Chapter 12: What’s this, have you fallen for Gu Luosheng?

"Second Young Master, Miss Gu never said anything to me," Aunt Wang replied. She only knew that Gu Luosheng had been brought into the Gu family by Gu Yunzhu, and that Gu Luosheng seemed to get along better with Gu Yunqi. Gu Yunqi often called Gu Luosheng his little sister, while Gu Yunzhu seemed reluctant to acknowledge her as a sister at all.

Although Aunt Wang was curious about the tangled affairs of the Gu household, she had no intention of prying. She understood well that knowing too much in such matters was rarely a blessing.

"That's all, then. You may go rest," Gu Yunzhu dismissed her. Yet, for some reason, he felt an inexplicable emptiness inside, as if nothing could set him at ease.

The following morning, Gu Luosheng rose slowly from her bed. Her mind was still foggy as she gazed out the window. The sunlight was bright, dancing gently in speckled patterns on the eaves. She vaguely remembered vomiting after dinner last night, and perhaps Aunt Wang had come by in the night to give her medicine? She really ought to thank Aunt Wang properly.

Gu Luosheng stepped out of her room to find the living room surprisingly lively. Other than Gu Yanfen and Gu Yunqi, who were at work, the rest of the family were all gathered around Lin Yichen.

The look Gu Yunzhu cast at Lin Yichen was dark with displeasure, still brooding over the inexplicable fight Lin Yichen had picked with him the other day.

Gu Luosheng had intended to keep a low profile and quietly slip into the kitchen to search for something to eat, for she was rather hungry. But sometimes the more you wish to avoid something, the more it finds you. Lin Yichen's eyes, sharp as a hawk, landed immediately on her.

"Gu Luosheng!" he called out.

Gu Luosheng froze in her tracks.

The three members of the Gu family turned to look at her, leaving her no choice but to greet them. "Good morning."

"Auntie, why not invite Gu Luosheng to join us as well? I'd like to hear her opinion," Lin Yichen said, his gaze unwavering, fixed solely on Gu Luosheng.

Gu Qingwan's expression dimmed, as if a needle had pierced her heart.

Gu Luosheng was bewildered. As an outsider, what business of the Gu family could possibly require her opinion? Hadn't they already struck her from the family register?

"Luosheng, why don't you come over and share your thoughts?" Ren Fang beckoned her over. After a moment's hesitation, Gu Luosheng decided to take a seat—better to find out what exactly this was about. If it involved her, she ought to be prepared.

"Yichen, can we discuss this properly now?" Ren Fang prompted with a smile.

"Your engagement has been delayed for so long. What are your intentions? Do you have plans for when the wedding will take place?" she asked.

Lin Yichen looked calmly at Gu Luosheng. "As long as it's convenient for Luosheng, I have no objections at any time."

Gu Luosheng was stunned. What engagement? What did her convenience have anything to do with this? How was she involved at all?

Ren Fang was equally taken aback, never having expected Lin Yichen to respond in such a way. "Yichen, we're discussing your engagement to Qingwan. This has nothing to do with Luosheng, does it?"

That morning, when Lin Yichen arrived at the Gu home, Gu Qingwan had felt nothing but joy. As a young woman, she was too shy to speak directly, so she had asked Ren Fang to help her inquire about the wedding date.

Yet now, Lin Yichen had turned the matter towards Gu Luosheng, leaving Gu Qingwan deeply unsettled.

Lin Yichen replied matter-of-factly, "The one I'm supposed to marry is Gu Luosheng. Of course this concerns her."

"Years ago, Aunt and Uncle, along with my father, arranged a childhood betrothal. Wasn't it between me and Gu Luosheng?"

"Well..." Although he was technically correct, Gu Luosheng was, after all, not a true member of the Gu family. For a moment, Ren Fang was at a loss for words.

Gu Luosheng wanted nothing more than to cry out her innocence. Why did every troublesome matter somehow involve her? She had no intention of stumbling into marriage so muddle-headedly.

Uncharacteristically, Gu Luosheng spoke up on Gu Qingwan's behalf. "Young Master Lin, you must be mistaken. The betrothal arranged between the Gu and Lin families was meant for the Gu family's youngest daughter to marry the Lin family's eldest son. The youngest daughter is Gu Qingwan, not me. So your intended bride is indeed Gu Qingwan. I am not truly of the Gu family. It seems you have misunderstood all these years."

Neither Gu Qingwan nor Gu Yunzhu had expected Gu Luosheng to speak up in such a way. Although she was helping Gu Qingwan, Gu Qingwan couldn't bring herself to feel happy—Lin Yichen's actions today suggested he had no desire to marry her.

Gu Yunzhu, on the other hand, found himself somewhat impressed by Gu Luosheng; it seemed she had truly taken his words to heart and was no longer contending with Gu Qingwan.

After hearing Gu Luosheng's and Lin Yichen's exchange, Ren Fang felt a surge of discomfort. Though Gu Luosheng was not her biological daughter, she had always regarded her as part of the family and wanted to say so. But to do so now would only seem to support Lin Yichen's claim that he should marry the "Gu family's daughter," Gu Luosheng.

Lin Yichen fell silent. He had been present when Gu Yunzhu expelled Gu Luosheng from the Gu family all those years ago. At that time, Gu Luosheng had clung to his hand, seeking his help, but he had only watched coldly, making no effort to defend her.

The memory returned to him like a boomerang, striking hard at his heart.

Gu Luosheng was quite satisfied with her response. If Lin Yichen now refused, it would reveal that he simply didn't want to marry Gu Qingwan, which might spark a quarrel between them—just as she hoped. But would Lin Yichen really argue with Gu Qingwan? As far as she remembered, he used to be very fond of her.

So what was Lin Yichen playing at now? Hadn't he always liked Gu Qingwan? Why was he trying to pin this engagement on her instead?

There must be some hidden scheme.

The more she thought about it, the more something felt off. Now, for once, she found herself on the same side as the three members of the Gu family—they all wanted Lin Yichen to marry Gu Qingwan.

Just then, the vibrating buzz of a phone broke the tension. Lin Yichen answered, and the call seemed to come as a welcome relief to the strained atmosphere.

"Hello? ... All right, I understand. I'll head to the office right away."

Lin Yichen hung up, looking slightly apologetic. "Auntie, there's an issue at the company that needs my immediate attention. I'll have to excuse myself and visit another time."

Ren Fang, too, realized that the marriage arrangements would need to be reconsidered—there was no answer to be given at this time. "Very well, go take care of your business."

No sooner had Lin Yichen stepped out of the villa than Gu Yunzhu quickly followed after him.

Seeing Lin Yichen exit, the Lin family driver hurried to open the car door for him, but just as Lin Yichen was about to get in, Gu Yunzhu reached out and pushed the door shut.

Gu Yunzhu stared coldly at Lin Yichen. "What exactly do you mean by all this, Lin Yichen? Last time, you started a fight with me over Gu Luosheng. Now you say you want to marry her. What, have you fallen for Gu Luosheng?"