After seeing Gu Ye’s words, Rong Xuan tilted her head, feeling a little confused.

She pursed her lips and replied underneath, 【How?】

As much as she loves dogs, she’s never actually had one. She only looks at them through pictures. In her previous life, there were too many children at home so she was given away by her biological parents to others. Her adoptive parents didn’t like small pets, plus the family conditions were limited. Even if she liked them, she’d never had a dog or touched one.

It’s the same right now. She wasn’t asking for much. Just looking at photos and videos of dogs on the Internet was enough. Therefore if Gu Ye wants to video chat with her to show her his family’s Samoyed, it didn’t seem impossible.

However, Rong Xuan never expected Gu Ye to directly reply with, 【I’ll bring him over to you.】

Bring him straight there? An hour round trip? Just to show her the dog?

Rong Xuan replied while looking dumbfounded, 【No, no, no, no need to go to such trouble.】

This time, Gu Ye didn’t immediately answer. It wasn’t until three minutes later that he replied, 【It’s fine, I’ve already taken him out.】

Rong Xuan didn’t know what to say after reading that. Actually, there’s really no need to make such a fuss.

But now that Gu Ye had already taken the dog out, so be it. She didn’t need to tidy up anyway so she could just go downstairs when the other person arrived.

Half an hour later, Gu Ye appeared outside Rong Xuan’s villa with his family’s Samoyed. The scratches on Rong Xuan’s face were almost healed but the new skin obviously was a different color from other places. It looked strange, so she habitually put on a mask and went downstairs.

The Gu family’s dog was indeed big. It walks with a wiggle, clearly unable to run.

Gu Ye brought the dog with him to pay a visit. Although Rong Yao and Ji Ning were surprised, they soon showed great enthusiasm. Especially Ji Ning, who was being extremely attentive that people who didn’t know might think that Gu Ye was her daughter’s fiancé, not her stepdaughter’s.

Ji Ning was even better than Rong Yao in her superficial skills. She had a very gentle attitude towards Rong Xuan. From the outside, everyone would think that she’s a good stepmother. However, Gu Ye grew up in a wealthy family. Although his family was harmonious and there was almost no intrigue, he had a lot of insight. Ji Ning could only deceive the average person but she couldn’t deceive him.

Gu Ye advanced and retreated in a controlled manner, and showed his excellent upbringing in front of Rong Yao and Ji Ning. And although his attitude throughout the whole process was on the cold side, Rong Yao and Ji Ning were still full of praise.

Rong Yi had been silently listening to them exchanging small talks, biting her lip so hard that it was almost bleeding.

Every minute and every second she spent sitting on the sofa, she felt tortured, and her whole heart felt like it was being fried in oil.

She didn’t expect Gu Ye to come straight to her door.

What was this?

Did he come to warn her not to forget that the person behind Rong Xuan was him and to tell her not to act rashly?

Or was he just there to support Rong Xuan?

But no matter which one it was, it’s not what she wanted.

The smile on Rong Yi’s face couldn’t be maintained and even Ji Ning’s secret reminders to her several times were ignored.

At this moment, Gu Ye said politely but distantly, “Uncle Rong, I came today mainly to show Rong Xuan Cool Guy.”

Cool Guy was the name of the Samoyed.

Rong Yao had a sudden realization on his face. He was wondering why Gu Ye not only came today, but also brought a dog? It turned out to be for Rong Xuan.

As soon as these words came out, Rong Yi’s face turned paler, and even Ji Ning was somewhat surprised.

Many thoughts flashed through Ji Ning’s mind in an instant.

Gu Ye had even brought their family’s beloved pet for Rong Xuan to see. They had clearly been engaged for only a few days. How could they be progressing so fast? If it continued like this, it would be difficult to cancel this engagement.

After realizing this, the smile on the corner of Ji Ning’s mouth became weaker.

Rong Yao immediately said, “That’s good. Girls like things such as cats and dogs. Xiao Gu, you’re so thoughtful. You even especially brought Cool Guy here. Hahaha, why don’t you two go and chat alone?”

Gu Ye readily accepted his suggestion, “Okay, Uncle Rong.”

When they reached Rong Xuan’s room, Cool Guy immediately started to run wild, scurrying all around the place.

Gu Ye called Cool Guy with a stern face. It barked and immediately clamped its tail in an aggrieved manner and did not dare to move around, looking incredibly well-behaved.

Rong Xuan looked full of wonder, not expecting the dog to listen to Gu Ye’s words so much.

Gu Ye ordered Cool Guy to sit down, then said to Rong Xuan, “You can pet him.”

Rong Xuan bent down and tentatively touched Cool Guy’s head. His fur was very soft and his temper was very good. He sat motionless and let her touch him.

While Rong Xuan was playing with the dog, Gu Ye slightly surveyed Rong Xuan’s room. Its size wasn’t small and was filled with all sorts of small things girls like.

It’s not too much to say that the most popular stuff toys for little girls, such as Peppa Pig and Patrick Star, were all in her room.

Rong Xuan noticed Gu Ye’s gaze surveying the stuff toys and didn’t feel embarrassed at all. The other Rong Xuan liked this kind of things and so did she. She guessed there were only few girls who wouldn’t like them.

However, Gu Ye had been looking at them for too long, so she slowly straightened up and glanced at Gu Ye with some confusion. She wrote on her hand, ‘What, is, it?’

Gu Ye casually grabbed an innocently grinning Monchhichi^[1]a line of Japanese stuffed monkey toys.

He suddenly became curious about Rong Xuan’s appearance.

