Volume One, Chapter 89: Second Sister-in-law

Gu Chenxi was beside herself with excitement when she saw Song Qingyu. She thought her brother had arranged this as a surprise, so she eagerly took Song Qingyu’s hand and led her to her room, joyfully showing off her own paintings.

Song Qingyu knew that Gu Chenxi could draw, but she hadn’t expected her to be so talented. Every painting was vivid and lifelike, each subject rendered with remarkable skill.

“Chenxi, your drawings are amazing. Do you want to be an artist when you grow up?” she asked.

Gu Chenxi nodded enthusiastically. “I do!”

But then she lowered her head quietly. “But Father won’t let me leave the house.”

Song Qingyu understood that Old Master Gu did this to protect Chenxi, but as Chenxi grew older, she couldn’t be kept sheltered forever.

“If there’s something you want to do, you can always tell your father how you feel. Things can be discussed and worked out together.”

Chenxi tilted her head innocently. “If I talk to him, will he really let me go out?”

“He will. Your father loves you very much; he’ll always consider your wishes.”

The coming-of-age ceremony began in earnest. As Song Qingyu and Aunt Tang accompanied Gu Chenxi downstairs, the house was already filled with guests.

Lu Rongrong’s face tightened into a frown the moment she saw Song Qingyu. Why did this woman seem to be everywhere?

Sheng Yurou noticed Song Qingyu had changed into an even more beautiful dress, and her mood soured further when she saw Chu Xingzhi’s gaze fixed on Song Qingyu. She immediately shouldered Song Qingyu aside and put her arm around Gu Chenxi’s shoulders. “Chenxi, happy birthday! Here’s your present from your cousin.”

“Thank you, Cousin,” Gu Chenxi replied politely, then added, “But Cousin, pushing people is rude.”

Her words stung—such behavior was indeed improper. Coming from Chenxi, with her clear and innocent eyes, Sheng Yurou’s embarrassment was almost palpable.

“Oh, I didn’t mean to—Song Qingyu, you won’t hold it against me, will you?” she said with forced cheer.

Song Qingyu smiled faintly. “Of course not. I’m used to it.”

At first, the words sounded harmless, but on closer listen, it was clear: Sheng Yurou often bullied Song Qingyu. Sheng Yurou’s face turned green.

Fu Linhan, standing nearby, covered his mouth to stifle a laugh and nudged Pei Jingmo with his elbow. “You thought your wife was just a delicate flower, but she’s got some thorns. She’s not one to suffer in silence.”

Seeing Pei Jingmo’s face darken, Fu Linhan quickly fell silent.

Soon, the guests began presenting their gifts. Apart from the gifts from Pei Jingmo, Fu Linhan, and Bai Yinian, the most extravagant present came from Lu Rongrong—a limited edition pearl necklace.

Gu Chenxi didn’t recognize Lu Rongrong, so Sheng Yurou introduced her. “Chenxi, this is Sister Rongrong. She’ll be your second sister-in-law in the future. Shouldn’t you thank her?”

Second sister-in-law?

Gu Chenxi instinctively glanced at Song Qingyu, panic in her eyes. She shook her head and clung tightly to Song Qingyu’s arm. “I don’t want any other second sister-in-law.”

The room instantly fell silent. The faces of the Lu family, especially Lu Rongrong, turned ugly.

Song Qingyu thought perhaps Chenxi knew who Gu Yuandong’s true love was and wanted that woman as her sister-in-law instead of Lu Rongrong. In this situation, though, she didn’t know how to comfort her.

Gu Chengde’s expression darkened as he glanced at Uncle Zhou, who was about to step forward, but Pei Jingmo beat him to it, walking over to Chenxi’s side.

He gently patted Chenxi’s head. “Chenxi, be good. Your brother will only marry the sister-in-law you like.”

Hearing this, Chenxi broke into a smile. “Okay.”

Gu Chengde finally turned to Father Lu. “Chenxi just isn’t familiar with Rongrong yet. Once she gets to know her, she’ll like her.”

