C4 An Old Friend

"Second Young Master."

Just as Ann Xiaomin was thoroughly enjoying her meal, the servants standing nearby glanced at the person behind her and collectively greeted him with a tone that was anything but enthusiastic.

Second Young Master?

Ann Xiaomin turned her head in confusion. Upon seeing the familiar face, she was so startled that she almost choked on her food. She was certain she wasn't mistaken—the handsome guy in front of her was indeed her brother, Mr. Xiurann. Was he really the Second Young Master of the Gu family?

Gu Xiurann, dressed simply in a white casual outfit, exuded an impressive aura. When their eyes met, his calm demeanor shifted to shock.

Seeing Ann Xiaomin staring wide-eyed at Gu Xiurann, one of the servants kindly introduced him to her. "Great Young Madam, you probably haven't met him yet. This is the Second Young Master of the Gu family."

Gu Xiurann was the first to regain his composure. The shock in his eyes quickly turned into a deep, unfathomable anger. This usually composed man lost his cool, ignoring the setting as he marched over to grab Ann Xiaomin by the shoulders, glaring at her as if she were an unfaithful wife.

"What’s going on? How did you become the Young Madam of the Gu family? You're not even..."

Ann Xiaomin swiftly covered his mouth with her hand, then, with a serious expression, pulled him by the hand and hurriedly led him out of the courtyard.

"Come with me."

The two walked out of the dining room hand in hand, leaving the maids in shock, exchanging bewildered glances.

"The young lady ran off with the Second Young Master. Should we tell the First Young Master?"

On the cobblestone path in the front yard, with no one around, it was a good place to talk. Gu Xiurann stopped and turned back, impatiently questioning Ann Xiaomin with anger in his voice.

"The one who was supposed to marry into the family was Hsu Yaying. How did it end up being you? What's going on, Xiaomin? How could you marry Gu Junbai?"

Gu Xiurann's eyes were bloodshot, his hands clenched tightly at his sides, as if he was enduring immense pain.

Meeting Gu Xiurann again at such a moment, both with different identities, left Ann Xiaomin with mixed emotions.

"I had no other choice but to save my mom."

"What's wrong with Mrs. Ann?" Gu Xiurann tried to suppress the turmoil within him.

"It's a long story." Despite the circumstances, Ann Xiaomin was happy to reunite with the brother she grew up with.

"How did you become the Second Young Master of such a wealthy family, Mr. Xiurann?"

"I'll explain everything later, but you need to leave here now. You're not Hsu Yaying, and if the Gu family finds out, they won't let you off."

Gu Xiurann tried to pull Ann Xiaomin away, seemingly more anxious than she was, but Ann Xiaomin slipped her small hand from his grasp.

"Mr. Xiurann, I can't leave right now. If you still care about our past, please don't expose me."

Her biggest worry was whether her identity would be revealed and if her mother would be in danger because of it. Everything else was secondary and she couldn't afford to think about it.

From the second-floor window, Gu Junbai watched the two people entangled in the courtyard below, his anger flaring up instantly. He turned, ready to storm downstairs.

"Where are you going, sir?" Steward Ning called out.

"To catch the cheaters red-handed."

Understanding his master's fiery temper, Steward Ning gently reminded him, "Sir, are you planning to reveal your true identity?"