Chapter 114: The Gu Residence
In the video, the cool appearance of the supercars and the fact that a single person bought them all sparked heated discussions among netizens.
“How much money is this?”
“I feel like I won’t be able to afford one in my entire lifetime.”
“Rich people buy cars like I buy cabbage.”
Looking at these comments, the corners of Gu Wanrong’s mouth curled up slightly, her heart stirred.
She logged into Weibo and posted a photo on her “Hua Bu Wan Money” account. In the photo, all the supercars in the garage were neatly arranged, like a luxurious fleet, exuding endless charm.
After posting the photo, Gu Wanrong happily continued scrolling through short videos without paying much attention to the subsequent reactions.
Four Nine City Airport.
The driver, who had set off early from the “Gu Residence,” was parked by the roadside, waiting for her boss—Gu Wanrong.
Dressed in a long camel coat over an apricot knit dress, Gu Wanrong was about to walk out of the airport. Behind her, Butler Liu took a neatly folded red scarf from her bag and draped it around her slender neck.
When the driver looked up, she saw her new boss for the first time in the rearview mirror. Half of her fair and exquisite face was covered by the red scarf, but just one glance was enough to know she was an exceptionally young and beautiful woman.
Not daring to stare at her top boss, the driver quickly withdrew her stunned gaze and lowered her head, Gu Wanrong’s beautiful and exquisite features constantly replaying in her mind. It wasn’t until the whole group got in the car that the driver forced herself to snap back to reality immediately.
It happened to be New Year’s Day, and traffic was congested on both the inner and outer ring roads. It took a long time before they returned to the Gu Residence in Qingnan Hutong.
Only then did the driver have her own time to marvel at how beautiful her new boss was. Knowing the boss was young initially was surprising enough, but meeting her today revealed that such a person actually existed in this world.
To live alone in the most wealthy and powerful area of Qingnan Hutong at such a young age, with such stunning looks and several cars following her entourage—calling it a noble’s outing would be no exaggeration.
She couldn’t help but think of her previous bosses. Most were middle-aged men with stern faces that made people feel oppressed and nervous. This new boss, however, gave off a fresh, gentle feeling, like a spring breeze, making people feel comfortable and pleasant.
As soon as she got out of the car, Gu Wanrong casually handed her bag to the servant who had been waiting for a long time. Then, she gently gathered her coat and strolled around to inspect this five-courtyard, three-span Siheyuan, which had basically completed its renovation.
Exiting the door and turning left, she passed through the hanging flower gate into the second courtyard. Walking through the veranda, the old and decayed appearance from her first visit was gone.
The brick and stone steps beneath her feet had been meticulously carved and restored to lifelike patterns, as if telling stories of past glory. The carved beams and painted rafters everywhere weren’t just magnificent; they displayed more of the noble elegance Gu Wanrong pursued.
Next, she followed the corridor on the right to the East Courtyard. Along the way, various exquisite potted green plants adorned the path. The trees and rockeries in the courtyard were arranged beautifully, like a picturesque painting. Even in winter, one could feel nature’s vitality and vigor.
After passing through the East Courtyard and continuing forward out of the corner gate, she arrived at the garden Gu Wanrong had been longing for. Pavilions, terraces, lush vegetation, and strange rock paths complemented each other delightfully. All this proved Lin Yu’s outstanding reputation in Chinese garden design; she truly lived up to her name.
Bypassing the rockery in front of her, she slowly looked along the hidden winding path. January in Four Nine City was already very cold, but the garden was planted with excellent evergreen trees specially selected by Lin Yu.
Stepping onto the veranda, passing through the pavilion, and entering the flower hall, the heating drove away the chill on her body. Gu Wanrong leaned back and looked out into the distance at the scattered red plum blossoms.
Closer was a pond. Unlike the small pond in the courtyard raising ornamental fish, this one was visibly covered with a thick layer of ice. She turned her head and asked the person behind her, receiving an affirmative answer.
As a child from the south, Gu Wanrong got excited. She hurriedly put on her coat and was about to run toward the ice, but she was persuaded back by Butler Liu, who had rushed over after walking a few steps outside.
“Miss, don’t run too fast!” Butler Liu gasped as she spoke. She had just rushed over, terrified that Gu Wanrong might slip and get hurt.
Gu Wanrong stopped and looked at Butler Liu, saying somewhat unhappily, “I’m not a child anymore; you think I’ll fall?” She lifted her fair, delicate chin and nodded at the people following behind her. “Look, aren’t they here too?”
