The Gu family villa is located halfway up Crescent Bay.
The scenery here is beautiful. At the foot of the mountain lies Crescent Lake, a popular spot for local residents to enjoy fishing and leisure activities. Higher up, there’s a villa community and a forest park, providing fresh air—an ideal area for peaceful living and retirement.
The car pulled into the Gu family villa.
Just as the driver parked, a young man with a backpack dashed out from a small garden nearby, personally opening the car door to help Gu Jiu out.
“Sis, you’re back!” the boy said happily.
Gu Jiu tilted her head and looked at him, “Mingli, were you waiting here just for me?”
Gu Mingli grinned, “Of course! How could I not? You went out today without letting us know. I’ve been waiting here since school ended, or I’d have gone to Qingzhu House to pick you up if I hadn’t checked with Grandma to confirm the time you’d be back.”
Gu Jiu reached out and pinched his cheek accurately. “Did you do something wrong?”
“No way, I’m just a poor, exhausted high school senior, buried in study and practice tests. Where would I find the time to cause trouble?” Gu Mingli protested loudly, but seeing her silent smile, he hesitated, then admitted, “Okay, I’ll tell you. I’ve started dating someone recently… Sis, you’re the only one I’m telling this secret to, so please don’t tell anyone else in the family!”
Gu Jiu was surprised. “You, a ‘poor, exhausted’ guy, actually have a girlfriend?”
She widened her eyes, wanting a better look at him. How did this kid manage to get a girlfriend?
Gu Mingli huffed proudly. His charm was undeniable. Crowned as the school’s most handsome guy since he enrolled, he’d held that title for three years, with more than half the school’s girls admiring him. Of course, he’d be able to get a girlfriend.
Gu Jiu couldn’t stand his smug expression, so she punctured his pride, “Not only do you want me to keep this secret, but you want me to cover for you too, right? So you can go on dates?” She reached out, tugging his handsome face with both hands.
“I don’t mind you dating early, but it better not affect your studies. If it does, I’ll be the first to break your legs.”
Her words were spoken softly, yet they made Gu Mingli shiver.
He knew that if he did something wrong, she’d follow through on her threat, and not only would Grandma, his parents, or his elder brother and sister-in-law not stop her, but they’d probably hand her the weapon.
Gu Mingli immediately raised his hand in a solemn vow that he’d never let dating interfere with his studies. Love motivates good habits and personal growth—it would only make him a better person.
Plus, he’d make sure his girlfriend studied with him, so they’d improve together.
Gu Jiu patted his head affectionately. “Remember your promise! Alright, I’ll help you if needed.”
“Don’t worry, Sis. You’ll see from my scores on the next monthly test that I’m not letting love affect my studies.” He glanced toward the door and muttered, “If it weren’t for the fear of a mixed double whammy from Mom and Dad, I wouldn’t even bother hiding it.”
Unfortunately, his parents had the old-school mindset that students shouldn’t date and should focus on their studies.
Of course, when it came to Gu Jiu, this mindset was entirely forgotten, double standards and all.
Gu Jiu said, “Keeping secrets never feels right. If your test scores show no drop, I’ll personally talk to Uncle and Auntie.”
“Thank you, Sis! You’re the best—you really are my own sister.”
Gu Mingli happily escorted her inside, looking as if he had the best sister in the world.
It was nearing dinnertime at the Gu household, and the aroma of food filled the air.
As the familiar scent of home wafted through, a soft smile spread across Gu Jiu’s face.
Besides Gu Mingjie, who was still working late at the office, everyone else was already home, chatting with Grandma in the living room.
Seeing the two return, Grandma Gu immediately beamed with a warm smile. “Ah Jiu, you’re back.”
The others greeted her warmly as well, their voices loud, as if afraid Gu Jiu might not hear them.
Gu Jiu’s face lit up with a bright smile. “Grandma, Uncle, Aunt, Sister-in-law, Little Qing’er, I’m back.”
As Gu Mingli helped Gu Jiu over, he added, “Grandma, you’ve got to praise me—I waited for Sis at the door specifically.”
“And me too! I waited for Auntie to come back.” Little Gu Yiqing, who was eating custard, quickly raised his hand. “I stopped eating, only had custard, just to wait for Auntie.”
His words made everyone laugh.
Grandma Gu chuckled, “Such good children, all of you.”
Gu Jiu naturally seated herself beside Grandma, linking arms and leaning her face against her grandmother’s shoulder. She said playfully, “Grandma, is dinner ready? I’m hungry.”
Though not exactly starving, the smell of home-cooked food was making her mouth water.
After spending a few days in the cursed village game scenario, though her mind was resilient and unaffected by any negativity, her longing for home had only deepened.
Hearing her say she was hungry, the Gu family promptly prepared to eat without any reservations.
“Is Big Brother not back yet? Should we wait for him?” Gu Jiu asked.
Her sister-in-law, Song Qinghe, smiled, “No need; he has a business dinner tonight and won’t be back until late.”
Only then did Gu Jiu smile, following the others obediently to the dining room.
Everyone walked slowly. Even three-year-old Gu Yiqing knew that his aunt’s vision wasn’t good and adjusted his steps accordingly. He trotted over, holding her hand, his eyes sparkling like black grapes.
In his childish voice, he said, “Auntie, I’ll guide you; I walk very steadily, even better than Uncle.”
Gu Jiu smiled and praised him, “Yes, our little Qing’er is the best.”
