Gu Ningyue and Liu Liu went into the kitchen to help, but Liu Liu stopped her: "Sister-in-law, if you stay here and chat with me, that's already helping me! It's your first time here, how could we let you actually do the work."
"It's no problem." Gu Ningyue washed her hands and skillfully picked up the vegetables nearby: "I've done this quite a bit before."
She was referring to her past life, but to Liu Liu, it seemed like Gu Ningyue had suffered a lot in the Gu Family. When she spoke again, there was a hint of sympathy in her voice: "Brother Tianyou may look cold, but he's really a good person. Sister-in-law, you'll definitely be happy in the future."
Gu Ningyue smiled and nodded, changing the topic.
Liu Liu was very talkative and wasn't afraid of her. Instead, she subtly said some words of encouragement.
Gu Ningyue didn't argue, talking as she continued working with her hands.
Married for six years, Liu Liu's every movement still had the sparkle of a young girl.
It was clear that Ling Tianze protected Liu Liu very well and loved her dearly.
Gu Ningyue thought, having someone treat you like this must be a very happy thing!
"Ah! Oh no," Liu Liu suddenly exclaimed, "I put in the wrong ingredient, oh no, oh no."
Gu Ningyue stepped forward and found Liu Liu accidentally added the wrong seasoning, "Were you making the Lemon Passionfruit Stir-fried Asparagus?"
Liu Liu was slightly stunned, "Yeah! Sister-in-law, you know this dish too?"
Gu Ningyue responded, "Sort of! Let me handle it, it's okay."
Liu Liu stepped aside, watching Gu Ningyue skillfully stir-fry a couple of times and then add two other seasonings.
The movement of her wrist made it clear that Gu Ningyue truly knew how to cook.
Gu Ningyue looked at the color of the shrimp, which seemed almost done, and sprinkled some olive oil.
Before long, the aroma wafted out, and Liu Liu's eyes lit up, "Sister-in-law, it smells so good!"
Gu Ningyue smiled, "Bring a plate, it's done."
Liu Liu answered and quickly handed a plate to Gu Ningyue.
This was the last dish, Liu Liu placed it on the table, and Gu Ningyue also took off her apron and came to the table.
"Mom, this was made by sister-in-law!" Before Gu Ningyue could speak, Liu Liu had already taken credit for her: "Big brother, you are so lucky!"
Ling Tianyou glanced at Gu Ningyue. She could cook? Why had she never cooked for him at home?
"Actually, it was all Liu Liu cooking, I just helped a bit." Gu Ningyue noticed Ling Tianyou's slightly furrowed brows and quickly added.
For some reason, she felt like he was angry with her?
"Ning Yue, sit down," Xia Chenyu reached for the butler: "Go call the master downstairs, everyone's here, we're just waiting for him."
The butler acknowledged and went upstairs.
About five minutes later, Ling Chengyang came down from upstairs.
It must be said, Ling Tianyou really inherited the best traits from Ling Chengyang and Xia Chenyu.
Even though Ling Chengyang had reached this age, it was still easy to see how graceful he must have been when he was younger.
"Dad!"
"Dad!"
"Dad!"
"Uncle!"
"Grandpa, hug~!"
"..."
"Okay, everyone sit down," Ling Chengyang looked at Gu Ningyue, his eyes devoid of warmth: "Since it's rare everyone is here, let's eat first."
Gu Ningyue was taken aback, thinking that this meal might not be easy to endure.
Ling Tianyou noticed her little expression and reached under the table to hold her hand.
Gu Ningyue turned her head, feeling a little more at ease.
"Ning Yue, are you comfortable with the food?" Xia Chenyu said to Gu Ningyue: "Don't be shy, now that you're here, treat this place as your home."
At her age, Xia Chenyu had seen many kinds of people; this Gu Ningyue wasn't as bad as the rumors outside.
At least during these two hours at home, she hadn't done anything absurd and was polite to everyone.
Xia Chenyu couldn't help but wonder if those rumors outside were true?
Gu Ningyue nodded, "Thank you, Auntie!"
After that, no one at the table spoke again.
The atmosphere instantly became awkwardly quiet.
Ling Tianyou cleared his throat and looked at Ling Chengyang: "Dad, how's your health recently? Do you still have headaches?"
Ling Chengyang glanced at Ling Tianyou: "If you could get married sooner, my headaches might have been long gone."
Ling Tianyou seemed stumped, paused, and then said: "Once I finish what's on hand, I'll prepare to get the marriage certificate with Ningyue."
Gu Ningyue didn't know if that was true or just to appease Ling Chengyang.
But she could feel Ling Chengyang's gaze, almost as if trying to see through her: "Is that also what Miss Gu means?"
Everyone knew Gu Ningyue's biological mother left her an inheritance, which she could only access after marriage and having children.
This Gu Ningyue first broke off her engagement to Ye Mingchen at her birthday banquet, and then got involved with his son.
Not to mention whether her illness was real or fake, who knew what was being schemed behind the scenes?
Could his son marry a woman with unclear intentions?
Gu Ningyue put down her chopsticks, took a deep breath, "Yes, Tianyou's intentions are my intentions."
What had to come would inevitably come; she couldn't avoid it.
Instead of dodging, why not face it head-on?
Ling Chengyang looked at Gu Ningyue and said: "Even though Young Master Ye betrayed you first, I've heard Miss Gu and Young Master Ye had feelings for several years, can Miss Gu really let go?"
Gu Ningyue was still young; he didn't believe she could completely cut ties emotionally.
After all, young people are most easily blinded by so-called 'love'.
He didn't want to see his son become collateral damage to someone else's feelings.
Faced with this response, Gu Ningyue was quite assertive, "Uncle, rest assured, I will never look back. The past Gu Ningyue is already dead, I will never fall twice in the same place!"
Her gaze burned like fire, not showing an ounce of fear even with Ling Chengyang.
What a joke, garbage like Ye Mingchen, even if the original owner were alive, she wouldn't have a shred of attachment to him!
If she did, where would all this resentment come from?
"I hope Miss Gu means what she says." Ling Chengyang picked up a teacup and took a small sip: "Otherwise, there will be no place for Miss Gu in City A!"
After all, a father doesn't want to see his son hurt.
Though said lightly, the words carried a weight that left everyone present subtly shocked.
It seems Ling Chengyang didn't have a good impression of her.
But this was understandable, given her current plight, and the series of recent events, anyone thinking deeply knew they were potentially plagued with future troubles.
Gu Ningyue smiled, that smile was calm and determined: "Don't worry, Uncle, no matter what happens, I won't harm Ling Tianyou as a cost!"
This was her promise to the Ling Family and also her promise to Ling Tianyou.
After all, during this period, he had indeed given her tremendous help!