Though reluctant to compromise, one had to bow under another’s roof.
Su Wantang walked over and held Li Cuiping’s arm. “Auntie, I’m really not a bad person. Please believe me. The reason Brother Ciyuan and I didn’t recognize each other is simply because I was still young when he left.”
Li Cuiping certainly believed Su Wantang wasn’t malicious.
But Gu Changsheng had brought her home, and she couldn’t possibly trust her based on just these few words.
As for what was between her and Gu Ciyuan, she didn’t care—in fact, she hoped they didn’t get along.
“Of course Auntie believes you. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been so eager to match you with Mingxin. Mingxin is my nephew from my maiden family. You know how we’ve treated you during your stay here. Auntie just felt disheartened hearing about today’s incident and upset for Mingxin. He’s been sincere with you, yet you accused him of being a hooligan? How disappointing!”
It was Jiang Hongqi who said that; she had merely rejected him.
After barely managing to handle the situation, Su Wantang felt utterly exhausted.
Gu Ciyuan hadn’t returned—who knew where he had gone?
Regardless, this matter had to be resolved tomorrow.
Li Cuiping was sweet-faced but bitter-hearted, always using the guise of doing good to pull off disgusting acts. It was truly unbearable.
And that lecherous Li Mingxin—ugly yet delusional, with no sense of shame. He was the one constantly pestering her, yet he made it seem like she was the one reaching above her station.
Su Wantang’s impression of Gu Ciyuan still lingered from childhood—the big brother who used to hold and comfort her.
Now, he was tall and fierce, intimidating at first glance, making her feel uncertain and rather scared.
He seemed to have a bad temper. If she really married him, with her petite frame, she might not withstand his beatings!
Lost in these thoughts, she eventually drifted off to sleep without realizing when.
Downstairs.
Only after Su Wantang’s figure disappeared did Li Mingxin withdraw his gaze, looking ingratiatingly at Li Cuiping.
“Aunt, you’re so clever. Look how you’ve got that little girl under control.” Li Mingxin flatteringly massaged Li Cuiping’s shoulders but couldn’t hide his worry. “Gu Ciyuan is back. That bastard has always been fierce. If he finds out Su Wantang came for him, my marriage plans will be ruined. Aunt, you have to help me. Your nephew’s future happiness depends entirely on you!”
“Look at you, so spineless!” Li Cuiping scoffed disdainfully. “Is Su Wantang really that perfect in your eyes?”
Though she was happy to facilitate this marriage, she still thought her nephew was hopeless.
But Li Mingxin didn’t hold back. “Of course she is! In all my life, I’ve never seen anyone more beautiful than her. I genuinely like her and must marry her.”
Men are all the same, Li Cuiping thought with a cold laugh.
“Rest assured. No matter who she came for, Gu Ciyuan hardly comes home once in ten days or half a month. As long as she stays here, she won’t escape my grasp.”
Only then was Li Mingxin satisfied, as if the swan meat had already fallen into his mouth, grinning brightly.
“Oh, Aunt, my dad wants to join the Tail-Cutting Society. It’s a lucrative position, much more promising than working in the factory. Can you ask Uncle to put in a good word for him?”
Li Cuiping suppressed her smile and warned Li Mingxin with a stern look, “Tell your father to stop stirring up trouble. Your uncle can’t stand those people from the Tail-Cutting Society. If you still want to acknowledge me as your aunt and rely on your uncle, stay away from those unreliable matters.”
Li Cuiping was no fool. She had long used her status to gather information from Gu Changsheng.
Although capitalists had a poor class background, their families were undoubtedly well-off.
The Su family of Nan province had built their fortune on textiles. During the Republic of China era, they were a renowned and influential family. Though they had declined and surrendered much of their property, she didn’t believe the Su family hadn’t kept some backup plan for themselves.
Just the rent and dividends received during the previous public-private partnership period were likely a substantial sum.
The current generation of the Su family had only two daughters. Marrying Su Wantang was equivalent to marrying half of the Su family—would they ever lack money?
If not for her calculations, why would she be willing to match her nephew with an orphan like Su Wantang, who came from a problematic class background?
Being pretty was useless.
In her view, beauty couldn’t put food on the table. She wasn’t one of those men blinded by infatuation!
Li Mingxin gave an embarrassed laugh and didn’t dare say another word.
Their family’s current standing was entirely thanks to his aunt marrying a capable man and him having a good uncle.
Although Li Cuiping usually indulged him when he acted spoiled, she never tolerated him crossing the line.
Su Wantang had a restless night. When she woke up in the morning, her eyes were still bloodshot.
Gu Ciyuan hadn’t returned at all, and no one knew where he had gone.
Li Cuiping was deliberately giving her the cold shoulder. Even the naive Gu Jiaojiao could sense the tense atmosphere at home.
She whispered to Su Wantang, “Sis Wantang, my mom’s cold expression must be because that scoundrel Li Mingxin stirred up trouble. I wondered why he came over so late last night. Even though he’s my cousin, I’m not taking his side. Let me tell you, he’s no good. Don’t listen to my mom about dating him. If she pressures you, just complain to my dad. My mom is terrified of making him angry.”
Gu Jiaojiao, two years younger than her, was a round-faced girl with a lovely appearance and a pair of small canine teeth.
