Chapter 500: Chapter 500: Seeing Through the Heart

"What’s the matter, why so flustered?"

Gu Taohua almost stumbled into Tong Huaqiong’s arms.

Gu Taohua steadied herself and said, "I’m bringing sour plum soup to mom."

Tong Huaqiong happened to be thirsty and gulped down the sour plum soup.

Gu Taohua was too hasty earlier, but Tong Huaqiong couldn’t bear to reprimand her. If Gu Taohua were in her world, she would be a high school student.

"Mom, do you think I’m clumsy compared to Lian Second Miss?"

Today, Gu Taohua was unusually sensitive; she thought of the composed Lian Second Miss.

Lian Second Miss wasn’t much older than her, yet she could already manage a business on her own, whereas she still relied on her mom’s support.

Tong Huaqiong never compared Gu Taohua to Lian Second Miss.

Tong Huaqiong said, "There’s no comparison between you two. I think you’re great."

In her heart, her own daughter was naturally the best in the world.

Gu Taohua said, "I thought since you saw how smart and capable Lian Second Miss was, you’d get fed up with me."

Tong Huaqiong laughed, "Look at Lian Second Miss’s family background; she’s forced to be smart and capable. Besides, I don’t think you’re any worse than her."

They say the environment shapes the person, but have you considered the environment Lian Second Miss grew up in?

Why is Gu Taohua comparing herself with Lian Second Miss?

Previously, whether it was the wealthy and beautiful Lu Zhaozhao or Huang Jingshan, Gu Taohua never thought of comparing herself to them.

"Why are you comparing yourself to Lian Second Miss?" Tong Huaqiong asked.

Gu Taohua hemmed and hawed, saying she was just lamenting how capable someone of the same age was.

Saying this, she dashed off.

Her own plump daughter wears her heart on her sleeve. Tong Huaqiong thought there must be a reason for Gu Taohua to compare herself to Lian Second Miss.

Tong Huaqiong’s eyes sparkled as she realized Gu Taohua was growing up and developing deeper thoughts.

She looked up and saw the figure of Su Chengmin.

One had to admit Su Chengmin was quite handsome; he tidied up and could debut alongside Jingzhe.

He was handsome in a different way than Jingzhe. Jingzhe’s handsomeness carried a scholarly elegance, easily steering into the territory of a gentleman rogue. Su Chengmin’s good looks were the sunshine type, a rugged handsomeness with a six-pack.

Could it be that her own plump daughter is secretly in love with Su Chengmin?

Her earlier actions were too much like a girl in love.

It’s just that she didn’t know what Su Chengmin’s attitude towards her was, and given Su Chengmin’s association with Xiao Long, it’s uncertain whether he could achieve a happy ending.

There was no mention of Su Chengmin in Tong Dajiao’s memories, so she didn’t know Su Chengmin’s ultimate fate or his true background.

She had stopped Gu Taohua from a disastrous relationship with Fan Tong, and it seemed a new relationship was beginning.

Su Chengmin, being a part of Xiao Long’s circle, would naturally have a protagonist’s aura, right?

Hopefully, Su Chengmin doesn’t meet a grim end.

"Aunt Tong, why are you looking at me like that?" Su Chengmin asked.

Aunt Tong and Gu Taohua both seemed strange today; one was venting anger at him, and the other was staring at him with inquisitive eyes.

But he hadn’t done anything.

He just wanted to return to Qinghe Bay for a few days.

Tong Huaqiong asked, "Have you ever been engaged before?"

Su Chengmin’s face flushed red, and he quickly shook his head.

"Why are you asking me that, Aunt Tong?"

Tong Huaqiong said, "Just a casual question. By the way, do you like any girl?"

The blush on Su Chengmin’s face spread to his ears as he dashed away, ran away!

Tong Huaqiong shrugged, thinking it seemed Su Chengmin had already developed feelings for Gu Taohua.

What would be Su Chengmin’s fate?

