Chapter 431: Almost Lost Her Purity

Gu Chenghuai gave his daughter a meaningful glance.

Lin Zhao watched the silent exchange between father and daughter, a smile flickering in her eyes.

Yaobao shifted her little bottom closer to her grandmother’s side. “Nai, I think of you and Grandpa every day. I hope that when I come to Haicheng in the future, I won’t just see my maternal grandparents, but also you and Grandpa. I cried from missing the soy-meat you made. Nai, stay in Haicheng with Grandpa—I’ll come to the villa every holiday to keep you company.”

She tilted up her beautiful face, gazing with pleading eyes—no one could refuse her.

Gu Yu watched silently, learning from the side.

Her mother said she was a tomboy, spoke too bluntly, sounded harsh, and had lost the charm of her childhood speech; she warned that someone like her would scare off any potential son-in-law hiding in some remote corner, and told her to learn from Yaobao and stop snapping at people every day… it was so hard.

Watching Yaobao pout, Gu Yu raged inwardly: Agree! Agree to anything! Just say yes!

Gu Mu hugged her granddaughter, her face brimming with tenderness. “Stay! Stay! If Yaobao wants us to stay, we’ll stay.”

“There are several bus lines around our house. If you miss me, just call me—I’ll take the bus to see you.”

“If you want anything to eat, just come back—I’ll make it for you.”

She didn’t forget her other grandchildren. “You all the same.”

“If you want to eat or drink anything, call home. If work gets rough, come back—we’re here, your Grandpa and I. The sky won’t fall, and there’ll always be a meal waiting for you.”

These words struck Gu Lan hardest.

After graduation, Gu Lan became a teacher at a school—the transition from student to teacher was a major challenge for her.

It didn’t go smoothly at first.

Hearing Gu Mu’s words now, she suddenly felt nothing was insurmountable—no obstacle too great, no peak too high.

Her brow relaxed. She took a candy from the table, peeled the wrapper, and slipped it into her mouth.

Sweet.

To be a child of the Gu family was such a lucky thing.

Gu Mu looked at her eldest granddaughter and said, “A Lan, since your job is in Haicheng, just live at home. The dorm is noisy and crowded—you’ll sleep poorly and it’ll affect your work.”

Gu Fu nodded. “Yes, we have plenty of rooms. The bus stop is right outside. Convenient. Your father and I plan to hire a part-time helper—someone to wash clothes, cook, and clean. You just focus on your job. It’ll be so easy.”

He could endure hardship, but he didn’t want the younger generation to suffer.

His sons had suffered out of necessity; now that they had the means, Gu Fu and Gu Mu hoped their children’s paths would be smooth.

Neither Gu Fu nor Gu Mu were unpleasant people. The children loved and respected them, and didn’t mind living with their grandparents.

Gu Lan smiled immediately. “Fine. After the New Year, I’ll move my things over. I hope you won’t find me annoying.”

Gu Mu stroked her eldest grandson’s dark, glossy hair. “How could I find you annoying? When you’re old, you want your children and grandchildren around you. Having you live here makes me happy.”

Gu Yu studied in her hometown, never skipped a grade, followed the normal school path, and was nearly ready for the college entrance exam.

She took the initiative. “Nai, if I get into a university in Haicheng, can I live here?”

This was Gu Yu’s first time in Haicheng, her first time seeing the legendary villa of her grandparents. The moment she saw it, her heart was conquered—she thought, how wonderful it would be to live here permanently.

Gu Mu said, “Of course. Anyone can live here. This villa has plenty of rooms—it’s big enough for our whole family. Whether you’re studying or working, come whenever you want. Treat it like the old ancestral home. Don’t be polite.”

The money to buy the villa came from the four Gu sons and Gu Chan—everyone contributed.

Originally, Gu Chenghuai and his brothers had skipped Gu Chan. When she found out, she was heartbroken, feeling her natal family had excluded her as a married daughter. She went home and cried to Wei Xiangdong.

Wei Xiangdong, concerned for his wife, angrily confronted his brothers-in-law and younger brothers and took back Gu Chan’s share.

“My family isn’t short of money. Don’t ever leave A Chan out of anything. Because if you don’t include her, she gets heartbroken and cries when she comes home!” His fierce face was full of indignation.

“How long has it been since A Chan cried? You two older brothers made her so upset she didn’t even want to eat. Really!”

He stormed off after speaking.

When he got home, he proudly told Gu Chan he had lectured his brothers—they wouldn’t dare forget her again in any major matter.

Gu Chan had already comforted herself, never expecting this man would come back to her natal home just to cause a scene over this.

She felt warmth and embarrassment.

“...Now everyone will know I...” Gu Chan covered her face.

So embarrassing.

“So what?” Wei Xiangdong said bluntly. “If you’re unhappy, you have to say it. Otherwise, how would your brothers know? I don’t want this to happen again.”

