Returning from Grandma Lu’s place, it was already afternoon.

The relatives of the Gu family lived nearby, so delivering gifts was quite convenient.

By the time they finished visiting all of Gu Yanqing’s uncles and aunts, it was only around 3 PM.

They then headed to Chu Shishi’s home.

Chu Shishi lived in a house given to her by her parents when she married into the Gu family.

The place wasn’t large but was conveniently located.

She lived there with her child, Yuan Yuan, and a caretaker who helped with daily needs, making their lives quite comfortable.

“Yuan Yuan Gege!” Koukou shouted as soon as he entered the house.

Yuan Yuan responded with equal enthusiasm, “Koukou Di Di!”

The two children hadn’t seen each other for a long time and embraced happily.

Qiao Wanqing watched them with a sense of wonder, noting how the two were so close, almost forgetting that they were supposed to be the protagonist and antagonist of their respective stories.

Yuan Yuan, who used to be able to carry Koukou, found that he couldn’t lift him anymore.

Koukou had grown quite chubby from enjoying plenty of food, and Yuan Yuan, despite his attempts, could only lift him slightly off the ground before putting him down.

“Brother can’t lift you anymore!” Yuan Yuan said, patting Koukou’s little head as he nestled against him. “You’ve gotten so big!”

Koukou tilted his head, looking a bit troubled by this realization.

But Yuan Yuan quickly moved on, extending his hand and saying, “Come on, little brother, let me show you my toys.”

Koukou immediately forgot about his size and eagerly followed Yuan Yuan to play with his toys.

Meanwhile, Qiao Wanqing and Gu Yanqing sat down with Chu Shishi for a chat.

Chu Shishi no longer appeared to be a woman hiding away and wallowing in self-pity.

She had transformed from the despondent wife who had caught her husband cheating into a confident and elegant woman.

With her share of the family’s assets, she didn’t worry about money.

She was able to enjoy life’s comforts without having to work, while her ex-husband’s earnings were something she could indulge in without lifting a finger.

Now that Yuan Yuan is in school, she doesn’t have to worry about him all day.

She can still go out and enjoy herself, and just come home in the evenings to be with her child.

So she’s living quite freely.

“I feel like not having a man isn’t such a big deal. I’m free and easy on my own, without needing to consider someone else’s feelings. I can do whatever I want, and it’s so comfortable.”

Qiao Wanqing agreed, “Actually, when I was taking care of Kuo Kuo without Yanqing around, I felt pretty free. I focused on doing what I liked, and didn’t feel like anything was missing.”

Gu Yanqing: “……”

“Exactly!” Chu Shishi clearly agreed, “I even wonder why I needed a man to complicate things. On my own, I eat well, sleep well, and it’s just right!”

Gu Yanqing felt it was more of a women’s discussion and decided to step out, saying, “I’m going to check on Yuan Yuan and Kuo Kuo. You all continue chatting.”

After Gu Yanqing left, Chu Shishi asked, “Do you think he’ll be mad?”

Chu Shishi was still a bit afraid of Gu Yanqing.

“Don’t worry, he’s not that petty. By the way, how’s Gu Yanze doing now?”

“You’re right,” Chu Shishi said. “Gu Yanze is currently lavishing money on that woman, spending on her TV dramas, commercials, and even built her a studio. He’s really putting everything into promoting her.”

Chu Shishi added with a grudge, “I used to want him to get me a ticket to a jewelry exhibition in the celebrity circle, but he said there were no resources. Now he’s got plenty for her.”

Qiao Wanqing wanted to say that men are like that—if they like you, they’d move mountains for you; if they don’t, they wouldn’t even bend down to pick up a key you dropped.

But now wasn’t the right time for that.

She patted Chu Shishi’s shoulder and said, “Isn’t this exactly what we want? The faster that woman rises, the closer we get to our chance for revenge.”

“Right. I hope the drama she’s filming now becomes a huge hit and makes her a top actress. But I heard from a contact that her acting is terrible. I really doubt she can become famous.”

“Informant…”

Qiao Wanqing’s focus was different. Watching Chu Shishi, it seemed like she was turning her life into a spy drama.

With such a powerful mother, she had nothing to worry about regarding the male lead; she wouldn’t have to worry about being at a disadvantage.

“She’ll probably get involved in a reality show next and become an overnight sensation. Acting skills are just trivial matters.”

Qiao Wanqing looked into the reality show, even though no official news had been released.

