Volume One, Chapter Five: Pulling Her Along as a Devoted Admirer

Song Lingzhi had entered the house guarding against Si Tang as if she were a thief, terrified that she might lose any portion of the family assets to her.

She had been vehemently opposed to Si Tang marrying Gu Yubai from the start, claiming that the higher one climbed, the harder one fell; in truth, it was merely her own selfish desire to prevent Si Tang from living too well. However, Si Hongzhou valued Gu Yubai as a son-in-law more than the very pupils of his own eyes. Since learning that Si Tang and Gu Yubai had divorced, Si Hongzhou had been so enraged that he nearly suffered a relapse of his heart condition. Si Tang, driven by her stubborn temperament, had not returned home for four years. Yet, for some unknown reason, Gu Yubai had continued their family’s business dealings to this day.

After calling Si Tang home for a meal, Song Lingzhi followed Si Hongzhou’s instructions and placed a call to Gu Yubai. Lacking his private number, she could only reach his assistant.

"President Gu has a meeting this evening, but I will pass on the message," the assistant replied politely.

Song Lingzhi quickly expressed her thanks, though she held little hope. What kind of man was Gu Yubai? And Si Tang—who had barely caused a ripple when they married—was now merely an ex-wife. What weight could she possibly carry?

As the sky grew dark, the man sat focused at his desk, processing the documents at hand. Assistant Guo brought him a cup of hot coffee. Having heard something related to the Madam for the first time in ages, he kept it in mind and relayed the contents of the earlier call.

"President Gu, the Madam's mother called to invite you over for a family dinner tonight, but you have a cross-border conference call..."

"Will she be there?" Gu Yubai asked without looking up.

"Since they called it a family dinner, I assume she will be."

Gu Yubai fell silent, leaving his intentions impossible to gauge. After a long while, he ordered expressionlessly, "Cancel the meeting."

When Si Tang returned to the familiar villa, her heart remained unmoved. The nanny opened the door, her eyes brightening the moment she saw Si Tang.

"Young Miss, you’ve finally returned! It’s been so long; the Master and Madam have missed you terribly."

Si Tang lifted the corners of her mouth in a gesture of politeness, but she did not take the words to heart. How one looked at it, they hardly seemed like the type to miss her. Si Hongzhou and Song Lingzhi were sitting on the sofa. Seeing their long-absent daughter return, a normal person would have been overjoyed, but Si Hongzhou kept his face taut.

Si Tang changed her shoes and walked over, greeting her father with a lukewarm "Dad."

"So you still remember this is your father! What a high-and-mighty attitude you have!" Song Lingzhi, twisting her freshly permed waves, shot her a sideways glare and erupted.

Si Tang regretted coming the moment she stepped inside, but since she was already there, there were some things she could not keep bottled up.

"Can you speak properly?" she asked, frowning in irritation.

The two had always been at odds. In the past, when her relationship with Si Hongzhou had not yet reached the brink of collapse, Song Lingzhi had put a great deal of effort into fanning the flames. Song Lingzhi glared at her fiercely, but for once, she retreated and fell silent.

Si Hongzhou glanced at his daughter, his eyes filled with displeasure. "When did you get back? Did you go see Yubai and Zhouzhou?" he asked coldly.

"Gu Yubai and I are divorced, and he has custody of the child. We have nothing to do with each other anymore," Si Tang said, lifting her chin slightly.

Si Hongzhou stood up in a fit of rage, his finger trembling as he pointed at his daughter. His expression contorted for a moment, and he delivered a slap. This time, Si Tang did not have the good fortune she had at Su Yujin’s place; the distance was too close to dodge, and she had to grit her teeth and take it. The blow was delivered with full force. In an instant, Si Tang’s face turned bright red, leaving a distinct palm print.

"Is this the reason you called me back?" Si Tang stumbled, and once she regained her footing, she stared fixedly at Si Hongzhou.

Suddenly, before Si Hongzhou could speak, a knock sounded at the door. The nanny hurried to open it.

"Gu... Young Master Gu?" the nanny said, sounding slightly hesitant.

Upon hearing this, Si Hongzhou and Song Lingzhi were instantly unable to sit still. They reached the door, and it truly was Gu Yubai. After the phone call, they had been certain he wouldn't come. But to their surprise...!

The assistant following behind delivered the gifts he had prepared—fine bird’s nest and ginseng gift boxes—and then departed. Si Tang suspected she had misheard. She took a deep breath and looked back. The man stood tall in the doorway, his long legs evident. Their gazes met in the air. Her pupils trembled twice, and she shifted her focus to Si Hongzhou.

"Yubai, we didn't expect you to come." The latter smiled, busily ordering the nanny to stir-fry a few more good dishes.

Gu Yubai paid little attention, asking in return, "Wasn't it you who called me?"

"Yes, yes, it was me," Song Lingzhi interjected to claim the credit. "It’s just that our Tangtang is immature and angered you. Our whole family wanted to apologize together." Song Lingzhi’s face was filled with obsequiousness, her words slick and polished.

Si Tang’s face darkened as she listened, feeling only shame. They were scrambling to act like sycophants, and they wanted to drag her into it too? They thought too highly of themselves!

"I have no interest in participating. There’s no need for this meal, either. I’m leaving." Si Tang, who carried an air of detachment whenever she wore a cold expression, spoke up.

Before Gu Yubai could say anything, Si Hongzhou flared up. "Stay put! Will you only be satisfied once you’ve angered me to death?" he roared.

Si Tang had not intended to appear pathetic in front of Gu Yubai. Now, bearing the swollen side of her face, she looked at Si Hongzhou with eyes filled with utter disappointment.

Gu Yubai frowned and stepped in front of her. His gaze swept over her cheek, and his voice deepened: "Did you come here to eat, or to get slapped?"

Once these words were out, Si Hongzhou’s face turned a kaleidoscope of colors. He lowered his head, realizing that Gu Yubai was backing Si Tang.

"It’s just that the child is too stubborn; Hongzhou didn’t want to hit her, really!" Song Lingzhi forced a reconciliation, then pulled Si Tang with great force to the dining table.

Gu Yubai had the nanny bring some ice packs. When he handed them over, he didn't mind the cold temperature, instead lifting his hand to apply it directly to Si Tang’s face to quickly reduce the swelling. Si Tang did not know why he was putting on this pretense, but she hissed in pain when the ice touched her skin.

Beside them, Si Hongzhou watched with trepidation, rubbing his fingers. He regretted the slap; if Si Tang had told him earlier that they had reconciled, he wouldn't have struck her!

Once the four were seated, the dishes were served. The man’s presence beside her was overwhelming. Si Tang moved slightly to the side; she hardly touched her chopsticks, and the food she put in her mouth tasted like wax. Si Hongzhou felt a lack of stature before his son-in-law, and with the incident of hitting Si Tang weighing on him, he felt somewhat guilty.

The meal was quiet, with only a few mundane questions asked, to which Gu Yubai replied with only a word or two. After several detours, the conversation finally reached the main point.

"Regarding the project on the coast this year, I really need you, Yubai, to look after us a bit more."