moment, Cheng Youyi was packing her luggage, preparing to leave. She had no classes this morning and planned to return to her dormitory to catch up on sleep.
To avoid alerting the other members of the Cheng Family, she had to leave while it was still dark and take a taxi by herself.
Her small figure carried a backpack and dragged a heavy suitcase, while her other hand held an umbrella, swaying unsteadily—a rather pitiful sight.
The early morning of this season was chilly, especially with the rain, making the air particularly damp. A cold wind whistled, rustling the tree branches.
Her footsteps quickened as she walked, not wanting to waste a single moment, afraid that someone from the Cheng Family might discover her.
At this moment, Cheng Youyi had no idea that everything about her was already in the hands of that man.
Not long after she left, Cheng Youheng, who had been hiding by the main gate, quickly picked up his phone and dialed Gong Ming’s number.
“Brother-in-law, brother-in-law, hurry up and get going. My sister has left, and it’s raining pretty hard outside. She’ll probably get soaked in no time. You better hurry, or you’ll lose your wife. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
After a moment of silence, Gong Ming’s cold voice came through: “Got it. Thanks.”
“No need to be polite. We’re like family.”
After hanging up, Cheng Youheng couldn’t help but sigh: “Ah, what a mess. We’ve gone around in circles so many times. It’s been so difficult. Who would’ve thought that for my sister’s lifelong happiness, I’d have to play the villain? I hope she doesn’t hold a grudge.”
Last night’s performance had even made Cheng Youheng want to slap himself. Grandpa seemed to be quite the actor too. For the sake of his sister’s lifelong happiness, the two of them had gone to great lengths.
The two adults in the family were stubborn and couldn’t see reason, so this matter had to be left to this old man and young man.
The problem was, Grandpa and Grandpa Gong were old friends, so Grandpa couldn’t personally step in and decide this matter.
After all, having his sister break off her engagement and marry Gong Ming was no small matter. If word got out, it would definitely affect the Cheng Family’s reputation in the capital. Of course, the main concern was that if things weren’t handled properly, his sister might not be able to show her face in public again.
So, it was really thoughtful of his brother-in-law to choose this roundabout strategy. Just for this foresight, Cheng Youheng couldn’t help but admire him wholeheartedly.
“As expected of my brother-in-law. He’s really amazing,” he couldn’t help but praise.
Just then, an elderly voice suddenly sounded behind him: “Has your sister… left?”
Startled, Cheng Youheng almost stumbled. Turning around in a panic, he saw his own grandpa and broke out in a cold sweat: “Grandpa, why are you standing behind me without making a sound? Are you trying to scare me to death?”
“Hmph, do you think you’ve got guts now? Daring to deceive your grandpa,” Cheng Guoxiang snorted, though there was a smile on his face.
“You’re no better. You want to matchmake my sister and brother-in-law but don’t dare to step forward, forcing me to do it and making me play the villain for half the night,” Cheng Youheng grumbled, pouting.
“You brat, how dare you lecture your grandpa?”
“How would I dare? Grandpa, you’re wise and mighty. I only dare to admire you, not defy you. Don’t worry, my sister’s lifelong happiness is in my hands.”
Cheng Youheng chuckled. He had never experienced this feeling before—playing the villain was actually quite fun, though it was a bit nerve-wracking.
“Cheng Youheng, I think Gong Ming is a fine young man, though he’s a bit older and originally not quite a match for our You You. But he’s steady and reliable—entrusting your sister to him puts Grandpa at ease.” Cheng Guoxiang spoke earnestly. “As for that Gong Qianyu, he’s rotten to the core. Given my relationship with that old stubborn fool from the Gong family, I’ve been thinking about how to help your sister break off this engagement. Now, it’s even better—Gong Ming himself came to resolve it.”
He had always been particularly satisfied with the Gong family’s youngest son, ‘Gong Ming.’ It was a pity he hadn’t had a daughter of his own, but who would have thought Gong Ming would fall for his granddaughter?
Although he very much wanted to personally facilitate this relationship, considering the difference in seniority between them, plus Gong Ming being a full ten years older than You You, and the fact that You You had been engaged to the Gong family’s eldest grandson since childhood—according to that old stubborn fool’s way of thinking, his interference would be improper.
Just as he was worrying about his granddaughter’s future, he hadn’t expected Gong Ming to have already taken a liking to her.
Since that was the case, he would quietly lend a helping hand behind Gong Ming’s back. Otherwise, if he stepped in and things blew up, and that old stubborn fool from the Gong family made more trouble to obstruct them, this matter would fall through.
Gong Ming was a good man worth entrusting a lifetime to. He believed Gong Ming could bring happiness to his granddaughter.
Hearing this, Cheng Youheng immediately agreed: “Exactly, exactly! My sister absolutely cannot marry Gong Qianyu. He doesn’t look like a good person at all, always leering at my sister with some shady intentions.”
“Hmm, you know quite a lot, don’t you, you rascal?”
“So, Grandpa, don’t worry. With my clever hands at work, I’ll definitely help my sister shake off that rotten peach blossom from the Gong family.” Cheng Youheng patted his chest in assurance.
“You’re clever, kid, so Grandpa isn’t worried about that. It’s just that after last night’s commotion, your sister probably hates this old man to death. Sigh!”
“Don’t worry, Grandpa. My sister loves you so much, she’ll understand. Besides, shouldn’t I be the one worrying? I acted the most over-the-top last night. What if my sister gets worked up and beats me to a pulp?” Cheng Youheng asked gloomily, just thinking about it made him scared.
“What do you think? Let your sister beat you up honestly.”
Cheng Youheng wailed with a pitiful face: “Grandpa, you really are my good grandpa.”
On the other side, Cheng Youyi walked a long way with her backpack and suitcase without being able to hail a cab. It was always difficult to get a taxi in their area, but it shouldn’t be completely impossible, right?
Yet today, it was as if they had all agreed—not a single taxi passed by on the road. Even when one occasionally drove past, it hurried away without any intention of stopping, as if afraid of being bothered.
And the bus stop was still very, very far away.
Cheng Youyi looked up at the gloomy sky. Seeing the rain curtain about to pour down even heavier, if she didn’t find a ride soon, she would be drenched.
Why was she so unlucky? All the bad things seemed to be happening at once. She couldn’t help but rub her temples in frustration and continued walking forward.
“Mr. Gong.” Wen Qing glanced at the small figure in the rain and then looked at the man in the back seat, who still had his eyes closed without any reaction. He couldn’t help but cautiously remind him: “The weather is too gloomy. It looks like a heavy storm is coming…”
“Hmm.” A detached voice drifted out.
Hearing his answer, Wen Qing dared not make a sound and could only sit quietly in the driver’s seat, awaiting his instructions.
After an unknown length of time, dark clouds had already gathered in the sky, faint flashes of lightning flickering within. Soon, raindrops the size of beans poured down, pattering and clattering as they struck the windows with a loud noise.
In the distance, that slender figure was still persisting, slowly making her way toward the remote bus stop.
Her umbrella was about to be blown away, and soon, she would be drenched from head to toe.
“Drive,” Gong Ming opened his eyes, his gaze falling on that slender silhouette. His deep pupils gradually reddened, his thin lips pressed together again and again, ultimately turning into a shadow of gloom.
Wen Qing was momentarily stunned before hurriedly starting the engine and driving the car forward.