Chapter 33: Children Say the Darndest Things Part 4

Yes.

What did she love about her?

Ming Li didn’t even know anymore.

Perhaps at some point in the past, she really had been desperately in love with Gu Qingshuang. She still loved her now, but it was a complex, tangled mess of affection and resentment.

It was intense, burning, ready to burst through the surface at any moment—yet Gu Qingshuang would always dump a bucket of cold water on her to wake her up.

Perhaps it was for the best. Better than being so muddled that she fell into an abyss of no return.

In a way, Gu Qingshuang had saved her once again.

Yes, Ming Li was always able to find ways to deceive herself on every level. Time and again, she did it without weariness.

As long as she received a tiny bit of kindness from Gu Qingshuang, she would be overjoyed. Being with Gu Qingshuang was like trying to warm a block of ice; she was happy if even a tiny bit of it melted.

Just like her sudden appearance here tonight—even though Ming Li disliked her oblivious, high-born Young Miss act, she still found excuses for her.

Gu Qingshuang didn’t do chores at the Gu Manor, so she didn’t do them here.

Her tone might be sharp, but her heart had already finished making excuses for the woman.

Thus, Ming Li felt her love for Gu Qingshuang was like an incurable, terminal illness.

As Ming Li prepared to leave with Gu Qingshuang, Ms. Ming and Ming Xi were reluctant to see her go but said nothing. Only Mingyue’s reaction was intense; her eyes turned red instantly, and she ignored Ming Li when she tried to speak to her.

Just as Ming Li was about to walk out the door, Mingyue suddenly rushed forward and clung to her leg. Tears fell like broken strings of pearls, a sight that would move anyone to pity.

Ming Li tried to soothe her patiently, but Mingyue refused to let go.

Two minutes later, Gu Qingshuang suddenly spoke. “Do you want to come back with us?”

Mingyue was crying with her eyes closed and didn’t see the words, so Gu Qingshuang gave her sleeve a tug.

Ming Li looked at Gu Qingshuang in shock, completely failing to understand why she had suddenly changed her tune. Was it because Mingyue was deaf? It made sense; Gu Qingshuang had always been exceptionally patient with patients.

Ming Li didn’t really want to bring Mingyue to the Gu Manor. It wasn’t that she feared the trouble, but she was afraid Mingyue wouldn’t adapt. The household contained the unpredictable Gu Xueqiang and the taciturn, often cold-faced Gu Qingshuang. Especially after yesterday’s unpleasantness, the mother and daughter could erupt at any moment.

It wouldn’t be good for Mingyue. She especially didn’t want the child to see her own situation. Mingyue might be small, but she was precocious and understood a lot.

But Gu Qingshuang said softly, “Bring her home. She’s attached to you.”

Helpless, Ming Li translated for Mingyue. The girl looked at her through teary eyes. Can I?

“You can,” Ming Li said, adding, “You’ll still sleep with me tonight.”

Mingyue nodded vigorously, then pointed at Gu Qingshuang. What about her?

Ming Li was about to say she would sleep elsewhere, but before she could sign a word, Mingyue continued: Are the three of us going to sleep together?

Ming Li: “…?”

Gu Qingshuang, standing to the side, asked, “What is she saying?”

Ming Li’s face went blank. “Children say the darndest things.”

***

Ming Li called a designated driver to take her car back, while the three of them took Gu Qingshuang’s car.

Since leaving the apartment, Ming Li had been wearing a dark expression. Gu Qingshuang seemed to realize she was unhappy and asked, “You’ve been upset since we left your house. Did I do something wrong again?”

She sounded like a humble student seeking guidance.

Ming Li was surprised by the change in her attitude, but then she thought of the scene of her mother clearing Gu Qingshuang’s dishes. She snorted coldly. “Could the Great Miss Gu ever do anything wrong?”

Gu Qingshuang: “…”

After a long silence, Gu Qingshuang said in a low voice, “Ming Li, speaking to me with such attitude won’t solve any problems.”

Ming Li: “Oh? You want to solve problems with me now?”

Gu Qingshuang: “Of course.”

Why else would she have come tonight?

She was truly fed up with the days of facing Gu Xueqiang with cold glares and arguing over every little thing. When Ming Li was there, they still argued, but for some reason, Gu Qingshuang was used to Ming Li being present. It was as if Ming Li was her backup; she felt more confident during the arguments.

Without Ming Li, she was weary and frustrated to the extreme. She needed Ming Li—at least, her life needed Ming Li right now.

Realizing this, Gu Qingshuang had rushed to find her to resolve things.

Ming Li was taken aback by Gu Qingshuang’s words. If she continued to be difficult, it would seem like she was the one being unreasonable.

After a hesitation, Ming Li said, “In the future, if you eat at my house, wash your own dishes. Don’t leave everything for my mother. She isn’t your servant.”

Gu Qingshuang recalled the moment earlier when she had felt a bit lost, wanting to do something but not knowing how, and then Ming Li’s mother had already stepped in. She still wasn’t used to those kinds of scenes, so she decided it was better not to cause Ming Li further distress in the future.

After a moment of thought, Gu Qingshuang said seriously, “I understand. I simply won’t go to your house in the future.”

Ming Li: “…”

Ming Li: “?”

“Fine.” Ming Li’s temper flared again, the words slipping out without thought. “My home doesn’t welcome you anyway.”

Mingyue, sitting in the back, patted her shoulder.

Ming Li’s expression instantly softened.

Mingyue signed: Are you two fighting?

Gu Qingshuang looked in the rearview mirror. She didn’t know sign language and had no idea what Mingyue was saying, but the child was as adorable as a doll. She couldn’t help but be curious.

Ming Li signed back: No.

But you look very angry. Mingyue patted her shoulder to comfort her. Why fight with such a pretty sister? Don’t be mad.

Ming Li: “?”

You can’t just ignore everything else just because someone has a pretty face!

Gu Qingshuang couldn’t contain her curiosity and asked softly, “What is she saying?”

Ming Li closed her eyes. “If you want to know, learn it yourself. I’m not your translator.”

Gu Qingshuang was slightly stunned. She murmured, “Why are you angry again?”

It felt as if Ming Li had been a powder keg lately, exploding at the slightest touch.

Ming Li took a deep breath and tried to stay calm. “I have ‘attitude’ right now. It’s best if you don’t talk to me.”

As if that wasn’t enough, she added after a moment, “If you can’t solve problems and can only raise more of them, it’s best if you don’t speak at all.”