Chapter 36: Is She Helping Him or Setting Him Up?

The two of them stood up, and Mrs. Gu took Wen Jiu by the hand, leading her to the dining room.

Wen Jiu was well aware of Gu Zehuai’s cooking skills. Looking at the six dishes and one soup on the table, each was a feast for the senses, enticing in both appearance and aroma.

The three took their seats.

Gu Zehuai first ladled out two bowls of soup, placing them before his mother and Wen Jiu.

Wen Jiu softly murmured a thank you.

At that moment, Mrs. Gu smiled warmly and said, “Jiujiu, don’t be so reserved—just treat this as your own home.”

Wen Jiu nodded, wanting to catch a glimpse of Gu Zehuai’s reaction. As soon as she turned her head, her gaze met his.

Gu Zehuai was smiling as well, his expression radiating contentment.

Seeing both Mrs. Gu and Gu Zehuai so welcoming, the slight feeling Wen Jiu had of intruding upon their dinner dissipated.

After dinner, Mrs. Gu and Wen Jiu chatted in the living room, and when Gu Zehuai finished cleaning up the kitchen, he joined them as well.

Mrs. Gu recounted many stories about Gu Zehuai—some amusing, some embarrassing—making Wen Jiu laugh heartily.

Gu Zehuai could only listen helplessly from the side, occasionally interjecting to “correct” his mother’s words.

At times, Gu Zehuai wondered whether his mother was trying to help him or sabotage him.

But seeing Wen Jiu laughing so freely, Gu Zehuai found he didn’t mind at all.

The three of them sat together in the living room for over an hour, with most of the conversation flowing between Mrs. Gu and Wen Jiu. Gu Zehuai only chimed in occasionally when prompted, but he listened attentively to their exchange.

The more Wen Jiu talked with Mrs. Gu, the more she realized what an easygoing and like-minded person she was. Whether in terms of fashion philosophy or styling, Mrs. Gu was a trendsetter—enough to make Wen Jiu, a designer herself, feel humbled.

Because they exchanged ideas and opinions, Wen Jiu felt she learned a lot and was genuinely happy to have such a heart-to-heart with an elder like Mrs. Gu.

Seeing that it was getting late, Mrs. Gu got up to return to the old house.

With reluctance in her eyes, Mrs. Gu turned to Wen Jiu and said, “Jiujiu, I’m heading back now, or your uncle will keep calling to hurry me. Next time, I’ll come visit you again. I had such a wonderful time today.”

Wen Jiu held Mrs. Gu’s hand, equally reluctant to part. “Alright, Auntie, next time let’s have another get-together. Please be careful on your way home.”

Knowing the driver was already waiting downstairs, Gu Zehuai escorted his mother out.

Wen Jiu followed the two of them downstairs as well.

From a distance, Wen Jiu saw someone approaching. As the figure drew nearer, she realized it was Gu Yan, Gu Zehuai’s father.

Gu Zehuai greeted him with a “Dad,” to which Gu Yan simply responded with a brief “Mm.” Gu Zehuai didn’t mind; after all, his father had always been that way.

Wen Jiu, standing to the side, greeted politely, “Hello, Uncle.” Instantly, Gu Yan’s face broke into a broad smile as he replied, “Hello!”

Next to them, Gu Zehuai thought: ...There’s really no need for such obvious favoritism. It seems he truly isn’t the biological son here.

After the greetings, Gu Yan prepared to take Mrs. Gu home.

Mrs. Gu chided playfully, “Really now, what is there to worry about when heading home? I told you there’s no need to pick me up.”

Gu Yan only smiled, said nothing, and took her hand, leading her away. He even turned to wave goodbye to the two younger ones.

Gu Zehuai shook his head and chuckled softly. Ah, his father—whipped by his wife to the core.

Wen Jiu also waved farewell to Mrs. Gu.

After watching the car drive away, the two turned to head back upstairs.

In the elevator, they stood side by side.

Wen Jiu looked up, meeting Gu Zehuai’s eyes, and took the initiative to speak. “I really imposed on you today.”

Seeing her expression, Gu Zehuai gazed back into her eyes and replied with a smile, “What are you saying? Sharing a meal isn’t an imposition at all.”