Chapter 7
There was a saying that three women make a drama. The Gu Family had four daughters-in-law and three mothers among the four sons. Naturally, there were many small thoughts.
Eldest sister-in-law, Wang Yaning's parents were both university professors, and her eldest brother was a doctor. Her family could be described as a scholarly family. Their way of raising their daughter differed from the Liu Family. Liu Hanyue grew up pampered, spoiled by her wealthy family and everyone around her.
Wang Yaning grew up under strict parental guidance. If her words or actions were even slightly out of line, she would be reprimanded. She couldn't do what Liu Hanyue did, acting as she pleased in front of her in-laws. She wasn't envious, as she found the boisterous manners gave the impression of being ill-mannered.
Yu Shuang's parents were high-ranking executives, and her family was well-off. However, her parents favored sons over daughters. Everything in the family belonged to her brothers. When she got married, her parents gave her nothing. Therefore, she also believed the Gu Family favored sons and that to get more property, she had to focus on having a son.
Of all the daughters-in-law, Luo Zhengzheng came from the poorest family. Wang Yaning and Yu Shuang were both steady and considerate, always leaving room for others in their words and actions. Even if they didn't think much of Luo Zhengzheng, they wouldn't show it. Liu Hanyue, however, didn't care about such things. Thinking about how mother-in-law had praised Luo Zhengzheng that evening, and father-in-law had followed suit, she sourly remarked, "Luo Zhengzheng, your maternal family is so poor. They even need our family’s donations to build schools and roads." She couldn't help but utter these derogatory words.
Luo Zhengzheng leaned lazily against the sofa: "It wasn't the family that donated the money, it was Mom and Gu Shi who donated it."
Liu Hanyue muttered, "Isn't it all the same?"
Luo Zhengzheng looked at her: "That's completely different. Mom and Gu Shi represent the Ye Family, it has nothing to do with you."
Liu Hanyue rolled her eyes at her: "You too. Why were you quibbling so much when we’re all one family?"
Luo Zhengzheng raised her eyes: "Some things need to be made clear, lest some people get jealous and think my family is poor and taking advantage of my husband's family. Speaking of which, Gu Shi is also dad’s son, it's okay to occasionally benefit from in-law family. After all, it's not just my maternal family who needs to rely on the Gu Family."
Thinking about how her maternal family's company had lost money on a few projects and how her parents wanted the Gu or Ye families to invest, Liu Hanyue patted Luo Zhengzheng: "You're really something now. I only mentioned a bit and you've run your mouth."
Luo Zhengzheng looked at her: "Why should I let you nag me for nothing?"
She thought to herself that this woman was just being cheeky, knowing full well that she wouldn't submit to her, yet still trying to provoke her.
Wang Yaning sat at the side. A smile played on her lips as she looked at Liu Hanyue as if she were a fool. Luo Zhengzheng now held shares in the Gu Family business. She wasn't inferior to them. Did she really think that just because she was a wealthy heiress, she was superior?
Between sisters-in-law, it was based on the man. Luo Zhengzheng's family background was poor, but her man was capable and had potential, far superior to them. They might look down on Luo Zhengzheng's family background, but one shouldn't show it in front of her, or they deserve the retort she served.
Liu Hanyue, feeling rebuffed, scoffed and moved aside.
Yu Shuang never spoke much among the sisters-in-law. She always remained aloof.
Gu Boyuan and his sons came out of the study and sat on the sofa. He said gently, "Fourth son, where's the watermelon you brought back from the Luo Family? Cut one and let’s have a taste."
A maid went to the storage room, brought back a watermelon, cut it, and placed it on the coffee table.
Eating watermelon, Gu Boyuan said, "Watermelons should be eaten freshly picked, sweet and crisp. Zhengzheng, your dad grows these watermelons well."
Liu Hanyue muttered, "You can't eat too much watermelon, or you'll get fat."
It was just a watermelon, what was so special about it? They were thinking too highly of the Luo Family.
Ye Li glanced at her: "But I don't see you eating less."
Liu Hanyue held the watermelon, unsure whether to eat it or not. Aggrieved, she felt Mother-in-law didn’t give her face.
Gu Ming and Gu Xian could also sense their dad's growing favor towards Gu Shi. Even his wife had gained his favor. They turned to their stepmother who was eating watermelon. Although they had Ye Group, no one would complain about having too little money. Would stepmother be content after marrying dad and gaining nothing?
Gu Xian looked at his wife impatiently: "Why do you talk so much?"
Did she not see dad's face darken? If they wanted their dad to value them, they had to be capable. Luo Zhengzheng could bring Gu Shi good fortune, but she, a rich heiress, had always been a burden. Having just been rebuked by Mother-in-law and then scolded by her husband, Liu Hanyue felt incredibly wronged. Her eyes instantly reddened and she threw the watermelon onto the coffee table and ran out.
Unfazed, Gu Boyuan continued eating his watermelon, saying to Gu Shi, "Your mom's 55th birthday is coming up soon. I'm planning a birthday party for her. Invite Zhengzheng's parents and Luo Can over. And bring some more watermelon."
Gu Shi looked at Luo Zhengzheng: "Luo Can is taking the college entrance exam these days. He should be able to finish it and come for Mom's birthday, right?"
Luo Zhengzheng smiled and said, "Yes, he can come."
Gu Xian sat there, feeling both complicated and embarrassed. What did his dad mean? Did he really look down on him that much?
