Xu Hua spent several days packing everything she intended to take before preparing to move out of the Gu family mansion with Jiang Shuqin and Gu Heng.
Jiang Shuqin looked back at the place she had lived in for over two decades, her heart heavy with reluctance. She fought back tears as she thought about how she had once believed that Gu Heng would undoubtedly inherit the Gu family, and she would spend the rest of her life here. She never imagined the day would come when she would have to leave.
“Mom…” Jiang Shuqin looked at Xu Hua and said, “Do we really have to leave? The Gu family is so big—surely there’s room for us.”
“This has nothing to do with the size of the house,” Xu Hua sighed. “This is about conceding and showing weakness. It’s the price we must pay for losing. If we stay, the price will only grow steeper.”
“But…” Jiang Shuqin’s voice was tinged with unwillingness. She didn’t want to leave.
“All of this is for Gu Heng’s future,” Xu Hua said, glancing at her. “If we don’t show weakness now, Yi Wei will have even more reasons to target him. I’ve lived here for so many years and feel no attachment. What’s holding you back?”
As Xu Hua was about to get into the car, Ye Feng appeared with her entourage.
“You’re leaving already?” Ye Feng asked.
“If you’re here specifically to gloat, I’ll wait until you’ve had your fill before leaving,” Xu Hua said expressionlessly.
Ye Feng smiled and replied, “We’ve been sisters-in-law for so many years—more than half our lives. Yet, sometimes I feel I still can’t see through you.”
“It doesn’t matter whether you can see through me or not. You’ve won. What more is there to say?” Xu Hua replied. “But I didn’t lose to you; I lost to fate. You won by aligning yourself correctly. Let’s just say you got lucky.”
“In life, we make many choices, and everyone must bear the consequences of their decisions,” Ye Feng said. “Yes, I took a gamble. If I had lost, I would have faced the same consequences. But you didn’t just lose to luck—that’s a fact, whether you admit it or not. That’s all I have to say. I won’t see you off.”
Ye Feng turned and left. Xu Hua stood still for a moment before getting into the car, with Jiang Shuqin reluctantly following.
As Ye Feng reviewed the details she had gleaned from intelligence reports, she understood the general trajectory of events. Watching Xu Hua and her family being manipulated so thoroughly, Ye Feng felt fortunate to have chosen the right side. Xu Hua had claimed it was luck, and to some extent, it was. However, Ye Feng knew that the years following Gu Yueshan’s ascension to power had taught her to be more cautious and astute than Xu Hua.
She also understood Yi Wei’s character—calculating and vengeful. Yet, he was generous to those who didn’t cross him. Ye Feng knew precisely how to interact with Yi Wei moving forward.
Xu Hua couldn’t deny her reluctance and bitterness. As Gu Yueshan’s biological mother, she could have stayed if she insisted—neither Ye Feng nor Yi Wei had the authority to make her leave. However, for Gu Heng’s sake, she chose to leave voluntarily.
With her eyes closed, Xu Hua suppressed the emotions bubbling within her. If this had happened twenty years ago, she would never have conceded. But now, her age and declining health left her with no choice. She couldn’t risk Gu Heng’s future by gambling with time. When she was gone, Gu Heng would bear the consequences alone.
Meanwhile, Gu Heng had left the Gu family mansion a day earlier to prepare for their new residence. Although their new home was still a luxurious villa, the symbolic and emotional weight of leaving the Gu family was significant.
The Wei family twins were celebrating their 100-day banquet, and Yi Wei and Gu Yueshan attended, bringing several lavish gifts.
Gu Yao could now totter around on his own. Yi Wei placed him on the edge of the bed and picked up Wei Erbao. “Erbao is getting cuter and cuter. How can you be so adorable?”
Sun Qi, holding Wei Dabao and feeding him a bottle, sighed. “I don’t know why this one cries so much. He’s cute when he’s quiet, but when he starts crying, he’s like a little demon. It’s endless. Thankfully, Dabao doesn’t cry as much, or I’d be completely exhausted.”
Despite hiring several experienced nannies, no one could handle Wei Erbao’s relentless crying. Sun Qi couldn’t ignore his son’s cries and had to personally hold and comfort him. Erbao would only stop crying when held, resuming as soon as he was put down. Sun Qi had barely left the house since the twins were born.
