Perhaps she had been staring for too long.
Jiang Wan realized that Gu Shilan was truly handsome.
Even the mixed-race features she had previously overlooked became apparent upon closer inspection.
His eyes were deep-set, his nose bridge high and straight, the line of his jaw sharp and defined, and his skin was fairer than most…
“Wanwan.” After finishing the English lesson, Gu Shilan shed his teacher’s identity, but the student seemed still immersed in it. He lightly tapped the table: “Am I good-looking?”
“Good-looking.” Jiang Wan replied instinctively, then snapped back to reality. Realizing what she had just said, her face instantly grew hot enough to roast sweet potatoes: “No, I misspoke… Not good-looking, that’s not right either…”
Gu Shilan had intended to tease her, but seeing her flustered and at a loss, his heart softened immediately: “Alright, I was just joking. I know you wouldn’t covet Uncle Gu’s good looks.”
Jiang Wan gave up struggling: “…”
“Wanwan.” Gu Shilan composed his expression, no longer teasing: “I wanted to ask about your future plans. Do you intend to continue as an illustrator, or do you have other aspirations?”
Sure enough, Jiang Wan’s attention was diverted. Knowing that Gu Shilan was concerned about her, she didn’t want to offer a polite excuse.
“……I want to become a woodcarver in the future.”
Gu Shilan thought of the woodcarvings Jiang Wan treasured like precious gems and immediately understood the reason.
After a moment of contemplation, he said: “Wanwan, I know a master carver. I can introduce you. Would you like to meet him?”
Jiang Wan looked at him.
She knew that anyone Gu Shilan associated with must be a renowned master in the industry. If she could receive even a little guidance from such a master, it would be immensely beneficial. She didn’t want to miss this opportunity.
“Uncle Gu, I would.”
“If you want to, then hurry up and go to sleep. It’s already very late.” Gu Shilan tapped his wristwatch: “I’ll take you there next week.”
Urged by Gu Shilan, Jiang Wan returned to her room.
Just before she left, Gu Shilan said: “Wanwan, how about you come to my room tonight…”
Before he could finish the word “sleep,” Jiang Wan quickened her pace, saying as she walked: “The babies are sleepy. I need to go to bed.”
Her fleeing figure looked as if a male wolf in heat were chasing her.
Gu Shilan smiled wryly to himself. She guarded against him as if he were some threat, but he wouldn’t do anything.
Yet he had completely forgotten what he had done while holding Jiang Wan that morning.
Two days later, the Lu family’s banquet was held as scheduled.
The banquet was set in the Lu family’s villa. The first-floor hall was dazzlingly decorated, with a massive European-style crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling, emitting a brilliant glow.
Elegant, soothing music filled the air. Guests dressed in formal attire mingled at the evening party, chatting and laughing, their glasses clinking.
Jiang Wan arrived first, accompanying Old Mrs. Gu, as Gu Shilan still had some unfinished work matters to attend to and would arrive a bit later.
Everyone knew Old Mrs. Gu, but the identity of the woman in the custom-made white evening gown beside her remained unclear to the guests.
Although it was known outside that Gu Shilan had married not long ago, unfortunately, no one had yet seen the current mistress of the Gu family.
Without clarity on the matter, naturally, no one would rashly approach to inquire.
Jiang Wan wasn’t very accustomed to such occasions, so she found an excuse to retreat to the rest area.
Old Madam knew that Jiang Wan preferred quiet, and soon a crowd would come over to chat and inquire. Even she, an old woman long accustomed to such occasions, found it somewhat tiresome to handle, and she didn’t want Jiang Wan to be overly strained. So, she nodded in agreement.
“Alright, child, go and rest for a while. When Shi Lan arrives, he will introduce your identity.”
As soon as Jiang Wan left, wealthy ladies gathered in pairs to greet Old Mrs. Gu.
Jiang Wan chose a quiet corner, took a book from the shelf beside the sofa, sat down, and began reading with her head lowered.
While she was reading, a sudden commotion arose at the entrance, clearly indicating the arrival of an important guest.
Jiang Wan looked up from her book toward the source of the noise and saw a tall figure walking gracefully through the crowd from the entrance.
He carried an air of noble elegance, with refined features and an unmatched presence, making him the center of attention among everyone present.
Gu Shilan spotted Jiang Wan in the corner at a glance and was about to approach her when he was held back by guests actively seeking his attention.
Jiang Wan withdrew her gaze from Gu Shilan and returned to her book, but her actions were noticed by several young female guests nearby.
Unaware of Jiang Wan’s identity, they spoke with mockery.
“Who is that woman? She came with Old Madam earlier, and now she’s sitting in the corner. Could she be someone trying to climb the social ladder?”
“Who knows? But the way she was staring at Mr. Gu was so blatant. Does she really think her looks are enough to seduce him?”
“Wishful thinking. Trying to turn a wild chicken into a phoenix.”
These women made no effort to lower their voices, as if deliberately letting Jiang Wan hear them.
Jiang Wan frowned slightly, her expression turning visibly unpleasant.
Gu Shilan had been keeping an eye on Jiang Wan. Noticing something amiss, he frowned and glanced at the women before declining a toast from someone else and walking directly toward her.
“Wanwan,” he said as he reached Jiang Wan, bending slightly and extending his hand to her. His voice was gentle as he added, “In this lifetime, you are the only one who can make me bow my head.”
As soon as he finished speaking, the people around were taken aback by Gu Shilan’s gesture, unsure of what he meant.
One of the women who had mocked Jiang Wan whispered to her companion, “It seems Mrs. Gu isn’t having an easy time. So soon after the wedding, Mr. Gu is already showing favor to another woman.”
“You might be disappointed,” Huo Yiheng said lightly, holding a glass of red wine in one hand and the other tucked into his pocket. “You probably don’t know that Wanwan is the name of the mistress of the Gu family.”
Upon hearing this, the women stared wide-eyed at Huo Yiheng standing beside them, their expressions as if they had seen a ghost.
Huo Yiheng gave them a faint glance before turning and heading to the lounge to find Old Madam.
From afar, the gazes of the crowd converged on the two of them, making Jiang Wan feel somewhat uncomfortable.
Nevertheless, she stood up and slowly placed her hand in Gu Shilan’s palm.
Gu Shilan led Jiang Wan by the hand to the center of the hall.
He glanced around calmly, his gaze steady and his demeanor composed.
“Today, I have the honor of introducing my wife to everyone,” Gu Shilan paused and looked at Jiang Wan. “Miss Jiang Wan.”
“Due to my wife’s health reasons, we have decided to postpone the wedding. We plan to hold the ceremony next year, and you are all welcome to attend.”
Taking this opportunity, Gu Shilan introduced Jiang Wan’s identity to everyone and used his actions to let others know how much he valued her.
The guests present were all adept at socializing and handling situations with tact. Upon hearing this, they all expressed that they would definitely attend as promised to congratulate President Gu and his wife.
“Congratulations, President Gu.”
“President Gu and his wife are truly a perfect match, a beautiful couple.”
The host, Lu Zhengyu, also smiled and offered his blessings, delivering a series of polite remarks. With his eloquent words, the atmosphere at the scene returned to its earlier state.
However, the few female guests who had mocked Jiang Wan were escorted out by Lu Zhengyu’s staff.