Chapter 372| Chapter 373| Chapter 374
Chapter 372: Xu Guihua’s Slowness
“Comrade Xu Guihua, I finally understand why your parents were so eager to marry you off to Captain Fang. They clearly wanted to keep you living right under their noses.”
“Do you even need to ask? My parents absolutely adore me.”
Haha… Isn’t it actually because they were terrified that if you married too far away, you’d be easily swindled by someone else?
Sheng Wanyan decided to cut the conversation short. Clutching her postal package, she turned around and walked away. Trying to get this woman to read between the lines was a completely hopeless endeavor; there was simply no way to communicate.
Watching her leave without finishing her thoughts, Xu Guihua felt an agonizing curiosity, as if her mind were being teased. Really… why on earth couldn’t she just finish a sentence? It left her feeling incredibly jittery and uncomfortable, no matter what she tried to do!
“Just finish what you were saying!”
“Sheng Wanyan!!!”
Xu Guihua suddenly felt unsettled all over, her heart and skin practically itching with frustration. “That is just too much!”
By the time Xu Guihua returned to her apartment, she was still so thoroughly consumed by her conversation with Sheng Wanyan that she completely forgot to start dinner. When Captain Fang returned home from the office at noon, he found his wife sitting on a wooden stool, staring blankly into space. He called her name several times, but she didn’t even blink.
“Wife… Honey…”
It was only when Captain Fang firmly nudged her shoulder that Xu Guihua finally snapped out of her daze.
“What are you pushing me for?!” she snapped, glaring at him.
Captain Fang quickly withdrew his hand. “I’ve been calling you for five minutes. What on earth are you brooding over?”
Xu Guihua glanced at the wall clock and gasped. Oh my goodness! It was already past noon, and she hadn’t even lit the stove!
“Oops, I completely forgot to cook.”
She scrambled into the kitchen in a frantic rush, forced to set Sheng Wanyan’s cryptic words aside for the moment. Captain Fang watched her go, thoroughly bewildered. Seeing that completely hollow look in his wife’s eyes a second ago, he had honestly thought she’d been possessed by an evil spirit. Shaking his head, he followed her into the kitchen to help out; the children would be bursting through the door for lunch any minute, and he couldn’t let them go hungry.
Throughout lunch, Xu Guihua remained entirely distracted. She would swallow two bites of rice and then let out a heavy, dramatic sigh.
The children looked at each other in silent terror. Had they done something wrong?
A bizarre, suffocating atmosphere blanketed the Fang dining table. The moment lunch concluded, the kids quickly scurried back to their bedrooms to avoid tracking their mother’s radar and becoming targets for her vented frustration.
During the quiet afternoon rest window, Captain Fang finally began to probe for answers. Unable to contain her racing thoughts any longer, Xu Guihua eagerly laid out the puzzle, desperate for someone to decode Sheng Wanyan’s words.
“What do you think Regiment Commander Gu’s wife actually meant by all that?”
Captain Fang pondered the question, formulating a hypothesis based on his own strategic awareness of the current administration. “Honey, the national landscape is shifting, and the political climate is growing more relaxed by the day. Based on what she hinted at… do you think the state might eventually legalize private commerce? Like letting ordinary citizens do business?”
“What?!”
Xu Guihua’s voice shot up an octave, completely unable to process her husband’s radical theory. She bolted upright from the bed. Are you completely out of your mind?!
“Honey, keep your voice down,” Captain Fang urged, quickly pulling her back down beside him, terrified that the neighbors through the thin walls might overhear. “Look, this is merely my own deduction based on macro trends. Don’t get ahead of yourself.”
Xu Guihua forced herself to breathe, settling back into her seat, though her mind was still reeling from the shock. “Could that… truly be where we’re heading?”
The concept was far too revolutionary for her to grasp. Being legally permitted to operate a private business was a luxury she hadn’t even dared to imagine in this era.
“If the state intends to sustain this level of development, it’s highly probable,” Captain Fang explained smoothly. He was a highly intelligent man; otherwise, he never would have secured such a coveted municipal transfer. “The country desperately requires capital injection, so reform is the logical next step.”
“Then… what do you suppose her angle was in bringing this up to me?”
