C26 Gu Yihan's Background

It was Gu Yihan.

Su Kexin felt as though lightning had struck her, her complexion turning deathly pale.

She could never have imagined that Lin Xiaoru's fiancé would be Gu Yihan.

Hold on.

Hadn't her father, Lin Haisheng, mentioned that Lin Xiaoru's betrothed was the young master of the Gu family? How could it be Gu Yihan?

Could it be...

Su Kexin's face grew even paler.

In that moment, Lin Xiaoru, who was linked arm-in-arm with Su Kexin, feigned surprise before bursting into laughter. "Oh, that's right, I nearly forgot. Han also attended Z University back in the day, studying in the journalism department. He was my sister's senior."

Su Kexin remained silent, her gaze fixed on Gu Yihan.

Clearly, Gu Yihan showed no sign of surprise upon seeing her.

After all, during their time together, she had confided in him about being the Lin family's illegitimate daughter.

So, he was fully aware that Lin Xiaoru was his sister, yet he still intended to marry her?

How ironic.

The first love from her past was now to become her brother-in-law.

"Indeed, we are acquainted," Su Kexin said, pushing down the bitterness welling up inside her and feigning composure. "It's just been quite a while since we've seen each other."

Gu Yihan's gaze sharpened at Su Kexin's cool demeanor.

Just then, a dignified and elegant middle-aged lady emerged from the room. Upon spotting Su Kexin, her smile briefly faltered, but she recovered and greeted her, "Kexin, you're here."

Confronted with the woman before her, Su Kexin's expression chilled, but she managed to respond, "Auntie Jiang."

The woman was Chiang Ling, her father's wife and Lin Xiaoru's mother, yet not her own.

Her actual mother was still in the hospital, clinging to life with the help of medication.

As the group entered the dining room, they found Su Kexin's father, Lin Haisheng, already seated. Despite months of absence, his face betrayed no emotion at the sight of his daughter; he simply nodded in acknowledgment.

Chiang Ling was bustling about the kitchen, preparing dinner, while Lin Xiaoru and Gu Yihan were cozied up in the living room, feeding each other fruit. Suddenly, Lin Haisheng spoke in a hushed tone, "Kexin, would you join me for a walk in the courtyard?"

Su Kexin, not particularly keen on witnessing Gu Yihan and Lin Xiaoru's public displays of affection, nodded in agreement and rose to her feet.

"How's your mother doing these days?" Lin Haisheng inquired as they came to a standstill in the courtyard.

"The same as always," Su Kexin replied, her face a mask of neutrality.

"The cost of her medical care must be quite a burden. If you need assistance..."

"There's no need," Su Kexin cut him off before he could finish, "I'm managing on my own."

Lin Haisheng's brow furrowed in concern. "Kexin, there's no need to be so prideful. Our family isn't short on funds."

His words, laced with an inherent sense of superiority and benevolence, stirred a sense of discomfort within Su Kexin.

"I truly don't need it," she said, pushing down her irritation. "Besides, if you were to offer more money, wouldn't that just provoke Aunt Jiang to create another scene? I'd rather not have anyone causing a disturbance at the hospital again."

An awkward look flickered across Lin Haisheng's face. He was about to respond when he glanced over Su Kexin's shoulder and his expression shifted abruptly. "Young Master Gu?"

Su Kexin turned to see Gu Yihan approaching, hands casually tucked in his pockets.

"Uncle," Gu Yihan greeted, his demeanor as smooth and polished as ever in the presence of others. "I'd like a word with Big Sister, if you don't mind?"

Caught off guard, Lin Haisheng hesitated but ultimately nodded and retreated into the house.

As Lin Haisheng departed, Su Kexin made to follow, only to be unexpectedly halted by Gu Yihan's firm grip.

"What's the matter, Su Kexin? Seeing me become your brother-in-law elicits no reaction from you?" Gu Yihan asked, his voice tinged with sarcasm as he looked down at her.

"And what reaction would you expect?" Su Kexin retorted, her gaze icy. "Or perhaps you'd prefer I address you as Young Master Gu of the illustrious Gu family?"

Gu Yihan gripped Su Kexin's hand, suddenly squeezing until her pale skin flushed red.

Yet Su Kexin seemed impervious to the pain, her lips curling into a mocking smile. "Oh? Am I not allowed to speak? The once impoverished boy who couldn't even pay his tuition has now, in the blink of an eye, turned into the esteemed Young Master Gu of the illustrious Gu family. Life certainly has its twists and turns."

In saying this, Su Kexin was less mocking Gu Yihan and more so herself.

How could she have been so naive to believe Gu Yihan was from a destitute background? What child from a poor family doesn't even know the basics of cooking rice or has never once ridden a public bus?

Her words stung Gu Yihan, who retorted angrily, "Yes, I did deceive you before! What of it? If I hadn't posed as a poor kid, how else could I have unveiled your true, vile nature?"

Gu Yihan detested being referred to as the "Young Master of the Gu family," and loathed those who cozied up to him solely for his family's wealth.

That's why, during his university years, he turned down his father's offer to study abroad in England. Instead, he chose to attend Z University in the neighboring city, masquerading as a boy of meager means.

It was there that he encountered Su Kexin.

Initially, he treasured her, for she loved him for who he was—Gu Yihan, not the "Young Master of the Gu family."

But reality delivered a harsh blow. Su Kexin left him when he was penniless, and for money, she even...

The memory of those photos he had seen back then twisted in his heart like a knife. His grip on her hand involuntarily tightened. "Su Kexin, what now? Now that you realize I'm not only the editor-in-chief of your magazine but also part of the Gu family, do you have even more regrets? Ha, too bad the world doesn't offer a remedy for regret!"

Su Kexin slowly lifted her gaze to meet Gu Yihan's furious expression and whispered to herself, "Indeed, how wonderful it would be if such a remedy for regret existed in this world."

Before Gu Yihan could react, she forcefully jerked away from him. "I wish I had never met you!" she declared sharply.

With those icy words hanging in the air, Su Kexin swiftly turned and retreated to her room.

Once she entered the long corridor, Su Kexin could no longer contain herself. Leaning against the wall, tears spilled from her eyes.

Previously, she hadn't bothered explaining herself to Gu Yihan, feeling it was futile. But now, she genuinely didn't want to bother, didn't feel the need to justify herself to a man who had betrayed her trust and never believed in her.

It was only at this moment that she realized her cherished first love had been woven with lies from start to finish.

"Sister?"

At the brink of her breakdown, Su Kexin was startled by a crisp, pleasant voice.

Lifting her head, she saw Lin Xiaoru standing next to her, her radiant face enigmatic.

Su Kexin fought back her tears. "What is it?"

"Oh, it's nothing. Mom asked for some red wine. Will you come with me to get it?"

Su Kexin nodded and followed Lin Xiaoru towards the wine cellar.

"Han actually isn't fond of red wine," Lin Xiaoru remarked casually as they selected a bottle. "Hehe, many of his habits don't fit the typical wealthy heir."

Su Kexin, unsure why Lin Xiaoru was sharing this, simply murmured in acknowledgment.

"That's why it's understandable you didn't recognize Han as the Gu family's scion back then," Lin Xiaoru went on, her tone casual. Su Kexin's face stiffened, and as she looked up, she was met with Lin Xiaoru's blooming smile. "But sister, even if you have regrets now, Han is already mine."