Couldn't take another kick from me

Half an hour earlier, Gu Wenze had received a call from his mother asking him to come home.

She had specifically told him to bring Qiao Hua.

Gu Wenze had refused at first, but his mother said he needn't come if he didn't bring Qiao Hua. Left with no choice, he had agreed.

He had no idea what Qiao Hua had done to make his mother's attitude toward her take a complete turn.

Qiao Hua froze for a moment when she heard Gu Wenze.

Gu Junxing?

Wasn't he Gu Wenze's younger brother?

In the original novel, Gu Junxing had plenty against Qiao Hua, his sister-in-law. Not only had he never liked her, but he also mocked her every time they met.

Qiao Hua had no desire to go back just to make herself miserable.

She said earnestly, "I'll pass. Go back on your own."

Apparently not expecting her refusal, Gu Wenze frowned. "You're not going?"

Qiao Hua said casually, "Your brother doesn't like me anyway."

Gu Wenze narrowed his eyes slightly, his voice turning cold. "Qiao Hua, are you blaming my brother?"

Qiao Hua waved a hand. "Of course not. I'm just not classy enough to deserve a seat at your table."

"Besides, you've never invited me to your family gatherings before. No one should care whether I go, right?"

Gu Wenze had never brought Qiao Hua to family gatherings before, partly because his family disliked her, and partly because he had never considered her his wife.

Now that Qiao Hua had brought it up herself, Gu Wenze felt something inexplicable.

Gu Wenze's voice was low. "Qiao Hua, don't forget that you're married to me. That makes him your brother, too."

[Have you ever seen a younger brother talk to his sister-in-law like that?]

[Besides, your brother probably doesn't want to see me. Even if you don't care how I feel, you should consider his feelings.]

[And he's bringing his girlfriend home today. It's bound to turn into a bloodbath. I'm not getting involved.]

Gu Wenze's brow twitched.

Gu Junxing was bringing his girlfriend home today?

Why hadn't his mother mentioned it?

But hearing Qiao Hua say that only made Gu Wenze more determined to take her home.

He wanted to see whether she was just playing games.

Gu Wenze's tone was cold and firm. "I'm not asking. Go change. We're leaving now."

Qiao Hua frowned. "Do you not understand plain English? I already said I'm not going."

Gu Wenze's patience ran out. "If you still refuse to do as I say, I don't mind changing your clothes for you."

Qiao Hua's eyes widened.

Was he out of his mind?

Hadn't Gu Wenze always been desperate for her to cut ties with the Gu Family?

Now that she was finally giving him what he wanted, he wasn't happy about it.

Was Gu Wenze a masochist?

Seeing her gaze grow increasingly strange, Gu Wenze knew her thoughts had gone off track again. He grabbed her wrist and dragged her toward the stairs.

"Fine, fine! I'll change, all right?"

Qiao Hua wrenched her hand free, afraid Gu Wenze would suddenly go crazy again like he had yesterday.

Seeing that she was finally cooperating, Gu Wenze slipped his hand back into his pocket. "You could've saved yourself the trouble by cooperating from the start."

[Cooperating, my ass. I'm just afraid your crotch couldn't take another kick from me.]

[If you really end up a eunuch, Jiang Nan won't want you anymore.]

[Besides, there's a free dinner. Why turn it down? I can enjoy some drama while I'm at it.]

Hearing Qiao Hua bring up last night's incident again, Gu Wenze felt his temples throb.

Afraid he would lose his temper if he stayed any longer, he turned to leave, tossing out a cold remark. "You have five minutes to get downstairs."

Qiao Hua pursed her lips, went upstairs to change, and returned to the Gu Residence with Gu Wenze.

They had barely reached the entrance when they heard voices inside. Weng Fenghua seemed to be talking to someone.

"Son, how was life abroad?"

"Pretty good. Your son is popular wherever he goes."

"Of course you are. But you've lost quite a bit of weight. Luckily, you're back now. I'll have someone make you more nourishing soups while you're home."

"All right. Whatever you say."

Qiao Hua followed Gu Wenze into the entryway adjoining the living room. A young man who looked to be in his early twenties sat on the sofa, his short hair neatly thinned and his features full of defiance. Beside him, Weng Fenghua held his hand and fussed over him.

This had to be Gu Wenze's younger brother, Gu Junxing.

Gu Wenze suddenly stopped in front of her. Unable to stop in time, Qiao Hua bumped into his broad, solid back and let out a small cry of pain.