Captain Fang found himself slightly stumped on that front. Given the elite backing of the Gu family clan, Sheng Wanyan shouldn’t theoretically have any need to seek out a civilian captain’s wife. Unless… she had no intention of relying on her in-laws’ political shadow, preferring instead to forge her own path through independent ventures. After all, Sheng Wanyan had married significantly above her social station; it was entirely natural that she would want to secure her own financial achievements to solidify her footprint within the Gu family.
But then again, based on what he knew of her medical contributions, her patent for the hemostatic medicine alone was more than enough to guarantee her a sacred status in their household. “Honey, if you’re this consumed by it, why don’t you just walk over and ask her directly?”
“Yes! Exactly! I’ll head over to her place later this afternoon.”
Xu Guihua felt an absolute itch in her soul, unable to eat or rest. She practically counted the minutes until the post-nap window cleared so she could sprint over to Sheng Wanyan’s courtyard.
Sheng Wanyan had absolutely no inkling that a few casual remarks from her morning stroll would completely unhinge Xu Guihua’s composure. She hadn’t even laid out the specific details yet—was the woman truly that fragile?
As the afternoon sun warmed the courtyard, Wanyan sat inside the pavilion with little Yi Yi, while Maodou sprinted across the grass in wild circles. The baby girl was currently leveraging her mother’s shins to pull herself upright, and Sheng Wanyan willingly set her translation manuscripts aside, patiently guiding her through her walking balance.
Woof, woof, woof!
Maodou suddenly barked at the front gate, signaling an arrival. Mother Gu stepped out to unlatch the lock, finding Xu Guihua hovering on the threshold.
“Hello, Auntie. I’m here to visit Wanyan.”
“Come on in and sit down,” Mother Gu welcomed warmly. This was the absolute first time she had seen a neighbor drop by explicitly to socialize with her third daughter-in-law. It brought her a wave of relief to see Wanyan cultivating genuine friendships within the compound. “Wanyan, Captain Fang’s wife is here to see you.”
Sheng Wanyan raised her eyes, a flash of surprise crossing her features. Didn’t we just cross paths this morning?
Why was she standing in her yard already? Had she actually managed to decode the hint?
Sheng Wanyan carried Yi Yi out to the main courtyard. The moment her eyes locked onto Xu Guihua’s face, catching the frantic mix of excitement, anxiety, and lingering bewilderment in her gaze, she knew exactly what had transpired. This woman had undeniably received a masterclass from Captain Fang; otherwise, that signature density would still be clouding her eyes.
Sheng Wanyan handed the baby over to Mother Gu, who happily carried her granddaughter inside the house to play. Mother Sheng had headed across the street to her son’s apartment, leaving the courtyard perfectly private for a confidential discussion.
Sheng Wanyan guided her guest into the shade of the pavilion. After clearing her translation papers from the stone table, she slipped into the kitchen and returned with a warm cup of sugar water. “Drink some water.”
Xu Guihua took two frantic gulps, her eyes darting across the perimeter to verify they were entirely alone, before leaning across the table, her voice a hushed whisper. “Have you received formal intelligence from the higher-ups?”
“What intelligence?” Sheng Wanyan played dumb, intentionally teasing her.
Xu Guihua practically wrung her hands. Why on earth was this woman so incredibly frustrating to deal with? First she sparks a fire in her mind, and now she acts completely oblivious! “You know exactly what… about private commerce and running businesses!” She looked as though she were bracing herself for a firing squad, entirely lacking Wanyan’s clinical composure, her face a mask of pure, anxious grievance.
“I haven’t the slightest idea what you’re referring to,” Wanyan replied smoothly.
The dismissive response drove Xu Guihua to the brink of a meltdown. This woman was being utterly malicious! “You… you… you literally implied the exact same thing this morning!” She jabbed an accusing finger through the air, thoroughly displeased by Wanyan’s inconsistency.
Sensing that she was genuinely on the verge of provoking a real tantrum, Sheng Wanyan finally dialed back her amusement, not wanting to scare away a highly valuable future partner. “Your Captain Fang laid out the entire analysis for you, didn’t he?” She took a calm sip of her water, studying her guest.
Finding her secret council immediately exposed yet again, Xu Guihua felt a sudden wave of reluctant reverence. “You guessed that too?”
“Your personal cognitive processing speed is historic,” Sheng Wanyan noted dryly. “Aside from Captain Fang explicitly illuminating the mechanics for you, there is absolutely no scenario where you would have arrived at that conclusion by yourself.”
