Ding Ning, good-natured as ever, stood at a distance to give Gu Changqing some space.
Bo Xichen was not far from her. Ding Ning glanced at him before speaking softly, "Young Master Bo, have you already guessed?"
Bo Xichen gave a faint smile. "Actually, none of that is very important."
Ding Ning’s eyes showed a hint of bewilderment. She then asked softly, "Then what is important to you, Young Master Bo?"
A gentle smile touched Bo Xichen’s lips, but Ding Ning knew with certainty that this warmth wasn’t directed at her; it had to be for Gu Anxi.
Indeed, Bo Xichen’s voice was as gentle as his expression. "As long as she is Gu Anxi, that’s all that matters. What importance could her background possibly hold?"
Hearing this, Ding Ning felt a pang of bitterness. After a long moment, she said softly, "Then I wish Young Master Bo and Anxi all the best."
Bo Xichen offered a slight smile and said no more.
Nearby, Gu Changqing coughed lightly, looking somewhat ill at ease. "With Bo Xichen around, I doubt anyone would dare bully you."
He paused, then tugged Gu Anxi’s ear. "However, even on your own, you’re more than capable of giving people a run for their money. Even seven or eight members of the Qin family would be no match for you."
This... this brother of hers, he was actually quite pleased.
"Hmm, you’ve really made us proud, you’re quite capable, and your taste in men isn’t bad either," Gu Changqing praised, hardly aware of what he was saying. Finally, he sighed softly, "This is very good, Gu Anxi. We share the same surname, which is wonderful. If you marry into Beicheng, you’ll be even closer, and there’s nothing wrong with that."
Gu Anxi wasn’t a sentimental person, but at this moment, she could sense Gu Changqing’s underlying sadness. She whispered, "I know."
"You don’t know anything at all!" Gu Changqing suddenly said harshly, "Stay far away from the Gu family, understand?"
Gu Anxi stared at him.
Gu Changqing likely realized he had lost his composure, so he softened his tone. "Anyway, let’s just leave it at that!"
He suddenly took a step forward and hugged Gu Anxi.
Gu Anxi stood perfectly still. Gu Changqing’s voice hardened once more. "If Bo Xichen bullies you, you tell me. I’ll beat him up for you."
Then, he released Gu Anxi, his expression returning to normal as if nothing had happened.
He looked at Ding Ning. "Let’s go. I’ll take you home."
Ding Ning, however, was looking elsewhere, a smile on her face. "Auntie, Mingzhu."
Gu Changqing’s narrow eyes narrowed further as he followed Ding Ning’s gaze.
Sure enough, it was his father’s second wife, Tang Yuan, emerging from the clubhouse with her daughter, Gu Mingzhu. They looked as if they had just finished a social engagement.
Tang Yuan was strikingly beautiful. In her day, she had been a renowned figure in Beicheng, known for her gentle nature.
Seeing their group, she very politely greeted her stepson, Gu Changqing, and was not neglectful of Ding Ning either.
The esteemed reputation of the wife of the Gu Family Head in Beicheng was clearly well-earned; her every move was a picture of propriety.
Finally, her gaze fell upon Bo Xichen, and she greeted him courteously, "Young Master Bo."
Tang Yuan wore a faint smile. "Is this the guest you’ve brought with you, Young Master Bo?"
Bo Xichen, contrary to his usual habit, didn’t introduce them, his expression somewhat cold. "That’s right."
He turned to Gu Changqing. "I’ll take Anxi back first. We’ll see you next time."
After speaking, he placed his hand on Gu Anxi’s shoulder. Noticing her slight stiffness, he said gently, "Let’s go home." Then, with an undeniable strength, he put his arm around her and led her from the clubhouse.
Among those who remained, Tang Yuan, still gentle and mild, asked, "Changqing, since when did you and Young Master Bo become so close?"
Gu Changqing didn’t fall for her act, replying with an unreadable smile, "Are you trying to interfere in my personal affairs now? Aren’t you overstepping a bit?"
With that, he walked away with Ding Ning, leaving Tang Yuan’s face frozen.
Gu Mingzhu emerged from a dimly lit area, truly as radiant as her name suggested—a lustrous pearl. She placed her hand on Tang Yuan’s shoulder. "Mom, you know brother’s temper." Fresh chapters posted on 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡•𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮•𝕟𝕖𝕥
Tang Yuan turned, her voice low. "He still resents me for what happened back then, thinking I was heartless. But what choice did I have? The Gu family simply couldn’t tolerate someone with such an ill-fated destiny. Now you are favored, and your aunt... she’s going to Qingcheng next month, you know that, right?"