"Mr. Gu, have you been so immersed in the role that you've started to believe it yourself?" Shen Zhi Qiu chuckled. "Actually, there's really no need for you to put on a pure image for me, since I don't care."
"You don't care?" Gu Qingyan frowned instantly, his eyes scanning Shen Zhi Qiu's face. Finding her composed, he said with a hint of self-mockery, "That's right, you've never cared about me, otherwise why would you always bring up divorce?"
Gu Qingyan released his hand and turned to walk towards the garden.
Looking at his somewhat forlorn figure, Shen Zhi Qiu suddenly felt a pang of sadness. But then she thought of Xiao Wan Qing, pursed her lips, snorted, and went back to the living room.
"Aunt Liu, prepare some fruit or something for me, I'm hungry." Shen Zhi Qiu walked into the kitchen and said with a smile as she looked at Aunt Liu who was busy at work.
Soon, a beautiful fruit platter was served, filled with the kinds of fruit that Shen Zhi Qiu usually loves to eat.
Shen Zhi Qiu popped a strawberry into her mouth, and her mood began to improve.
She stopped Aunt Liu and inquired in detail about Grandpa's condition.
"Sigh. Many years ago, my grandfather suffered a shock and had to undergo heart bypass surgery." Speaking of her grandfather's condition, Aunt Liu couldn't help but sigh.
"What kind of excitement?" Shen Zhi Qiu had never heard of this before and asked curiously.
"Back then, the young master, Miss Xiao, and Miss Xiao's brother went fishing at a nearby reservoir. The young master accidentally fell into the water, and Miss Xiao's brother immediately jumped in to rescue him..."
"Aunt Liu, how is Grandpa?" Aunt Liu's words were interrupted by a female voice.
Shen Zhi Qiu looked in the direction of the sound and saw Gu Ning Ning rushing into the living room. She glanced around, and when her gaze fell on Shen Zhi Qiu, her face immediately fell, and she scolded, "What are you doing here?"
"Second Miss, the young mistress has come to see the master." Liu Ma quickly stood up and explained on behalf of Shen Zhi Qiu.
"Did I ask you?" Gu Ningning interrupted her directly. "It's not your place to speak here."
Liu Ma had worked for the Gu family for half her life and had never been so belittled before. Her face flushed red, and she was at a loss for what to do. Just as Shen Zhi Qiu was about to speak up for Liu Ma, Liu Ma quickly grasped her hand and gently shook her head, not wanting to escalate the situation.
Gu Ningning then peeked out the door and said softly, "Wanqing, come in."
Xiao Wanqing responded and walked in gracefully. She had changed into a pure white dress, which made her look fresh and refined.
"Some people just don't know their place. They think they can come and go freely from the Gu family just because they tricked my brother into getting married. What a pipe dream. Now that the real person is back, those Tom, Dick, and Harry should know better than to leave." Gu Ningning gently pulled Xiao Wanqing's hand, glared at Shen Zhi Qiu, and said bluntly.
Shen Zhi Qiu chuckled, "Gu Ning Ning, do you not understand the law? No matter what I've done, I'm still your brother's lawful wife. As long as I'm still on the same marriage certificate as your brother, you should call me sister-in-law."
"You dare to challenge me?"
Gu Ningning was furious and pointed at Shen Zhi Qiu, about to start cursing, but Shen Zhi Qiu cut her off, saying, "Besides, when did it become your place to interfere in your brother's affairs?"
"Ningning, stop talking. It's not what you think about your brother and me." Xiao Wanqing gently persuaded Gu Ningning, seeing that she couldn't win against Shen Zhi Qiu in terms of verbal skills.
"Wanqing, don't worry, I will definitely stand by your side," Gu Ningning said righteously.
Shen Zhi Qiu watched as Liu Ma went upstairs to see her grandfather, a slight smile playing on her lips as she slowly sat down on the sofa. "I originally wanted to divorce Gu Qingyan to let you two be together. But now I think it's unnecessary. I think dragging it out is fine."
"Divorce? You're willing to get a divorce? You're kidding me!" Gu Ningning said disdainfully.
Xiao Wanqing, however, looked at Shen Zhi Qiu with an inscrutable expression, trying to discern the truth or falsehood in his words.
“You’re right, I really can’t bear to let it go right now. I’ll just drag it out and see how Miss Xiao will handle things once her belly gets bigger. If she pushes me too far, I’ll just leak the news to the media. Tsk tsk tsk, what do you think everyone will say about Miss Xiao then?” Shen Zhi Qiu laughed. “To be honest, I’d really like to see such a dramatic scene.”
"You're pregnant with my brother's child? Does your brother know?" Gu Ningning's eyes lit up. Having a child made things much easier!
"No." Xiao Wanqing's eyes darted away as she whispered, "I think we shouldn't tell Qingyan yet, since we're not divorced."
"Wanqing, this is too unfair to you. Don't worry, I will stand up for you." After saying that, Gu Ningning took out her phone and dialed Gu Qingyan.
Xiao Wanqing was startled and tried to snatch Gu Ningning's phone, but Gu Qingyan had already hung up.
Xiao Wanqing had just breathed a sigh of relief when she heard Gu Qingyan's cold voice coming from the other side of the garden.
"Ningning, what's all this noise about?" Gu Qingyan strode into the living room as soon as he finished speaking.
Seeing Xiao Wanqing there, Gu Qingyan frowned, then quickly walked towards her. "Wanqing, why aren't you resting at home?"
Seeing the concern in Gu Qingyan's eyes, Shen Zhi Qiu found it annoying and simply continued eating her fruit.
"Young Master, Master has woken up." Aunt Liu appeared at the top of the stairs on the second floor and said softly.
Shen Zhi Qiu quickly put down the fruit plate and walked towards the stairwell.
"Stop!" Gu Ningning rushed to the stairwell and blocked Shen Zhi Qiu's path.
Shen Zhi Qiu's face darkened, and she said coldly, "Gu Ningning, have I been giving you too much face?"
"I don't care, you're not allowed to go up. If anyone's going up, it'll be my brother and Wanqing together. Who do you think you are?" Gu Ningning threw a tantrum and resolutely blocked them.
Xiao Wanqing quickly glanced at Gu Qingyan's face and saw him frowning. Knowing that it concerned her grandfather's safety, she quickly called out to Gu Ningning, "Ningning, stop making a fuss. Grandpa just woke up. You'll disturb his rest."
Then he turned to Shen Zhi Qiu and apologized softly, "I'm sorry, Zhi Qiu, Ning Ning is still young and was a little temperamental today. It wasn't intentional."
Gu Qingyan's expression softened a bit. "Ningning, there's a time and place for tantrums. Grandpa's sick, so behave yourself."
"Brother, Grandpa definitely wants to see you and Wanqing the most." Seeing that Gu Qingyan wasn't angry, Gu Ningning boldly drew out her words and began to whine.
"Second Miss, Master specifically requests to see the Young Madam," Aunt Liu said to Gu Ningning.
Gu Ningning glared at Liu Ma, made way for her, and said unwillingly, "Then we want to go see Grandpa too."
Gu Qingyan pursed her lips, thought for a second, and then reminded him somewhat seriously, "Then don't say anything carelessly when you go upstairs. Grandpa can't handle any shocks."
"Okay, brother, I'll do whatever you say." Gu Ningning knew when to stop and pulled Xiao Wanqing along with her.
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