Chapter 61

Shen Lihuan and You Changqing arrived home before Gu Tingyu. As soon as they stepped inside, they were greeted by the rich aroma of food. Shen Lihuan chuckled and teased, “The food smells amazing. I bet Uncle Liang is using all his best cooking skills.”

You Changqing smiled. “We’re in for a treat.”

They walked into the living room side by side, where Shen Jiashu and Gu Qinglan were sitting on the sofa, chatting casually. Their hands were intertwined in an intimate gesture. When Gu Qinglan saw the two return, she quickly pulled her hand away, a little embarrassed. “You’re back. Are you hungry? Once your little uncle arrives, we can start dinner.”

Shen Jiashu withdrew his now-empty hand slowly and glanced at Shen Lihuan. Though his gaze was calm and unreadable, she still felt guilty. It seemed that their timing was off—they had just interrupted their parents’ quality time.

You Changqing, sitting obediently next to Shen Lihuan, responded on her behalf. “We had some desserts at a pastry shop around ten, so we’re not very hungry yet. But thank you for your concern, Aunt Gu.”

While You Changqing was free to act spoiled around Shen Lihuan, she was much more reserved in front of her future in-laws. She spoke carefully, afraid that Aunt Gu and Uncle Shen might not have a good impression of her.

Gu Qinglan had never lived with in-laws, nor had she experienced the tension of such relationships firsthand. However, many of her friends did, and she had often heard them talk about the stress and unhappiness it brought. She understood You Changqing’s nervousness but found it unnecessary—neither she nor Jiashu were the kind of in-laws that would make things difficult.

Gu Qinglan reached for You Changqing’s hand and gently reassured her, “Changqing, you don’t need to be so tense. I already see you as my own daughter. You should treat me as your mother, too. There’s no need to be so cautious. Jiashu and I both like you. If Lihuan ever bullies you, we’ll take your side.”

“Aunt Gu~”

You Changqing called out shyly.

Shen Lihuan, meanwhile, dramatically flopped onto You Changqing’s back, resting her chin on her shoulder. She exaggeratedly sighed, “Mom, now that you have Changqing as your daughter-in-law, are you going to start neglecting me? Changqing, my happiness is in your hands now!”

With Shen Lihuan’s playful interruption, You Changqing’s nerves gradually eased. She wasn’t someone who got easily flustered, but she cared deeply about Lihuan. That was why she had been so concerned about Aunt Gu’s opinion.

She smiled, cupping Shen Lihuan’s face. “That depends on your behavior. If you bully me, I’ll go straight to Aunt Gu and have her deal with you.”

Shen Lihuan immediately put on a fake crying act, covering her face. “Changqing, you don’t love me anymore~”

You Changqing grinned. “Behave, and I’ll love you~”

Gu Qinglan burst into laughter, clearly enjoying the exchange. She wasn’t showing much motherly concern at all—if anything, she seemed delighted by Shen Lihuan’s predicament.

Shen Lihuan narrowed her peach blossom eyes dangerously. You can mess with me now, but just wait until we’re in bed. You’ll see who has the upper hand then.

Their conversation didn’t last long before a servant led Gu Tingyu inside. The servant bowed respectfully and said, “Sir, Madam, Mr. Gu has arrived.”

Since the instructions had been given in advance, Gu Tingyu was not stopped at the entrance and was instead escorted in.

He had brought quite a few gifts, and Uncle Chang helped carry some of them. As soon as he arrived, Shen Lihuan, as the younger generation, stood up. “Little Uncle, you’re here! Come sit down and have some tea. Dinner will be ready soon.”

Gu Tingyu greeted them nervously, “Sister, Brother-in-law, I’m here.”

“Ah, no need to be so formal. But why did you bring so many gifts?”

Gu Qinglan stood up and motioned for him to sit down. “And all these snacks too—let me guess, you bought them for Lihuan?”

Gu Tingyu sat next to Shen Lihuan and responded cautiously, “They’re for Lihuan and my niece-in-law. But I also got gifts for you and Brother-in-law. I’m not sure if you’ll like them.”

As he spoke, he took out a set of beautifully wrapped gifts and handed them over.

“You really didn’t have to. Next time, don’t go through the trouble.”

Gu Qinglan noticed how nervous he seemed and felt a pang of sympathy. She immediately unwrapped her gift and pulled out a gorgeous silk scarf. “This is beautiful! Does it suit me?”

She tied the scarf around her neck and turned to her family for opinions.

“It’s perfect! Mom, you’re the most beautiful woman in the world,” Shen Lihuan sweetly flattered.

Shen Jiashu nodded in agreement. “It complements your style well.”

You Changqing also praised sincerely, “Aunt Gu looks even more elegant with this scarf.”

Gu Qinglan beamed. “Tingyu, you have great taste! You’re very thoughtful.”

