Chapter 37: The Mysterious Visitor

The fact that the apple of the Dugu family’s eye had been involved in a collision was naturally no small matter. It was reported everywhere possible—in newspapers, on television, and beyond. Some even dug up the incident from over a year ago when Dugu Yi was framed, and for a time, everyone in the streets and alleys was talking about it.

Due to the power and status of the Dugu family, however, no one dared to speak of it to their faces.

As Gu Xinyao stepped into Qin Rou’s grocery store, she saw a few regular customers standing at the counter whispering to one another. Upon seeing her enter, they quickly dispersed, pretending to browse the merchandise.

Only Ge Yue was minding the shop today. Qin Rou and her husband had married young but had been childless until about two months ago, when Ge Yue became pregnant. Qin Rou had suggested earlier that she carry the child herself to spare Ge Yue the ordeal, but she couldn't bear to see her wife give up the work she loved to stay home, so they decided that Ge Yue would carry the baby.

Though he was only two months along and it wasn't yet very noticeable, Qin Rou, deeply devoted to her husband, had already insisted he wear loose-fitting clothing. Consequently, when regular customers came in and saw Ge Yue wearing robes reminiscent of Nepalese attire, they couldn't help but tease him.

"Xinyao, you’re here? Rou just stepped out; there’s a new shipment at the harbor, and she went to collect it. Why don't you sit for a while?" Ge Yue stepped out from behind the counter to greet her. Perhaps due to the pregnancy, he moved with extra caution, and the customers by the counter made way for the expectant father.

Gu Xinyao quickly reached out to steady him. It was her first time seeing a man pregnant; she found it both novel and curious. Where would the baby be born from? How big would the child be? Of course, she would never ask Dugu Yi these questions—after all, it was impossible for him to carry a child, and asking would only stir up painful emotions.

Seeing Ge Yue’s condition, however, she couldn't help but be intrigued, and for a moment, she pushed the reason for her visit to the back of her mind.

"It’s fine, I just came to look around. Brother-in-law, you should sit down." After helping Ge Yue to a seat by the counter, she took off her coat and stepped behind the counter, as if she were still a clerk there.

The regulars, seeing Gu Xinyao behind the counter, wanted to strike up a conversation, but sensing that her status was no longer what it once was, they exchanged a few pleasantries and left. Soon, the shop was empty except for the two of them.

"Brother-in-law, it seems I’ve scared away the customers just by showing up," Gu Xinyao said, looking at the empty shop with a hint of embarrassment as she grabbed her coat to leave the counter.

Ge Yue waved his hand dismissively. "It has nothing to do with you. If they wanted to buy something, they would have done so even with you here." The regulars had made their purchases, after all, and even if they left a bit faster than usual, they had still spent money, unlike those who only came to gawk at the gossip.

"How have things been at the Dugu residence lately?" Ge Yue asked after a moment of hesitation.

Gu Xinyao put on her coat and leaned against the counter, shaking her head slightly. "I’m alright, but Yi has lost a lot of weight because of the situation with Dugu Nan. Besides, they all blame me for what happened to her, and they’ve been finding ways to make Yi’s life difficult. I want to help, but I feel like I’d only make things worse. There is so little I can do right now."

She had never been one to share her inner burdens, but seeing Ge Yue’s gentle, kind gaze made her unable to hold it back. They say that when a chick opens its eyes, the first creature it sees becomes its mother; she felt something similar. Having arrived here, he was the first person she had truly connected with, and she felt an inexplicable sense of closeness to him.

"Don't let your mind wander. Dugu Yi may be a man, but he is different from ordinary men. There are things you might not be able to bear that he can handle perfectly well. Don't underestimate him. To have balanced the city government and the Dugu family for so long, he is certainly not the type to be crushed by adversity. What about you? You’ve been here for over a year—have you ever thought about making a name for yourself?" He had initially thought she would pursue a technical path, but he hadn't expected her to remain hidden within an aristocratic family. He had always felt she was no ordinary person, and whatever path she took, she would never be mediocre.

Gu Xinyao’s brow softened slightly. After hesitating, she said, "Actually, I came to see Sister Qin because I hope to leave the Ideal Nation. Yi has also agreed that once the matter with Dugu Nan is settled, he will leave with me." The so-called Ideal Nation—that ideal only existed for the aristocracy; for commoners, it was unattainable. It would be better to leave and seek a new life elsewhere.

Ge Yue was stunned by her decision for a moment, but then his brow smoothed out, and he nodded in affirmation. "I agree that leaving the Ideal Nation is the right choice. If you had fallen for an ordinary man, you could have built a career here. But the man you love is far from ordinary. If you try to get ahead, you will face countless restrictions, and you may not succeed. Leaving is good. I support you both."

