Self-Deception
Lu Mingxin first rested in her room for a while, then went downstairs for lunch, and then she took an afternoon nap.
Ever since arriving in the West, because the daily expenses were very high, the filming intensity had always been great. Although her health had always been good, she still felt fatigued. Now, with a rare day off, she slept soundly, well into the afternoon.
When she opened her eyes, the evening glow was already spilling into the room. The sunset in the Northwest, like the other scenery in this region, exuded an inexplicable sense of magnificence and vastness.
The lingering sun could tarry long in the western sky, gradually transforming from fiery red clouds to a line of bluish-purple twilight.
When she turned over and got up, that was the sunset she saw. In summer, the sun sets late. She glanced back at the digital clock on her bedside table and only then realized it was already seven o'clock in the evening.
She looked around but didn't see Gu Qinglan. She was somewhat surprised: although he had said he was going to the hospital to visit Li Jin, seven o'clock was already past dinnertime. Gu Qinglan's stomach wasn't very good, and he usually paid the most attention to these things, having dinner at six o'clock sharp every day, without fail.
Even Wei Jingguo knew this. In a film crew where actors generally had to work until seven or eight o'clock before wrapping up, he would end Gu Qinglan's scenes early every day so that he could return to the hotel for dinner on time. Lu Mingxin even benefited from this, being able to return to the hotel with him before six o'clock.
Jumping out of bed, she searched the room but still couldn't find him. Had Gu Qinglan not returned? But where else could he have gone? After a moment's thought, she called his mobile phone. To her surprise, Gu Qinglan's phone was switched off.
She paused for a moment, then immediately called the driver who picked them up and dropped them off every day. That driver's surname was Wu; ever since they arrived in the Northwest, he had been their daily driver.
Even more unexpectedly, when Driver Wu answered the phone, he immediately stated that Gu Qinglan had notified him at noon to return to Jing City, and he was currently on his way back.
Fortunately, she didn't dwell on it for too long, because the doorbell rang. She hurried to open it and saw Mo Qi standing outside. He had clearly spent half a day at the hospital, and his expression was also somewhat weary.
Smiling at her, Mo Qi then said, "By the way, Mr. Gu called me this afternoon and asked me to tell you... He said he had some urgent family matters to attend to and has returned to his ancestral home first."
As he spoke, he sighed: "What kind of dog-shit luck did you, girl, stumble upon? Mr. Gu even specifically instructed me to tell you only after seven o'clock... He said you can't take afternoon naps, because if you do, you'll definitely sleep until sunset. If I came earlier, I would wake you."
Lu Mingxin was stunned for a moment, then said "Oh." She looked at Mo Qi's familiar handsome face before her and suddenly said, "Qi-ge, when we first met, did you feel... like we hit it off immediately? That kind of feeling, as if we knew each other in a past life, so meeting in this life felt particularly congenial?"
Mo Qi laughed. He used to like to pat her head, without a hint of romantic ambiguity, purely like an older brother's affection for a beloved younger sister.
After learning that she was engaged to Gu Qinglan, he had even given up this gesture to avoid any misunderstanding or jealousy from Gu Qinglan.
Now, he raised his hand again and stroked her hair, his tone gentle after having settled: "Of course, I feel like we must have been long-lost siblings in a previous life."
His palm was different from Gu Qinglan's, carrying a warm temperature. Lu Mingxin looked up at him and smiled: "I think so too!"
Mo Qi smiled again and patted her shoulder.
The flight from the West back to the East was not short. When the private jet landed in Rong City, it was already four o'clock in the afternoon. Besides Gu Qinglan and Ren Ran, the silent driver had also arrived with them on the plane.
Although this was already Gu family territory, the car that came to pick them up was still a Bentley that had never been registered under the Gu family's assets.
After getting into the car, Gu Qinglan leaned back against the seat and closed his eyes, coughing softly from time to time. Just as the driver had said, given his physical condition, he was not suited for such a medium-haul flight. Thus, his complexion was even paler than when he was in the West, his lips not only thin but also tinged with a faint bluish-purple.
Ren Ran had gone with the driver to pick him up. He was a doctor, and no matter how naturally indifferent he was, he couldn't help but frown: "Looking like this, are you planning to find the person who harmed you, then splatter your blood in front of them, fulfilling their wish?"
Gu Qinglan still kept his eyes slightly closed, a faint smile playing on his lips: "If my dying in front of her could make her1 a little happier, then I would have fulfilled my filial duty."
From his words, Ren Ran couldn't tell if he was referring to a "he" or a "she." He was momentarily stunned, then asked in surprise, "Could it be Old Master Gu who wants to harm you? Aren't you his only son? Why go to such lengths?"
