Chapter 366 - 364: Uninvited Guest

Chapter 366: Chapter 364: Uninvited Guest

Zhang Kai was still agonizing over there, but aside from Gu Nuan Nuan and Zhang Su shooting him a look of both pity and amusement, no one else had the time to pay him much mind.

Everyone’s attention was focused on Zhang Wei Qiang and Gu Nuan Nuan.

Zhang Wei Qiang asked for more details about the Hundred Herbs Rejuvenating Ointment, and then the group began discussing where to build a factory, how many people to hire, and other such matters—

Just as their discussion was getting animated, the food was ready in the kitchen. Dishes began to be carried out to the main hall, one by one. The men in the hall quickly got up to help clear the table, while Gu Nuan Nuan, Zhang Su, and Zhang Kai ran to the kitchen to help bring out the food. Once everything was ready and they started eating, Gu Nuan Nuan couldn’t stop staring at Zhang Minzhen’s belly, making her blush. "You found out?"

"Hmph, I’m not happy." Gu Nuan Nuan huffed. "If Dad hadn’t told me, you were probably planning to wait until my little brother was born to let me know, right?" Though she claimed to be upset, the corners of her mouth couldn’t help but curl upward. ’Things have truly, completely changed. With this little brother or sister on the way, my heart feels so much more settled.’

"Don’t be so dramatic. Your mother just hadn’t gotten the chance to tell you yet." Relieved to see Gu Nuan Nuan wasn’t truly upset, Zhang Minzhen shot a playfully reproachful look at Song Yong. "And you... why are you such a blabbermouth? Couldn’t you have let me tell Nuannuan myself?"

Song Yong didn’t get angry at being blamed, only offering an apologetic smile. "Sorry, I was just too excited and got ahead of myself." Zhang Minzhen let it go, a smile gracing her lips as she playfully rolled her eyes at him. In response, he couldn’t help but break into an indulgent, doting grin.

Watching them, Gu Nuan Nuan felt both happy for her mother and a touch of melancholy. At the same time, a realization settled deeper into her heart: ’In this life, Mom will never be mine alone again... but as long as she’s happy—’

「A few days later.」

Having come down from the mountains again, Gu Nuan Nuan first went to Gu Wu’s place. She asked how he’d been these past few days, pointedly ignoring Chen Suxiang and Gu Lihuang as usual. Seeing that everything was fine and nothing had changed, she took the Jade Tea Pot and Jade Bowl out of her handbag and poured him a bowl of water in which she had dissolved some Hundred Herbs Rejuvenating Ointment.

Gu Wu looked at the bowl his granddaughter handed him. The liquid within shimmered like a piece of jade and gave off an exceptionally pleasant fragrance. Knowing it must be something special, he accepted it without hesitation and drank it all. After finishing, he felt his entire body suddenly become incredibly light and comfortable. It even seemed as if the lingering discomfort from his old, chronic ailments had vanished. He let out a surprised "Oh?" and looked at Gu Nuan Nuan.

Gu Nuan Nuan smiled faintly, deliberately keeping her explanation vague. "Grandpa, in a little while, the Zhang Group will be launching a product called Hundred Herbs Rejuvenating Ointment. It can treat illnesses and be used for wellness. But its effects definitely won’t be as potent as this. I heard Second Aunt is pregnant. When the product is released, I’ll give her a jar. If she drinks a little every day, it will help ensure she has an easier time when she gives birth."

"Good." Gu Wu nodded. "I won’t tell another soul about what I drank today." 𝚏𝗋ℯⅇ

"Okay," Gu Nuan Nuan smiled. "Grandpa, if there’s nothing else, I’ll be going now. I’ll come see you again in a little while. Oh, right, my mother is pregnant now, too."

With that, she turned and left, leaving Gu Wu momentarily stunned before he let out a silent sigh.

Outside the door, Gu Lihuang’s expression soured when he saw Gu Nuan Nuan emerge. He looked at her reproachfully. "Your mother is pregnant? What’s there to be happy about? Don’t you realize that if she has another child, her assets won’t be yours anymore? They’ll all go to that little brat! You should be figuring out a way to make your mom abort it. Or, while she’s still in the early stages, you should just knock her down and get rid of that bastard."

"How vicious. No wonder you deserve your current fate."

Gu Nuan Nuan sneered and walked right past Gu Lihuang. She glanced over at Gu Jiayi, who was standing a short distance away. In this frigid weather, her clothes were not only thin but also tattered. She was staring at Gu Nuan Nuan with a pitiful, pleading, and expectant gaze. Yet, having been harshly rebuked by Gu Nuan Nuan too many times before, she didn’t dare approach. A wave of schadenfreude washed over Gu Nuan Nuan. ’Seeing you so miserable makes me happy.’

She smiled and tossed a parting shot over her shoulder. "The child my mom is carrying is no bastard. He’ll be the legitimate child of my mother and father. My real brother or sister. If you want to talk about bastards, the one standing behind you fits the description perfectly." Then she sauntered off, leaving Gu Lihuang to roar behind her. "You unfilial daughter! I am your father, your real father! What gives you the right to call that other man ’Dad’?"

As Gu Lihuang’s roars continued, they were soon joined by shrill, terrified cries and pleas for mercy from behind her...

Gu Nuan Nuan kept walking, a smile on her face, not pausing for even a second.

She felt not a shred of sympathy for Gu Jiayi, who had previously tried to act pitiful in front of her and was now the innocent target of redirected rage. In fact, she had done it on purpose. She knew Gu Lihuang was by the door, so she had deliberately announced her mother’s pregnancy to make him miserable. As for the rest of the conversation that wasn’t for his ears, he naturally hadn’t heard a single word. ℯ

Back in the city, Gu Nuan Nuan went straight home. Since she had called ahead from town, she wasn’t surprised to find her family all gathered. However, she also saw her aunt, Zhang Weishuang, as well as Luo Xiaohu and Luo Hongyi.

It wasn’t strange to see her aunt, Zhang Weishuang; they had previously arranged with Chen Shulan to have her come to the city at this time. But seeing Luo Xiaohu and Luo Hongyi made Gu Nuan Nuan feel momentarily awkward. This was especially true when she faced Luo Hongyi; it gave her a particularly strange feeling.

After preparing the Hundred Herbs Rejuvenating Ointment, she poured it into the Jade Pot and had those who hadn’t tried it yet drink some. Then, claiming she was tired, Gu Nuan Nuan fled to her room. Though she should have been able to sleep soundly, she found herself suffering from insomnia. She lay wide awake until the middle of the night, when she suddenly sat bolt upright, clutching her blanket. She sat there on her bed, staring speechlessly at the uninvited guest before her.

"Nuannuan, don’t be afraid. It’s me." In the darkness, Luo Hongyi gave an awkward grin. He was a little annoyed. ’If only Nuannuan had discovered me a moment later, after I’d had a chance to steal a kiss.’

He stared at Gu Nuan Nuan’s lips with immense regret and licked his own. "I have to leave at five tomorrow morning. If I didn’t come to see you now and thank you in person, I’d feel empty and restless. After all, once I leave this time, who knows when we’ll see each other again."

Seeing that Gu Nuan Nuan was only glaring at him without looking particularly angry, Luo Hongyi grew secretly delighted. The darkness was clearly no obstacle for him. He couldn’t help but lean closer, his eyes greedily drinking in every detail of her face, as if unwilling to even blink.