Yan Lu sighed helplessly; her grandmother’s outlook on life was truly confined to the realm of relationships between n and won.
"If nothing else, maybe that deskmate of yours with the surna Liu isn’t a bad choice..."
"Aunt, one of my friends has a birthday coming up soon. I’ve been racking my brain picking a gift. Could you give so advice, please?"
Without waiting for a response, she grabbed Yan Xue and hurried upstairs, not wanting to listen to another second of her grandmother’s nagging.
"Is it that classmate of yours with the surna Shen?"
Yan Lu nodded. "Yes, this past monthly exam was really challenging. I could only manage a score of 712 with my ability, but she easily scored 739. It’s only now that I realize how imnse the gap between us truly is."
Yan Lu felt undeniably crushed; she’d been downcast ever since the scores were released.
Her title of top scorer in Chunzhou now seed like nothing more than a frog at the bottom of a well.
It was only out in the real world that she truly understood what it ant to be a genuine academic genius.
Compared to others, she felt utterly inferior.
Even though Gu Bichen had dropped another rank, his total score was still well above hers.
Even Leng Yunyang, who had always played the part of a carefree slacker, had surpassed her in this exam.
Yan Xue hugged her gently and said in a soft voice, "Don’t put so much pressure on yourself. Just do your best; your aunt will always support you."
~
Jingzhou, the Gu family.
"That Old Madam Yu is celebrating her ninetieth birthday with considerable fanfare. I heard she’s organizing a three-day opera fest at the pear garden, even inviting Su Jinxiu, the retired opera master, back to the stage. Imagine how lively it’ll be!"
The woman speaking noticed Madam Gu’s face darkening and offered an awkward smile.
"Ah, but that i family woman is rely a perforr and knows nothing beyond this craft. She’ll never amount to anything. If it weren’t for her luck years ago when Mr. Yu took a fancy to her and made her his concubine, granting her a life of privilege, she’d probably be long buried and forgotten by now, far removed from today’s glory."
"Speaking of Old Madam Yu, how could she possibly compare to i? Everyone knows that Sang was Mr. Yu’s first wife. When Sang was alive, there was no place for i in the Yu family. Only after Sang passed did i start putting on airs. Though the Yu family works hard to conceal things, the saying goes—the walls have ears, and rumors have long spread..."
The woman lowered her voice, and a few sentences slipped into Madam Gu’s ears.
Madam Gu shot her a cold glance. "If you’ve got ti to ddle in others’ business, maybe you should use it to manage your useless husband instead."
The woman’s face turned pale at the rebuke. Sheepishly, she muttered, "Aunt, I only said all this to cheer you up."
"Cheer up? Why would I be cheerful about building personal happiness on soone else’s misery? What kind of twisted reasoning is that?"
The woman smiled awkwardly. "I know I was wrong, Aunt. Please don’t be angry. Have so tea to soothe your throat."
Madam Gu ignored the tea she offered and, with a stern expression, scolded her: "Jingzhou may not be large, but it’s not small either. You just ntioned that walls have ears. If your gossip about others reaches the Yu family, considering how the Yu family operates, what do you think will happen to you?"
The woman’s face instantly paled, fear creeping into her voice as she stamred, "Aunt..."
It’s said that kindness has no place in wielding power, and the Yu family was known for their iron-fisted dominance.
"Take my advice: in the future, be cautious with your words and actions outside the house. Don’t let yourself be ruined by a careless tongue. Especially when it cos to the Yu family, no matter what, the gossip is not your place to indulge in. If your words bring trouble to the Gu family, I won’t spare you."
The woman felt a chill in her heart and silently lowered her head.
Madam Gu and i Lvge had been bitter rivals for decades, with Madam Gu particularly disdainful of i’s humble origins and petty nature—a fact well known around Jingzhou.
The woman had deliberately brought it up to amuse her aunt, only to be chastised instead, leaving her deeply regretful.
She had initially hoped to use this casual banter to ask her aunt for a favor.
But now, it seed impossible to broach the subject.
