Seeing her parents standing beside the car in the bright sunlight, Gu Nuannuan cleared her throat and a sweet smile spread across her lips. Her eyes curved into crescents as she called out, "Mom, Dad, Chenyu and I are back!"
Jiang Chenyu, who was retrieving the gifts from the trunk, glanced over and saw the expression on her face. Her smile was warm and playful, so sincere that for a moment, he was stunned.
He realized how easily she could wear a genuine smile, while for him, showing such warmth to family without the formalities and pretense of the world felt like a luxury he couldn't afford.
As Gu Nuannuan ran up to her mother, she opened her arms and hugged both of her parents tightly.
Jiang Chenyu followed behind, carrying the gifts in his hands.
"Come inside quickly, don't stand out here in the sun," Gu's father called, ushering everyone into the house.
Once in the living room, Gu Nuannuan started sharing stories about her married life with the Jiang family. "Mom, Dad, I've discovered that being married is actually quite freeing! I can sleep in as late as I want, and Chenyu doesn't even care."
Jiang Chenyu, standing beside her, couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. He suppressed a chuckle, merely curling his lips into a faint smile to back up her claims. In truth, he had never even stayed overnight in their shared wedding room.
She played the part of a chatty, carefree wife so convincingly.
As a son-in-law, Jiang Chenyu couldn't remain silent the entire time. He politely asked, "Mom, Dad, where's Xiaohan?"
Mrs. Gu replied, "His school hasn't gone on break yet."
Gu Xiaohan was Gu Nuannuan's younger brother, a 17-year-old studying abroad. The family had kept Gu Nuannuan's marriage a secret from him.
"I heard from Xiaonuan that Xiaohan has been wanting to return to China to attend university," Jiang Chenyu added.
Gu Nuannuan turned to look at him, puzzled. *Did I say that?* she wondered.
Mrs. Gu nodded, "That's true, but the pressure of the college entrance exams here is too much. It's not as relaxed as it is abroad, and we don't want him to come back just for that."
*My brother wants to come back to take the college entrance exam?* Gu Nuannuan thought, surprised. *How do I not know this?*
"Nuannuan, stop staring at Chenyu. You look at him at home and now here, too," Mrs. Gu teased, taking her daughter's hand. "Come on, follow me to the kitchen."
Gu Nuannuan blushed, "I wasn't staring!"
But before she could protest any further, she was dragged away by her mother.
Left in the living room were Gu's father and Jiang Chenyu. With nothing personal to discuss, Jiang Chenyu decided to ask about business matters.
"I heard you turned down projects from 15 companies in a row," Jiang Chenyu said. "Is it because you lack funds or materials? If that's the case, feel free to tell me. I can help."
Gu's father waved his hand dismissively. "That's not the reason. You and I both know why those 15 contracts were offered. They were trying to curry favor with the Jiang family, using me as a middleman. If I had accepted, it would have been like selling my daughter for wealth and status. I didn't send her to the Jiang family for fame or fortune."
He paused, taking a deep breath. "First, I wanted to show that the Gu family does not depend on the Jiang Group. We only take on what we can manage and don't covet what isn't ours. Second, I want you to know that we don't expect favors from the Jiang family. I hope you'll treat Nuannuan with respect and equality, without any prejudice."
Jiang Chenyu hadn't anticipated this. Gu's father's words made him feel a little embarrassed. It became clear that the Gu family had put a lot of thought into the marriage, not to gain wealth or prestige, but to protect Gu Nuannuan's dignity and ensure her fair treatment.
"Dad, if you love Xiao Nuan so much, why did you agree to let her marry me?" Jiang Chenyu asked, genuinely curious. "After all, we had no emotional foundation, there's a big age gap, and our statuses are worlds apart. It seems absurd for us to be together."
Gu's father looked surprised. "Didn't Nuan Nuan tell you?"
Jiang Chenyu shook his head, still confused.