Chapter 31: The Hidden Cracks of the Gu Family Part 2

The conversation shifted to Ming Xi’s conflict with Shen Chang. Ming Li’s tone darkened as she reminded her sister, “If your Sister-in-law asks how you want to get back at the Shen family, don’t ask for any conditions.”

Seeing Ming Li’s grim expression, Ming Xi didn’t ask questions and simply agreed.

…

Before long, Ms. Ming returned, carrying some braised side dishes.

Ming Li’s dishes were ready, steaming as they were placed on the table. Ms. Ming washed her hands and rushed to help, while Ming Xi led Mingyue to the table with the bowls and chopsticks.

As soon as Ming Xi sat down, she couldn’t help but grab a piece of food. She winced at the heat but still gave Ming Li a thumbs-up. “Sis, you’re a god in the kitchen!”

Ms. Ming scolded her gently, “Look at you. How old are you? Eat properly.”

Ming Li sat opposite her mother and put some food in Ming Xi’s bowl. “Eat up, but be careful. It’s hot.”

Their home didn’t have the suffocating rules of the Gu family. Everyone was smiling. Since Ming Xi had been pampered since childhood, even before the bankruptcy, she had always been like this at the table.

Back then, their mother would occasionally put on a cold face to lecture Ming Xi, saying that acting like this at elite banquets would embarrass the family. Zhou Bai would always jump in to defend her: How could she be an embarrassment? Our daughter doesn’t need to engage in that hypocrisy. No one would dare say a word.

Ming Xi was in high spirits. Since it had been a long time since Ming Li had eaten at home—let alone cooked—Ming Xi spent the meal alternating between flattering her mother and praising her sister, all while making sure Mingyue’s bowl was full.

The atmosphere was so warm that even Ming Li ate an extra half-bowl of rice, leaving her stomach comfortably full.

After the meal, Ms. Ming insisted on doing the dishes. Ming Li tried to help, but her mother physically blocked her. “You rest. I’ve got this.”

“Mom.” Ming Li leaned her head against her mother’s shoulder. “It’s so good to have you here.”

Ms. Ming glanced at her. “Do you have any performances coming up soon?”

“What?” Ming Li blinked, startled.

“A few of my friends said they wanted to go to the Jingan Grand Theatre to see a dance drama,” Ms. Ming said quietly while washing a plate. “I thought they could buy tickets for your show.”

Ming Li: “…”

“No need.” Ming Li didn’t know how to dodge the question, so she changed the subject. “Since when do you have friends?”

“The people I met in the neighborhood,” Ms. Ming said. “They’ve taken an interest in dance dramas lately.”

“The shows at our theatre are all good; you can’t go wrong with any of them.” Ming Li wasn’t a good liar. Her eyes flickered nervously, but she was lucky her mother was looking down at the soapy water. “I’m just… a bit embarrassed to have acquaintances watching me.”

Ms. Ming sighed softly and didn’t push. She told Ming Li to go to her room and rest.

Ming Li smiled. “Actually, I’m going to look for a laptop and an iPad for you.”

Hearing that Ming Li was buying electronics for their mother, Ming Xi dragged Mingyue over to help choose. Considering Ms. Ming only needed them for office work, they settled on the base models.

Ming Xi waved a hand grandly. “I’ll cover the case and the screen protector!”

She had a favorite shop she always used and placed the order immediately. “Mom, this is a sponsorship from your favorite younger daughter!”

Ms. Ming finished the dishes and walked out. Was it Ming Li’s imagination, or did her mother give her a deep, meaningful look before teasing Ming Xi? “Thank you, my dear younger daughter. I’ll treat you to dinner once I get my first paycheck.”

“Deal!” Ming Xi cheered.

Ming Li had a meeting with President Hu of Xingwan tonight. She needed to head to the office to handle some things first. After giving her mother and sister some final instructions, she prepared to leave.

Unexpectedly, as she reached the door, Mingyue ran over and hugged her leg, looking up with those watery, soulful eyes.

It was enough to make Ming Li want to take her to work.

Sister has to go to work. Be a good girl for Sister Ming Xi, okay? Ming Li signed.

Mingyue looked troubled, then signed: Will you come back tonight?

Ming Li hesitated, and Mingyue caught it instantly.

The girl hugged her leg even tighter.

Ming Li had to soothe her. “I will.”

Ming Xi and Ms. Ming tried to coax her away, but Mingyue remained unmoved. Instead, she held out a pinky finger to Ming Li.

Finally, Ming Li hooked her pinky with the girl’s. “Pinky swear. A hundred years, no changes.”

–

Once in the car, Ming Li finally had time to check her messages from Gu Fei.

In the short time she’d been away, Gu Fei had sent a flood of updates.

[The atmosphere in this house is terrifying.]

[I should have stayed in Su City. At least the scenery there is nice.]

[First, the Eldest Sister and Second Brother started snapping at each other. Then Mengdie started being passive-aggressive toward Qingshuang. Then the Eldest Brother-in-law arrived, Second Brother said two words, and Eldest Sister threw a bowl at his face.]

[What a shame.]

[She missed.]

Gu Fei’s messages read like a live broadcast.

Ming Li usually wasn’t around for the Gu family’s Tomb Sweeping Day activities, though she would go back in the evening to visit the graves. Generally, the Gu family banquet was held at night.

In previous years, Gu Liufu never appeared.

In the three years Ming Li had been married to Gu Qingshuang, she only saw Gu Liufu on New Year’s Eve.

Even then, he never stayed at Gu Manor.

Supposedly, he had spent these years living in a hospital because his health was poor and he needed constant monitoring.

Whenever Ming Li saw him, he looked sickly—pale skin, dark circles under his eyes, devoid of vitality. However, he wore glasses and was extremely gentle. Talking to him wasn’t like facing the crushing pressure of Gu Xueqiang; he was an elder who made one feel as if they were basking in a spring breeze.

Provided one could ignore his failing body.

Ming Li had never asked Gu Qingshuang about the history between Gu Xueqiang and Gu Liufu.

Even the domestic staff didn’t know the full story.

All she knew was that the relationship between Gu Xueqiang and Gu Liufu was nowhere near as good as the rumors suggested.

The rumors claimed they were childhood sweethearts and that Gu Liufu was a once-in-a-generation genius. Even though Gu Xueqiang was assertive, she supposedly gave him plenty of face in public.

But now, every time Gu Liufu set foot in the Gu household, it was a shouting match.

Ming Li wasn’t surprised. She had even seen Gu Xueqiang hurl a teacup at Gu Liufu during last year’s New Year’s Eve dinner.

Compared to that, what Gu Fei was describing was mild.

Ming Li replied: [How terrifying.]

Gu Fei messaged back instantly: [I’m sitting at this table feeling like I’m sitting on a bed of nails and a carpet of needles.]

Ming Li: [You’re at dinner and you dare play with your phone?]

Gu Fei: [Gu Qingshuang almost flipped the table and walked out. What’s a little phone time?]

Ming Li: [……]

That sounds exactly like Gu Qingshuang.