Chapter 7: A Conflict Between Mother and Daughter

The A-list star who had been so arrogant during the day had transformed into the heiress of the Chunran Group. Yet, here she was, relegated to the role of a mere greeter. It was clear she wasn’t particularly favored at home.

Ming Li hesitated for a few seconds before deciding to pretend they had never met. She lowered her head and offered a gentle, polite nod.

Just as she was about to lead Gu Qingshuang inside, she heard Gu Qingshuang speak in a quiet voice. “It’s been a long time. Liuyi.”

Chun Liuyi wore a long, matte-textured dress in a shade of watery blue. She wore no gaudy accessories, and her long hair was pinned up meticulously. Her makeup was so light it was almost non-existent, as if she were intentionally dressing down to avoid upstaging anyone.

Even so, she couldn’t suppress her natural aura. Standing there, she looked like a simple, elegant ink wash painting—not immediately eye-catching, but the kind of beauty that made one want to be still and appreciate it.

She turned her gaze toward Gu Qingshuang, tilting her head with a faint smile. “Long time no see.”

There were very few people Gu Qingshuang would take the initiative to greet, especially using such an intimate form of address.

Ming Li had known her for three years and been married to her for just as long, yet this was the first time she had witnessed such a scene.

Gu Qingshuang’s expression remained stoic, but Ming Li could sense her tension—the kind of nervous energy that came from not knowing what to say.

“Your wife?” Chun Liuyi was the first to break the silence.

Behind her was the banquet hall, alive with the clinking of glasses. Expensive crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting a lazy, golden glow over the room. People who were pretending to take a leisurely stroll had already identified their social targets, and many others were weaving through the crowd with wine glasses in hand.

But listening to her speak made it easy to focus. She was a professional actress, and her voice was naturally more melodious than most; the cadence and rhythm of her speech were distinct and captivating.

For some reason, Ming Li sensed something else hidden within those two simple words. It wasn’t curiosity, nor was it a blessing.

What it was exactly, Ming Li couldn’t quite grasp yet.

Gu Qingshuang instinctively tried to pull her hand out of Ming Li’s.

At first, Ming Li didn’t react, only feeling a sudden surge of strength from Gu Qingshuang’s grip. But after a second, when she didn’t let go, Gu Qingshuang stopped trying to pull away.

However, Gu Qingshuang didn’t answer immediately. She hesitated for a long moment before finally replying, “Yes.”

“Congratulations.” Chun Liuyi’s tone was flat. She wore a smile, but there was little warmth behind it. “I didn’t attend your wedding. I’d heard you were married but never met her. I didn’t expect it to be this lady.”

Gu Qingshuang glanced at Ming Li, catching the underlying meaning in the actress’s words. “You two have met?”

“We met just today,” Chun Liuyi confessed. “On set. Your wife has a very… distinct personality.”

Ming Li: “…”

Where is the sense of personal boundaries?

She had gone through the trouble of pretending they hadn’t met, so why did the other woman have to say it?

From the very beginning, Ming Li had believed her private life and the Gu family existed in two completely different worlds. She never wanted to merge them; in fact, she kept them strictly separate.

Especially since Hanxing was a public figure often embroiled in scandals, Ming Li feared being caught in a stray photograph and having to endure another lecture from Madam Gu.

Furthermore, Gu Qingshuang’s attitude toward her seeing Hanxing was always a bit strange. Every time she returned from a visit, Gu Qingshuang would seem slightly displeased, sometimes even claiming she could smell someone else’s perfume on her.

In reality, Ming Li’s perfume was a gift from Hanxing—the very brand Hanxing endorsed. The scents were identical.

Where would she have picked up a “different” perfume?

Ming Li had concluded it was just Gu Qingshuang’s psychological projection combined with her germaphobia. Still, she didn’t dare provoke her openly. A few gentle words and a bit of coaxing were usually enough to smooth things over.

Regardless, both she and Hanxing were busy now, so they didn’t meet often, and she never told Gu Qingshuang about it.

Under normal circumstances, such an encounter would be nothing, but having a third party reveal it when she hadn’t mentioned it herself made Ming Li feel an uncomfortable hint of “infidelity” in the air.

Gu Qingshuang’s eyes flickered at the mention of the film set, but she seemed to understand something quickly. She didn’t press Chun Liuyi for details, only offering a polite pleasantry. “How have you been lately?”

“Not bad.” Chun Liuyi smiled. “And you?”

“Also… okay.” Gu Qingshuang stumbled over her words. When she looked at Chun Liuyi again, she looked like she wanted to say more but hesitated.

Chun Liuyi simply waved her hand. “Go on. Your mother has been waiting for you for quite a while. She’s been watching us.”

Gu Qingshuang wavered. After a moment, she finally summoned the courage to take her phone out of her clutch. “Do you want to… exchange contact info?”

