Chapter 12: Phoenix Man × Rich Beauty 2

“No, no, no, I was just talking nonsense,” Madam Gu immediately backed down, no longer acting high and mighty the moment she saw her son get angry—he was the one she feared the most.

Gu Zhaodi, who had remained silent all this time, lifted her head and looked deeply at Gu Yin. There was shock in her eyes, but also a flicker of hope.

“Mom, since you’re here, just stay for now. I remember you and big sis are both good at cooking. Later, I’ll see if I can get you a shop.”

Madam Gu had already sold the house back home, so it wasn’t realistic to ask her to return. Plus, Big Sis’s situation was troublesome. It might be better for them to stay here and find something to do so they wouldn’t cause trouble for Bai Yue.

A glimmer of light appeared in Gu Zhaodi’s eyes, and she hesitated as if she wanted to say something. But before she could speak, Madam Gu’s loud voice interrupted.

“Open a shop? Do you know how much that costs? Just let your big sis and little sister find some casual work. I’ve heard everything in a big city makes money!”

“Mom, Lil’ Sis has to go to university. Big Sis doesn’t have much education, so she can’t get decent work.”

“University?!” Madam Gu’s eyes widened. She didn’t have money to waste on a girl’s education.

“Mom, Bai Yue went to college and got an education. Do you expect me to tell my future father-in-law that my sister got into college but didn’t attend—because of me? Isn’t that shameful?”

“But…” Madam Gu looked unwilling and still wanted to argue, but seeing Gu Yin’s face change, she backed down, afraid it might affect her son’s career. Reluctantly, she said, “If she wants to go, let her go. But I don’t have money for her.”

“I’ll earn it myself!” Gu Lingyun immediately declared her stance.

Gu Yin nodded in reassurance, then continued, “Big Sis, is it okay if Yaya stays with your husband for now?”

That struck a nerve for Gu Zhaodi. Her daughter was the one person she couldn’t let go of. She looked up, choking up.

“Little Brother, can I bring Yaya over? I really don’t feel at ease with her father. You know what your brother-in-law is like—he drinks all the time. If something happened to Yaya, how could I live with myself?”

“Why bring a girl over? You’re just causing trouble for your brother. That’s the Wang family’s child, not ours,” Madam Gu piped up again.

“But she came from my body! Even if you don’t care, I do!”

Gu Zhaodi had never been loved growing up, so she did everything she could to give her daughter a better childhood—one she herself never had.

“That’s enough,” Gu Yin frowned. “Let’s find a time for you and me to go back home. You should divorce him.”

“Divorce?!” Madam Gu and Big Sis shouted in unison. Madam Gu looked shocked and strongly disapproving, while Big Sis’s eyes lit up with hope.

“No way. No one from our village gets divorced. That’s a huge disgrace! The Gu family can’t lose that kind of face.”

As Madam Gu shouted, Big Sis’s eyes gradually dimmed. She sighed deeply. Gu Yin’s heart softened and he stepped in.

“Come on, it’s the modern age. Divorce isn’t rare. Why shouldn’t someone leave a man who beats his wife and kid? Besides, didn’t you and Dad want a son because you believed a son could protect you? Now, one of your daughters is in trouble. How could I sit by and do nothing? I just want to hear you say it, Big Sis—do you want a divorce or not? If you do, I’ll do everything in my power to help you. But if you don’t, I’ll send you back in a few days so you won’t be separated from your daughter.”

“I do!” Gu Zhaodi thought for a moment, then looked at Gu Yin with determination. “I want a divorce. I want to bring Yaya with me. I want to give her a better childhood.” Her voice cracked. “I don’t want her to end up like me.”

Gu Yin felt a jolt in his heart. He knew all too well the kind of pain daughters endured in a household that favored sons. That’s why he felt especially sorry for his sister.

Madam Gu started to grumble in his ear, but as the one who had benefited most from this family, Gu Yin couldn’t scold her. All he could do was try to make it up to his sisters.

“It’s settled then. I’ll first find you a shop. Once things are stable, I’ll take a few days off and go back home with Big Sis to bring Yaya here.”

With Gu Yin’s decision, the meal came to a close. He drove everyone to a hotel and then headed home. As soon as he opened the door, the soft orange light made him feel incredibly warm. He quietly changed his shoes and tiptoed to the study. Sure enough, he found Bai Yue asleep at the desk.

He smiled and gently patted her back. “Babe, wake up. Go to bed and sleep properly, okay?”

Bai Yue stirred, still groggy, her eyes barely open. Seeing the man in front of her, she blinked and asked cautiously, “Are Auntie and the others settled in? I really didn’t mean to…”

Gu Yin kissed her softly to stop her from explaining. “I know. Don’t worry. I’ve got it handled. They’re staying at the hotel near my workplace. I’m planning to show them some shopfronts these next two days. I’m thinking of setting them up with a breakfast shop—at least that gives them something to do.”

“Then I’ll come with you when I’m free!” Bai Yue sighed in relief when she saw he wasn’t angry. The fact that he shared his plans with her also put her at ease. After all, no one really wants to live with their mother-in-law.

“Okay.” Gu Yin poked her nose gently. “Have you eaten yet? What did you eat?”

“Nope. The surgery observation ended late today, and I had to write up a report. I was busy till really late. Can you cook for me?” Bai Yue pouted.

“What do you want to eat?” Gu Yin asked as he carried her toward the kitchen and looked inside the fridge.

