Chapter 132: Gu Yunci Relieves the Siege

The air was squeezed so tightly that even Xin Xin in Gu Yunci's arms could keenly sense it, and his slight eyebrows twitched.

Meng Shutang's red lips opened, as if to explain something.

An arm suddenly reached out, clasped her shoulder, and held her firmly yet gently in its embrace.

"Yesterday, the three of us ate together."

The man's warm, reassuring breath enveloped her, calming Meng Shutang's chaotic heart a little.

She froze in his arms, as if that were her only harbor.

Gu Jin Xing, watching the scene, quickly smoothed things over, "Yes, the meal was still paid for by my brother!"

The elderly lady took everything in, "What did you eat? Remember to bring me next time."

Gu Yunci clasped Meng Shutang and walked forward, "They ate the sour‑spicy noodles; I was afraid it was too hot, so I didn't eat."

The elderly lady laughed, "You just sit there and watch?"

Gu Yunci nodded, "Mm."

The elderly lady said, "I'm old and no longer dare to eat; if I go out with you, all I can do is stare blankly."

Back at the villa, the elderly lady asked Gu Yunci to stay with Meng Shutang and her mother while they watched TV in the living room.

She, meanwhile, used an excuse to pull Gu Jin Xing into the kitchen.

"Jin Xing, what did you mean by what you just said?"

Gu Jin Xing's face showed an awkward unease, "Grandma, did I say something wrong just now?"

The elderly lady, seeing his insincerity, held his hand, "Grandma knows you have a knot in your heart; back then you two brothers fought over Tang Tang to the point of being at odds."

But after all these years, your brother and his family have children now; the resentment in your heart should have faded.

Please don't keep digging a dead‑end, going against your brother, understand?

Gu Jin Xing casually tilted his head and inadvertently caught sight of Meng Shutang on the sofa.

She remained that ethereally cool, graceful and charming, making hearts flutter for ages at a glance.

Before returning, he thought seven years had passed, that his silent heart would never stir for anyone again, but the instant he saw her, he realized that everything around truly dimmed.

"Grandma, they've been divorced for four years; why are you still trying to matchmake them?"

The elderly lady gave him a light tap, "Tang Tang doesn't like you; she loves your brother."

"Even now, is it still like that?"

The elderly lady hesitated, but finally pretended to affirm with a nod, "Mm."

Gu Jin Xing smiled, a gentle harmless smile, "Grandma, rest assured."

"Your grandson has grown, knows what matters most. Family bonds are always first in my heart."

The elderly lady nodded appreciatively and turned to leave.

She entered the living room just as Gu Yeheng and Gu Yenan happened to be coming in.

The elderly lady knew these two sons didn't like Meng Shutang, and feared they wouldn't like Xin Xin, so...

She went straight to the sofa and sat down; if they said something inappropriate, she didn't intend to give them face.

Gu Yeheng entered with an overall arrogant demeanor.

Meng Shutang knew he disliked her, but as a junior she politely rose to greet him, while pulling Xin Xin, "Xin Xin, call grandpa."

Xin Xin answered in a babyish voice, "Grandpa."

Gu Yeheng was completely disdainful.

Yet the moment he turned his gaze to Xin Xin, he was stunned for a second.

Since Chu Fu's death, he hadn't seen such a beautiful dimple on anyone's face.

Chu Fu had dimples, but Gu Yunci and Gu Jin Xing inherited none.

Meng Shutang has dimples, but hers are faint like smoke.

They are like a spring breeze over a lake, only rippling faintly.

It is a subtle, unspoken tenderness.

But Chu Fu's dimples are different; hers are deep as aged wine.

Her dimples are a masterpiece crafted by the creator, set in her cheeks, as if filled with aged fine wine.

Just one glance makes one feel slightly tipsy.

Now, little Xin Xin's dimples are the same.

An assistant, seeing him stunned, softly called, "Director Gu, Director Gu..."

Gu Yeheng recovered, turned and signaled the assistant, who handed over a red envelope.

Xin Xin took the red envelope, "Thank you, Grandpa."

