Gu Jinzhi's Evasion

Stared at by Gu Jinzhi's focused gaze, Li Wei felt uncomfortable all over, her face flushing slightly.

But thinking back to their stiff interaction at the Civil Affairs Bureau just now, which felt like they were heading to an execution ground, she forcefully suppressed that discomfort.

No, I have to act!

Her persona as "Jiang Xue," deeply in love, couldn't be broken. The awkwardness during the certificate registration could be explained as the young girl being nervous, but at a wedding dress fitting, any normal woman marrying the man she adored would be bubbling with happiness.

If she didn't put on a show, Gu Jinzhi might get suspicious.

Besides, she had already tried on styles in the fitting room that were practically revealing. This current one, which was relatively more modest, didn't seem... as awkward anymore?

A dead pig isn't afraid of boiling water! We're already here!

She steadied herself, trying to imitate the posture Lin Shuying had taught her earlier. She turned slightly, lifted the hem of the skirt, and did a small spin in place, forcing a smile she thought was sweet towards Gu Jinzhi.

"Does it look good?"

Her voice was soft and syrupy, making her own skin crawl.

However, the amazed or gentle response she'd imagined from Gu Jinzhi didn't come.

The flicker of surprise that crossed his face quickly faded, replaced by an almost deliberate coldness.

His expression darkened, and he said stiffly, "I have something to do, I'm leaving now."

With that, he didn't even glance at Li Wei again. He stood up and strode out.

This sudden turn of events confused all three people present.

Li Wei's smile froze on her face, leaving her a bit bewildered.

Lin Shuying also stood frozen, lost and helpless.

Liang Qiushi reacted the fastest. Her expression turned grim, and she quickly walked to the door, reaching out to grab Gu Jinzhi's arm.

Just as she was about to say something, she inadvertently met her son's eyes, which were eerily still, as if a storm was brewing within them. The words on the tip of her tongue instantly got stuck.

"Mom?" Gu Jinzhi stopped, looking at his mother. The emotions in his eyes vanished instantly, completely contained.

Liang Qiushi looked at her son, feeling a pang in her chest, a mix of pain and powerlessness.

She had initially wanted to say that his sudden change of demeanor and departure was rude and would embarrass "Jiang Xue."

But then she thought, hadn't her son always been like this for the past four years?

The more people wanted to get close, the further he retreated, as if emotions were some kind of monstrous flood.

Liang Qiushi knew what he carried, and the weight of it pained her. Her hand unconsciously loosened its grip.

Gu Jinzhi remained silent for a few seconds, his lips moved, but in the end, he said nothing.

Before leaving, his gaze involuntarily drifted back towards Li Wei. It was a fleeting glance, as if he'd been burned by the dazzling pure white, and his steps quickened as he disappeared through the doorway.

Liang Qiushi watched the direction her son had gone, her expression complex, finally dissolving into a sigh so soft it was barely audible.

She turned back, her face regaining a gentle, yet apologetic smile, and said to the other two, "Shuying, A Xue, I'm so sorry."

Li Wei was indifferent and, in fact, relieved.

It's good he left, it's good he left. Saves me from having to act here until my face muscles cramp!

Lin Shuying, being perceptive, immediately resumed her perfect professional smile, her eyes clear, as if the small interruption hadn't happened at all.

"It's fine, it's fine, Aunt Liang. Then... Miss Jiang, shall we continue?"

If you can't find the book by its title, you can try searching for the author. Maybe the title has just been changed!

The subsequent process began to become more formal.

Lin Shuying displayed a high level of professionalism, meticulously taking measurements and recording data for Li Wei, recommending suitable makeup styles and jewelry pairings, and explaining everything thoroughly and meticulously, leaving no room for criticism.

However, a faint, almost imperceptible low-pressure atmosphere seemed to linger in the air.

Li Wei was happy for the quiet, remaining completely zoned out throughout the process, mechanically cooperating with Lin Shuying's instructions. Her mind had long since flown to the Martial Arts Alliance assessment scheduled for the afternoon.

After the makeup and a set of simple yet elegant pearl jewelry were finally decided upon, the fitting was successfully concluded.

Liang Qiushi, accompanied by Li Wei, bid a polite farewell to Lin Shuying and left the studio.

It was already close to one o'clock in the afternoon.

They found an elegant-looking upscale restaurant nearby in the mall.

After the waiter served the dishes and left, with only the two of them in the private room, Li Wei could no longer hold back. She leaned closer and lowered her voice, "Aunt Liang, I'm sorry, was my acting just now not very..."

Before she could finish, Liang Qiushi suddenly raised an index finger and gently placed it on her lips, signaling her to be quiet.

Li Wei immediately shut her mouth, her eyes wide with question marks.

Liang Qiushi pointed to the dishes on the table. "Let's eat."

Then, she took out her phone, quickly typed a few words, and turned the screen towards Li Wei.

It displayed a line of text: There might be a listening device.

Li Wei froze instantly, her gaze subconsciously sweeping quickly around the private room. She even couldn't help but bend down and lift a corner of the tablecloth, peeking underneath the table.

As a result, other than Liang Qiushi's beautiful long legs, which were wrapped in exquisite black stockings, no suspicious items were seen...

[What the heck! What's going on? A spy movie set? Is it really necessary?]

[But... Aunt Liang's legs are really something... Uncle Gu... Hmm, are your kidneys okay?]

Liang Qiushi completely ignored her exclamations and picked up her chopsticks to start eating.

Li Wei quickly shook off the inappropriate thoughts from her mind, gave a sheepish smile, and also buried her head in eating.

The meal concluded in a strange and silent atmosphere.

Back in the car, Liang Qiushi spoke gently:

"A Xue, I have to oversee matters regarding the wedding and the hotel this afternoon, so I won't be accompanying you. The Imperial Capital Branch of the Martial Arts Alliance is nearby, so I'll drop you off there first."

As she spoke, she sent a contact card to Li Wei's Lingxun. After seeing Li Wei successfully add it, she continued:

"This is Xiao Yan's Lingxun number. She will be your dedicated driver from now on."

"I've already told her to drive to the Imperial Capital Branch's parking lot to wait for you. If you can't find her after your assessment, just contact her directly via Lingxun."

"Okay."

Hearing Liang Qiushi still call her "A Xue," Li Wei knew that this driver likely couldn't be fully trusted either.

She immediately switched back to her role as a well-behaved daughter-in-law and obediently nodded in agreement.

Not long after, the car stopped by the grand front plaza of the branch building.

She took a deep breath, stepped out of the car, bid Liang Qiushi a simple farewell, and then walked across the wide plaza towards the giant building that looked particularly majestic and impressive.

At this moment, she felt the sky had become a few shades bluer, and the air was exceptionally fresh.

She suddenly felt the exhilaration and satisfaction of escaping a melodramatic urban romance drama and returning to her familiar track.

[A life of swagger, here I come!!!]