Chapter 97: A Doormat Ends Up with Nothing Part 2

When those words left her mouth, Ming Li felt as though there must be some favor the woman was about to ask of her.

“Are you leaving?” Gu Qingshuang asked.

Ming Li gave a hum of affirmation, her expression cold. Because it was a funeral, she had her hair up in a simple bun, making her look young—like a college student barely twenty years old.

Yet her face carried a maturity and steadiness that didn’t match her youthful look. Her eyes, in particular, were calm and indifferent. To Gu Qingshuang, they almost looked like they were filled with pity, as if she were looking down on a tragic soul.

This version of Ming Li was perhaps more charming, but Gu Qingshuang preferred the old one—the Ming Li who spoke to her with warmth and narrated things with gentle ease.

Gu Qingshuang’s gaze didn’t leave Ming Li’s face, making Ming Li feel awkward. She wondered why the woman was being so bizarre today, doing things she had never done before.

Seeing that Ming Li had nothing to say, Gu Qingshuang searched for a topic. “Did you drink earlier?”

“A little,” Ming Li said. “Not enough to be over the limit. Besides, I’m very sober right now.”

“It’s not safe,” Gu Qingshuang said. “I’ll find someone to drive you back.”

“It’s fine.” Ming Li waved her phone. “I can call a designated driver.”

There was a banquet tonight, and while most people had personal drivers, many didn’t. Service was fast here. Ming Li had no intention of bothering Gu Qingshuang.

Seeing the blunt refusal, Gu Qingshuang knew she couldn’t push that topic. After a moment of thought, she said, “My mother wants to hold a funeral for my father.”

Ming Li was startled. “Your father passed away?”

She hadn’t seen Gu Liufu in the hall today, but she hadn’t heard anything about his death either. Her first reaction was shock, followed by a slight sense of relief. If Gu Liufu was gone, the constant fighting between the mother and daughter might subside.

But then Gu Qingshuang said, “No.”

Ming Li: “…?”

Before Ming Li could speak, Gu Qingshuang continued, “She wants to hold a ‘Repentance Memorial’ while he is still alive. As I understand it, she’s preparing a funeral in advance but wants him to preside over it himself. The core purpose is to make him admit his mistakes and his failures.”

Ming Li was speechless.

This was… unbelievable. Utterly scandalous.

Who holds a funeral for a living person? It was essentially wishing them dead. And this was her own husband.

Ming Li couldn’t imagine what people would say about Gu Xueqiang if this got out. The gossip would swallow her whole.

“Did you not stop her?” Ming Li asked.

Knowing Gu Qingshuang’s personality, she usually would have stepped in. This kind of act provided a momentary thrill of spite but left an endless mess to clean up afterward.

To her surprise, a small, almost proud smile touched Gu Qingshuang’s lips. “No.”

She looked as if she were seeking praise—See? Did I do well?

Ming Li pointedly ignored the look. “Why?” She was genuinely curious now.

Gu Qingshuang looked at her and explained seriously, “You once said that if you can’t stop something, it’s better to go along with it. At least that way, you might earn some goodwill.”

Ming Li: “…” She had forgotten when she had ever said that.

“But if President Gu actually does this, she’ll be devoured by rumors.”

“If she doesn’t do it, she’ll never get over this hurdle for the rest of her life,” Gu Qingshuang said. “Besides, when has she ever listened to my opinion?”

Ming Li was silent.

“I’ve thought about it, Ming Li.” Gu Qingshuang thought everything through seriously; she only gave up when she realized she was truly powerless.

“When does she plan to do it?” Ming Li asked.

Gu Qingshuang shook her head. “I don’t know.”

“Do you have a plan for the aftermath?”

Again, a shake of the head. “I don’t know.”

Ming Li frowned. “Then what do you know?”

“She won’t be swallowed by the rumors alone.” Gu Qingshuang looked at Ming Li, her lips curving slightly. “I’m going to do it with her.”

That way, Gu Xueqiang wouldn’t be the most scandalous one; her daughter would be.

Ming Li was shocked. She wanted to tell her not to get involved, but she felt she had no right to do so. She quickly convinced herself to stay in the position of a mere spectator. “As long as you’ve thought it through.”

Gu Qingshuang hummed. For a moment, she couldn’t think of any other topic that might interest Ming Li. Realizing Ming Li was looking toward the exit, ready to leave, Gu Qingshuang thought fast. She remembered the tour.

“Is the tour still ongoing?”

“Yes,” Ming Li said. “There’s a show the day after tomorrow in Taizhou.”

“Are the tickets sold out?”

“I’m not sure,” Ming Li replied. “They should be.”

“Are you still dancing with Sun Xihan?”

“Yes.”

“Is it a heavy workload?”

“It’s manageable.”

“How many shows are left?”

“Three.”

“Will it only run this year, or next year as well?”

“I’m not sure. The second tour ends at the end of the year. We’ll decide on a third based on how things go.”

“Do you usually perform at the theater?”

“The theater has other productions. Thorn Crown is scheduled once a month.”

The rhythmic flow of question and answer suddenly came to a halt. Gu Qingshuang racked her brain for every possible question related to the topic.

But eventually, she ran out. Ming Li checked the time again. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll be going.”

Gu Qingshuang opened her mouth to speak, but finding no excuse to make her stay, she lowered her gaze. “Alright.”

Her tone was heavy with disappointment.

Ming Li pretended not to notice, deliberately avoiding the motivations behind those questions. If she asked too much, it would be harder to leave. It was better to play dumb.

As Ming Li turned to walk away without looking back, Gu Qingshuang called out one more time. “Ming Li.”

“Yes?” Ming Li hummed.

“Can we… see each other occasionally in the future?” Gu Qingshuang’s voice was low, carried to Ming Li’s ears by the wind.

The tone sounded like a humble plea, tinged with a desire to please. It made Ming Li feel uncomfortable; it felt dangerous.

“Better not.” Ming Li’s refusal sounded gentle, but her stance was firm.

Gu Qingshuang took two steps forward, staring at her back. “Even if it’s just like today… just talking.”

She didn’t hope to reconcile or rekindle their romance. If she could just talk to her face-to-face like this, just hear her voice, she would be satisfied.

But Ming Li said, “Gu Qingshuang, I don’t know what you’re trying to do, but I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

Once that door was opened, it would be a tangled mess that could never be severed. Ming Li’s life had finally returned to its proper track, and she was unwilling to let it be disrupted.

She was being selfish, and she knew it.

Gu Qingshuang couldn’t hide her devastation. She wanted to say more but found she couldn’t. She could only stand there and watch Ming Li walk away.

“Aren’t you going to chase her?” Shen Lideng’s voice suddenly rang out from the side, shattering Gu Qingshuang’s sorrow. She turned, stunned for a few seconds, her brow furrowing. “When did you get here?”

And how much had she heard?