It was already in the production phase and would likely start filming in the spring of next year.

However, Jiang Yi would only join in the third season, replacing an injured actor from the show’s team, which meant she’d only appear in the season after next.

Their biggest challenge now was finding a way to get her into the first season.

They needed Gu Yanqing’s help since neither Chu Shishi nor Gu Yanze had the capability on their own.

It all depended on whether Gu Yanqing had the resources or connections for this.

They were really working hard to get a small-time actress noticed.

Since Chu Shishi was doing well, Gu Yanqing and Qiao Wanqing were relieved.

After a while, they got up to leave.

Kou Kou and Yuan Yuan hadn’t seen each other for a long time and had to part ways so soon.

It was hard to say goodbye.

Gu Yanqing asked Yuan Yuan if she wanted to go to the Gu family’s house to play.

After getting Chu Shishi’s approval, Yuan Yuan went along.

Qiao Wanqing was also happy to let Yuan Yuan play with Kou Kou.

With Yuan Yuan around, Kou Kou was much better behaved and not always scheming.

Otherwise, the little troublemaker had so many clever tricks up his sleeve.

It was hard to understand how such a young child could be so full of mischief.

When they got home, Gu Jingzhi, who had been out, returned just in time.

The two children ran over to greet their grandfather.

A smile spread across Gu Jingzhi’s usually stern face as he hugged the older one first and then the younger one.

After that, he took something from his pocket and gave each child a gift.

The children happily ran off, each holding a gift in hand.

Gu Jingzhi watched the two children’s small backs with a satisfied smile.

Gu Yanqing and Qiao Wanqing greeted him before heading off.

Qiao Wanqing went to her room to handle things on Taobao, while Gu Yanqing sat down to chat with Gu Jingzhi.

“How was the harvest today, Dad?” Gu Yanqing asked.

Gu Jingzhi had attended a private auction today.

He had originally planned to take Gu Yanqing and Qiao Wanqing along to broaden their horizons, but Qiao Yanqing said it was a good day for gift-giving and that they could go to the auction another time. So they didn’t go.

“It was flashy but not practical,” Gu Jingzhi said, waving his hand. “Private auctions these days are becoming less impressive. The charity auction I attended last time was better.”

Seeing that Gu Jingzhi hadn’t seen anything worthwhile and wasn’t satisfied, Gu Yanqing suggested, “Next time, avoid these flashy private auctions. The bigger the hype, the less substantial it often is. The better auctions are usually low-key.”

“If it weren’t for Old Qian’s sake…” Gu Jingzhi started to say something but changed the subject, asking, “How are the wedding preparations going?”

Their wedding was just a month away.

“The major arrangements are done. We’re still working on the details.”

Tomorrow, the custom wedding attire will be delivered for Qiao Wanqing to try on, to check for fit and any needed alterations.

“Good,” Gu Jingzhi said.

He trusted Gu Yanqing to handle things well, so he didn’t worry much.

He added, “Once you’re married, you need to be devoted to her and avoid any complications.”

Gu Yanqing knew Gu Jingzhi was upset about Gu Yanze’s situation.

Gu Yanze had recently been considering divorcing Chu Shishi to marry Jiang Yi.

When Gu Jingzhi found out, he scolded him and then left in anger.

But there was little Gu Jingzhi could do.

If Gu Yanze wanted to divorce and marry Jiang Yi, it was his decision.

The elders could only oppose, but if Gu Yanze was determined, there was nothing they could do.

“Don’t worry, Dad.”

Gu Jingzhi nodded and sighed after a while. “It’s just that Yuan Yuan is suffering.”

They wouldn’t care how much everyone else fussed.

They were adults with their own opinions.

Even if Gu Yanze wasn’t afraid of embarrassment, they weren’t either.

“I’ll make sure to take good care of Yuan Yuan and won’t let him be mistreated.”

Before Kou Kou came along, Gu Yanqing even thought about raising Yuan Yuan if he didn’t find someone he liked.

But once Qiao Wanqing and Kou Kou arrived, he forgot about that idea.

However, if Yuan Yuan’s parents were to divorce, he would definitely take extra care of Yuan Yuan.

---

Qiao Wanqing and the others brought a lot of homemade cured meats this time.

Last time, when Gu Jingzhi and Madam Gu visited them and seemed to enjoy the cured meats, Qiao Wanqing had specially bought pork, chicken, and fish, made a lot of it, and brought it over.

Homemade cured meats last a long time without losing flavor and taste better.

