CHAPTER 154: CHAPTER 146: AS UGLY AS YOU ARE

Standing in front of a series of movie posters, Shen Yanchen asked her, "What do you want to watch?"

Gu Qimiao immediately pointed at one of them and said, "This one!" with a face full of anticipation.

Shen Yanchen followed the direction of her finger and saw that the poster featured Su Yan and Shen Yiran.

Then he heard her swooning voice, "I particularly like the TV shows they star in. I didn’t expect An’an to be your sister."

"And Su Yan is so handsome. I saw his childhood photos online and he was so good-looking, and he’s only become more charming as he grew up."

Shen Yanchen immediately said, "I’ve already seen this one. Pick another."

He Ye said, when watching a movie, the male lead shouldn’t be too handsome as to steal his thunder!

Even though Su Yan was his friend, he wouldn’t support this occasion.

Gu Qimiao had no choice but to give up, then pointed to an animated movie and said, "I heard from Sister Wen that this one is pretty good, but it’s an animated film. You probably won’t like it..." She made the conclusion to herself.

To her surprise, Shen Yanchen said, "Sure, let’s watch this one."

"Then I’ll go buy the tickets."

Shen Yanchen followed her, took out his wallet to pay, but Gu Qimiao stopped him, "You’ve helped me so much, I’ll treat you to the movie this time."

She took out money from her bag and negotiated with the ticket seller.

Shen Yanchen stood behind her, his thoughts wandering. In her heart, was he just an ordinary friend who repaid favors without wanting to owe anyone?

"Eh? Big Brother Shen, you’re here too?"

Gu Qimiao had just gotten the tickets when a girl’s voice came from behind.

She turned to see a rather cute girl, looking to be in her early twenties, and secretly guessed the relationship between this girl and Shen Yanchen.

"Which wrong nerve made you think of watching a movie? Are you here to see An’an and Little Uncle?" The girl chatted casually. Without waiting for Shen Yanchen’s reply, she turned to Gu Qimiao and said, "Is this the sister-in-law Xiaoxiao mentioned?"

Then she smiled at Gu Qimiao and greeted, "Hello, sister-in-law."

When Gu Qimiao heard this, she figured the girl must be a friend of Xiaoxiao and the others. She awkwardly waved her hand, "No... we’re just friends."

The girl had an expression of understanding, then looked around mysteriously and asked Shen Yanchen, "Big Brother Shen, did Su Bao come with you?"

Gu Qimiao, following their relationship, guessed that Su Bao must be Shen Yiran’s nickname. She had heard someone call him that before when visiting the Shen family.

Shen Yanchen coldly replied, "No."

The girl looked disappointed and asked, "Is that woman still living at your house?"

"Yes."

She frowned, then waved her hand, "Forget it, thinking about it annoys me. Are you here to see Little Uncle as well?"

Shen Yanchen replied, "No, she wants to watch an animated film."

"I thought we could watch the same movie. Never mind, you guys go ahead."

Gu Qimiao was still in a daze, and Shen Yanchen pulled her away, explaining, "My great uncle’s daughter, grew up with Xiaoxiao."

"... Oh." Gu Qimiao seemed to sort of understand, then started sorting out the relationships in her mind. Which generation was the great uncle?

Because she had few relatives, growing up, it was just Gu Moming and the Gu family. She only called people uncle and aunt, so she was a bit fuzzy on these generational terms.

But one thing she was sure of, the girl just now had some family relationship with Shen Yanchen, which put her at ease.

Spending a whole day together doing things that couples would do on a date, the time with him would be enough for her to remember for a lifetime.

The movie was quite good, although the two of them didn’t exchange many words, having him by her side was satisfying enough.

After the movie, they collected the sand art bottle from downstairs. She naturally gave him the one made in the shape of her, and Shen Yanchen casually picked a birthday wish one to buy as well.

Gu Qimiao held the box containing the sand art bottle with extra care. Though he had bought it for her on the side, it counted as a gift from him.

They had dinner outside. Considering she had been shopping all day and was probably tired and had blisters on her feet, after dinner, Shen Yanchen sent her home.

"Bring the photos tomorrow morning for me to choose."

Gu Qimiao was about to nod but suddenly remembered something and said, "I have to go to the hospital with Brother Mo Ming in the morning, how about the afternoon? I’ll call you after my checkup."

"Okay, go up and rest early."

"Mm, you too."

...

The dimly lit underground nightclub was luxurious and decadent.

A man wearing a baseball cap walked to a corner, took something from his backpack, and handed it to a woman drinking red wine on the sofa.

"This is what you wanted."

The woman took a wad of cash from her wallet and handed it to the man. While opening the envelope, she instructed, "Keep following."

The man pocketed the money, nodded, and left.

"Sister Qianwen, what’s inside?" asked a woman with wine-red curly hair sitting next to her.

Lu Qianwen didn’t say anything, simply opened the envelope and took out the contents...

It was a stack of photos, showing scenes of Shen Yanchen taking Gu Qimiao out on a date today.