Gu Qinglan didn’t bother to explain, merely turning his head to cough hoarsely. Seeing him not answer, Ren Ran also said no more, just slightly raised his long eyebrows and turned his face away.
The road from the airport to the Gu family's ancestral home was clear, with few vehicles. In just twenty minutes, they had arrived at the Gu residence. After the car entered the courtyard and stopped before the main entrance, the person who stepped forward to open the car door was Housekeeper Zhou, who had been waiting with some anxiety.
Seeing Gu Qinglan get out of the car, he quickly said, "Sir, your complexion is terrible. Has your illness flared up?"
Gu Qinglan smiled faintly at him, avoiding the question, and instead asked, "Is Mother at home today?"
In front of outsiders, he always referred to Yuan Yingjie as "Mother," a term lacking intimacy and instead carrying a subtle sense of distance.
Seeing that his first words upon disembarking were to inquire about Yuan Yingjie, Housekeeper Zhou's expression stiffened for a moment before he replied, "Madam is at home."
Although Gu Qinglan had taken over some of the Gu family's business operations after returning to the country, most affairs were still personally overseen by Gu Sheng.
Gu Sheng was also a notorious workaholic. Today was not a weekend, and he usually wouldn't return home until eight or nine in the evening. At this time, he certainly wouldn't be at the ancestral home.
Gu Qinglan just smiled and then stepped into the entrance hall of his family home. The front hall of the Gu residence was actually not much larger than his own villa in Jing City, but the overall area was much larger. After several generations of expansion, the structure was complex, with many rooms.
From the guards at the front gate receiving news of his return to him walking into the front hall, Yuan Yingjie had only just rushed over from her own room.
Seeing his pale complexion at a glance, Yuan Yingjie was also stunned for a moment, then immediately asked in a worried tone, "Xiao Lan, are you ill again? Your face looks so pale."
Gu Qinglan smiled gently at her and then spoke: "Thank you for your concern, Mother. I'm fine."
Their mother-son conversation, if witnessed by outsiders, could definitely be considered a model of maternal affection and filial piety. But only they themselves could see the icy coldness in each other's eyes.
Gu Qinglan turned to Ren Ran and said, "Mr. Ren, please wait a moment with Guo Jia in the front. I have a few words to say to my mother."
The driver who had followed him back from the West to the Gu residence was named Guo Jia. Ren Ran had no objection to this, nodded, and followed the servant who was guiding them to the living room.
It was Guo Jia who, before leaving, took a deep look at Gu Qinglan before moving. Although Ren Ran and Guo Jia had left, there were still other servants in the living room. Yuan Yingjie's tone remained very amiable, even carrying a perfectly appropriate touch of reproach: "Xiao Lan, your health isn't good. Why didn't you rest instead of rushing home?"
Gu Qinglan glanced at her faintly. He had lived in this home for over twenty years, yet he still didn't understand how a woman could display completely different demeanors in public and in private.
Thinking this, he curled his lips into a faint smile: "Mother, let's go to the study to talk. It's quieter there."
The Gu family's study was the same one Lu Mingxin had caused trouble in during her childhood. It was far from the front hall, in the deepest part of the residence, and had always been the quietest place in the Gu estate.
Gu Sheng disliked going to this overly quiet study; conversely, Gu Qinglan, since childhood, had often read books there.
Yuan Yingjie's expression stiffened only slightly, then she maintained her loving smile and said, "Alright."
Gu Qinglan slightly lowered his head and said in a low voice to Housekeeper Zhou, who was following behind him, "Uncle Zhou, please come too."
The three of them walked towards the study. The atmosphere could hardly be described as harmonious and joyful. It was as if they all knew what they were about to face, so they were all exceptionally silent.
Gu Qinglan still politely allowed Yuan Yingjie to enter first, then followed her in. Housekeeper Zhou closed the door, and the conversation that was about to take place was sealed off by the heavy oak door.
Yuan Yingjie turned around in front of the desk, looked directly into Gu Qinglan's eyes, and was the first to tear off her harmonious mask: "What exactly do you want to say?"
Yuan Yingjie was twenty-two years older than him, and this year she was just over fifty. She had been beautiful in her youth, and later, living a life of luxury and paying attention to maintenance, like all pampered women, she looked fair-skinned and radiant. Looking at her appearance, one might even think she had just turned forty.
Gu Qinglan looked at her, smiled somewhat self-deprecatingly, and said softly, "Mother, you've been playing this game for twenty years. Don't you feel tired?"
