Under the cover of night, Yu Wangyou hailed a taxi and hurried toward Ciyuan Garden, unaware that a car was quietly tailing her.
Gu Wangci sat in the backseat, while his unfortunate second younger brother was behind the wheel.
"Big Brother, why are we following Sister-in-law?"
Gu Wangci held a cigarette between his fingers, took a deep drag, and exhaled a wisp of white smoke.
"It’s just on our way."
"On our way?!" Gu Jiangsu exclaimed in shock.
What kind of "way" was this?
The man’s gaze remained fixed on the elegant silhouette in the car ahead.
***
Ciyuan Garden.
Goodwife Li, who had been notified long ago to wait outside, was pacing the courtyard. To call it "pacing" would be an understatement; she was anxious, walking back and forth.
"Why haven't the Eldest Young Master and the Eldest Mistress returned yet?"
Speak of the devil.
The taxi carrying Yu Wangyou arrived at Ciyuan Garden. She handed the driver 100 yuan in cash, stepped out, and ignored the anxious Goodwife Li, eager to get to the bathroom and scrub off the scent of that absolute pervert.
Once she finished her shower and washed away the unfamiliar scent, she stepped out of the bathroom, only to be instantly enveloped in an embrace and her lips sealed by a kiss.
She widened her eyes, ready to kick him in the groin, when she heard his voice. It was filled with forbearance and volatility.
"Where did you go today?"
His tone made Yu Wangyou feel like the prelude to a storm.
She blinked, initially opting to remain silent, when she felt his hands—hot as fire—touch the curves of her body.
"No…"
She pushed against his chest.
"Why not? You were looking forward to it just yesterday." The man’s eyes turned red, his tone dripping with grievances. "Do you have another dog out there?"
Looking at the man before her, acting as aggrieved and coquettish as a puppy, Yu Wangyou’s eyes crinkled with amusement. She stroked his hair and leaned in to kiss him.
"I don't have another dog. I only have one little puppy who loves to act spoiled and get jealous."
"I... I’m not jealous."
"Alright, alright, you’re not jealous."
Yu Wangyou coaxed him softly. Ever since he had kissed her, she had caught a faint whiff of alcohol on him.
"Alright, be good! Go get some sleep."
"Mm. Wife, sleep with me." Gu Wangci dared not let go, afraid that if he did, his wife would belong to someone else.
"Okay, go take a shower first."
Gu Wangci reluctantly released the soft, fragrant treasure in his arms and walked into the bathroom. Once inside, his eyes turned clear in an instant.
Yu Wangyou had already returned to the bed, lying on her side to wait for him, but she fell asleep before long.
***
The next day, Yu Wangyou was awakened by her ringing phone.
Suppressing her anger, she answered, "You had better have something urgent."
On the other end, Yin Mo and Dongzi felt an inexplicable chill at her tone.
"Sis... Sister You, we’ve already arranged for people to go to the Gu Corporation and the Gu Family Old Residence. That..." Yin Mo fumbled with her fingers, too afraid to ask. She turned to Dongzi for help.
"Why look at me? You’re the one who wanted to go back to the country. I certainly haven't been slacking off." Dongzi wore a smug expression; who told this little girl to always report him to Sister You? This was karma.
"You want to return to the country?"
"No, no... I mean, Sister You, let me explain." Yin Mo was on the verge of tears. She glared at Dongzi, who had framed her, and landed a hard punch on him.
Yu Wangyou had already sat up. Listening to the commotion on the other end, her eyes remained calm and undisturbed.
"You can go back, provided you finish the handover for everything in Country Y."
"Got it! Thank you, Sister You! You’re the best!" Yin Mo wiped away her tears. She had truly been terrified by that jerk Dongzi. *Sob*, Sister You was still the best.
After a few more pleasantries, they hung up.
Standing by the window, she saw Gu Jiangsu climbing off his motorcycle. She pursed her lips.
Was he here to settle scores as well?
Clad in a cool blue motorcycle suit, Gu Jiangsu took off his helmet and made his way familiarly to the second floor.
"Knock, knock, knock..."
"Sister-in-law, it’s me. Open up."
