The two hit it off immediately, deciding on the spot to go out for a while and put their plan into action in the evening.
Encouraged by her friend, Hao Jiale felt less heartbroken. She tidied her outfit, composed her expression, grabbed her bag, and headed out with Yu Wangyou.
"Uncle Liu, Wangyou and I are heading out. If my father gets back, just tell him I won't be home for dinner."
"Understood, Miss. Have a good time."
The two first visited a large shopping mall, walking arm in arm, as close as sisters.
"It’s been so long since we went shopping together."
"That’s only because you’re always taking on missions. Every time I try to schedule a shopping trip with you, I can never pin you down."
"Alright, alright, my fault."
In reality, the orphanage where she grew up was no ordinary institution. It was a facility specifically designed to train thugs and assassins, which was the very reason she found herself in police stations so often.
Yu Wangyou had been separated from her parents at the age of five and taken to the orphanage by a kind-hearted woman. At first, she assumed it was a regular orphanage, never imagining that a criminal organization operated behind its doors.
That was when she was forced into their ranks, enduring inhuman training every single day. The training lasted for five years, and by age ten, she was finally capable of carrying out missions on her own.
However, she didn't understand the nuances of combat at the time. Every time she threw a punch, the person she hit would start screaming, and the police would inevitably nab her.
Over time, visiting the police station became a matter of routine.
There was one time, however, when she had been brought into the station yet again, and a little girl had lectured her, telling her to stop with the fighting and to try living a normal life.
But her heart had already grown numb during those five years of training; she held no hope for a normal existence.
She still remembered how this little girl, Hao Jiale, would get red-eyed with worry every time she saw her being brought into the station.
Time had flown by, and both of them had grown into adults. She still held fast to her own way of life, even though she remained deeply entangled with the authorities.
"No, I’m being serious. Please, don’t live this life of constant fear anymore. I really don’t want to see you every time I visit my father at the station."
Yu Wangyou patted her back to reassure her. Now that she had someone she cared about, she wouldn't be so reckless anymore—though she couldn't help it if some people insisted on being insufferable right in front of her.
The two were enjoying their outing when they were suddenly blocked by a pair of mother and daughter.
Yu Wangyou frowned the moment she saw them. These two...
Both mother and daughter held their noses in the air, a sight that made Yu Wangyou’s hands itch.
"This mall really lets just any stray cat or dog in these days? Is the threshold really that low?" the younger one remarked, her tone dripping with sarcasm.
"If the threshold weren't this low, dogs like you wouldn't be able to get in."
Yu Wangyou wore an innocent, harmless smile, but every word she uttered was a critical hit. She, too, wanted to ask why this mall let just anyone inside.
"Who are you calling a dog?" The young woman was so angry her mouth went crooked.
"Oh, look, she’s triggered!" Yu Wangyou pointed at the young woman and said to Hao Jiale.
Hao Jiale smiled and nodded. Even after all these years, Wangyou’s tongue was still as toxic as *jian shou qing* mushrooms.
"Whoever answers is the one I’m talking about."
Yu Wangyou crossed her arms, looking utterly haughty. Did they think she’d been wasting her time all these years?
"We are with the Wei Family. Are you sure you want to go against us?" the older woman spoke up.
Upon hearing the name, Yu Wangyou suddenly recalled her first encounter with Gu Wangci. Though it had happened in bed and had been quite awkward, she wouldn't forget this woman's voice.
She also remembered her name—something like... Wei Shuyu?
"You’re... Wei Shuyu?"
Wei Shuyu froze, then held her head even higher in arrogance.
"Scared now, are you?"
Yu Wangyou wanted to say she wasn't scared at all, because all she had to do was go home and complain, and she could make the "Wei Family crumble by morning."
But she chose to play along: "Oh, I’m so scared. Please, go ahead and find someone to beat me up."
The mother and daughter, hearing her bold tone, gave a contemptuous laugh. "Consider yourself lucky. Daughter, let’s go."
