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This was something Gu Nanyan had already decided on.
When Chi Suisui discovered them, he and Song Miaoli’s relationship had just begun to stabilize. Subsequent events led to their breakup and eventual reconciliation.
Of course, he knew—but he also wanted her to admit it.
Song Miaoli pulled her hand away, a little angry. “What are you talking about?”
On the surface, she seemed upset, but there was a hint of playful coquettishness in her tone—something even the assistant and driver in the front could sense.
Gu Nanyan simply watched her.
Song Miaoli had never liked wearing rings. While she adored diamonds and jewelry, she had never bought a ring before.
The first time wearing one, her finger felt strange.
Was Gu Nanyan putting a ring on her as a marriage proposal?
Or was it just a gift, meant to prompt this question?
Song Miaoli always overthought things, and now her mind was a whirlwind of possibilities. After a long pause, she finally said, “If I didn’t like you, would I have dated you?”
It wasn’t hard to admit.
Song Miaoli liked him—she had initially been drawn to his face, and now she liked him as a person. She was someone who spoke her mind.
Except when it came to pretending to be poor.
Gu Nanyan hummed in acknowledgment.
Song Miaoli asked, “So what?”
She raised her hand to his face. “Why did you put a ring on me?”
A soft laugh escaped Gu Nanyan’s throat. “Whatever you’re thinking—it’s probably right.”
The ring had been prepared long ago, coinciding with his plan to bid on the jadeite at the auction tonight and then meet Song Miaoli.
As luck would have it, Song Miaoli had attended the auction herself.
Since she was already here in front of him, there was no reason to delay. The Gu family wouldn’t interfere with his choice, and the Song family had already been informed.
Song Miaoli said, “Is that so?”
Though she said it, she couldn’t help but feel a small flutter of excitement.
Gu Nanyan saw the sparkle in her eyes—like a squirrel spotting food or a dragon naturally drawn to gold and jewels.
“Is this matter settled, then?”
Song Miaoli looked up at him, her clear eyes reflecting only her own image. She admitted, “I had my part to play in this too.”
If she had been honest from the start back at the hospital, perhaps they wouldn’t have taken so long to reach this point.
Who knows—they might have married by now.
The thought suddenly popped into Song Miaoli’s mind, and she quickly shook her head to dismiss it.
Perhaps the speed at which Chi Suisui and He Xingwang were progressing toward marriage had influenced her. Hearing about it every day made her envious.
Gu Nanyan chuckled softly.
Song Miaoli found herself amused as well. Looking back, this whole situation was indeed funny.
The car ride was nearing its end when she noticed the route seemed unfamiliar. She asked, “Where is this road leading?”
“To take you back to the Song residence,” Gu Nanyan murmured.
“I didn’t plan to go home tonight,” Song Miaoli shook her head.
“Are you sure?” Gu Nanyan asked again.
After some thought, Song Miaoli changed her mind. “Alright, let’s go back.”
It was a good opportunity to resolve the matter of her arranged match.
Song Miaoli figured that with Gu Nanyan’s background, her parents would surely approve—he already satisfied her completely.
As for the indifferent arranged match candidate, he could find someone else.
Nan City had plenty of wealthy young women—it didn’t need her.
The Song family didn’t require her for an arranged marriage either. Their desire for her to marry someone of equal status was largely to ensure her lifestyle.
Just as she had complained to Su Mian and the others before.
Song Miaoli was accustomed to extravagant spending. The clothes she wore weren’t just purchased by her but also gifted by brands.
Marrying an ordinary person would inevitably mean cutting back on expenses.
Pretending to be poor while dating was one thing, but dating and marriage were entirely different matters.
Gu Nanyan nodded. “Alright.”
________________________________________
Song Miaoli arrived home late.
Seeing the lights still on outside, she first removed the ring to avoid her parents immediately asking about it.
As soon as she opened the door, she heard voices.
“Back already?” Mrs. Song asked.
“What did you buy at the auction?” Mr. Song inquired, then added, “I heard there was a piece of jadeite—is that true?”
That reminded Song Miaoli—the jadeite was still in Gu Nanyan’s car.
“No, I bought a watch.”
Mr. Song gave her a glance. “I thought you were interested in jewelry. Why did you buy a watch? I remember you don’t like watches.”