Gu Yenan, seeing this, walked over, and while giving Xin Xin the red envelope, couldn't help remarking, "This little girl really looks like that woman,"

"That woman was also too impulsive, which is why she fell headfirst down the spiral staircase..."

He hadn't finished speaking when Gu Yeheng let out a light cough; Gu Yenan instantly raised an eyebrow in silence.

From a short distance, Gu Jin Xing, hearing Gu Yenan mention Chu Fu, turned ashen, his body involuntarily trembling, he suddenly bowed his head, a suppressed sob escaping his throat, nearly choking.

Gu Yunci, hearing Gu Yenan refer to Chu Fu as 'that woman,' felt his body stiffen slightly, and the chill in his gaze was accompanied by a drop in ambient pressure.

He abruptly turned, "Why did my mother act impulsively, and why does my second uncle stay silent?"

Gu Yenan's mind reacted quickly, raising his hand to mockingly slap, "Big nephew, you know, second uncle speaks without thinking.

"Colliding with your mother, my sister‑in‑law, sister‑in‑law..."

Finishing, he smiled brightly and glanced at the elderly lady.

The elderly lady gave him a withering look, walked over and pulled Gu Yunci, "Alright, it's time to eat."

The atmosphere had been pleasant today, but due to Gu Jin Xing's and Gu Yenan's ill‑timed remarks, it became inexplicably tense.

At the dining table, the old lady teases Xin Xin with candy, which instead adds a touch of ease.

After the meal, Meng Shutang wants to leave, but the old lady detains her, saying she can stay for a few days.

Meng Shutang politely declines, "Grandma, Xin Xin still has kindergarten."

"Isn't today Friday? The day after tomorrow—will you definitely let you go back?"

Meng Shutang knows the old lady genuinely likes Xin Xin, and the warm invitation is hard to decline, so she nods in agreement.

The old lady asks Aunt Song to bring out brushes and paper, "I know Xin Xin likes drawing; I had them bought early, so the child won't be bored."

When Gu Yeheng leaves, he sees Xin Xin perched on the table drawing.

That tiny figure, its focused expression, suddenly softens him, a slight tightness in his throat.

Gu Yunci, after learning that Meng Shutang and the others stayed, also proactively applies to move in.

He leans against the old lady, "Grandma, I'd also like to stay here."

The old lady raises an eyebrow, not even looking up, "Stay? There are plenty of rooms at home, but I don't like keeping heartless idlers!"

Moreover, President Gu is a very busy man; I can call him any day and he never comes, and now he shamelessly insists on staying with me.

First, tell me, on what basis?

Gu Yunci immediately forces a smile, his upright torso bows, "I've cleansed my heart and changed my ways, I'm a new man now."

The old lady chuckles, "The proper rooms are taken, but there's an attic. Will you stay?"

Gu Yunci, knowing she's pointing out his four‑year debt to Meng Shutang, shakes his head, "How about the junk room next to Tang Tang? The leaky, tiny one?"

The old lady presses her lips, suppressing a laugh.

Gu Yunci continues to pester her, "I promise I won't disturb them; I just want to be nearer them, so if Xin Xin wakes up at night, I can lend a hand."

The old lady thinks, "Fine, if you dare be lazy, I won't spare you."

Gu Yunci gives the old lady a thanks and then leaves.

He doesn't return to his own room, but goes straight to Meng Shutang.

Xin Xin is drawing downstairs; seeing no outsiders inside, he walks straight to Meng Shutang's back.

His arm securely loops around her slender waist, his breath landing on the side of her neck, carrying a damp, hot scent that burns her, making her body stiff.

Meng Shutang instinctively tries to evade, but a force holds her tightly in his arms.

"Don't move." The man's voice is low and magnetic, enticing.

He rests his chin in the hollow of her neck, his thin lips like a soft feather touching her delicate collarbone, "You know, today, seeing Jin Xing looking at you, how much I've wanted…"

Before his words finish, a faint pause sounds from not far away.

Who is it, where did the footsteps halt?