She muttered at her side, "Listen to me, don't you dare tell anyone you only finished high school... tell them you're a master's student at Jingcheng Medical University, got it?"
Gu Qing had no interest in her rehashing the same old topic.
Upon reaching the reserved private room, Ye Zhixue tidied her appearance, while Gu Qing reached out and knocked on the door.
Madam Lu knew it was the elder daughter of the Gu family arriving. She had single-handedly arranged this engagement, but now that the two children were about to meet, her mind was a whirlwind of complex thoughts.
Once, Lu Jingyan had been her pride and joy. Had it not been for that car accident, her son deserved to be matched with the most exceptional woman, not a girl with no education. Madam Lu’s feelings were subtle; she didn't want others looking down on her son, yet she despised the Gu family for being willing to sacrifice their daughter's future for the sake of money.
"Come in," she said, maintaining her composure.
Hearing the reply, Gu Qing pushed the door open.
Madam Lu and Lu Jingyan looked toward the doorway simultaneously.
The girl was wearing a simple hoodie and casual trousers, her long hair tied back with a few wisps of hair framing her forehead. Her makeup was minimal, yet she was strikingly beautiful—clean, translucent, with a face that captured one's attention at first glance. Compared to the socialites and young ladies of Beicheng, her appearance lost nothing. She looked quiet and cool, with a distinct aura.
Madam Lu was stunned, a flash of surprise in her eyes. What a refined young woman.
Lu Jingyan, however, furrowed his brows.
"Are you... the Gu family..." Madam Lu asked hesitantly.
Ye Zhixue squeezed in behind her, her face filled with an ingratiating smile. "In-law, it’s me, Little Ye." She pulled Gu Qing with one hand and said, beaming, "This is my daughter, Gu Qing."
Seeing the look of surprise on Madam Lu's face, Ye Zhixue was very satisfied. Gu Qing resembled Gu Yunfei, and this face was certainly presentable. Ye Zhixue felt lucky that Gu Qing still possessed a shred of value that made her proud.
"This is Gu Qing?"
Looking at Gu Qing's exquisite, beautiful face and outstanding temperament, Madam Lu truly couldn't connect her with the "ugly" girl her youngest son had described. If this were considered ugly, there wouldn't be a single beautiful girl left in all of Beicheng. A spark of relief flashed in her eyes; she was glad the girl wasn't as her son had claimed. While she wanted a daughter-in-law who was easy to manage and wouldn't leak the family's secrets, she didn't want someone too ugly—after all, she was to be a daughter-in-law of the Lu family, and one couldn't bring someone hideous out in public.
Seeing Madam Lu's expression, Ye Zhixue knew she was satisfied with Gu Qing, and she couldn't help but feel proud. She was her daughter, after all; in terms of looks, her Gu Qing was far more beautiful than those pampered socialites of Beicheng.
"In-law, this is indeed Gu Qing," she added with a smile.
"Ah, please, sit down..." Madam Lu's tone grew a bit warmer.
As the two mothers exchanged pleasantries, Gu Qing’s gaze drifted toward Lu Jingyan opposite her. The man wore a crisp black shirt, sitting in a wheelchair with a thin blanket draped over his legs. Sensing Gu Qing’s eyes sweeping over his legs, Lu Jingyan’s hand resting on his knee tightened subconsciously, though his eyes remained cold and calm, seemingly indifferent to others looking at his legs.
Their eyes met. Gu Qing felt none of the embarrassment of being caught; she offered him a polite, decent smile. He was just as he had been before: cold and imposing, even in a wheelchair, his presence was impossible to ignore.
As they locked eyes, Madam Lu signaled for Ye Zhixue and Gu Qing to sit. Ye Zhixue praised Gu Qing as if she were a celestial being, claiming she was as perfect as could be, all out of fear that Madam Lu might ultimately be dissatisfied.
Madam Lu was pleased with Gu Qing’s appearance, but she thoroughly disliked Ye Zhixue’s desperate, hard-sell demeanor. It felt less like a blind date and more like a peddler selling goods. Her son’s legs were already in this condition; even if the Lu family was prestigious, they were in a diminished state. Ye Zhixue was placing her daughter’s status too low, leading Madam Lu to suspect that as long as her daughter could marry into the Lu family, Ye Zhixue wouldn't care if she were looked down upon or mistreated. Madam Lu looked down on that kind of mother.
Both Gu Qing and Lu Jingyan were men of few words, leaving the mothers to liven up the atmosphere. After chatting for a while, Madam Lu asked, "Miss Gu, I heard from your mother that you are a master's student who graduated from Jingcheng Medical University, is that correct?"
Madam Lu cared deeply about this; if the other party were a doctor, it would be much more convenient for taking care of her son.
Finally, the question was raised. Terrified that Gu Qing would be as stubborn as before and deny it, Ye Zhixue pinched her subconsciously. She thought the move was subtle, but it was seen by both Madam Lu and Lu Jingyan. Madam Lu frowned almost imperceptibly. Lu Jingyan wore an expression of cold indifference.
Gu Qing looked up at Madam Lu, calmly set down her bowl and chopsticks, took a napkin from the side to wipe her mouth, and then said, "No."
Madam Lu’s expression faltered. Ye Zhixue’s face changed drastically. Damn it, she was still as rigid as ever; how had she given birth to such an inflexible daughter? Did she think she was clever for tearing down her own mother in public? Ye Zhixue was so angry she felt like she might have a heart attack, yet she had to find a way to smooth things over.
Just as she was about to speak, she heard Gu Qing say, "I graduated from Yale University."
?
Ye Zhixue looked at Gu Qing in shock, her expression shifting several times. Yet, Gu Qing remained completely indifferent. Ye Zhixue felt like vomiting with rage. She knew Gu Qing had been spoiled in the countryside, but she had no idea her skill at lying was this extreme. Saying she graduated from Jingcheng Medical University was already giving her too much credit; how dare she claim she was a Yale graduate? Did she think everyone else was a fool? She didn't even bother to keep her lies somewhat grounded.
Madam Lu was also surprised. She glanced at Gu Qing, then at the mortified Ye Zhixue. In a flash of insight, she understood what was happening, and her brow furrowed deeper.
Lu Jingyan looked at Gu Qing in silence, and Gu Qing offered him another faint smile. Her smile was approachable, giving one the feeling of a spring breeze. Because of her smile, Lu Jingyan’s previously repressed mood inexplicably lightened. He hurriedly looked away, his brows tightly knitted. An unspeakable sense of inferiority washed over him—not because of her excellence, but because of her gentle, beautiful smile.
"Being able to attend Yale University is truly excellent," Madam Lu said in a flat tone, her attitude clearly less enthusiastic than before. Anyone who could attend Yale was a top-tier talent; calling her merely "excellent" was an understatement.
Ye Zhixue knew Madam Lu had seen through the lie, but she had to bite the bullet and keep going. "Haha, yes, she's quite excellent. You see, she's so excellent that I even misremembered... I confused it with the school our Ruoruo is about to attend."
Because of this incident, the atmosphere at the table became exceptionally awkward.
Madam Lu went straight to the point: "I am very satisfied with this child, Gu Qing, and I believe Jingyan likes her too. As for the engagement between our two families..."
"Mother."
Lu Jingyan cut off the rest of Madam Lu's words.