At the Gu villa, a sense of anticipation hung in the air as preparations for the upcoming engagement between Liang and the Shan family were underway. Madame Gu couldn’t shake the feeling of unease, her worries echoing through the elegant halls of their home.

As the family gathered in the living room after dinner, Master Gu broached the subject with a matter-of-fact tone. "The Shan family will be coming over next week to make the engagement official. It’s an important step for both families."

Madame Gu furrowed her brow, her concern etched across her face. "Must everything happen so quickly? Liang and the young man are still getting to know each other. We shouldn’t rush such a significant decision."

Master Gu, ever the pragmatist, leaned forward, explaining, "My dear, we must consider the broader implications. An alliance with the Shans is a strategic move for our family. It’s not just about Liang’s happiness; it’s about securing our family’s future."

Madame Gu sighed, realizing the gravity of the situation. "But what if they’re not well-suited for each other? What if Liang isn’t ready for such a commitment?"

Master Gu placed a comforting hand on his wife’s shoulder. "Liang is a sensible young woman. If she has reservations, she’ll let us know. Besides, this engagement will bring prosperity and stability to our family. We need to think of the bigger picture."

Madame Gu, though still apprehensive, acknowledged the truth in her husband’s words. "I just hope we’re not pushing Liang into something she might regret. We should talk to her, understand her feelings on the matter."

Gu Liang’s entrance into the conversation brought a surprising revelation. With a radiant smile, she addressed her father, "Dad, I’ve made up my mind. I will marry Shan Zitong."

Madame Gu’s worry deepened, etching lines of concern on her face. She expressed her reservations, cautioning, "Liang, you’ve just gone through a divorce. There’s no need to rush into another commitment. Take your time."

Gu Liang, however, remained resolute. "Mom, this marriage is not just about me. It’s about the benefits it can bring to our family. And besides, I genuinely like Shan Zitong. He’s a true gentleman."

Master Gu, finding validation in his daughter’s decision, chimed in, "See, dear? Liang has found happiness in this decision. We should support her."

Madame Gu, still unconvinced, voiced her fears. "But what if he’s putting on an act? What if he changes over time?"

Gu Liang reassured her mother, "I don’t believe he will, Mom. Shan Zitong is perfect for me." With that, she gracefully ascended the staircase, leaving her parents to grapple with the complexities of their family’s future.

As Gu Liang disappeared from view, Madame Gu couldn’t shake the sense of apprehension. The speed at which events were unfolding left her uneasy, and her concerns for her daughter’s emotional well-being lingered in the air like a silent plea for reassurance. The Gu family was on the precipice of a significant decision, one that would shape not only Gu Liang’s destiny but also the fate of their family’s legacy.

Master Gu, buoyed by the prospect of his daughter’s impending engagement, issued instructions to Madame Gu. "You have to help Liang in making arrangements for the engagement. We can also host a banquet, letting the whole city know that our precious daughter, whom everyone once scoffed at for marrying that ’loser’ Li Chen, is now getting married to the son of one of the prestigious families in Beijing."

Madame Gu responded with a stiff smile, her reservations still lingering beneath the surface. As Master Gu rose from his seat, he declared, "I will be in the study."

Madame Gu simply nodded in acknowledgment, her mind filled with the weight of uncertainties surrounding the future. The clash between familial expectations and personal concerns seemed inevitable, casting a shadow over the joyous occasion that Master Gu envisioned for their family.

Madame Gu, left alone in the living room, swirled the wine glass in her hand as she dialed a familiar number. The phone rang for some time, and just as she contemplated ending the call, it was answered. The man on the other end greeted her, "Rumeng, how come you’re the one calling me?"

Madame Gu, a hint of irritation in her voice, retorted, "Stop calling me that."

The man chuckled mischievously, "Well, it is your name."

Madame Gu got straight to the point, "What do you want?"

The man, maintaining his playful demeanor, replied, "What do you mean?"

Madame Gu, growing impatient, snapped, "Cut the crap. Why does your son want to marry my daughter?"

The man responded with feigned innocence, "Out of love, of course."

