C25 My Sister's Fiancé

"I'm not using any particular tone," Su Kexin said with a hint of impatience. "I just know you wouldn't call unless there was something up. So, what's the matter?"

"Your sister is getting married soon." The man on the phone got straight to the point. "If you're free, come home for a meal. It'll be a good chance to meet your future brother-in-law."

"Home?" Su Kexin's voice dripped with irony. "Dad, I think you're mistaken. That's not my home."

"Su Kexin, watch your tone!" The man's voice was tinged with fury. "Your sister is marrying into the Gu family, not just anyone—the young master, Gu Yihan! She wants the family to come together, so you'd better be there tomorrow night!" With that, he hung up.

Su Kexin held her phone, her brow furrowed.

Lin Xiaoru was marrying Gu Yihan, the Gu family's young master?

No wonder she insisted on Su Kexin coming back. With such an impressive fiancé, it would be odd if she didn't want to flaunt him.

Despite seeing through her family's intentions, Su Kexin knew her father all too well. If she refused, he would erupt in anger.

It was just one dinner. She might as well go.

Since Gu Yihan had taken charge, Su Kexin, who once regularly worked late, now left the office punctually, and today was no different.

Arriving back at the villa, she collapsed onto the soft sofa, only then realizing her cold hadn't fully cleared up; her muscles ached terribly.

She felt utterly drained, not just physically, but emotionally and mentally as well. She was so exhausted she couldn't muster the energy to rise from the sofa.

It wasn't until she heard someone approaching that Su Kexin quickly got up, only to see Gu Chi's wheelchair beside her.

He was dressed differently from his usual formal attire, wearing a casual gray knitted sweater that highlighted his perfectly sculpted upper body.

"You're back early today?" she remarked, surprised to see Gu Chi at this hour.

Gu Chi simply looked at Su Kexin.

Her complexion was still somewhat pale, and the redness around her eyes made it clear she had cried earlier in the day.

"Okay," Gu Chi replied, his tone as nonchalant as ever. "Dinner's ready. Let's eat."

Entering the dining room, Su Kexin paused, taking in the spread on the table. It was a selection dominated by soups and vegetarian dishes, with a number of medicinal meals among them. Though they hadn't been living together long, Su Kexin knew Gu Chi had a penchant for spicy food. Why such a bland menu today?

With a hint of curiosity, Su Kexin took her seat. Gu Chi ladled out a bowl of chicken soup and set it before her, saying, "Warm yourself up."

Su Kexin blinked in surprise. Was this thoughtful array of dishes prepared just because she had a cold?

A complex emotion welled up inside her, a mix of gratitude and warmth. Her heart, cold and weary before, now felt as if it were being bathed in warm water, slowly reviving. To be cared for like this felt incredibly good.

"What's the matter?" Gu Chi asked, noticing her hesitation, his brow creasing slightly. "Does it not suit your taste?"

"No, not at all," Su Kexin hurriedly responded, her head bowed to hide the redness in her eyes as she reached for her spoon.

The chicken soup was sweet and warming, and as it slid down her throat, Su Kexin felt the weariness in her body begin to dissipate. Her mind drifted back to her university days.

She remembered how Gu Yihan would stealthily visit the girls' dormitory whenever she was sick, bringing her chicken soup. They were short on money back then, but those moments were pure joy. Even the simplest chicken soup from a modest street-side eatery, shared while they huddled on the hard dormitory bed, chatting away, brought her immense happiness.

Who could have imagined that in just two years, so much could change?

"Lost in thought?" Gu Chi's deep, pleasant voice snapped her back to the present.

Su Kexin quickly forced a smile. "It's nothing."

Then, as if struck by a sudden recollection, she added, "Oh, by the way, I have dinner plans with my father tomorrow night, so you won't need to prepare anything for me."

"Mm," Gu Chi responded, pausing briefly. "When there's time, I'd like to pay a visit to your father and mother."

Su Kexin was taken aback and blurted, "There's no need."

Gu Chi's eyebrows quirked up ever so slightly.

Realizing her reaction might have been off, Su Kexin said with an embarrassed tone, "My parents... they don't have the best relationship... and my mother's health isn't great... so..."

Gu Chi watched the somewhat flustered Su Kexin, a barely noticeable smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

Unbeknownst to Su Kexin, he had already looked into her family background.

"Is that so?" He didn't call her out, simply responding with a detached air, "Still, when we find the time, I'd like to take you to meet my family."

Su Kexin was momentarily speechless.

This was the first time Gu Chi had brought up his family.

"To visit your parents?" Su Kexin ventured cautiously.

"My parents have passed away."

A flicker of embarrassment crossed Su Kexin's face. "I'm sorry."

"It's fine," Gu Chi said, his face betraying no emotion. "When there's a chance, I'll take you to meet my grandfather and my elder brother. As it happens, my nephew is getting married soon."

Another wedding?

Su Kexin forced a smile.

Was there some special lucky date that had everyone rushing to tie the knot?

"Sure, okay." As husband and wife, it was only proper for Su Kexin to meet Gu Chi's family, so she didn't refuse.

Gu Chi nodded in agreement, and the rest of their evening passed quietly over dinner.

The following day, after work, Su Kexin took a taxi to the Lin family's villa.

Stepping out of the car, she was greeted by a girl in a bright yellow dress running towards her with joy.

"Sister! You've finally come!" The girl grasped Su Kexin's hand warmly. "Come on in. I'm eager to introduce you to my fiancé."

Su Kexin eyed the radiant Lin Xiaoru beside her and slightly pursed her lips. "The young master of the Gu family?"

Lin Xiaoru paused, then let out a playful laugh. "Dad's filled you in, huh? But hey, when you meet him, let's not bring up the Gu family, okay? He really dislikes it when people make a fuss over his family's status."

Despite her words, Lin Xiaoru's eyes betrayed a smugness she couldn't quite hide.

Su Kexin simply smiled in response.

She had always known Lin Xiaoru to be fond of vanity. Now that she had snagged the Gu family's young master, it would be torture for her not to boast.

And truly, the Gu family was a source of legitimate pride.

S City was home to three prestigious families: the Gu, Chung, and Ji families, all with storied histories, a far cry from the Lin family's nouveau riche status.

The young master of the Gu family, if Su Kexin's memory served her right, was the sole heir to the Gu family fortune, and he had been studying abroad, which is why his name was a mystery to the public.

Lost in thought, Su Kexin was swiftly ushered into the villa by Lin Xiaoru.

In the living room, a tall, lean figure sat on the sofa, his back to them.

Lin Xiaoru, bubbling with excitement, tugged her closer. "Han, I want you to meet someone. This is my sister. We may not share a mother, but she's my sister by blood."

Han?

Su Kexin tensed for a moment, then looked up to see the man before her offering a warm smile. "Well, what a surprise. Xiaoru's sister turns out to be someone I know."