Yuan Yingjie's expression had long since turned cold. This was her attitude towards Gu Qinglan when they were alone, and it was also Gu Qinglan's most profound impression of her since he could remember.
In his earliest, hazy memories, he was still very young. At that time, he didn't understand why his mother, who was gentle and kind to him in front of his father and others, would treat him that way.
It wasn't just indifference; she would find every possible way to make him suffer. Hitting him would leave scars and marks, so she would cover his mouth and nose with her hand, only letting go when he was on the verge of suffocation.
When it was just the two of them, she wouldn't give him food or water, and would punish him by making him stand in the corner for no reason. If he showed the slightest sign of being unable to hold on, she would sneer and scold him.
His stomach had been weak since his youth. Gu Sheng thought it was due to a congenital deficiency that he had developed a chronic illness so early. In reality, it was the result of years of abuse.
When Lu Mingxin was little, she thought he was old-fashioned and boring, always holding a book, like an uninteresting adult. But how could he not have wished to play freely in front of his parents like her?
But his right to act like a child and be spoiled had long been stripped away. Besides trying his best to remain silent, he didn't know any other way to avoid his mother's harsh treatment.
It was only when he grew a little older that he realized how simple it was for an adult to deliberately abuse a minor, especially when that adult was the minor's parent, and how easy it was to evade punishment.
Yuan Yingjie had been too covert. For so many years, Gu Sheng, including the servants and housekeeper at home, had hardly noticed anything.
Gu Sheng was busy with work and rather appreciated his silence and precociousness. After all, to him, whether his eldest son was happy or not wasn't important; as long as he could inherit the Gu family, he was the best child.
He had also once thought that his mother simply disliked children. But when his younger sister, Gu Qingyue, was born, he saw on his mother's face the same tenderness and affection that other mothers had.
So he knew that Yuan Yingjie's malice was directed solely at him. And all of this, in his sixteenth year, was answered by a DNA comparison he commissioned from a hospital.
He was Gu Sheng's son, but not Yuan Yingjie's... They had no blood relation at all, so how could there be any mother-son affection?
It was also in that year that he and Yuan Yingjie had a private confrontation, beginning their opposition. The following year, he applied to a university abroad and left for several years.
Gu Sheng, whether he had guessed something or not, tacitly allowed him not to return to the country for several years, and also agreed to him living long-term in Jing City after his return, under the pretext of school work.
Just staring at him so coldly, Yuan Yingjie's eyes held undisguised hatred and disgust. She sneered, "Why should I stop playing? The pleasure of watching you suffer is clearly stronger than any entertainment."
Curling his lip, Gu Qinglan said softly, "Mother, but this time your actions were a bit excessive... You can target me however you like, but please don't involve innocent people."
The accident that occurred at the film studio that morning, even the media hadn't gotten wind of it, yet Yuan Yingjie seemed to have known about it long ago. She sneered, "You truly have a charmed life, to actually have the Li family's young master shield you."
Gu Qinglan still smiled, his voice consistently mild: "And bribing Housekeeper Zhou by my side, instructing him to poison my medicine, that’s rather vicious, isn’t it... If it weren't for my private doctor, perhaps Mother wouldn't even see me today."
Even after tearing apart the facade of maternal affection and filial piety, Gu Qinglan had always given her enough face in public and private. Words as blunt as today's were also a first.
Yuan Yingjie clearly hadn't expected him to be so "bold" now. Her exquisitely made-up, snow-white face instantly flushed a little, and she blurted out a curse: "Dealing with someone like you, no means are too extreme!"
In contrast to her furious outburst, Gu Qinglan maintained a consistently calm and composed demeanor. He smiled faintly, his voice low yet carrying an irrefutable composure: "Mother, I am the eldest son of the Gu family, your son. If I am an unworthy person, where would your and Father's dignity lie?"
His words clearly touched Yuan Yingjie's sore spot. Her face turned from red to white, and she was so angry she spoke without thinking: "Who's your mother? You're the spawn of that lowly woman! Don't dare say it to disgust me!"
Gu Qinglan looked at her with a hint of pity and chuckled softly: "Mother, what are you saying? Anyone familiar with the Gu family knows that I am your biological son. Where's the 'lowly woman' you speak of?"
His attitude was too calm. The more exasperated Yuan Yingjie became, the more she fell into a disadvantageous position. She also realized this, and swallowed many more words that were on the tip of her tongue. After a long while, she finally let out a cold laugh: "Very good, truly my 'good son'."
