Chapter 40: The Beast Within

Just as Gu Yeting was about to lunge at Gu Wenyan, Gu Yechen snapped at him again: "Enough, this isn't some big problem. Are you really going to make a scene?"

"Gu Yechen! I don't know what's gotten into you lately—has Gu Wenyan put you under some spell or what? Why are you defending her like this? Do you think she deserves it?"

"Watch your mouth! Gu Yeting, mind your attitude!" Gu Yechen's face cooled slightly, and his imposing aura became unmistakable. "Whether you accept her or not, she is your sister!"

"In this family, her existence is not for you to question!"

"Hah, I think you've really been bewitched by her. Just a while ago you found her so annoying—how long has it been, and now you think she's our sister? Maybe she's not even—"

Ye Yiwen could not stand listening any longer: "She is your sister! I carried her for ten months—she is my daughter!"

Seeing a flicker of anger on his mother's face, Gu Yeting finally quieted down and sat back, crossing his long legs with an insolent, careless air: "Whatever you say."

Gu Wenyan looked at Gu Yechen, whose expression remained calm: "Thank you, big brother."

Gu Yechen rose unhurriedly: "No need to thank me. Come over to my side—you can look at the view outside in a bit."

Gu Wenyan did not refuse.

She obediently moved over, and this gentle, compliant manner made Gu Yechen reflect inwardly.

In the past, he had never truly observed or gotten to know Gu Wenyan; he had only judged her character based on what he saw, deeming her coarse and unteachable.

But now he discovered that, although Gu Wenyan possessed a stubborn, defiant streak, it only emerged when someone was unkind to her.

As long as someone was a little kind to her, all the thorns on her would completely disappear.

Gu Yechen thought again—she was only twenty this year, and when she came back she had just barely reached adulthood. How had they all treated her back then?

How could they… not have given her a little more patience and attention?

For Gu Yechen, sitting here was not comfortable—his overly long legs had nowhere to rest.

Gu Wenyan glanced at his awkward posture, bit her lip, and laughed softly.

Big brother was sometimes quite different from what she had imagined—there were many differences.

Although their past interactions had been full of conflict, at least in this moment, he finally showed a hint of awareness that he was her big brother.

Gu Wenyan had just gotten off the plane when she received a call from Bao Sihan. The man's deep voice came through: "Arrived?"

"Mm, I've already gotten off the plane."

"I'll come over a little later. Tomorrow I'll attend with you."

Gu Wenyan was surprised: "Don't you have a very important meeting?"

When she had brought this matter up with Bao Sihan a couple of days ago, he had said he couldn't guarantee he'd have enough time to accompany her to the Art Museum's opening event.

Gu Wenyan figured she'd be going with the Gu Family anyway, so whether Bao Sihan was there or not shouldn't make much difference, and she didn't make any demands.

But now Bao Sihan was telling her he would make time to accompany her.

"I postponed the meeting." Bao Sihan was, as always, indulgent—as though no matter what Gu Wenyan wanted to do, he could be there with her.

Such an attitude made her heart tremble; she didn't know whether she could return his favoritism with enough warmth.

Right now… she didn't seem to like him all that much yet—it was more a sense of gratitude and a desire to repay him.

"If you're really busy, you don't have to come all this way on purpose. I'll be going with my family."

Bao Sihan suddenly laughed: "It's not that I'm coming all this way to accompany you on purpose—it's that I want you by my side, understand?"

His deep, low voice lingered in Gu Wenyan's heart, stirring ripple after ripple.

She couldn't help thinking—this man really knows how to flirt!

Who says he's just that unfeeling, cold, and dangerous Head of the Bo Family?

Toward her, he had always been completely different…

"Sure, as long as it doesn't get in the way of your work, I'd be very happy for you to come. But make sure you get some rest, okay?"

"Mm."

Bao Sihan laughed once more over the phone before hanging up.

When Gu Yeting walked past Gu Wenyan, he happened to overhear her conversation with Bao Sihan. He gave a cold snort: "Since you were so determined to run from the wedding back then, why are you being so mushy with him now? Don't you find your flip-flopping ridiculous?"

Gu Wenyan pocketed her phone and glanced at him: "The person I'm marrying isn't you—what business is it of yours?"

She said: "Third Young Master Gu, I'd advise you not to meddle. Do you know why Wang Nainai next door lived to ninety?"

Gu Yeting frowned: "Why did she live to ninety?"

"Because she never liked meddling in other people's business."

"…" Gu Yeting nearly choked on his own breath. He only came back to himself after Gu Wenyan's figure had walked far away. That handsome face was now full of fury: "Gu Wenyan!"

Gu Wenyan heard his furious roar but pretended she hadn't, and kept walking on her own.

The Gu Family also had their own villa in this city. After they arrived and had their rooms assigned, dinner was eaten together with Gu Yefeng.

Gu Yefeng had spent a very long time preparing for the Art Museum's opening, and he looked as though he'd grown a bit thinner all over.

Yet he appeared all the more elegant and noble—that artist's air was truly something not just anyone could imitate.

"Second brother, I missed you so much!" The moment she saw him, Gu Mianmian rushed over, grabbed his hand, and shook it.

Gu Yefeng smiled lightly: "Once this is done, I'll be staying home for a while."

"That's great! That way I can see you all the time. You've been away from home so long now—it's been ages since I could even have a proper chat with you!"

Gu Mianmian acted cute and coquettish in front of Gu Yefeng, trying to draw his attention and not wanting him to spare even the slightest bit of focus for Gu Wenyan.

However, the smile on Gu Mianmian's face quickly vanished completely.

Because as Gu Wenyan slowly walked over, Gu Yefeng's gaze followed her, and after a moment of hesitation, he called her name.

"Second brother, is something the matter?"

Gu Yefeng shook his head: "Nothing. The Art Museum opens tomorrow—you can look around inside. There might be some artworks you'd like."

"Sure, and thank you for the invitation. I'll have a good look around tomorrow."

Although their exchange still felt rather stiff, one had to remember that in the past, Gu Yefeng would absolutely never have wasted even a sliver of his time on Gu Wenyan.

Especially for him, Gu Wenyan was someone who understood nothing about art, was coarse in temperament, and uncultured—she could only annoy him.

But now he was actually talking to Gu Wenyan...

Gu Mianmian didn't know why, but the faint trace of fear in her heart was growing more and more obvious.

By the time Bao Sihan arrived it was already deep into the night. He sat inside the Rolls-Royce, dark eyes churning with deep emotions, missing her a little.

Only at this hour, she had probably already gone to sleep...

What could he do to make her his forever, by his side at every single moment?

Just as certain emotions in Bao Sihan's heart surged beyond his control, his phone rang at that very moment.

Gu Wenyan's clear, soft voice came through at the same time: "Si Han, have you arrived?"

The beast about to be unleashed was instantly caged within his heart.