Chapter 7: She was willing to forgive him as long as he was willing to make concessions for the family

Once the old patriarch left, the others gradually dispersed, each retreating to a quiet spot to discuss the current situation.

Xu Yanwen spoke with a worried tone, “Father must have seen Yinyin’s sincerity and wants to use her hand to straighten out the company’s atmosphere.”

Xu Yao added, “Grandfather probably felt he had no other choice. With Second Aunt’s influence growing day by day and Uncle leveraging the company veterans to secure new projects, if he doesn’t intervene soon, the company will be carved up entirely. That’s the empire Grandfather worked so hard to build.”

Jiang Xin’s voice quivered with emotion, “But Yinyin is the child I only just managed to find after so much effort. Father is too ruthless.”

Xu Yao gently embraced her mother, trying to comfort her. “Don’t worry, Mom. If Grandfather insists on this course of action, you still have me. I’ll take good care of my sister. Besides, Grandfather doesn’t seem to be targeting her. On the contrary, it looks like he wants to groom her. You know how suspicious Grandfather is, but my sister’s sincerity happens to put him at ease.”

The couple exchanged a glance, both thinking about their daughter’s simple, straightforward nature. For a moment, neither could find the words to express their concerns.

After a long silence, Xu Yanwen sighed. “Well, if Father is determined to do this, then Yao Yao and I will have to keep a close eye on things. Based on Tang Wan’s methods, she would never entrust Yinyin with a significant role. A minor position won’t attract too much resentment, as long as she—”

Thinking of his daughter’s adorable love for eating melons, Xu Yanwen chuckled. “A father’s job is to unconditionally protect his children. Don’t worry, my dear. I’ll take care of both Yaoyao and Yinyin.”

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“Xjyu.”

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---

By the lotus pond, about 500 meters from the main house.

Tang Wan yanked her hand free from Xu Yanrui’s grasp and snapped coldly, “What’s your problem? You can’t handle the old man yourself, let the main branch get an upper hand, and now you’re taking it out on me?”

“I’m mad as hell that you cheated and had the nerve to mess around with my brother-in-law! Have you lost it? No matter what, Yanyan is my sister! How am I supposed to face anyone after what you’ve done?”

“And what? If I leave Guo Cheng alone, do you think your sister wouldn’t have been betrayed? Instead of blaming others, why don’t you teach her how to cut her losses and move on? It’d save her from being dragged down. The old man already disapproves of Guo Cheng. Getting rid of him would eliminate one more competitor for the family’s fortune. Can’t you do the math?”

Xu Yanrui sneered. “You think I haven’t tried? Every time I bring up Guo Cheng’s flaws, she flips out and refuses to listen to anyone. It’s just pointless.”

“Then what’s the problem with me playing around with him? Your sister doesn’t seem upset, so why are you?”

“You—! You’ve got some nerve, don’t you?” Xu Yanrui was stunned by how brazen Tang Wan was.

“Of course I do. I gave your Xu family a son, elevated your status, and even earned you some real power because of that son. Otherwise, you’d still be supervising construction sites. For all that, you should be worshiping me every day! So what if I play with Guo Cheng? You’re fooling around with your son’s classmates’ stepmom. What right do you have to criticize me?”

“You—”

Xu Yanrui’s chest heaved with rage, but he couldn’t find a proper rebuttal. He had no choice but to swallow his pride.

“Enough. Let’s not waste time on this. If the old man does bring her into the company, what’s your plan for her? Her weird ability to read people’s thoughts is a pain to deal with and could backfire.”

Just thinking about Xu Yinyin’s uncensored thoughts made Xu Yanrui’s head throb. The sheer annoyance and discomfort were unbearable!

Tang Wan smirked. “Exactly. If her mind-reading ticks people off, let her dig her own grave. She likes gossip so much—let her choke on it.”

Xu Yanrui clapped his hands in approval. “You’re right. The veterans at the company aren’t pushovers. She’ll inevitably mess with the wrong person and suffer for it.”
“Now do you see why I’m better than you? I use my brain. You just yell incompetently.”

“…Fine. You win. You’re the boss.”

---

Under the wisteria trellis near the main house, Xu Yanyan and Guo Cheng strolled side by side.

Feigning casualness, Guo Cheng remarked, “I remember Yinyin was only brought back yesterday, and today Dad’s already sending her to the company. He must value her a lot.”

“Did Dad mention anything to you beforehand? It feels like such a sudden decision.”

Guo Cheng’s instincts told him that the old man could also hear Xu Yinyin’s thoughts and intended to leverage her ability for something. But what exactly, he couldn’t yet figure out.

The summer night breeze carried the fresh scent of flowers, but Xu Yanyan felt nothing but a chilling cold wrap around her.

The old man’s decision didn’t stir much emotion in her. Managing the Xu family’s business was an obligation for any family member. As part of the Xu family, Yinyin naturally bore that responsibility.

Her second brother’s family’s overreaction was understandable—they feared losing hard-earned resources and seeing Yinyin’s presence threaten Xu Yao’s position.

Her eldest brother’s worry was also logical. Yinyin’s naivety could lead to conflicts with her second brother’s scheming family, while Yao Yao, despite her experience, lacked the authority to provide much support.

What surprised her most was Guo Cheng’s attitude.

