“Auntie and Meichen have such a great relationship,” Zhuang Wan said with a smile.
Lin Lan chuckled. “I raised her myself, of course our relationship is great.”
“Then why hasn’t Meichen changed her last name?”
In her eyes, only if Yun Qingwu changed her last name and truly became a part of the Gu family would she no longer pose a threat to her marriage with Gu Yi.
Lin Lan smiled. “Not changing her last name doesn’t stop me from cherishing her. From the very moment she came to the Gu family, she has been my precious baby. In my heart, even Gu Yi doesn’t compare to my sweetie.”
Hearing this, Gu Yi let out a soft laugh. “Mom, we know you play favorites, you don’t need to broadcast it to the whole world.”
With that, he turned to look at Zhuang Wan. “Let me tell you, when I was little, Meichen’s treatment surpassed mine. My mom always said, girls should be raised like princesses, while boys just need to survive.”
“What’s so bad about your treatment? Even I have to take a backseat,” Gu Jian said, carrying his teacup over to sit on the sofa.
Never did he expect Zhuang Wan to blurt out next: “Since Auntie likes girls so much, why didn’t you have one of your own back then?”
The moment those words left her mouth, Zhuang Wan regretted them.
Why didn’t she have another child? It obviously had to be due to health reasons making it impossible.
She wasn’t a clumsy speaker, but lately, she had people investigate what happened between Gu Yi and Yun Qingwu in the past. Those events played on an endless loop in her head, causing her immense agony.
She loved Gu Yi far too much, and was far too obsessed with Yun Qingwu’s existence in his life.
Her mind was entirely too scattered, leading her to say the wrong thing.
“I’m so sorry, Auntie.”
“It’s alright.”
Lin Lan kept her smile, but the warmth in her eyes had clearly dimmed considerably. “When I gave birth to Gu Yi, I had a difficult labor with massive hemorrhaging, and subsequently lost my fertility. But the heavens were kind to me, sending my sweetie right to my side.”
Realizing she had crossed a line, Zhuang Wan anxiously looked toward Gu Yi. Gu Yi gave her hand a soothing, reassuring pat. “Don’t be scared. I know you didn’t mean it, and my mom won’t mind.”
“That’s right, Xiaowan, don’t take it to heart.”
Zhuang Wan felt like she was performing terribly.
Yet the moment she laid eyes on Yun Qingwu, her composure shattered, and she felt entirely unlike herself.
Right now, Gu Yi and Yun Qingwu didn’t look particularly affectionate, but back then, Gu Yi’s company used to have a dedicated sanctuary exclusively for Yun Qingwu.
She could come and go from Gu Yi’s office as she pleased. In the past, whenever Yun Qingwu went to a bar, Gu Yi wouldn’t allow his friends to smoke around her, nor would he let them bring any sleazy women along. He would even prepare her favorite snacks and juices in advance, and preemptively ready a blanket because he worried she might get sleepy.
For Yun Qingwu’s eighteenth birthday, he had even gifted her a yacht.
What bothered her the most, however, was that photograph.
An eighteen-year-old Yun Qingwu stood on the deck in a white dress with her arms open wide, while Gu Yi stood leaning against a nearby wall with his hands in his pockets, watching her with a soft curve at the corner of his lips.
Gu Yi was gentle with her too, but it was a completely different kind of gentleness.
If they were biological siblings, she certainly wouldn’t harbor any doubts.
But they weren’t.
They shared zero blood relation.
Sensing that Zhuang Wan’s emotions were a bit off, Lin Lan spoke softly, “Sweetie, dinner’s still a while away. Why don’t you take your sister-in-law for a walk?”
“Sure.” Yun Qingwu stood up. “Sister-in-law, would you like to head outside for a stroll, or take a tour of the house?”
“I’d love to see your brother’s room, if that’s alright?”
“Of course.”
Yun Qingwu stood up, and a domestic helper hurried over holding an item. “Miss, when I was gathering your clothes for the wash just now, I found a fountain pen in your jacket pocket.”
“A fountain pen?” Yun Qingwu reached out and took it. “It’s not mine.”
No sooner had she spoken than the image of Ji Siming holding a fountain pen during class flashed vividly in her mind!
The pattern on that pen was far too unique; anyone who drew for a living would naturally notice distinct designs, which was why she remembered it.
So how on earth did Professor Ji’s fountain pen end up in her pocket?