Xu Guihua’s cheeks flushed with indignation. Could this woman please utilize a shred of basic politeness? Why did every sentence have to be layered with such elegant sarcasm? Even if her assessment was technically accurate, there was absolutely no need to lay her density out so transparently in broad daylight! That was just uncalled for!
“Hmph! I think you’re simply envious of my life,” Xu Guihua countered stubbornly, tossing her chin up in a display of sheer, defensive pride.
Sheng Wanyan raised an eyebrow. “And what exactly am I envied for?”
“Envious that I have far more children than you do!”
Xu Guihua’s glare intensified. The moment the words left her mouth, she realized that aside from her superior reproductive output, she was comprehensively outmatched by Sheng Wanyan in every single metric of existence.
Chapter 373: Successfully Fooled Xu Guihua
“I honestly can’t be bothered with you,” Sheng Wanyan sighed, shaking her head.
“Come on, what do you actually want from me?” Xu Guihua pressed, leaning forward eagerly.
Sheng Wanyan, however, completely ignored her urgency. She merely lifted her cup and took a slow, leisurely sip of her sugar water, looking like she was enjoying the pleasant afternoon immensely.
“Hurry up and tell me!” Xu Guihua huffed, her impatience flaring. How could this woman constantly keep people hanging in suspense like this?
Sheng Wanyan calmly set her cup back down, ready to deploy her corporate-honed art of persuasion. Having run a major company in her past life, she was well-versed in the subtle psychology of getting people on her side.
“Your family must have briefed you on how things are shifting in the city,” Wanyan began, her tone measured. “I won’t beat around the bush anymore. Your family is bound to uncover this intelligence sooner or later anyway.”
Xu Guihua proudly hoisted her chin. That was an absolute fact. If her father within the city’s military district administration claimed he was second to none when it came to news, no one else dared claim first. Not to mention her mother, who was an exceptionally formidable figure within the municipal family compound. Her mother had a knack for unearthing every hidden whisper, which she would then discreetly pass along to her father. Thanks to her mother’s sharp ears, her father had successfully steered clear of a mountain of political landmines over the years.
“The overall climate is growing more relaxed by the day,” Sheng Wanyan continued smoothly. “My intuition tells me it won’t just be private commerce making a comeback. Even the national college entrance examinations are bound to resume.”
“What?!” Xu Guihua gasped, utterly stunned. She had already found her husband’s theory about legalizing businesses revolutionary. But if the state actually restored the national college entrance examinations… wasn’t the entire world about to experience a total structural shift?
“You… you… you truly believe that will happen?”
Sheng Wanyan nodded solemnly. Since she intended to recruit this woman as a long-term partner, she needed to offer her a glimpse of her cards. This display of apparent vulnerability would serve as a testament to her sincerity, while successfully anchoring Xu Guihua’s trust in her foresight.
“But… isn’t that completely impossible right now?”
“You’ll just have to wait and see,” Sheng Wanyan smiled, completely unbothered. “Either way, you have absolutely nothing to lose by prepping early.”
Sheng Wanyan was in no rush. History would ultimately validate her words, and once the state officially made the announcements, bringing Xu Guihua fully under her wing would be a walk in the park.
“So… what you’re saying is, you want to form a business partnership with me?”
Sheng Wanyan stared at her, thoroughly amused. How has this woman still not caught on to the power dynamic?
“If I said I actually want you to come work for me, would you believe it?”
“Absolutely not,” Xu Guihua scoffed, throwing her head back. “With my family’s backing and connections? You’d have to be a total fool to think I’m that dense.”
Sheng Wanyan simply matched her gaze, a quiet, knowing glint dancing in her eyes. Realizing exactly what she had just blurted out, Xu Guihua’s mouth snapped shut in sudden embarrassment. She wished she could slap her own face. She was likely the first person in the history of the compound to proudly label herself as dense.
“So, do you actually want to cooperate with me or not?”
Sheng Wanyan nodded, finally letting a fraction of her grand ambitions show. Xu Guihua was a rare asset, and she had no intention of letting her slip away.
“I knew it! You’ve been drawn to me from the start,” Xu Guihua gloated. But the moment the phrase left her mouth, she felt the wording was a bit bizarre, and she frantically scrambled to correct it. “I mean—drawn to my independent capabilities! And my mother’s family status…”
“Go ahead and maximize your confidence,” Sheng Wanyan interrupted dryly. “I am comprehensively and explicitly drawn to your family background.”
