"So, the reason Dad was so angry and kicked you out that year was because when I went to pick him up, I exaggerated the news of Aunt Ruan's death, deliberately provoking him. I blamed everything on you because I wanted to push you to Liang Feifan's side." Gu Mingzhu suddenly looked at the horizon and said slowly.
"He really was ruthless. Do you know how powerful he was back then? The Ji family combined with Zhou Yanhui now probably wouldn't even amount to half of what he had back then. But for you, he didn't hesitate to sign a top-secret peace treaty with the authorities, just like that, squandering all the empire he had built up over the years, and going back to the Liang family to take over the family business. Heh... really..." She couldn't continue, bending over and hugging her shoulders. For a long, long time, Gu Yan beside her remained completely silent. Gu Mingzhu wanted to see her expression. In a business battle, eye contact is a crucial source of information, but now, she was somewhat—afraid.
"I must admit that the decision I made back then was 80% a transaction, not based on your happiness. It wasn't because I knew you two were a good match. You could say I was willing to sacrifice you at the time. Gu Yan, I'm so sorry. Even though you're happy now, I still feel incredibly apologetic when I think about it."
"Are you... serious?" Gu Yan touched her cool earlobe, feeling utterly horrified. To be honest, she couldn't quite believe her ears.
Gu Mingzhu nodded, her gaze still fixed on the ground. "Dad only found out about this much later, and for all these years he's felt guilty towards you, unwilling and unable to face you. He always thought I schemed against you, that your relationship with Liang Feifan was a mistake. Besides, you know how much he admires Fang Yicheng—even though all of this could be attributed to Fang Yicheng. He always felt that you were wronged because of him… Now, the expert team Liang Feifan brought from Europe has discussed the matter and said that the cancer cells are under preliminary control at this stage, and the new drug is very beneficial to his condition, so surgery can be performed to remove the diseased tissue. Now that you want to get married, he thinks I'm going to use you as a bargaining chip again, so he strongly opposes it. I've been trying to hide it from you and deal with him for so many days, but in the end, I couldn't hide it anymore."
Gu Mingzhu had said everything, and felt a light emptiness in her heart. She stood up and walked to the balcony, waiting for Gu Yan's emotions to erupt.
Gu Yan squatted on the chair, clutching her earlobes like a child who had done something wrong. She slowly processed Gu Mingzhu's words for a long, long time. The night grew colder and colder, and her long eyelashes seemed to be covered with a layer of mist. Her wet hair was eerily cold, and the chill went straight to her heart as she leaned against the wall.
What my sister said... was so cold and heartless, yet so reasonable.
After that rainy night, she woke up in the Liang residence. Liang Feifan appeared out of nowhere like a savior. She was too heartbroken at the time to ask him about the cause and effect. Later, he slowly guided her out of the memories of that disaster, and she never wanted to ask again. She naively believed that Liang Feifan's appearance at that time was just a clever arrangement of fate.
Now my sister says it was a deal.
Gu Yan felt that she needed time.
"I'm so sleepy, I'm going to sleep now." Gu Yan jumped off the chair, didn't even put on her shoes, skipped back to her room, collapsed onto the bed, pulled up the covers, and fell fast asleep.
Gu Mingzhu didn't come to sleep for a long time; she was cold and had a faint smell of tobacco. That night, the bed was icy cold, and both sisters tossed and turned, unable to sleep, but pretended to be asleep.
The next morning, Gu Mingzhu opened her eyes with a headache. Gu Yan had already left. She left a note saying she had something to do. Gu Mingzhu smiled, washed up, and went out for breakfast.
Gu Boyun slept soundly through the night and his emotions stabilized considerably. Seeing Gu Mingzhu emerge from her room, he shook the newspaper in his hand, gave her a sharp look, and said nothing.
"Good morning." Gu Mingzhu sat opposite him, casually sipping a cup of instant coffee.