Usually indifferent to her father’s decisions, tonight he seemed tense and defensive about Yinyin joining the company.

His guarded demeanor betrayed an ambition lurking beneath.

Adding to the mess in her mind were Guo Cheng’s scandals—his affair with his secretary, his secret dealings with Tang Wan, and his increasingly erratic behavior over the past year.

And in the chaos, Yinyin’s words kept replaying in her mind—

“My little aunt is too well-educated. If it were me, I’d slap him into next week and teach him why flowers are red! Or just confiscate his tools of the trade and turn him into a eunuch on the spot.”

Involuntarily, Xu Yanwen’s gaze dropped to Guo Cheng’s lower half.

She froze in place.

Guo Cheng noticed her gaze and, after a brief pause, looked down to check. In that moment, he recalled Xu Yinyin’s thoughts—

“Confiscate his tools of the trade and turn him into a eunuch on the spot.”

Wait. Could Xu Yanyan also hear Xu Yinyin’s thoughts?!

“What… what are you looking at?” Guo Cheng awkwardly shifted the jacket draped over his arm to cover his lap.

Xu Yanyan chuckled inwardly. Feeling guilty, are we?

If not for Yinyin’s revealing thoughts, she might never have discovered his affair with Tang Wan.

How pathetic, Xu Yanyan. How much longer are you going to live in self-delusion?

She exhaled deeply, then lifted her gaze to meet Guo Cheng’s. A resolute glint flashed in her eyes. “Guo Cheng, we—”

“I’ve scheduled an appointment with Dr. Xu for a check-up the day after tomorrow,” Guo Cheng interjected before she could finish.

Given his deep understanding of Xu Yanyan, even a glance or slight gesture from her was enough for him to guess her thoughts. She had been about to suggest divorce.

All because of Xu Yinyin’s damned mind-reading! How dare she make Yanyan suspicious of him! It was infuriating.

“Hmm?” Xu Yanyan was taken aback but slowly felt a surge of hope.

Dr. Xu was the most renowned and authoritative urologist in the country, specializing in infertility for over three decades.

She had suggested early in their marriage that he also get checked to ensure there were no physiological issues on either side before planning for a baby. But he always brushed it off, claiming to be too busy. Three years had passed since then.

For those three years, she had been the only one seeing doctors and trying to conceive.

She had tried to persuade him to get checked again, but every time, she held back, thinking perhaps his resistance stemmed from male pride—a belief that having children was a woman’s responsibility and that a man couldn’t possibly be at fault.

Considering his prideful nature and evident “performance” capabilities, she had let the issue slide and continued her efforts alone.

But as three exhausting years went by, she found herself growing more disheartened, even on the verge of giving up.

Now, Guo Cheng’s sudden willingness to compromise reignited her hope. As long as he was still willing to make an effort for her and their family, she was willing to forgive him¹Seriously! This girl needs a big slap in the face. She should listen to Alec Benjamin’s song, “The Devil Doesn’t Bargain.”².

Guo Cheng immediately picked up on her joy and inwardly smirked. His gamble had paid off.

“Honestly, I’ve been avoiding this for a long time,” he said, his tone filled with remorse. “I thought there was no way I could have a problem, but my pride got in the way, and I was too ashamed to face the possibility. Seeing you tirelessly going to the hospital for the sake of a child made me feel so guilty. Compared to your love for me, I’ve been so cold and unfeeling. I’m sorry, Yanyan. I’m truly sorry.”

By the time he finished, his voice was choked, and his reddened eyes brimmed with tears that slid down his cheeks. His portrayal of a guilty, self-loathing husband was so convincing it could rival an award-winning performance—enough to make a devoted wife like Xu Yanyan fall for it once more.

“Ah Cheng, stop. I understand. I’ve never blamed you,” Xu Yanyan said tenderly, wiping away his tears. She cupped his face, her touch gentle, and her gaze filled with love and heartache.

Guo Cheng, sensing his victory, pulled her into a tight embrace. “Yanyan, I’ve been so wrong. I’ve let you down. I’ve been a terrible husband, an awful partner. I deserve to be scolded. I deserve to be punished.”

He suddenly sat up straight, grabbing her hand and pressing it against his cheek. “Hit me. Wake me up. Make me see how stupid I’ve been. You’re so wonderful—why didn’t I treasure you properly?”

“Don’t, Ah Cheng, don’t do this,” Xu Yanyan cried, struggling to pull her hand away, unwilling to hurt him even slightly.

“I’m sorry! I’m so sorry!”

Guo Cheng sank to his knees as if drained of all strength, sobbing bitterly.

Looking at this fragile man, Xu Yanyan felt her heart melt into a puddle. The tangled mess in her mind was completely erased by his heartfelt display, and once again, her infatuation took over.

“Ah Cheng, from today onward, let’s forget the past and start over, okay?”

“You’d forgive all my past mistakes?” Guo Cheng lifted his heartbreakingly handsome face, his gaze filled with humility and hope.

“I’ve made mistakes too. Let’s consider it even, alright?”

“Yanyan, how can you be so kind? I love you. I love you, my wife.”

Guo Cheng pulled her into his arms again, holding her tightly.

Feeling his rapid heartbeat, Xu Yanyan succumbed to him once more.

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Sansukini: Xu Yanyan is so hopeless.