She didn’t bother wrapping the truth in polite fluff.
“Fair enough! So, what exactly do you need me to execute?”
“We’ll cross that bridge when the era arrives,” Sheng Wanyan replied smoothly, leaning back. “I haven’t finalized the structural details yet.”
The eager smile vanished from Xu Guihua’s face instantly. She stared at her, dumbfounded. “Don’t tell me this was just a sudden, random impulse on your part?”
“Hold on! Are you telling me you haven’t even mapped out a concrete blueprint, yet you intentionally dragged me into a corner to stir up my anxiety?!” Xu Guihua’s temper flared right back up. This woman was truly infuriating! The exact second she finally wrapped her head around the macro concept, Wanyan pulled the rug right out from under her.
“My goodness, what is the immense rush?” Sheng Wanyan laughed, gently guiding her back into her seat before breaking down the logistics. “The entire economic landscape will be entirely unrecognizable by then. Any rigid blueprint we map out today would be useless. We have to wait, observe, and analyze exactly what the general public is starving to purchase once the market opens.”
Wanyan’s calm, logical breakdown successfully pacified her guest. Xu Guihua ran the point through her mind, decided the rationale was entirely flawless, and finally let her irritation drain away.
“But didn’t you just insist that the college entrance examinations would resume?” Xu Guihua murmured, a sudden spark of longing in her voice. “If that actually turns out to be true… I want to go to university. I want to study.”
Hearing her academic aspirations, Sheng Wanyan’s smile grew remarkably genuine. Wanting to study was a phenomenal sign! The more education her future manager possessed, the better!
“When the time comes for us to launch our ventures, we don’t necessarily have to manage every single operational detail with our own two hands, do we?” Wanyan pointed out, her eyes crinkling.
Xu Guihua pondered the statement for a moment before nodding in unified agreement. “That’s very true.”
“Exactly. So, breathe easy,” Wanyan soothed. “Your immediate priority should be systematically conquering high school level curriculum.”
Coaxed completely by Wanyan’s reassuring tone, Xu Guihua felt her doubts evaporate. If history unfolded exactly as Sheng Wanyan predicted—if the national exams returned and private commerce was legalized—she would proudly follow Sheng Wanyan’s lead without a single syllable of hesitation!
“The only problem is… my old high school textbooks vanished years ago,” Xu Guihua noted, her brow furrowing. Although she currently worked as a dedicated educator within the compound’s nursery, she had completed her own schooling ages ago. Now approaching her thirties, a vast majority of that advanced academic knowledge had long since faded from her memory.
“I happen to possess a complete set inside. You can take a copy home today,” Sheng Wanyan offered seamlessly. “Besides, with your family connections, securing a refined tutor to guide you through the tricky high school concepts should be a remarkably simple matter, shouldn’t it?”
Xu Guihua realized that was entirely accurate. Her own nephew was currently navigating high school, and her sister-in-law was a certified high school instructor within the city bureau. She could easily travel to the urban district over the upcoming weekend to request academic guidance.
“Hehe… Comrade Sheng Wanyan, you are truly a magnificent soul,” Xu Guihua beamed, her impression of her host souring to an all-time high. “You aren’t a single bit as ruthless or cold-hearted as the neighborhood gossips claim.”
Sheng Wanyan raised an eyebrow, genuinely amused. “Is that truly how the compound defines my character?”
“Oh, you know how people are,” Xu Guihua waved her hand dismissively. “Chief of Staff Liang’s entire household was dismantled because of you, and even Zhang Zhaodi met her ruin after crossing your path. It’s only natural that the more timid wives would let their imaginations run wild. But in my book, those people entirely reaped what they sowed!”
Despite her occasional cognitive delays, Xu Guihua had received an exceptionally principled upbringing and possessed a razor-sharp sense of right and wrong. “If any malicious tongue had dared to brand my own flesh and blood as a cursed jinx, I would have dragged her to the riverbank and fought her to the death myself!”
Xu Guihua’s sense of justice was fierce and unyielding. Following their deep afternoon conversation, she felt an immense, protective kinship forming toward Sheng Wanyan.
“Let me fetch those textbooks for you,” Sheng Wanyan smiled, deeply appreciating this raw, fiercely loyal side of her guest. Individuals possessed of such innate integrity made the absolute finest corporate allies. Xu Guihua carried a mountain of formidable traits that rivaled any elite businessman; she simply remained entirely blind to her own potential.