"Don't you have to go to work today?" Gu Boyun asked, noticing that she wasn't working as fast as usual.
Gu Mingzhu hummed in agreement, "I'm taking a break this week. Xiaoyan's wedding is next month, and as her older sister, I have to step in and make the arrangements."
Where is she?
"She left early this morning. She's really focused on this now, personally going to taste the dishes and keeping herself very busy." Gu Mingzhu also picked up a newspaper and read it casually. Gu Boyun sneered, staring at his own newspaper as well. "Mingzhu, she is, after all, my daughter." Since ancient times, marriage has been arranged by parents and matchmakers. No matter how powerful and shrewd you are, she still needs my consent to get married.
Gu Mingzhu gave an "oh," her confident demeanor from the morning suddenly turning irritable. She folded the newspaper and set it aside. "I'm going out. I won't be back for lunch. I'll come to have dinner with you tonight." Gu Boyun remained silent.
As Gu Mingzhu walked out, she restrained herself from rushing back. In fact, she had wanted to ask her father a question just now—What about me? Am I not your daughter?
Why bother? It's exhausting for both yourself and others.
husband
Everyone says that your best friend is the best confidante, but when Gu Yan called Ji Nan, she was answered by a sleepy Li Yan, who said "hello" in a hoarse voice. Gu Yan was stunned for a moment, said a few words and hung up. How could a woman in love understand her current struggle and confusion?
As for An Xiaoli, well, she'd probably sit up straight with a serious expression and demand a quick answer from Gu Yan: Pineapple or orange? Banana or apple? Toothbrush or cotton swab? Liang Feifan or Fang Yicheng? Sometimes Gu Yan was so shocked by her that she couldn't help but roll her eyes, thinking it was really tough on Chen Yubai. How strong must his heart be to endure a woman like that for a long time?
So he had no choice but to go find Sangsang.
The coffee shop door was open, but the "Closed" sign hadn't been turned around. Gu Yan pushed the door open and went in. Qin Sang was sitting at the sunniest table, enjoying her cappuccino after breakfast. Two sets of used cutlery were on the table, indicating that Li Weiran must have just left.
"Hey, you're here so early to pay for my cup?" Qin Sang teased her with a smile.
"I'm hungry too." Gu Yan pushed aside the empty plate in front of her and asked for breakfast without hesitation.
Qin Sang muttered "debt collector" under her breath, but still went to the kitchen, lit a fire, and made her a heart-shaped fried egg. The egg yolk was bright pink and looked like there was a thin layer of yolk shimmering inside. The soybeans had been soaked overnight and made into a rich and fragrant soy milk with wild acacia honey added. It was subtly sweet and intensely fragrant.
Gu Yan's heart was warmed by this breakfast. After finishing it, she poured herself another cup of soy milk and sipped it slowly.
"Boss lady, I'm taking over this shop today. Go, close the door." Gu Yan commanded Qin Sang with a carefree air. Qin Sang looked up at the sky helplessly, "If I had known there was a sister-in-law like you here, I would never have married into this family."
Gu Yan automatically interpreted these words as sweet talk in the style of Sang Sang, and said, "Ask a question!"
"Answer." Qin Sang locked the door, refilled her coffee, and sat down with her notebook.
"Is the beginning of a relationship more important or the present?"
"Now."
Even if the beginning wasn't to my liking?
"kindness."
Qin Sang answered without hesitation, then put on her glasses and turned on her computer. Her nonchalant attitude made Gu Yan increasingly uneasy. "Qin Xiaosang, be serious!"
Qin Sang picked up her coffee, took a sip, and leaned back casually. "Alright, alright, be serious. Miss Gu Yan, do you know how small the probability is for a life to be reborn as a human? How difficult it is for a life to grow up to your age without dying young? And to happen to be born as a woman and a man with him, living in the same era and the same country, and then meeting and falling in love in the vast sea of people. Just think how difficult that is."
"Qin Xiaosang, what you said is really sour—so what?"