Gu Qinglan still looked at her with a smile, softening his voice. His already light tone became even more like it was about to dissipate into the air: "Mother, if you know when to stop, then we can still be a good 'mother and son'. If not... I am no longer the helpless child you could slaughter at will back then."
He had always presented himself with a gentle and refined demeanor. Yuan Yingjie was even more accustomed to his "filial piety" in public, and his indifference in private.
It wasn't until today, hearing him say such threatening words with a smile, that she suddenly became alert: he had truly grown up a lot. He was no longer that silent, yet obedient and sensible child from back then, who tried hard to please her.
Not only that, but he had also become deeply scheming. His words and actions carried a sharpness and pressure that surpassed even his father's. She involuntarily took a step back, her waist bumping against the desk behind her before she stopped.
She remembered that autumn, when she was still a newcomer in the Gu family's business. In the heavy rain that night, she saw Gu Sheng sitting downstairs in the company building.
A newcomer of her status had only seen him at company-wide meetings. She remembered that handsome face, knew he was the master of the Gu clan, and also the person who could control her destiny in the future.
Now, this person was sitting on the ground beneath his own company building, his suit completely soaked, looking as if he had been abandoned by the whole world.
She mustered her courage, opened her umbrella, and walked over to hold it above his head. She understood that in her entire life, she might never have a second chance like this. So she smiled gently at him, pretending not to recognize who he was.
She said, "Sir, you'll catch a cold in the rain. You must take care of your health."
She thought this would be a romantic love story of a prince and Cinderella. But that day, he turned to look at her, his eyes vacant, as if he hadn't seen her at all, or perhaps he was looking through her, at someone else.
He only said three sentences to her: "Do you want to be my wife? Do you want to be my son's mother? Do you want to be the mistress of the Gu clan?"
After those three sentences, her dream shattered. Yet, in the end, she said: "Yes."
So from that day on, she became the girlfriend of the Gu clan's master. The following month, they held their wedding. She no longer had to work, spending her days confined within the Gu family's grand courtyard, "pregnant."
Seven months later, she held a baby boy, accepting congratulations as the mistress of the Gu family and the mother of the eldest son.
For so many years, she had no idea who this child's mother was. Gu Sheng had hidden her too well; even if she hired private detectives, she couldn't find any trace.
And for so many years, Gu Sheng had actually dared to believe that she would love this child, that she would accept the "son's" love in this awkward identity.
Seeing her no longer speaking, Gu Qinglan smiled, turned, and walked towards the door. Housekeeper Zhou had been standing behind him with his head bowed. At this moment, he quickly opened the door for him.
Gu Qinglan, however, didn't even glance at him, merely stepping out. Staring at his back, Yuan Yingjie's voice was hoarse and gloomy, entirely devoid of its usual gentle elegance: "If you were willing to die, to leave the Gu family to Qingyue... you would be my best son."
She thought Gu Qinglan would turn back to look at her, but he merely gave a cold smile, leaving her with a silent back.
Being "disobeyed" by him for the first time, she was so angry she lost her composure. Seeing him not turn back, she gritted her teeth and said, "You worthless scum, do you think you’re worthy of marrying Yanqiu's daughter? If you were willing to leave her, I wouldn't have been in such a hurry to have you die!"
Her mention of Lu Mingxin finally made Gu Qinglan stop at the door. He turned back to look at her, the perfunctory sneer on his lips gone: "Although I know you probably won't take my warning to heart... however, please be smart, don't touch Mingxin."
His gaze at this moment was too cold. Yuan Yingjie instinctively felt afraid. She immediately reacted, blurting out, "Do you think I'm a cold-blooded villain? Mingxin is Yanqiu's daughter, how could I harm her?"
Perhaps seeing her resolute attitude, and guessing that she had no intention of dealing with Lu Mingxin, Gu Qinglan finally withdrew his gaze.
He curled his lip slightly, no longer looking at her, and said faintly, "That's good then."
He left the study, Housekeeper Zhou still following closely behind him.
He was already old. In a short while, a layer of cold sweat had formed on his forehead, dampening his graying hair. He was no longer the elegant old housekeeper, but just an anxious old man.
In the empty corridor, Gu Qinglan walked silently in front of him. It wasn't until they were about to see a corner of the living room that he finally couldn't help but speak: "Sir, Madam paid for my wife's surgery fees..."
Gu Qinglan stopped his steps. He said softly, "Did you ask me?"
Housekeeper Zhou paused. He had, after all, been with him for many years. Without needing him to say more, he understood the meaning behind his words and stammered, "No..."
Gu Qinglan turned his head slightly to look at him, his gaze cold: "You didn't ask me, so how did you know I wouldn't be willing to help you out of your difficulties?"