Gu Tingyu’s eyes lit up, and he rubbed his nose shyly. “As long as you like it, Sister.”

While Shen Lihuan was nibbling on a piece of lüdagun (glutinous rice rolls with sweet filling) from the snacks her uncle brought, she noticed her father hadn’t opened his gift yet. She urged, “Dad, why don’t you check out what Little Uncle got you?”

Shen Jiashu took his daughter’s suggestion and unwrapped his gift. Inside was a set of Longquan celadon tea cups. He had been thinking about getting a new set of tea cups recently, and now, here they were—clearly, his daughter had tipped her uncle off.

Even though he felt a bit jealous of his wife and daughter’s enthusiasm for Gu Tingyu, he couldn’t be petty. If they had accepted him, he should, too.

“This is exactly what I needed. You really didn’t have to spend so much.”

“Not at all, not at all. I’m just happy that you like it.”

Gu Tingyu quickly waved his hands in dismissal. Meanwhile, Shen Lihuan, after feeding a bite of lüdagun to her wife, added, “Little Uncle, don’t be so nervous. We’re all family here. Mom, Dad, try the snacks he brought! I think they taste really authentic.”

“Oh, I got these from Guwei Xuan, an old shop that’s been around for decades.”

Seeing his niece enjoy the treats he had brought, Gu Tingyu smiled brightly.

Hearing that, Gu Qinglan and Shen Jiashu each picked up a piece of lüdagun and took a bite.

Shen Lihuan had only met Gu Qingrong before and had never seen Gu Xiujin or Luo Jiangyue. But honestly, she felt that her little uncle didn’t look like Gu Qingrong at all—rather, he bore a certain resemblance to her mother, especially in the eyes and nose.

Thinking about this, she joked, “I think Uncle and Mom really look like siblings, especially their eyes and nose, which seem to be carved from the same mold. If Uncle didn’t look so much like Mom, I might not have recognized him.”

Gu Qinglan’s heart trembled at those words. She carefully examined Gu Tingyu’s features, and to her shock, she realized that he indeed resembled her late mother by a good six or seven points. He looked nothing like that wretched woman, Luo Jiangyue.

Her heart clenched as a strange thought surfaced in her mind, but she couldn’t quite grasp it.

Gu Tingyu had been watching her closely and immediately noticed her change in expression. He asked nervously, “Sis, what’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell? Your face suddenly changed.”

Shen Jiashu quickly set down his chopsticks and reached out to support his wife. “Qinglan, what’s the matter? Do you feel sick anywhere?”

Gu Qinglan shook her head. “I’m fine. I just suddenly realized that Tingyu and I really do look alike.”

Shen Lihuan keenly noticed her mother’s complex emotions. It seemed like her mother’s mood had shifted the moment she mentioned how much her uncle resembled her. Had she said something wrong?

She had a feeling there was something she didn’t know, something her mother deeply cared about.

Gu Tingyu chuckled and scratched his head. “It’s great that I look like you, Sis. Anyone who sees us will know right away that we’re siblings.”

“That’s true.” Gu Qinglan forced down the complicated emotions in her heart and continued chatting with Gu Tingyu.

Through their conversation, she learned that Gu Tingyu had been single all these years, was an absolute workaholic, and had no thoughts of getting married.

“I’ve already made up my mind—if I don’t meet someone I truly like, I just won’t get married. I don’t plan on having children either. When I die, all my assets will go to Lihuan.”

Gu Tingyu genuinely had no desire for children. He hated the fact that the blood of Gu Xiujin and Luo Jiangyue ran in his veins, and he had no intention of passing it on. When he moved out of the Gu family home, he had never considered taking over the Gu Corporation. No matter how much Gu Xiujin and the others pressured him to marry, he ignored them. He had his own company and didn’t rely on them for support, so they couldn’t do anything to him.

Besides, he truly adored Lihuan, his niece. He had no children of his own, but that only made him more certain that he wanted to leave everything to her.

“Uncle, don’t scare me like that! If you say something like that, it makes me feel guilty. You’re only in your thirties! People say men hit their prime at forty—you’re still just a flower bud. Why think so far ahead?”

Shen Lihuan was startled by his words and quickly refuted him.

Gu Qinglan also shook her head in disapproval. “Your niece is right. You’re still young, and yet you’re talking so negatively. With your looks and status, why would you have trouble finding someone you like? Tomorrow, I’ll spread the word—just watch, a bunch of wealthy ladies will come to me to introduce their daughters to you.”

Gu Tingyu was thirty-four this year, not that old. He had a handsome, refined appearance and had built his own business from the ground up. His conditions were excellent. The only reason he hadn’t dated was that he had no interest in romance. Otherwise, plenty of men and women would be scrambling to get close to him.

Gu Tingyu gave a wry smile. “We’ll see. A fulfilling life isn’t necessarily about marriage and kids.”

