Chapter 137: Gu Liang’s Engagement (4)
Gu Liang and Shan Zitong approached Shan Zitong’s parents, and Gu Liang felt a twinge of nervousness, unsure of how they would receive her. Putting on her best smile, she greeted them, "Hi Aunt and Uncle."
Madame Shan stood up, gently taking Gu Liang’s hand, and warmly said, "Hey, sweetie, you can just call us Mom and Dad. Wow, you are really beautiful."
Gu Liang blushed and replied, "You’re also gorgeous."
Master Shan joined in, standing up and sharing, "You know, my wife and I always wanted a daughter, but we got a son instead. We feel like we finally have a daughter now."
As the conversation flowed, Madame Gu, who had moved closer, overheard Master Shan’s words. She flinched, feeling a pang of possessiveness, and said, "They are not married yet, so she is still fully mine."
Master Shan chuckled softly and responded, "But they will get married soon, so she might as well get used to calling us Mom and Dad because we will be treating her as our own."
Shan Zitong chimed in, "Dad is right, Madame Gu. Gu Liang will be the Shan family princess."
Gu Liang, brimming with joy, felt a sense of acceptance and warmth from Shan Zitong’s parents. Madame Gu, sensing the shift, suggested, "You should go and greet more guests."
Shan Zitong added, "Let’s go so we can finally sit down; my feet are killing me already."
Gu Liang agreed, saying, "Okay, Uncle Shan, Aunt Shan, I will see you when I am done with everyone."
Madame Shan reassured, "Sure, we have our whole lives to get to know each other," leaving Gu Liang feeling welcomed and eager to continue the celebration with newfound family bonds.
As Shan Zitong and Gu Liang left, Madame Gu’s demeanor changed, and she turned to face Master Shan with a guarded expression. "What do you want from me, Shan Renzhong?" she questioned.
Master Shan raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Nothing. What makes you think I want something from you?"
Madame Gu pressed further, "What is that woman doing here?" Her gaze shifted towards Li Yanyan, who, upon being noticed, gave a small smile that sent a shiver down Madame Gu’s spine.
Madame Shan interjected, "Oh, Rumeng, you are thinking too much of this. We are here to support our son. As for her, we don’t know why she is here. You should ask her."
Madame Gu snapped, "Don’t call me that."
Master Shan, maintaining a composed demeanor, said, "But Rumeng is your name, or do you go by a different one now?" He chuckled before adding, "My wife is right, though. You should ask her yourself."
Determined, Madame Gu declared, "Whatever it is that you guys are planning, I will not let you do it. I will do everything in my power to stop you."
As they conversed, Li Yanyan rose from her seat and approached them. Madame Gu found herself torn between running away and standing her ground. She couldn’t risk doing anything suspicious in front of the guests, especially with Master Gu present. Reluctantly, she remained in place, like a statue, waiting for Li Yanyan to reach their table. The air grew tense, and Madame Gu braced herself for whatever was about to unfold in this unexpected confrontation.
Li Yanyan entered the room with an air of grace, turning heads as she moved. When she reached the table, she pulled a chair, sat down, and without uttering a word, poured herself a glass of wine, sipping it with elegant composure. The silence she imposed sent waves of fear through Madame Gu, Master Shan, and Madame Shan.
Master Shan gathered his strength and addressed Li Yanyan, "I didn’t expect to see you here, ma’am."
Madame Gu seized the opportunity to speak, "What brings you here, ma’am?"
Li Yanyan, still silent, indicated with a simple look that they should all sit. As they did, she continued to sip her wine, a mysterious figure casting a shadow over the table.
Master Shan, attempting to ease the tension, said, "We are glad that you could take time off your busy schedule to come."
Li Yanyan finally spoke, "It’s surprising that I only heard about this from my men who managed to get an invite for me, but none of you thought about inviting me—an old friend."
Madame Gu hastily apologized, "My mistake, I apologize."
Li Yanyan dismissed the apology, stating, "No need to apologize since I didn’t miss it. So, tell me, Rumeng, how has life been treating you?"