Madame Gu scoffed, "What love? I know you guys too well. You never do anything from the heart."

The man, with a subtle shift in tone, said, "People change, Rumeng, just like you changed."

Madame Gu, her voice stern, warned, "If you have any intentions with my daughter, you will not like the consequences."

The man on the other end provocatively replied, "Oh, is that a threat from you?"

Madame Gu, growing more agitated, retorted, "Don’t push me."

The man laughed and provocatively stated, "My wife and I will be coming next week for the engagement. I’m sure you still remember my beautiful wife."

Madame Gu, alarmed, pleaded, "No, you can’t come here."

The man, with a sly tone, remarked, "Afraid your husband will notice that we have a past?"

Madame Gu, desperate, implored, "Just don’t come."

The man, enjoying her distress, insisted, "Unfortunately, we have to come. Don’t worry; I won’t blow your cover. You can just continue living that fake life in peace."

Madame Gu, with a hint of desperation, warned, "If you do anything to my family—"

The man cut her off with a mocking laugh, saying, "Stop the threats, Rumeng. You know I have so much against you that even that husband of yours would leave you before you even blink."

The man laughed again and remarked, "Don’t overthink it. We will be family soon, so I won’t do anything to you or your husband and kids."

Madame Gu clicked her tongue in annoyance and hung up. She stood up, pouring herself another glass of wine, deep in thought.

Madame Gu paced the room, her mind filled with worry. She couldn’t shake the feeling that there was a dangerous motive behind this marriage proposal. The thought of her daughter, Liang, entangled in potential danger caused a deep unease within her. Her mind also swirled with the fear that the well-guarded secrets of her past might be revealed to her husband, causing chaos in her carefully constructed life.

As she sipped her wine, she contemplated the looming arrival of the man and his wife, former Chapters of her life that she had fervently tried to keep hidden. The imminent risk of those Chapters resurfacing troubled her deeply, and she knew that her composed facade could crumble in an instant if her hidden truths were exposed.

In a bid to shield her family and her carefully crafted facade, Madame Gu resolved to take cautious steps to navigate the approaching storm, concealing her past at all costs, and ensuring her family’s safety from the looming shadows of her history.

Madame Gu felt the weight of her predicament pressing down on her. She knew that time was of the essence, and she needed to devise a plan to safeguard her family, especially her daughter Liang, from whatever ulterior motives might be hidden behind this sudden engagement.

Reluctant to expose her past connections, Madame Gu hesitated to seek help from her old acquaintances. Fearful of the potential repercussions, she sighed, worry etched across her face. The delicate balance of her carefully constructed life was now at risk, and she needed to tread carefully to navigate the challenges that lay ahead. The impending engagement threatened to unravel the secrets she had kept hidden for years, and Madame Gu knew that decisive action was required to protect the ones she held dear.

Madame Gu, grappling with a sense of urgency and a cloud of uncertainty, decided that she couldn’t afford to remain passive. She took a moment to collect herself, her mind racing through potential solutions. In her quest to protect her family and preserve the carefully crafted facade she had maintained for so long, she realized that she had to face the ghosts of her past.

Summoning the courage to reach out to an old friend, someone she had distanced herself from for years, she made a discreet call. The friend, once a confidante, listened attentively as Madame Gu cautiously revealed the impending engagement and her suspicions. The conversation was laced with tension, a reminder of a history that both wanted to forget.

The old friend, aware of Madame Gu’s intricate web of secrets, agreed to discreetly investigate the background of the future son-in-law. Madame Gu, feeling a glimmer of hope, thanked her friend and hung up. Yet, the fear of the past resurfacing lingered in her eyes.

As she sipped her wine, Madame Gu contemplated the intricate dance she was about to perform. The impending arrival of the Shan family, coupled with the unsettling revelation that her past might catch up with her, fueled her determination to shield her family.

The night concluded with Madame Gu plotting her next moves, caught in a web of deception, old connections, and the imminent engagement. The stakes were high, and Madame Gu knew that her actions in the coming days would determine the fate of the secrets she had so carefully guarded.