Gu Wenze turned around, his brows drawing together slightly. "Don't you watch where you're going?"

Rubbing her aching forehead, Qiao Hua said offhandedly, "Your brother was so handsome I got a little dazzled."

No man wanted to hear his own woman praise another man to his face, especially when that man was his younger brother.

Gu Wenze's eyes darkened in an instant, his voice icy. "What, seducing me wasn't enough? Now you want to seduce my brother, too?"

Qiao Hua had no idea where Gu Wenze got these ridiculous ideas. She had only paid his brother a compliment. How had that become seduction?

Qiao Hua muttered, "Tch. Who would want that short-lived brother of yours?"

Gu Wenze hadn't caught what she said, but he didn't need to guess to know it was nothing pleasant. The irritation in his chest kept mounting, and his voice grew colder. "Don't get into an argument with Gu Junxing later. Remember, you're his elder."

Qiao Hua brushed it off. "Just tell your brother not to bother me."

A heavy frustration rose in Gu Wenze's chest. In the past, Qiao Hua had always put up with whatever Gu Junxing said.

What had gotten into her?

Did she really want to divorce him?

At that thought, an inexplicable feeling welled up inside him, but he quickly suppressed it.

Qiao Hua had gone to so much trouble to marry him. How could she let go so easily?

After composing himself, Gu Wenze walked into the living room and called, "Mom, Junxing."

"You're here!"

Gu Junxing stood up happily, but the moment his gaze landed on Qiao Hua behind Gu Wenze, undisguised disgust appeared on his face.

He spoke with displeasure. "Why did you bring this vicious woman along?"

Beside him, Weng Fenghua's expression hardened. "Is that any way to speak to your sister-in-law?"

Gu Junxing froze. "Mom..."

Hadn't his mother hated Qiao Hua before, too? She hadn't even invited her to family gatherings.

Weng Fenghua knew exactly what her younger son was thinking. Realizing her tone had been too harsh, she softened it a little. "Whatever else, Qiao Hua is your brother's wife. You can't keep treating her so disrespectfully. If you do, I'll be the first to set you straight."

Gu Junxing had no idea what Qiao Hua had done to win his mother's favor while he was away.

She hadn't managed to gain his mother's acceptance in the previous three years.

This woman really was scheming.

Weng Fenghua came over and patted Qiao Hua's hand. "Qiao Hua, don't take Junxing's words to heart. I'll make sure to teach him better manners."

Qiao Hua said calmly, "It's fine, Mrs. Weng. I'm used to it."

Weng Fenghua gave her a mildly reproachful look. "Oh, you. You're married to Wenze now. Why are you still calling me Mrs. Weng? You should call me Mom."

Qiao Hua really couldn't bring herself to say it, but faced with Weng Fenghua's expectant gaze, she could only steel herself and call her "Mom."

The moment the word left her mouth, Qiao Hua broke out in goosebumps.

Weng Fenghua patted her hand in satisfaction. "Yes, that's much nicer to hear."

Qiao Hua gave a stiff smile. When she turned her head, she met Gu Junxing's gaze.

Gu Junxing had clearly taken his anger out on her, glaring fiercely at her.

Qiao Hua pretended not to notice and looked away.

Gu Junxing had good news to announce, so he couldn't be bothered to argue with Qiao Hua. He changed the subject. "Mom, I have some good news for you."

He was her son, after all, and Weng Fenghua couldn't stay angry with him. She took the opening he offered. "Oh? What good news?"

Gu Junxing could barely contain his excitement. "I have a girlfriend!"

Weng Fenghua's eyes brightened. "Really?"

Gu Junxing nodded smugly. "She's already on her way. You'll get to meet her in a bit."

Weng Fenghua couldn't stop smiling. "Which family is she from? Have I met her before?"

At that question, Gu Junxing looked a little awkward and stammered, "Well... you'll know when she gets here."

Before long, footsteps sounded at the entrance. Seeing who had arrived, Gu Junxing sprang excitedly from the sofa. "Ruiyu, you're here!"

Weng Fenghua looked toward the voice. When she saw Tan Ruiyu, the smile froze on her face.

Tan Ruiyu had a cascade of black hair and wore a little white dress, canvas shoes washed pale with wear, and a backpack. She looked like an innocent, fresh-faced college student, her entire appearance plain and modest.

[Oh, so this is Gu Junxing's girlfriend, the one who looks fragile and pitiful but is actually vain and materialistic.]