“Is Erbao really such a crier?” Yi Wei teased as he gently swayed the baby. “I’ve visited so many times, and I’ve never seen him cry.”
Sun Qi paused and thought carefully. “You’re right. Every time you visit, he doesn’t cry.”
“Are you happy to see Uncle, Erbao?” Yi Wei lifted Wei Erbao up and asked.
Wei Erbao immediately broke into a wide smile.
“You’re such a little rascal,” Sun Qi said. “Why don’t you smile like this at home and spare me the trouble? You should take him home, Yi Wei. Give me a break for a few days.”
“Want to come home with Uncle, Erbao?” Yi Wei joked. “Too bad your dad can’t bear to part with you. Otherwise, I’d take you.”
Gu Yao wobbled over to Yi Wei, clutching his leg and looking up with wide eyes, drooling.
“Do you want to see Erbao too?” Yi Wei placed Wei Erbao on the bed and picked up Gu Yao, wiping his drool. “No biting your brother, understand?”
Yi Wei sat Gu Yao on his lap to watch Erbao. The two toddlers stared at each other with wide, curious eyes.
“Now that people know you were Mi Wei, those who tried to use her against you must be in shock,” Sun Qi remarked. “Too bad I can’t go out. I’d love to see the look on Gu Heng’s face.”
“Gu Heng’s grandmother fainted twice,” Yi Wei said. “Two days ago, she moved out of the mansion with Gu Heng and his mother.”
“That old woman knows when to bend and when to stand firm,” Sun Qi said. “After this, I doubt they’ll make any reckless moves. They’ve probably developed a psychological shadow.”
“I’m not too worried about them now,” Yi Wei said. “I’m more curious about what leverage Yi Bo has.”
“Any clues?” Sun Qi asked.
“Yi Bo is cautious and keeps his secrets well-hidden. But I’ve heard he’s considering selling the Yi family company.”
“Selling the company?”
Before they could continue, Wei Nanfeng entered, carrying Wei Dabao. The banquet had started, and it was time for the twins to meet the guests and receive blessings. Yi Wei and Sun Qi ended their conversation and joined the festivities.
Yi Wei later sat with Gu Yueshan, who asked, “Hungry?”
“A little,” Yi Wei replied.
“I’ve arranged for seafood risotto from the kitchen. It’ll be here soon. Eat first, then talk,” Gu Yueshan said, holding Gu Yao in his arms.
“Alright,” Yi Wei agreed.
When the risotto arrived, Yi Wei fed himself while teasing Gu Yao. He pretended to feed Gu Yao, only to eat the food himself, prompting Gu Yao to stare at him with wide, disappointed eyes.
Gu Yueshan watched them with a soft smile.
Meanwhile, Wei Nanfeng and Sun Qi, holding the twins, greeted guests and received compliments about their adorable babies. Wei Nanfeng couldn’t stop smiling, proud of his new role as a father.
After the banquet, Wu Hao approached Yi Wei, staring intently at his face.
“Do you need something?” Yi Wei asked, puzzled by Wu Hao’s silent scrutiny.
Wu Hao didn’t respond, only stared for a moment longer before turning and leaving.
Yi Wei exchanged a glance with Sun Qi, both baffled by Wu Hao’s behavior.
Soon after, Wu Qing also approached Yi Wei, similarly scrutinizing his face.
“Do you need something?” Yi Wei asked again, exasperated.
After a moment, Wu Qing said, “Your child is adorable.”
“Thank you,” Yi Wei replied politely.
Wu Qing nodded and left, reflecting on how foolish he had been to think he could steal Gu Yueshan from Mi Wei, who turned out to be Yi Wei. Despite his embarrassment, Wu Qing admired Yi Wei’s abilities—not just in disguise but in strategy. He decided Yi Wei was someone best kept as a friend, not an enemy.
“They look like they’ve been emotionally betrayed,” Sun Qi whispered. “This is your mess.”
“I never sought them out,” Yi Wei replied. “Whatever they think is their problem, not mine.”
Many guests remained curious about Yi Wei, given the widespread rumors about him. Though neither Yi Wei nor Gu Yueshan had directly confirmed them, the events surrounding the Gu family spoke volumes to those who knew how to read between the lines.
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