“Wonderful! I’ll wait right here!” Xu Guihua chirped, happily rubbing her palms together as she watched Wanyan step toward the apartment.
Inside the quiet master bedroom, Gu Tingxiao raised his eyes from his reading as his wife entered the room and began systematically pulling a pristine set of high school textbooks from the wardrobe shelf. He felt a mild wave of confusion regarding her academic retrieval, but he chose to keep his mouth shut. He knew his wife’s patterns; it wouldn’t be long before she willingly curled up beside him and detailed the entire strategy herself.
Sheng Wanyan carried the heavy volume back out to the pavilion and presented it. Xu Guihua lunged forward, snatching the text with elite speed.
“I promise to return this to you the absolute second I finish transcribing every single page by hand,” she vowed fiercely.
Sheng Wanyan gave a polite nod, smoothly turning her face away to conceal her expression. Xu Guihua was far too consumed by her new academic mission to catch the sudden flash of profound guilt swimming in Wanyan’s eyes.
The moment the front gate clicked shut and her guest departed, Sheng Wanyan let out a long, ragged breath of relief. If Xu Guihua ever uncovers the reality that I entirely tricked her into manual transcription labor, she is going to be absolutely livid, she thought self-consciously.
After all, with a biological sister-in-law currently employed as a high school instructor in the city, sourcing a spare set of high school textbooks would have been a remarkably effortless task for her. Sheng Wanyan had deliberately engineered the tedious transcription assignment solely to force the woman’s mind to absorb and retain the fundamental curriculum through muscle memory; she certainly hadn’t handed over the text out of a lack of options.
Oblivious to the educational trap, Xu Guihua spent the entire walk back to her apartment sneaking glances around the corridor, clutching the textbook against her chest as if she were smuggling illegal contraband. The moment she crossed her threshold, she frantically cleared her desk, laid out a fresh ream of paper and an ink pen, and began methodically copying the text line by line—completely forgetting that she could have simply requested a spare printed copy from her sister-in-law over the weekend.
Back in the master bedroom, Sheng Wanyan slipped inside, still wrestling with a mild twinge of guilt over her corporate manipulation. Gu Tingxiao quietly set his heavy tactical manual down onto the quilt, his dark eyes tracking her movements.
Confined to the mattress day in and day out, he had taken to systematically studying advanced military strategy and elite command doctrines. His brilliant wife was moving forward into the future at an absolute sprint, and he was fiercely determined to expand his own horizon; he refused to let himself lag behind her footprint for a single second.
Chapter 374: Mother Sheng Is Distressed
“Wife, what kind of mischief have you been up to?”
Sheng Wanyan knew she could never keep anything from him, so she admitted exactly how she had played Xu Guihua.
Gu Tingxiao found it hilarious. Only someone as straightforward and literal as Xu Guihua could fall for a trick like that. If it had been Captain Fang, he would have seen right through his wife’s little scheme the second he looked at her.
He leaned forward and lovingly pinched the bridge of her nose. “Look at how clever you are. But believe it or not, Captain Fang is going to figure out your little stunt the moment he gets home tonight.”
Sheng Wanyan knew that was a given. However, Xu Guihua was far too stubborn to listen to anything her husband said once her mind was made up. “Then you’ll just have to find a way to help me shield myself from Captain Fang’s irritation.”
“Captain Fang is a sharp man. How could he not see what you’re trying to do?”
He was right. Captain Fang was nothing like his wife. Xu Guihua carried herself like a proud, regal peacock, but in reality, she was incredibly slow on the uptake and a little naive.
Gu Tingxiao pulled Wanyan into his arms, gently squeezing her hand. A wave of deep satisfaction washed over him as he noticed she was finally putting on some healthy weight. “Wanyan, do you truly want to relocate to the Capital in the future?”
“Yes. It’s the capital of our country, after all. It’s bound to experience massive economic growth down the road,” she replied thoughtfully. “Besides, we have the means. I want to guarantee Yi Yi the absolute best educational and living environment possible. A young girl should experience the world early on; that way, she won’t be easily swayed by someone else’s sweet talk and hollow promises later in life.”
Gu Tingxiao nodded in unified agreement. Yet, a quiet sorrow touched his chest; he recognized that he would likely have to endure a period of physical separation from his wife and daughter. Although the Gu family was actively pulling strings to have him reassigned back to the capital, a high-level transfer of that magnitude required meticulous, careful negotiation.