In the kitchen, they sliced some cured fish, cured chicken, and cured pork, and made a mixed steamed dish with fermented black beans.

Everyone loved the strong, salty-sweet cured flavor.

Kou Kou couldn’t chew the cured meat and had to eat the minced meat and chicken soup prepared for him.

This afternoon, Kou Kou only had a bottle of milk and no other snacks, so he should be very hungry by now.

Qiao Wanqing decided to feed him first, putting a spoonful of minced meat to his mouth.

But Kou Kou kept his mouth shut and refused to eat.

“Why aren’t you eating again?” Qiao Wanqing wondered. “Did you sneak some snacks this afternoon?”

“No!” Kouko immediately denied.

Madam Gu asked, “Is it that the food isn’t to his taste?”

“Probably not,” replied Qiao Wanqing.

The food in the Gu family’s kitchen was delicious, and Kouko had always eaten well during previous visits.

Qiao Wanqing tasted the meat sauce and confirmed it was excellent; it wasn’t the food that was the issue.

“Eat your meal, dear. Let Grandpa and Grandma see how big your mouth is,” Qiao Wanqing coaxed Kouko.

Kouko quickly opened his mouth but closed it again before Qiao Wanqing could put the spoon in.

Qiao Wanqing was at a loss.

“Could he be feeling unwell?” Gu Jingzhi asked with concern.

Kouko had a cold last time and didn’t want to eat anything.

“No, he’s just being tricky,” Gu Yanqing said, then told Qiao Wanqing, “You eat first; I’ll feed him later.”

Kouko often had many little tricks.

If he wasn’t eating, he probably wasn’t hungry yet, so there was no need to rush.

Qiao Wanqing decided to eat her meal first.

Yuan Yuan ate happily by himself and tried to persuade Kouko to eat by saying how delicious it was.

Kouko, tempted, was drooling, but still refused to eat when offered some preserved meat.

“Not hungry? Tell Mommy why you don’t want to eat,” Qiao Wanqing said, becoming increasingly exasperated.

Kouko seriously said, “Kouko doesn’t want to get fat! He’s very, very heavy.”

Everyone was initially stunned, then burst into laughter.

Madam Gu said, “So, are you on a diet, sweetheart?”

Kouko didn’t understand what dieting meant, but he knew that eating too much would make him gain weight, and if he got too heavy, Yuan Yuan wouldn’t be able to carry him.

So he decided not to eat.

Everyone was amused by his reasoning.

Despite being a little foodie, Kouko was now refusing to eat simply because Yuan Yuan had mentioned he might be getting fat.

Madam Gu took Kou Kou and gently patted his head. “You’re not fat at all. Yuan Yuan is just teasing you. Kou Kou, eating is important for you to grow taller. If you don’t eat, you won’t grow!”

Hearing that he wouldn’t get fat, Kou Kou immediately believed it.

Madam Gu fed him a spoonful of meat soup, and he eagerly ate it.

But dieting is a cruel thing for someone who loves food.

The next day, the bridal studio was supposed to bring Qiao Wanqing’s wedding dress for her to try on.

To avoid making the house too chaotic and affecting her family, Qiao Wanqing decided to go to the studio to try it on instead, after discussing it with Gu Yanqing.

Tang Yueyue heard that Qiao Wanqing was going to try on wedding dresses and came over to help.

She and Qi Xing had made some progress, and during the New Year holiday, Qi Xing came to X City to visit her.

So, they came together.

Qiao Wanqing’s wedding attire included three outfits: a wedding dress, a traditional Chinese dragon and phoenix gown, and a princess-style dress.

Gu Yanqing was very excited to see Qiao Wanqing in the wedding dress, but when the time came for the fitting, the designer and Tang Yueyue “forced” him out.

The reason was that he, as the groom, was not allowed to see the bride’s wedding dress before the wedding.

“Mr. Qi, you can stay here and chat with your boss while we finish up inside,” they said to Qi Xing, who was also left outside.

Qi Xing: “…”

Qi Xing didn’t really want to see the bride, but he still owed Gu Yanqing a project.

He purposely delayed it until after the New Year to avoid extra work during the holiday, which meant he couldn’t see Tang Yueyue.

He had been avoiding Gu Yanqing recently.

He came with Tang Yueyue today, hoping to avoid work-related talk since everyone was together.

However, things didn’t go as planned.

Seeing Gu Yanqing’s amused expression, Qi Xing felt like he wanted to faint.