Everyone knew the little princess of the Gu family had a mental condition; the Lu family couldn’t make a fuss over a child like that.

Sheng Yurou, unwilling to see Song Qingyu and Chenxi so close, deliberately made things difficult. “Miss Song, you attended Chenxi’s coming-of-age ceremony—what did you bring as a gift? Show everyone, won’t you?”

Song Qingyu knew exactly what Sheng Yurou was up to, but she answered calmly, “I’ve already given my gift to Chenxi.”

“Oh, you gave it in secret? Was it too cheap to give in front of everyone?”

Angry, Chenxi pushed Sheng Yurou aside. “Sister Qingyu’s gift is my favorite. You’re not allowed to bully her.”

Sheng Yurou hadn’t expected Gu Chenxi to defend Song Qingyu so fiercely. What on earth made everyone like Song Qingyu so much?

Just as she was about to retort, she felt a chilling gaze fall upon her. Seeing it was her second cousin, she shivered, her back cold with dread, and dared not say another word.

A dance was arranged as part of the celebration. Pei Jingmo saw Song Qingyu and Gu Chenxi sitting together and was about to approach when he caught Gu Chengde’s warning look. He merely curled his lips in a cold smile and strode over regardless, extending his hand to the two of them.

Gu Chengde’s expression turned ashen. Even Lu Rongrong nearly ground her teeth to dust.

Chu Xingzhi’s heart leapt into his throat. What was the young master up to, inviting Qingyu to dance? Everyone was stunned, including Fu Linhan.

Fu Linhan whispered to Bai Yinian, “If things get bloody later, you grab Chenxi and run.”

Bai Yinian glanced at him. “And you?”

“Obviously, I’ll grab Song Qingyu. Bros’ wives are more important!”

Bai Yinian was speechless.

But the imagined bloodshed never happened. Instead, Pei Jingmo turned to Gu Chenxi. “Chenxi, may I have this dance with you?”

Gu Chenxi was taken aback. “I don’t know how to dance. How about you and Sister Qingyu dance instead?”

Song Qingyu was mortified. Oh, dear! A dance at such an occasion wasn’t to be taken lightly. She could feel the weight of everyone’s gaze upon her, almost suffocating.

Pei Jingmo smiled at her. “Today is your coming-of-age ceremony. I’ll teach you.”

At that, Song Qingyu quickly pulled Gu Chenxi up. “Go on, Chenxi, you can do it!”

Seeing both of them encouraging her, Chenxi nodded with a smile. “Okay.”

Though Gu Chenxi truly didn’t know how to dance, with Pei Jingmo leading her, even their clumsy steps were a delight to behold.

The dance ended in a cheerful atmosphere. Gu Chenxi ran happily to Song Qingyu’s side. “Dancing is so much fun! Sister Qingyu, you should dance with my second brother too.”

Song Qingyu broke out in a cold sweat. “No, no, thank you.”

After the birthday girl’s dance, Sheng Yurou dragged Chu Xingzhi into the dance floor, wrapping her arms around his neck and guiding his hand to her waist. She deliberately swayed in front of Song Qingyu, flaunting her happiness with Chu Xingzhi. Yet Song Qingyu didn’t spare them so much as an extra glance.

Lu Rongrong waited for ages, but when Gu Yuandong didn’t come to invite her, she mustered her courage and approached him herself. Standing before Pei Jingmo, she offered her hand. “Care to dance? Dare you accept?”

Gu Chengde’s warning was plain in his eyes. Pei Jingmo only smiled. “It’s a gentleman’s place to invite a lady. Miss Lu, may I have this dance?”

Lu Rongrong was surprised. Was it her stunning attire today? His attitude had done a complete turnaround. “My pleasure!” she replied.

The two entered the dance floor together, and Pei Jingmo exchanged a meaningful glance with Bai Yinian and Fu Linhan.

Fu Linhan walked over to Song Qingyu. “Qingyu, Jingmo just messaged me to take care of you. How about a dance?”

Song Qingyu was surprised. She hadn’t yet had the chance to tell Pei Jingmo that she was here for Chenxi’s birthday—how did he already know?