The normally aloof Miss Gu was actually taking the initiative to add someone? And in such a pleading manner?

The atmosphere between them was bizarre. Ming Li felt that Gu Qingshuang was the one in the “lower” position in this relationship, and the reality proved her right.

Chun Liuyi smiled at her gently, but her words were firm. “I didn’t bring my phone. Let’s skip it for now.”

It was a blatant rejection.

Between adults, a statement like that was as clear as day.

There was no point in pushing further, but Gu Qingshuang, despite being nearly thirty, had social skills that seemed stuck at the level of a three-year-old. You won’t add me? Well, I can add you.

Ming Li could see her gears turning, ready to ask again. She immediately pressed down on Gu Qingshuang’s hand, snatched the phone away, and smiled at Chun Liuyi. “Then what a shame. Miss Chun, please continue with your work. We won’t disturb you any longer.”

Chun Liuyi looked at her, then glanced at Gu Qingshuang. “You found yourself a good wife.”

It was hard to tell if it was a compliment or sarcasm.

As Ming Li pulled Gu Qingshuang away, the latter frowned, clearly displeased at being dragged off. However, she didn’t say anything, as they soon ran into Madam Gu.

Ordinarily, Ming Li would have been scolded for being late, but today Madam Gu only looked at Gu Qingshuang. She ignored Ming Li entirely and asked softly, “Do you feel unwell at all?”

“I’m fine,” Gu Qingshuang said.

Madam Gu cast a fleeting, subtle glance toward Chun Liuyi at the entrance and lowered her voice. “You are the eldest daughter of the Gu family. There is no need to lower yourself or act subservient over a trivial matter. Especially since it all happened so many years ago. She’s doing perfectly fine now.”

Even when Madam Gu tried to be comforting, her tone remained stiff and condescending.

As Gu Qingshuang listened, her displeasure became more apparent.

Madam Gu didn’t notice. “Besides, if it weren’t for you, how could she possibly be the eldest daughter of the Lu family now? If you look at the details, she should be thanking you. But she’s always been one to lose perspective, so don’t go chasing after her. Life is long, and there are plenty of friends…”

Before she could finish, Gu Qingshuang snapped. her eyes were sharp and cold. “Enough.”

Madam Gu paused, her brow furrowing as the aura of a high-ranking authority figure surged forth. Usually, Ming Li would beat a hasty retreat when faced with this side of Madam Gu.

But Gu Qingshuang wasn’t afraid. She was Madam Gu’s only daughter, and she possessed the affection of Grandmother Gu—a status that served as a “golden pardon.”

“Shuangshuang, we are in public,” Madam Gu said coldly.

“You also know we’re in public.” Gu Qingshuang tightened her grip on Ming Li’s hand until it hurt. The confrontation between mother and daughter was so tense that Ming Li felt her own heart being squeezed. She knew that at any moment, she could become the target for their vented rage.

Madam Gu and Gu Qingshuang glared at each other, sparks nearly flying between them. Suddenly, Madam Gu turned to Ming Li, her gaze frigid. “You shouldn’t have brought her here.”

The very thing Ming Li feared happened. She had become the scapegoat for Madam Gu’s frustration. She apologized submissively, “I’m sorry, Mother.”

“I was the one who insisted on coming. What does it have to do with Ming Li?” Gu Qingshuang stepped in front of Ming Li, continuing her standoff with Madam Gu.

Fortunately, the room was crowded and noisy enough that the background music drowned out their voices.

Still, the sword-drawn atmosphere was bound to attract attention eventually.

Madam Gu valued her reputation above all else. No matter how angry she was, she would suppress it in a setting like this. She forced a smile and called out sternly, “Shuangshuang.”

Gu Qingshuang turned her face away and remained silent.

Ming Li had no choice but to step in as a mediator. “Mother, Shuangshuang isn’t feeling very well today. I’ll take her for a walk around the hall. Please don’t take it to heart.”

Gu Qingshuang gripped her hand tightly, her brow furrowed as if she were dissatisfied with Ming Li’s words.

“Go then,” Madam Gu said, eyeing Ming Li coldly. “And don’t let her wander in front of that person again…”

“She has a name!” Gu Qingshuang shouted in irritation. “Can you show some respect?”

Ming Li tried to pull her away, but she couldn’t hold her back.

Madam Gu’s face darkened completely. “Is that any way to speak to me?”

Gu Qingshuang let out a soft sneer and pulled Ming Li toward the exit.

Ming Li was helpless, her eyes darting between Gu Qingshuang and Madam Gu. Suddenly, she locked eyes with Chun Liuyi, who was still standing by the door.

Chun Liuyi wore a bright, dignified smile, but that smile seemed to say—See? Her family is just as difficult to get along with as always.