Chapter 15: Phoenix Man × Wealthy Beauty ⑤

Bai Jie and her mother didn’t get to feel smug for long. After only a few interactions, Bai Jie realized that Yuan Zhi was far from the ideal husband she had imagined—someone who would allow her to stand proud in the Bai family.

And the reason she realized this so soon was thanks to a recent dinner.

After returning home, Yuan Zhi told his mother everything about the Bai family’s situation in great detail. Upon hearing it, Yuan’s mother looked down on Bai Jie even more and strongly opposed Yuan Zhi marrying her—someone with no blood relation to Bai’s father.

Bai Jie had a huge argument with Yuan Zhi and returned home to complain to Wen Jing, saying she wanted to break up. But Wen Jing stopped her.

“Xiao Jie, Yuan Zhi’s conditions are so good. It’s already hard enough for you to find a man like him—what more are you expecting? Besides, what man is perfect? After you get married, just train him a little. He’ll change.”

Seeing Bai Jie’s expression ease, Wen Jing quickly pressed further.

“Besides, how long do you think his mother can live? You’re the one who’ll be with him for life. Your dad has been treating us differently lately—his attitude is way better, and isn’t it because he found out you’re dating Director Yuan’s son? If he learns you two broke up, he’ll definitely be furious. Then how will you ever compete with that girl Bai Yue?”

Thinking it over, Bai Jie also felt that she’d acted rashly. Confident in her own charm, she believed she could change this son who’d been shaped by his mother’s influence for so many years.

Bai Yue, however, was unaware of Bai Jie’s situation. She had recently gotten busy again. Her promotion to Associate Chief Physician was imminent. Not only was she in surgery late every day, but she also had to write academic papers at home.

Gu Yin, on the other hand, had a much easier time. Working in the dentistry department, he had regular hours. When Bai Yue worked late, he would often head to the Gu family’s porridge shop to wait for her and have Aunt Gu save some food for her.

Madam Gu’s restaurant business was booming. She was always busy and had no time to cause trouble for the couple. In fact, from chatting with locals, she developed even more respect for doctors and felt prouder of her daughter-in-law.

Her only gripe was that she kept wanting Bai Yue and Gu Yin to get married soon and give her a big, chubby grandson.

But every time she brought it up, Gu Yin would brush her off, using work as an excuse. She began to worry—was there something wrong with her son physiologically?

On several occasions when Bai Yue visited, Madam Gu would look like she had something to say but held it back. Finally, one day, unable to restrain herself, she secretly pulled Bai Yue aside.

“Yueyue, is everything… you know… normal between you and Xiao Yin?”

Bai Yue looked utterly confused. She stared blankly at Madam Gu. “Auntie, what do you mean by… that?”

Madam Gu clapped her hands and, looking disappointed in her, made a gesture with her middle fingers touching—then looked up at her suggestively. Once Bai Yue understood, her pale face instantly flushed bright red.

“It’s… it’s normal,” she stammered.

When she told Gu Yin about it later, he was speechless. He was shocked by his mother’s bizarre train of thought and felt helpless seeing Bai Yue laugh so hard she couldn’t stop. He pressed her down on the bed, kissed her lips, and gently undressed her…

A night of passion followed, making Bai Yue truly realize why you should never doubt a man’s capabilities.

Summer arrived, and greenery dotted the city. The college entrance exam results came out during this vibrant season.

Gu Lingyun scored 625 points—nearly 100 above the minimum admission line. The whole family was overjoyed. Even Madam Gu, who had never supported Gu Lingyun going to college, beamed with pride.

She even posted a sign at the restaurant entrance: “My daughter got into university—20% off all dishes today!” This drew in many customers who came to share the celebration.

Gu Yin happened to be off work and was helping out at the restaurant. But Madam Gu didn’t want her doctor son doing anything too risky, so she only let him take orders.

Taking advantage of a lull, Gu Yin sidled up to his mother who was prepping vegetables and teased, “Mom, didn’t you say you didn’t want Lingyun going to college? Why are you so happy now?”

Still chopping vegetables, Madam Gu scoffed, “You think I’m still that clueless old lady who just arrived here? I’m in contact with you young folks and city people every day now. I know getting into a good university is a big deal—it brings honor to the family.”

She gave Gu Yin a meaningful look and whispered near his ear, “And once this girl graduates and gets a good job, earning lots of money, of course she’ll take care of her mother and brother. You silly boy never knows how to look out for yourself. Good thing you’ve got your mom planning everything for you.”

Seeing his mom always scheming for his benefit, Gu Yin couldn’t help but laugh. He put a hand on her shoulder. “Mom, I’m not short on money. And just look at my hardworking wife. Do you think I need any help?”

Madam Gu gave her lazy son a disdainful pat. “Listen to yourself. A grown man living off a woman’s money—aren’t you embarrassed? Back in my day, your dad worked outside to support the family, and I just took care of the house. But look at you now—free and easy every day while your wife is working hard and still has to support you.”