Gu Qinglan smiled. His face was still as pale as snow, but the gaze with which he looked down at him was as if he were a piece of trash he wouldn't deign to look at again: "Someone like you, I will no longer use... Go home. I will have my lawyer sue you for poisoning. Remember to receive the arrest warrant."
Ever since learning that Gu Qinglan had left without saying goodbye, Lu Mingxin had felt that something was amiss. She was, of course, also angry. Even if he had urgent family matters, why didn't he tell her in person? Even if it was urgent, couldn't he have at least called her?
But she still didn't dare to directly call Gu Qinglan and yell: What family matter could you possibly have that you can't discuss with me? You should know I'm your wife, your legal wife!
So, after thinking about it for a long time that night, she finally adopted a compromise: She called Gu Qinglan's mother, who was also her own mother's best friend.
The call connected quickly. Yuan Yingjie's voice was as kind and amiable as she remembered, and also carried obvious surprise: "Mingxin? Is there something you need from me?"
See, it was still Auntie Yuan... no, future mother-in-law, who was kind. She didn't even start with pleasantries, clearly treating her as one of her own.
Thus, Lu Mingxin, being treated as "one of her own," didn't hesitate to complain to her future mother-in-law: "Auntie, Qinglan suddenly abandoned me and returned to the East. I've been left all alone at the Western Film City! Don't you think he's in the wrong?"
Yuan Yingjie was silent for a moment. Lu Mingxin guessed she might be organizing her words to comfort her, so she listened with satisfaction. After a while, Yuan Yingjie had probably composed herself, and when she spoke again, her tone was even more cordial and gentle: "Is that so? Xiao Lan, this child, is indeed in the wrong. I’ll talk to him about it."
Lu Mingxin's little heart, saddened by Gu Qinglan's heartless abandonment, received excellent comfort and instantly felt much better. She then pressed further: "Qinglan said he suddenly returned because of a family matter. Is something wrong with you and Uncle Gu?"
Yuan Yingjie was silent again for a while before continuing, "No, Xiao Lan's father and I are both fine."
Lu Mingxin then said "Aih": "Could it be he didn't return to the ancestral home? Did he go back to Jing City? I thought he went back to your and Uncle Gu's place."
Yuan Yingjie could only say again: "Not exactly, he did come back this afternoon for a bit..."
Lu Mingxin finally found out Gu Qinglan's whereabouts and instantly perked up: "Really? Was he unwell when he got home? When we were filming, there was a small accident, a colleague was injured. Qinglan was almost hit at the time. Afterwards, I noticed his complexion wasn't good. He refused to rest and insisted on rushing home."
Yuan Yingjie was clearly the most aware of whether Gu Qinglan was unwell, but she evidently didn't want to say much to Lu Mingxin, merely responding vaguely, "Xiao Lan is fine, he looked quite well to me."
Yuan Yingjie was Gu Qinglan's mother. Logically, if a mother said her son was fine, then he must be fine. After all, a biological mother is the most attentive to her child's condition.
But Lu Mingxin somehow felt a little skeptical. Because Yuan Yingjie was her mother's best friend, she had seen more of her when she was little. In her impression, Auntie Yuan had always been beautiful and kind, and very good to her.
But children are also the most sensitive. Even as a child, she felt there was something strange about the way Yuan Yingjie and Gu Qinglan interacted. Although Yuan Yingjie's attitude towards Gu Qinglan could also be described as gentle, it always seemed to carry a layer of formality.
If a mother's attitude towards her own son contained a hint of politeness, then it definitely couldn't be considered normal.
Moreover, ever since the accident, Gu Qinglan's complexion had indeed been somewhat poor. She had lived with him for several months and knew that his constitution, to put it bluntly, was like that of a glass doll. A little bump or bruise, a little too cold or too hot, and it would take him a long time to recover. Otherwise, she wouldn't always be so careful.
So, if his complexion was poor in the West, it made no sense for him to be perfectly fine after a long journey back to Rong City.
Because she doubted Yuan Yingjie's words, Lu Mingxin also fell silent. Lu Mingxin, in daily life, as long as she wasn't deliberately hiding her emotions, could basically have her thoughts guessed from a single sentence. She said, "Oh."
Yuan Yingjie clearly heard her suspicion. Feeling uneasy, she quickly explained, "Well, not really. Xiao Lan's face was a bit pale. So I asked him, and he said he was fine."
