Chapter 53: Bai Wei’s Resentment

Bai Wei was twenty-three this year, a nurse at Jingshi Railway Hospital. She was the same age as Gu Yan’an, with Gu Yannan being only three days older than her.

Back when Pan Huijuan gave birth to Gu Yannan, Cui Li, still heavily pregnant, went to visit her during the delivery.

Three days later, Cui Li gave birth to Bai Wei. They had jokingly suggested that the two children should grow up and marry each other.

Who would have thought that Bai Wei, from a young age, had always preferred following the eldest son of the Gu family, Gu Yan’an, around like a shadow. Since then, the childhood betrothal between her and Gu Yannan had been quietly dropped.

Though her features were not stunningly beautiful, they could be considered quite delicate—willow-leaf eyebrows, an oval face, a pair of narrow, almond-shaped eyes, a nose neither too high nor too flat, and small, thin red lips.

Her expressive eyes often seemed to mist over, hazy and deceptively innocent. Her skin was slightly pale, her figure petite, with a waist so slender it looked as if it could be snapped in two. With her lips slightly pursed, she would gaze at you with a look that seemed both resentful and longing, making it hard not to feel pity for her.

As the saying goes, she truly had a delicate, pitiable charm that tugged at the heartstrings.

Bai Wei quickly shuffled her small steps into the kitchen and called out cheerfully, “Auntie Pan, you’re cooking!”

Pan Huijuan forced an awkward smile. “Weiwei, you’re here.”

A wisp of white steam rose as Bai Wei looked at the bubbling white broth on the stove. “Auntie Pan, what soup are you making?”

“I managed to get a big pig’s trotter and am stewing it to help Yan’an nourish his leg.”

Bai Wei smiled in agreement. “Elder Brother Gu really does need to build up his strength. Auntie Pan, are you managing alright? Would you like me to help you out?”

What was going on with this Bai Wei? Did she actually want to stay for dinner?

Pan Huijuan’s expression soured slightly. Without directly answering whether she needed help, she changed the subject. “Weiwei, it seems you often help your mother with cooking. What are you having for dinner tonight? It’s getting late—shouldn’t you head back to help your mother prepare the meal?”

What were they having for dinner at her house? Nothing more than reheating the leftovers from lunch and maybe adding a couple of small pickled dishes.

Seeing Pan Huijuan deflect the topic, Bai Wei thought, Is she trying to avoid acknowledging what she promised before? Since you’re acting like this, I might as well bring it up directly instead of letting you brush me off.

“We’re having leftovers from lunch for dinner. My mother just needs to reheat the dishes, so I don’t need to help. Auntie Pan, last time you said that when Elder Brother Gu returned, you’d arrange for us to have a meal together…”

She had already hinted at refusing, yet Bai Wei still had the nerve to suggest staying for dinner.

Pan Huijuan hadn’t expected Bai Wei to be so thick-skinned. Before this, she had thought she was a good girl—gentle, considerate, and tactful in her actions.

It really was true that you couldn’t judge a book by its cover. It seemed she had been deceived by her before.

Pan Huijuan had originally planned to stir-fry some dishes after finishing the soup, but with Bai Wei lingering in the kitchen without leaving, it seemed she was forcing her to agree to let her stay for dinner.

A single dinner wasn’t a big deal, but the problem was that her Yan’an didn’t like Bai Wei. If she stayed for the meal, Yan’an would probably flip the table in anger later.

Moreover, she was starting to disapprove of Bai Wei’s behavior—she couldn’t read the room at all.

Fine, she thought. Since she wants an answer, I’ll give her a reason to give up.

Pan Huijuan set down what she was holding, wiped her hands on her apron, and walked over to Bai Wei. “Weiwei, Yan’an came back and said he’s found someone in Haishi. Our family’s elder and your Uncle Gu have both agreed to it.”

Bai Wei was furious. Last time, they had agreed to give her a chance, so why did she go back on her word as soon as Gu Yan’an returned?

She felt as if she could hardly breathe, her heart aching as if cut by a knife. Why did it have to be like this?

