"What's the matter?"
"The reason Gu Xing came to London to hook up with my cousin was because Yin Luoxue recommended her," Ye Junlin said with a cold laugh, "Gu Xing wanted to cling to the Ye Family, and probably used the secret of Yin Luoxue not being a member of the Ye Family to threaten her, which is why Yin Luoxue let her come to London."
"Yin Luoxue gave her information about my cousin's whereabouts, allowing her to easily become my cousin's plaything. After all, someone with no familial background is, to my cousin, someone to play with if he desires, and to discard whenever he wishes to."
Gu Mian could only feel a deep sense of sorrow.
Powerful families are merciless, consuming without spitting out bones. Gu Xing thought she could manipulate men, but it was she who was being manipulated without any power to retaliate.
"Mianmian, after all, she is a member of the Gu Family," Ye Junlin said. "The Gu Family raised you, and they've shown immense kindness to our Ye Family. Although we can't repay them with the position of Young Madam, I can ensure that after Gu Xing gives birth to the child, she will receive a sum of money."
"As long as she doesn't squander it, that money will be enough for her to live on for the rest of her life, and can be considered the Ye Family's way of repaying the Gu Family."
Gu Mian gathered herself and said, "I have given her many opportunities. If she had been willing to turn back even once, I would have treated her like a close cousin, but she didn't."
Gu Mian smiled helplessly, "She's an adult now, and she needs to pay for her own choices."
"I understand," Ye Junlin said. "However, for the sake of the Gu Family's dignity, I will save her life."
...
Two days later, Gu Mian and Li Tingshen brought Lin Jinshu back to the Capital.
Lin Jinshu had never stepped out of the Ye Family's gate. Gu Mian was initially worried that she would be frightened, but apart from being a bit nervous during the plane's takeoff, she quickly adjusted and leaned against the window, curiously looking outside.
Gu Mian gently touched her head, "The world outside is vast, and I will take you out to see more of it in the future."
The plane landed in the Capital at seven in the morning.
Gu Mian called Ye Junlin first to report their safe arrival and talk about Lin Jinshu's situation.
"I knew you would take good care of Mom, but if you can't manage, call me and I'll fly over to help," he said.
"Okay," Gu Mian said. "If you miss Mom, call me for a video chat anytime."
"Mm."
When the group returned to Yunyue Bay, Wen Jing and Pei Jinchuan were already waiting at home with Niannian.
"Mommy!"
Hearing the voice, Niannian immediately asked Pei Jinchuan to carry her out.
"Niannian!"
Gu Mian immediately went forward and hugged her, kissing her again and again, "Mommy missed you so much."
"Niannian missed Mommy too!"
"Good girl."
Pei Jinchuan reminded, "Niannian, greet the others."
Niannian let go of Gu Mian and turned to look at Li Tingshen, "Big meanie!"
Li Tingshen had been watching his daughter the whole time, and his heart felt shattered the moment he heard her call him that.
Pei Jinchuan frowned, "Niannian, didn't Daddy tell you? This is your daddy; you can't be rude to your daddy."
"He's not Niannian's daddy!" Niannian complained, "He's the bad boy's daddy, a big baddie!"
"Niannian!" Pei Jinchuan looked at her sternly, "Daddy wouldn't lie to you, he is your daddy."
"No, no!" Niannian covered her ears with her hands, "He's a big baddie!"
Just as Pei Jinchuan was about to speak, Li Tingshen stopped him, "Let it be, give her some time."
Pei Jinchuan sighed, "Let's go inside first."
Once everyone was inside the house, Gu Mian introduced, "Jinchuan, Lord Jing, this is my mother. Niannian, say hello to your grandma."
"Hello, Grandma," Niannian greeted in her sweet, milky voice.
Lin Jinshu seemed to like Niannian very much and immediately took off the Jade Pendant from around her neck and placed it on Niannian's, "This is for you."
Gu Mian was startled.
Before she came back, Old Master Ye had given her the Jade Pendant.
She didn't keep it for herself but placed it around Lin Jinshu's neck instead.
Hoping that she would look at the Jade Pendant every day and return to normal sooner.
