Chapter 382: Looking Back at the Family (May Monthly Ticket Over 10k, Extra Chapter 2)

Ke Zhongying's bump not only dispelled the ambiguous atmosphere between the two, it also erased the occasional flash in Jiang Lai's mind of the hospital blood‑draw scene.

There was no wound or blood on her forehead, but it was a little bruised; Jiang Lai feared it would swell, so she first iced the area, then gently dabbed iodine with a cotton swab on Ke Zhongying's bruised spot.

Ke Zhongyu muttered from the side: "Fidgety."

Ke Zhongying: "It's just because I'm afraid of disturbing you!"

Ke Zhongyu: "Then why bring you over?"

If he were worried about disturbing them, he would have let his sister and mother go back to the Nian Family together; keeping her here was meant to keep Jiang Lai company with a good friend, but not like this—he ended up bumping himself into this state.

"Let me." Ke Zhongyu reached out and took the cotton swab.

Ke Zhongying quickly embraced Jiang Lai's arm, pressing her whole body against her, shaking her head and saying: "No, no, even though I'm not hurt from the bump, I'll still be poked painfully by him."

Jiang Lai couldn't help but chuckle: "Fine, don't let him apply it; just a little more dab will do."

"Mm-hmm!" Ke Zhongying nodded, being extremely obedient.

Ke Zhongyu: "You're good at pretending."

Ke Zhongying proudly said: "Don't you know that people who act cute have good fortune? If you can't do it, don't blame me."

Ke Zhongyu: "You're pushing your luck."

Jiang Lai always finds it easy to be healed by those two siblings; after applying the medicine, she said: "I need to go to bed early tonight and get up early tomorrow."

Ke Zhongying: "Great, I don't have to get up early."

Ke Zhongyu: "Like a sleeping god."

The three spoke quite naturally, as if tomorrow held nothing special—just an ordinary day of normal meals, sleep, and waking early.

Ke Zhongying didn't go back; at night she held Jiang Lai tightly while sleeping, and before dozing off she murmured in a hazy voice: "It's fine, it's fine, tomorrow my brother will protect you, and I will protect you too."

Jiang Lai lightly laughed and said: "Good night."

Ke Zhongying pursed her lips: "Peace……"

She fell into a deep, snoring sleep.

The condition Ke Zhongyu set for staying over was to sleep in the guest room, not on the sofa.

Before each went to their own room, they had already bidden each other good night; now they said it again on the phone before falling asleep.

Early morning.

After washing up, Jiang Lai went out; Ke Zhongyu was already seated on the sofa in a suit, waiting for her. The moment she appeared, he slowly rose and asked, "Are you ready?"

After Jiang Lai said she was ready, the two left together.

Downstairs was a black nanny van; besides the driver, there was also a stylist dragging a suitcase.

Jiang Lai looked puzzled at Ke Zhongyu.

Ke Zhongyu: "Ms. Nian's arrangement."

The stylist had actually arrived early; Ke Zhongyu wanted Jiang Lai to sleep a bit more, after all today would require a lot of time dealing with the Gu Family's clever crowd, so the styling could only be done in the car.

The nanny van was spacious, which was more convenient.

A warm current flowed through Jiang Lai's heart; Ms. Nian is truly kind.

In the car, the stylist said: "Ms. Nian has already told me what kind of family gathering Miss Jiang will attend—it shouldn't be extravagant, it should be low-key; combined with Miss Jiang's own temperament, how about giving her a 'smart-sister' style makeover?"

Jiang Lai didn't really understand the "smart-sister" vibe, so the stylist specially searched for pictures and videos to show her.

Jiang Lai nodded.

On the way to the Gu Family's old residence, Jiang Lai's loose hair was styled into a big, bright low bun, and she wore diamond studs.

"Ms. Nian said you absolutely must not be given a plain 'water' makeup, which would make you look easy to bully; I'll focus the makeup on your brows and eyes, also sculpt your features to be more three‑dimensional, and then you put on your own rimless glasses—standing there silently, you'll still have a strong presence."

Jiang Lai, eyes still closed, curled the corner of her mouth: "Okay, are you Ms. Nian's stylist?"