Pleased by the compliment, he looked around at everyone watching him, then straightened his face to appear mature and dependable.
His little grown-up demeanor was so much like his father, Gu Mingjie, that it sent a wave of light laughter through the room.
However, seeing Gu Jiu’s dim, shadowed eyes, the laughter turned a bit bittersweet.
The Gu family didn’t adhere to the rule of “no talking while eating.” Mealtimes were lively, with everyone sharing their day’s experiences, making the atmosphere warm and cozy.
The Gu family wasn’t large. Grandma and Grandpa had three children: the eldest son, Gu Jiaseng; the eldest daughter, Gu Jiaqin; and the youngest daughter, Gu Jiayin.
Gu Jiaseng and his wife had two sons, Gu Mingjie, the elder, and Gu Mingli, the younger.
Gu Mingjie was married to Song Qinghe, and their son, Gu Yiqing, was three years old and already attending preschool.
The eldest daughter, Gu Jiaqin, was Gu Jiu’s mother, who passed away due to illness when Gu Jiu was young.
The youngest daughter, Gu Jiayin, married a university professor and has two sons. They lead a happy, fulfilling life.
After her mother’s death, Grandma Gu took Gu Jiu in, raising her in the Gu family household, where she grew up with her mother’s surname. To her, the Gu family was her family.
In fact, among Grandma’s three children, it was her eldest daughter, Gu Jiaqin, who had suffered the most, making Grandma treasure her all the more and, in turn, deeply cherish Gu Jiu.
Though Gu Jiu was technically a granddaughter, in the Gu family’s hearts, she was one of their own, and to the outside world, she was known as the Gu family’s young lady.
Moreover, being born prematurely and with congenital low vision, she was especially cherished by her family.
After dinner, Gu Mingli went to his room to do homework, while the others stayed in the living room, eating fruit and watching the evening news.
Gu Jiu sat lazily next to Grandma, eating fruit fed to her by her little nephew, looking every bit like an old-time, spoiled landlady.
Suddenly, her phone rang.
“Auntie, someone’s calling you,” little Gu Yiqing announced loudly.
Song Qinghe, sitting nearby, glanced at the caller ID. When she saw the name, she frowned slightly and subtly shook her head at the Gu family members watching.
Young Gu Yiqing, ever attentive to his aunt, instinctively answered the call and put it on speaker.
“Ah Jiu, have you eaten yet?”
Hearing the voice, Grandma Gu adjusted her reading glasses calmly, while the couple, Gu Jiaseng and his wife, showed undisguised dislike on their faces.
Gu Jiu asked bluntly, “Why are you suddenly calling me?”
The straightforwardness of her question seemed to stun the other side into silence.
After a moment, the voice responded, slightly annoyed, “Ah Jiu, I’m your father. Isn’t it normal for me to be concerned about you?”
“There’s no need for you to worry about me,” Gu Jiu replied even more frankly. “Just focus on Chen Zhiru; wouldn’t want her getting upset thinking I’m stealing her dad.”
Chen Shishen was visibly irked but held back, as if reminded of something.
He said, restraining himself, “I heard your vision has been worsening lately. I arranged for a renowned foreign eye specialist to come check on you. In a couple of days, you can come back home…”
“No need,” Gu Jiu interrupted. “Grandma and Uncle have already taken me abroad for examinations.”
She implied that if she had waited around for her so-called father to think of her, she’d probably already be blind.
Stunned into silence, Chen Shishen forced himself to continue, “Mr. Wilson is a renowned ophthalmologist from abroad, and I managed to secure a rare appointment with him. Why not give it a try? Don’t give up hope. Who knows? Maybe he can cure you…”
“I’m not giving up,” Gu Jiu interrupted again. “Who said I am? I’m doing just fine. Who knows—maybe my eyesight will fully recover in a few years.”
After being rebutted repeatedly, Chen Shishen finally lost his composure and, with a curt “Fine, don’t blame me for not caring if you go blind,” ended the call.
Hearing his final remark, the Gu family members beside her were furious.
Uncle Gu Jiaseng spat, “If he hadn’t begged on his knees back then, do you think Father would have let my elder sister marry him? After they married, he still had the nerve to betray her. If my sister hadn’t pleaded, I would have made sure he couldn’t stay in Haicheng. Who does he think he is, saying things like that?”
Aunt scoffed, “The Chen family’s done well for themselves this past year. Who knows where they’re getting their connections and means? The Chen family is on the rise, and now he thinks he can come here and boast in front of us.”
In the past, the Chen family acted like mice around the Gu family, always wishing they could dig a hole to hide in whenever they met.
But this year, the Chen company developed rapidly. The Chen family, thinking they could now surpass the Gu family, had become arrogant and even dared to provoke them.
Statements like what Chen Shishen had just made would have been unthinkable for him to say in front of the Gu family in the past.
It wasn’t just because he felt guilty; back then, the Chen family didn’t have the power to challenge the Gu family.
Gu Jiu, however, remained unbothered. “Uncle, Aunt, don’t get angry. There’s no point in wasting your energy. The Chen family can do whatever they like; my eyesight won’t fail me, anyway.”
The others thought she was trying to comfort them. They were all well aware of her vision issues, but to avoid upsetting her, they forced themselves to smile and nod in agreement.
“Ah Jiu’s right; you won’t go blind.”
Grandma gently touched her granddaughter’s eyes, her own eyes glistening with unshed tears.