C20 Unfilial Child!

Old Master Gu returned from his evening walk and made a beeline for the study.

Typically, he'd turn in for the night after his stroll, but today was different. The granddaughter-in-law his eldest grandson, Gu Tingshen, had introduced to the family was utterly charming.

Presently, the Old Master was set on crafting a handwritten copy of the Orchid Pavilion Preface to present to the young lady.

In the study, Gu Zifan was a bundle of nerves, barely able to contain his anticipation.

The moment he heard the door swing open, he lunged to embrace the entrant.

"Sweetheart, just let me give you a little kiss..." he said, pulling at the person's clothes.

Smack!

A sharp slap landed on Gu Zifan's face, followed by his grandfather's stern chastisement.

"Gu Zifan! What in the world are you doing!?"

With the light switched on, Gu Zifan, hand on his cheek and grimacing, snapped to attention.

"Grandpa, is that you?" he stammered, words spilling out haphazardly.

"Who else were you expecting?!" The Old Master's fury was evident, his forehead vein bulging.

The only women in the house were Yin Jie, Gu Yufei, and Huo Niannian.

The sheer nerve of this scoundrel, setting his sights on his sister-in-law—how could the Old Master not be livid?

Seizing a feather duster, the Old Master set out to chastise Gu Zifan, who scrambled to his feet and darted about in a desperate attempt to avoid the blows. Drunk and now dodging his grandfather's wrath, he was a sweaty, disheveled wreck, toppling furniture as he tried to escape.

Huo Niannian, having just finished blow-drying her hair and donning a bathrobe, emerged from the bathroom to the sounds of the altercation.

After listening for a moment, she figured out what was happening and allowed herself a sly grin.

Gu Tingshen caught her expression.

"Did you have a hand in this?"

Initially baffled by the noise of his grandfather reprimanding Gu Zifan, Gu Tingshen's suspicions were confirmed by Huo Niannian's telling smirk.

Huo Niannian didn't bother with excuses, simply pursing her lips and saying, "Your dear sister deliberately had me go back to the room with Gu Zifan to fetch teacups. And Gu Zifan? He's no gentleman either. Am I supposed to just suffer in silence and let them walk all over me?"

Despite her young age, her upbringing in the slums had taught her a tough lesson: it's a dog-eat-dog world, and if you don't stand up for yourself, you'll always be the underdog.

Gu Tingshen's brow creased, his eyes flashing with a cold fury. Huo Niannian thought she had angered him and was gearing up to explain further when he cut in, "Did Gu Zifan do anything to you?"

"No, he didn't. Don't worry, I can take care of myself," she said, her smile carefree and confident.

Gu Tingshen shook his head, his expression a complex blend of exasperation and affection. His young wife was outspoken and not easily bullied, yet her innocence made her vulnerable. Life's complexities went far beyond the simplicity of childhood squabbles.

He had wanted to warn her, but he felt it unnecessary to say too much at the moment, so he refrained. "I'm going to take a shower. You should go to bed," he told her.

Huo Niannian gave an OK gesture, thinking to herself, A shower is perfect. He'll come out clear-headed, and I'll be safe.

Once Gu Tingshen entered the bathroom and the sound of water assured her he was preoccupied, Huo Niannian let down her guard, feeling secure that he wouldn't make any advances.

Her gaze swept across the room, taking in the cozy loveseat and the expansive bed. How was she expected to sleep in such a setting?