"Alright, be on your way."
Madam Gu issued a curt order to leave.
After the woman left, Madam Gu grumbled, "That girl has been getting more and more out of hand. If her words reach the Yu family, she won’t end well—they might even take her life without a second thought."
Feng Gu walked over with a smile and began massaging Madam Gu’s shoulders.
"Madam, while you scold her harshly, deep down you’re still looking out for her."
"I wronged Awen back then; he passed away too young and left only this one branch of descendants. I thought I could help as much as I could, but who knew this child, raised in such a small place, would lack the proper disposition? Her reckless mouth will stir up trouble sooner or later."
Speaking of this, Madam Gu snorted coldly. "That old woman’s birthday is coming up. Prepare a generous gift to send over."
Feng Gu took note of the request, saying quietly, "Madam..."
"Thirty years of fortune can flip. That woman has had good luck, riding on her son’s success and living comfortably all these years. I’ll set aside my personal grievances, but I have to think of Chenchen’s future."
"Madam has truly thought things through."
Madam Gu huffed angrily, "And what about Sister Sang’s family? Why did misfortune fall upon them? Yisen remains unconscious to this day, and their one and only son has disappeared. That’s how i climbed her way to power. She’s had her years of glory now."
Feng Gu laughed lightly. "Madam, you also ntioned that thirty years can reverse fortunes. Perhaps one day, when Mr. Yu returns and Mr. Yu Sr. wakes up, i’s rise will co to an end. She’ll be like an autumn grasshopper—short-lived."
Madam Gu waved her hand dismissively. "It’s not as simple as you assu. That child is likely long gone. anwhile, i’s years of effort have solidified her position. If the child truly returned alive, they’d likely die even more swiftly. That old woman is vicious; she wouldn’t spare Sister i’s offspring."
Feng Gu suddenly thought of sothing. "And the marriage agreent..."
Madam Gu shot her a cold glare.
Feng Gu realized she’d misspoken and quickly shut her mouth.
At the staircase landing, Gu Bichen quietly listened as the muffled voices from downstairs carried upwards.
His fists, hanging at his sides, clenched slightly.
"That old woman wants to dream big," Madam Gu sneered rcilessly.
"Grandmother," Gu Bichen said, descending the stairs.
Madam Gu imdiately dropped the subject, her expression softening into one of warmth as she pulled Gu Bichen to sit beside her.
"Chenchen, you’ve been working hard at your studies. I’ve had tonic soup prepared; rember to drink it regularly."
"Thank you, Grandmother."
Madam Gu glanced at the clock on the wall. "Your parents will be back soon. Tonight, we can have a family dinner together. Tomorrow, you’ll head to Qingzhou, and it’ll be hard for to see you again."
"Grandmother, with direct flights now, it’s convenient. I’ll co back weekly to visit you."
Madam Gu gently patted his hand. "Your studies are already demanding; take proper breaks on weekends. Don’t wear yourself out flying back and forth. On this trip, Xiao Gui and Master Wu from the kitchen will accompany you. Xiao Gui has cared for you since you were young and knows all your habits inside and out. Master Wu’s cooking suits your taste. You study hard enough. Don’t let your daily life or als be neglected."
Before long, Gu Chengxuan and his wife returned.
The couple was overjoyed to see their son.
Mrs. Gu brought out bags of gifts—clothing, shoes, and even the latest electronic gadgets—all for Gu Bichen.
At dinner, Gu Chengxuan asked about Gu Bichen’s exam results.
Madam Gu frowned disapprovingly. "Can’t you just let the child enjoy a al in peace?"
Gu Bichen put down his chopsticks, his eyelashes lowering slightly, his deanor calm and composed.
"Apologies, Father. I let you down this ti; I ranked third in the monthly exam."
Gu Chengxuan didn’t seem displeased. Instead, he looked very intrigued. "It seems Lanya High School has so serious hidden talent."
Mrs. Gu sighed as well, "Looks like sending Chenchen to Lanya High School was indeed the right decision."
User Comments
0 comments from readers