Chapter 228: The Small Courtyard
Xu Yuyou felt unlucky, and the Gu siblings shared the same thought.
None of them had any intention to talk. Xu Yuyou figured that since they’d only be here for a few minutes before boarding, she could just endure it without much fuss.
Unfortunately, that thought quickly fell apart.
They were currently waiting in the same VIP lounge, and when the boarding announcement sounded, everyone got up leisurely.
Up until that moment, Xu Yuyou still thought it was just a coincidence and that she’d soon part ways with the siblings.
She didn’t expect that they would not only take the same train but also sit in the same carriage — and even have seats very close to each other.
Noticing the strange atmosphere, Xu Fang pulled out a pre-prepared fruit box and placed it in front of Xu Yuyou.
Even though Xu Yuyou felt she’d run into bad luck this trip, she couldn’t resist Xu Fang’s thoughtfulness — all the fruits were her favorites. Plus, she never wasted good food.
For this short journey, Xu Fang had also prepared an eight-compartment snack box.
All the little treats inside looked and smelled delicious, handmade by the chefs at Xu Yuyou’s house, cleaner and safer than anything you’d find outside.
Even Lu Jingyao handed her a snack box:
“You said you liked the plum cake my dad made last time. He made another batch for you to take on the trip.”
Compared to the lively atmosphere around Xu Yuyou, things were much colder on the Gu siblings’ side.
Hearing the cheerful noise from across the carriage, Gu Xueying couldn’t help but glance over, only to see everyone doting on Xu Yuyou like stars surrounding the moon. It was such a painful sight it almost stung her eyes.
It felt like a scene from the dreams of her childhood had come back to life.
Before she could dwell on it, Gu Yujing suddenly yanked her back and practically pinned her down into her seat.
“Is Lu Jingyao that good-looking?” Gu Yujing asked in a low voice.
Gu Xueying didn’t expect him to go crazy again and hurriedly explained:
“I wasn’t looking at Lu Jingyao…”
Gu Yujing sneered and said:
“Even if you stared until you went cross-eyed, he wouldn’t look at you. He likes Xu Yuyou. Isn’t Xu Yuyou a thousand times better than you?”
Gu Xueying wasn’t surprised that he didn’t believe her. What truly pierced her heart was:
“You really think Xu Yuyou is a thousand times better than me?”
Gu Yujing found her question ridiculous and replied naturally:
“Of course.”
Gu Xueying gave a bitter laugh, suddenly realizing that all her efforts over the years had been a complete waste.
She had spent so much energy guarding against Xu Yuyou, only to end up like this — while Xu Yuyou was still surrounded by laughter, she herself had to consort with the devil.
Gu Yujing casually said:
“Even if Xu Yuyou has countless flaws, at least she never took advantage of the Gu family.”
Gu Xueying stayed silent.
Gu Yujing continued:
“Didn’t you love comparing yourself to her? What, no fight left in you now? The more dazzling she is, the more you should rise to the challenge. I actually prefer the scheming version of you.”
Gu Xueying glared at him fiercely, then pulled a blanket over herself and pretended to sleep.
Seeing this, Gu Yujing didn’t push further. Instead, he placed his hand gently over Gu Xueying’s stomach, as if he were touching a precious treasure.
Meanwhile, Xu Yuyou was surrounded by people. At Lu Jingyao’s subtle cues, everyone consciously tried to cheer her up — even the usually silent bodyguards racked their brains to come up with jokes.
With so much attention, Xu Yuyou quickly forgot about the Gu siblings. After getting off the train, she got into a car and headed straight to Lu Jingyao’s villa in Jinling.
The villa, located downtown, was built in the Suzhou-style: small bridges over flowing water, pavilions, and towers — you might think you had time-traveled back to ancient times if you didn’t look carefully.
“This time we’re lucky. Master Lin is available,” Lu Jingyao said softly.
“Who’s Master Lin?” Xu Yuyou asked.
Lu Jingyao smiled and said:
“He’s my grandfather’s favorite Huaiyang cuisine chef.”
Xu Yuyou’s eyes lit up. Lu Jingyao really understood her — nothing was more important than food.
Lu Jingyao added:
“Master Lin once cooked for state banquets. These days, he’s gotten even more eccentric and rarely agrees to cook.”
Xu Yuyou grew even more excited. When the first dish was served and she took a bite, her eyes immediately brightened.
She had eaten Huaiyang cuisine many times, but this was the most stunning experience — second only to Qing Yatou’s cooking.
Comparing a national banquet chef to Qing Yatou might sound ridiculous, but in Xu Yuyou’s heart, Qing Yatou’s cooking was almost blessed by some mystical regional power, bordering on the supernatural.
After all the dishes were served and the two finished their meal, Master Lin chuckled in his strong Jinling accent:
“Miss Xu, I’ve heard so much about you. You’re the first girl Jingyao has ever brought home.”
Before Xu Yuyou could say anything, Lu Jingyao, a little helpless, said:
“Grandpa Lin, did my grandfather put you up to this?”
Master Lin laughed even harder:
“The old man heard you were bringing a girl home and told me to take a good look so he could gossip during our next fishing trip. If it weren’t for meeting the future granddaughter-in-law of the Lu family, I wouldn’t have bothered cooking today.”
Xu Yuyou blushed and shot Lu Jingyao a light glare.
After Master Lin left, Xu Yuyou asked:
“Does your grandfather live in Jinling year-round?”
Lu Jingyao replied:
“No, he spends three months abroad, three months in Hong Kong, three months in Shanghai, and three months in Jinling.”
Xu Yuyou couldn’t help but mutter inwardly — only rich old men could live that kind of life. Ordinary retirees would have settled in one place long ago.
“Since I know now, of course I should visit him,” Xu Yuyou offered.
Lu Jingyao’s eyes instantly lit up with a rare brightness as he gently asked:
“You’re willing to visit him? Really?”
Xu Yuyou found his excitement a little strange:
“Since he’s your elder, shouldn’t I pay my respects?”
Lu Jingyao shook his head:
“I was just worried you might not like this kind of thing.”
While Xu Yuyou had met Lu Jingyao’s parents in Shanghai, their interactions were rare. Knowing she was still young and probably not ready for marriage, Lu Jingyao had never pressured her to meet the family.
“Can we visit him the morning after tomorrow?” Xu Yuyou asked.
Naturally, Lu Jingyao had no reason to say no.
Xu Yuyou mentally calculated that she should be able to wrap up her tasks in a day and a half.
Meanwhile, unlike Xu Yuyou’s meal with a national banquet chef, the Gu siblings casually found a high-end restaurant to grab a quick bite, then headed straight to an old street in Jinling.
Seeing the rundown surroundings, Gu Xueying immediately grew uneasy.
“My stomach hurts. I’m heading back,” Gu Xueying said.