Hearing his voice, Yu Wangyou pulled herself together, walked to the door, and opened it. Seeing Gu Jiangsu’s outfit, her blood seemed to boil once more.
"Why are you here today?" She had always thought of this as her and Gu Wangci's secret base. She hadn't expected...
"Sister-in-law, I have a motorcycle race tonight. I was hoping you could do me the honor of attending." Gu Jiangsu smiled brightly.
Although Yu Wangyou wanted to agree, she remembered she had a race of her own that night and declined. Mostly, she was afraid her identity as a racer would be exposed. Gu Wangci had already discovered she was a killer last night; even though he hadn't mentioned it, she was still worried.
Gu Jiangsu became anxious the moment she refused.
"Why? Sister-in-law, just go watch! Cheer for me! Big Brother won't go, so you have to come~"
"No, I won't go."
Gu Jiangsu’s bright smile collapsed. He sat down on a stool, looking miserable.
"It’s not that I don’t want to go, but I have something to do tonight. If I were free, I would definitely be there to cheer for you."
"Is it urgent?" Gu Jiangsu’s expression brightened again, hope igniting in his eyes.
"It is!"
"Fine, then."
He felt deeply regretful and disappointed that he couldn't get her to watch the race. He left in low spirits.
After he left, Yu Wangyou departed as well.
Though he had hit a wall with his sister-in-law, Gu Jiangsu didn't give up; he went to the school to bother his younger sister instead. At that moment, Gu Xiaowei, free from the influence of Yu Qianpan, was being tutored by a senior student.
Gu Jiangsu arrived just in time to catch the scene.
"Gu Xiaowei, you’ve got some nerve. You’re dating now?"
Gu Xiaowei looked up in alarm. When she saw it was her unreliable second brother, she lowered her head again. Her second brother posed no threat to her; it was the Eldest Brother she feared most.
"Gu Xiaowei! I’m talking to you!"
"I heard you, Second Brother. Don't disturb my homework."
The senior student, seeing their interaction, moved discreetly away from Gu Xiaowei.
"Xiaowei, have you memorized the concepts?"
"Yes, Senior, I’ve got them. Thank you." Gu Xiaowei smiled at him. She wondered if she had been blind before to ever like a scumbag like Yu Qianpan.
"You're welcome, it's my job." The senior's gentle, jade-like voice made Gu Xiaowei blush.
Gu Jiangsu glared at the student, then marched in and dragged his sister out.
"Second Brother, what are you doing? You’re hurting me!"
Gu Xiaowei pouted, rubbing her wrist. Gu Jiangsu felt a pang of guilt, but kept a straight face.
"What were you just doing?"
"My senior was tutoring me. You wouldn't understand, Second Brother."
"Does tutoring require getting that close? Gu Xiaowei! Get serious! After the lesson you learned with Yu Qianpan, you’re still going to obsess over romance?"
"Second Brother, I’m not even dating him! Why are you so worked up?" Gu Xiaowei’s eyes turned red, and she looked aggrieved.
Seeing his sister’s hurt expression, Gu Jiangsu was silenced.
"I’m just worried you’ll get fooled again. Do you really need to trip over the same stone twice before you learn your lesson?"
"I told you, I am not dating!" Gu Xiaowei shouted, her eyes stinging. Not wanting to deal with her unreasonable brother, she covered her mouth and ran off.
"Hey!" Gu Jiangsu glared at the senior and chased after her.
The senior pushed up his glasses and remarked, "Interesting."
Gu Xiaowei ran to the stairwell and sat down, sobbing. Just then, Gu Jiangyu, who was heading upstairs for class, stumbled upon her in pieces.
"Xiaowei?"
When Gu Xiaowei looked up at the sound of his voice, her eyes were red. Gu Jiangyu felt his heart ache instantly. He walked over, pulled her into his arms, and whispered comfort.
"*Sob*, Second Brother was mean to me again."
"Alright, alright, I’ll deal with him when we get home. Stop crying; you won't look pretty if you keep crying."
He gently wiped her tears with his thumb and led her back to the classroom.
"Be good, we’ll go home together tonight."
He had originally planned to go to his second brother’s race, but now, there was no need. Why should he go, when Gu Jiangsu had bullied his sister?