“We were planning a class reunion and already sent a message in the class chat, but you have not replied. Are you planning to come this year?”
This kind of social event was meaningless to Su Su. Being naturally homebound, she did not like attending class reunions either. “Sorry, and thank you for the invitation, but I will not be going.”
“It is rare for everyone to gather once, how can you not come? If the timing conflicts, we can still adjust things.”
Su Su really did not want to go, so she awkwardly brought out her trump card. “But I still need to take care of my son.”
She did not mention her daughter. She was not ready for people to know she already had so many children.
Among people her age, even getting married was extremely rare.
“Ah? You already have a child?” Lu Ziyi sounded very shocked.
The original host had become pregnant with Zai Zai before graduation, and held a wedding with Gu Shao after graduating. Perhaps because she had a fuller figure, the pregnancy showed early, and Zai Zai was born quite big. During the wedding, her belly would noticeably protrude under the wedding dress. Afraid it would not look good, the wedding was not held on a grand scale. Only close relatives and friends were invited, with plans to hold a proper ceremony later.
After Zai Zai was born, Gu Shao’s mother wanted to organize it again, but at that time Qu Qingwei was still abroad. Gu Shao’s mother wanted to discuss it with Su Yi, but every time she contacted him, her daughter-in-law would have a bad attitude for the whole day.
From Zai Zai’s birth until he was three months old, Gu Shao was exhausted every day, collapsing into bed as soon as he lay down. His mother felt sorry for him and did not want to create tension with the original host and trouble him further, so she let the matter drop.
She planned to bring it up again after Qu Qingwei returned from abroad.
Naturally, Qu Qingwei wanted to witness her daughter’s grand wedding. After much persuasion, she finally convinced the original host. Gu Shao’s mother enthusiastically began preparations, but just as the date was set, her daughter-in-law became pregnant again.
Another year passed just like that, and the wedding was never held.
None of the original host’s university classmates knew she had gotten married, except Gu Hao, who was Gu Shao’s younger brother. There was no way he would not know.
“Yes.”
“Is it… is it Gu Hao’s?” Lu Ziyi asked uncertainly.
Her voice was sharp and clear, and since Su Su was sitting close to Gu Shao, he heard it clearly. His hand paused mid-air with the chopsticks.
That was clearly his child.
It was not surprising that Lu Ziyi guessed that. Back in university, wherever Gu Hao was, the original host was usually there too, so everyone assumed they were a couple.
Su Su moved the phone slightly away. “No. Is there anything else you need from me?”
“…Not his?”
Given how inseparable Su Su and Gu Hao had seemed, and how Gu Hao had been a standout figure on campus since enrollment, many had envied Su Su. It was hard to imagine who else the child could belong to if not his.
But when Su Su denied it, Lu Ziyi felt a trace of secret satisfaction.
It was the kind of petty comfort, if I did not get him, at least neither did she. Of course, she already had her own boyfriend.
“You can bring your child along. If you do not come, that would be such a pity. We were classmates for four years, and you never attend the reunions. Everyone really wants to see you,” she added, clearly also curious about what the child looked like.
If possible, she was even more curious about what Su Su’s husband looked like. Surely he could not compare to even a tenth of Gu Hao.
Lu Ziyi could not help thinking that Su Su was probably dumped by Gu Hao, ended up with some random man, got pregnant, and had no choice but to marry.
Given the personalities in their class, that kind of thing was not unusual at all, if not the dream guy, then the backup, no real standards.
The more she thought about it, the more she wanted to see Su Su’s husband.
Trying to hide her excitement, she said, “We are allowed to bring partners. I will bring my boyfriend too. You can come as a family of three and let everyone admire your adorable child.”
Su Su glanced at Gu Shao. If they knew her husband was the boss of Aurora and might have even invested in their projects, they would probably be stunned.
Too explosive, better not shock them.
“I will pass. You all have fun. I have something to do right now. Let’s talk another time, okay?”
Since Su Su had made it so clear, Lu Ziyi had no choice but to stop pressing. “Alright then, but I still hope you can come.”
