Chapter 81: The Ordinary Gu Family of Supreme Wealth
Su Wan’s tone was gentle yet firm. “I’m sorry, Jiahui, but that really won’t do.”
Gu Jinling interjected as well, “Aunt Song, if you truly wish to buy them, perhaps Jin Yan could give you the address of the brand.”
Just as Song Jiahui was about to protest that it was inconvenient, Gu Jinling thoughtfully added, “If you find it troublesome, Aunt Song, you can ask them to provide home service.”
Song Jiahui’s face turned several shades, making her look utterly unpleasant.
That’s not what she meant at all, was it? When did the Gu family become so unaccommodating? The Gu family lacked for nothing, yet now they were playing Tai Chi with her over a few dresses?
With this thought, her expression grew even darker. Meeting the inquisitive gazes of Gu Jinling and the others, Song Jiahui finally understood what it meant to be caught between a rock and a hard place.
She forced a stiff smile. “No need. In the future, I’ll just take Wenyu to the store myself.”
Hearing this, Zhao Wenyu grew anxious and whispered, “Mom…”
She was a Lolita enthusiast herself—how could she not know that all the dresses Gu Jin Yan bought for Gu Ci were incredibly expensive, custom-made limited editions? If they had to buy them themselves, she would never be willing to spend that kind of money! But to just let it go so easily—she couldn’t accept that either!
She had thought that with her mother handling it, the matter was already as good as settled. She’d even secretly snapped photos of several dresses to share in her friends’ group chat!
But now her mother was just going to let it go?
She wanted to say more, but Gu Jin Yan cut her off directly. “It’s getting late, Aunt Song. Don’t you have dinner cooking at home? We won’t keep you any longer.”
Looking at the table full of dishes the Gu family had prepared, Song Jiahui’s face turned ashen.
She looked toward Gu Changrong and Su Wan, forcing a smile. “We just have some leftovers from lunch that we’ll make do with tonight…”
Yet even Gu Changrong and Su Wan, who had always been the ones to invite Song Jiahui and Zhao Wenyu to stay for dinner, simply kept their eyes lowered, showing no intention of keeping them.
Now, Song Jiahui and Zhao Wenyu were truly dumbfounded.
Never had they imagined that the usually warm Gu Changrong and Su Wan would be so unyielding this time!
But since Gu Jinling had spoken so unequivocally, no matter how unwilling Song Jiahui and Zhao Wenyu were, they had no choice but to take their leave for now.
Once outside, Zhao Wenyu suddenly remembered the photos she’d sent to her friends’ group chat.
She hurriedly opened the group chat, hoping to retract the photos before her friends noticed, but it was too late—her friends had already seen them!
“Wow, that’s the latest limited edition Butterfly Dream from Dream House! Wenyu, you actually have one?”
“Ahhh, I see the Bridal Flower series too! Wenyu, how do you have everything?”
Seeing the envy in her friends’ messages, Zhao Wenyu’s vanity was greatly satisfied. She replied, “Haha, it’s no big deal. My second brother gave them to me as gifts.”
As soon as she sent the message, her friends started flooding the chat again.
“Ahhh! Is it the brother who’s always giving you gifts? You’re so lucky to have a brother like that!”
“Wenyu’s brother is just too good! Why don’t I have a brother like that?”
Reading the envious comments, Zhao Wenyu’s mood improved considerably, and before long she was happily chatting away with her friends.
…
Without the Zhao mother and daughter, the Gu family enjoyed a truly pleasant dinner. Afterward, Su Wan kept Gu Ci company for quite a while, chatting about family matters, and gave her a whole box of gifts she’d prepared.
Once again, Gu Ci began to doubt whether the Gu family was really as ordinary as they claimed.
Unable to refuse Su Wan’s kindness, Gu Ci finally chose a bracelet and tied it next to her little red string.
Meanwhile, Gu Jin Yan was eager to see Gu Ci try on Lolita dresses.
Head throbbing, Gu Ci used her homework as an excuse to retreat back to her room.
The next morning, Gu Ci got up to head to school, only to find Gu Jinling was already awake.
They ate breakfast together, and Gu Ci was about to leave for school.
Just as she stepped out, Gu Jinling called after her. “Heading to school? Let me give you a ride.”
He wiped his mouth unhurriedly and walked over to her.
Gu Ci didn’t refuse. “Thank you, Big Cousin.”
As Gu Jinling reached the door to change his shoes, he paused at her words. “No need to be so polite.”
Gu Ci acknowledged this.
Seemingly satisfied, Gu Jinling straightened up. “Also, I heard you call Gu Jin Yan ‘Third Brother’?”
Gu Ci wasn’t quite sure what he meant by this.
She looked at Gu Jinling and could only reply, “Yes, Third Brother asked me to call him that, Big Cousin.”
At her words, Gu Jinling’s lips pressed into a thin line.
He finished putting on his shoes in silence, an air of gloom about him.
Gu Ci’s brow twitched. Suddenly, she had a rather unreliable guess.
After a moment’s hesitation, she ventured, “Big… Brother?”
Gu Jinling’s eyes flickered, and a hint of a smile tugged at his lips. The coldness around him vanished instantly. “Yes? What is it?”
Gu Ci was speechless. “Nothing.”
Today, Gu Jinling hadn’t brought the driver; he drove himself.
After dropping Gu Ci off at school, he headed to his company in Songdu.
With a bit of traffic on the way, Gu Ci arrived at her class right on time.
She was surprised to see the usually unruly class looking unusually organized. She raised her brows. “What’s going on?”
It was the first time since she’d joined Class Twelve that everyone had arrived so punctually.
Lu Youming grinned, looking rather silly at first glance. “Did you forget what day it is? Of course all of us in Class Twelve have to be here on time today!”
At his words, everyone turned to Gu Ci with broad smiles.
Gu Ci pondered for a moment. “Is the canteen serving special braised ribs today?”
Say what you will about the school canteen, but Gu Ci had to admit—their braised ribs were truly delicious.
Lu Youming: “???”
Everyone: “???”