Chapter 989: Small Temple, Big Rules; Shallow Pond, Many Turtles

Only then did Shi Youxuan realize that her aunt had also been playing tricks while pregnant.

The women of the Ji Family are precious; fearing others might harm her, she announced to the outside world that she was carrying twin boys, when in fact they were fraternal twins, one boy and one girl.

"You should listen to me; back then I told you that brat from the Zhu Family was no good, but no one believed me. You believe me now, don't you?"

"He's not doing well in Prison; your Jiangzhou is too humane, still talking about civilization and politeness to prisoners—it's completely useless. How about this: you give me the address, and I'll send someone in to finish him off."

Shi Youxuan objected: "No, you are pregnant now. Even if not for yourself, you should accumulate virtue and do good for my cousin, instead of always thinking about killing and fighting."

This sentence worked; Ji Yingjie took it to heart.

Protecting the pregnancy was the priority, so she couldn't engage in killing, but she repeatedly urged her niece to keep a close watch on the Prison and not let Zhu Qingxiang escape.

Did the Prison even need watching?

That was a place specifically for locking people up; Shi Youxuan didn't take it to heart.

……

She stayed at the Ji Family for three days before returning.

The Sheng Family.

The family was having dinner, everyone chatting and laughing lively.

The housekeeper came over to report: "Madam, Mr. Gu is here."

"Which Mr. Gu?" Wang Yinghao didn't react for a moment.

But Zichen reacted quickly, shouting happily: "Xi Fu is here!"

He shouted as he slid off his chair and ran outside.

"Stop, no manners."

Sheng Hanyu scolded his son: "Eat your meal. You are the eldest son of the Sheng Family, you need to learn to be steady. Look at your sister, then look at you."

Zichen returned dejectedly, muttering: "Everything has to be compared with my sister. My sister is a girl, I am a boy..."

From childhood to now, he felt he lived in his sister's shadow.

From his father and maternal grandfather, his paternal grandparents, to elders and relatives, and teachers at school, everyone liked to compare him with his sister Shi Ran.

If it weren't for the comparisons, he could have had a happy childhood, but because everything was compared, he felt he would never have a day to shine.

"Everyone eat, I'll go out and take a look." Shi Youxuan stood up.

Sheng Hanyu also put down his chopsticks: "I'll go with you."

When the couple reached the living room, they saw Gu Zhihao standing in the middle of the hall, looking very awkward, his two hands carrying gifts that were full and expensive—not cheap at all.

"Brother-in-law, sister, I was wrong. I came to apologize to you."

"Oh, so you can apologize too?"

Shi Youxuan's mouth was as unforgiving as ever: "Didn't you say you would never step foot in my house again in this life? Your life is passing by quite fast, isn't it? It's only been a few days and you're already going back on your word?"

"Yes, I was wrong, it's all my fault."

Sheng Hanyu pointed to the sofa: "Sit."

He didn't sit, but carefully placed the gifts on the coffee table, saying as if presenting a treasure: "This is sea cucumber bought at Wanlong Mall, over five thousand yuan per catty. The gift-packaged ones are even a thousand more expensive. I bought the gift-packaged ones, the receipt is inside."

"There is also bird's nest and high-end cosmetics, all the most expensive and high-grade ones."

"You should return them; our family doesn't lack these things," Shi Youxuan said.

I've seen everything now.

Since he was giving gifts, why emphasize how much they cost? Who was he putting on that pained expression for?

Does the Sheng Family lack these few gifts from you?

"Can't return them, I bought these by gritting my teeth... no, I mean, I bought them especially for you!"

"If you have something to say, say it; if not, go back," Shi Youxuan didn't want to waste more words on him.

"Nothing special, I just think we are relatives, we see each other all the time—no, not seeing each other makes people gossip..."

He clearly didn't want to tell the truth, rambling on for a long time without getting to any useful point.

Sheng Hanyu: "Zhang Ma, show him out."

Zhang Ma stuffed all the gifts back into his arms: "Mr. Gu, please."

"I have something, I have something!"

Gu Zhihao swallowed his saliva, firmly placed the gifts back on the table, and then said: "I want to invite you to my house for dinner; tomorrow is my birthday."

"We won't go to your birthday; we don't have time. Take your birthday gifts back."

Sheng Hanyu instructed the housekeeper: "Zhang Ma, go and get the birthday gifts and give them to Mr. Gu to take back. Happy birthday." Any item taken casually from the Sheng Family's storeroom would be worth more than what he brought.

He looked miserable, almost pleading: "I beg you, you must come to my birthday tomorrow, okay? I'll apologize to you, is that not enough? Or should I kneel..."

As he spoke, he was about to kneel, but was lifted up by Sheng Hanyu: "We will go, don't be like this."

"Really?"

He was overjoyed.

"Really, I never lie to people, and there is even less need to lie to you."

"Great, that's great. I'll go back and prepare, I'll go back and prepare immediately."

Gu Zhihao was probably too excited; as he turned, he tripped over the sofa and almost fell.

After he left, the housekeeper said: "Sir, Madam, don't blame me for being talkative, but I think Mr. Gu is acting strange."

Shi Youxuan: "You noticed it too, right? He says it's a birthday banquet tomorrow, but I think it's a trap."

Sheng Hanyu: "I'll make a call to the Prison and ask."

"Hmm."

The couple thought of Zhu Qingxiang at the same time.

The only person who could make Gu Zhihao suddenly change his attitude was probably him.

The Prison side said everything is normal, the person is still locked up securely in the jail, and there is nothing unusual.

On the surface, there doesn't seem to be any problem.

The next day.

The couple arrived for the appointment on time, bringing a cake, fresh flowers, a thick red envelope, and another generous gift.

"You've come, it's just the two of you, right?"

Not seeing anyone else, he seemed to heave a sigh of relief.

"That's right, where are my sister and the children?"

"The children are with Nianyin, and your sister is sleeping upstairs. She didn't rest well last night, so let's not disturb her. Let's eat, come take your seats."

There were only three people eating, yet the massive dining table was covered in plates, with delicacies from land and sea, stir-fried, deep-fried, and roasted dishes, all very sumptuous.

Gu Zhihao opened a bottle of Moutai, filled three glasses, and raised his own: "The last incident was my fault. I was too impulsive at the time. Later, the neighbors all talked to me, and they were right. We are family; wasn't I a fool to hurt family harmony for the sake of outsiders?"

"I'll finish mine first as a sign of respect."

As soon as he finished speaking, he tilted his head back and drank it all down.

The couple didn't move.

Shi Youxuan: "I'm going upstairs to check on my sister."

"Don't go, she just fell asleep." Gu Zhihao's expression changed, and he hurriedly blocked the doorway.

The more he acted this way, the more the couple felt something was wrong.

"What are you doing? I'm just going over to see my sister, is that necessary? I won't wake her, will I?"

"No, what I mean is, you two have worked too hard. Come eat something first; she'll be awake by the time you're done, and then you sisters can chat however you like."

Neither of them moved; the more enthusiastic he was, the less they touched their chopsticks.

Their reason was sufficient: "Not hungry."

They had just eaten at home before coming over.

"Just taste a couple of bites of each, you can't eat nothing at all." Gu Zhihao was so anxious he was almost crying.

"Are you afraid I put poison in the food? Or tampered with it?"