“That won’t do either. What if something happens?” Butler Liu said with a serious face.
It wasn’t that she didn’t allow Gu Wanrong to play on the ice, but it was getting dark. Even with the lights, it wasn’t as clear as during the day. Moreover, this was the first day here, and no one had checked if the ice in the pond was frozen solid or had cracks. Better safe than sorry—why suffer such a big hardship in the dead of winter if she fell in?
Gu Wanrong sighed helplessly. She knew Butler Liu meant well, but she really wanted to try skating on the ice. However, since Butler Liu said so, she had to listen and obediently returned indoors.
Leaving the garden, she arrived at the cloakroom.
At this time, Butler Liu took out the dress coordination plan for attending the auction tomorrow and let Gu Wanrong look over it to see which set she wanted to wear.
Gu Wanrong took the plan and looked at it carefully. Soon, she chose a green velvet long dress as tomorrow’s outfit.
Butler Liu nodded and added, “Tomorrow morning, the stylist Pi Ling will come to do Miss’s styling.”
Gu Wanrong had no objection to this arrangement and set the styling style for the auction the next day. Subsequently, Butler Liu left the courtyard.
In that short time, Gu Wanrong hadn’t finished touring the garden. However, there was plenty of time in the future to look through it bit by bit.
So, Gu Wanrong decided to carefully examine the courtyard she lived in first.
This was a square courtyard. To the north was a spacious main house divided into three rooms: a reception hall in the middle, a bedroom on the left, and a dressing room on the right.
The West Wing on the left was Gu Wanrong’s private leisure room. It served as a private cinema for one or two people, as well as a room for painting, reading, or temporary office work.
The East Wing on the right was cleverly designed as a cloakroom. One room was full of various seasonal dresses and most clothing items, another displayed various shoes, hats, and bags, and the last was filled with commonly used jewelry.
The interior decoration used plenty of soft colors, creating a warm and intimate atmosphere that felt incredibly comfortable. Although the overall style echoed the Siheyuan using various faux-antique home accessories, the interior was equipped with modern conveniences.
The room had bright windows and clean tables, allowing a panoramic view of the courtyard scenery at a glance.
The courtyard layout was ingenious. Bluestone paved the entire ground, giving a sense of simple elegance. Tall trees were planted in the left corner near the main house, surrounded by a few scattered low shrubs, and the same applied to the opposite right corner.
The corner by the West Wing wasn’t planted with tall trees but featured a small pond where a few koi fish swam leisurely back and forth. Behind the small pond, in front of the corridor, was a rockery made of strange stones arranged beautifully, with running water pouring out into the pond like a three-dimensional painting.
A corner outside the East Wing was paved only with small stones of different colors but a unified tone. A round stone table and stools were placed on the ground. Above was a transparent canopy cleverly integrated into the surroundings; one could easily ignore it if not paying attention.
This design retained the charm of a traditional Siheyuan while integrating modern elements, giving the entire space both a sense of historical weight and a vibrant life atmosphere.
This five-courtyard, three-span Siheyuan with a garden was simply too large, and this didn’t even include the above-ground and underground garages.
By the time Gu Wanrong finished carefully examining every part of her living courtyard, Butler Liu came to announce dinner.
It had to be said, January in Four Nine City was truly cold. Fortunately, there was floor heating.
Just walking this path, Gu Wanrong couldn’t help but want to smack her earlier self. Butler Liu had clearly recommended she eat in her own courtyard, so why did she walk these ten minutes to the dining room?
Once or twice occasionally was fine, but if she had to walk these ten minutes to the dining room for every meal, three times a day, she would lose the will to eat.
Thinking along the way, Gu Wanrong arrived at the dining room.
Ideally, Lin Yu also considered during the design phase that the owner of the Siheyuan probably wouldn’t have the patience to walk from the living quarters to the dining room for every meal. This dining room was basically used when guests visited, for gatherings, or for parties, so none of the dining tables were small.
Gu Wanrong’s meal for one was on the table. Although it was nutritionally complete and perfect in color, aroma, and taste, it looked sparse on the 1.8-meter round table. Fortunately, there was a flower arrangement clearly arranged by Butler Liu herself on the table, so it didn’t look too unsightly.
Dinner was local Four Nine City cuisine. Gu Wanrong tasted a bite; it was fragrant and fresh. It was her first time tasting the craftsmanship of the Gu Residence’s chef. This chef must be using their best skills; it was even more delicious than the food at the Yunjing Hotel last time.
