Chapter 39 - 38 Rose

Gu Qiaoqiao’s hand holding the kitchen knife paused.

Then she lifted her eyes and seriously scrutinized Shen Manru.

Slightly curly medium-length hair, an oval face, and a few wrinkles at the corners of her eyes, which not only did not make her look old but added a bit more charm.@@novelbin@@

The pampered lady looked much younger than the mother in her memory.

Yet, the superiority exuding from her heart made Gu Qiaoqiao smirk with a hint of sarcasm.

She looked out the window, where under the sunset’s afterglow, the garden behind the kitchen appeared somewhat hazy.

It seemed like the wind had picked up outside.

The branches of the rosebush shivered in the cold wind.

In both her past and present lives, before she turned eighteen, she, too, was a treasured child of her parents; although not wealthy, her mother never allowed her to do kitchen chores.

The two daughters of the Gu Family were both raised delicately.

Very happily!

But once they lost their mother’s protection, they were like the rosebush in the cold wind, with no one to shield them from the elements, relying only on their own strength to survive the harsh winter.

Therefore, she later endured hardships, while her younger sister…

Gu Qiaoqiao stopped thinking about it, took a deep breath, hid the moisture in her eyes, and asked Shen Manru, “Do you really want to know?”

Shen Manru nodded.

“Remember when I first came here, although I didn’t cook, I wanted to help you wash the dishes, but do you remember what you said to me in this kitchen?”

Shen Manru was stunned.

When she first arrived, Shen Manru was not at all satisfied with Gu Qiaoqiao, even disgusted, and she was very harsh when alone with Gu Qiaoqiao.

The harsh her, when not facing Gu Qiaoqiao, felt like a villain inside and regretted it, but upon seeing Gu Qiaoqiao, the demon inside her was unleashed again.

Her face changed.

Her brow furrowed, as if she was truly recalling the words she had spoken.

“The rules and taboos you told me about made me feel as if I had entered the Imperial Palace, so naturally, I was timid and messed everything up.”

Gu Qiaoqiao’s tone was mocking, yet her brows carried a hint of an elusive smile.

In the past, she really was clumsy and unable to do anything right, but who would know what was real and what was fabricated?

Shen Manru indeed really remembered the words she had once said, most frequently saying: “Are your hands washed… This isn’t your countryside… Don’t bring those dirty rural habits to the Qin Family…”

Of course, there was more.

The tone naturally was contemptuous and disdainful.

Shen Manru grit her teeth, but her face clearly turned a bit red; she angrily asked, “And now?”

“Now?” Gu Qiaoqiao smiled sweetly, “I suddenly realized that your Qin Family isn’t the Imperial Palace, so naturally, I relaxed…”

Sharp-tongued.

Shen Manru turned and left angrily.

Gu Qiaoqiao didn’t bother to look and started chopping vegetables again.

Qin Xuan was watching a rerun of Journey to the West with Grandma Qin, laughing heartily as they did.

At this moment, although Grandma Qin had a walking stick by her side, it was almost for show.

Shen Manru had not expected that the country girl had some real skills.

But when she thought about how she had just mocked the Qin Family as being like a royal palace, she couldn’t calm her rage.

She sat on the sofa with a dark expression.

Grandma Qin didn’t seem to notice and still focused on the television with a smile on her face.

Qin Xuan glanced at his wife and then looked toward the kitchen before quietly asking, “What’s wrong?”

“…It’s nothing…” Shen Manru thought for a moment that she should tell Qin Xuan about Gu Qiaoqiao wanting a divorce, but not now, better to wait until evening.

Qin Xuan’s impression of Gu Qiaoqiao had increasingly improved.

The TV drama was extremely interesting, and the neighbors were all discussing this “Journey to the West,” but at that moment, Shen Manru couldn’t get into it.

She stood up and went to the dining room.

Meanwhile, Grandma Qin, watching her daughter-in-law’s retreating figure, said to Qin Xuan sitting next to her, “A harmonious family makes everything prosperous. Qiaoqiao is becoming more sensible and more lovable by the day. Even if you don’t like her, she is still a bride who entered the Qin Family through a proper marriage. If there’s nothing serious, try to care more about her; despite her young age, she has her own views.”

“I understand, Mom, don’t worry,” Qin Xuan earnestly promised.

“Besides, she’s leaving with Ah Ze in a few days and won’t be back until after New Year’s,” Grandma Qin’s voice sounded somewhat low.

“That’s about right, the base is not only busy with work but also has rules. It’s not like you can return whenever you want.”

“To be honest, I really don’t want Qiaoqiao to leave…” Grandma Qin sincerely expressed.

Qin Xuan chuckled and joked, “Mom, are you saying that you’re willing to part with your eldest grandson then?”

“He’s almost always been with his Great Grandfather since he was little. He hasn’t spent much time at home, coming and going, so I’m used to it,” Grandma Qin honestly stated.

“I actually really want him to leave everything behind and come back to take over the Qin Family’s business. I don’t have the capabilities, and although Ah Ze is a Doctor of Medicine, he also earned PhD degrees in Economics and Business. The Qin Family’s future would be safest in his hands. But I really don’t understand Grandpa and Ah Ze’s thoughts…” Qin Xuan’s voice carried a hint of sorrow.

Grandma Qin sighed and waved her hand at Qin Xuan, “Ah Ze has been decisive from a young age. You shouldn’t worry too much. It’s good that Qiaoqiao is going; perhaps I can hold a great-grandson next year.”

As she spoke, a look of joy spread across Grandma Qin’s face.

That would be five generations under one roof.

By this time, Gu Qiaoqiao had finished cooking the meal.

Qin Yize hadn’t come home, and Qin Xiaoyu had been unusually quiet that evening.

She kept glancing at Gu Qiaoqiao, clearly intimidated by the fierce, red-eyed Gu Qiaoqiao from the afternoon.

Gu Qiaoqiao found it both funny and somewhat contemptuous; bullies always picked on the softest targets.

This sixteen-year-old little girl, who used to bully her, was now subdued.

It seemed her courage wasn’t that great after all, especially compared to her older brother.

She abruptly remembered the scene she had once seen in a previous life: Qin Xiaoyu on the street.

Unconsciously bending at the waist, hiding behind Shen Manru, her eyes brimming with fear and unease.

Clearly, her brother’s knife had become her nightmare.

Her impulsive, easily angered only brother – this time, she would do well, and then help her brother grow into an upright and honorable man.

Gu Qiaoqiao lowered her head to hide the thoughts in her eyes.

The night deepened, and Qin Yize still hadn’t returned.

Gu Qiaoqiao placed the last finished nucleus carving into a small paper box, planning to explore the market tomorrow. Regardless of the price, it was just a matter of time for her.

And all plans had to wait until after selling the nucleus carvings.

Gu Qiaoqiao wasn’t worried, as she fell into a peaceful sleep.