It was an unprecedented curiosity. This had never appeared before until this moment, where it reached its peak. Just before he came, he was just thinking how amusing it was that he had never even seen his fiancée’s face. He was probably the only one in the world, but it wasn’t unacceptable to him. In fact, he never minded.

But at this moment, he suddenly wondered what she looked like when she smiled.

Would she smile as innocently as the Monchhichi in his hands?

Her smile was probably hard to come by.

After coming into close contact with her stepmother, Ji Ning, and learning about Rong Xuan’s childhood from Elder Lu, Gu Ye finally truly understood Rong Xuan’s situation. It was already rare that she didn’t become violent or resentful in such an environment, but endured it quietly and silently.

Gu Ye lowered his eyes and looked at the stuff toy in his hand, then suddenly said, “You can grow up slowly.”

Rong Xuan blinked confusedly.

Grow up slowly? What does he mean?

Gu Ye restlessly put Monchhichi back to its original position. This time, he instantly understood the confusion in Rong Xuan’s eyes.

He lowered his eyes and explained simply, “Literally.”

Literally?

Rong Xuan still didn’t quite understand.

But at this moment, she suddenly thought of a sentence she saw on Weibo a long time ago.

‘The whole world is urging you to grow up. Only Disney wants to keep your happy childhood and let you grow up slowly.’

So, Gu Ye hopes she has a happier life?

In fact, she wasn’t unhappy. Her life was very fulfilling now.

Studying, making friends, and busily improving herself every day. The unhappy one was the other Rong Xuan. However, she must have been reincarnated by now. Rong Xuan hopes she could have a happy next life.

Gu Ye was still about to say something when someone knocked on the door from outside.

Rong Yi opened the door without waiting for their reply.

Seeing Rong Xuan wearing a mask tightly on her face and being some distance away from Gu Ye, Rong Yi finally felt relieved.

She was really afraid that these two people would do some things in Rong Xuan’s room.

After all, they were alone in a room.

Noticing Gu Ye’s gaze, Rong Yi smiled despite the pressure. “That—, the housekeeper made delicious snacks. You guys can come down and try them too.”

The housekeeper’s cooking skill was naturally very good. The snacks she made were soft and delicious. With this level, she could even go out and open a pastry shop.

After tasting a few bites, Gu Ye said his farewell. His purpose for coming there today has been achieved, so it’s almost time to go back.

Rong Yao was very polite. “Xiao Gu, this is half your home now. Remember to come over often to play.”

“I got it, Uncle Rong.”

“Rong Xuan, go see Xiao Gu off, we won’t come with you.”

By the time Rong Xuan sent Gu Ye out the door, Cool Guy had already taken a liking to her and kept rubbing its head against her calf enthusiastically.

Rong Xuan couldn’t help but touched its head, her eyes curving up with a smile.

For the first time, Gu Ye discovered that Rong Xuan actually had a pair of extremely beautiful eyes, pure as a glass under the moon, clear and calm, as if the convergence of countless moonlight.

At this time, Rong Xuan slowly straightened up and waved her hands towards him.

Gu Ye regained his composure and curled his lips up in a smile. “Little Bride, see you on Sunday night.”

———

Time flew by and soon it was Sunday.

Ji Ning and her daughter didn’t know that Rong Xuan would also attend the same charity dinner. They started dressing up early in the morning and deliberately used words to irritate her.

Rong Yi said daintily, “Mom, which jewelry set should I wear today?”

Ji Ning smiled gently, however, the words she said were not gentle at all, “Wear the most expensive one, it looks stylish. There’ll be many important people present in today’s occasion. We must dress appropriately.”

Rong Yi then went on to ask, “Mom, I have so many new dresses, which one should I wear?”

Ji Ning smiled. “The most expensive custom-made one, the short white dress that gives off a fairy-like feel.”

“Mom, why haven’t the stylists arrived yet?”

“Mom has contacted them and said they’ll be here soon.”

Amidst the nonstop chattering of Ji Ning and her daughter, Rong Xuan quietly walked out of the house.

As soon as she left, Rong Yi couldn’t help but grin. “Mom, she isn’t so jealous that she went to find a place to cry, right?”

If Rong Xuan’s mother had not passed away, there would be no place for them there. And if Rong Xuan’s mother was still alive, how could Rong Xuan not even have the chance to attend this dinner party?

Elder Lu was old and in poor health. He hadn’t attended such occasions for many years. The last time he attended Rong Xuan’s engagement party, Elder Lu had to hold himself up.

As for the other Lu family members, Elder Lu only had one son and one daughter in his life. His daughter was Rong Xuan’s mother, who has passed away. Elder Lu’s son also only had two little daughters. In other words, there’s really no suitable Lu family member who could take Rong Xuan to various banquets.

If Ji Ning and her daughter didn’t take Rong Xuan with them, Rong Xuan really couldn’t do anything.

Ji Ning gently touched the corners of her eyes with her fingers. Although she took good care of herself, she wasn’t that young anymore and there were some wrinkles in the corners of her eyes. She smiled. “Why do you care about her so much? You’re my daughter and Mom will always help you. You don’t have to worry about being upstaged by her. She won’t even get that chance.”

Rong Yi immediately smiled sweetly. “Thank you, Mom! Mom is the best.”

———

After Rong Xuan left the villa, she found a styling shop with high online ratings and a good reputation.

She’s going to have her hair washed, styled in something that suits her, and have some light makeup.

She was already dressed up and could attend the charity dinner just as Elder Lu hoped.