Every photo looked so sweet and warm, anyone who saw them would think the two were a couple.

The more Lu Qianwen flipped through the photos, the worse her expression became. She squeezed the photos so hard that they began to deform.

The woman sitting next to her said, "Isn’t this woman the one from your birthday last time?"

Lu Qianwen didn’t speak, her eyes fixed on Gu Qimiao’s face in the photos, becoming ruthless.

"Oh my god, didn’t you say she was supposed to marry your brother? How come she’s with Young Master Shen now? She really has no shame! Luckily your brother didn’t marry a woman like her!"

The woman beside her nudged her and signaled her to be cautious with her words. Everyone here knew Lu Qianwen liked Shen Yanchen.

The woman opposite them lit a lady’s cigarette, took a puff, and then said, "Wenwen, are you just going to let her be so arrogant?"

"Yes, Wenwen, didn’t you say she was also behind the spreading of those [indecent photos] last time?"

"Such a cheap woman! Acting all pure and innocent in front of men, but doing all sorts of harmful things behind the scenes!"

Lu Qianwen threw the stack of photos onto the table, scattering them, and smiled slyly, "I need your help."

...

When Gu Qimiao returned home, Gu Moming was already there, sitting at her usual painting spot, assembling his racing car model.

"I thought you’d gone so wild you’d never find your way home," he glanced at her and scolded.

"When was I ever wild?" Gu Qimiao was in a good mood and didn’t mind his scolding.

"Have you eaten?" he asked.

While finding a place for her sand art bottle, Gu Qimiao replied, "Yes, I have."

She had eaten with her Brother Yan Chen.

Seeing her back, he began tidying up the table, walked over, looked at the thing in her hand, and said, "What’s this? It’s so ugly."

Gu Qimiao glared at him, carefully placing the sand art bottle on the glass shelf, "You’re the ugly one!"

As soon as she put it down, he reached out to pick it up, examining it, while she quickly held it with both hands, afraid he’d accidentally break it.

Though this thing was nothing compared to the other models on the shelf, it was a gift from Shen Yanchen! To her, it was priceless.

He turned the glass bottle around, then stopped at the girl inside, and mercilessly said, "This was drawn based on you, right?"

"Yes, yes."

"The drawing is not bad..."

Just as Gu Qimiao was about to be happy, he added, "It’s as ugly as you."

"So what if it’s ugly, I didn’t ask you to look! Put it back!"

"Ding—Ding—" At this moment, the phone in her bag on the bed rang, and Gu Qimiao thought it was Shen Yanchen calling. She rushed over, but seeing the name, she hesitated, unsure whether to answer or not.

It was a call from Lu Qianwen.

Just as the ringing was about to end, Gu Qimiao pressed the answer button, "Sister Qianwen."

"Miaomiao, are you free now?" Her tone was the same as before, as if she had forgotten what Gu Moming had done.

Gu Qimiao didn’t know the reason for the call but still answered seriously, "Now? What’s going on?"

"Didn’t you paint a picture for me before? You must have finished it by now, right?"

Gu Qimiao suddenly remembered, "Oh, the painting... I gave it to Mr. Shen Yanchen to hand over to you. Didn’t he give it to you?"

"Yanchen?" This was unexpected for Lu Qianwen, but she quickly thought and said, "Alright, I’ll go find Yanchen tomorrow. You get some rest first."

Gu Qimiao responded with a hum, but was a bit puzzled. Then she heard on the other end, "Miaomiao, I don’t blame you for what happened last time. I was too angry before. It’s all in the past now; we’re still friends."

Her generous forgiveness stunned Gu Qimiao. No matter what, hearing those words made her feel a bit relieved.

But remembering Shen Yanchen’s warning to stay away from Lu Qianwen, she couldn’t help but stay wary.

The next morning, Gu Qimiao went to the hospital with Gu Moming for a check-up. They thought it would be routine, but something unexpected happened.

"Appendicitis. It’s best to operate soon to avoid pus and perforation."

This was Gu Moming’s diagnosis result, and the doctor muttered, "Didn’t your stomach hurt? If you don’t come to the hospital for timely checks, appendicitis might not be a serious illness, but there are cases of death. Take care in the future."

Gu Qimiao politely acknowledged and followed the doctor’s instructions to have Gu Moming stay in the hospital for surgery.

Stomach pain... but they hadn’t felt it. Thankfully, it wasn’t too late.

Gu Moming didn’t want to stay in the hospital for surgery. He didn’t feel much, just a bit of a fever, like a mild cold.

But Gu Qimiao insisted he follow the doctor’s advice, worriedly helping him with everything.

Though he wanted to protect and take care of her, seeing her so anxious over his matter, he felt quite pleased.

He hadn’t raised her in vain all these years. Remembering when she first came to the Gu family, all she could do was follow Shen Yanchen around, even covering for him with a whip! She was truly fearless.

Now, after spending nearly 20 years on her, at least she worried and cared for him now.