Gu Mian had never mentioned Niannian to Lin Jinshu, nor would she have allowed her to give the Jade Pendant to Niannian.
But she took the initiative to give it to Niannian.
Is this not a form of inheritance?
"Niannian, quickly thank grandma," Gu Mian instructed, "This Jade Pendant is very precious, you must take good care of it, understand?"
"I know, Mommy."
...
Gu Mian had called ahead, instructing the domestic staff to prepare the bedroom next to the master bedroom for Lin Jinshu.
After sitting in the living room for a while, Gu Mian directly took Lin Jinshu back to the room to adjust to the time difference.
Niannian was taken away to play by Wen Jing.
Since there were children in the house, the two men didn't smoke in the living room and directly went to the side room instead.
"Thank you," Li Tingshen gratefully said, "You've put in a lot of effort to make Niannian call me daddy, haven't you?"
"Indeed I have," Pei Jinchuan exhaled a ring of smoke, laughing, "You and Gu Mian are both very stubborn people. The daughter you've produced is doubly stubborn; I really can't persuade her."
Li Tingshen gave a bitter smile, "She's not wrong, I really am a big bad guy for not even knowing about her existence..."
"The child is young, now that she's living with you, she'll quickly see the good in you and gradually accept you," Pei Jinchuan comforted, "Blood is thicker than water, no one can ever replace your role."
"I don't have much time left, I just hope that when Niannian grows up, she'll occasionally remember that there was such a person as me, that would be enough."
Li Tingshen took a drag on his cigarette, "I've already had people put together a medical team to research your illness, no matter what, we shouldn't give up hope."
"Don't forget, you still have Xiaobao."
Pei Jinchuan said calmly, "After I'm gone, you will help me take good care of Xiaobao. I'm very relieved to leave Xiaobao in your hands."
"You just said it, blood is thicker than water. No matter how good we are to him, we can't compare to you," Li Tingshen flicked his ash, "I used to think that I wasn't afraid of death. But now, because of Gu Mian and Niannian, I am afraid."
"I'm afraid that if I die, they will be helpless, they might be bullied and schemed against by others. It just goes to show that in this world, everyone more or less has ties that bind."
"You're different," Pei Jinchuan said, "You and Gu Mian have gone round and round, but still can't separate. You're bound to each other for a lifetime."
"I hope we all can be alright."
...
Lin Jinshu was adjusting to the time difference and was in good spirits.
And with Niannian at home, it was obviously much livelier than at the Ye Family. She was having a great time playing with Niannian.
Gu Mian let out a sigh of relief.
She had been worried that Lin Jinshu would need time to adapt to the new environment, but it seemed there was no need for concern now.
After Yang's mom left, Yunyue Bay was looked after by only two domestic staff, and now that Gu Mian had moved back, they were seriously understaffed.
Gu Mian transferred some domestic staff from Hai City to the Capital and added a few trustworthy ones arranged by Old Madam Li, which turned out to be enough.
After asking for their opinions, Gu Mian arranged for one of them to take special care of Lin Jinshu.
In the evening, Gu Mian took Lin Jinshu to bathe.
"From now on, this is your new home. Do you like it here?"
"I like it," Lin Jinshu played with the bubbles in the bathtub, "As long as I'm with the baby, I like it everywhere."
Gu Mian's nose tingled, and tears nearly fell, "Good, we will never be separated again."
Lin Jinshu nodded happily, "Yep! Never apart!"
"Good girl."
...
After Lin Jinshu fell asleep, Gu Mian returned to the master bedroom.
Li Tingshen was already sitting on the bed, reading.
Gu Mian asked, "Is Niannian asleep?"
Just now, when she took Lin Jinshu back to the room, Li Tingshen was with Niannian.
"She refused to let me stay with her," Li Tingshen lifted his hand to pinch the bridge of his nose, "She insisted on kicking me out."
Gu Mian laughed lightly and moved forward to kiss the corner of his lips, "Don't worry, I'll make it up to you."
Li Tingshen's eyes filled with laughter. He put down the book in his hand and wrapped his arms around her, deepening the kiss...