Soon, a layer of mist formed in her eyes. Stubbornly, she raised her head and turned it to the side, her hands clenched tightly into fists, biting her lower lip so hard she feared that if she loosened her grip, she would burst into tears.

Gu Yanting stood quietly to the side like a pitiful little thing, not uttering a single word from start to finish.

Seeing Bai Wei silent, Pan Huijuan directly instructed Gu Yanting, “Tingting, go call your Elder Brother out. Let him have a clear talk with Weiwei.”

“Oh, I understand.” Gu Yanting turned and walked away.

Upon hearing that Pan Huijuan was going to call Gu Yan’an out, Bai Wei felt both excited and nervous, yet also conflicted. What if he rejected her?

Pan Huijuan moved the pig’s trotter soup from the stove to the side and led Bai Wei to the living room.

Just then, Gu Yan’an emerged from his room. “Mom, you were looking for me?”

His voice carried a slight chill, his handsome face calm and composed. That noble, aloof beauty was like the bright, clear moon, deeply etched in Bai Wei’s heart.

“Yan’an, I previously told Weiwei that once you returned, I would introduce you to her.

Now that you already have a partner, and since your Grandfather and your father both support it so strongly, I naturally cannot oppose it.

Since Weiwei has come all the way here today, you should have a proper talk with her yourself! Weiwei is already twenty-three, so don’t delay her from getting married.”

Gu Yan’an wanted to rub his forehead in frustration. Who had stirred up this mess? Why should he be the one to clean it up?

Originally, he had nothing to do with Bai Wei, but now it sounded as if he had wronged her. His mother really was a troublemaker, always dragging him down.

Gu Yan’an spoke in a calm, unhurried tone, “Comrade Bai Wei, please take a seat. Whatever my mother told you before, don’t take it seriously. My marriage is my own decision.

I’m sorry, but I already have a partner, and I intend to marry no one else in this lifetime. So, I advise you not to waste your thoughts on me.”

After making things clear to Bai Wei, Gu Yan’an turned to Pan Huijuan and said, “Mom, I’ve said what needed to be said. Now, I’m moving to Grandfather’s place.” With that, he began packing his luggage.

Pan Huijuan grew anxious. What was wrong with Yan’an? Just moments ago, everything seemed fine, and now he wanted to move to the old man’s place without even eating.

“Yan’an, the pig’s trotter soup is ready…”

“You all eat it. I’ll have a meal at Grandfather’s later.”

Gu Yanting said, “Brother, Mom bought the pig’s trotters for you early this morning. At least finish eating before moving to Grandfather’s.”

“No need. Yanbei likes it, so let him have more.”

He didn’t exactly blame his mother, but if he stayed here any longer, Bai Wei would surely not leave, and he found it irritating.

It was better to move to Grandfather’s place sooner. After all, the jar of Beef Sauce that Momo had made was waiting for him to enjoy.

Bai Wei stood there foolishly, watching Gu Yan’an pack his things quickly.

She wanted to grab his hand and tell him not to go!

She wanted to tell him, “I like you, can’t you like me too?”

She still wanted to marry him, to bear his children…

She was willing to do anything for him, so why had it ended up like this? Why had he rejected her so decisively…

Her passionate feelings were completely extinguished by his indifference and coldness. Had all these years of her youth been wasted on nothing?

She was so unwilling!

She resented Pan Huijuan for going back on her word and breaking her promise!

She loathed Gu Yanting’s inaction—after taking so many nice things from her, she couldn’t help at all, truly a little ingrate!

She hated Gu Yan’an for his heartlessness and cruelty. She liked him so much, cared for him so deeply—why couldn’t he see it?

Pan Huijuan was currently worried about her son moving out and didn’t notice Bai Wei standing there dazed beside her, her eyes radiating a thick aura of resentment.

Just then, the dazed Gu Yanting happened to catch sight of it. Why had Sister Wei become like this?

She hadn’t cried or made a fuss earlier; Gu Yanting thought she had come to her senses!

Oh no!

It seemed she now hated everyone in their family. From now on, she’d better keep her distance, or she might end up harmed by her without even knowing it.