Gu Boyuan wasn't unaware of the expression on Gu Xian's face, but he didn't care. He figured that after a few more setbacks, they'd eventually realize their mistake. If they were truly capable, he wouldn't mind handing the company over to them now. It was clear that his eldest and second son weren't capable of managing a group. There was no one to carry on the family business and this wasn't a new feeling he was having.
Ye Li was the stepmother. She hadn't been harsh on them when they were young and she hadn't interfered in their lives after they got married. He didn't mind their petty schemes and calculations, but he wouldn't allow them to bring them into the open.
Gu Ming and Gu Xian left dad's villa in a bad mood. Gu Ming looked up at the bright moon, his heart heavy with gloom. If dad didn't approve of the second son, would he approve of him? He should be grateful that Gu Shi went to the Ye Group business, otherwise, what chance would they brothers have?
Wang Yaning also sensed something was amiss. She held her husband's hand: "You're all dad's sons, he won't abandon us."
Gu Ming smiled bitterly. Of course, dad wouldn't abandon them. As the eldest son, how could he accept that he couldn't inherit the company?
Luo Zhengzheng walked beside Gu Shi. She understood her father-in-law's helplessness. In their previous life, Gu Shi had passed away and Chengjia was still young, so the burden fell entirely on Ye Li's shoulders. Even at retirement age, she was still working hard for the company. Fortunately, Chengjia grew up and, like his dad, became intelligent. Even at a young age, he could manage the company's senior staff and was quite capable.
Seeing her silence, Gu Shi asked, "What‘s on your mind?"
Luo Zhengzheng thought for a moment and said, "Eldest Brother and Eldest Sister-in-law are keeping a low profile, Second Elder Brother and Second Elder Sister-in-law are jumping around, and Third Elder Brother and Third Elder Sister-in-law are secretly gathering strength."
Holding little Chengjia, Gu Shi couldn't help but smile. "A good description."
Luo Zhengzheng said, "In the end, it's Dad who's helpless."
Gu Shi chuckled, "Dad can still hold on for another ten years or so. Eldest and Second Elder Brother should try to have more children and birth a smart child to inherit Grandfather's business."
Luo Zhengzheng almost choked. She thought to herself that this man was really ruthless, practically saying that Eldest and Second Elder Brother were incompetent and that they could only rely on their son.
Once back home, she handed the child to Nanny Wang. Little Chengjia had slept with Nanny Wang since he could remember. These past few days, mommy had been by his side, so he hadn't clung to her and obediently let Nanny Wang carry him to take a bath.
Gu Shi returned to the bedroom and went to the bathroom to wash up. Luo Zhengzheng watched him go to the bathroom in the bedroom and then turned and went to the bathroom in the guest room next door. When she came out, Gu Shi was already sitting on the bed reading, while she, as usual, was at the vanity applying her skincare routine.
Gu Shi's gaze shifted from his book to Luo Zhengzheng. Her nightgown was still very short tonight, while her chest was bulging, and he guessed she wasn't wearing a bra. He couldn't figure out what this woman was thinking. In their daily interactions, nothing seemed amiss. She would occasionally joke with him. But at night, her attire was alluring, yet her actions indicated a lack of intimacy.
It wasn't that he was lustful and wanted to do something with his wife, but seeing her lying beside him in a sexy, alluring nightgown, even a saint would likely have some enticing thoughts, and he wasn't a saint.
What could Luo Zhengzheng possibly be thinking? Before her rebirth, she lived alone and was used to sleeping without a bra. Now back in her twenties, she didn't see anything wrong with her past habits. She assumed Gu Shi wasn't interested in her. They were husband and wife, and had a child together. What hadn't he seen? It was just a matter of not wearing a bra—no need to mind.
Seeing Gu Shi reading, Luo Zhengzheng laid down on the bed, picked up her phone, and downloaded a novel to read.
Gu Shi placed the book on the bedside table and asked her, "Aren't you going to sleep?"
Luo Zhengzheng, engrossed in the novel, replied, "You go to sleep first."
Gu Shi leaned closer and took her phone. She was annoyed. "What are you doing?"
Gu Shi rolled over, pressed down on her, and tugged at her skirt. "Dressed like this, aren't you trying to seduce me? I'll satisfy you."
His head lowered and Luo Zhengzheng was instantly enveloped by his breath. She tried to push him away, but he was too strong. She couldn't budge him an inch. She said, "Who's seducing you? Are you sure you're not overthinking it?"
He stroked her face and kissed her lips. After a long while, he slowly pulled away. "Such sweet lips, say something nice."
Luo Zhengzheng was breathless from his kiss and her heart pounded. It had been so many years since anyone had kissed her and so many years since anyone had held her like this. She thought she had forgotten the feeling of a kiss. But when this man's lips touched hers, that thrill instantly brought back her memories.
She had accepted the fact that this man was alive after what had happened these past few days. It was was normal for something to happen between a long married couple and she saw no need to refuse him. She reached out and hugged his neck.
A young body, a forty-year-old mind—Luo Zhengzheng felt a sense of unease, like an old house catching fire. She remembered someone saying that women in their twenties like men in their thirties; in their thirties, still like men in their thirties; in their forties, still like men in their thirties; and even in their fifties, still like men in their thirties;—clearly demonstrating that men were most charming around the age of thirty.
Luo Zhengzheng had to admit that she liked twenty-eight year old Gu Shi's strong and powerful body.
After their passionate encounter, both were deeply satisfied. Gu Shi's eyes were red and he stared at her with a grin.
Luo Zhengzheng was completely exhausted. She quickly took a shower, laid down on the bed, and fell asleep. Gu Shi looked at her sleeping face, pulled her into his arms, and drifted off to sleep.