"Occasionally, yes; if Ms. Nian needs me, she'll have someone contact me. All right, you can open your eyes and take a look." The stylist handed her a mirror.

Jiang Lai glanced in the mirror; indeed, just as the stylist said, her eyes became deep, her features more three‑dimensional, and she lost some of her usual softness.

"Thank you."

"No problem, I'll add some glossy lip balm." The stylist unpacked a new lipstick and lip gloss, applied them to Jiang Lai, then handed her the items along with a small mirror: "Convenient for touch‑ups later."

Immediately after, the stylist pulled out two more boxes.

"These are the shoes and bag; with today's outfit you need a small bag. Ms. Nian said you might not be used to high heels, so I prepared this pair with only a three‑centimeter heel, dark brown lambskin—quite comfortable and won't tire your feet."

Jiang Lai was stunned by Ms. Nian's thoroughness.

Ke Zhongyu beside her had no time to be surprised; from the moment Jiang Lai began her makeup, his eyes were glued to her, and after the makeup was done, only astonishment remained in his gaze.

They arrived at the Gu Family's old residence.

Ke Zhongyu took the dark brown lambskin shoes, got out of the car, and stood by the car door just in time to change Jiang Lai's shoes.

Jiang Lai froze for a moment.

Ke Zhongyu said in a low voice: "Your foot."

Jiang Lai sat in place, extended her foot, the white shoe was taken off, and the stylist reminded from the side: "You also need to take off your socks."

"Not wearing socks in such cold weather?" Ke Zhongyu frowned, his gaze locking onto her.

The stylist: "……"

She silently produced a pair of black boat socks.

Ke Zhongyu took them and bluntly said: "Isn't the top of your foot still exposed?"

The stylist glanced pleadingly at Jiang Lai.

Jiang Lai lightly laughed: "I'm wearing two layers of pants; I'll put on the socks myself."

Ke Zhongyu didn't listen to her; he leaned forward slightly, pressing Jiang Lai's foot against his abdomen, his outer coat covering it so the cold wind couldn't get in.

Jiang Lai hadn't expected Ke Zhongyu to do this; the sole of her foot pressed against his clothing, and even through the fabric she could feel the rise and fall of his abdomen as he breathed.

"All right." Ke Zhongyu quickly removed the socks and put them on, fearing she would get cold; after putting on the socks he then put her shoes on.

Jiang Lai got out of the car.

A black coat hung to her calves, a belt fastened at her waist, and a silver sweater chain around her neck.

Her minimalist style, the makeup of a sophisticated, intelligent woman, and the handsome Ke Zhongyu by her side made a particularly well-matched pair.

Someone was waiting at the gate of the Gu family's old residence; seeing them approach, the person said, "Professor Jiang, welcome home."

That person led Jiang Lai and Ke Zhongyu through the front courtyard and the flower‑gate; many people stood in the yard, dressed modestly with few bright colors, and being in a traditional Chinese compound, the invisible pressure of power and influence came one after another.

Jiang Lai had indeed never experienced such a scene; she felt somewhat nervous inside, but her naturally aloof demeanor kept her from showing any timidity.

Ke Zhongyu raised his hand and lightly patted her lower back, his voice low and soothing: "It's fine; remember what I told you last night—take the lead in this matter of returning to the Gu family."

Jiang Lai gave a soft "uh," and that hand on her waist relaxed her considerably.

"Jiang Lai, over here." Gu Sen noticed his daughter's slight tension and walked over with a kind smile, "It's cold outside; go inside first—the old master is waiting for you in the house, and Zhongyu should come along too."

Jiang Lai did not refuse her biological father's kindness, said "okay," and walked inside together with Ke Zhongyu.

Some of the Gu family members standing in the courtyard voluntarily stepped aside to make a path; Jiang Lai nodded politely, and the others gave her a slight nod in return.

Jiang Lai also noticed several children staring at her with round, black eyes, full of curiosity.

"You're my aunt, then where is my aunt?" a six‑year‑old boy said in a childish voice, taking a step forward, "You've come back—does that mean my aunt is going to be driven away?"

The boy's mother turned pale with shock, quickly covered his mouth, and said, "Sorry, the child doesn't know better."

Ke Zhongyu: "The child doesn't know better—do adults not know either?"