Reborn as the Reluctant Saint

After dinner, the Gu Family gathered in the living room to watch TV. Gu Yuanyuan sat curled up on the sofa, hugging a pillow, looking rather unhappy.

The TV was tuned to the evening news, discussing national affairs. Gu Yuanyuan found it dull, but this was a long-standing tradition in the Gu Family. Gu Zhiguo and Zhang Shuhui weren’t fans of unrealistic idol dramas. Occasionally, Gu Zhiguo and Gu Hanyu would discuss topics that seemed familiar to her, things she’d heard in political class, but she couldn’t quite grasp the details. She used to chime in, only to end up feeling like a fool, drawing good-natured laughter from her parents. So, she stopped trying.

But today, her silence wasn’t due to a lack of understanding; she was simply upset.

The issue of “going vegetarian” had been bothering her, making her feel uneasy-as if she were a bad person, a “hypocrite.” She worried her parents might think she lacked compassion…

Gu Hanyu’s phone suddenly rang. Sitting next to her, Gu Yuanyuan glanced over and saw the caller ID: Shen Hui.

Shen Hui? Her brother-in-law.

She knew that Shen Hui was Gu Hanyu’s fiancé. They got engaged when Gu Hanyu was twenty, planning to marry after her college graduation.

Gu Yuanyuan didn’t know much about Shen Hui, but during her time with the Gu Family, she’d heard bits and pieces from others. The Shen family wasn’t entirely unfamiliar to her; after all, their appliances bore the Shen family logo. The Shen family was a true powerhouse, with assets exceeding billions.

Gu Yuanyuan never imagined that someone from such a legendary family would one day become her brother-in-law.

Gu Hanyu excused herself to take the call, and Gu Yuanyuan watched her walk away, hearing her gentle voice say, “Hui…” before the conversation faded out of earshot.

Gu Yuanyuan turned back, leaning against Zhang Shuhui’s arm, resting her head on her mother’s shoulder, silently seeking comfort.

Zhang Shuhui chuckled, gently patting her daughter’s head, her heart melting with affection.

Gu Yuanyuan hadn’t yet seen Shen Hui in person or learned much about his personality. The Gu Family’s staff were discreet, never discussing such matters, and those who did were dismissed. After discovering Shen Hui was her brother-in-law, she tried searching online. While there was information about him, there were no photos. All she knew was that Shen Hui had a master’s degree from a prestigious university, was four years older than Gu Hanyu, and was currently twenty-five.

Gu Hanyu probably had photos of Shen Hui, but Gu Yuanyuan hadn’t asked her for them. Although they were sisters, their relationship was still new and somewhat distant.

Gu Hanyu wasn’t like her friends who enjoyed chasing celebrities. She was always composed, occasionally advising Gu Yuanyuan on proper behavior, which left her feeling awkward and confused, even more so than with her parents. This made it difficult for her to get close to Gu Hanyu, and at times, she even felt a bit intimidated by her.

By now, the story had progressed, with the male and female leads having met, and Gu Yuanyuan had been living with the Gu Family for some time. Her relationship with Gu Zhiguo and Zhang Shuhui had grown closer, but her bond with Gu Hanyu remained lukewarm.

Gu Yuanyuan’s lively and adorable nature sometimes led her to play joyfully in the yard with Snowball. Yet, Gu Hanyu would often appear at the most inopportune moments. If Gu Yuanyuan sat on the ground, she’d be told that girls should sit and stand properly. If she laughed heartily, she’d be reminded that such behavior wasn’t ladylike. Even her posture while sitting was corrected, with instructions to sit up straight instead of slouching. It was exhausting.

While etiquette teachers had come to the Gu Family to instruct her in various manners-since her welcome party was scheduled just before her college started-Zhang Shuhui had ordered several custom dresses for her, wanting to show the world how much the Gu Family valued Gu Yuanyuan. Compared to the etiquette teachers, Gu Hanyu was even more daunting.

Fortunately, her mother intervened, only requiring her to learn dining and social etiquette for parties, without imposing too many demands. Zhang Shuhui said she wanted her daughter to be happy and carefree, not burdened by excessive expectations. This led Gu Hanyu to ease up a bit. Yet, despite this, Gu Yuanyuan still felt out of place with Gu Hanyu. They were only a few years apart, so why was there such a gap?

Gu Hanyu’s various actions against the heroine had left the audience displeased, viewing her as too aloof and unappreciative of the heroine’s charm.

For instance, when a servant accidentally broke a vase, Gu Hanyu insisted on firing her without any leniency. Gu Yuanyuan, who was present, saw the vase. It was only slightly chipped, easily concealed by flowers, hardly warranting such a fuss.

The servant was terrified, apologizing repeatedly.

Gu Yuanyuan, feeling sympathetic, tried to speak up for the servant, but Gu Hanyu merely said, “I’ll handle this. You go play.”

Gu Yuanyuan, though back with her biological family, still felt like a guest, lacking a true sense of belonging.

