Self-Perception - Chapter 42

Wen Qiuyi was astonished. She hadn’t expected her niece to have someone else living in her home, let alone that the person would be Gu Wansheng.

She nodded politely. “Miss Gu.”

Wen Jinyan’s gaze shifted between the two of them. “You know each other?”

“We haven’t met personally, but Miss Gu’s reputation in our circle is quite prominent. It’s hard not to know of her.” Wen Qiuyi was a classic, gentle beauty, soft-spoken, with an elegant aura.

Gu Wansheng offered a humble smile. “Teacher Wen is the one I should be learning from. Your piano achievements are renowned both at home and abroad.”

Wen Qiuyi’s eyes fell upon Gu Wansheng’s left hand, specifically the ring on her index finger. Raising an eyebrow, she looked at Wen Jinyan. “Is Miss Gu your friend?”

Wen Jinyan took Gu Wansheng’s hand, interlocking their fingers and raising them before them both. She spoke with solemn sincerity: “She is my wife.”

Hearing this declaration, Gu Wansheng’s heart bloomed with joy, though she maintained a composed expression. Wen Qiuyi turned her gaze back to her, and Gu Wansheng tightened her grip on Jinyan’s hand, stepping forward without flickering. “Auntie, we are married.”

Wen Qiuyi showed no excessive surprise. She simply asked, “How long has it been?”

Her voice was flat, devoid of rising emotion, but her expression was no longer as warm as before. Unable to gauge her attitude, Gu Wansheng answered honestly, “Four months ago.”

Wen Qiuyi’s tone remained gentle, but her presence became commanding. “Have you met the parents?”

Facing the pressure, Gu Wansheng’s voice remained steady. “No. But that is due to my personal reasons; I haven’t properly settled my relationship with my own family yet.”

“Then what does our Mumu [Jinyan’s nickname] count for? No meeting with the parents, just based on your current promise? Just a marriage certificate?” Wen Qiuyi’s tone grew heavy.

Gu Wansheng glanced at Wen Jinyan and then headed toward the bedroom.

Watching her back as she left, Wen Jinyan said helplessly, “Auntie, she treats me very well.”

Wen Qiuyi looked at her for a long moment before saying, “Wait here. Don’t speak for a moment.”

Gu Wansheng returned quickly, carrying items in her hand. She placed them one by one on the table, her tone sincere yet unyielding. “These are all my current fixed assets. I had a professional draft these documents beforehand. All my assets are shared with Yanyan, and this agreement is effective for the rest of my life.”

Wen Jinyan froze in shock. So did Wen Qiuyi.

This meant that regardless of whether Wen Jinyan stayed with her or not, the agreement would remain in effect until death.

Wen Jinyan’s heart was a whirlpool of emotions. She looked at Wen Qiuyi and said softly, “Auntie, why don’t you sit on the sofa and watch some TV for a bit?”

Wen Jinyan signaled to Gu Wansheng, and the two went into the kitchen, closing the door.

When she looked up, Jinyan’s eyes were slightly red, though she tried to steady her voice. “Gu Wansheng, when did you start this?”

When did you start drafting this agreement?

Gu Wansheng stepped forward, gently caressing her face with heartache. Jinyan was hurting, and she was hurting because of her.

“Two weeks after we got married, Yanyan. I didn’t mean to keep it from you.”

“Gu Wansheng, you are so foolish.” Wen Jinyan’s hands tightened at her sides, her shoulders trembling.

In this industry, people were calculators, they did everything for self-interest, for fame, for gain. How could there be someone like Gu Wansheng? How could she be so “stupid” as to do this when they hadn’t even known each other for half a month at the time?

She felt the sacrifice wasn’t worth it for Gu Wansheng. “Gu Wansheng, why are you so silly?”

“Yanyan, this was my decision and my consideration. The reason is all me, don’t feel uncomfortable about it.”

“But Gu Wansheng, I feel it’s not worth it for you. What if I leave you one day? What will you do? Why don’t you think of yourself? You taught me to love myself before loving others, but you aren’t doing that for yourself.”

Wen Jinyan’s eyes were completely red now, her lip bitten tight.

Gu Wansheng looked into her eyes and said clearly, word by word, “That day will never come.”

“What if?” Jinyan became stubborn, her grip on Gu Wansheng’s hand tightening.

“If one day you leave me, it must be because I didn’t do well enough. I will chase you again. I will find you.”

“Yanyan, you are wonderful, so you are worth it.” Gu Wansheng cupped her face. “Don’t cry.”

“I’m not crying,” Wen Jinyan looked up, glaring slightly, her voice softening. “I just… think it’s not worth it for you.”

“Don’t overthink it. How could it not be worth it? You are the person I love.” Gu Wansheng gently kissed away the tears at the corners of her eyes and pulled her into a light hug, patting her back. “Collect your emotions and go stay with Auntie. I need to prepare the hotpot base, the smell is quite strong.”

After a while in the kitchen, Wen Jinyan composed herself and went to sit beside Wen Qiuyi.

Seeing her silence, Wen Qiuyi initiated the conversation. “Are you blaming Auntie for what I said earlier?”

Wen Jinyan hesitated, then spoke slowly. “I know Auntie is afraid I’ll be at a disadvantage or be bullied. As your niece, I am grateful. But as her wife, I also feel defensive for her, even if I’m the one receiving the benefits.”

“Auntie, please don’t test her anymore. I love her.”

“You are my only tie to this family, Mumu. I only want you to live well. I saw her attitude, and I’ve taken it to heart.” Wen Qiuyi’s gaze fell back on the ring. She stared at it for a long time, and when she looked up, there was a smile in her eyes. “That ring… it was a custom commission from MS, wasn’t it?”

