Irresistibly Drawn (Love After Marriage) - Chapter 2 - Qingyu is Adorable, I Won't Make Things Difficult

“Gu Yunyi.”

The man introduced himself, a pair of dimples appearing at the corners of his mouth.

Jiang Qingyu lowered her head slightly, “I’m Jiang Qingyu.”

Her mother had mentioned that Gu Yunyi was Grandpa Gu’s eldest grandson, which brought back memories of Jing City’s delicious food and her childhood playmate.

“I remember Grandpa Gu. I used to play with Gu Yan when I was little.”

The mention of Gu Yan’s name caused the smile on Gu Yunyi’s face to fade slightly.

“Are you two close?”

“Not really now. We haven’t seen each other in years.”

Gu Yan was the son of Gu Jiang’s second son, Gu Zhengming, and was only two years older than Jiang Qingyu. When they were young, the two families interacted more frequently, and Gu Yan had visited Nan City. His sunny and outgoing personality was quite different from the serious and composed Gu Yunyi. Naturally, whenever the Gu Family was mentioned, Jiang Qingyu would think of him.

“My mom asked me to show you around.”

The girl led the way, with the man following behind. Occasionally, passersby would pause to take a quick glance at the pair.

Nan City was unlike Jing City; the wind here was humid, without the biting chill.

Gu Yunyi watched the fine rain falling into the water, his gaze gradually shifting to Jiang Qingyu.

Before leaving home, Grandpa Gu had mentioned that Jiang Qingyu had been in a car accident last year, but it didn’t seem too serious. Perhaps, as he had said, it was just a minor incident.

“What’s that place over there?”

Gu Yunyi pointed to a small hill in the distance, the clouds hanging low in the rainy sky, layered like a watercolor painting.

“It’s just a small hill, actually quite far away. There’s a temple on top, and people live there.”

At that moment, Jiang Qingyu’s phone rang. With no men in the house for a while, Jiang Hua asked her to buy a pair of men’s slippers, as Gu Yunyi would be staying for a few days.

“Am I intruding?”

“No, it’s just the two of us at home. Having a guest is nice, as long as you don’t find it boring.”

The town had only two shops, and the people living here were quite laid-back. The rainy streets were mostly empty, with one shop not even open, leaving only one in business.

This shop had only a few pairs of men’s slippers left, none in Gu Yunyi’s size.

“Let’s go to the city; it’s not far.”

The man strode out, the car parked right at her doorstep.

When he told Jiang Hua he was taking Jiang Qingyu out, she seemed slightly uneasy.

“Alright, just be safe.”

On the way, the two exchanged only a few words. Gu Yunyi occasionally glanced at the girl in the passenger seat, her complexion paler than when they first met, closing her eyes briefly with each brake.

His slightly curved lips gradually flattened, his eyes showing a hint of concern.

Only then did he understand what Grandpa Gu meant by follow-up treatment.

Unlike other girls, Jiang Qingyu didn’t enjoy crowds. Once they reached the nearest shopping area to the town, she got out to buy things. Besides slippers, she picked up towels and other items men might need, returning home without much delay.

The rain that had started yesterday continued unabated, mist-like against the face. Gu Yunyi took out an umbrella from the car, but Jiang Qingyu said the misty rain of Jiangnan didn’t require one.

So Gu Yunyi followed her lead, trailing behind her, watching the water marks left on the stone path.

Jiang Hua emerged from the house, seeing the pair walking in the rain, a mix of sweet and sour emotions stirring within her, her eyes slightly warm.

“Let’s eat, Yunyi. We eat lightly here; I hope it suits your taste.”

Though she said that, Jiang Qingyu could tell her mother had tried hard to cater to Jing City’s preferences.

Gu Yunyi knew that no matter how sharp one was in business, they were always gentle and well-mannered before their elders. Jiang Hua appreciated this quality in him. In the afternoon, Jiang Qingyu brewed tea in the kitchen, while Jiang Hua sat on a bamboo chair under the porch, inviting him to join her in enjoying the rainy view.

“Yunyi, it’s good that you came to pick up Qingyu. I worry that if I pass away, she won’t have anyone to rely on.”

“Please don’t say that. I’ll take good care of her, and so will the Gu Family.”

Jiang Hua looked at Gu Yunyi.

“Actually, back then, the engagement between you two was just a casual joke between your parents and me. I didn’t expect Uncle Gu to take it seriously. Nowadays, people don’t care much about engagements. You don’t have to feel pressured; I just hope you can treat her like a sister and protect her from harm. And if she finds a boyfriend in a few years-”

“Aunt Jiang.”

The man interrupted her, his expression shifting, surprising Jiang Hua slightly.

The mention of a “boyfriend” was jarring, reminiscent of a sweet candy he had tasted as a child, one that was addictive after just one bite. He wasn’t ready to hand over that sweetness to someone else.

“Qingyu is adorable; I won’t make things difficult.”

Jiang Hua was left speechless, her peripheral vision catching the girl approaching with a teapot. Unaware of the conversation, Jiang Qingyu was oblivious to her mother’s plans for her future.

Feeling a bit guilty, Jiang Hua regretted not asking her daughter if she had someone she liked, given Gu Yunyi’s unexpected willingness.