The family wasn’t short of money.

If that money brought A Chan happiness, he was happy to spend it.

Money lost can be earned again.

Wei Xiangdong’s pig farm was thriving now. He managed a team of people. His muscular body, dressed in a suit, looked impressive—and very attractive.

A different kind of attractive.

Everyone in the surrounding villages knew he was rich. Those looking for shortcuts naturally flocked to him. Unfortunately, he was a one-woman man—completely clueless.

After repeated attempts, they gave up on this stubborn tree. Every time they saw him now, they looked at him with complicated expressions.

Gu Chan only found out about this later.

She delicately asked her husband—and was surprised to learn he hadn’t noticed anyone was eyeing him.

After Gu Chan pointed it out—

Wei Xiangdong silently pulled his collar tighter, cursing inwardly: Damn it, I almost lost my purity.

Gu Chan: “...”

The big villa.

Gu Yu clenched her fist, cheering herself on. “I love this place—I’ll definitely get into a university here!”

Gu Zhiyaoo sweetly said, “Sister Yu will definitely make it.”

“Want to come with me, Yaobao?” Gu Yu hugged Gu Zhiyaoo’s shoulder. “When you’re at school, I’ll protect you.”

The moment she finished speaking, Zhao Liuniang tapped her on the head.

“Don’t corrupt Yaobao!” she glared at her daughter, stern. “School is for studying. No cliques. If you bully anyone, I’ll break your legs.”

Fishy used to be quiet and soft-spoken. Why, after starting school, had she become so fierce and sharp-tongued? Zhao Liuniang found it exhausting.

But.

Watching her daughter, free and carefree, seemingly never knowing worry, she felt deep joy and fulfillment.

Her life before marriage had been bitter—so bitter that even recalling it made her smile vanish.

Raising her daughter felt like raising herself all over again.

Every time she saw Gu Yu, she felt as if she were seeing another version of herself—living in a normal family.

Laughing freely, heart wide open.

“I didn’t corrupt Yaobao!” Gu Yu covered her head, voice dripping with wry resignation. “I don’t bully anyone. But we can’t let others bully us either—I’m just talking hypothetically. Mom, can you stop being so rebellious and give me some trust?”

Zhao Liuniang said, “Stop worrying me, and I’ll give you trust.”

She shot her daughter a look, but her eyes were soft. “Who broke a boy’s head and got the parents coming to our door?”

Lin Zhao’s eyes widened. She turned to look at Gu Yu.

A delicate-looking girl—broke a boy’s head?

“What happened?”

Noticing her third aunt’s expression, Gu Yu blushed.

“That boy was bullying my desk partner! I was punishing evil and protecting the innocent—I didn’t bully a good classmate.” She hurried to explain.

Gu Yucheng took a sip of wine, clicked his tongue. “My daughter is a righteous heroine. Of course she wouldn’t bully anyone. I think you did well.”

Zhao Liuniang shot her husband a glare and gave up.

Gu Yu grinned, her smile impossible to suppress.

Gu Xingye looked at his sister. “Tone it down. Don’t get caught in a trap—we’re not back home to help you.”

“Who says we’re not? Dad’s here.” Gu Yu said.

A girl raised in love never wastes energy on self-doubt.

She does what she believes is right—and never regrets it.

Lin Zhao smiled. These Gu children had strong roots; under normal circumstances, none of them would grow crooked.

She could almost picture how, when these children grew up, the Gu family would become a towering, mighty tree.

Lin Zhao sat in the living room watching TV, yawned, felt sleepy, didn’t force herself to stay awake, and went upstairs to sleep.

The children, rarely gathered together, were too excited to sleep—they insisted on staying up all night.

The playful Gu Zhihang pulled out the glow sticks and fairy wands he’d bought, called everyone else, and took them outside the villa to play.

The group played joyfully, not sleeping until past midnight.

With the family reunited—even Huang and the others were there—they all slept deeply and peacefully.

Gu Chenghuai finished his bath and returned to the room. Only a soft bedside lamp remained on. He didn’t turn on the main light, using the lamp’s glow to undress and get into bed.

Looking at his wife’s sleeping face, his expression softened. He leaned down and kissed Lin Zhao’s cheek.

“Happy New Year,” Gu Chenghuai whispered. He lay on his side, gently tapped her nose with his fingertip, and smiled. “Sleeping so soundly?”

His hand was brushed away. The man grew obedient, lifted his body to turn off the lamp, pulled Lin Zhao into his arms, and closed his eyes.

Another year had passed.

The next day.

When Lin Zhao woke again, the sun outside was bright, casting a golden glow over the curtains.

She rubbed her eyes, sat up—and saw a bouquet of flowers on the nightstand.

At that moment, the door opened and Gu Chenghuai walked in.