Perhaps because she was the youngest in the family, she was raised to be innocent and lively, completely unlike the kind of child someone as sweet-faced but bitter-hearted as Li Cuiping would raise.
Yet the truth was, they were indeed biological mother and daughter.
Su Wantang nodded, “It’s probably because Ciyuan hit Li Mingxin last night. Since I came here for Ciyuan, it’s natural for Aunt Gu to take it out on me.”
“What? My big brother is back?”
Gu Jiaojiao’s exclamation immediately caught the attention of Li Cuiping, who was reading the newspaper. Turning around, she saw the two of them in the yard, whispering to each other.
“Always making a fuss without any ladylike demeanor. What are you shouting about now?” Her tone was scolding from the start.
Gu Jiaojiao ducked her head and quickly shook it, “Nothing. I want to go buy clothes and asked Sis Wantang to come with me.”
“Let Lanlan go with you. Wantang should stay home and keep me company,” Li Cuiping said. She had her own job, but it was still early, not yet time for work.
But Gu Jiaojiao grabbed Su Wantang’s hand and ran, “No, I want Sis Wantang to come with me. She has good taste.”
Gu Jiaojiao didn’t like Li Lan. To be precise, she didn’t like any of the relatives from the Li family.
She simply felt that everyone from her maternal grandmother’s side was too calculating.
Her father was often away from home and didn’t know the details, but nothing at home could escape her notice.
Li Lan would seize every opportunity to get close to her eldest brother, not even considering her own appearance—how could she possibly be worthy of her tall and mighty brother?
Gu Jiaojiao pedaled the bicycle carrying Su Wantang, charging forward with seemingly endless energy. But judging by the direction they were heading, it didn’t seem like they were going clothes shopping.
Su Wantang asked doubtfully, “Jiaojiao, are we really going to buy clothes?”
“Buy what clothes? I’m taking you to find my brother. If he hasn’t come back, he must be at his aunt’s house…”
From Gu Jiaojiao, Su Wantang learned much about Gu Ciyuan.
She truly hadn’t expected that, despite being the son of Commander Gu, his life over the years had been quite difficult.
And her arrival was likely to become the biggest stain on his past life.
It would be a lie to say she wasn’t nervous.
But since she had come, she had to seek some resolution.
Although she had her Space to rely on and wouldn’t lack for food, clothing, or daily necessities, how easy could it be for a beautiful woman to live alone?
In the past half month, Li Mingxin wasn’t the only one who had taken an interest in her. Those who lived in the Army Family Compound all had status, so even if they liked her, they wouldn’t make inappropriate moves.
Outside was different.
Without sufficient capability, beauty could become a burden dragging one into hell.
Just like that Lord Zhao from Nan Province.
Gu Jiaojiao parked the bicycle in front of a Western-style house and tried to pull Su Wantang inside.
But Su Wantang didn’t move at all.
“Sister Wantang, what’s wrong?”
The thought of Gu Ciyuan’s fierce demeanor made her heart tremble.
“Nothing, let’s go.”
She restrained herself.
Through the gate, they could see Gu Ciyuan moving about in the yard.
Gu Jiaojiao was overjoyed. If Gu Ciyuan’s arm hadn’t been in a sling, she would have rushed straight into his embrace.
“Brother, how did you get injured?”
“Stupid question.” Gu Ciyuan remained as ill-tempered as ever.
Gu Jiaojiao was used to it and didn’t argue with him. She quickly pulled Su Wantang forward, “Brother, brother, do you know who she is?”
From the moment the two entered, Gu Ciyuan’s gaze had repeatedly swept over Su Wantang, and each glance made the guilty Su Wantang feel a chill in her heart.
“If you have nothing to do, leave. Don’t bother me.” Gu Ciyuan had no interest in playing guessing games with her.
Gu Jiaojiao pouted, “I came all this way to see you out of kindness, and this is how you treat me? You’re really too annoying! Let me tell you, she came specifically for you, waiting for you at home…”
Su Wantang quickly covered her mouth.
Gu Jiaojiao mumbled protests until Su Wantang released her, then demanded, “What are you doing?”
“Good Jiaojiao…”
Su Wantang looked pleadingly at her, pulling her aside and saying something quietly. Gu Jiaojiao’s suspicious gaze swept between the two of them before she frowned and turned away, saying, “Fine, I’ll leave. It’s not like I wanted to come anyway.”
Watching through the gate as Gu Jiaojiao pushed her bicycle away, Su Wantang finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Turning back, she found Gu Ciyuan studying her with a scrutinizing look.
Her heart tightened again.
“You sent Gu Jiaojiao away. What’s your purpose?”
The journey from H City to Jingdu wasn’t short. Every time he saw her, she was being bullied, and now she came with Gu Jiaojiao to find him—it made Gu Ciyuan suspicious of her identity and intentions.
Coincidences do exist in this world, but when there are too many coincidences, they become deliberate intentions.
Just being glanced at by him made Su Wantang tremble with fear.
Summoning all her courage, she finally managed to ask, “Do you remember that night at the Su residence a month and a half ago?”
In that instant, even the air seemed to turn cold.
When she looked up at his expression, it was as icy as frozen water.
“What is your relationship with the Su family?”
“N-none at all.” Su Wantang’s teeth were chattering so much she hardly dared to speak another word!