An hour earlier.
Gu Xiyan had finished her work and was ready to dine at her favorite Western restaurant before returning to her small apartment.
But on her way to the restaurant, she received a call from her mother, informing her that tonight was the Gu Family's family gathering and asking her to come home for dinner after work.
Gu Xiyan was annoyed by such family gatherings; they were always like her grandfather's last birthday party, with a few people from the Zhang Family showing up, then trying to match her with Zhang Qiuhuai—she was absolutely tired of it.
So, she outright refused, but her mother knew her thoughts and assured her that there were no people from the Zhang Family or Zhang Qiuhuai at this gathering. She asked her to hurry over and not make the elders wait too long.
After that, her mother hung up the call.
Having no other choice, Gu Xiyan reluctantly changed her plans and headed to the Gu Family Villa.
Upon arrival at the Gu Family Villa, Gu Xiyan indeed did not see Zhang Qiuhuai or anyone from the Zhang Family, but...
Instead, she saw people from another family, the Chens, who were far more influential than the Zhangs.
Just as Gu Xiyan's face changed slightly and she thought about turning around and leaving,
A dashing young man in a suit from the Chen Family spotted her entering, gave her a slight smile, and approached her with a glass of red wine in hand.
The young man greeted Gu Xiyan, "Xiyan, it's been a long time. I didn't expect that the girl from junior high, once so inexperienced, has become even more beautiful!"
Gu Xiyan had no recollection of the young man, so she paused and gave him a closer look.
The young man's features were extremely handsome, with a soft and gentle beauty that balanced strength and delicacy. Although his smile was radiant, Gu Xiyan did not like his type of attractiveness and slightly furrowed her brows.
"Don't you remember me?" Seeing Gu Xiyan's expression, the young man was disappointed though his face showed no change. He smiled, showing his teeth, and introduced himself, "I'm Chen Xuyang. We were classmates from elementary school to junior high. Then in the second year of junior high, I went abroad to study."
Upon his introduction, Gu Xiyan suddenly showed a look of realization and started to remember him.
"It's you, huh? It really has been a long time, more than a decade has passed in a flash," Gu Xiyan spoke with a touch of nostalgia in her voice.
Chen Xuyang, standing close to Gu Xiyan, couldn't help admiring her grace and the look in her eyes. He felt a surge of amazement and affection but then remembered the words of Gu Xiyan's parents. With a mix of concern and worry, he said,
"Have you been well all these years? Your parents said you had been single until recently. Is it because you have high standards, or what? But why did you suddenly decide to date someone? Your aunt and uncle are very worried you're being deceived..."
Gu Xiyan, upon hearing his words, furrowed her brows tightly, sensing her mother's intent for calling her back. Her tone immediately grew colder, "I'm doing well, I've been getting along very well with my boyfriend, so there's no need to worry about me. My mom is calling for me, I should go."
With that, Gu Xiyan didn't wait for Chen Xuyang to respond. She left by herself and walked toward the spacious central hall's wine table.
"Eh…" Chen Xuyang wanted to say something, but seeing her like this, he could only shake his head with a sigh of resignation.
Gu Xiyan's mother had just instructed him to have a good chat with Xiyan once she got home to rekindle their old friendship—how could she suddenly be calling for her daughter now?!
Ah, a woman's mouth really can say anything!
Gu Xiyan did not dawdle and promptly freed herself from Chen Xuyang's entanglement, heading straight toward her parents who were sitting at a wine table drinking tea and eating sunflower seeds.
The moment Gu Xiyan had entered the villa, her parents had spotted her right away. It was they who had hinted for Chen Xuyang to approach her.
At that moment, seeing Gu Xiyan approaching them, they revealed somewhat guilty smiles and greeted her, "Xiyan, why are you here so soon? Didn't you want to chat more with your old classmate?"
"Mom and Dad, haven't you had enough? I already have a boyfriend, yet you're still setting me up with people?"
Gu Xiyan's tone was confrontational as soon as she arrived.
She was truly fed up with her family's arrangements. Her life did not need their meddling!
Upon hearing her words, Gu Xiyan's mother, Lin Lingling, displayed an embarrassed smile and explained, "Mom was just worried since that boyfriend of yours seems unreliable, with no proper job, and you don't like Zhang Qiuhuai. Plus, with Chen Xuyang from the Chen Family back in the country, I thought you could have a chat."
Gu Xiyan's father, Gu Tianhe, however, gave her a stern look and scolded, "What kind of attitude is that? Your parents only want what's best for you. Getting to know Chen Xuyang and building a relationship with him could be very beneficial for you!"
"Beneficial for me my ass, it's beneficial for you two, right!" Gu Xiyan retorted sharply.
"You?!" Gu Tianhe was fuming, his hand trembling as he pointed at Gu Xiyan. "What kind of language is that for a young lady to use!"
"Pfft!" Gu Xiyan scoffed disdainfully.
Her relationship with her parents had plummeted over the years, as they constantly tried to marry her off to Zhang Qiuhuai to unite the Zhang and Gu families and strengthen their own family's power.
Normally, except for major events like Old Master Gu's birthday celebration, she would return to the Gu Family Home. In regular circumstances, she wouldn't come back at all and would instead go to her own small apartment.
"You..." Gu Tianhe, seeing that Gu Xiyan was still set in her ways, slammed the table in anger and was about to say more.
But Gu Xiyan wasn't in the mood to listen to his ramblings, frowning she said, "I already have a boyfriend and won't be going on blind dates. If there's nothing else, I'm leaving."
She hadn't even had dinner yet, and though the Gu Family was about to start their meal, just looking at Chen Xuyang and the others made her lose her appetite.
Therefore, it was better to trouble herself a bit more and leave right away to find a restaurant to eat at.
It would be more peaceful, without anyone lecturing her.
Having said that, Gu Xiyan picked up her bag and was about to leave the Gu Family Villa.
Just then, the elderly voice of Old Master Gu came from behind her.
"Bringing you back here wasn't just for you to meet this young man Xiuyang. Of course, there's something else."
"What is it, Grandpa?" Gu Xiyan turned back, looking at her suddenly appearing grandfather, Gu Zhengxin. She furrowed her brows but since he was the Family Head of the Gu Family, she couldn't speak as impolitely as she had to her parents, so she suppressed her impatience and politely asked.
"Dad!"
"Dad!"
Seeing Old Master Gu step in, Gu Xiyan's parents quickly rose from their seats to greet him.
Gu Zhengxin waved his hand at them, then fixed his murky old eyes on Gu Xiyan and said indifferently, "There's only one matter..."
He paused, turned his head away from Gu Xiyan, and continued, "For you to hand over Face of Jade Company!"