Su Su hung up and looked at Gu Shao.
Perhaps because Gu Hao had been mentioned, Gu Shao’s previously relaxed expression had turned distant.
In truth, Gu Shao and Gu Hao had always been very close. Although their ages were similar, Gu Shao had always taken on the role of an older brother, protecting Gu Hao since childhood. If anyone bullied him, Gu Shao would step in and fight for him.
Because of that, Gu Hao had always been close to him as well. Though he grew up unruly, he would only listen to Gu Shao.
During university, not wanting to be controlled by his family or live in a dorm, Gu Hao moved in with Gu Shao.
But no one had expected that Su Su would end up pregnant with Gu Shao’s child.
Gu Hao decisively went abroad. Due to work, he would soon have to return. After confirming his return date, he immediately called his brother, not wanting their meeting to be unprepared.
Gu Shao understood what he meant, but did not know how to tell Su Su, especially now that she had begun trying to integrate into the family after Wan Wan’s one-month celebration.
This fragile harmony was something Gu Shao did not want to disrupt.
Yet Gu Hao would always be his brother.
But when Gu Hao and Su Su were tied together, he did not know how to face it.
Even though he knew Su Su and Gu Hao had never actually been in a relationship.
The first time he woke up after being intimate with Su Su, looking at the woman in his arms, the only thing he felt relieved about was that she was not his brother’s girlfriend. Otherwise, he would not have known what to do.
Even so, that did not mean there was no awkwardness.
Shame, pride, and desire tangled together, forming a heavy weight shared by all three of them.
Something that could neither be spoken nor ignored.
…
Gu Shao ate in silence. Su Su glanced at him several times, picking at her rice, gradually losing her appetite.
It was obvious his mood had changed after hearing, is it Gu Hao’s?
According to the original story, the entanglement between Su Su, Gu Hao, and Gu Shao had no solution. But her arrival had already changed things.
Still, it was a secret she had to keep.
In truth, she was also someone who benefited from this situation, occupying the original host’s body and sleeping with her man. If she left this body, Gu Shao would not even spare her a glance.
Well, maybe not necessarily. In her previous life, she looked exactly the same as the original host, same figure too. If both of them stood together, Gu Shao might not even tell them apart.
She really wished she could stand here as her true self.
Thinking about her own body, she felt a bit regretful. She had never even lost her virginity before.
Su Su secretly glanced at Gu Shao and recalled his intensity. Well… maybe not. It would probably hurt a lot.
While thinking, she absentmindedly picked vegetables out of her bowl.
Qu Qingwei immediately noticed, put down her chopsticks, and looked at her with displeasure.
Gu Shao, who had been distracted, noticed the change in expression and nudged Su Su’s elbow.
Only then did Su Su realize what she had done. She hurriedly stuffed the vegetables back into her mouth one by one and swallowed them with difficulty.
She would not normally make such a mistake. It was all Gu Shao’s fault for making her overthink.
Qu Qingwei usually ignored Su Su’s picky eating, but there was one strict rule in the house, whenever Zai Zai was at the table, no one was allowed to be picky. The same would apply when Wan Wan was old enough.
As a new mother, Su Su suffered through it but accepted the rule.
After eating, she pinched Zai Zai’s little face, which looked so much like Gu Shao’s, and sighed inwardly. She truly was the best mother in the world.
Qu Qingwei asked, “Who was that on the phone just now?”
These past few days, Su Su had not been answering strange calls from random people. Qu Qingwei thought she had changed, finally recognizing her responsibilities as a mother and cutting off her chaotic social life.
She worried this call might signal a relapse, so she could not help probing.
“A classmate, my university class monitor. She was asking if I would go to a reunion.”
“Go,” Qu Qingwei said. In front of Gu Shao, she could not openly say, cut off your improper social circles and rebuild normal ones.
She simply added, “Among the talented young people I know, several are from your cohort.”
But among that year’s directing majors, the most outstanding student was undoubtedly Gu Hao.
“Mom, do you really want me to go? There were quite a few guys from our cohort who chased after me.”
Gu Shao’s expression darkened.
