Chapter 8

“What exactly did Big Brother say? I really can’t figure it out. Could it be that just because I introduced you as his sister, you’d be this upset? Isn’t Sister Qing also just a sister?”

Mu Bei-wang stared at her, his face full of doubt.

Xia Chu-wei lowered her head, silent. She seemed to have a thousand things she wanted to say, yet didn’t know where to begin.

Seeing this, Mu Bei-wang grew even more anxious and pressed on, “And why did you ask Brother Gu to let you down early?

“He could have taken you straight to your door. And you didn’t even invite him inside to sit for a while.”

Faced with this string of questions, Xia Chu-wei felt her mind turn into a tangled mess. She had no idea how to respond.

Mu Bei-wang looked at her and sighed deeply, helpless. “What’s really going through your mind? My parents treat you even better than they treat us, their own sons. You have nothing to worry about—there’s no need for you to feel wronged.”

He paused briefly, then continued, “If Big Brother doesn’t like you, so be it. It’s no big deal. My parents will definitely find you someone better.”

His tone softened with a trace of heartache. “You’ve already done enough for Big Brother. You loved dancing, but just because he offhandedly said he didn’t like it, you gave up your chance to join the arts troupe without a second thought.

“Later, you fell in love with painting, but to take better care of him, you gave up that hobby too—and went to study medicinal cuisine instead.

“Xia Chu-wei, it’s our Mu family who owes you, not the other way around. You have every right to be a little selfish—we would never blame you.”

Although he was three years younger than her, because Xia Chu-wei was so gentle and soft-spoken, it was often Mu Bei-wang who looked out for her when they were outside.

He had always obeyed his parents, and taking care of Xia Chu-wei had become part of his life.

He truly protected her in every possible way—if anyone dared to speak ill of her in front of him, he would never let it slide.

Even when he himself made mistakes and was punished by their parents, the first person he thought of was Xia Chu-wei, because only she could shield him from their scolding.

Leaning quietly against the doorframe, Mu Bei-wang looked at her and asked thoughtfully, “I heard that Xu Xue-qing is coming back. Is your crying about her too?”

Xia Chu-wei slowly raised her head to meet his gaze.

Her eyes were as clear as water. She let a faint smile tug at her lips and said softly, “Sorry for worrying you.”

“Tomorrow I’ll go find Brother Bei-chen and tell him everything. If he truly doesn’t like me, I’ll respect his choice and end our engagement.”

“Don’t smile like that—it’s worse than crying. If you want to cry, just cry. We’re at home; no one else is here. No one will laugh at you.”

“If you really break up with Big Brother, don’t be too sad. You can go to Brother Gu and have him marry you.” Mu Bei-wang said this while rubbing his chin, as if seriously offering advice.

“Look, Brother Gu is in no way inferior to Big Brother. If you married him, you wouldn’t have to worry about being looked down on.”

“Besides, Brother Gu has always kept his distance from women—you’re the only one who’s gotten so close to him.” Mu Bei-wang continued, his eyes showing a touch of certainty and encouragement.

“And since your family has always had a good relationship with the Gu family, he’d probably be happy to marry you.” He smiled as he added this.

Xia Chu-wei smiled awkwardly. Truthfully, even if he hadn’t said it, she’d been thinking the same thing herself.

“Seriously, think it over. My Big Brother is great, but his attitude toward you… well, honestly, it’s pretty average.”

“You’re such a good girl—you deserve someone who will truly cherish you.” Mu Bei-wang said earnestly.

He tilted his head back lazily, his eyes half-lidded as though uninterested in it all, and spoke in a languid voice: “My parents can see it too—if you don’t want to marry him, no one will blame you.”

After a short pause, he went on, “If you don’t want to talk, fine. Ask Big Brother directly tomorrow.

“If you really want to be with him, then go get the marriage license. If not, part ways cleanly. Don’t wrong yourself.”

His tone was calm, but his meaning was clear: whatever choice she made, no one would fault her.

For Xia Chu-wei, though, this was not an easy decision.

Mu Bei-wang gave her one last look before turning to leave the room, leaving her alone in thought.

A faint, bitter smile tugged at her lips. She couldn’t help wondering—had everyone already seen it? Did Brother Bei-chen truly not like her at all?

She picked up her pajamas from the side of the bed, intending to take a bath and cool her head. But when her fingers brushed against the money in the pocket, she froze. Staring at the extra bills, she felt momentarily dazed.

Meanwhile, at the Gu residence, the moment Gu Shi-sheng got home, he headed straight for the study to find his father, Gu Lin.

Without hesitation, he got straight to the point: “Dad, I need a favor.”

Gu Lin raised an eyebrow, set down the documents in his hand, leaned back in his chair, and looked at him with a faint smile. “Well, that’s rare—you actually have something to ask me for.”

“Will you help me or not?” Gu Shi-sheng ignored the teasing look. “If you won’t, I’ll go to Uncle.”

Gu Lin jerked his chin toward a chair, signaling for him to sit.

“Let’s hear it first—what is it?” Gu Lin said, picking up another report to glance over.

“I want to apply for marriage. Put in a word for me—I need it approved within half a month. There’s nothing wrong with our identities, but to be safe, I want you to back it.”

“Oh, marriage.” At first, Gu Lin was calm. But after repeating the word, he suddenly reacted, staring in disbelief. “What did you just say? You want to apply for marriage? With who?”

He couldn’t believe it—his son was finally showing interest in marriage, and in such a hurry too.

“Who’s the woman? Do I know her?” Gu Lin asked curiously.

He trusted his son’s judgment, but the suddenness of it puzzled him. Yesterday, he hadn’t even mentioned marriage—so how did one dinner turn into this?

“You know her. Very well, in fact.” Gu Shi-sheng nodded. “You’d better get the application moving fast, or you’ll regret it. I’m not marrying anyone else. If I can’t have her, you can expect the Gu family line to end with me.”

Gu Lin couldn’t help but chuckle in exasperation. “What, are you threatening me now?”

“Not a threat. A statement of fact.” Gu Shi-sheng’s tone was firm—this was something he was determined to do.

Gu Lin wasn’t about to take the threat seriously. “Tell me who she is first, then I’ll decide whether to help you.”

If nothing was wrong with the woman’s background, he could easily apply himself—there was no reason to involve him otherwise.

He was certain there had to be something unusual here.

Gu Shi-sheng had no choice but to say her name.

As expected, Gu Lin’s eyes widened in shock. “Who did you say? The Xia Chu-wei I know?”

He hoped it was just someone with the same name—not the one he was thinking of. Otherwise, wouldn’t this mean stealing a bride from the Mu family?

“It’s exactly the one you know—Mu Bei-chen’s fiancée, Xia Chu-wei. But soon she won’t be his fiancée anymore,” Gu Shi-sheng said.

“But they’re still engaged right now. Snatching her away like this—doesn’t that look bad?” Gu Lin raised an eyebrow at him.