Chapter 170: Want to See Her Make a Fool of Herself?

Wang Ma also wiped away a tear: "I wish I had a child of my own, but sadly mine passed away too early... Later I had another son, and he also... sigh, perhaps I simply don't have that kind of luck in this life!"

"Still, I treat them all as my own children. With them around, my life has been worthwhile... I won't make any more demands from now on."

Gu Mianmian quickly said: "Wang Ma, when we're old, my brothers and I will all take care of you, so don't worry, okay?"

Listening to Gu Mianmian's words, the corner of Gu Wenyan's mouth curved up once more. Enough was enough; there was no need to continue the rest.

Anyway, some things would be done sooner or later, but she wouldn't make them pay the price right away. Instead, she wanted to play this game slowly — that would be more fun.

Gu Wenyan was annoyed the moment she saw Gu Mianmian come out. She didn't want to stay in the living room, so she got up and went back to her room.

Gu Yechen followed her over. There was no warmth in her eyes: "Is there something else, Big Brother?"

"Yanyan, I know you still care about this matter in your heart..."

"Big Brother, I haven't kept caring about it. It really doesn't matter."

Gu Yechen could see the wariness toward himself in Gu Wenyan's eyes. He could only sigh, watching helplessly as she closed the bedroom door, pulling the distance between them wider once again.

Gu Yeting and Gu Yefeng had also come up at some unknown moment. As they walked past him, Gu Yeting patted his shoulder with a half-smile: "Big Brother, sometimes I can be pretty dense, but you're even denser than me."

Gu Yefeng smiled, went to knock on the door, and after Gu Wenyan opened it, said: "I found something great a couple of days ago — an ancient book from the Song dynasty. Want to take a look together?"

Gu Wenyan's interest was piqued: "Sure."

Saying so, she welcomed him inside. Having a shared topic of interest, Gu Wenyan was slightly more polite toward her second brother, though still not warm.

Still, they could get along peacefully.

Of course, that was as far as it went. If these brothers wanted to get any closer... it would be as hard as ascending to heaven.

Gu Yeting suddenly said: "No matter how I look at it, I still feel it's her... who's more real."

Even though she kept giving him the cold face all day, that was his own doing, so he couldn't blame her.

After Gu Yeting went back to his room, Gu Yechen also fell into deep thought.

……

Gu Wenyan hadn't expected that she would actually receive an invitation from Bao Mu, asking her to visit the Bo Family.

Logically speaking, she was about to marry Bao Sihan soon, and the wedding would be held very soon. For Bao Mu to invite her over as a guest at this time felt unreasonable no matter how she looked at it.

But since she'd been invited, she might as well go.

Gu Wenyan was determined to see what scheme Bao Sihan's mother was cooking up now.

When Gu Wenyan arrived, she found that the Bo Family Mansion had quite a few guests today — all of them close friends from Bao Mu's circle.

And among them was a familiar face.

They had met just the other day.

Gu Wenyan didn't pay too much attention. Upon seeing Bai Ran, she gave a polite nod.

Miss Bai sat in the seat of honor next to Bao Mu, dressed in the latest Chanel suit, the very picture of an elegant heiress.

As for Gu Wenyan, she wore a custom-made qipao paired with a small vest — a classical beauty with great charm.

Even if Bao Mu found Gu Wenyan disagreeable, she had to admit, in terms of appearance...

Although Bai Ran was also good, Gu Wenyan was truly outstanding. Most important was that unique temperament — something very hard to find a match for.

"Miss Gu, the reason I invited you over today is for everyone to have afternoon tea together. As it happens, you're very good at growing flowers, and Ranran has also done quite a bit of research in this area. You two can communicate, chat, and share some experiences."

"Oh? Miss Bai likes it too?"

Bai Ran smiled: "It's alright. When I was abroad, I studied under the French botanist Wei Oula. He's a top scientist in the field of plant neurobiology, with very comprehensive and in-depth research in plant neurology, and he's famous worldwide."

When Bai Ran told everyone that she had studied under such a top botanical scientist, Bao Mu immediately took her hand and praised her: "Ranran is usually low-key, but she's done very in-depth research in her studies — not just in botany, but has made achievements in many other areas as well... With Ranran here today, Miss Gu, you should learn more from her."

The unspoken meaning of Bao Mu's words was that Bai Ran was more impressive than Gu Wenyan.

That she should learn from Bai Ran.

The friends around Bao Mu all knew what their purpose was in coming here today, so they immediately chimed in: "That's right, Miss Gu. You should learn well from Miss Bai — an opportunity like this comes once in a thousand years."

"You might be able to gain more inspiration from Miss Bai and grow even rarer plants in the future."

"Miss Bai's academic research abroad is very profound. This opportunity truly comes once in a thousand years..."

Hearing these words, Gu Wenyan's expression remained very calm: "Oh? Then may I ask what unique insights Miss Bai herself has on botany? Could you share them with me? Or... have you published any important papers in top-tier journals? I'd also like to learn from you."

That question really stumped Bai Ran.

Although Bai Ran claimed to have studied under such a top scientist, when asked what papers she had published in professional journals, she truly had none.

Seeing Bai Ran freeze, Bao Mu couldn't help but retort: "Then what about you? Miss Gu, your botanical research is so impressive — you can grow flowers, and you have profound insights. How many papers have you published?"

"As it happens, I do have a few."

Gu Wenyan smiled confidently: "It just so happens that I've published some of my views on botanical research in several international botany journals. Although the impact factors aren't particularly high, they are internationally recognized professional journals."

Hearing this, Bai Ran's expression shifted. Although she knew doing so would seem petty, she still questioned: "You're not joking, are you? Miss Gu, I've heard you never even attended university. What credentials do you have to publish papers?"

"You heard I never attended university?" Gu Wenyan blinked. "From whom? Miss Bai and everyone else... shouldn't know the old me, should you? How would you know whether or not I attended university?"

Bao Mu frowned: "Ever since you were brought back to the Gu Family, you've stayed at home the whole time and never attended school... when did you..."

Gu Wenyan's sudden confidence made her feel a little worried.

She had originally wanted to mock Gu Wenyan a little, but Bao Mu found that things weren't going as smoothly as she had imagined.

Bao Mu denied it over and over in her heart. Impossible! It absolutely couldn't be what she was thinking!

Gu Wenyan observed the disdain and condescension in everyone's eyes, and sighed softly: "Is it that university can only be attended after the age of eighteen, rather than having completed all university courses before the age of eighteen?"