Secretly Married to the Ice-Cold CEO-Chapter 504: Talking Nonsense Under the Guise of Truth
Gu Qianlan’s eyes used to be arrogant, contemptuous, violent, and impatient. Now, they are as calm as a still water surface, with occasional ripples that settle down quickly.
She actually has a bit of her aunt’s shadow on her.
Gu Qianlan said, "Growth requires a price. My price is a human life. Chen Ming’s screams just before he died haunt my dreams every night."
She used to be so ignorant, always causing trouble for those around her. Her brother treated her well, yet she caused a rift in his marriage.
Gu Qianlan still doesn’t quite like An Junxi, but she is learning to get along peacefully with her.
An Junxi wonders if Gu Qianlan really wants to change or if she’s just going crazy. Gu Qianlan said, "I asked my brother to go home and rest last night. He said he didn’t want to—he would be all alone there. He hasn’t had a proper rest for days. I’m really selfish. He treats me well, yet I can’t accept the person he loves, making him sad."
An Junxi isn’t used to hearing such things from Gu Qianlan, "Are you running a fever or something?"
Gu Qianlan pulls the blanket up to cover the scars on her hands, "The day after tomorrow, I’m leaving for the United States with Mom and Dad. I don’t know how long we’ll stay, maybe a year, maybe three. I know a lot of people here don’t like me. If the news of my disfigurement gets out, they’ll secretly laugh themselves to death."
An Junxi doesn’t comment, silence is golden.
Gu Qianlan now has a pretty accurate understanding of herself, knowing that she’s quite unpopular.
"Bring Jin Xiu and Ai Xi over tomorrow. Let’s have a family dinner as a farewell for me, okay?"
An Junxi doesn’t immediately agree. All her prepared arguments go unsaid, taken aback by Gu Qianlan’s request.
Now Miss Gu’s speech is no longer commanding; at least she asks for permission with "okay?".
An Junxi remains silent. Could Miss Gu really change that easily?
Gu Qianlan says, "After we go abroad, Mom and Dad won’t be able to see Jin Xiu and Ai Xi for a long time. They’re getting old. Please agree, Sister-in-law."
The term "Sister-in-law" gives An Junxi goosebumps. She looks out the window—no miraculous signs in the sky. Did Gu Qianlan really not get possessed?
Gu Qianlan touches the bandages on her face, "If you’re afraid I’ll scare Ai Xi, I can even refrain from sitting at the table to eat."
An Junxi thinks through this sudden situation. If she agrees, she’ll have to sit at the same table with Gu Yikun for a meal.
No way, that’s too much of a loss.
She’s put up with so many grievances in the Gu Family; how could she just casually sit at the same table for a meal? She has her principles too.
She says, "My company is very busy, and taking leave is inconvenient. After the divorce, I’ll be even busier. Even if your brother provides child support, I still have to work hard to make money."
Gu Qianlan gets anxious, "Are you really going to get a divorce?"
"Isn’t that what you wanted? I’m redundant in the Gu Family and don’t want to stay to be an eyesore, avoiding constant quarrels."
Gu Qianlan tries to get out of bed, but it aggravates her wound, "An Junxi, you..."
An Junxi looks at her with raised eyebrows, and Gu Qianlan quickly changes her tone, "Sister-in-law, we’re about to go abroad. If you divorce my brother, he’ll be all alone. That would be miserable."
An Junxi remains indifferent, "He’s the one who brought up divorce, and so did your mom. She supports our divorce. Luckily, I have my own house in Yan City, so I have a place to stay after leaving your Gu Family."
Gu Qianlan doesn’t know what to do, "My brother loves you. How could he want a divorce? He must have said it out of anger. How could you take that seriously? Do you want Ai Xi to grow up in an incomplete family?"
Gu Qianlan hopes the child could make An Junxi change her mind. If An Junxi insists on divorcing, her brother wouldn’t remarry another woman.
"This is how my brother and I grew up. Mom and Dad were busy with work and didn’t take care of us much. We were mostly raised by Sister He and Sister Li. Look how rebellious I turned out to be. Aren’t you afraid Ai Xi will grow up to be like me? You’d be constantly upset, and my brother—his introverted personality is also due to the lack of a proper childhood."
To persuade An Junxi, Gu Qianlan says everything she can, painting a pitiful picture of their siblinghood. An Junxi looks at her serious demeanor and laughs inside.
She keeps a calm face, "I’ll see if I can take a leave. I’ll let you know tonight."
"Alright," Gu Qianlan says, "You won’t get divorced, right?"
An Junxi states her position, "What does having a meal have to do with getting a divorce?"
Gu Qianlan doesn’t get it. Didn’t having a family meal together mean reconciliation?
Sister Li told her so.
Not knowing what else to say, Gu Qianlan mumbles, "Then try your best to come for the meal."
An Junxi thinks even if there is reconciliation, it won’t be immediate. Doing so would make her seem without principles, and the Gu Family would take her even less seriously in the future.
"I’ll try."
She leaves, saying, "Take care and rest. I’m leaving."
Stepping out of the hospital room, she finds Gu Kuangyong and Liang Huiyun still waiting outside.
Liang Huiyun has a constipated expression, but Gu Kuangyong looks relatively kind. He calls An Junxi over, "Jun Xi, come sit, Dad wants to have a word with you."
An Junxi braces herself for another round of persuasion. She respects her father-in-law, who remains calm in all situations, unlike her mother-in-law who only blames her.
Liang Huiyun doesn’t show a pleasant face but doesn’t say anything infuriating either.
An Junxi can’t refuse her father-in-law’s request. Having just told Gu Qianlan she’d think it over, she quickly agrees in front of him, "Once Jin Xiu comes home from school, I’ll bring the two kids over for dinner."
Gu Kuangyong feels gratified, "Jun Xi, I know you’re a sensible child. We’ve made mistakes before, often interfering in your matters with Yi Ke. We won’t do that anymore. When you have time in the future, visit us in the United States."
An Junxi neither agrees nor refuses, prompting Gu Kuangyong to ask again, "Will you come?"
Honest, An Junxi replies, "Dad, there’s a bit of a problem with my marriage with Yi Ke. I can’t ensure the future..."
"Nonsense, whose marriage doesn’t have issues? Your mom and I had a political marriage and still got through most of our lives together. You and Yi Ke at least married for love. What problem can’t be solved? Don’t ever mention divorce again."
Liang Huiyun voices her discontent with her husband, "Are you saying marrying me has been painful?"
Gu Kuangyong thinks to himself, "Stop speaking such honest truths."
