Chapter 73: Get the Book Title Right First!

Everyone's gaze fell upon Gu Wenyan once again, carrying with it a sense of disdain and mockery.

She had come to this Reading Club, yet she was completely unprepared? This was far too perfunctory!

But Gu Wenyan was not flustered in the slightest. Facing Gu Mianmian's malicious leading, she said calmly with a smile, "What books has everyone brought today? And Gu Mianmian, what book did you bring?"

"I brought a very famous literary work!" As she spoke, Gu Mianmian took that book out of her bag. It looked especially... brand new; it was likely she hadn't even opened it to read it.

"The book I brought is called *Educated*, and the author is Tara Westover."

There was a hint of smugness in Gu Mianmian's eyes: "Sister, I assume you don't know this book, nor have you heard the author's name, but that's alright... It's perfect today, I can introduce it to you..."

Gu Wenyan interrupted her in a soft, gentle voice: "She is an American author, correct?"

Upon hearing Gu Wenyan's words, Gu Mianmian suddenly panicked for a moment and nodded slowly: "Yes... I didn't expect you to happen to get it right. Her nationality is indeed American, but she..."

"She was born in 1986, is a very young and excellent female author, and was once named one of Time magazine's most influential people of the year. A few years ago, she earned a PhD in history from the University of Cambridge. This is her debut publication."

Gu Wenyan spoke slowly and with resonant impact.

Once she finished, besides Gu Mianmian being incredibly astonished, the others were also in a state of surprise.

Some of them did not know the relevant information about the author of this book, let alone read it. It was only when Gu Wenyan spoke so clearly about the author's information that they realized...

Could it be that Gu Wenyan knew more than they had imagined?

Including Gu Mianmian, she gritted her teeth: "So, Sister, you've read this book too? It couldn't be that when I left it in the living room yesterday... you happened to flip through it and then looked up the relevant information?"

"That must be it. I shouldn't have left it at home yesterday; that way, there wouldn't be any novelty left."

Gu Mianmian tried hard to save face, but Gu Wenyan only looked at her, the corners of her mouth curling into a perfectly measured arc. There was a faint hint of a smile in her eyes, yet it didn't look like she was actually smiling.

That expression seemed to hide a sense of contempt for her.

A truly high-and-mighty disdain, as if she had seen right through her.

Gu Mianmian felt even more panicked inside. What did Gu Wenyan mean? Why was she looking at her like that?

Could it be that Gu Wenyan thought she was ridiculous?

How could Gu Wenyan think that!

Someone like her who hadn't even finished university had no right to face her in such a way!

However, Gu Mianmian did not dare to question her so directly and could only try hard to change the subject: "Forget it, let's not talk about these boring things. Let's talk about the truly meaningful content for today!"

The man wearing glasses from before finally reacted: "That's right. Let's get started quickly. It really is time to talk about the books we each wanted to recommend."

"How about we start with Mianmian? Tell us your thoughts on this book and the reason you recommend it to us?"

"Alright! I like this *Educated* because this book brought me many different perspectives on life. It makes me feel that life is just like the book's title—one must be like a bird, unbound, daring to fly, and not be locked in a cage..."

Gu Mianmian spoke at great length, and the others nodded one after another, seemingly in full agreement with her thoughts.

Someone even praised Mianmian's insights for being profound: "It seems Mianmian is very fond of this book. I can already feel your emotions!"

"Yes!" Gu Mianmian revealed a perfectly timed shyness, her smile bashful yet hiding a sense of showing off, "When I have nothing to do, I usually stay at home planting flowers and reading books. Actually, this kind of life is quite nice."

"That's right, I think so too. Spending time on external material desires is truly a waste of time. One should be like Mianmian, reading books and constantly learning new knowledge. Only in this way can one constantly enrich oneself and make progress..."

As the others echoed her, the smile on Gu Mianmian's face grew even wider. This halo of being praised and surrounded by others was the vanity Gu Mianmian could least bear to part with.

It was also the reason Gu Mianmian tried every possible way to stay in the Gu Family and possess everyone's adoration.

However, just as Gu Mianmian was enjoying being surrounded by the halo, Gu Wenyan suddenly raised her hand.

"What is it, Sister? Do you have any thoughts? But you didn't bring your own book, so you should wait until next time!"

She had changed her attitude on the fly. In her view, Gu Wenyan might actually have some ability now and could say something unexpected.

So she had to stop Gu Wenyan and make sure she couldn't say a single word; that would be best!

"I'm not here to talk about my book. I just wanted to offer a reminder. You said so much just now, but you seem to have overlooked one point—the most, most, most important point."

Gu Mianmian froze, her expression turning somewhat ugly: "Sister, what do you mean by that? My thoughts just now were my own most genuine feelings... You don't need to question my own reading reflections, do you?"

"I know, you must think that since you didn't bring a book today and can't offer any real reading reflections, you want to influence me..."

Gu Wenyan impatiently interrupted her: "Gu Mianmian, do you have a persecution complex? I haven't even said anything yet, and you're already going on and on."

Having been retorted by Gu Wenyan, Gu Mianmian's expression was poor, especially with the surrounding people looking on as if watching a show, which made her feel incredibly embarrassed.

"Fine! Then what do you want to say? I'd like to hear what kind of different insights you could possibly have!"

Gu Wenyan sighed softly: "Actually, what you said was quite good. Most people who have read this book have similar thoughts. However, before stating these very serious and profound reflections..."

Her eyes curved into crescents as she smiled: "Could you please get the name of the book right first?"

Gu Mianmian's pupils dilated, and she trembled violently: "What??"

"The name of this book is *Educated*. But you spoke for a long time just now, and you kept saying... *When You Fly Like a Bird to Your Mountain*. If you can't even get the book title right, I really don't know... what exactly you've been reading."

"Ah??"

"Hahaha..."

"Oh my..."

The mocking laughter rising one after another around them could not be stopped. Gu Mianmian defended herself with a pale face: "I didn't! What I said was *Educated*!"

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