Chapter 49: Marriage First, Love Later, and a Side of Scum-Bashing 27 part 1
Gu Youchen said to Tan Xin, “Fiona, my wife is over there. I’m going to go find her.”
Tan Xin nodded and smiled. “Youchen, I initially thought your marriage was purely a business alliance. But now, it seems I was wrong?”
Gu Youchen replied, “It certainly isn’t. When I married her, I didn’t even know who her parents were.”
Seeing that he smiled every time he mentioned Ning Qingqing, Tan Xin couldn’t help but ask, “So, is she that girl from back then?”
Actually, when she first met Gu Youchen years ago, she had feelings for him and had even looked forward to being with him.
However, before those feelings could last long enough for her to confess, she heard rumors among the international students that Gu Youchen had a “white moonlight”—a girl he held dear in his heart.
At that time, Gu Youchen was just a freshman. Because of his outstanding appearance and temperament, girls of all backgrounds confessed to him during university.
But without exception, he rejected them all.
It wasn’t until the school anniversary celebration, when the daughter of a professor arranged a grand display on the sports field to confess her love to Gu Youchen.
He rejected her on the spot. The girl was stubborn and asked him why he didn’t like her, saying she could wait.
Right then and there, Gu Youchen took a photo out of his wallet and said he already had someone he liked.
From then on, everyone in their circle of international students knew that Gu Youchen had a white moonlight.
When Tan Xin found out, she had felt regret. She had also wondered: What if Gu Youchen never ends up with this white moonlight?
But after four years of school together, she clearly realized that Gu Youchen purely regarded her as an ordinary classmate.
So, she completely let go of those feelings, refusing to waste any more time or emotion. Shortly after letting go, she met her current boyfriend. Their relationship was stable, and they planned to get married.
Gu Youchen, from beginning to end, never knew she had once secretly liked him.
Thinking of the past, Tan Xin felt a bit emotional. Driven by curiosity, she couldn’t help but ask the question she had guessed at for so long.
She wanted to know just how long a man’s persistence could last.
Did Gu Youchen finally get the one he loved, or did he settle for someone else after failing to win her?
If it were the latter, just thinking about it felt a little sad!
Fortunately, Gu Youchen answered with absolute certainty, “Yes, it’s her.”
Tan Xin was suddenly touched. Having seen so much debauchery and the insincere acting of the social elite, she found such persistence exceptionally rare.
So, somewhat tactlessly, she asked again, “Does she know you’ve liked her for a long time?”
It was rare for Gu Youchen to meet someone who knew about his past. Seeing that Ning Qingqing was currently talking to Old Master Tan, he didn’t go over immediately and felt in the mood to share a little.
“She doesn’t know. Actually, ours was a flash marriage. Before that, she had almost no impression of me.”
Hearing this, Tan Xin suddenly felt a secret sense of satisfaction. She laughed. “I never expected the dignified Young Master Gu to get married and still be trapped by love!”
She blinked playfully. “How about I help you test her?”
Gu Youchen frowned slightly. “Test what?”
“See if she has feelings for you!” Tan Xin explained. “If she sees the two of us getting close, she should get jealous. You’ll know by seeing if she gets jealous or not.”
Gu Youchen rejected the idea outright. “I don’t like using those kinds of tricks.”
“It’s not a trick at all, okay?” Tan Xin felt helpless. “I’ll just pretend to be interested in you and say a few ambiguous things to see if she gets angry. If she isn’t angry at all and is very ‘understanding,’ then you’re done for. If she minds, then congratulations.”
Gu Youchen frowned in displeasure. “No need. You are not allowed to talk nonsense in front of her.”
“Fine, fine, fine, I won’t make your sweetheart sad!” Tan Xin said. “Let’s go. Everyone is over there; let’s head over.”
Gu Youchen walked over, deliberately keeping a two-meter distance from her.
Seeing this, Tan Xin didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “I’m your classmate. Do you have to treat me like a scourges?”
