Gu Qiaoqiao gently wiped the tears from her face, took a deep breath once more, and pushed open the door to the study.
In the spacious living room of the Qin Family, Qin Xiaoyu's laughter was endless.
She was watching some program and was even laughing so hard that she had fallen into Mother Qin's arms.
The other members of the Qin Family also wore smiles on their faces.
Even the usually indifferent Qin Yize was showing some affection as he gently patted his sister's head.
What a picture of family harmony.
Yet Gu Qiaoqiao's appearance seemed to make everyone's expression pause for a moment.
She raised an eyebrow.
Indeed, she was an intruder from outside.
If it had been her from the past, she would likely have been upset again.
Gu Qiaoqiao acted as if she hadn't seen their reactions and walked past the living room towards the kitchen.
However, she didn't expect to be stopped by Grandma Qin, "Qiaoqiao, come watch the gala with us. We can make dumplings later, no rush. With everyone helping, it'll be quick."
After a moment of thought, Gu Qiaoqiao happily took a seat next to Grandma Qin.
The \text{1986} gala, watched more than a decade later, was indeed monotonous, but at the time, it had taken the nation by storm. Even with the usually disliked Gu Qiaoqiao sitting down, it didn't dampen anyone else's enthusiasm.
The room was still filled with laughter.
An hour later, the sound of a door opening was heard, and without guessing, it was known to be Bai Yun. Gu Qiaoqiao got up and went to the kitchen.
Bai Yun's charming smile endeared her to both Shen Manru and Grandma Qin; there was no denying that such a sweet-talking, smiling girl was well-liked in the Qin Family.
Gu Qiaoqiao thought to herself, if it hadn't been for her intervention, would Qin Yize and Bai Yun have ended up together?
She remembered that in her past life, after their divorce, Qin Yize seemed to have never remarried.
A cold smirk formed at the corner of her mouth; she lowered her head and quickly prepared the dough, seasoned the meat filling, and washed her hands. Soon after, Bai Yun entered the kitchen with a cheerful smile.
Coming close to Gu Qiaoqiao, Bai Yun hid the disdain in her eyes and said gently, "Qiaoqiao, do you have to prepare dumplings for the whole family by yourself? It's too much work..."
"The fillings were prepared in advance. Just mix them together," Gu Qiaoqiao said while washing her hands.
Bai Yun always carried a gentle facade, quietly sowing discord between her and the Qin Family.
At that moment, Gu Qiaoqiao felt that Bai Yun's lotus-like demeanor was utterly nauseating.
"Surely you're not going to wrap them all by yourself, are you?" Bai Yun asked with feigned concern.
"Your Brother Ze is very good at making dumplings," Gu Qiaoqiao finally finished washing her hands, looked up with a smile in her bright eyes, watching Bai Yun's face change abruptly, "With him around, making dumplings is just like playing."
Bai Yun's hand, hanging by her side, tightened, and discomfort spread from the bottom of her heart.
Looking at the smiling Gu Qiaoqiao, jealousy gnawed at her insides like a venomous snake.
This despicable woman, just mentioning Qin Yize brought her such joy that it made Bai Yun furious.
If it hadn't been for her grandfather, how could a country girl like her have married Brother Ze, who was like a Heavenly God?
She wouldn't let things go Gu Qiaoqiao's way.
She swore, this was just the beginning!
"Bai Yun, you look so pale. What's wrong with you?" Gu Qiaoqiao asked with concern, "Are you sick? You should take medicine quickly if that's the case."
"I'm fine," Bai Yun, upon hearing her voice, clenched her fists and concealed the discomfort in her heart with a smile, then said in a low and seemingly affectionate tone, "Qiaoqiao, you asked me to help you figure out a way to win Brother Ze's heart yesterday, and I've finally thought of a way."
Think of a way to win Qin Yize's heart, yesterday?
Gu Qiaoqiao reflected carefully, and that was like the yesterday of a previous life.
Gu Qiaoqiao curved her lips slightly and spoke slowly, "Thank you, but I don't need it anymore."
"No reason, just that you're about the same age as me, you're not married or in a relationship, so what good idea could you possibly come up with?"
Bai Yun was stunned on the spot.
Her probing gaze swept over Gu Qiaoqiao.
Gu Qiaoqiao looked indifferent, but then suddenly continued, "However... considering how enthusiastic you are, let me hear it."
"I..." Bai Yun opened her mouth, but why did she feel like Gu Qiaoqiao in front of her was toying with her?
"Go on, if it's a good idea, I'll definitely take your advice," Gu Qiaoqiao urged further.
"Do you really mean that?" Bai Yun asked, seemingly incredulous.
"If it's a good one, I definitely will," Gu Qiaoqiao said with meaningful emphasis, "You're so clever, and my best friend of all, who else would I listen to if not you?"
Bai Yun's eyes shifted as her innate sensitivity made her frown slightly; she was reluctant to keep silent because, after tomorrow, she might no longer have the perfect opportunity to sully Gu Qiaoqiao's reputation.
After all, only tomorrow will all the members of the Qin Family be gathered together.
Moreover, from what Gu Qiaoqiao suggested, she seemed to rely on her.
Gu Qiaoqiao, encouragingly looking at her, finally heard the same plan as the one from her previous life.
After Bai Yun finished speaking, she looked at Gu Qiaoqiao and whispered, "If you take my advice, I guarantee that the old master will speak up for Brother Ze to come home and keep you company, and will also break off his relationships with other women outside. He already dislikes Brother Ze being on the move with the medical team; he has left a big company for Brother Ze. By then, you can live alone in the city, and when you have children, you can even bring your parents and siblings over; they must have never been to the Imperial Capital..."
There's no denying, the idea of moving out, having another child, and bringing her own family to live in the Imperial Capital was indeed very tempting to the Gu Qiaoqiao of her previous life.
Therefore, she took Bai Yun's words as if they were the imperial edict itself.
She indeed made mistakes, but Bai Yun was determined to push her into hell.
Pity that, for all her scheming, she never got her wish in the end.
Gu Qiaoqiao pondered for a moment, then suddenly asked, "If I do this, will the old master really help me?"
Seeing Gu Qiaoqiao taking the bait, Bai Yun quickly nodded, "Really, I understand the old master's character; he likes a woman like you, simple and plain. Your words will definitely appeal to his thoughts. He will help you a hundred percent."
Only then did Gu Qiaoqiao nod, her eyes sincerely looking at Bai Yun, "Bai Yun, you really are a good person!"
The corners of Bai Yun's mouth twitched imperceptibly.
She had thought that Gu Qiaoqiao had become smarter, but it seemed she was still just as foolish.
Just at that moment, Qin Xiaoyu called out for Bai Yun from outside, "Sister Bai Yun, let's go watch the fireworks."
"Qiaoqiao, don't be busy, go watch the fireworks with Xiao Yu and the others; we'll handle the dumplings," Grandma Qin said from the entrance of the dining room in her kind voice.
Gu Qiaoqiao, seeing the fleeting impatience on Bai Yun's face and Qin Xiaoyu's clearly displeased pouting, was quite tempted to join them and irritate them a bit. But upon reflection, recalling she had something else to do, she replied with a smile, "Grandma, I won't go. I still have something to take care of."
Before Grandma Qin could say anything, Qin Xiaoyu had already pulled Bai Yun out the door.