Even if he had carried her last night, the angle wasn’t right for a pen to slip into her pocket, was it?
Could he have slipped it in on purpose? Was this some sort of碰瓷 (framing/scamming) setup?
The moment the thought popped up, Yun Qingwu dismissed it. An aloof, unapproachable high-and-cold flower like Ji Siming wouldn’t stoop to cheap tricks.
The pen didn’t look cheap either; she’d hang onto it for now and see if she had a chance to return it to him at school next week.
She turned the pen over in her hand, inspecting it for a good long while before slipping it into her pocket.
Watching her minor maneuvers, Gu Yi narrowed his eyes slightly. He recognized that pen—it was a high-end custom piece from the brand KFT, a matching couple’s edition, globally limited. He had wanted to buy one himself, but couldn’t get his hands on it.
The one Yun Qingwu was holding was the men’s version.
The owner of that pen was definitely no ordinary person.
When on earth did an unfamiliar male of such status and standing enter her life?
“Sister-in-law, come on, I’ll take you to see my brother’s room.”
“Okay!”
Zhuang Wan stood up and followed her upstairs.
Yun Qingwu walked over, pushed open the door to Gu Yi’s bedroom, and gestured for Zhuang Wan to step inside.
Gu Yi’s room was minimalist, sparsely decorated, reflecting his mild and gentle disposition.
Yet Yun Qingwu instantly spotted the subtle changes in the room.
Their past framed photo had been replaced by a solo portrait of him.
A portrait she had painted of him during a trip last year had been superseded by a famous fine art painting.
On the desk lay a severed piece of bright red cord—alarmingly crimson.
That was the amulet cord she had specially traveled to a temple to pray for after his car accident three years ago, one he had never taken off since.
Yet now, to welcome another woman, he was systematically erasing her presence from his life bit by bit.
She raised an eyebrow slightly. Good for him.
“Can I take a look at your room?”
“Sure.”
Yun Qingwu headed upstairs.
Once Zhuang Wan stepped up, she discovered that the entire third floor was Yun Qingwu’s private domain. Aside from her bedroom, there was an art studio, a piano room, and Lin Lan had even designated an entire small room just for all her plush toys, complete with custom-sewn little dresses.
The walk-in closet was massive, and even the small decorative trinkets scattered around the room were exceptionally valuable.
Zhuang Wan came from a wealthy background herself, but as an only child, even she didn’t enjoy treatment like this.
It was crystal clear just how deeply the Gu family doted on Yun Qingwu.
Perhaps Yun Qingwu had experienced misfortune in her past, but right now, she was immensely happy.
After chatting briefly, the two women headed back downstairs. Grandpa and Grandma Gu had arrived, accompanied by the families of the second and third uncles.
Yun Qingwu detested the third aunt the most because she was endlessly chatty, loved gossiping, and spoke entirely without thinking.
As soon as they came down, the third aunt began showering Zhuang Wan with over-the-top praises.
Everyone loves hearing flattery, and Zhuang Wan’s gloomy mood lifted noticeably under the third aunt’s praise.
After dinner, everyone had indulged in plenty of wine.
Yun Qingwu curled up on the sofa playing a mobile game.
Right in the middle of a team fight, little baby Qiao Qiao tiptoed over and jammed a piece of candy right into her mouth. “Auntie, have a candy~”
“Thank you, baby Qiao Qiao~” Lowering her head, she opened her mouth and swallowed it, only for a wave of sourness to instantly make her tear up.
Seeing Qiao Qiao’s facial features scrunch up, the little one giggled delightedly.
Yun Qingwu never imagined that someone so small could already pull off pranks; this kid was a little demon.
Then again, sour as it was, it had quite the kick.
Zhuang Wan was playing mahjong with the third aunt and the others. Not being very skilled, Gu Yi pulled up a chair and sat right beside her to coach her.
Having consumed quite a bit of alcohol, the third aunt launched into her next round of gossip. “Oh my, Eldest Sister-in-law, have you heard?”
“That adopted son of the Qin family secretly ended up getting together with Qin Xiangxiang. Even though they aren’t blood-related, they still grew up under the same roof as siblings—it’s absolute moral bankruptcy!”
“Goodness, looking at how close your Qingwu and Gu Yi were these past couple of years, I was honestly worried…”
“Third Aunt, watch your words!” Before she could finish, Gu Yi cut her off in a deep, warning tone.