Qu Qingwei hurriedly glanced at Gu Shao and cursed Su Su inwardly for saying anything that came to mind. What kind of daughter had she raised? She was going to be driven mad by her sooner or later.
But Su Su had said it on purpose.
Seeing both of their expressions turn sour, she finally felt a small sense of victory.
That satisfaction did not last long. That night, Gu Shao pressed her hard about how many boys had pursued her back in university.
Su Su said nothing.
The next day, she rubbed her sore waist and scolded Gu Shao again.
In her previous life, she had indeed been pursued, but she once overheard that person talking with his friend about her figure.
From that moment on, her feelings toward him went from neutral to intense disgust.
After that, whenever someone pursued her, she would always harbor unpleasant suspicions. Fortunately, after transmigrating, she ended up with a good husband and no longer had to judge whether people were good or bad.
…
That day, Ning Ke did not come to see her. Having grown used to Ning Ke visiting every day, Su Su felt a little uncomfortable.
Bored out of her mind, she called Ning Ke.
The phone rang several times, but Ning Ke did not pick up.
Su Su kept calling persistently, and the call was finally answered. Lying lazily on the bed, she said, “Ning Ke, what are you doing…”
She still had more to say, but then she heard some strange sounds from the receiver…
Then a man’s voice came through, “Miss Su, do you need something from Ning Ke?” His voice was slightly hoarse.
Damn it, Bai Xinyan.
“…I…” Realizing she had interrupted them for quite a while, Su Su was practically thrilled.
Bai Xinyan had thought she would take the hint and hang up, but instead she insisted, “I need to talk to Ning Ke. Please let her take the call, it’s really urgent.”
Speechless, Bai Xinyan thought Gu Shao was already hard enough to deal with. Wasn’t it just that Ning Yue had kissed his little princess once? Yet in business, Gu Shao had made things so difficult for him that he could barely maneuver.
And his wife was even worse, she clearly knew and still…
Did he owe this couple something? Why were these two tormenting him like this?
Suppressing his frustration, and unable to handle someone as thick-skinned as Su Su with his usual good manners, he said politely, “How about I have Xiao Ke call you back later? She doesn’t have time right now.”
Considering that Ning Ke might come after her one day, Su Su stopped while she was ahead and ended her little act of revenge.
With nothing to do, she decided to go out with her mother.
But just then, a friend came to see her.
Wine-red, flamboyant mid-length hair, paired with a punk style, left Su Su stunned.
It was a woman.
She was one of the original host’s university classmates, someone she had been quite close to, even her roommate. Su Su had still been in contact with her before having her second child. Her name was Cheng Cheng.
Qu Qingwei’s expression turned unpleasant when she saw her.
Zai Zai had probably never seen someone dressed like this before, he stared at her with wide, curious eyes.
Qu Qingwei picked Zai Zai up. “You two can talk in the room.” She did not want Gu Zai to be around Su Su’s questionable friends.
“Su Su, can you come out with me for a bit?” Cheng Cheng did not want to go into Su Su’s mother’s house either.
Su Su did not want to go out. Given her personality, she would not get along with the original host’s former friends anyway, so she might as well cut ties now.
“Whatever it is, just say it here. I’m going out with my mom and the kids later.”
Cheng Cheng frowned, clearly displeased, but with Qu Qingwei present, she did not say much.
Qu Qingwei did not want to wait around in front of Su Su’s friends. She said, “Zai Zai and I will leave first. Don’t go out, stay home and look after Wan Wan.”
Seeing that she was upset, Su Su did not know what to say. She simply nodded and watched her leave with Zai Zai.
Zai Zai held his little water bottle in one hand while the other was held by his grandmother. He turned his head to look back at Su Su, as if asking why his mother was not following.
Seeing his adorable expression, Su Su’s heart softened completely.
She really needed to cut off all ties with the original host’s “old friends” and give these two well-behaved children a clean and healthy environment to grow up in.
Su Su spoke frankly to the person in front of her, “You saw that, right? That’s my son. I want to be a good mother, the kind of mother my children will one day say is the best in the world. My past life was too chaotic, I don’t want to stay in that circle anymore.”