"So I think even if the beginning is vulgar, stemming from a bet or some kind of self-interest, as long as love truly comes, who cares how it started? You only live for a hundred years in this world, why make yourself unhappy all the time?"
Gu Yan laughed loudly, "Nonsense!"
Qin Sang's words made her laugh, and the two girls sat facing each other, refreshed and cheerful, chatting away in the early autumn sun. Outside the window, the sycamore trees stood bare and desolate, winter's menacing approach looming, yet the warmth in their hearts grew richer little by little. What in this world could be more heartwarming than love?
Qin Sang has recently become obsessed with online shopping, showing off all the fun things she's found to Gu Yan. The two of them are excitedly discussing them when Liang Feifan calls, "Where are you?"
"What is it?" Gu Yan asked him in a flat tone.
With one hand holding the phone and the other gesturing, Liang Feifan instructed his secretary on the order in which documents should be sent. Actually, he wanted to ask Gu Yan how her conversation with her father went, but he felt that asking would seem petty. "What would you like to eat for lunch?"
"We'll see—I might not come. Don't wait for me."
Liang Feifan frowned sharply and asked her cautiously, "What's wrong?"
"I'm shopping with Sangsang. If it gets late, I'll have dinner with her. We'll talk about it later. You go ahead and do your thing."
Hearing that she was with Qin Sang, Liang Feifan didn't say anything more. Finally, he gently told her, "Come straight home tonight, let's have dinner at home, okay?"
Gu Yan grunted and hung up the phone. Qin Sang glanced at her slightly unnatural expression but said nothing. Gu Yan waited for a long time but still didn't speak, then sighed, "Sang Sang, can't you just use your theories to enlighten me?"
Qin Sang's long, slender, fair fingers caressed the frosted coffee cup as she smiled faintly. "Actually, you've already had your own thoughts, haven't you? It's just that you're used to having someone make decisions for you, and now that it involves that person, you're unsure what to do. I don't know the details of your situation, so asking me for advice is pointless, Gu Yan. My only sincere advice is to listen to your heart." Gu Yan was different from An Xiaoli; she didn't need Qin Sang's advice. She knew her own heart well enough to think things through; all she needed was Qin Sang to reassure her.
“I know…” Gu Yan turned to look at the people coming and going outside the window. She had thought about it all night and had long since calmed down. The one most hurt in this whole affair was probably her sister; she must have felt guilty and uneasy all these years. As for Liang Feifan, whatever he hinted at to her sister back then, his motivation… was probably love, right? Besides, why should he give so much to help them for no reason? In that situation, she herself was willing to make any sacrifice to save their father. Moreover, that sacrifice was Liang Feifan's boundless love and seven carefree years—so beautiful that nothing could justify the word “sacrifice.”
What is the past, just those bygone years? Why bother bringing them up and nagging about them?
I didn't go to Liang's to see him at noon. I actually spent the whole afternoon shopping with Qin Sang. When we got tired, we took a taxi to the KFC that Gu Yan used to go to for drinks.
After ordering their meal with great interest, Qin Sang sat in the bright, clean, and sparsely populated lobby, filled with emotion. "If you're still hung up on Ru Yan's past, you'll be struck by lightning. You're not satisfied with such a perfect man? You'll shorten your lifespan."
"Really? Go on, say something more to reassure me." Gu Yan smiled, resting her chin on her hand. Qin Sang's words always gave off a sense of conviction. She needed that conviction right now.
Qin Sang stirred the ketchup in the small box with the sundae spoon, pretending to be deep in thought. "You can't step into the same river twice. The you in the beginning and the you now are not the same self, but two interconnected selves. So the you now doesn't need to carry any of the unhappiness of that you. Is that alright?"
Gu Yan's eyes crinkled with delight as she said, "Barely, barely."
...
