Reborn as the Reluctant Saint - Chapter 6 - It's Really You

“This is your Jiefu¹,” Gu Hanyu said gently, pointing at the man in the photo. “Take a good look, or you won’t recognize him, and he’ll blame me.”

Gu Yuanyuan held the phone, her casual glance suddenly freezing. The man in the photo was strikingly handsome, someone both familiar and unfamiliar. They had only met once, yet he had appeared in her dreams countless times. She had wondered if she would ever get the chance to meet him again and repay his life-saving kindness.

The world was so big, she had thought the chance of meeting him again was as difficult as reaching the sky. But she never expected the world to be so small; he was her Jiefu.

“He… is your fiancé?” she asked.

“Yes,” Gu Hanyu replied, her eyes deep as the sea. “Yuanyuan, do you think your sister and Jiefu are a good match?”

Gu Yuanyuan bit her lip, the light in her eyes gradually fading. “Yes, very well-matched.”

Gu Hanyu smiled. “Thank you. When your sister gets married, you can be the bridesmaid.”

Bridesmaid? Gu Yuanyuan looked down at the engagement photo.

The man in the photo had a clear and indifferent expression, looking at the camera with the same casual confidence he had when he looked at her.

For some reason, she felt a sense of loss.

Audience comments:

[No way? Jiefu’s identity is revealed already??]

[I was looking forward to Yuanyuan and Shen Hui meeting again, but it got revealed so soon.]

[Yuanyuan’s stunned look is so cute.]

[Why doesn’t Gu Yuanyuan mention that she knows Shen Hui?]

Gu Hanyu was also curious. Wasn’t Gu Yuanyuan the epitome of kindness and simplicity? Why didn’t she mention that Shen Hui had saved her? If Gu Zhiguo and Zhang Shuhui knew, they would be very grateful to Shen Hui and would help her repay the favor.

But she didn’t; she chose to hide it.

Of course, Gu Yuanyuan’s concealment wasn’t a bad thing for Gu Hanyu.

Gu Hanyu happily said, “We’ve already chosen the wedding dress and gown styles. Since they’re custom-made, we won’t see the finished products for another six months. When the time comes, Yuanyuan, you can come with me to try them on.”

“By the way, since you’re my bridesmaid, your dress also needs to be custom-made. There are several styles to choose from; you can pick one you like.”

Gu Yuanyuan instinctively wanted to refuse. “I… I’m afraid I won’t do well and embarrass you.”

Gu Hanyu reassured her, “It’s okay, I believe in you. I think Mom and Dad would also want you to be my bridesmaid, right? We’re sisters.”

Gu Zhiguo nodded, and Zhang Shuhui said, “Of course, Yuanyuan is the perfect choice.”

Gu Yuanyuan had no choice but to agree.

Gu Hanyu continued, “And the wedding photos. Oh, and we should take a family photo when we take the wedding photos. We haven’t had a family photo since we reunited.”

Zhang Shuhui immediately agreed, clapping her hands. “How could I forget? Yuanyuan is finally back, and we haven’t taken a family photo!”

She was so enthusiastic that she immediately called a photographer, wanting to have the family photo taken and displayed all over the Gu Family home by the next day.

Zhang Shuhui patted Gu Hanyu’s hand. “You really are thoughtful.”

Gu Yuanyuan saw the satisfaction in Zhang Shuhui’s eyes as she looked at her sister and felt a pang of inferiority. She really couldn’t compare to her sister…

Audience comments:

[Why does Yuanyuan look unhappy?]

[Gu Hanyu is a bit much, forcing Yuanyuan to be a bridesmaid when she doesn’t want to.]

[Why doesn’t Yuanyuan want to be her sister’s bridesmaid?]

[Who says a younger sister has to be the bridesmaid?]

[Gu Hanyu is so gentle, speaking softly and elegantly, even her posture is graceful!]

Gu Hanyu seemed oblivious to the audience’s arguments, sipping her tea slowly, her smile warm but not reaching her eyes, her lowered gaze appearing somewhat cold.

Gu Yuanyuan’s mood had been low for several days after discovering her savior was her Jiefu, but she hid it well. Only Gu Hanyu noticed.

Gu Yuanyuan’s unhappiness made Gu Hanyu even happier.

However, if she wanted to take revenge on the Gu Family and Shen Hui, she needed her own leverage. Fortunately, she had often discussed current affairs, politics, and economic trends with Gu Zhiguo and Zhang Shuhui. Her maternal family was also in business, and Zhang Shuhui had a good business mind, owning several shell companies. Besides, she herself was involved in stock trading.

Following Zhang Shuhui, Gu Hanyu had learned a lot.

She now had about three million in savings, all from her allowance over the years. She had never had a concept of money before, so this was all she had left.

Gu Hanyu planned to use this as her startup capital. She remembered Zhang Shuhui mentioning a stock that would soar in a month, allowing her to make a fortune.