Unfortunately, Yuan Yingjie, who was usually clever, made a blunder this time. She forgot that in the eyes of a straightforward person like Lu Mingxin, Yuan Yingjie, as the mother, concealing Gu Qinglan's physical condition from her, Gu Qinglan's future wife, must be out of goodwill – that is, to prevent her from worrying.
Lu Mingxin also heard her attempt to cover things up, and her imagination immediately ran wild: Gu Qinglan's health must definitely be in trouble! Otherwise, why would he leave her and return to the East without a word? And even have his mother lie to her, saying he was fine!
Thinking this, she almost burst into tears. Qinglan-gege still didn't trust her enough. When he was suffering, he didn't want her by his side.
Agitated, she threw all caution to the wind: "Auntie, is Qinglan still at the ancestral home? I'll come back to see you all tomorrow!"
After saying that, she didn't wait for Yuan Yingjie's reaction and immediately hung up the phone: She had to quickly call Liu Fenfang to book the earliest flight to Rong City for tomorrow! There was no time for idle chatter.
Yuan Yingjie on the other end stared blankly at the disconnected call on her phone screen. For a moment, she almost suspected that Gu Qinglan had already told Lu Mingxin about their conflict, and that the two of them had already colluded.
Otherwise, why would Lu Mingxin call her and say such a string of inexplicable things?
Fortunately, she quickly calmed down. Based on her understanding of her best friend and her husband, and her observation of Lu Mingxin herself, it was more likely that this daughter was simply scatterbrained.
But... Lu Mingxin said she was coming to the ancestral home tomorrow? Yuan Yingjie stared at the darkened phone screen, thinking of Gu Qinglan, who was currently in the study, doors closed, chatting with Gu Sheng, and secretly gritted her teeth.
Gu Sheng returned home at his usual time. Upon arriving, he saw his son, who hadn't returned to the ancestral home for a long time and hadn't even brought his fiancée home for their engagement. His expression showed little surprise, merely a faint, "You're back?"
Gu Qinglan's calm disposition was somewhat inherited from Gu Sheng. He also smiled faintly and said, "Yes, Dad."
Seeing him, Gu Sheng was ultimately pleased. Noticing at a glance that his complexion wasn't good, he turned to the old family housekeeper and said, "Uncle Gu, have any light dishes been prepared tonight? If not, quickly add a couple for Xiao Lan."
The head steward of the Gu family's ancestral home was a member of the Gu clan. He was ten years older than Gu Sheng, and by generation, even Gu Sheng had to call him "Uncle."
Uncle Gu agreed: "When Young Master returned this afternoon, I already informed the kitchen. We were just waiting for you, Sir, to return for dinner."
Yuan Yingjie stood by with a smile, but her expression was slightly stiff. Ever since she married into the family more than twenty years ago, although she was the mistress of the Gu residence, Uncle Gu, relying on his status as a Gu family member and his seniority, often made arrangements without consulting her.
Especially when it came to matters concerning Gu Qinglan, Uncle Gu was even more inclined to act on his own, as if in his eyes, the master of this house could only be surnamed Gu.
Gu Qinglan also smiled at Uncle Gu: "Thank you, Granduncle."
This time, Gu Qinglan not only returned himself but also brought Ren Ran and Guo Jia. Uncle Gu had already arranged guest rooms for them early on and had someone tidy up Gu Qinglan's room again, fearing he wouldn't be comfortable.
With a few more guests, there were more people at the dinner table. Gu Sheng sat at the head of the table. Seeing Gu Qinglan's pale face and light cough, he couldn't help but show some concern: "Xiao Lan isn't feeling well, there's no need to wait for me for dinner. His stomach is already weak; he shouldn't have to wait hungry at home for me."
Uncle Gu stood behind him and naturally replied, "The family rule has always been to wait for the Master to return for dinner. I can arrange for extra dishes beforehand, but I cannot change the dinner time without Madam's instruction."
Gu Sheng glanced at Yuan Yingjie without a trace, and when he spoke again, his tone was even fainter: "Xiao Lan rarely comes back. As his mother, you should also show him more concern."
Yuan Yingjie's smile became even more forced. She could only hand the soup bowl to Gu Qinglan, feigning concern: "It’s my fault for being careless. Xiao Lan, your stomach is weak. Drink some soup to warm it up before eating."
Gu Qinglan took it and smiled, his tone also gentle: "It's alright, thank you, Mother."
Ren Ran was a clever man. This meal seemed like a harmonious family gathering, but in just a few short sentences, it was not difficult to see the undercurrents.
Furthermore, Gu Qinglan had a long talk with Yuan Yingjie in the closed-door study in the afternoon, and after coming out, he dismissed his own housekeeper. Yuan Yingjie also didn't emerge from the study for a long time. If he still couldn't see that there was a problem between this mother and son, he would be blind.