Tong Huaqiong wished she could dig through every corner of her previous life’s memories to learn more about Su Chengmin.

But in the end, she was disappointed.

There was still no mention of Su Chengmin.

She didn’t know how far Gu Taohua’s feelings for Su Chengmin had progressed. Originally, she didn’t want Su Chengmin to return to Qinghe Bay, but it seemed she had to let him go back.

First, physically separate the two of them for a while.

Su Chengmin dashed out like a rabbit, his heart pounding wildly.

Aunt Tong was so sharp; she must have noticed his feelings for Gu Taohua and was hinting at him.

As someone walking on the edge, constantly vigilant as if sleeping on a spear, who might not have a tomorrow, how could he be qualified to like Taohua?

Thinking of this, Su Chengmin increasingly felt the urge to return to Qinghe Bay; he wasn’t suited to linger around Gu Taohua.

...

Early the next day, Su Chengmin returned to Qinghe Bay.

Nie Xiaofeng went alone to inquire about the Zheng Family and Lian Family matters.

Upon finding out, Gu Baishuang sent an old clerk she trusted to accompany him. The Nie Family owned a porcelain shop in Pingchuan, but the two step-sons who ran it wouldn’t let Gu Baishuang and Nie Xiaofeng get involved. This competent and meticulous clerk was ostracized by the step-sons out of jealousy, and upon learning this, Gu Baishuang brought him under her wing.

The stepmother was right; she needed to cultivate her own people.

This clerk had connections with all the major families in Pingchuan, and with his company, both Gu Baishuang and Tong Huaqiong were reassured when Nie Xiaofeng operated.

Gu Ruinian, following his agreement with Xu Zaohua, went to the Zheng Family early in the morning.

Xu Zaohua sent a personal maid to lead him through the side door into the Zheng Family.

After so many years of being here, it was his first time stepping into an affluent family.

A wealthy household was indeed different; the estate had courtyard after courtyard, and the pavilions and towers were reminiscent of the gardens he had visited in future times.

The garden was filled with the fragrance of fine clothes and women’s cosmetics, and even the maids were dressed beautifully.

Truly a gentle, luxurious haven.

Gu Ruinian wished he could stay in this garden forever and never leave.

Passing through the corridor, he entered Xu Zaohua’s yard, where Xu Zaohua was having breakfast and only let Gu Ruinian inside after a long wait.

Gu Ruinian was displeased, feeling that Xu Zaohua was deliberately keeping him waiting.

As he walked into the room, the sultry heat from outside was replaced by a refreshing breeze.

Ice basins were placed in each corner of the room, and a maid fanned the air, filling the room with cool air.

Xu Zaohua truly knew how to enjoy herself.

"Ruinian, you’re here."

Xu Zaohua reclined on a chaise longue, sipping tea, with a maid massaging her legs. She greeted him without even looking up.

Gu Ruinian felt slighted once more.

"Sister Zao Hua."

Gu Ruinian’s voice was cheerful as he glanced around with a sideways look.

Xu Zaohua’s room was opulently decorated, and her demeanor reminded Gu Ruinian of a young mistress from a certain classic novel.

In his memory, Xu Zaohua was just a village girl, lacking talent, and her appearance in Qinghe Bay couldn’t compare to Gu Xiaocao or Gu Taohua. She was only enjoying such a life out of sheer luck.

"Sit," Xu Zaohua waved her hand.

Gu Ruinian sat down, and soon a pretty maid served him tea, to which Gu Ruinian thanked her warmly.

He was tempted to touch the maid’s soft hands.

But he dared not in front of Xu Zaohua.

Soon, another maid brought a honeydew melon to place in front of Xu Zaohua, with ice underneath. Another maid used a fork to feed Xu Zaohua the melon.

Gu Ruinian was staring wide-eyed, filled with envy.

A home that stayed cool in summer and warm in winter, with beauties attending to his needs; this was the kind of life he should have been living after traveling to this era.