“To get a custom piece from MS, she must have spent a great deal of time and energy.”

Hearing this, an unbelievable thought crossed Wen Jinyan’s mind. “Auntie, what do you mean?”

Wen Qiuyi explained, “She didn’t tell you? To commission MS, one must prove ‘sincere love.’ That means going to their shop every day for at least three months to share stories about their beloved before they are even given the chance to choose a ring.”

Wen Jinyan’s heart throbbed; her blood raced.

Gu Wansheng actually…

“Auntie won’t purposely test her anymore. Besides, didn’t you arrange for us to meet at your home so I could see her? So that I could help her if she ever needed it?”

Wen Jinyan hadn’t expected Wen Qiuyi to see through her intentions so easily.

Wen Qiuyi looked at her deeply, her eyes filled with complex emotions, eventually settling on one sentence: “Our Mumu has grown up.”

Wen Jinyan felt a lump in her throat and lowered her head in shame. “Auntie, I’m sorry.”

“Mumu, humans have desires, ambitions, and schemes, it’s normal. To be honest, seeing you like this is good. At least you have some spirit now. You aren’t like before, indifferent to everything. Auntie is just a bit sad that our Mumu isn’t as close to me anymore. When you were little, besides your mother, you loved following me the most.”

Wen Qiuyi complained half-jokingly.

“Auntie, you are still my closest and only family. That will never change.”

In twenty years, Wen Jinyan had never spoken such intimate words to family. It is often hard for people to express gratitude and love to those closest to them, but through Gu Wansheng, she had learned to love and had borrowed the courage to say it.

“Auntie, are you still busy with performances?”

“No, the tour just ended. I’m planning to give myself a vacation.” After speaking, Wen Qiuyi realized a beat late that Wen Jinyan had checked her schedule.

She really does care for her Auntie.

If only the events of ten years ago hadn’t happened. Sometimes Wen Qiuyi wondered if she had been more persistent back then, if she had kept Mumu with her instead of leaving her with that person, would things be different? At least the child wouldn’t have kept everything bottled up inside.

She watched as Wen Jinyan peeled an apple for her, cutting it into neat slices.

She suddenly felt that Mumu getting married was a good thing, it brought back the side of her that cared for others. Her mother in heaven would be happy to see the Mumu of today.

At that thought, Wen Qiuyi felt both heartache and self-reproach.

“Auntie, have an apple,” Wen Jinyan handed her the fruit plate and asked, “Do you know about the charity auction in a few days?”

Wen Qiuyi nodded. “I know. They sent me an invitation, but I was debating whether to go. Do you plan on going, Mumu?”

“Yes,” Wen Jinyan nodded. “I’d like to ask a favor.”

“You’re interested in the charity auction?”

“Yes.”

Most famous artists attend charity auctions as decorative pieces for business tycoons, and it’s usually very difficult for an artist to bring a “family member.”

Wen Qiuyi teased, “Are you going for yourself, or for someone else?”

“Auntie…”

“Alright, alright. I’ll let you know the time. Do you need Auntie to custom-make a dress for you?”

“No need, I have one.”

Wen Qiuyi nodded, and Wen Jinyan stood up. “I’ll go check the kitchen.”

“Go ahead.”

“Why did you come in? It’s smoky in here,” Gu Wansheng was still adding ingredients to the pot.

“Is there anything I can help with?” Wen Jinyan blinked.

Slicing potatoes required technique, and cleaning crawfish was too much trouble.

Gu Wansheng said, “Help me wash the lettuce then.”

Wen Jinyan hummed in response, rolling up her sleeves to her elbows, revealing her slender yet toned forearms.

As she washed the vegetables, the lines of her arms were faint but visible, her skin pale under the rushing water. Gu Wansheng pulled her gaze away.

“Gu Wansheng, do you still need ginger and scallions?” Wen Jinyan turned around, but Gu Wansheng was staring blankly at the pot.

She called again, “Gu Wansheng.”

“Huh? Oh,” Gu Wansheng snapped out of it. “What were you saying?”

“Do you need ginger and scallions? I’ll wash them together if you do.”

“Sure, wash a bit extra. I’ll use them for the dipping sauce.”

“What were you thinking about so deeply just now?”

“Nothing, just some work stuff,” Gu Wansheng murmured vaguely.

Gu Wansheng carried the hotpot base out to the electric stove, and together with Wen Jinyan, brought out the side dishes. Finally, she placed the stir-fried crawfish on the table.

“Since you are Mumu’s wife, I can call you Wansheng, right?”

Does this mean Auntie accepts me?

Gu Wansheng smiled. “Of course, Auntie.”

“Let’s eat.”

Wen Jinyan put on disposable gloves. Crawfish were a hassle to peel, but they were one of the few things she truly enjoyed eating. After a while, her gloves were covered in oil, but there were only a few peeled pieces in her bowl.

“Here, eat these.” A porcelain bowl appeared in her vision, filled to the brim with already-peeled crawfish.

Gu Wansheng took off her gloves and wiped her hands with a tissue. She then produced a hair tie from somewhere and gathered Wen Jinyan’s hair into a low ponytail.

Wen Jinyan waited obediently for her to finish. She then used her chopsticks to pick up a piece of crawfish, holding her hand underneath to catch any drips, and moved it toward Gu Wansheng’s mouth. “You eat some too.”

Watching the two of them, harmonious and intimate. Wen Qiuyi took back her earlier thought.

It wasn’t that Mumu became better because she got married. She became better because she met Gu Wansheng.