When Gu Yan returned to the Liang residence in the evening, the servants said that the master was in the kitchen. Gu Yan changed her clothes and went to the kitchen to check. Liang Feifan was dressed casually, standing sideways to the door, his slender fingers on the knife, cutting vegetables with an air of noble bearing and extraordinary elegance.
Gu Yan coughed lightly, went over and hugged his waist from behind. Liang Feifan smiled and turned around to kiss her. "There's only one soup left. Shall we eat in the room?" Gu Yan agreed but still didn't leave, staying by his side and causing trouble. The kitchen was cluttered with knives, and Liang Feifan had to keep an eye on the heat while also watching her carefully. He finally managed to finish a dinner in a flurry of activity.
A lone man and woman having a candlelight dinner in a room with a large bed—filling their stomachs is a real challenge. On the small table in front of the sofa, a perfectly cooked filet mignon sits on a plate, and clam chowder floats with delicate, flavorful scallions. Yet, they barely touch any of the various dishes. They move along the tangled mess of clothes left on the floor, towards the bedroom. There, on the floor beside the bed, a man and woman are rolling around in a tangle. Gu Yan screams softly, begging for mercy, wearing only her underwear. Liang Feifan, already naked, is on top of her, kissing and nibbling all over her body, his large hands roaming freely. "Want more?" he pants, his breath thick with lust, his naked lower body visibly aroused.
Gu Yan regretted her impulsive teasing earlier and used her knees to stop him from getting any closer, biting his ear and begging for mercy, "Stop it, stop it... Fei Fan... I was wrong... Ah... You're bad! No..."
Liang Feifan gently lifted her up, reached behind her to unhook her bra, ripped it off from the front and threw it behind him, lowered his head and swallowed her full breasts, then hurriedly pulled down her panties, pulling them down to her knees where they were clamped tightly together by her legs. He shaped his hand like a knife and slowly inserted it between her knees, then with a slight force, he pulled them apart and successfully pulled her panties off and hung them in his hand.
"Hmm?" He picked up his prize with his fingertips, lowered his head to touch his forehead with hers, and smiled rather wickedly. Gu Yan blushed and tried to snatch it, but he tossed her back and bit her little mouth that came to his door. His tongue slipped in and sucked on hers, stirring it constantly. The force was so strong that Gu Yan's tongue hurt.
"Hmm? You want it?" Liang Feifan's pent-up desire pressed against her sensitive, wet body, slowly rubbing against the outside. Gu Yan whimpered like a kitten, lifting her waist to offer her wetness to his massive member. Liang Feifan chuckled and dodged back, gently thrusting in and out, teasing her until her face was flushed. He couldn't resist any longer, biting her chin and asking in a teasing tone, "Uncle? Hmm? Am I old? Hmm?" So what if he has a gray hair? It's all because of her constant fussing. How dare she mock him for being old, sweetly calling him uncle? Let's see how he deals with this ungrateful little vixen tonight. Facts always speak louder than words.
Gu Yan kept leaning down to reach him, but never succeeded. Her impatient little hands drew circles on his chest, and she hummed softly, "No...you're not e in...Feifan...I want it..."
He kissed his way down from her eyebrows, licking and sucking, his large hands roaming and kneading her. "Then—call me..."
"Mmm... Feifan... Feifan..." she called his name urgently, her small hands on his back, tracing down his spine, gently pressing on his most sensitive spots. Hearing his breathing grow heavier, she pressed herself up further, "Feifan... come in... give it to me..."
"No—mmm..." Liang Feifan couldn't hold back any longer before he finished tormenting her. He thrust in forcefully, her tender flesh enveloping him layer upon layer. The pleasure sent a shiver down his spine. He braced himself on the floor as he thrust in and out powerfully amidst her intense moans. Gu Yan's long, slender, and fair legs wrapped tightly around his waist. With a sudden, sharp squeeze, she closed her eyes, tilted her head back, and let out a long moan, reaching the peak of her pleasure.
