The interior decoration exuded a sense of steadiness.
Much like Gu Shilan’s character—composed, self-restrained, and carrying the weight of generations of distinguished nobility.
Upon hearing footsteps, Aunt Zhang emerged from the kitchen. In her fifties, she had a kind and amiable appearance.
Meticulous and thoughtful in her work, she never gossiped—a rare quality in wealthy households.
This was precisely why Gu Shilan had specifically called Aunt Zhang from the old mansion to take care of Jiang Wan.
Aunt Zhang greeted them with a smile: “Young Master, this must be Young Madam.”
“Yes, Wanwan is pregnant. I’ll have to trouble you to look after her from now on,” Gu Shilan said.
“Of course,” Aunt Zhang replied cheerfully, clasping her hands together. “Heaven bless us. The Old Madam will be overjoyed when she finds out.”
Then, turning to Jiang Wan, she said, “Young Madam, if there’s anything you need in the future, just let me know. I may not have many talents, Aunt Zhang, but I know how to take care of people.”
Seeing Aunt Zhang pat her chest in assurance, Jiang Wan smiled and said, “Aunt Zhang, I’ll be counting on your guidance from now on.”
Aunt Zhang waved her hand at Jiang Wan. “We’ll learn from each other, learn from each other.”
Gu Shilan then asked Aunt Zhang to take Jiang Wan to her room.
Aunt Zhang led Jiang Wan to the bedroom on the second floor.
The soft, large bed was covered with dusty pink sheets. Beside the bed lay a white woolen carpet, which looked warm and comfortable even before stepping on it.
It was clear that everything had been carefully arranged.
By the flowing European-style sheer curtains near the window stood a high-quality wooden easel—a perfect match for Jiang Wan’s preferences.
“I had someone arrange it temporarily,” Gu Shilan said casually as he leaned against the doorframe.
Last night, he had stayed up late, meticulously listing all the necessary items on paper. The room’s furnishings, bedding, decorations, and even the clothes in the walk-in closet had all been personally selected by Gu Shilan.
To avoid making Jiang Wan feel burdened, he pretended to be nonchalant. “I wasn’t sure what you girls like. Since time was tight, I just had someone arrange it casually. If there’s anything you don’t like, you can tell me anytime.”
“It’s already perfect,” Jiang Wan said, running her hand over the smooth-edged easel. “Uncle Gu, you’re too good to me. I’m afraid I’ll get used to it…”
After her mother passed away, Jiang Wan had become like a neglected weed, relying on her own resilience to grow up.
She feared that once she tasted something sweet, she would no longer be able to endure bitterness.
“Then try getting used to it,” Gu Shilan said, his eyes deep and his voice as gentle as spring water. “Wanwan, as long as you’re willing, you can always stay by my side.”
Hearing this, Jiang Wan’s heart skipped a beat, and she awkwardly averted her gaze.
She didn’t yet know how to respond to such intimate words from Gu Shilan.
Gu Shilan noted Jiang Wan’s reaction and silently scolded himself for being too impatient.
This little girl was so easily shy—he would have to be more careful with his words and actions in the future, lest he scare her away.
“I’ve prepared clothes for you in the walk-in closet,” Gu Shilan smoothly changed the subject. “Go change first, then come downstairs for dinner.”
From the closet full of clothes, Jiang Wan chose a white dress. Its simple cut accentuated her delicate figure even more.
“Young Madam,” Aunt Zhang was setting a plate on the table and couldn’t help but admire Jiang Wan as she saw her. “You look absolutely beautiful in this outfit. Young Master has such excellent taste in clothing—it wasn’t in vain that he had someone fetch these clothes late last night. This morning, he even called to follow up on the progress of the room arrangements. Everything in your room was personally chosen by him, all because he was worried you might not feel comfortable staying here.”
Gu Shilan cleared his throat lightly with a fist, standing before the dining table and frowning slightly at Aunt Zhang. “Aunt Zhang, is the congee tonight bird’s nest porridge?”
Aunt Zhang was puzzled. Didn’t you ask me to make bird’s nest porridge? Why ask me now? Though confused, she answered truthfully, “Yes, Young Master.”
Gu Shilan said, “Then hurry and serve a bowl for Young Madam. Wanwan is hungry.”
“Alright…” Aunt Zhang replied and turned to head into the kitchen. Why is Young Master acting so strange? Perhaps it’s because he suddenly has a wife and is so excited he’s forgetting himself.
Gu Shilan looked at Jiang Wan, who stood there stunned, her delicate cheeks tinged with a rosy blush. He thought to himself, she’s so adorable it’s almost criminal. But he had to maintain his “good uncle” image, so he suppressed his thoughts, not daring to show them. Instead, he said softly, “Come and eat.”
Jiang Wan walked over and sat in the dining chair Gu Shilan had pulled out for her. “Thank you.”
Gu Shilan observed Jiang Wan, who remained polite and reserved toward him. This did nothing to help deepen their relationship in the future; it only created an invisible distance between them. After a moment of thought, he felt it necessary to change Jiang Wan’s attitude toward him and said gently, “Wanwan, after marriage, we are husband and wife. Between husband and wife, we shouldn’t always say thank you—it creates distance.”
Jiang Wan thought Gu Shilan made a good point. Since she had decided to marry him, she should try to get used to it. “I understand, Uncle Gu.”
Gu Shilan nodded. “Wanwan, I’m off this Sunday. How about I accompany you to the Jiang family to retrieve your household register?”
“I have no objections.”
Jiang Wan understood Gu Shilan’s thoughtful intentions. He was worried that if she went home alone to get the household register, Meng Fenyu might give her a hard time.
“Alright, let’s eat.”
The dining table was already set with dishes, all light and refreshing. Worried that Jiang Wan’s diet might be too bland and lacking in nutrition, Gu Shilan had specifically arranged for premium blood bird’s nest and sea cucumber to be delivered.
Just then, Aunt Zhang brought the bird’s nest porridge and placed it in front of Jiang Wan. “Young Madam, this blood bird’s nest was delivered fresh this morning on Young Master’s orders. Drinking more of it during pregnancy is good for the child.”
Jiang Wan smiled and thanked Aunt Zhang.
Jiang Wan drank a bowl of bird’s nest porridge and ate some of the dishes. Perhaps because she was feeling more relaxed, or maybe because the food suited her taste, she didn’t experience any morning sickness throughout the entire meal.
Gu Shilan quietly noted the dishes Jiang Wan picked up more frequently with her chopsticks, thinking he could ask the chef to prepare them more often.
After the meal, Gu Shilan asked, “Would you like to take a walk in the garden?”
Jiang Wan had also heard that moderate exercise during pregnancy was beneficial, so she nodded. “Alright.”
It was late summer, and the evening weather was neither too hot nor too cold. Still, Gu Shilan draped a light jacket over her shoulders. “There, let’s go.” Only then did he accompany Jiang Wan to the backyard.
This villa was left by Gu Shilan’s parents.
Gu Shilan’s mother was diagnosed with leukemia when he was eight years old. However, because it was malignant, even though the Gu family was immensely wealthy, hiring top experts from abroad and using the most expensive medications, they ultimately could not save Gu’s Mother’s life.
Gu’s Father and Gu’s Mother met, understood, and fell in love during their university years. The bond between them was something no one else could fully comprehend.
A year after Gu’s Mother passed away, Gu’s Father also departed from this world due to excessive grief.
Gu’s Mother loved flowers, so there was a greenhouse in the backyard where the agave plants were personally planted by Gu’s Father for his beloved wife.
Even after twenty years, their tenacious vitality kept them thriving.