Bite after bite, Gu Wanrong ate with relish.
After dinner, Gu Wanrong felt warm from the inside out.
After resting briefly, accompanied by bright streetlights, faintly visible treetops, and the gurgling sound of running water, she leisurely returned to her small courtyard.
Walking into the bedroom, Gu Wanrong saw a brand-new set of pajamas placed on the bed. Beside it was a note reading: “Miss, this is the new pajamas prepared for you. Remember to change into them tonight.” It was signed by Butler Liu.
Gu Wanrong felt warmth in her heart. She changed into the pajamas, washed up, and lay in bed.
Outside was the sound of wind; inside was one person.
Phone in hand, she scrolled through several Moments posts in a row, all photos of everyone’s family reunions for the New Year.
Gu Wanrong tapped on the photos, zooming in and out repeatedly, staring blankly at the phone. Traditional holidays like this always managed to stab at her heart suddenly when she wasn’t paying attention.
After a long while, Gu Wanrong spoke softly, “System, can I meet the ‘Gu Wanrong’ from the other world and my grandparents? Just seeing them in a soul state like last time would be fine.”
[System does not have this function.]
The System’s answer was expected before Gu Wanrong even spoke. Meeting ‘Gu Wanrong’ last time was a special reward after the System upgrade. Afterward, she had checked the System Mall and blind boxes, and no world-crossing items were for sale.
She just wanted to try—what if?
“Ding-dong—”
A WeChat notification sounded.
Clicking it open, it was a message from Xie Xian.
Xie Xian: Back in Four Nine City? I saw from the second floor of the old house that the lights in your home opposite are much brighter.
Xie Xian: Are you used to the winter in Four Nine City?
“Second Brother! What are you doing!” Yu Yingying saw Xie Xian running upstairs alone and quietly followed. She saw Xie Xian’s phone screen lit up while he looked outside from upstairs.
“Got a bit drunk, came out for some air.” Xie Xian made up a random excuse and asked back, “Why aren’t you accompanying Grandpa and the others out?”
“Don’t adults just talk about the same old things over and over?” Yu Yingying mumbled; she found it incredibly boring. She stood beside Xie Xian, leaning on the railing and looking out like him, surprised. “Is that Yuanyuan in Four Nine City? I actually didn’t know!”
Xie Xian was replying to messages. Hearing Yu Yingying, he retorted, “You run off every day chasing that idol named Jing Xiu, putting all your mind on him. How many times can you even chat with Wanrong or care about her?”
Yu Yingying’s expression froze, and she brushed the bangs on her forehead awkwardly. Second Brother’s words were true. Recently, besides school, she seemed to be only chasing Jing Xiu’s offline events.
“Wanrong!” Yu Yingying seemed to discover something amazing. “Second Brother, you’re calling her Wanrong!”
Xie Xian’s expression remained calm. He focused entirely on the chat page, sparing a bit of attention to speak to Yu Yingying. “What’s the fuss about?” His tone was flat, as if it were a completely ordinary matter.
Seems like I am making a fuss over nothing. Yuanyuan and Second Brother knew each other before, and she was her friend. She also moved into Yaxue Xinyuan and lived so close to Second Brother. With her constantly chasing offline events recently, it wasn’t strange that they became familiar.
Yu Yingying was bluffed by Xie Xian’s calm demeanor, feeling embarrassed inside, and started finding reasons for him. She had forgotten that Xie Xian had never been this close to a woman outside the family so quickly before.
Thinking of this, she remembered that Gu Wanrong was alone now. And today, with her family reunited, she had only sent Gu Wanrong a “Happy New Year” WeChat message in the morning. How lonely must Gu Wanrong be feeling right now?
Yu Yingying hurriedly took out her phone from her bag, opened WeChat, found Gu Wanrong, and started chatting with her.
In the Gu Residence opposite, Gu Wanrong put on a thick coat, passed through the eaves gallery and veranda, went from the corner gate to the West Courtyard, bypassed the Daozuo room, and climbed to the second floor of the attic.
The chill along the way seemed strictly shut out by the coat.
The lights in the attic turned on. Yu Yingying and Xie Xian seemed to see a figure on the opposite attic waving at them.
“It’s Yuanyuan!” Yu Yingying exclaimed and hurriedly jumped and waved at the opposite attic.
She didn’t notice Xie Xian beside her dialing a number and saying to the person on the other end, “Happy New Year.”
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