Chapter 676: Unfortunately, You’re Married
Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Su Bing walked over, handing the milk bottle to Su Le. Su Le, with a cheerful tilt of her head, began to drink, paying no mind to the people around her. She was oblivious to the cold glance hrt brother, Su Bing, shot at Gao Ming. This coldness, however, was less of cruelty and more of helplessness. “Watch my sister for a moment,” he instructed, “I’ll be back once I finish these dumplings.”
Su Bing moved to Gu Zi’s side, devouring the dumplings with gusto. He was eager to finish eating so he could get back to his duties, a display of his sense of responsibility.
Gu Zi had found the earlier interaction between Gao Ming and the child amusing, but now she felt a pang of sympathy for Su Bing. He was eating so quickly, not for his own enjoyment, but to help her watch over Su Le.
Gu Zi took two dumplings from her own bowl and offered them to Su Bing. Meeting his puzzled gaze, she said, “Have a couple more.”
Although Su Bing had already had breakfast with his father, he didn’t refuse his mother’s offer. He obediently ate the dumplings.
After breakfast, Gu Zi took out some pastries she had prepared earlier from the refrigerator. She assembled them into a mixed pastry box and, calling Gao Ming over, they went together to deliver the pastries to the Gao family.
Upon seeing Gu Zi, a genuine joy spread across the face of Old Lady Gao. She welcomed Gu Zi into her home, insisting that she stay for a while, and quickly instructed the housemaid to prepare tea.
Gu Zi had initially intended to decline the invitation. She had only planned to drop off the pastries and hadn’t expected to be invited in. Besides, she had left her children at home. However, she couldn’t refuse Old Lady Gao’s overwhelming hospitality and reluctantly agreed to stay for a while.
She accepted the cup of clear tea that Old Lady Gao handed her, took a sip, and then handed over the box of pastries. “Grandma Gao,” she said, “the dumplings were delicious. We finished them all. I thought I’d bring over some of our spare pastries. We usually have them in the afternoon with some black tea. The children at home love them, and I thought Gao Ming might enjoy them too.
“The bottom layer needs to be steamed or fried before eating, but the top layer can be eaten as is. You can try them later.”
Old Lady Gao accepted the box and handed it to the housemaid. Through the transparent lid, she could see the variety of delicate pastries inside. Her grandson, Gao Ming, a notorious foodie, had already been enticed by the sight of the pastries and couldn’t wait to follow the box.
She turned her gaze back to Gu Zi, admiring her beautiful and elegant face. Her high, arched eyebrows made her look even more amiable. “You’re truly beautiful,” she said, “Your eyes are lively, and you have an air of sophistication about you. Gu Zi, you’re a rare beauty. Not only are you stunning, but your culinary skills are also impressive. You can make so many different kinds of pastries. It’s such a pity.”
Gu Zi was aware of her own beauty, but it was rare for someone to compliment her so directly. Old Lady Gao reminded her of Aunt Zhang, both of them straightforward in their manner. However, she found the latter part of Old Lady Gao’s comment puzzling. She asked with a smile, “What do you find regrettable?”
Old Lady Gao didn’t beat around the bush. “It’s a pity that you’re married,” she said. “Otherwise, I would have introduced you to a promising young man. But then again, a girl like you would undoubtedly be in high demand. There’s no way you would have waited for me to introduce you to someone.”
As she spoke, she couldn’t help but think of Gong Zhan, who had visited her home the day before. Gong Zhan came from a good family, had a successful career, and was handsome. If he and Gu Zi were to become a couple, they would be a perfect match. Alas, Gu Zi was already married.
Speaking of Gong Zhan, Old Lady Gao felt a sense of regret.
She had heard from her husband that Gong Zhan’s love life had been rather unfortunate. He had once been engaged to a very accomplished woman who was well-suited to him. However, for some reason, his fiancée had left him. Then, on his wedding day, his bride was arrested, causing quite a scandal.
Her husband believed that Gong Zhan and the arrested woman had only held a wedding ceremony and hadn’t officially registered their marriage. Therefore, he had suggested that she keep an eye out for suitable girls to introduce to Gong Zhan.
So, she had kept this in mind. Of all the girls she had met, she had taken a liking to their young new neighbor. However, the girl was already married, which was indeed regrettable.
Upon hearing Old Lady Gao’s explanation, Gu Zi realized that she had intended to introduce her to a potential boyfriend. She couldn’t help but think of her own husband and said, “Old Lady Gao, these things really do depend on fate. My fate is already by my side. You haven’t met my husband yet. He’s a wonderful man, and I’m very satisfied with him.”
Old Lady Gao laughed and said, “I can tell that you’re very happy. Girl, happiness can’t be faked. As long as you’re happy, that’s all that matters. Don’t take what I said to heart. I was just expressing my feelings.”