Madame Gu hesitated, and Li Yanyan pressed, "Was that so hard to answer? I guess your schemes finally paid off. Does your husband know? Does he know the things you have done? Tell me, what would he say if I told him right here, right now?"
Pleading, Madame Gu said, "No, please don’t tell him. I am begging you. I will do anything you want, but please don’t tell him anything."
Li Yanyan observed, "You know, I really liked you back then. You were quick-witted. Now it seems like marriage life has really changed you."
Madame Gu, defending herself, replied, "People get old, ma’am. Having kids changes everything."
Li Yanyan acknowledged, "I see. You are right about that, though. Your daughter is very beautiful. I heard you also have a son. I would like to meet him and, of course, your husband."
Madame Gu, anxious, revealed, "My husband is still busy entertaining guests."
Li Yanyan insisted, "That’s okay. I am not in a rush. I will wait for him to finish."
Madame Gu, desperate to avoid further complications, asked, "Ma’am, do you really have to meet him?"
Li Yanyan responded, "Of course I do. I wasn’t invited to your wedding, so I would like to see the man that made you ’mature,’ as you stated."
Madame Shan and Master Shan were surely enjoying this moment, reveling in the sight of Madame Gu finding herself in a position they had anticipated since the inception of their mission. The air crackled with tension as Madame Gu hesitated, grappling with the unexpected presence of Li Yanyan, a figure from her secretive past.
Madame Gu finally spoke, her voice laden with an uneasy tone, "Okay, ma’am, I will introduce you to him."
Li Yanyan, sipping her wine with a mysterious aura, responded, "Great. See, that wasn’t so hard. Don’t worry, I won’t be telling on your dark secrets. Those will come out on their own one day; you know nothing stays hidden forever."
Madame Gu gulped, the weight of Li Yanyan’s words sinking in. She hoped fervently that her secrets would remain concealed. Li Yanyan chuckled, dispelling the tension momentarily, "I am not going to be telling your business to the world. I am not that wicked, and, of course, I never backstab my own. I am not like you, you know that."
Madame Gu, attempting to address the unresolved past, started, "What happened back then..."
Li Yanyan cut her off, stating, "I am over that; you don’t need to explain anything to me."
Turning her attention to the Shan couple, Li Yanyan remarked, "Your son has really grown."
Madame Shan replied, "We try our best."
Li Yanyan complimented, "Good job. Anyways, I will be in town for longer than I thought. Let’s have lunch sometime, just the four of us. Catch up a bit."
Madame Gu, torn between reluctance and compliance, forced a fake smile and nodded. Master Shan and Madame Shan, although wary of Li Yanyan’s presence, were less concerned, having already faced the consequences of their past actions.
Li Yanyan continued, "Seems like we agree on that. I guess I will wait for your call on the place and date. Don’t make me call you Rumeng."
Madame Gu, feeling the pressure, stammered, "I will make arrangements and let you know."
Li Yanyan handed her a business card, saying, "I know you no longer have my number."
Madame Gu accepted the card, her expression shifting. Li Yanyan noticed and teased, "What’s with that frown, Rumeng?" Madame Gu responded nervously, "It’s nothing, just already thinking about places I will contact for our lunch."
Li Yanyan commented, "I like your enthusiasm, Rumeng. Oh, you go by Madame Gu now. I almost forgot. We don’t want your husband asking questions."
Master Shan and Madame Shan exchanged amused glances, finding humor in the unexpected turn of events. Li Yanyan concluded, "Well, since we have arranged for a date, let me go and mingle with some of your guests. I might find potential business partners here. I wish to venture into business in this city."
With that, Li Yanyan finished her glass of wine, stood up, and left the table, leaving the trio in a whirlwind of emotions.
Madame Gu, holding onto the business card, warned, "If you two dare say a word to my daughter or husband..."
Madame Shan interrupted, "The person you should have spoken to like that has left, so keep it in."
Master Shan added, "Don’t worry about us. We don’t want to ruin our son’s special night. You can trust we won’t say a word."
Madame Gu, irritated, stood up and walked away without saying anything more, leaving Master Shan and Madame Shan exchanging glances, amused by the unforeseen drama that unfolded during the engagement celebration.
