Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Gu Nianzhi thought Gu Yanran was focussing her attention on a strange thing and asked curiously, “Didn’t father used to be that amazing, anyway?”
She was under that impression based on Huo Shaoheng showing her all of Gu Xiangwen’s personal achievements in the international academics realm. Just the fact that he’d started from scratch and used only his own patents to amass a fortune that rivaled a small country proved that he was someone to be reckoned with.
“He is very amazing, but this is different.” Gu Yanran cocked her head to stare at Gu Nianzhi. “Nianzhi, you’ve lived comfortably with Mr. Huo all these years. You don’t know what Ye Xuan and I went through.”
Gu Nianzhi was silent for a long moment, then continued to question her with a smile. “I certainly don’t know what you guys went through. Can you tell me about it?”
“I’ll tell you when I have the chance.” Gu Nianzhi hugged Gu Nianzhi’s shoulder, and they walked out together. “You must get along with Mr. Huo well and not be too short-sighted by only focussing on his fortune. We Gus have money, and the dowry we’ll give you will be enough for you and my nieces and nephews to live in luxury for the rest of your lives.”
The words were increasingly grating. Gu Nianzhi didn’t hesitate to cut Gu Yanran off. “Sis, I’ve never been with Huo Shao for the money.”
Although she’d used Huo Shaoheng’s money in the past, she’d still been a minor back then, and Huo Shaoheng didn’t mind, so Gu Nianzhi wouldn’t dwell on it. Moreover, she’d already decided to earn her own money and rely on herself, so she didn’t need Gu Yanran to continuously remind her.
“I know, I know. Of course, our Nianzhi isn’t a greedy person. Our Nianzhi is with Huo Shao because they’re in love, of course.” Gu Yanran spoke to her like she was a little child.
This was getting ridiculous. Gu Nianzhi pursed her lips and stopped in front of the elevator. Clenching her tiny hands into fists, she stopped herself from punching the smile off Gu Yanran’s face and frowned. “Sis, am I such a terrible person in your mind? You think I’d sell myself out for money?”
Gu Yanran’s smile froze on her face, and she asked quizzically, “Nianzhi, why must you always have your spikes up like a porcupine when you’re with me? You know I didn’t mean it like that.”
“I don’t know what you mean.” Gu Nianzhi unfurled her fists to press the elevator button, her expression cold.
The elevator doors opened, and Ye Xuan was inside. Seeing the two sisters standing awkwardly in front of the doors, he raised a handsome brow. “Yanran, we have a meeting with Mr. Xue.”
Gu Yanran seemed to just recall this and slapped her forehead. She apologized seriously to Gu Nianzhi, “Nianzhi, I still have some business to discuss with Xue Jingjiang. I’ll leave you to take care of Father here.”
“It’s my duty. No need to thank me.” Gu Nianzhi walked into the elevator without even looking at Ye Xuan.
He also glanced at her disdainfully and walked out. He stood next to Gu Yanran in front of the elevator, his eyes never leaving her face. They made an especially dashing couple.
As Gu Nianzhi pressed the button for ground-level, she looked at Gu Yanran, then Ye Xuan thoughtfully. Smiling knowingly, she looked like she knew the truth between them. The normally calm Gu Yanran found her sister’s smile very jarring and quickly glanced at Ye Xuan. He was staring at her with all his focus, as if she were the only one in the world and everything else was just background noise.
Gu Yanran pursed her lips, walking away from the elevator to head outside. Ye Xuan glared at Gu Nianzhi again. However, she raised her arms with a smile and made a “heart” gesture at him, then jerked her delicate chin in Gu Yanran’s direction.
Ye Xuan stiffened for a second, his face flushed pink. He suddenly didn’t hate Gu Nianzhi as much anymore. Turning back to Gu Yanran ahead, he chased after her with a smile.
The elevator doors slowly closed in front of Gu Nianzhi, and her smile evaporated. Covering her face with her hands, she sighed deeply. When the elevator reached Gu Xiangwen’s floor, she finally put her hands down.
She arrived at Gu Xiangwen’s ward, where Chen Lie was changing the IV. Chen Lie turned around to see Gu Nianzhi’s sullen face and sighed to himself. He had noticed the rift between Gu Nianzhi and Gu Yanran over the past few days. Although they were sisters and Gu Nianzhi had tried to get closer to her only sibling, it hadn’t worked well. Probably because they weren’t actually related. This sort of thing was typical.
Chen Lie finished changing the IV and was about to console Gu Nianzhi when he thought of something. Did Gu Yanran know she wasn’t related to Gu Nianzhi? He then recalled how Huo Shaoheng had confirmed Gu Nianzhi’s identity and how Gu Yanran had accepted the convoluted method—did that mean Gu Yanran had known that Gu Nianzhi wasn’t her father’s daughter all along? If that was the case, it made sense why Gu Yanran treated Gu Nianzhi and Ye Xuan the same way… Neither was related to her, so of course, their bond only deepened with time. Just like how Gu Nianzhi was not related to Huo Shaoheng and his men, but she was closer to them because she had grown up under their care. Even her so-called sister, Gu Yanran, wasn’t as close to her.
Chen Lie removed his gloves and tossed them in the garbage. He waved at Gu Nianzhi. “Nianzhi, come sit here.”
Gu Nianzhi sat on the couch across from him and asked wearily, “Brother Chen, what is it?”
“Don’t pull a long face.” Chen Lie smiled cheerfully. “You didn’t even grow up with Gu Yanran and aren’t related, anyway. Why do you have to care about her so much?”
“I don’t care.” Gu Nianzhi looked at Chen Lie with confusion. “Why would Brother Chen say that?”
“You don’t care? Then what are you frowning for?” Chen Lue didn’t think he’d assumed incorrectly. “I thought you were unhappy that Gu Yanran doesn’t treat you like a sister…”
“Hmm? You think so, too?” Gu Nianzhi became more interested. Propping her hands under her chin and resting her elbows on her knees, her large eyes sparkled. “I really didn’t think she treated me like family. She always speaks to me like a stranger. I’m not an idiot. How can I not notice what she’s implying?”
She’d never assumed that Gu Yanran would be intimate with her right away, and since they weren’t related, she had no idea how much Gu Yanran cared for her as a sister because they had been apart for so many years. But regardless of whether they were related or not, Gu Nianzhi was legally recognized as a member of the Gu family and Gu Xiangwen’s youngest daughter. This was irrefutable, yet Gu Yanran was obviously treating her as if she didn’t belong. She spoke about “her dowry” all the time. As if Gu Nianzhi even cared about that…
“Don’t be her family if she treats you like that. You already have a family with Mr. Huo. Who cares about that b*tch?” Chen Lie giggled at Gu Nianzhi. His words warmed her heart and, of course, also evoked her longing.
Gu Nianzhi couldn’t help asking, “Brother Chen, do you know when Huo Shao will be back?”