After chatting for a while longer, Sheng Wanyan fetched two fresh apples and mashed them into a smooth puree for the baby.
Mother Gu absolutely adored feeding Yi Yi, her heart swelling with joy whenever she saw her granddaughter devouring her food in big mouthfuls. “Let me do it,” she offered eagerly, taking the small spoon. “Yi Yi, open wide.”
The baby girl opened her mouth right on cue. This was her absolute favorite treat, and the moment the scent of apple puree registered, she sat with her mouth wide open, waiting happily for the next bite.
Sheng Wanyan sliced the remaining apple, handed half to Mother Gu, and carried the rest over to Gu Tingxiao. He insisted on feeding her two crisp slices first before he finally began eating his own portion.
With that taken care of, Sheng Wanyan stepped into the kitchen to prepare dinner. Mother Sheng was staying across the path at her son’s apartment tonight, so she wouldn’t be returning to the table. With an injured patient in the house, Wanyan resolved to cook an exceptionally nourishing evening meal.
Ordinarily, the daily meals were managed by the two grandmothers. Because they were nursing a convalescing soldier, Mother Sheng had been entirely willing to use a heavier hand with the cooking oil and premium ingredients. After all, this was her daughter’s household, and even if she occasionally felt a twinge of traditional frugality, she would never breathe a word of complaint.
Sheng Wanyan, however, was a natural spendthrift. Her lavish culinary habits and casual extravagance frequently left even Mother Gu—a woman who had spent decades navigating high-society circles—vaguely stunned. Still, Mother Gu made it a strict rule never to interfere in the domestic choices of her children, especially when it came to her third daughter-in-law. Wanyan was brilliant, exceptionally capable, and commanded a massive independent income; Mother Gu would never have the audacity to criticize her spending.
Once dinner was ready, Sheng Wanyan transferred the dishes to the dining table and mixed a fresh bottle of milk powder for Yi Yi. She then carried the baby into the master bedroom so they could share the meal at Gu Tingxiao’s bedside, ensuring her husband wouldn’t feel isolated.
Sheng Wanyan and Mother Gu ate their own dinner in the living room. The moment they finished, Mother Gu smoothly took over the dishwashing duties, leaving Sheng Wanyan free to give Yi Yi her evening bath. By maintaining a seamless division of labor, they managed to shave down the nightly routine, allowing everyone to retire for a proper rest much earlier. Shortly after dinner, Mother Sheng returned to the apartment, and the family washed up and headed to bed.
Meanwhile, across the residential compound inside Captain Fang’s apartment, Xu Guihua was still hunched diligently beneath the dim glow of a kerosene lamp, frantically copying her textbook line by line.
Captain Fang could only stare at her, entirely speechless. “…”
It took Xu Guihua over a week of relentless, painstaking labor before she finally marched back to the courtyard to return the volumes. Sheng Wanyan accepted the heavy stack of papers with a bright, welcoming smile.
“You managed to finish the entire transcription?”
“Every single word,” Xu Guihua replied proudly, dusting off her hands.
Sheng Wanyan gave her an enthusiastic thumbs-up, praising her elite speed. “That is truly magnificent. Come on inside and sit for a bit.”
“Oh, no, I can’t stay,” Xu Guihua declined quickly, adjusting her coat. “I need to sprint back and get lunch started for the family.” She simply didn’t have a spare minute to linger and chat.
“Alright then. Safe travels, I won’t keep you!” Sheng Wanyan waved her off with an incredibly warm, buoyant enthusiasm.
Xu Guihua turned and walked down the path, a sudden wave of confusion clouding her thoughts. Why on earth did Sheng Wanyan look like she was desperately trying to stay on my good side?
Unable to shake her suspicions, she raised the anomaly with Captain Fang over the lunch table that afternoon, detailing Wanyan’s uncharacteristic sweetness.
Captain Fang stared at his soup, entirely at a loss for words. It was transparently obvious to him that Regiment Commander Gu’s wife was merely suffering from a severe case of guilty conscience for tricking her. Yet, looking at his wife’s smug expression, he chose his words carefully. “Well, it’s highly probable. After all, she is actively seeking to secure you as a future business partner.”
He smoothly validated her theory, well aware that if he didn’t offer immediate agreement, his wife would spend the next twenty-four hours relentlessly interrogating him for an explanation. Over their years of marriage, he had mastered the art of placating her; the easiest route was simply to follow her logic.
