Chapter 86: Sister-in-law, Long Time No See

The banquet downstairs is in full swing; it is the home turf of Gu Huaiyuan and Gu Tingyan, used for socializing, but Gu Laoyezi does not care for such things.

Once the banquet ends, it is time for the family dinner.

The butler goes upstairs to invite Gu Laoyezi down for the meal: "Old Master, the evening banquet is prepared."

Gu Laoyezi is dressed in a red Tang suit, his brows and eyes carrying a decisive, murderous air; just like that, he leads Qin Shu downstairs, instantly becoming the center of attention.

Lin Jingshu's gaze lands on the pair of bracelets on Qin Shu's wrists, her expression agitated as she looks at Gu Laoyezi in disbelief.

She never expected that the Old Master would give this symbol of the Matriarch of the Gu Family to Qin Shu!

She has worked diligently for the Gu Family for many years, and although she has hinted at it several times, both openly and covertly, Gu Laoyezi never gave this item to her.

Gu Huaiyuan is also shocked that Gu Laoyezi gave this item to Qin Shu, and his expression immediately sinks.

Gu Qinghuan looks at Qin Shu with sparkling eyes and nudges Gu Tingyan with her elbow: "Brother, Sister-in-law is so beautiful today!"

Gu Tingyan holds a glass of red wine, leaning against the sofa, his lips slightly curled as he casts his gaze toward Qin Shu, burning like fire.

Gu Tingyan raises an eyebrow: "Don't you see whose wife she is."

Once Gu Laoyezi takes his seat, the crowd of people from the Gu Family standing by finally dare to sit down.

Gu Laoyezi looks at Gu Tingyan beside him and frowns: "Get lost to the side."

Gu Tingyan: "?"

"Grandpa, am I no longer your most beloved grandson?"

Even though Gu Tingyan says this, he still nimbly moves his position.

Seeing his son being driven away, Gu Huaiyuan wears a look of triumph on his face; Gu Laoyezi truly loves him the most.

When Gu Laoyezi turns his head and sees Gu Huaiyuan sitting on his right, his brows furrow even tighter: "You get lost too."

Gu Huaiyuan: "?"

Gu Huaiyuan is incredulous: "Dad?"

Gu Laoyezi: "Get out, get out, get out."

Gu Laoyezi beckons: "Qin Shu, Chenchen, you two come sit by my side."

As soon as these words are spoken, everyone in the Gu Family is startled.

Qin Shu sits on Gu Laoyezi's left, and Gu Yichen sits on his right.

Originally, the seats next to Gu Laoyezi were always occupied by Gu Tingyan and Gu Huaiyuan, symbolizing their status in the Gu Family.

Gu Laoyezi sits in the main seat, his face full of majesty: "Since everyone is here, let us begin the banquet."

Butler: "Yes."

"Grandpa, I'm back."

An unfamiliar voice rings out, and Qin Shu looks up toward the entrance.

Gu Lichuan and Zhuang Mingyue appear right at the entrance of the Gu Family Old Residence.

Gu Huaiyuan freezes and subconsciously looks at Gu Tingyan; in the entire Gu Family, only he knows that Gu Lichuan is his illegitimate son.

Gu Lichuan is the illegitimate son born to Gu Huaiyuan and his widowed sister-in-law; after Gu Tingyan found out, he had no choice but to drive the man out of the country, claiming externally that it was to expand into overseas markets.

In reality, it was exile.

Gu Tingyan watches him with a calm expression.

Gu Lichuan walks toward Gu Laoyezi with a face full of smiles and gifts, calling out affectionately: "Grandpa, I'm back."

Gu Lichuan kneels before Gu Laoyezi: "I kowtow to Grandpa; please forgive this unfilial descendant for only returning now to wish you a happy birthday."

Seeing Gu Lichuan and Zhuang Mingyue, Gu Laoyezi's eyes turn red, and his voice is hoarse: "Good, good, good, you've all returned."

He hurriedly helps Gu Lichuan up: "Get up quickly."

Gu Laoyezi: "You brat, you went abroad without a word and didn't come back to see Grandpa; your heart is truly cruel."

Gu Lichuan looks at Gu Huaiyuan and Gu Tingyan, his lips curling faintly: "Don't worry, from now on, my mother and I will stay at the Gu Family Old Residence to keep you company."

