Gu Huanian didn't respond to her words, but coldly said, "You two talk, I'm going back to my room first."

He had told his mother many times that he didn't like Murong Lan.

But she always invited people over.

"Oh, you child, Lanlan rarely comes here," Gu's mother said with a hint of exasperation.

Then she looked at Murong Lan, whose eyes were red, and quickly went forward to comfort her; "Lanlan, don't take it to heart with Huanian, he's always had this bad temper."

Mr. Gu glanced at his wife, then at his son who had already gone upstairs, and followed him upstairs.

He went straight into Gu Huanian's room, closed the door, and said, "Huanian, what are you thinking? You're not getting any younger now. Your mother has been suffering from insomnia and loss of appetite because of your marriage. Do you know that?"

"I know"

"Your mother is trying so hard to bring you and Murong Lan together, it's for your own good. How do you feel about that girl?"

"Dad, I'm not interested in her. I have someone I like."

Gu's father was quite surprised. He could have guessed that Gu Huanian didn't like Murong Lan.

But his own cold-hearted son would one day say he had someone he liked. This really made him feel like it was raining blood from the sky.

Are you serious?

If that's the case, he needs to find some time to have a serious talk with his wife. His son has someone he likes, and he can't let her keep trying to set them up.

Gu Huanian nodded.

"Where is that girl from? What do her parents do? Where do they work now?"

"I don't know much about her family situation now. She was an educated youth sent to the countryside in Northeast China."

Upon hearing this, Gu's father patted Gu Huanian on the shoulder and asked, "What are you planning to say to your mother?"

Gu's mother came from a prestigious family, so she cared a lot about social standing, while Gu's father didn't care who his son married.

Only his own wife knows that she has longed for Murong Lan to be her daughter-in-law for so many years, and now that her son has found someone else, she probably won't be able to accept it for a while.

"I intend to tell the truth."

After Gu's father left, Gu Huanian was still thinking about the letter Shi Yuan had sent back, and that Su Li had a close male friend.

No, he had to send her a separate letter to ask her clearly. Although his confession last time was unsuccessful, he could tell that Su Li didn't dislike him.

It doesn't make sense that she'd have a male confidant so quickly.

He went into his study, picked up paper and pen, and began to write a letter.

Halfway through writing the letter, Murong Lan suddenly pushed open the door and came in.

Gu Huanian frowned. Didn't this person knock before coming in?

"Brother Huanian, I've brewed you some tea. This is my dad's favorite Biluochun tea. How does it taste?"

Gu Huanian raised his head, his eyes icy cold; "Get out."

"Brother Huanian, would you like to try some? I brewed this tea especially for you."

Gu Huanian didn't answer. Thinking of Su Li, he said directly, "Murong Lan, I have no feelings for you. Put away your thoughts."

Murong Lan turned pale upon hearing this; "Brother Huanian, what...what did you say?"

The man she'd loved for so long was now saying he didn't love her. She'd waited for him for so many years, and he said he didn't like her? No, this couldn't be true; she didn't believe it.

Murong Lan's hands were trembling as she held the tea. Over the years, Gu's mother had always said that although he was cold-hearted, he still had feelings for her. She firmly believed that Gu Huanian also liked her.

When she was little, her brother Hua Nian was very good to her.

Aunt Gu had said since she was little that she would marry Gu Huanian when she grew up, and she had been waiting for the day they would get married all these years.

Today, Aunt Gu was still saying that she wanted to take advantage of Hua Nian's return to Beijing to hold their wedding.

"Murong Lan, we're not a good match. I have someone I like."

Murong Lan threw the tea on his table, said "I don't believe it," and then turned and ran out crying.

Gu Huanian looked at the damp letter and felt irritated.

Gu's mother had intended to let Murong Lan go upstairs to cultivate a relationship with her son, but she did not expect that Lanlan would run out crying after only a few minutes of going upstairs.

"Lanlan, what's wrong? Did Huanian bully you?"

"My aunt and brother Huanian said he doesn't like me, sob sob..."

After saying this, she ran out despite her mother's attempts to stop her.

Mother Gu stormed upstairs and saw Gu Huanian coming out of the study.

He was furious at her lack of self-control; "What's wrong with you, kid? Lanlan rarely comes to visit, and you managed to drive her away."

"Mom, I've told you so many times, I have no feelings for Murong Lan. Please stop trying to match us up, lest it damage the harmony between our two families."

"You brat, you always know how to annoy me. Lanlan is such a good girl, what don't you like about her?"

Gu Huanian patiently explained, "Mom, I have someone I like?"

"What? Who is she? Where does she live? What do her parents do?"

Gu Huanian sighed and said, "I'll tell you who she is later. Don't try to match me with Murong Lan anymore. There's no way we can be together."

Upon hearing this, Gu's mother felt a pang of pain in her heart. "Oh dear...you unfilial son, are you trying to drive me to my death? Lanlan is such a wonderful girl. I don't care, you must marry Lanlan. I don't like any other girl. I've decided that Lanlan is my daughter-in-law."

Gu Huanian had a headache. Every time he talked about his dislike for Murong Lan, his mother would react the same way, which really annoyed him.

But my mother has a heart condition and can't get angry or agitated.

"Mom, don't be angry."

At this moment, Mr. Gu came out and hurriedly helped his wife away.

She gave her son a look that said, "You'd better watch yourself."

It's been snowing in Northeast China for two days now, and it's still falling softly. Su Li spends her days lying on the kang (a heated brick bed) or making clothes in her space.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!