The pair walked off triumphantly, as proud as two peacocks. Watching their retreating backs, Yu Wangyou silently took note of the incident. There was a saying that a gentleman never seeks revenge too late, but she never considered herself a gentleman.
So... she would just blow some pillow talk into someone's ear tonight and have the Wei Family go bankrupt sooner rather than later.
"Let’s go. Don’t let that trash ruin our mood."
"Xiao You, do you know them?"
"I know them, but not exactly."
It was a passive acquaintance. Even though she had been pressed into the bedding and unable to move at the time, her hearing was sharp, and she had recognized the voice—the older woman was definitely Wei Shuyu.
"Tell me about it. What happened between you two?"
Yu Wangyou opened her mouth but found she didn't know where to start. It all began on that bed, or perhaps... with those two punches?
Seeing her reluctance, Hao Jiale didn't press the matter and quickly changed the subject.
"I’m the one who’s heartbroken here, but have you made any plans for your future?" Hao Jiale was a few centimeters shorter than Yu Wangyou, so she had to look up to speak to her.
Yu Wangyou rubbed her chin, hesitating whether to tell her about her marriage, when she saw a young woman running toward them.
"Sister-in-law!"
Gu Xiaowei had been dragged out shopping by her mother, but she hadn't expected to run into her sister-in-law.
After parting ways with her brother and sister-in-law last night, she had returned to the main residence. She knew her brother had a private property, so she wasn't worried about them.
She only kept worrying about how much pain Yu Wangyou had been in yesterday.
"Does your stomach still hurt?" Gu Xiaowei reached out to touch her stomach, asking with concern.
"It doesn't hurt anymore. Thanks for asking!" Yu Wangyou said with a smile.
She then looked at the girl beside her and asked, "You don't mind having one more person with us, do you?"
Hao Jiale shook her head, indicating she didn't mind.
"Actually, Mom is here too." Gu Xiaowei pointed behind her, and Su Ruowan came into view.
Yu Wangyou’s eyes slowly widened.
Su Ruowan was dressed in a cheongsam that highlighted her elegant temperament. She was walking toward them, arm-in-arm with a handsome man.
"Wangyou!"
Su Ruowan waved at her.
Yu Wangyou smiled back, her gaze then falling on the man whose arm she was holding.
The man was looking at her with a smile.
Under his gaze, Yu Wangyou’s heart pounded uncontrollably.
She muttered to herself, "Didn't he say he went to work?"
Su Ruowan noticed the secret between the two and smiled to ease the tension. "Daughter-in-law, don't misunderstand. Wangci is so busy with work, he would never come out shopping with me. I certainly wouldn't say he came because he wanted to see you."
Hearing this, both Yu Wangyou and Gu Wangci widened their eyes.
Gu Wangci: *Is that so? Why don't I remember that?*
Yu Wangyou: *Ahhh, this is so unfair!*
Hao Jiale stood to the side, completely bewildered. Could someone tell her what was going on?
She recognized the gentle woman in front of her, but... why did she call Yu Wangyou "daughter-in-law"?
Could it be...
*Hiss*... don't tell her this girl got married behind her back?
The more she thought about it, the more likely it seemed, and she began to study the man carefully.
"Jiale, let’s go."
"Huh? Leaving so soon? Aren't you going to catch up with your husband?" As soon as the words left Hao Jiale’s mouth, a blush spread across Yu Wangyou’s face.
Seeing her shy expression, Hao Jiale didn't know where to look, but she was genuinely happy for her. The girl who only knew how to fight now finally had her own weakness—and her own shield.
"I’m heading home. I won't stay here and be a giant lightbulb. Remember our plans for tonight."
*No loyalty,* Yu Wangyou thought to herself.
After Hao Jiale left, Gu Xiaowei took her place, linking arms with her. Yu Wangyou’s height made her feel like a knight protecting a damsel.
Without her friend there, Yu Wangyou had to accompany Gu Xiaowei and Su Ruowan as they shopped, leaving poor President Gu to be the one carrying all the bags.
Yet, he seemed to enjoy it immensely.
But the happiness didn't last long before an unpleasant person appeared before them.