This meant working at the Gu Group for at least five years.
The life of non-stop work was exhausting, but it was within Gu Qingshuang’s limits.
When mother and daughter had signed that contract, Gu Xueqiang had clicked her tongue. “My daughter is such a sentimental fool. I wonder who she takes after.”
Gu Qingshuang had reflexively countered, “With a mother as heartless as mine, who else could I take after?”
She had regretted it the moment the words left her mouth. Normally, such a remark would trigger Gu Xueqiang’s temper, leading to a shouting match. Gu Qingshuang wasn’t one to stay silent under fire, either. Usually, once the shouting started, the house would lose its peace, followed by the sound of things shattering in the living room.
But to her surprise, Gu Xueqiang had simply smiled. “Then I hope you won’t be like your father—both sentimental and heartless.”
In short, gaining those rights for Ming Li had required Gu Qingshuang to sacrifice something of her own. But it wasn’t to make Ming Li feel guilty.
Granted, Ming Li had breached their contract early, but she had managed everything perfectly for three years. Most importantly, she had made Gu Xueqiang much more tempered. Even though Ming Li had been gone for a few days, Gu Xueqiang hadn’t had one of her hysterical episodes.
The goals Gu Qingshuang had originally intended to achieve through marriage had been met. Furthermore, because Ming Li had missed an important performance due to Gu Qingshuang’s illness, Gu Qingshuang had promised her a better opportunity. Since she couldn’t fulfill that promise now, she was compensating her this way instead.
The two found a quiet cafe nearby. There weren’t many people drinking coffee at this hour unless they were planning to stay up all night.
Gu Qingshuang ordered an Americano and asked Ming Li what she wanted.
Ming Li shook her head and told the waiter, “Just a glass of water, please.”
Ming Li noticed that Gu Qingshuang had just finished a cup and was now ordering a low-sugar Americano. It sounded like an “all-nighter” kit.
But she didn’t ask. She handed the documents over. “Have you discussed these with Mother?”
Gu Qingshuang nodded. “Of course. We discussed it.”
Just as they had discussed things before the marriage. Though the atmosphere then was nowhere near this calm.
When Gu Qingshuang had first proposed the marriage and the plan to pay off Ming Li’s debt of over four hundred million, Gu Xueqiang had called her insane. She believed Gu Qingshuang was picking Ming Li specifically to spite her.
“Of all the men and women in Jing’an, you choose a fallen princess? What for? Gu Qingshuang, are you addicted to saving the world? I’ve raised a literal saint. If you shaved your head, you’d achieve enlightenment on the spot. Even the Holy Mother would have to call you ‘Big Sister’!” Gu Xueqiang had screamed at her. “Or have you become so desperate to oppose me that you’ll use any means necessary? Do you really hate me that much?!”
Back then, mother and daughter spared no venomous words for each other. Such explosive moments were common, but that time, Gu Qingshuang had remained silent, letting Gu Xueqiang berate her in the study.
Eventually, Gu Xueqiang agreed to the marriage and the debt repayment. Gu Qingshuang never tried to act tough when it wasn’t needed; when she needed Gu Xueqiang’s help, she asked for it. Gu Xueqiang would simply sigh about the “debts parents owe their children” that could never be repaid.
On the night before the wedding, Gu Xueqiang had been drinking. She called Gu Qingshuang into her bedroom and asked, with a slight slur, “Why are you really marrying Ming Li? Do you like her, or do you just think she’s a good fit?”
Gu Qingshuang had thought about it and said calmly, “I think she can do the job well.”
“What kind of answer is that?” Gu Xueqiang didn’t press for a better one. She sighed. “Now that you’re married, you’re in the same boat. It takes a decade of luck to share a boat, and a century to share a bed. Since you’re sleeping in the same bed, don’t bully her. Her father is gone, and it’s not easy supporting a whole family on her own.”
Gu Qingshuang had taken those words to heart.
Gu Xueqiang often scolded her for having a soft heart, saying she’d eventually be cheated until nothing was left. She didn’t stop to think about who had given birth to Gu Qingshuang, or where that trait had come from. Gu Xueqiang had a sharp tongue, but her heart was softer than anyone’s.
Recalling the talk about marriage felt like an eternity ago, yet it had only been three years.
Gu Qingshuang was a somewhat slow-witted person—or, in modern terms, someone with high “insensitivity.” For instance, a few days ago in the office, someone had been making snide remarks about how she was uncultured because she didn’t recognize a certain brand of perfume.
The truth was, Gu Qingshuang simply never used perfume in that price range. A younger girl in the office had approached her to explain the situation, warning her to stay away from the petty colleague. Gu Qingshuang hadn’t even realized she was being insulted, which had left the younger girl blushing in embarrassment.
Consequently, Gu Qingshuang tended to remember peaceful and pleasant memories more vividly. Lonely or painful memories mostly flashed by; unless they were etched into her soul, they were gone in the blink of an eye.
Now that Ming Li was adamant about the divorce, Gu Qingshuang decided to go with the flow and offer her this favor. As Ming Li had said, she had signed the marriage agreement quite readily back then.
The Americano arrived, its bitter scent filling the air. Ming Li looked at the coffee, which was darker than traditional Chinese medicine, and frowned slightly. “Are you not planning to sleep tonight?”
Her tone was casual, even carrying a hint of tenderness. To Gu Qingshuang’s ears, it felt almost ironic. She truly hadn’t been sleeping these past few nights.
It wasn’t that she didn’t sleep at all, but she would drift in and out, tossing and turning. This matter was always on her mind, like something was clogging her chest.
Gu Qingshuang didn’t voice these emotions. She tried to remain calm. “I have to work overtime tonight.”
“Are you still going to the hospital tomorrow?” Ming Li asked.
Gu Qingshuang nodded. “As usual.”
Ming Li wanted to say something to persuade her to rest, but seeing that habitually cold face, she changed the subject. “There’s too much in this agreement. I can’t accept it.”
Gu Qingshuang said tonelessly, “Take it. If it’s given to you, it means you’re worth it.”
Ming Li was stunned. She stared at her for a long time without moving.
Gu Qingshuang felt uncomfortable under her gaze. She looked away. “What is it?”
Only then did Ming Li look away, laughing softly. “You always say things that surprise me.”
“Like what?” Gu Qingshuang asked. “That you’re worth it?”
Ming Li nodded.
She remembered when they first married. On the surface, she had acted calm and composed, but inside, she had been trembling with anxiety. Gu Qingshuang didn’t speak much, and when she did, she was brief. But occasionally, she would tell her: “Good job,” “This is great,” or “Not bad.”
Every time Ming Li heard those words, her internal struggle eased a little.
