A few minutes later, a steaming breakfast was served on the slightly crowded old dining table.
Gu Hanyan pulled out a chair very naturally and sat at the head of the table. Her long, straight black hair was casually tucked behind her ear, revealing her cold and exquisite profile.
Su Ruanruan sat to the side, holding a porcelain bowl with a small chip in it, sipping her millet porridge in small mouthfuls. Her palm-sized face looked exceptionally soft and vulnerable amidst the steam, like a white, fluffy bun that would cry if someone pinched it.
Beneath this deceptive, weak appearance, Su Ruanruan’s eyes were secretly observing Gu Hanyan. She had indeed promised to help her mother’s romance with Gu Hanyan within reason, but she didn’t intend to defect unconditionally just yet. ‘After all, she was just a drunk woman I met last night. Who knows what the situation is now that she’s calling Mom out? I’ve heard these rich people are the wildest players!’
Su Rou acted like a busy little maid, obediently pushing a fried egg in front of Gu Hanyan.
“CEO Gu, we only have this simple fare at home. Please make do for now.” Su Rou rubbed her apron, a trace of anticipation in her eyes.
“It’s no trouble. I like anything you make.” Gu Hanyan picked up her chopsticks, her gaze tender as she looked into Su Rou’s eyes.
In the middle of this somewhat lingering atmosphere, the door to the Second Bedroom let out a creak. A tall, gloomy figure drifted out like a wandering soul.
It was the younger sister, Su Xiaoxiao.
As the family’s severe social recluse and veteran shut-in, Su Xiaoxiao’s schedule was completely inverted. She wore an oversized, old gray T-shirt that could pass for a dress. She yawned, habitually reached into her collar to scratch her collarbone, and followed the scent of food toward the table with her eyes half-closed.
“Sis… Mom… I’m hungry…” Her raspy, low voice echoed in the living room.
However, as Su Xiaoxiao pulled out a chair to slump down as usual, her gaze inadvertently swept over the woman sitting at the head of the table.
The air seemed to freeze at that moment.
Su Xiaoxiao’s movements instantly locked in place. Her hand froze mid-air, and her long yawn was choked back into her throat. Her half-open, dead-fish eyes suddenly widened, the bloodshot pupils contracting sharply.
‘Who is that woman? Why is she sitting in my house?’
Su Xiaoxiao’s gaze, like a hostile radar, locked onto Gu Hanyan’s chest. In an instant, a surge of rage rushed to her head along with an indescribable sense of humiliation, making her hair stand on end.
That was her clothing!
That Black Athletic Tank Top was a birthday gift from her sister, Su Ruanruan, back when Ruanruan was still a good girl. Because of its special material and high-compression fit, she usually couldn’t even bear to wear it to sleep.
But now, it was actually being worn by this strange woman. This gave Su Xiaoxiao an unprecedented sense of crisis, as if her territory had been invaded.
“Who are you? Who gave you permission to wear my clothes? Take them off.”
Su Xiaoxiao’s face darkened, and her voice was bone-chillingly cold. She instantly shed her lethargic demeanor, her body tensing like a beast about to protect its food as she took one step forward and shielded Su Rou.
Her logic was simple: This woman had not only stolen the clothes her sister gave her, but she was also looking at her mother and sister with that disgusting gaze. Unforgivable!
The atmosphere at the table plummeted to the freezing point.
“Xiaoxiao! What nonsense are you talking about!”
Su Rou was startled. She hurried to put down the plate in her hand and grabbed her younger daughter’s arm in a panic. “Apologize, quickly! This is CEO Gu! She’s Mom’s Boss! CEO Gu was drunk yesterday, and the rain was too heavy. Mom gave those clothes to Auntie Gu to change into.”
Boss?
Su Xiaoxiao narrowed her eyes, her sharp gaze scanning back and forth between Su Rou and Gu Hanyan.
Facing Su Xiaoxiao’s predatory glare, Gu Hanyan didn’t even twitch an eyebrow. Throughout this sudden incident, Gu Hanyan displayed the absolute composure of a superior. She naturally saw the hostility in the gloomy girl’s eyes.
‘A little wolf pup protecting its food is pure instinct, but this house can only have one master in the future.’
“Hello, Xiaoxiao.”
Gu Hanyan smiled slightly and elegantly set down the hot milk. She didn’t stand up, instead leaning against the back of the chair in a lazy posture. Her cold, phoenix-like eyes narrowed slightly, carrying a hint of condescending playfulness.
She extended a slender finger and, with extreme slowness and provocative intent, hooked the black shoulder strap that was stretched to its limit.
Snap.
The strap snapped heavily back against her snow-white skin, making a crisp and suggestive sound.
“Auntie hasn’t said thank you for borrowing your clothes yet,” Gu Hanyan said with a smile in her eyes.
Boom —
Su Xiaoxiao’s face instantly flushed crimson.
She stared fixedly at Gu Hanyan, her fists clenched until her knuckles cracked. She wanted to retort and wanted to curse, but at the thought of the other’s identity, she opened her mouth only to find herself unable to squeeze out one complete sentence. She could only pant heavily, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on but couldn’t make a sound.
“CEO Gu, please don’t be angry with Xiaoxiao. She doesn’t go out much and doesn’t know how to speak properly…”
Su Rou didn’t notice the clash of swords and shadows between the two at all and was still foolishly trying to smooth things over. She even turned around and tapped Su Xiaoxiao’s tense arm with a hint of reproach.
“If the clothes are too tight, you can change out of them when you leave later. I’ll just buy Xiaoxiao a new one. How could I let CEO Gu suffer by wearing old clothes?”
Su Xiaoxiao’s molars were nearly crushed from grinding, but there was nothing she could do. One had to bow when under another’s roof. She gave Gu Hanyan an angry glare and sat down next to Su Rou.