…

Soon, it was the day of Gu Yuanyuan’s welcome banquet. Besides the Gu Family’s relatives and friends, Gu Zhiguo had invited his academic friends, almost half of the academic circle in The Capital. Professors, scientists, and literary figures, including those who dominated the bestseller lists for novels and humanities, and lecturers from historical documentaries and forums.

In front of the Gu Family villa, there was a nine-tiered, beautifully designed cake that spun with the music, making the little princess in a beautiful dress on top seem to dance along.

As the sun set and night fell, the guests mingled and chatted in front of the Gu Family mansion.

Gu Yuanyuan was nervous. From the second-floor window, she could see many well-dressed guests with exceptional auras, including someone she recognized from a history class-a lecturer from a documentary on the Republic of China era. He was a true academic powerhouse.

“Yuanyuan, don’t be nervous. Mom is here, it’s okay,” Zhang Shuhui said gently, looking at her youngest daughter by the window.

Gu Yuanyuan let go of the curtain, her worry not diminishing. “Mom, I’m afraid I’ll embarrass you and Dad.”

“How could you? You are our precious daughter. Even if the sky falls, Mom will hold it up for you. What are you afraid of?” Zhang Shuhui was elegant and confident. “With Mom here, no one will dare say a word against you.”

Gu Yuanyuan was deeply moved. “Mom, you’re the best!”

Zhang Shuhui’s smile was kind and full of love.

“Mom, I need to use the restroom.” She was too nervous. She had never experienced such an occasion and was worried about making mistakes and embarrassing her parents. The dress was long, and she was afraid of tripping and making a fool of herself.

“Alright, go ahead, but come back quickly.”

“I will.”

Gu Yuanyuan left the dressing room, finally breathing in the fresh air outside. She felt a bit more comfortable, the cramped room had been suffocating.

She said she needed the restroom, but she just wanted to hide and have some peace.

This was her habit; whenever she was nervous, she liked to be alone for a while.

Today, she felt like a real princess. She wore a beautiful long dress, had exquisite makeup, her long hair flowing over her shoulders with a crystal princess crown on top. Her earrings, necklace, and bracelet were matching, sparkling and beautiful. This set was worth millions, a gift from her mother.

Gu Yuanyuan took a deep breath, her smile growing sweeter.

Her parents’ love was enough to dispel her nervousness and fear. She wasn’t afraid anymore.

Just then, she noticed a man standing at the end of the hallway. He was elegant, in a black suit and white shirt, leaning against the window. His tousled hair fell over his forehead, revealing a face as sharp and striking as a sculpture.

She smelled a faint hint of smoke, which should have been unpleasant, but at this moment, it was like a mesmerizing poison.

Gu Yuanyuan stared at him.

When she came to her senses, she was already running towards him, lifting her dress slightly. “It’s really you!”

Shen Hui turned his head and saw a girl in a white strapless dress and a crown. She looked at him with surprise and joy, her delicate face flushed, her eyes round and clear.

“I thought I was mistaken. Do you remember me?”

Shen Hui was also a bit surprised. “It’s you.”

Gu Yuanyuan was delighted, her eyes curving into crescents. “Why are you hiding here? Don’t you like the lively atmosphere outside?”

Shen Hui replied, “It’s stuffy.”

Gu Yuanyuan pouted. “Actually, I don’t like such occasions either.”

Shen Hui raised an eyebrow. Gu Yuanyuan blinked. “I’m not afraid of the stuffiness; I’m afraid of this.” She lifted her dress. Even though she wore high heels, the dress still trailed on the ground, making her look like a little fairy. “I’m really scared of tripping. So many people are watching, it would be so embarrassing.”

Shen Hui was taken aback and then laughed.

Every woman in front of him was always dignified and elegant, afraid of making mistakes or looking foolish. No one had ever been as straightforward as Gu Yuanyuan, openly sharing her fears with him.

Shen Hui didn’t recognize Gu Yuanyuan. He rarely attended such family gatherings and didn’t know all the socialites in The Capital. He thought Gu Yuanyuan was just a well-protected young girl, which explained her innocence.

“Well, that does sound scary.”

“Right? Just thinking about it is terrifying!”

Gu Yuanyuan’s serious expression made Shen Hui smile even more.

Audience comments:

[Yuanyuan is so beautiful and cute today!]

[Shen Hui looks so cool and handsome smoking.]

[Aww, Yuanyuan, my little angel, Mommy loves you!]

[Actually, Shen Hui and Yuanyuan are quite compatible. Shen Hui’s personality suits a lively and cute girl…]

“Yuanyuan, Hui, so you were here?” A sudden voice interrupted. Gu Hanyu, in a light blue evening dress, her long hair pinned up with a jade hairpin and a few strands framing her face, looked gentle and serene. She stood quietly, hands clasped, smiling at them.

For some reason, Gu Yuanyuan’s heart skipped a beat, and she felt a bit flustered.

Footnote:

1. Jiefu(姐夫):In Chinese culture, family relationships are often clearly defined with specific titles, and “Jiefu” is the term used to refer to one’s elder sister’s husband.