No matter how cold Gu Sheng's temperament was, he was, after all, an aging father. Seeing Gu Qinglan, his mood improved considerably. After dinner, he asked Gu Qinglan to accompany him to the study to talk.
Yuan Yingjie and Ren Ran exchanged a few casual words before going upstairs to their rooms. It was at this time that Lu Mingxin's call came through. After a confusing conversation, she announced she was coming over tomorrow.
Hanging up the phone, Yuan Yingjie thought for a moment, feeling she had found an excuse, and went downstairs to knock on the study door.
Hearing Gu Sheng's raised voice say, "Come in."
She pushed open the door and walked in. Seeing Gu Sheng and Gu Qinglan both looking at her with normal expressions, she knew Gu Qinglan probably hadn't told Gu Sheng about her bribing Housekeeper Zhou to poison him.
She first smiled gently, then spoke: "Xiao Lan, why didn't you bring Mingxin when you came back? She's worried about your health. She just called me and said she's coming back tomorrow too."
Gu Qinglan curled his lips: "I returned in a bit of a hurry and didn't have time to bring her. But it's good if she comes tomorrow."
His words clearly had a hidden meaning, but he didn't intend to state it plainly. Yuan Yingjie deliberately stood there for a while longer. Seeing that neither Gu Sheng nor Gu Qinglan had any intention of speaking further, clearly waiting for her to leave, she could only act "understanding" again and indicate that she would leave first.
After she left and closed the door, and waited until her footsteps slowly faded away, Gu Qinglan finally spoke again. This time, the corners of his raised lips already carried a hint of sarcasm: "Father, things have come to this point, do you still intend to protect her?"
Gu Sheng remained silent for a long time. He had been a handsome man in his youth, and now, even in his fifties, he was still refined and handsome, with hardly any wrinkles at the corners of his eyes.
If cosmetics were a woman's best anti-aging maintenance product, then a career was undoubtedly a man's. He had managed the Gu family's business for many years. Although his achievements couldn't be called magnificent, compared to the previous generation, he had already made considerable contributions.
Tonight, he lowered his head. His usually energetic face slowly showed some fatigue.
He finally sighed lightly: "Xiao Lan, she is, after all, your mother, and also Xiao Yue's mother."
Time is such a ruthless thing. In its hurried passage, it changes many things. For Gu Sheng, Yuan Yingjie, in the beginning, might have just been an obedient, sensible, and easily manageable young woman. She was very well-behaved and knew how to assess situations, so she could be married into the family to be Gu Qinglan's nominal mother.
But as time went on, day after day of living together, she truly became his wife. She was very gentle to him, inquiring about his well-being daily, helping him manage all household affairs, and most importantly, she bore him his youngest daughter.
Now, nearly thirty years had passed. He could feel that his life had already passed its halfway mark, and the person who had accompanied him the longest was neither his son nor his daughter, but her.
Even if in his youth, he had thought the woman he loved most in his life would forever be Gu Qinglan's biological mother, but what did that matter now?
He could hardly remember her face now. On one side was the wife who had accompanied him for nearly thirty years, and on the other was the son in whom he had placed the highest hopes. In the end, he could only sigh and say, "She is, after all, your mother."
Gu Qinglan looked at his father. He suddenly found the scene before him somewhat ironic, so he curled his lips and smiled: "So, Father disagrees with me reporting Mother to the police and having her arrested."
Gu Sheng fell silent again: "Didn't your housekeeper already take the blame?"
Gu Qinglan didn't pursue the matter further. He just shook his head, a sarcastic smile playing on his lips: "I should have known long ago. Back then, you wouldn't have blamed her for my sake, and naturally, you wouldn't now either."
Family and kinship are sometimes such strange things. He knew that Gu Sheng didn't necessarily love him, nor did he not value him.
But there were always other people and other things, like Yuan Yingjie, like Gu Qingyue, who were equally loved and valued by him.
So when conflicts arose, Gu Sheng wouldn't necessarily disregard him, but he would also weigh things among these family members he loved, and ultimately make a decision.
And this time, Gu Sheng's decision was the same as when he was sixteen: He still wanted him to yield. Looking at his son's pale face, Gu Sheng finally said, "I’ll have a good talk with her this time."
Gu Qinglan curled his lips into a smile, his tone as light as thin ice: "Thank you, Father."
Gu Sheng looked at him, wanting to say more, but in the end, could only add: "I'll send her to the countryside to live for a while."