It was an obvious rejection. She was smart enough to understand.
Cheng Cheng frowned. “Are you stupid? People say pregnancy makes you slow for three years, looks like it’s true.”
She had even stopped wearing her usual heavy makeup, going for some fresh and simple look, and dressing so demurely. It was ridiculous.
“What’s wrong with you?” Cheng Cheng asked.
“Nothing’s wrong. I’ve just woken up, like waking from a long dream. Do you understand? I have a husband and children now, I want a peaceful life.”
In truth, the original host may never have woken up at all, remaining immersed in that intoxicating world. Although the book did not explicitly say so, it could be inferred.
“Woken up from what?” Cheng Cheng laughed, but there was bitterness in it. Only those who never realized they were asleep would never wake up. Of course she understood what Su Su meant.
Cheng Cheng could not help taking out a pack of cigarettes, pulling one out and lighting it. She took a deep drag and exhaled, while Su Su watched the smoke curl upward in surprise.
Only then did Cheng Cheng ask, “Sorry, do you mind?”
You already lit it before asking…
Of course she minded, it even felt a bit pretentious.
“Put it out, I can’t stand the smell.”
If Gu Shao ever dared to smoke, she would not let him step into the bedroom.
What she did not know was that Gu Shao used to have a smoking habit when he was younger. During his early struggles, the pressure was immense, and he often stayed up late, relying on cigarettes to relax and stay alert.
Later, when the original host moved into his house with Gu Hao, he naturally would not smoke in front of her. And after she became pregnant, he quit entirely.
Cheng Cheng stubbed out the cigarette. “Lu Ziyi called you yesterday?”
Su Su nodded. “Yeah.”
“She mentioned the class reunion. Sounds like she really wants you to go. She contacted me yesterday and asked me to come find you.”
Su Su shook her head. If she had any friends in this world, Ning Ke might barely count, since they shared similar interests. But Cheng Cheng definitely was not one of them. She did not feel the need to give her any face.
“I said I’m not going, and I mean it. No one can persuade me.”
“You’ve got some nerve, Su Su. What, it hasn’t even been that long, and you’ve already forgotten all about old friendships?”
Su Su did not respond.
“I already told them I’d handle it. Are you trying to make me lose face?”
Still, no response.
Cheng Cheng continued, “Let me tell you something. Qin Huai told me Gu Hao will be back in a few days. The reunion was postponed specifically to match his schedule. With his playful personality, he’ll definitely show up.”
Qin Huai was Cheng Cheng’s boyfriend. They had broken up and gotten back together multiple times, and everyone thought they would not last.
Although Cheng Cheng knew Su Su’s mother lived here and that she had two children, she had no idea who Su Su’s husband was. Su Su had never told her.
She did not want anyone to know that she had accidentally slept with Gu Hao’s older brother and ended up marrying him.
“Gu Hao is coming back?” Su Su asked.
Cheng Cheng nodded, watching her calmly. She did not believe Su Su would still refuse to go.
But what Su Su was thinking was that Gu Shao should already know this news, yet for some reason had not told her.
If Gu Hao really returned, to be honest, it would be a little awkward for her…
After all, the original host had been so crazy about him…
Wanting to send this woman away, Su Su said, “Alright, I got it. I’ll think about it again, okay?”
Only then did Cheng Cheng smile and nod. Just as she was about to leave, she added, “Your son looks a bit like Gu Hao. He’s not really Gu Hao’s kid, is he?”
Su Su thought to herself, that’s because you’ve never seen his real father. It’s not just a bit of resemblance.
That night, Su Su casually brought it up to Gu Shao, “Gu Shao, is Gu Hao coming back? Why didn’t you tell me earlier? It would be so awkward if I ran into him like that.”
Gu Shao stiffened at her words, unsure how to respond for a moment.
After a while, he said as if nothing was wrong, “Mm, I forgot to mention it. He’s coming back. Are you happy?”
Su Su frowned. What kind of question was that? What did he mean by asking if she was happy?