“I knew it!” Xu Guihua gloated, thoroughly satisfied. “Sheng Wanyan clearly recognizes that she desperately needs my help, she’s just far too proud to admit it out loud.”
Captain Fang hid a quiet smirk behind his bowl. Never mind, he thought. As long as I keep a protective eye on the dynamic, there’s no harm done. The Gu family is far too honorable to ever take advantage of my wife.
Back in the apartment, thoroughly relieved that her corporate scam had remained undetected, Sheng Wanyan scooped little Yi Yi into her arms and showered her face in kisses.
“Ma~” the baby cooed.
“Yi Yi, look over there. Can you say ‘Daddy’?”
The baby girl had yet to articulate a single syllable for her father. Every day, Gu Tingxiao would lie on the mattress, his eyes filled with a desperate, eager longing, waiting for the historic moment his daughter would finally grant him a title.
“Mama~~”
“No, sweetie. It’s Daddy. Try saying ‘Daddy’.”
“Ma~~”
Yi Yi threw her chubby arms around Sheng Wanyan’s neck, buried her face against her shoulder, and clung to her tightly, refusing to cooperate. Sheng Wanyan let out a helpless laugh, realizing she would have to pace the lessons slowly. Her poor husband would simply have to endure the wait a little longer.
Later that afternoon, Sheng Wanyan fetched a set of vibrant paintbrushes from her room and sat with Yi Yi on the living room floor, intending to introduce her to different color spectrums to stimulate her visual development and prevent color blindness. The toddler grasped a brush and began scribbling wildly across a large sheet of white paper, completely lost in her own chaotic masterpiece.
Sheng Wanyan sat back quietly, refusing to disrupt her. When a child was deep in a state of intense focus, adults should strictly avoid barking directions or breaking their concentration.
However, the moment Mother Sheng walked into the room and witnessed the baby ruthlessly splaying the fine bristles across the paper, her traditional frugality flared. Heartbroken by the apparent waste, she prepared to step forward and confiscate the supplies, but Sheng Wanyan quickly intercepted her, gently guiding her out of the room.
“Wanyan, those fine paintbrushes cost an absolute fortune these days,” Mother Sheng murmured, her face a mask of distress. “It’s a terrible waste to let a toddler ruin them like a toy.”
“Mom, it’s truly fine,” Sheng Wanyan explained gently. “This is a prime opportunity to foster her independent focus and train her visual receptors so she develops a sharp eye for colors later on.”
Since her daughter had provided a progressive, intellectual justification, Mother Sheng forced herself to drop the issue, though her heart still ached over the expensive tools. “I can’t bear to stand here and watch it. It physically pains me.”
Terrified that if she lingered any longer she wouldn’t be able to contain her maternal instincts to intervene, she promptly turned on her heel and walked out of the apartment to clear her head. Sheng Wanyan deeply respected this attribute in her mother; even when her traditional values left her distressed, she possessed the grace to step away rather than aggressively stripping the items from the child’s hands. It saved everyone from a tense, awkward confrontation.
In fact, Mother Sheng wasn’t the only one suffering from high blood pressure; the moment Mother Gu peeked into the living room and witnessed the artistic massacre, her chest tightened similarly. The two grandmothers promptly teamed up and fled the apartment together, opting for a long, soothing stroll around the compound to preserve their peace of mind.
Sheng Wanyan allowed Yi Yi to paint to her heart’s content, sitting quietly at the low table to focus on her translation manuscripts without making a sound.
By the time the baby girl finally set her brush down, she had managed to smear a vibrant roadmap of pigments across her own hands, cheeks, and forehead. Proud of her mess, she tottered over to the bed and presented her colorful little self straight to Gu Tingxiao.
Seeing his daughter transformed into a tiny abstract canvas, the commander’s eyes crinkled with an absolute, indulgent warmth. He scooped her right into his chest. “How did you manage to turn yourself into a little rainbow monster again, hm?”
“Giggle, giggle, giggle!”
Yi Yi beamed up at him, her tiny baby teeth flashing. When it came to this precious little girl who shared his wife’s beautiful features, Gu Tingxiao possessed absolutely zero disciplinary principles.
Sheng Wanyan shook her head, fetched a basin of warm water and a soft cloth, and systematically began scrubbing the paint from their skin.
