He moved unhurriedly, his actions natural, as if it were only right that he should do these things for Jiang Wan.
He neatly placed some painting tools and rolled-up drawing paper into cardboard boxes, having Wen Qing take them downstairs first.
Then he proceeded to pack clothes. Upon closer inspection, some garments had already started to fray at the edges.
But Gu Shilan’s expression remained unchanged; he patiently folded them and neatly arranged them in the boxes.
Jiang Wan watched, her eyes growing warm, a surge of warmth flowing through her heart.
Gu Shilan handled every item with meticulous care and patience. Even a single paintbrush of hers, he carefully placed away.
He could have easily told her to discard all these things, yet he personally took charge of sorting and packing them.
Jiang Wan knew Gu Shilan was considering her perspective, afraid of hurting her self-esteem.
Jiang Wan also took a box and carefully placed the wooden carvings her mother had left inside.
“Wanwan,” Gu Shilan’s deep voice sounded. “These wooden carvings are too old to be stored like this.”
He found a few sheets of paper, cut them into long, thin strips with scissors, and laid them in the box, allowing the paper shreds to cushion the carvings on all sides to prevent damage.
During this time, the Jiang couple stood outside the door, wanting to send servants in to help.
But Gu Shilan only said lightly, “No need to trouble yourselves.”
After speaking, he didn’t dismiss them but continued to condescend to organize the belongings, as if putting on a performance.
Jiang Yi and Meng Fenyu couldn’t help, nor could they simply leave. They stood awkwardly in the hallway, left hanging by Gu Shilan, akin to being punished.
After being left hanging for quite a while, the two felt utterly embarrassed and humiliated. They could only grit their teeth and walk away sheepishly.
After the two of them, along with Wen Shi and Wen Qing, worked for quite some time, it was nearly noon when they finally finished packing.
Jiang Wan held the box containing her mother’s wooden carvings and left the Jiang residence with Gu Shilan.
Jiang Ting stood by the window, watching the Bentley slowly drive out of sight. Furious, she threw a cup to the floor.
The sound of shattering glass cut through the quiet room.
She let out a scream and threw herself onto the bed, kicking her legs wildly.
When Meng Fenyu entered, she saw Jiang Ting in this frenzied state.
She had always doted on her, but now she was somewhat angered by Jiang Ting’s foolishness.
“Mom,” Jiang Ting lifted her head from the bed and said angrily to Meng Fenyu, “Why didn’t you let me expose Jiang Wan?”
If she had told Gu Shilan that Jiang Wan was carrying a bastard child, she refused to believe he would still marry her.
“How could I have given birth to such a fool?” Meng Fenyu couldn’t help but scold. “If Gu Shilan didn’t know whose child Jiang Wan was carrying, would he marry her? It’s clearly Gu Shilan’s child. Do you think he’s as stupid as you, unable to figure out whether it’s his own child or not?”
Jiang Ting’s eyes widened suddenly, as if she had heard something unbelievable. “How is that possible? Those two thugs assured me they saw Jiang Wan being slept with by that old beggar.”
Meng Fenyu poked Jiang Ting’s forehead with her finger. “I told you you’re foolish, and you still don’t believe it. You didn’t see it with your own eyes, yet you believed the thugs’ few words? To swindle your money, they’d claim they’ve seen aliens if they had to.”
Jiang Ting sat up abruptly from the bed and remained silent.
Meng Fenyu warned her, “I’m telling you, don’t do anything foolish again. If Gu Shilan finds out you tried to ruin Jiang Wan’s reputation, be careful—he won’t let you off easily, and the Jiang family will suffer along with you.”
“By then, no one in this family will be able to protect you. Keep this matter buried in your stomach, understand?”
“Understood.” Although Jiang Ting felt somewhat unwilling, she was also frightened by her mother’s words. “I won’t say anything.”
Silver Bay Villa
After Gu Shilan and Jiang Wan returned to the villa, the servants carried the cardboard boxes back into the house one by one.
Gu Shilan instructed them to take the boxes upstairs without needing to organize them.
“Yes, Young Master,” a young maid replied, holding a box larger than her face.
Aunt Zhang, anticipating that the two might return for lunch, had the chef prepare the meal and keep it warm on a heating tray.
“Young Master, Young Madam, you’re back,” Aunt Zhang said cheerfully. “Would you like to have lunch?”
Gu Shilan nodded. “Aunt Zhang, please prepare it first. Wanwan and I will go upstairs to change.”
Aunt Zhang acknowledged and briskly walked away.
After changing, the two came to the dining table. Gu Shilan, ever the gentleman, pulled out a chair for Jiang Wan.
Jiang Wan smiled but didn’t say thank you this time.
She felt that she and Gu Shilan were now family, and being overly polite with family would only create distance.
This small detail didn’t escape Gu Shilan’s notice. He was pleased with the change in Jiang Wan’s attitude.
Returning to his seat, he said naturally, “Let’s eat.”
Jiang Wan nodded, picked up her chopsticks, and took a bite of rice.
Gu Shilan silently used serving chopsticks to place a piece of sweet and sour pork ribs into Jiang Wan’s bowl. Casually, he asked, “Wanwan, tell me what you like to eat. The chefs I’ve hired are skilled in both northern and southern cuisines.”
Jiang Wan swallowed the rice in her mouth and looked up at Gu Shilan. “Uncle Gu, there’s no need to trouble yourself. I’m not picky; I can eat anything.”
She wasn’t being polite—it was the truth. In the Jiang family, she never had the right to choose. Just having warm meals every day made Jiang Wan feel fortunate.
Gu Shilan’s heart ached, his eyes filled with tenderness.
Earlier at the Jiang family, he had seen Jiang Wan’s cramped, simple room and the cheap bread wrapper in the corner trash can, not yet cleared away.
It wasn’t hard to imagine how she had lived since childhood.
He reached across the table and gently held Jiang Wan’s hand resting on it, speaking softly, “Wanwan, no one can accept everything or love every kind of food. This is your home. You can express your preferences without any hesitation or worry.”
His large hand enveloping hers was warm, causing the veins on the back of Jiang Wan’s hand to pulse faster.
She stared at the sweet and sour pork ribs in front of her, but her peripheral vision caught Gu Shilan’s gentle eyes. Her face flushed red once again.
Withdrawing her hand from his grasp, she pretended to be at ease and said, “I… I understand, Uncle Gu.”
Unwilling to frighten her, Gu Shilan spoke earnestly, like an elder patiently guiding a younger generation, “Then Uncle Gu can rest assured.”
As if he hadn’t just held the young girl’s hand.
After the meal, Gu Shilan helped Jiang Wan arrange her belongings. Jiang Wan wanted to help tidy up, but Gu Shilan insisted her task was to take a nap. Seeing Jiang Wan stubbornly standing still, Gu Shilan playfully threatened, “If you don’t go now, I’ll have to carry you to rest.”
He then took a step forward, pretending to pick her up.
Jiang Wan immediately scurried away.
Gu Shilan called after her, “Don’t run!”
Jiang Wan abruptly stopped, shuffling her little feet as she walked toward her room.
Gu Shilan couldn’t help but laugh. Jiang Wan was just a girl who had recently come of age, still carrying a hint of childishness.