“Mom, Mom, that’s not fair. When Bai Yue paid the lease for this place, you didn’t say that.”

“What do you know?” Madam Gu rolled her eyes at him. “That was me thinking ahead. You have to take it slow and steady.”

“You know idioms now?” Gu Yin was shocked. This old lady had adapted quickly in just a few days.

“Scram!” Madam Gu raised her foot, pretending to kick him.

Gu Yin quickly tried to curry favor by massaging her shoulders. “Hey, when I first came here, I didn’t know better. I didn’t realize how hard it would be to find a city girl with your kind of background. That’s why I tried to cling to her for her house. But if I caused you two to split up, where would you find another daughter-in-law?”

“Be honest, Mom. Were you won over by Bai Yue’s ‘financial offensive’?” Bai Yue had always treated Madam Gu well—constantly buying skincare products and supplements for her and the family.

Women are easily swayed by things that make them feel beautiful. Even Yaya, who only got a bottle of Youmei Jing, strutted around like a little peacock, never forgetting to dab it on every day.

“You little brat!” Madam Gu grew flustered and chased after Gu Yin, hitting him. Aunt Gu and Gu Lingyun, who were picking vegetables nearby, looked on with gleeful amusement. He deserves it!

That evening, Bai Yue got off work. At noon, she’d received a message from Gu Lingyun saying she was definitely getting into university.

And since Bai Yue had previously heard from Gu Yin that Madam Gu was reluctant to pay her tuition, she prepared a big red envelope and secretly handed it to Gu Lingyun during dinner.

Gu Lingyun wasn’t one to hide things. And with Madam Gu gradually becoming more reasonable as her worldview expanded—after all, doing business in a big city required some tact—Gu Lingyun had become bolder.

She jumped up excitedly and shouted, “Long live, Sister-in-law! Thank you! I’ll definitely repay your kindness one day!”

Bai Yue hurriedly waved her hands. “Alright, alright, sit down and eat. Just focus on studying hard. Your brother and I will handle everything else.”

The meal was joyful for everyone. That night, Gu Yin and Bai Yue didn’t head straight home. Instead, they helped Gu Lingyun choose a university.

With her score, she could go to either A University or the University of Science and Technology. Gu Lingyun had always dreamed of earning big money, so after discussing it, they chose the finance program at A University.

“Guess who I saw today?” Bai Yue asked, resting her head on Gu Yin’s shoulder.

“Yuan Zhi?” Gu Yin put his phone aside.

“How did you know?” Bai Yue was shocked. “You didn’t see the way he looked at me—guilty as hell, sneaking around like a thief. Did he really think that tiny pillar could hide someone his size? Why do you think he was hiding from me?”

“Ahem—” Gu Yin cleared his throat, clearly waiting for her to ask more.

“Tell me, tell me!”

“According to some gossip, Bai Jie and Yuan Zhi are breaking up,” Gu Yin said mysteriously.

He’d heard the news from the gossiping nurses. The hospital director’s niece hadn’t gone to the medical department and was instead placed in the chill dentistry department, which made it a hotbed for news about Yuan Zhi.

“Why?” Bai Yue grabbed Gu Yin’s arm, blinking her big eyes, full of curiosity.

“Of course, because his mom disapproves. Think about it—he’s a total mama’s boy. Everything that happened at your house must’ve been reported to his mother. A stepdaughter with a rebellious personality? There’s no way his old-fashioned mom would agree.” Gu Yin laid it all out.

“Now that I think about it, Bai Jie is kind of pitiful,” Bai Yue said thoughtfully. “You know, she wasn’t like that when we were kids. We used to play together, and she always looked out for me. But later, her mom started favoring me more, even against her wishes, and my dad didn’t care about her. That’s what slowly twisted her heart. She just kept trying to compete with me.”

Seeing Bai Yue’s downcast expression, Gu Yin pulled her into a hug. “At first, I tried to reason with her, but she thought I had ulterior motives. Eventually, we drifted apart.”

“Pitiful people often bring their own misfortune. She pinned all the blame on you—what did you ever do wrong?”

Gu Yin wasn’t one to be overly compassionate. Because of those two, Bai Yue never experienced fatherly love and had to tiptoe around even in her own home. What did a few childhood acts of kindness matter in the long run?

“You’re right!” Bai Yue bit her lip and hugged Gu Yin tightly. “Forget about them!”

But fate has its quirks. The next day, Bai Jie went looking for Yuan Zhi—only to be spotted by Bai Yue.

She saw Yuan Zhi roughly shove Bai Jie aside. Bai Jie lost her balance and fell to the ground, looking completely disheveled. Bai Yue couldn’t just pretend she hadn’t seen anything.

She helped Bai Jie up and was about to turn and leave when Bai Jie sneered, “Bai Yue, seeing me like this makes you happy, doesn’t it?”

Bai Yue frowned. She couldn’t understand Bai Jie’s logic. “What do I have to be happy about?”