"Listen up! It's just cooking, right? I've done it before; I was just doing it a moment ago!" Grace Gu had never been one to submit quietly. If she were, she wouldn't have survived in the Gu residence until the age of fifteen.
After all, her stepmother was truly like a wasp's stinger—poisonous beyond measure. If she had simply endured, she would have been dealt with long ago. It was during that time that she began to develop an invulnerable demeanor.
If it weren't for the concern of shamelessly getting involved with her emperor uncle, perhaps her stepmother wouldn't have arranged for her to marry Yin Yue. That man, despite his humble origins, was still the object of admiration for many young ladies in the boudoir.
"Are you feeling wronged?"
He sat beside her, observing her face. If only she softened a bit at this moment, he wouldn't treat her like a maid. After all, regardless of what she had done in the past, he had genuinely treated her as a high-society lady these past two years and didn't want those delicate hands to serve others.
"No," she replied coldly.
That coldness extinguished any warmth he had just felt; he immediately stood up: "Then you can take care of your own business!"
Watching him stride out angrily, she took out her phone and started scrolling again. She saw that Emily Gu had sent over numerous cute emojis that seemed to convey only one message: Why aren't you talking?
Just as she was about to reply, another WeChat notification chimed in.
"Is that black-faced god there? (followed by a pitiful emoji)"
"Yeah," she lightly tapped out one word.
A series of eye-rolling emojis followed before another message appeared: "He didn't blame you for what happened that day, did he? Am I really unlucky? Every time something happens when I'm around you."
"No."
"And you? He took you away that day; nothing happened to you, right?" She typed back several words. She wasn't planning on mentioning the incident with the yellow-haired guy; after all, it was such an unpleasant experience that fewer people knowing about it would be better—and she worried about Emily feeling guilty.
"No." It took quite some time before two words came back from Emily.
Just as Grace Gu prepared to respond again, Aunt Lin knocked on the door: "Miss, Young Master Bai wants you to come down and prepare some fruit platters."
Aunt Lin looked helpless; she'd already prepared everything but Young Master Bai insisted on throwing it all into the trash can and sent her up here just to vent his frustration—wasn't this just creating trouble?
Grace Gu frowned slightly and said softly: "Aunt Lin, you can go down first! I'll be right there."
She quickly sent a praying emoji and then opened the door to walk out. She didn't believe this nonsense; aside from making herself move around more often, what else could he do? Wasn't he just acting like a maid?
As soon as she brought in what he'd asked for, Julian Bai wanted to say something when Ross Mo already reached out and took it from her hands: "Grace, you've been working hard for so long; take a break."
Grace Gu smiled politely: "It's fine; I'm not tired."
She set down what she'd brought and walked back toward the kitchen—her actions clearly indicated she'd rather tire herself out in there than sit with them.
Once inside the kitchen, Ross Mo pinched his nose: "Boss, did you two not reach an agreement earlier?"
Beside him Julian Ying picked up some fruit and laughed: "She thinks she's got great knife skills; these fruits are almost cut into flowers."
Julian Bai also glanced over at what was on the plate—it indeed looked delicate. He realized he hadn't even taken such care of himself before—what could be behind this?
Was it because of Ross? The way she'd smiled at Ross Mo earlier made him feel his suspicions were likely correct.
The first time they met Ross had left an impression on her too strong to ignore—the clues were too obvious: too many smiles and suddenly loving cooking.
At this moment Young Master Bai completely forgot that both times they cooked together were partly due to his involvement; yet now he pushed all credit onto Grace Gu.
As Julian Bai considered this possibility while looking at Ross Mo's increasingly off-putting demeanor compared to how pleasant he'd once seemed—it no longer felt right at all. Just as he prepared to grab some cut fruit...
Julian Bai abruptly stood up and set things aside: "What's so good about eating? Ross, you should head back now."
Ross Mo felt reluctant—he'd practically become their personal caretaker by now—summoned whenever needed but dismissed when food arrived without even getting a bite himself!
He really couldn't understand why these two were acting so petulantly while being caught in between their quarrels made him suffer silently without daring to voice any complaints.
At that moment Julian Bai's phone suddenly rang. Hearing its tone made him raise an eyebrow slightly before turning towards Ross Mo: "You stay here with Ying; I'll step outside for a bit."
Seeing him not answer but glance at his phone before hanging up made Julian Ying hesitate but finally say with a smile: "I only sprained my ankle; it's nothing serious! Besides there are so many people in this villa—is anyone going to be harsh on me?"
"Alright." He didn't say much more either but stood up glancing towards the kitchen before walking out.
Ross Mo followed closely behind—he might as well see what kind of trouble warranted such urgency from their boss since judging by how well he knew him—it certainly wasn't work-related!
As soon as he got into his car and started the engine while waiting for Ross Mo who opened his own car door only for Julian Bai's figure disappearing from sight altogether left him gripping the steering wheel wondering where things went wrong today.
Outside near the villa scene unfolded differently—as inside Julian Ying leaned against her cane approaching the kitchen door softly saying: "Can we talk?"
Grace Gu looked at her calm expression which held no trace of malice or disdain—a hint of surprise flickered across her eyes briefly upon seeing someone so composed standing before her who appeared around eighteen years old yet radiated an aura rarely seen among women associated with Bai family members known either for their arrogance or lack thereof courage even meeting gaze directly let alone having such grace resembling more like a legitimate wife than merely being wrapped within affection's embrace like others might assume.
"Sure."
She didn't refuse nor did she find any excuse not too—instead walked over towards sofa gently sitting down watching how slowly Ying approached using cane each careful step taken revealing strength hidden beneath fragile appearance suggesting resilience built through experiences faced throughout life thus far.
Not offering assistance meant acknowledging independence displayed clearly by woman who managed crossing distance effortlessly proving capable enough returning same path without needing help whatsoever lest anything unfortunate occurred resulting blame falling squarely upon herself instead.
Ying settled down appearing composed despite difficulty encountered along way—a rare sight indeed considering most women encountered previously either flaunted power or lacked confidence entirely failing muster courage necessary facing challenges head-on unlike current individual whose subtle elegance spoke volumes regarding character possessed within.
"You aware about our timelines?"
Ying initiated conversation intending seize initiative early though age difference roughly seven or eight years hardly provided advantage rather instilled sense underlying tension lurking beneath surface prompting caution exercised carefully throughout exchange ahead anticipating possible outcomes arising thereafter.
Grace Gu shook head gently indicating ignorance although Emily Gu shared bits information concerning matters surrounding them neither included specifics pertaining relationship dynamics existing between two individuals involved hence unless feelings exchanged became overtly apparent otherwise remained oblivious regarding nuances entwined connecting both parties involved amidst growing complexity unfolding gradually revealing deeper layers concealed initially obscured view allowing clarity emerge eventually illuminating path forward ahead filled uncertainties awaiting resolution sought desperately amidst chaos swirling endlessly around them threatening disrupt harmony established thus far…