Seeing the serious look on the man’s face, Gu Jiaojiao could tell he wasn’t joking. She smiled and asked.

"Haha, Su Shuochi, what’s gotten into you? I haven’t done anything. Why are you suddenly thanking me out of the blue?"

Su Shuochi said, his eyes full of affection, "I have to thank you for giving me such a peaceful and stable home."

Gu Jiaojiao’s smile reached her eyes. "But isn’t this how a family is supposed to be?"

"Jiaojiao, you probably don’t realize it, but so many families aren’t like ours. Take your Second Aunt, for example. She’s just terrifying.

They say your Second Uncle hasn’t been home in a long time. Do you know why he doesn’t like coming home after work?"

Gu Jiaojiao shook her head, though she already knew the answer. Sure enough, she heard him lean in and whisper in her ear, "It’s because your Second Uncle is trying to escape for some peace and quiet.

As soon as he gets home, your Second Aunt starts nagging, and their daughter joins in on the racket. The house is pure chaos. It would be a miracle if he actually wanted to go back.

That’s why I’m the luckiest man alive. Marrying you is a blessing I must have earned over eight lifetimes. You’re perfect, inside and out."

"Hee hee, you’re making me blush!" Gu Jiaojiao said with a modest smile.

’Everyone knows a wife’s stable mood is the best ’feng shui’ for a family, but that’s all predicated on having a good man.’

’For the sake of family harmony—so their husbands can focus on work, their children can study diligently, and the elders can enjoy their golden years in peace.’

’A woman is willing to be that eternally stable person, but if her man is a good-for-nothing and the family is about to starve, what’s the point of being stable?’

But Gu Jiaojiao wouldn’t say that out loud. ’If he wants to get emotional about it, let him. I can handle the praise.’

The wedding ceremony up front was in full swing, while Gu Jiaojiao and her husband stood off to the side, sweetly trading compliments.

Nearby, a mother was earnestly lecturing her daughter. "Honey, you have to stop picking fights with Lanlan. She chose this man herself. If you’re so capable, go find one for yourself."

"Hmph. Second Brother Gu is one of a kind. Where am I supposed to find someone like him? She ruined my life. I’m going to make her regret it."

The girl’s eyes flashed with a cold, sinister light, as if consumed by a deep-seated hatred.

Seeing this, the mother couldn’t help but sigh. "Stop being so stubborn. Lanlan didn’t want to do it either..."

"She may not have wanted to, but she still ruined me! If it wasn’t for her..." The girl’s words came to an abrupt halt.

She was staring, dumbfounded, at a handsome man with a refined, scholarly air about him.

"Mom, go find out who that man is. He’s even more handsome than Second Brother Gu! Judging by where he’s standing, his family background must be good too. After I marry him, we’ll make sure he grinds that bitch Li Xiulan into the dirt."

Hearing this, Gu Jiaojiao followed the girl’s gaze. ’Holy crap, isn’t that my eldest brother?’

’This girl has a vendetta against my second sister-in-law. There’s no way I can let her marry Eldest Brother Gu!’

’My parents would be miserable!’

Before Gu Jiaojiao could make a move, she heard the girl’s mother say, "Oh, for heaven’s sake, honey.

You’ve talked about grinding Lanlan into the dirt hundreds of times. Aren’t you sick of saying it? I’m sick to death of hearing it.

Heh, but if you want to find a rich husband, Mom will definitely help you with that.

How about this? You wait here and don’t move. I’ll go ask around about that young man."

The girl scoffed. "You’re too timid. What are you going to find out? I’ll go ask myself."

With that, the girl swayed her hips and began to push her way through the crowd. Seeing this, Gu Jiaojiao quickly stepped forward and stopped her.

Just then, the old master of the Li family had been about to lead her and Su Shuochi to a private room to talk, but seeing she was occupied, he took Su Shuochi and went on ahead.

Gu Jiaojiao said with a sweet smile, "Miss, if you need something, you can just ask me. It’s crowded, and it wouldn’t do for a pretty lady like you to get jostled."

The girl looked at Gu Jiaojiao’s divinely beautiful face and felt a surge of annoyance.

She forcefully shook off Gu Jiaojiao’s hand. "Who are you? I don’t know you."

Gu Jiaojiao just smiled. "This is our first time meeting, so of course you wouldn’t know me. I’m in charge of receiving the guests."

"A waitress? For a waitress, you’re pretty ugly. Now get out of my way," the girl said, clearly displeased.

"I’m not a waitress. I’m the youngest daughter of the Gu Family, and I’m helping receive guests." Gu Jiaojiao’s primary goal was to stop this girl from getting to Eldest Brother Gu.

"What? You’re that slut Li Xiulan’s sister-in-law?" the girl shrieked.

The person she hated most in the world was Li Xiulan. Since this woman was Li Xiulan’s sister-in-law, there was no way she would like her.

’Besides, the woman looked like a goddess, and she couldn’t stand anyone prettier than herself.’

The girl scoffed. "I see. You must be jealous of how good-looking I am, so you’re trying to suck up to me. Hmph, in your dreams!"

Gu Jiaojiao was dumbfounded. ’Me, jealous of *her*?’

"Jiaojiao, are you all right? Who is this harpy, daring to yell at my sister?" Sheng Shijing bellowed, striding over.

"Who do you think you are? Are you trying to cause a scene?" Eldest Brother Gu demanded, arriving a step behind.

The two "big brothers" flanked Gu Jiaojiao protectively, glaring at the girl.

The girl had been looking for Eldest Brother Gu, and now, not only had she found him, but she’d also found an even more exceptional-looking man right next to him.

She stood there, momentarily at a loss for words, unsure of who to approach. She could only stare dumbly at the two equally impressive men, a complicated expression flickering in her eyes.

Just then, the girl’s mother walked over. Thinking her daughter had been intimidated by the two young men, she stepped forward, took her daughter by the arm, and said, "Oh my, young men, don’t be so aggressive. Look, you’ve frightened my daughter..."

But before her mother could finish, the girl cut her off. "Mom, what are you talking about? How could I be frightened by them? I think they’re both great. I just don’t know which one to choose."

Eldest Brother Gu and Eldest Brother Sheng: "..."

Gu Jiaojiao let out an uncharitable snort of laughter. "Pfft. ’Choose?’ Don’t get ahead of yourself. They’re both taken."

Hearing Gu Jiaojiao’s words, the girl’s mother shot her daughter an exasperated glare.

Then she sighed helplessly. "Hua Hua, stop making a scene. Today is your cousin’s wedding."

The girl pouted with a look of disdain. "I’m unhappy precisely *because* my cousin is getting married. Why should her family be better than mine? Why does the man she’s marrying have to be so handsome?"

"Are you out of your mind? You’re jealous because your own cousin is marrying well?" Eldest Brother Gu said angrily.

He then pulled Gu Jiaojiao away.

Seeing them leave, the mother whispered pleadingly, "Hua Hua, I’m begging you, please stop causing trouble."

The girl’s face was a mask of stubbornness. "Hmph! Why does my cousin get to be so happy? The man I love is in love with her, and she didn’t even want to marry him."

"You...!" Her mother was so angry her face turned red.