The mood turned a little heavy, but just then, the kitchen staff announced that the food was ready. Shen Lihuan was the first to stand up. “Perfect timing! Uncle, you’re in for a treat today. Uncle Liang’s cooking is top-notch.”

Gu Tingyu played along. “Oh? Then I’d better eat two extra bowls of rice.”

Shen Lihuan reached out to pull You Changqing to his feet, while Shen Jiashu helped Gu Qinglan up. Together, they all headed toward the dining room.

The meal was a feast. Gu Tingyu noticed several dishes with sweet and sour flavors on the table, such as sweet and sour carp, pineapple sweet and sour pork, and hot-and-sour fish. His eyes turned slightly red. “Sis, you still remember that I love sweet and sour dishes?”

He had thought she never paid attention to him.

“Of course I remember. When you were little, you ate too many sweet and sour foods and got a toothache. You cried and wailed for a whole day. But even after getting a cavity filled, you still wanted candy and chocolate. You never learned your lesson.”

Recalling the childhood memory, Gu Qinglan’s face softened with a smile.

Gu Tingyu laughed sheepishly, especially when he saw his niece snickering at him. His face even turned a little red.

Everyone took their seats. Shen Lihuan sat between her uncle and You Changqing.

Gu Tingyu sat next to Gu Qinglan. Being so close to his sister and niece, he was overjoyed. He was afraid his sister wouldn’t accept food from him, so he kept putting food onto Lihuan’s plate instead.

Shen Lihuan didn’t refuse. The kitchen had prepared spicy crayfish, which she loved. She kept peeling and eating, peeling and eating.

Seeing how much she enjoyed it, Gu Tingyu reached over to help peel the crayfish for her, but Shen Lihuan quickly stopped him. “Uncle, the best part of eating crayfish is peeling it yourself! You just focus on your food—don’t get your hands dirty. Let me do it.”

Only then did Gu Tingyu give up, sighing, “Is crayfish really that good? I’ve never tried it before.”

“You haven’t?” Shen Lihuan was surprised. “Do you want to try? I can peel a few for you.”

She found it odd that her uncle had never eaten such a delicious dish and immediately started promoting it to him. “Spicy crayfish is amazing! The meat is tender and has no fishy taste at all. Eating it is pure bliss.”

Gu Tingyu smiled regretfully. “It’s a shame, really. I’m allergic to crayfish. Otherwise, I’d definitely love it.”

“Oh no, Uncle! That’s so tragic—you’re allergic to crayfish?”

Shen Lihuan looked at her uncle with sympathy. Gu Tingyu couldn’t help but chuckle. “Yeah, I have really bad luck.”

Gu Qinglan, who had been listening, suddenly froze. Her hand trembled.

She, Gu Xiujin, Luo Jiangyue, and Gu Qingrong weren’t allergic to crayfish. The only person she knew who was allergic was her late mother, Pei Yuanning.

She knew allergies weren’t hereditary, but she couldn’t stop herself from making the connection.

After a long while, Gu Qinglan suppressed the trembling in her heart, turned to Gu Tingyu, and asked, “Tingyu, do you remember your birthday?”

The younger brother who was said to have died at birth had been born on February 6th at four in the morning.

Gu Tingyu blinked in confusion and replied, “My birthday is February 6th, Sis, did you forget…?”

He sounded a little aggrieved.

Gu Qinglan’s eyes instantly turned red. “The same birth date…”

She put down her chopsticks and covered her face. Was heaven playing a cruel joke on her? If Tingyu was really her biological brother, then what had she been doing all these years?

Her reaction scared everyone. They hurriedly threw down their chopsticks and gathered around her.

“Sis, what’s wrong? Don’t scare me!”

“Qinglan, are you feeling unwell? I’ll call the doctor right away!”

“Mom, what’s going on? Let me take a look at you!”

“Aunt Gu, are you not feeling well? Let Lihuan check your pulse!”

Gu Qinglan shook her head and put her hands down, revealing eyes that were completely red. She gripped Gu Tingyu’s arm tightly. “Tingyu, did you know that I had a younger brother who was said to have died at birth? He was the same age as you and born on the same day.”

Gu Tingyu’s expression turned dazed, and he took a step back. “So… so I’m your real younger brother…?”

“You must be! You look so much like Mom, you’re allergic to crayfish just like she was, and you were born on the same day as my supposed dead brother. How could you not be my real brother?”

Gu Qinglan was on the verge of losing her mind. Anyone would go crazy upon realizing that their own brother had been by their side for over twenty years—only to have been ignored and resented the entire time.

“I’m going to find Gu Xiujin and Luo Jiangyue. They must know the truth! They must have deliberately swapped you with Luo Jiangyue’s son! Those scumbags—I swear I’ll make them pay!”