"Don't worry, I’ll have Rou help you scout out a suitable place to live. Here, you are our own sister. If you ever need anything in the future, just say the word. Don't feel like you’re troubling us; we are friends, and we are family," Ge Yue said softly, his gentle face glowing with kindness.

Gu Xinyao felt a lump form in her throat. She was truly lucky to have met Qin Rou and Ge Yue.

*Beep-beep.*

A communicator signaled. Gu Xinyao lifted her wrist—the watch she wore was a communication device. She pressed the switch, and Dugu Yi’s face appeared.

"Yi, did something happen?" She had just dropped him off at the company; had something gone wrong?

"Mother said a guest from Country X is arriving, and we need to pick them up. I can't get away right now; can you go instead? I’ll send you the details in a moment." Dugu Yi sounded anxious; someone in the background was reporting something.

"Alright, don't worry. I’ll head to the airport now." Gu Xinyao immediately stood up, receiving the data while speaking to him. Once the green indicator light glowed, the transfer was complete.

"I’ve received the files. Don't stress yourself out at the office. Call me if anything happens, and please, put your own health first," Gu Xinyao urged. He lived in such a complex and chaotic environment that she feared even if she could conceive, he might not be able to carry a child or produce one.

"Mhm, I have things to attend to here. I’m hanging up."

After Gu Xinyao acknowledged him, the screen went dark.

"Brother-in-law, it seems I can't wait for Sister Rou. Please tell her for me; it’s not urgent. And you, take care of yourself," Gu Xinyao said apologetically to Ge Yue.

Ge Yue didn't mind, simply telling her, "You take care of yourself as well."

Gu Xinyao left the grocery store and headed straight for the airport.

Two hours later, she greeted the guest Dugu Yi had mentioned at the Kangdong Airport of the Ideal Nation.

Sitting in the car, watching the scenery flash by outside the window, she couldn't help but sigh at how small the world was. When she first picked the person up, she felt they looked familiar, and once they were in the car, her brain finally retrieved the relevant files.

Beyond the information Dugu Yi had given her, she recalled a magazine report she had seen in his office several days prior. The person beside her was the very subject of that article.

"Ms. Wei, would you like to go straight to the hotel, or do you have other arrangements?" Gu Xinyao asked the woman beside her, who had been observing her for quite some time.

Wei Qinghua wore her customary smile. She didn't seem to think that staring so intently at someone was impolite. She was dressed in white; while white often gives off a cold, unapproachable aura, on her, it appeared noble and composed. Her faint smile felt intimate and gentle. She was the rumored queen of a certain island nation. She lacked vulgar gestures or an overbearing air; she felt entirely like a scholar—gentle and humble. Yet, Gu Xinyao knew this woman was anything but simple.

She had a sharp gaze, and perhaps she was calculating something at this very moment. What was her reason for coming to the Ideal Nation and making contact with the Dugu family?

"Are you the daughter-in-law of the Dugu family?" Wei Qinghua did not answer the question but instead asked something entirely unrelated.

Gu Xinyao curled her lips slightly and replied politely, "Yes. My mother-in-law was unable to get away, so she specifically asked me to welcome you. I hope you do not mind."

Wei Qinghua’s eyes flickered, but she only smiled. "Why would I mind? I wasn't coming to see her anyway. But tell me, does the old friend I wish to see have no time for me either?" When she mentioned an "old friend," her eyes wavered, as if she were questioning or perhaps reminiscing.

Gu Xinyao was unaware of the history between Wei Qinghua and the Dugu family, so she dared not speak rashly.

"Heh, how long have you and Yiyi been married?" Wei Qinghua didn't seem to care about Gu Xinyao’s silence, leading the conversation in another direction.

Gu Xinyao was slightly startled. *Yiyi?* Was she referring to Yi? Why would she use such an intimate nickname?

"We have been married for over a year."

Wei Qinghua touched the edge of her brow. Gu Xinyao followed the movement of her fingers and noticed a faint, dark pink scar hidden within her eyebrow—it was small, about the length of a pinky finger’s width.

"Over a year... do you have any children?" After lowering her hand, Wei Qinghua continued, not sensing that the question was intrusive.

"No." Though Gu Xinyao was not one to easily lose her temper, this woman kept prying into their private affairs. She didn't see the point in answering such questions for someone who was still practically a stranger, but she couldn't exactly do anything about it, so she patiently continued to answer.

"In a family like the Dugu household, perhaps having no children is a blessing," Wei Qinghua said, shifting the tone of the conversation and leaving Gu Xinyao baffled.

The car moved steadily as their conversation fell into a stalemate.

"Is Little Fish doing alright?" After a long silence, Wei Qinghua finally spoke again. This time, there was concern in her voice, along with something deep and heavy—something Gu Xinyao could only describe as hidden, suppressed emotion.