Gu Huaiyuan almost crushes his glass.

Zhuang Mingyue also bows respectfully to Gu Laoyezi, her eyes reddening: "Dad, it has been many years; how is your health?"

Qin Shu looks at this eldest aunt-in-law; at 48 years old, her face is well-maintained, and she is dressed in a very fashionable style, looking only to be in her 30s, with a graceful figure and lingering charm.

Time never defeats a beauty; the allure and charm flowing between her brows and eyes suggest that she must have been a rare beauty in her youth.

Gu Laoyezi holds her hand, his eye sockets reddening: "My health is good; you have had a hard time all these years."

Zhuang Mingyue shakes her head with a smile; she looks at Gu Huaiyuan and Lin Jingshu, smiling as she calls out: "Sixth Brother, Sister-in-law, I hope you have been well."

Lin Jingshu greets her with a smile: "Eldest Sister-in-law."

She has always been respectful and polite to this eldest sister-in-law; Zhuang Mingyue was not born into a low status, and her behavior and manners are all gentle and elegant, the style of a noble lady.

Gu Huaiyuan, under Zhuang Mingyue's gaze, maintains a calm expression as he calls out: "Sister-in-law, long time no see."

Zhuang Mingyue curls her lips in a faint smile, her fair face holding a bit of hidden meaning.

She looks at Qin Shu: "This is Huahua, right?"

Qin Shu stands up and calls out softly: "Aunt."

Zhuang Mingyue looks at Qin Shu: "What a truly beautiful child."

Seeing Zhuang Mingyue and Gu Lichuan return, Gu Qinghuan runs over happily and hugs Gu Lichuan: "Second Brother, Eldest Aunt-in-law!"

Gu Qinghuan likes this eldest aunt-in-law very much; when she was small, Zhuang Mingyue would send her all kinds of delicious things, and even after being abroad for so many years, Gu Qinghuan would receive many gifts from overseas every year.

Over these many years, the things Zhuang Mingyue has sent her could fill an entire room.

"You finally came back!"

Gu Lichuan smiles and ruffles her hair: "Second Brother brought you the gift you wanted most."

"What is it!"

Gu Lichuan smiles mysteriously: "I'll get it for you when we go back to the room later."

Zhuang Mingyue bent over to look at Gu Yichen: "This is Chenchen, right? He looks just like his father."

Gu Yichen: "Great-aunt."

"What a good boy."

After some simple pleasantries, Gu Laoyezi happily had the butler add two more sets of bowls and chopsticks.

Gu Laoyezi was getting old and liked having his family by his side, so he said: "Now that you're back, don't leave again."

Gu Lichuan nodded: "Alright, Grandfather. As it happens, I was planning to return to the country to develop my career anyway."

Only after Gu Laoyezi moved his chopsticks did everyone else begin to eat.

Gu Tingyan used serving chopsticks to place a piece of braised pork into Qin Shu's bowl: "Try this. The kitchen stewed it for two hours; it's tender and melts in your mouth."

With everyone staring, Qin Shu couldn't refuse Gu Tingyan's gesture, but just as she picked it up to put it in her mouth, her stomach suddenly churned violently, and she felt like vomiting.

She furrowed her brows, pushed back her chair, and walked quickly toward the bathroom.

Gu Tingyan stood up and followed her: "What's wrong?"

Gu Qinghuan watched Qin Shu's departing back and asked in confusion: "What's wrong with Sister-in-law?"

Zhuang Mingyue said softly: "Could Huahua be pregnant?"

Lin Jingshu's expression was one of astonishment; she couldn't believe it—the two of them were almost divorced, yet she had gotten pregnant.

She smiled and said: "Sister-in-law, you are going to be a grandmother again."

Lin Jingshu's expression was unpleasant, but she had to play along: "Mm."

Upon learning that she would soon have a new nephew or niece, Gu Qinghuan happily put down her chopsticks and followed them; Qin Shu was vomiting inside, and Gu Tingyan was crouching beside her, patting her back.

Gu Tingyan's expression was complex yet unable to hide his agitation, his face covered in excitement—was he going to be a father again?

"Huahua, are you pregnant?"