Hearing this, a remark Zhou Linghang had made earlier suddenly rang in Gu Youchen’s ears—
They had been at a dinner party where someone wanted their secretary to toast Gu Youchen and even have her sit next to him. Gu Youchen had refused.
Zhou Linghang had laughed and explained, “My brother is guarding his male virtue. Boss Chen, don’t tease him.”
Over on the other side, Old Master Tan asked his grandson to help prepare the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone. Quite a few people gathered around to watch.
Ning Qingqing was just about to help grind the ink when she saw Gu Youchen and Miss Tan walking over side by side.
The tightness in her chest worsened.
Heh, chatting for so long wasn’t enough? Now you’re walking together like a couple!
Although her heart was incredibly sour, Ning Qingqing kept a smile on her face.
Gu Youchen walked over. “Qingqing, I was waiting for you over there. Why didn’t I see you come out?”
Ning Qingqing grumbled internally: Of course you didn’t see me. You were too busy chatting with your ‘female classmate.’ It would be a wonder if you saw your wife!
Hmph, that ‘I like you’ this man said before—who knows if it was just deceptive sweet talk!
The more she thought about it, the angrier she got.
Beside him, Tan Xin took the initiative to speak. “Miss Ning, I’m Tan Xin, Youchen’s classmate from when he studied abroad.”
Ning Qingqing smiled and greeted her, very politely. “Hello, Miss Tan.”
Tan Xin added, “Youchen was always with us abroad. I didn’t expect him to get married as soon as he came back.”
She wore an expression of regret and reluctance.
Ning Qingqing gave a faint smile, making no comment.
She didn’t think she had anything to discuss with Gu Youchen’s so-called classmate, especially since the way the woman looked at Gu Youchen was off.
Heh, can Gu Youchen really not see it?
She was still angry.
But Ning Qingqing didn’t show it.
Beside her, Gu Youchen wasn’t sure if she had misunderstood, but seeing Tan Xin about to speak again, he frowned subconsciously and shot her a warning look.
Seeing this, Tan Xin couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.
We haven’t even done anything yet, and Gu Youchen is already protective!
She remembered how the international students used to gossip privately, saying another possibility was that Gu Youchen was gay and just used a girl’s photo as an excuse.
Thinking of the confident expressions of those who supported that theory, Tan Xin desperately wanted them to come and see what Gu Youchen was like in front of Ning Qingqing!
At this moment, Old Master Tan had finished his preparations. Seeing everyone waiting, he laughed. “Today, I will write the large characters, and Qingqing will write the small characters. We will complete it together.”
Most of the crowd knew that Ning Qingqing was Ning Ruojun’s daughter and also the Gu family’s daughter-in-law.
Seeing that she seemed quite familiar with Old Master Tan, they secretly planned to network with her later to expand their connections.
Old Master Tan was celebrating his 80th birthday this year, and he was in good health. His custom was to write seven calligraphy scrolls at 70, and eight at 80.
If he made it to 90, he would naturally write nine.
The content of the calligraphy was suggested by the guests present, almost all famous lines from the ages.
Old Master Tan wrote, “You can enjoy a grander sight, by climbing to a greater height.” His calligraphy was bold and vigorous, powerful and energetic, not looking at all like the work of an octogenarian.
When he finished, everyone applauded in unison.
Old Master Tan handed the brush to Ning Qingqing. She took it and dipped it in the ink.
Everyone’s eyes fell on her—some curious, some envious.
Only Shen Zhiyu’s eyes were filled with unwillingness and jealousy—
Someone like Ning Qingqing, what can she write? Is Old Master Tan trying to make a fool of her?
Finally, Ning Qingqing finished preparing the brush and began to write.
She was wearing a white evening gown today, a slim-fitting design similar to a cheongsam, leaning towards conservative.
Her long hair was casually pinned up, with only a wisp of fine hair falling by her temples, adding a touch of playfulness.
Ning Qingqing’s features were soft, and her whole temperament seemed to carry the air of ink and scrolls. Today, with her light makeup, she gave off a vibrant and dignified feeling.
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