This "a while," how long would it be? A few years, or a few days? He, again, offered no guarantee. Gu Qinglan smiled. He said nothing more, and in a rare display of impoliteness, turned and walked away from his father without bidding farewell.
The Gu residence at midnight was even quieter than his own villa in Jing City. The housekeepers and servants, who had served for many years, were well-trained. As soon as night fell, they would retire to the separate servants' quarters in the backyard and would not linger in the main building.
Gu Sheng disliked bright lights, so even the lights in the corridor were deliberately dimmed, casting a yellowish glow.
From the age of five to sixteen, Gu Qinglan lived in a room on the other side of the first-floor corridor. It was very quiet and also far from the rooms of his parents and sister on the second floor.
Yuan Yingjie told Gu Sheng this was to make it convenient for him to go to the study to read, and also because he himself had requested a quieter room.
When he was five, he didn't know how to argue, to say that he also wanted to be closer to his father and mother. As he grew older, he gradually became accustomed to such silence.
Now, he walked back to his room. Opening the door, he saw that the furnishings inside were as they had been when he moved out that year. A wooden bed, a wooden desk; besides the basic furnishings, there were only books and pens placed on the desk.
He pulled out the chair in front of the desk, sat down, and turned on his phone. His phone had been off for a long time. After turning it on, he saw several missed calls from her, as well as a few text messages asking where he was and when he would call her back.
He looked at them and smiled, then dialed her number.
Lu Mingxin had clearly been waiting for a long time. The moment his call came through, she answered it. She opened with a playful scolding: "Qinglan-gege, you don't know how worried I was about you!"
He couldn't help but smile: "Didn't I ask Mr. Mo to tell you? I came back for some urgent matters."
Lu Mingxin was still dissatisfied and continued, "What urgent matter could you have at home that you couldn't bring me along for? Aren't your family matters my matters too? Besides, your complexion has been poor. What if you feel unwell? How can I not be by your side?"
This long day had left him extremely tired, yet hearing her voice, he somehow couldn't bring himself to rest.
Resting his arm on the desk to support his body, he adjusted his position, lightly pressing his chest which had been dully aching, and smiled, his words still carrying their usual gentleness: "I'm fine... Aren't you coming back tomorrow anyway?"
He hadn't needed to mention it. If he had, Lu Mingxin would have snorted lightly: "I've already told Auntie, tomorrow I'm storming back to demand an explanation! See if you dare to abandon me and run off again in the future!"
Gu Qinglan smiled. He covered the mouthpiece of the phone, turned his head to cough lightly a few times, then came back to continue: "Is that so? Then I beg Miss to be merciful."
His voice hadn't changed much, and it still carried its usual hint of a smile. Lu Mingxin, however, seemed to have heard something. She fell silent for a moment, then said with some hesitation, "Qinglan, are you unwell somewhere?"
Gu Qinglan didn't answer. He closed his eyes lightly and only said after a long while, "Mingxin, don't blame me."
He often spoke in such an abrupt and unfinished manner. Lu Mingxin had long since grown accustomed to it and snorted lightly again: "That depends on your behavior tomorrow."
Gu Qinglan laughed deeply. He finally said, "We'll talk when you get back tomorrow."
She had already packed her luggage and climbed into bed to sleep, but when the phone rang, Lu Mingxin still quickly flipped over to answer it. Then, hearing his familiar voice, the heart that had been hanging in suspense all day finally settled down.
The voice coming from the phone sounded somewhat distant. And even though his voice was as gentle as ever, she instinctively felt that he was not happy right now. After hanging up, she was already eager to return. Lying in bed, she counted sheep for a long time before she could barely fall asleep.
Perhaps because she had been thinking about him constantly, and these past few months, she had grown accustomed to him sleeping beside her, so tonight in her dreams, she once again saw that long-absent white figure.
He was still wearing the white long robe he loved in his previous life, his long hair tied up high, standing at some distance from her. A breeze came, blowing his wide sleeves. He turned to look at her, smiled faintly, and extended his hand towards her.
She happily raised her hand and walked over. However, just as she was about to grasp that hand, he suddenly fell backward. The cold wind howled, lifting his sleeves high, yet it could not support his body as it fell like a shooting star.
Only then did she see clearly that behind him was a bottomless abyss, exuding a black light, like a giant mouth devouring everything.
She screamed and rushed over, only to see that white figure disappear into the endless darkness.
✿——✦——✿
1. Gu Qinglan used “她” — referring to a woman, but Ren Ran couldn't tell, because in spoken Chinese, “ä»–” and “她” are homophones.⤣
