Liang He was equally bewildered. "Big brother, that's just how the script was written. What can I do?"
"Your sister-in-law is crying over the movie you starred in."
"Hahaha!" Liang He chuckled, "She must not have watched many films before."
"She praised you for bringing the character to life."
"Of course." He responded with unabashed pride, "My acting has always been impeccable. It's only you who fails to appreciate it, hmph."
"..."
The television was turned off, and he held Gu Lili close as they drifted to sleep. "I never expected you to be so sentimental."
"Sometimes rational, sometimes emotional—good script, fine acting." Gu Lili recalled her tears and felt a tinge of embarrassment. "Did you laugh at me secretly when you saw me crying?"
"I didn't. Liang He did—didn't you hear him chuckling on the phone like a fool?"
Gu Lili wrapped her arms around his neck, resting her face against his chest. "The house in Xiliang Mountain is finished, and I've got my driver's license. Now, I have a new goal."
"What do you want to learn now?"
"I want to learn how to be a proper wife."
"Hm?"
"I think other things can wait, but this is something I must pursue now. As your wife, I need to master certain manners and etiquette. Also, cooking—though we have a chef, I can cook a bit, but not well enough. There's quite a gap compared to Chang Tai's cooking. I need to improve. I may have grown up as a lone girl in the mountains, but my abilities cannot remain stagnant. Back then, without money or status, I had no means to learn such things. But now it's different. I'm your wife. There are things I must understand. When you attend banquets or gatherings, shouldn't I accompany you as a proper consort? To avoid embarrassing you, I must seize this opportunity to learn."
Long Yubei's heart felt like a gentle river flowing through him. He had never encountered a woman so intent on shaping her life with such purpose.
She would learn—there was no doubt.
Such determination was rare indeed.
"Lili."
"Yes?"
"I married you willingly, and not a single day has passed since without me feeling the same."
Gu Lili thought to herself—that was enough.
Marriage was a matter of mutual will. As long as you're happy and I'm content, we'll live joyfully together—how perfect.
Since her surgery, He Meiwei's body had gradually adapted to the new graft; she was recovering and regaining strength.
Her complexion, once dulled by illness, had improved significantly. Though she had once masked her pallor with makeup, now her natural rosy glow shone through.
She rented an apartment in the same neighborhood as Gu Xichen.
Though she possessed little savings, she had insisted on renting.
As a result, funds were tight. Without income and no support from Long Yubei, her money was dwindling. More than ever, she hoped Gu Xichen's anger would subside and they might reconcile.
He Meiwei had come to a clear realization: before attempting to reclaim Long Yubei, she had to take care of herself first.
If she could barely survive, how could she fight for him? Where would she find the strength?
Plainly put, she intended to leverage Gu Xichen for financial support.
When they lived together, Gu Xichen had been generous with money.