“Sister, give her a chance. Everyone makes mistakes, and the vase isn’t completely ruined. It can still be used!”

Unfortunately, her words had no effect. The servant packed her things and left that day, leaving Gu Yuanyuan with a deep impression of Gu Hanyu’s stubbornness and coldness.

At the time, the audience’s comments were filled with criticism of Gu Hanyu for being heartless, while praising Gu Yuanyuan for her kindness and compassion, feeling sorry for the poor servant who had such an unkind employer.

…

Hearing Shen Hui’s voice again, low and slightly raspy, with a hint of coolness, was familiar to Gu Hanyu. It was the same voice that had shown no emotion when facing her lifeless body, neither sorrowful nor moved.

Since being reborn, Gu Hanyu had rehearsed this moment in her mind, fearing she might vomit from the disgust she felt. But when she actually heard his voice, she found herself calm, even able to smile as she asked, “When are you coming back?”

Once he’s back, it’ll be time to deal with those two.

Shen Hui was still abroad, calling because he’d noticed Gu Hanyu’s unusual silence. Normally, he’d wake up to several messages from her, sometimes even calls, but recently, there’d been fewer messages and no calls.

“I’ll need a few more days. I haven’t finished my work yet.”

“Alright, take care of your work.”

“Okay.”

After hanging up, Gu Hanyu returned to the living room, saying, “Hui said he should be back in time for Yuanyuan’s welcome party. Yuanyuan, you haven’t met your sister’s fiancé yet, have you? When Hui returns, I’ll introduce you. He’s a bit reserved, but he’s great with family. As my sister, he’ll look after you too.”

Gu Yuanyuan nodded. “Thank you, sister.” Though she didn’t feel she needed looking after.

Gu Hanyu smiled, pulling up a photo on her phone and handing it to Gu Yuanyuan. “Here, take a look. This is from our engagement.”

Gu Hanyu hadn’t forgotten that Shen Hui and Gu Yuanyuan would meet again at her welcome party.

Shen Hui would attend the party, and while avoiding the socializing, he’d retreat upstairs for a smoke, only to encounter the elegantly dressed Gu Yuanyuan. The innocent and charming girl would once again meet her savior, running up to him with surprise and joy, “It’s you, my savior!”

The man, leaning casually against the window at the end of the hallway, would turn, his gaze slightly surprised, his raised brow exuding an indescribable charm.

“Are you a guest of the Gu Family?” Gu Yuanyuan, captivated by his looks-having never seen such a handsome man-would approach him, her curiosity piqued. “I thought I’d never see you again, that I wouldn’t be able to repay your kindness. But now I can! This must be fate, right?”

Shen Hui would reply, “Didn’t you already give me two hundred as a reward?”

Gu Yuanyuan would sheepishly stick out her tongue. “Don’t tease me. I didn’t have anything valuable on me then, and I was too scared to think straight. But you helped me out of kindness, and I’m really grateful. If it weren’t for you, I’d have been in big trouble. You’re a good person, and I’ll do my best to thank you!”

Shen Hui, known for his ruthless nature, had never been called a good person. People either sought to curry favor with him or despised him. No one had ever looked at him with such pure, uncalculating eyes, offering gratitude without any ulterior motives.

This was a novel experience for Shen Hui, who was used to people seeking his help, not the other way around.

It made him see Gu Yuanyuan in a different light, placing her in a special category.

At this point, Gu Yuanyuan didn’t know Shen Hui was her brother-in-law, and Shen Hui didn’t know the girl before him was Gu Hanyu’s sister. Unaware of each other’s identities, they connected.

Gu Yuanyuan would ask, “By the way, what’s your name?”

Shen Hui, teasingly, would say, “Didn’t you say we were fated? If we are, we’ll meet again.”

Later, Shen Hui would leave abruptly due to an urgent matter, and their familial connection would remain hidden.

When Gu Yuanyuan eventually developed feelings for Shen Hui, she’d insist, “I didn’t know he was my brother-in-law when I fell for him. I’m sorry, it wasn’t intentional.”

She didn’t want it either, because love is uncontrollable, beyond one’s will.

Who would want to fall for their brother-in-law? Who would choose to love someone with no future?

Her tears would move Gu Zhiguo and Zhang Shuhui, leaving them both pained and helpless, not to mention the fans watching.

Gu Yuanyuan was innocent; it was fate’s cruel twist.

Besides, it was a family-arranged marriage with little affection. Finding true love and breaking off an engagement was perfectly normal, wasn’t it?

This time around, Gu Hanyu wouldn’t let them off the hook so easily.

Love isn’t wrong, but they won’t use her as a scapegoat for their hypocrisy.

Meanwhile, Shen Hui tossed his phone aside. He’d found it odd when Gu Hanyu’s messages had dwindled, but now he felt it was just his imagination. Gu Hanyu hadn’t changed.

Graceful and virtuous, she was the ideal wife.