“Awake? Hungry? Dinner’s ready,” he said.

Lin Zhao slipped on her cotton slippers, brushed her fingers over the petals, eyes bright with delight. “Where did these flowers come from? Did you buy them, or did the kids prepare them?!”

“Me,” Gu Chenghuai answered with a single word.

Could he really leave the chance to surprise his wife to the kids?!

Lin Zhao tiptoed, stretched her arms, and wrapped herself around Gu Chenghuai.

“Why the sudden surprise for me?” she asked, eyes smiling.

Over the years, she’d never worried about money or her children’s studies or careers; her spirit remained young, her eyes bright, her face showing no trace of age.

Lin Zhao smiled faintly, just as she had the day Gu Chenghuai first fell for her.

“I wanted to make you happy,” Gu Chenghuai said honestly.

“Wife, you’ve worked hard these years.”

Even though the kids were easy to raise and rarely needed their parents’ oversight, Zhaozhao still worried constantly.

She had to care for the eldest, manage the second, check in on the third from time to time, and worry about her daughter… each task demanded thought and effort.

He saw her exhaustion, and he wanted to surprise her, to make her happy.

Lin Zhao’s lips curled. “You’re not exactly resting easy as a father either.”

“The kids are growing up. Once Yaobao gets into university, we’ll be completely free.”

The eldest became a pilot, never home; the second started a transport company, built a fleet; the third joined a research institute, secretive and hard to even meet…

Only the youngest, Yaobao, remained.

So far, she seemed just as easygoing—unlikely to cause trouble.

Gu Chenghuai smiled. “That’s right.”

Almost completely free.

…

On the second day of the New Year, Lin Zhao returned home with her husband and children.

This year, the eldest wasn’t there, but the third was.

Seeing Gu Zhiyu absent, Lin Heling asked, “Didn’t Yubao come back?”

Lin Zhao sat beside her mother and nodded. “Yeah, he’s busy, can’t make it.”

Song Xi glanced at her daughter, eyes flickering with pity.

Everyone was scattered during the holiday—did Zhaozhao feel the ache?

Just as she was thinking how to comfort her, Lin Heling said: “Yubao’s job leaves him no choice, and Qianbao’s even less so. You’ll never get the whole family together again.”

Song Xi: “...”

“Why say that?” she whispered to Lin Heling. “You’re deliberately making your daughter feel bad.”

“Don’t worry—Zhaozhao isn’t that fragile. She’s pragmatic. Haven’t you seen her grin from ear to ear?” Lin Heling laughed.

Lin Zhao touched her lips.

“?”

Was she really that obvious?!

“Your husband and I made peace with it long ago. No surprise, so no real disappointment.”

One child coming back is already enough.

Lin Heling gave her daughter and son-in-law an approving look. “That’s the right attitude. If you don’t understand the path Yubao and Qianbao chose, their work loses half its joy.”

“We know,” Lin Zhao said, picking up an orange and peeling it. She split it in half, giving one piece to herself and one to Gu Chenghuai. “As long as Yubao and Qianbao take care of their health, your mother and I are fine.”

She never needed to keep her children close—her life was full and vibrant.

Qianbao lowered his eyes.

Gu Zhihang ruffled his younger brother’s hair, grinning. “I don’t know what you’re doing, but I know it’s incredible. Focus on your work—Mom, Dad, and Yaobao are with me. You’ve got no worries. Don’t overthink it.”

Yaobao added, “I’ll stay home, never leave Mom and Dad. Brother, don’t worry.”

“Thank you, Second Brother and Sister, for comforting me,” Qianbao said, his handsome face solemn, his tone precise, radiating the rigor of a researcher.

Gu Zhihang: “...”

“Why be polite with your own brother?” He ruffled his brother’s hair harder, messily disheveling it.

Qianbao smiled patiently, waiting until his brother finished, then combed his hair with his fingers.

In moments, his hairstyle was perfectly restored.

It was a skill he’d learned at the institute to save time.

Watching her youngest son’s quiet, serious demeanor, Lin Zhao’s eyes filled with laughter.

Gu Zhihang and the others gathered with Lin Si and the rest, when Lin Heling suddenly said to Lin Zhao: “Zhaozhao, we’ve heard news about your grandfather and the others. If things go well, you’ll see them after the New Year.”

Lin Zhao’s eyes lit up instantly. “Really? Dad, where did you hear this? Is it reliable?!”

Calling them “Mom and Dad” felt too abrupt, so she and Lin Si and the others had quietly switched to “Dad” and “Mom.”

Lin Heling’s expression flickered with a fleeting, cold smile.

“Someone came to us…” He didn’t elaborate, went straight to the point: “Your grandfather and the others will come to Haicheng as investors. Apparently, the Shangwu Force is already negotiating with them.”