Chapter 673 - 581: The Night Before

With the engagement ceremony just a week away, Xiao Man found herself unexpectedly busier than she had ever been at school or the hospital. She barely even had time to hold the two little ones and play with them.

The two grandmothers, Mrs. Gu, and Grandma Hao were constantly orbiting around her. Mrs. Hao also rushed over to join the fun whenever she had a spare moment. Soon, several other grandaunts and aunts from the Gu and Tang families joined in, forming an even larger entourage that completely enveloped Xiao Man. They wished they could have her in front of them at all times, lecturing and instructing her on all sorts of matters, and showing her this and that... Xiao Man complained endlessly to herself. ’An engagement is this much trouble? Won’t the wedding be even more torturous?’

’I should probably consider a destination wedding. We could just run off, get everything done, and then come back.’

All the previous fittings for dresses and jewelry were apparently just for practice, as they had to start all over again. In the end, they basically settled on two outfits, one Chinese and one Western, complete with accessories. The Chinese-style dress was, of course, a qipao. Xiao Man now stood at five feet six, with a fine figure. Every one of the exquisite, priceless qipaos from Grandma Tang’s dowry brought out a captivating charm when she wore it—sometimes noble and elegant, other times lovely and enchanting. The grandmothers and aunts clicked their tongues in praise, beaming so widely they couldn’t close their mouths, as if transported back to their own youth. Granny Gu also had many beautiful qipaos she wanted to let Xiao Man try, but unfortunately, she had been a bit plump in her younger days, so they didn’t suit Xiao Man.

The Western-style gown was sent from Britain by Zheng Shaojin and delivered personally into Xiao Man’s hands by Zheng Shaolian. The design was simple, the materials exquisite, and the craftsmanship superb. Xiao Man loved the understated luxury, reminiscent of the British aristocracy. Mrs. Hao’s eyes also sparkled with satisfaction, and she urged Xiao Man to wear this one for the ceremony.

Since it was a combined birthday and engagement party, there would be not only older relatives and old friends but also many young people. A lively ball was indispensable, so they decided on two formal gowns. Of course, they also prepared several other styles, just in case a change was needed.

Gu Shaojun’s attire was also ready. To complement Xiao Man, he would naturally be wearing a suit.

The banquet was to be catered by the National Guest Hotel. It was billed as a small-scale celebration, but both Grandpa Tang and Mr. Tang had sent out thick stacks of invitations. Xiao Man wasn’t concerned with Tang Qingyun’s guest list, but from overhearing him talk with Grandma Tang, it seemed he had invited people as well. Meanwhile, Xiao Man’s own list of teachers, classmates, colleagues, and friends numbered more than twenty, and that was after trimming it down. ’I wonder how many people the Gu family invited. They call this small-scale, but I bet it won’t be small at all.’

Imagining the crowded scene, Xiao Man grew anxious. ’I really can’t handle that. But I probably won’t have to personally entertain the guests that day, right?’

Tang Haocheng usually called home once a week, but this week he had already made three overseas calls. He had previously been complaining about them holding the engagement ceremony early, blaming Gu Shaojun for taking advantage of his absence to win over his sister. Now, hearing that Xiao Man was a little nervous, he busied himself with comforting her. He told her not to be afraid, that it was only an engagement, and that when it was time for the wedding, he wouldn’t go anywhere and would stay by his sister’s side the entire time.

Xiao Man found this amusing. ’What would I need you for at my wedding? What do you think the bridesmaids are for?’

Still, her heart felt warm. She reminded him to take care of himself while he was abroad and to finish his studies and return home soon.

Aside from Tang Haocheng and Zheng Shaojin, who were abroad, Gu Shaozhen, Wu Xiangyun, and Zheng Shaolian had all returned. Zheng Shaolian had intentionally grown a ring of scruffy stubble around his mouth. He sprawled decadently on the sofa, repeatedly declaring how unhappy he was—very unhappy. Gu Shaozhen and Gu Shaoqin ganged up on him, pinning him to the sofa and giving him a sound thrashing. Afterward, Xiao Man gave him a bag of Gu Shaoying’s favorite little berries as a consolation gift. Only after finishing them did Zheng Shaolian’s mood improve. He then showered, changed, shaved his stubble, and returned to his usual appearance as a high-powered CEO.

