Chapter 93: Freedom and Confession Part 2

“A fight is a fight. There are degrees?” Little Xi huffed. “It was too long ago, I don’t remember the details. But I remember being very sad. Very, very sad!”

Ming Li nodded. “Fighting is naturally upsetting.”

“Oh, a Goody Two-Shoes like you wouldn’t understand my sorrow,” Little Xi teased. “Mom and Dad have always been afraid of you feeling wronged. They wouldn’t even say a harsh word to you. You saying this is like a billionaire crying poverty because they only have five million left—it has zero credibility.”

Ming Li didn’t argue. Sensing Little Xi was a bit down, she prepared a dipping sauce for her and ordered her favorite mung bean and lily bulb porridge.

Little Xi’s eyes crinkled. “Thanks, Sister.” Her gloom vanished instantly.

Ming Li took a sip of hot porridge and spoke slowly. “You only fought with Mom and Dad once. But for Gu Qingshuang, it’s different.”

In the Gu Manor, arguments happened almost every day. Ming Li knew how terrifying the atmosphere was when a disagreement flared up at the dining table. Just sitting there made one tremble with anxiety. When it happens that often, exhaustion sets in.

Yet, Gu Qingshuang couldn’t escape. She was trapped there, day after day.

Ming Li was actually relieved that Gu Qingshuang had decided to move out. She was only worried that making the move without consulting Gu Xueqiang might lead to unpredictable consequences. In this matter, Ming Li wasn’t sure if she still had a right to speak or if she could help Gu Qingshuang at all.

She didn’t want to be entangled with Gu Qingshuang, but she also didn’t want the woman to die in the middle of the night before her debts were settled.

Ming Li was so lost in thought she didn’t even hear Little Xi calling her.

“Did you lose your soul the moment you saw her?” Little Xi complained. “Do you even see me anymore?”

Ming Li snapped back to reality. “Go on.”

“I was asking how bad a fight with her mother could be. I thought Gu An and Gu Le’s family atmosphere was pretty good. Especially since the Sister-in-law and her mom only have each other. Compared to our family, their relationship shouldn’t be that bad.”

Little Xi had been a tutor at the Gu Manor for a while and had met Gu Xueqiang a few times. The older woman had been quite pleasant to her, so Little Xi viewed her through rose-tinted glasses.

Ming Li found it difficult to explain the oppressive atmosphere. “It’s not as simple as you think.”

Not every family was like theirs. Perhaps if Gu Liufu had died immediately like their own father, Gu Xueqiang and Gu Qingshuang might have developed a bond based on mutual reliance. Gu Qingshuang was a child born of love—essentially the legacy Gu Liufu had left for Gu Xueqiang.

The analogy might be flawed, but from Ming Li’s observations, Gu Xueqiang had loved Gu Liufu deeply. At least in the beginning, she had likely loved him even more than she loved Gu Qingshuang. Her current, teeth-gritting hatred was rooted in his betrayal, supported by the weight of that former immense love.

This was what had shaped Gu Qingshuang’s personality.

Ming Li occasionally found Gu Qingshuang pitiable. Especially after seeing her retreat into her study to self-harm after an argument—acting indifferent and annoyed on the surface, but inwardly using physical pain to numb her suffering. It was as if she were slowly consuming what little remained of her free soul.

She was pitiable, but Ming Li didn’t want to be involved with her anymore. Ming Li didn’t want to be consumed herself. However, she could still offer a hand where she could. After all, Gu Qingshuang had helped her once.

Little Xi didn’t understand the abstract terms Ming Li was using and asked for specifics. Ming Li simply said, “You don’t need to know. Just don’t jump to conclusions about others in the future. Whether it’s your classmates or friends, maintaining neutrality and boundaries in relationships is very important.”

“Oh,” Little Xi replied.

After breakfast, the sisters headed home. When they passed the parking spots, Gu Qingshuang’s car was gone. Ming Li was still holding the steaming buns she had packed, intending to have Little Xi give them to her.

“Perfect,” Little Xi said with a grin. “I’ll take them back to my roommates later.”

“Are two enough to share?” Ming Li asked.

“It’s fine.” Little Xi snatched them. “My roommates have tiny appetites.”

Ming Li said nothing. Once home, she changed her clothes and went to work.

Upon arriving at the office, she called Lin Xun in to ask if President Gu had given her any new instructions. Her intention was to glean some information about Gu Xueqiang’s attitude, but the question startled Lin Xun.

The assistant immediately declared her loyalty. “Yesterday, I told President Gu very firmly that I am your assistant and cannot do anything for her anymore!”

Ming Li blinked. “So, you haven’t been in touch?”

Lin Xun hesitated. “We… we have.”

Ming Li tapped the desk. “Regarding whom?”

Lin Xun looked helpless. Under Ming Li’s pressuring gaze, she felt like she was being fried in a wok. She finally understood why ancient palace maids struggled to serve two masters. It was hard—especially with these family matters.

Lin Xun blurted out everything. “President Gu feels that Miss Gu likes you very much, and that you aren’t entirely indifferent to her. She wants to facilitate your relationship.”

Ming Li hummed softly. She had guessed as much when Gu Xueqiang gave her “Late Star” and had Lin Xun orchestrate their meeting yesterday. Gu Xueqiang was looking out for Gu Qingshuang, but she hadn’t considered whether Gu Qingshuang actually wanted it done this way.

But that wasn’t what Ming Li wanted to know. “Did President Gu and Miss Gu fight last night?”

Lin Xun was stunned. This was news to her, though not unexpected. “I don’t know.”

Ming Li fell silent. Since she hadn’t gotten the information she wanted, she waved Lin Xun away.

Lin Xun hesitated before adding, “President Ming, strictly speaking, I shouldn’t say this, but I don’t want to keep being caught in the middle. Miss Gu hasn’t been in a good state lately. President Gu only acted out of concern; she didn’t mean to disrespect you. If you’ve decided to cut ties with Miss Gu, please do so cleanly.”

Lin Xun didn’t know about the several times Ming Li and Gu Qingshuang had already met. Ming Li asked, “How do you know I haven’t been clean about it?”

Lin Xun had no answer. Being friends with the boss was truly difficult.

Before Lin Xun left, Ming Li asked one more thing: “Is President Gu in a good mood today?”

“The day just started. I haven’t contacted her.”

“You can contact her now,” Ming Li said.

Lin Xun sighed. “Can you just transfer me to a different post?”

Ming Li shook her head. “Just do this one thing. President Gu asked you to help with a personal matter, and now I’m asking you to do the same. It’s only fair.”

Lin Xun resigned herself to her fate and went out to make the call. Two minutes later, she knocked on the door and said seriously, “Her mood is very bad.”

Ming Li gave her an ‘OK’ gesture. Since Gu Xueqiang was in a foul mood, Ming Li decided not to poke the hornet’s nest and went back to work.

By midday, Ming Li finally decided to send Gu Xueqiang a message on WeChat. A phone call carried the risk of being intimidated by Gu Xueqiang’s overbearing voice; WeChat bypassed that issue.

Ming Li started with pleasantries, then sent a report showing the impressive performance of Late Star this month, promising that dividends were on the horizon. Ming Li was being intentionally agreeable and charming. Gu Xueqiang’s tone shifted from cold to warm.