His erection was even more swollen than before. He closed his eyes and enjoyed the sensation in her convulsing, wet body for a while before gritting his teeth and pulling out. Gu Yan lay limp on the floor, hearing the rustling of fabric. When she opened her eyes, he was just stepping off the bed, his tall body erect and glistening with her fluids. Gu Yan bit her lip and turned her head away, blushing with embarrassment.
Liang Feifan scooped her up, who had gone limp, and carried her onto the bed. Gu Yan looked over from his arms and saw that two of the curtains beside the four pillars on the bed had been lowered, and the two large curtains at the head of the bed had been tied into a huge knot, making it look like two hammocks connected together, swaying back and forth in mid-air like a swing.
"Hold on tight!" Liang Feifan placed her small body on one side of the tightly knotted curtain, gesturing for her to grab the fabric on either side. Gu Yan, startled and hesitant, obediently lay down and grabbed the fabric. Her upper body sank diagonally into the curtain. Liang Feifan's excited eyes reddened even more. He lifted her hips, parted her legs, and thrust his hips between hers, penetrating her deeply. Gu Yan gasped. With his force, her body naturally lurched forward in mid-air. She gripped the fabric tightly in fear, instinctively shrinking back, perfectly matching his movements. In an instant, their bodies were deeply intertwined. Her unconsciously straining waist made the area enveloping him exceptionally tight, like a small mouth sucking at him. Liang Feifan sighed loudly, thrusting into her even more forcefully with pleasure.
Most of her weight was on the curtain, and Liang Feifan only needed to grab her buttocks and push her back and forth. The curtain swayed forward and then back with her weight, allowing him to easily enter and exit her. This novel method made her expression both shy and loving, which further stimulated him. He pulled her back more and more, and Gu Yan felt some pain from the thrusting. Coupled with the fact that this position was so embarrassing, she climaxed after he had brought her to orgasm two or three times and began to beg for mercy, "Feifan... put me down... it hurts so much..."
Liang Feifan, aroused, his eyes bloodshot, thrust deeply into her, his lower back growing increasingly numb, as if he were about to collapse. Seeing that she was on the verge of fainting, he stopped, panting, and slowly rubbed against her, saying, "Call me—"
"Feifan..."
"No!" He pushed her away, then pulled her back forcefully. The impact of their bodies, lubricated by the fluid, produced an ambiguous slapping sound. Gu Yan was overwhelmed with pleasure, twisting her waist and squeezing the hardness inside her, asking absentmindedly, "Ah?"
"Yan'er, call me husband—" His eyes burned with a thick, dark flame, so bright he dared not look directly at her. Gu Yan, still dazed, hadn't even processed his words when he impatiently pulled her closer again, thrusting his hips deep inside her. Gu Yan's fingers twisted white, her head thrown back, her back arched, as he brought her to the highest point. He pressed his advantage, ramming and pounding into her trembling, contracting body, occasionally stabbing her most unbearable spot.
"No..." Gu Yan was suspended in mid-air, her head spinning. Her lower body felt both pleasurable and tense, tingling and slightly painful. His relentless assault tormented her, making her feel dizzy and disoriented. She groggily cried out, "Mmm... I... husband..."
The way she uttered that seductive name from her small, rosy lips drove Liang Feifan completely mad. He suddenly reached out and pulled at her, his hand catching on the fabric. He yanked it forcefully, the force so great that half of the curtain fell off. Gu Yan fell down with the falling knot, screaming, and their lower bodies separated.
Her upper body fell onto the soft bed, and Liang Feifan pulled her legs back, then thrust into her while she was in that position. Ignoring her exhausted pleas for mercy, he held her up and expressed his excitement and love to the fullest.
He didn't leave her body all night. Gu Yan was forced to keep calling him "husband." Whenever he stopped, he would take her hard. It went on until dawn. Gu Yan's legs felt sore as if they were being torn apart, but he was still full of energy, having sex with her. Considering her safety and how she would walk the next day, she had to use her trump card. She wrapped her legs tightly around his waist, her small ankles rubbing against his waist. Her soft hands climbed up his neck and hugged him. She smiled sweetly and breathed hot air into his ear while whispering seductively, "Husband... I love you... take me..."