On the afternoon of July 19th, Gu Shaojun returned to Beijing as scheduled.

That evening, Gu Shaofeng also rushed back from the north. Xiao Man could tell at a glance that Gu Shaofeng had broken through to the Foundation Establishment stage. She couldn’t help but marvel internally. ’The Gu family truly has an orthodox cultivation bloodline. Their Spirit Roots are so pure, their progress is incredibly fast.’ It wasn’t just Gu Shaofeng; Gu Qiming had also reached Foundation Establishment, and she estimated Grandpa Gu would have a breakthrough soon as well. As for Gu Shaojun, after he had eliminated Gongsun Hanshan and crippled two elders of the Gongsun Clan, he had recovered from his injuries and left on a secret mission. During his travels, he had a fortuitous encounter and had already successfully achieved Core Formation.

The Tang Family couldn’t compare to the Gu family; their aptitude was a bit inferior. Besides Xiao Man, who was the family’s first cultivator and had already reached Foundation Establishment, Tang Haocheng had yet to break through to Qi Refining Perfection. Tang Qingshan was at the Qi Refining Ninth Layer, and Tang Qingyun was at the Sixth Layer.

Upon returning to Beijing, Gu Shaojun went directly to the Tang Mansion. He knew that the Gu family home was currently filled with people, with relatives from all over. If he went home, he would inevitably have to greet everyone and would likely find it difficult to get away. Therefore, he decided to meet with Xiao Man first.

Who would have thought the Tang family home would also be teeming with guests? When Tang Qingshan and Tang Qingyun saw Gu Shaojun arrive, they immediately pulled him over to introduce him to everyone. In the end, Gu Shaojun couldn’t escape his fate of entertaining guests. Meanwhile, Xiao Man was upstairs, surrounded and swarmed by a group of young women. Even though she knew Gu Shaojun had arrived, there was nothing she could do. She felt anxious but was too embarrassed to show it, fearing the others would tease her.

The two didn’t get a chance to properly see each other until just before dinner. They had barely exchanged a few words when Gu Shaozhen, under orders, came running to bring Gu Shaojun back to the Gu family’s home. As he was leaving, Gu Shaojun whispered something in Xiao Man’s ear. The tips of her ears immediately turned red. She stole a glance at her grandpa, grandma, and dad nearby and, thinking it was impossible for them to have heard, breathed a secret sigh of relief. Inwardly, she was both exasperated and amused. ’That guy Gu Shaojun must be asking for a beating! How could he say something so improper with such a straight face, telling me to leave a back window open for him? He’s coming over to sleep in the middle of the night!’

’Is he showing off how skilled and audacious he is? He’s completely ignoring Dad Tang, certain that I won’t sell him out, is that it?’

The answer was obvious. Not only could Xiao Man not sell Gu Shaojun out, but she also had to obediently open the back window and wait for him.

A little after one in the morning, Gu Shaojun arrived as promised. He explained with a soft chuckle, "I only have three days off. The engagement is tomorrow, and I have to leave the day after. Look at the situation today—I’m afraid we won’t get any time alone tomorrow or the day after. So, I’m... seizing the moment to create an opportunity, aren’t I?"

"If my dad finds you, you’re dead meat!"

"You know he won’t be able to."

"You..."

"Shh! Hiding this from our elders isn’t right, I know, but I can’t help myself... Darling, didn’t you miss me?"

Xiao Man pressed her face against his chest and nodded forcefully.

Gu Shaojun’s voice was filled with excitement. "We’re getting engaged tomorrow! And soon, we’ll be able to get married!"

Xiao Man: "..."

’Is your watch fast, mister? Three years is actually a very long time, you know.’

When Xiao Man woke up the next day, Gu Shaojun was already gone. The side of the bed where he had lain was perfectly smooth, the sheet pulled taut without a single wrinkle. The pillow and the light blanket had been folded and put away in the wardrobe. Even the window he had come through was closed, the white lace curtain hanging silently, as if no one had entered the room last night.