“You decide. I have decision fatigue!” Bai Yue didn’t even lift her head, still clinging to him.

“Alright then, Your Ladyship, please allow me to cook for you.” Gu Yin chuckled and set her on the sofa, then quickly went into the kitchen and whipped up two dishes.

He had learned to cook from Madam Gu and had good skills. Back when he was courting Bai Yue, he often brought her lunch. After they got together, their busy schedules left little time for cooking, but every now and then, he’d still prepare something to cheer her up.

Bai Yue cleaned her plate—it was clear she was starving. Both had had a long day, so after tidying up, they showered and went to bed.

—

The next day, while they were driving and waiting at a red light near the hospital, Bai Yue pointed out, “Ah Yin, look—this shop is for lease.”

Gu Yin asked her to take a photo. Both of them felt the location was ideal: close to work and with good foot traffic.

Once he got to the hospital, before his shift started, he called the number. “Hello, is the shop near People’s Hospital available for lease?”

“Yes, are you interested? If you are, we can set up a time to meet and talk.”

“How about noon today?”

“Sure, that works.”

At noon, Gu Yin and Bai Yue visited the shop during their lunch break. The owner was already waiting and gave them a tour.

“This shop has two floors. The first floor’s the dining area, and the second floor has a few tables, not many, plus two rooms. My husband and I used to live here—there are beds, wardrobes, everything. If you take over, I’ll leave it all for you.”

“What’s the price?” Bai Yue asked, visibly satisfied with the place.

“I’m just renting the place too—I signed a three-year lease and there’s a year and a half left. With all the furnishings, how about 100,000 yuan? If you agree, I’ll contact the landlord and we can sign a contract.”

Gu Yin saw everything was in place and agreed. The shop owner called the landlord, and they signed the contract.

She handed her bank account number to Gu Yin, but before he could take it, Bai Yue grabbed it first. She knew about his family situation and wanted to help.

But Gu Yin stopped her, taking the slip from her hand and transferring the money from his own phone.

The original owner of this body had little personal expense over the years. Living in Bai Yue’s house and relying mostly on her financially, he had managed to save up. He’d also dabbled in stock trading—though he didn’t hit it big, he made some small profits.

Bai Yue peeked at his bank app. “Wow, so much money?”

She hadn’t expected him to save nearly a million yuan in just a few years. “Then I want to spend money too!”

Gu Yin pinched her nose, laughing. “How do you want to spend it? Want me to clear out your shopping cart?”

“Then I’ll need time to pick carefully.”

“Our Lady Bai can take her time. Hubby will pay.”

—

“Oh my god, this place is huge! Must’ve cost a fortune,” Gu Lingyun chirped.

“Not too bad,” Gu Yin said, then looked at Madam Gu. “Mom, this place is near the hospital, so you can sell breakfast and food that’s light and suitable for patients. You and Big Sis both cook well. I’m sure the shop will do great. There are two rooms upstairs—you and Lingyun can share one for now. Once she goes off to college, you’ll have it to yourself. Big Sis, when Yaya gets here, the two of you can have the other room.”

“Oh my,” Madam Gu was delighted by the size of the shop, but then she remembered money and asked hesitantly, “Xiao Yin, this must’ve cost a lot, right? You know our situation—even if I sold the house…”

Gu Yin reassured her quickly. “Mom, your daughter-in-law said this is a gift to you and the girls. She’s just too busy lately to visit you, but she hopes you won’t mind.”

“Oh, no no, you’re right! You’re right to focus on work! What’s so important about seeing this old woman? Just make money and don’t worry about us—we’ll take care of the shop just fine!”

Madam Gu was the type to say whatever suited the moment. Upon learning that Bai Yue spent so much on them, her attitude flipped. Still, she had some concerns.

“Xiao Yin, if Bai Yue spends money on us, won’t her father get upset? Could it hurt your career?”

“Mom, as long as we treat Bai Yue well, my father-in-law won’t say a word.”

“You’re right, you’re right! Oh, I treat my daughter-in-law the best—you can count on that!” Gu Yin was grinning ear to ear.

He’d perfectly taken advantage of his mother’s greed and love for money, subtly reshaping her view of Bai Yue. Now, in Madam Gu’s eyes, Bai Yue was a walking treasure, someone to be coddled and flattered for more “gifts.”

—

“I plan to take time off next week to go home with Big Sis,” Gu Yin said one evening, feeding Bai Yue freshly washed grapes.

In the past few days, the shop had taken off. Madam Gu and Big Sis had great culinary skills, and with tasty food at affordable prices, their porridge shop attracted a steady stream of office workers and families from the nearby hospital.

Madam Gu was busy every day, but she was hardworking by nature and didn’t mind—especially compared to the little money she made back home.

“Why?” Bai Yue blinked her large eyes as she chewed on grapes.

“To help Big Sis get a divorce.”

“Divorce?!” Bai Yue didn’t know the details of Gu Yin’s family. The original owner never told her, so he took this opportunity to explain.

When she heard that Gu Big Sis’s husband beat her, Bai Yue jumped up. “Gu Yin, I’m warning you—don’t you dare pick up that habit, or I’ll divorce you too!”

“Wouldn’t dare, my little goddess,” Gu Yin instantly begged for mercy, tugging on Bai Yue’s hand. She collapsed onto his chest with a pout, “You men…”