As soon as he finished speaking, she could clearly feel him shudder violently, his erection swelling considerably. He held her so tightly she could hardly breathe. The two of them entangled on the bed, wanting to merge into each other's bodies. He thrust with all his might, countless times, until finally he ejaculated deep inside her. Hot and intense, she cried and screamed, her body trembling as she reached the peak of ecstasy with him...
Waiting to get married
After a night of intense activity, even the strong Liang Feifan slept soundly until the sun was high in the sky. In his drowsy state, he heard someone walking back and forth softly at the door. As soon as he moved, Gu Yan, who was sleeping in his arms, woke up a little. She turned over and wrapped her arms and legs around him, muttering something unintelligible.
Liang Feifan's heart melted at the sight of her soft body. He smiled and leaned down to kiss her face repeatedly, holding her in his arms and whispering sweet nothings to coax her.
Hearing some movement from the room, the housekeeper hurriedly went forward and gently knocked on the door. Liang Feifan pulled up the blanket to cover Gu Yan's naked body, leaving only her small head sticking out. "Come in."
The housekeeper hurriedly handed the two cell phones, which had rang countless times that morning, to the maid and carried them inside. Liang Feifan took them and saw that they were calling Secretary Lin and several senior managers, presumably about the afternoon's contract signing. He had originally planned to handle everything that morning, but last night, her taste had been too sweet; he couldn't bear to put it down and had slept very late, even neglecting his morning work. Looking at Gu Yan's missed calls, all from an unknown number, Liang Feifan frowned slightly. The maid quickly retreated, glancing at the mess in the room as she left. Clothes were tangled on the floor, candles and dishes were scattered on the low table, the bed was a mess, even a large section of the bed curtains had fallen off, and the master's bare upper body was covered in red scratches—Miss Yan was truly violent! No wonder everyone was so afraid of her.
Seeing her whimpering and half-awake, and realizing it was getting late, Liang Feifan sat on the bed and returned Secretary Lin's call. Gu Yan was still a bit groggy, but as he methodically gave her instructions, she gradually came to her senses. After staring blankly at the ceiling for a while, she started to get grumpy, burying herself under the covers and kicking and hitting him. Liang Feifan tried to dodge, but couldn't escape. Helpless, he quickly finished his instructions, hung up the phone, pulled her out of the covers, and held her across his lap. Her hair was disheveled, and she threw a tantrum like a little madwoman, making Liang Feifan's lower body start to feel hot again.
"Alright, alright...no more...alright...alright, alright..." He felt sorry for her weak body; after all that last night, he couldn't touch her anymore. Liang Feifan gently restrained her, his voice hoarse with a threatening warning, "Alright! Be careful, or I'll punish you a few more times!"
Gu Yan indeed quieted down, clinging to his neck and burying her face in his chest obediently. Liang Feifan stroked her hair and kissed her with satisfaction. Before he could even utter the word "obedient," the smile on his face twisted into a grimace. She bit down hard on the little red spot on his chest with her sharp teeth, making Liang Feifan gasp in pain. "Little thing!" Gu Yan quickly pushed him away and dodged backward after biting him. He grabbed at her but missed. She giggled and jumped off the bed and ran into the bathroom.
After finishing his brunch, Liang Feifan was heading back to the company. Gu Yan was also getting ready to change in the dressing room. As he buttoned his shirt, he asked seemingly casually, "Going out?"
"Hmm." Gu Yan tiptoed to pull a wool shawl from the top of the wardrobe. Liang Feifan put down the cufflinks he was holding and went over to take it down for her, then put his arms around her. "Are you going to see the person you were talking to earlier?" When she finished showering and was drying her hair, that unfamiliar number called again. He handed her the phone.