Chapter 15: A Tool for Others?

“He really is such a little crybaby.”

A wave of grievance surged up in Qiao Weiwei’s heart. “He bullied me…”

Recalling the man’s touch, she felt a sickening urge to vomit.

Why couldn’t she escape Gu Zhiyuan?

What on earth had she done wrong?

The more she thought about it, the angrier and more wronged she felt, and the tears fell uncontrollably.

There were hardly any women around Gu Jinnian, so he had no idea how to comfort a little girl.

He could only silently hand Qiao Weiwei a tissue and sit quietly beside her.

After about half an hour, Qiao Weiwei’s emotions finally calmed.

Since that damned man had been reborn, she would personally send Gu Zhiyuan straight to hell.

With a plan forming in her mind, she snapped back to reality and saw Gu Jinnian still there.

She tilted her head toward the hall. “Uncle, shouldn’t you be over there chatting with the guests?”

“I sent them away.”

Gu Jinnian’s expression was unreadable.

Looks like none of them caught his fancy.

Last time, Grandmother Gu had arranged over a hundred matchmaking banquets—successful men, delicate ladies, artistic types, quiet ones, lively ones—yet Gu Jinnian never took a liking to any of them.

Qiao Weiwei couldn’t help but be curious. “Uncle, what kind of woman do you actually like?”

With such high standards, did he expect a goddess to descend from the heavens before he’d settle down?

Gu Jinnian shot her a cold glance. “Are you trying to set me up with someone?”

His gaze was terrifying; if she dared nod, she’d be dead on the street the next second.

“No…” Qiao Weiwei shrank her chilly neck and hastily denied it. “Just curious, really.”

“These ladies are all outstanding and good-looking, well-matched socially, fitting your status…”

“Status?”

For some reason, when those words left his mouth, they carried a note of mockery and disdain.

Gu Jinnian raised an eyebrow, staring at her with an inscrutable look. “Don’t teenage girls all preach about true love and freedom? Why do you only consider material things and appearances?”

“You don’t understand,” Qiao Weiwei retorted, “everything changes constantly, feelings are even more unpredictable. Only money is real.”

Tilting her head, she asked, “Could it be that Uncle believes in the idea that a single meeting of golden wind and jade dew surpasses countless worldly loves?”

Unexpectedly, Gu Jinnian nodded.

Someone as rational and merciless as Gu Jinnian actually believed in the instantaneous love described in poetry.

Romance and madness.

Rare words to describe the man before her.

Yet somehow, they suited him perfectly.

Qiao Weiwei felt puzzled, suddenly realizing the world’s judgment of Gu Jinnian was too shallow.

“Stop thinking about it.”

Gu Jinnian saw her staring at him absentmindedly and waved his hand in front of her. “You’d better focus on how to solve your math problems.”

Caught off guard, Qiao Weiwei pretended to be angry and snorted.

“I’m ignoring you now.”

Then she stood and left.

Gu Jinnian followed behind, a faint smile of indulgence creeping onto his lips.

Even he might not have noticed the change in his gaze.

…

In the hall, Madam Gu sat with a stern face.

Seeing Gu Jinnian appear, she immediately shot him a sharp look. “Jinnian, you’re no longer young. What’s wrong with these girls? You don’t fancy a single one?”

“Or just tell Mother what kind of woman you like.”

Gu Jinnian sat nearby, utterly unmoved.

Madam Gu’s frustration was so intense she nearly spat blood.

“Sigh, the child’s grown up and doesn’t even want to talk to me anymore.”

She took out a handkerchief to wipe away nonexistent tears.

“You’re almost thirty. Men lose value after twenty-five. If you don’t marry soon, it’ll be difficult to have beautiful children later.”

!!!

Grandmother Gu never failed to shock with her blunt words.

Qiao Weiwei sat awkwardly, unsure what to say, shrinking to minimize her presence.

Then Madam Gu suddenly grabbed her hand. “Weiwei, don’t you think what I said makes sense?”

…

Qiao Weiwei quickly met Gu Jinnian’s eyes and immediately looked down.

She forced a laugh. “Uncle is so handsome, the kids will definitely be beautiful.”

That was a clumsy reply.

She hurriedly changed the subject. “Grandmother, what’s for dinner? I’m hungry.”

Madam Gu snapped back to reality. She realized her earlier remarks had been out of line.

Since the child lived at the Gu residence, she had to consider others’ feelings.

Her heart ached more for Qiao Weiwei, and she instructed the servants to bring the dishes to the table.

Before eating, Madam Gu took Qiao Weiwei’s hand and asked her to sit beside her, an apologetic look on her face.

“Grandmother didn’t know you were coming. If there’s anything you don’t like or want to eat, just tell the chef to prepare it again.”

Qiao Weiwei glanced at the lavish spread in front of her and quickly said, “I’m not picky. I’ll eat anything.”

The Gu family’s menu was carefully designed by nutritionists based on each person’s constitution—delicious yet healthy.

Madam Gu liked her even more for being so well-behaved.

Thinking of Gu Jinnian’s usually icy demeanor, she wondered if he could really take care of this child.

She spoke up, “Jinnian, you’re busy with work and you’re a man, so you don’t understand many things about girls. Why not let Weiwei live in the old mansion?”

“Besides, Zhiyuan is there too. They’re about the same age and can keep each other company.”

She added, “Zhiyuan left in a hurry after coming back today. When you move in, I’ll introduce him properly.”

Qiao Weiwei frowned tightly. Now that she was a senior in high school, she wanted nothing more than to stay as far away from Gu Zhiyuan as possible.

But she also wanted to be near Grandmother Gu.

It was a tough choice.

Across from her, Gu Jinnian saw she hadn’t refused, and recalled the awkward incident in the room a few days ago.

After a moment’s thought, he said coldly, “Tomorrow, Weiwei and I will move back together.”

Qiao Weiwei was stunned. She hadn’t expected Gu Jinnian to say that.

Was it to prevent her from being bothered by Gu Zhiyuan?

A touch of warmth bloomed in her heart.

Madam Gu was equally puzzled.

Had Jinnian become overly concerned about this child from the Qiao family?

But Weiwei was still a child, so it shouldn’t be too much.

After the meal, Madam Gu spoke at length with Qiao Weiwei before reluctantly seeing them off.

In the car, Qiao Weiwei bit her lip and said to Gu Jinnian, “Actually… I’m not uncomfortable here. Butler Liu and the others take good care of me.”

If Uncle lived in the old mansion, Grandmother Gu’s relentless matchmaking pressure would always be around.

She didn’t want Uncle to be unhappy.

Gu Jinnian detected the guilt in her words. “Having you here makes Mother much happier.”

He paused, then added, “And with you around, she won’t be in the mood to push me.”

So she was just a tool?

Qiao Weiwei was slightly speechless, then remembered the main point.

“On the tenth of next month, there’s the centennial celebration of Shende School. Parents have to attend. Uncle, will you have time to come?”

This was a great opportunity to prove her worth.

She had to make sure Uncle knew he hadn’t adopted a useless girl.

Her bright apricot-colored eyes shone with anticipation.

Gu Jinnian was about to refuse, but the words caught in his throat.

“Mm.”

He agreed.