Knowing her parents’ understanding of her preferences too well wasn’t always a good thing.
Song Miaoli brushed it off. “I saw it and bought it. Dad, why are you asking so many questions? It’s not like I don’t have the money to buy it.”
“…”
Mrs. Song subtly signaled to Mr. Song.
Song Miaoli asked, “Is Xiaorui asleep?”
“No, he’s in the study.”
Though Song Chengrui was known as Nan City’s playboy, excelling in all forms of indulgence, he took his career seriously.
Since Song Miaoli didn’t manage the company, he took charge.
Someone from the Song family had to step up; otherwise, the vast company would fall into others’ hands—a scenario no one wanted.
“Mom, Dad, I have something to tell you.”
Song Miaoli sat on a single sofa, speaking earnestly.
“Go ahead,” Mrs. Song smiled warmly.
“The arranged match,” Song Miaoli cut straight to the point. “You should reject it early, to avoid any awkwardness.”
“How would it become awkward?”
“If I’m not marrying him and refuse to meet him, wouldn’t that create tension?” Song Miaoli listed. “Besides, I’m not interested in him.”
“You haven’t even met him—how do you know you’re not interested?”
“Because I have someone I like.” Song Miaoli was direct. “I mentioned before that I’m in a relationship.”
“Didn’t you say you broke up?”
Song Miaoli declared confidently, “We got back together.”
They had been reconciled for quite some time, though she hadn’t mentioned it.
Mrs. Song asked, “Your boyfriend, that lowly employee?”
Hearing “lowly employee,” Song Miaoli couldn’t help but laugh. “No, he got promoted—he’s not a lowly employee anymore.”
Mr. and Mrs. Song exchanged glances.
“He’s now the boss of a company,” Song Miaoli said.
“What does being a company boss matter?” Mr. Song frowned. “Can he compare to Little Gu—young, accomplished, and generous?”
“That’s right,” Mrs. Song chimed in.
“How can he not compare—”
Song Miaoli began to refute automatically, but then suddenly realized—her arranged match was also named Little Gu?
She vaguely remembered her parents mentioning it…
But at the time, she had no interest in the other party, barely paid attention to their conversation, let alone remembered his surname.
She hadn’t even asked his name.
Gu, Little Gu.
After tonight’s events, Song Miaoli was particularly sensitive to the surname “Gu.” Her words abruptly halted.
She suddenly asked, “What’s Little Gu’s full name?”
Mrs. Song glanced at her. “You said you weren’t interested—knowing his name won’t change anything, so I won’t tell you.”
Song Miaoli already suspected something and hugged her mother’s arm. “Mom, were you hiding this from me?”
“It’s because you never asked,” Mr. Song huffed.
“Is the arranged match named Gu Nanyan?”
“Yes.”
Song Miaoli jumped off the sofa instantly. All her suspicions were confirmed, and her previously calm heart began racing again.
What was going on?
Without waiting to say more to her parents, Song Miaoli rushed upstairs. Before reaching her room, she called Gu Nanyan.
Hearing the commotion, Song Chengrui opened the study door and raised an eyebrow. “Back already?”
Song Miaoli hummed in acknowledgment, and just as the call connected, she entered her room and closed the door.
Song Chengrui: “…?”
Had she swallowed firecrackers?
Shouldn’t she be cheerful after returning from the auction? Did someone offend her without realizing it?
Shaking his head, Song Chengrui returned to his desk.
________________________________________
Now that Song Miaoli knew the truth, she exploded.
As soon as the call connected, she didn’t wait for Gu Nanyan to speak and immediately blurted out:
“Gu Nanyan, when you came to my house before, why didn’t you tell me? If I hadn’t brought this up with my parents tonight, were you planning to keep it a secret forever? Were you enjoying keeping me in the dark?”
She spoke in one breathless rush.
Only after finishing did Song Miaoli stand by the window, opening it to let in some fresh air. She took two deep breaths, her chest rising and falling unevenly.
Her strapless gown accentuated her slender figure even more.
On the other end of the line, Gu Nanyan loosened his tie with one hand, unbuttoned the top button of his shirt, and said with a furrowed brow, “I intended to come clean when we met.”
Who would have thought Song Miaoli would flee to Paris shopping to avoid the arranged meeting?
And during the New Year, no less.
So when he had asked her about it at the time, her response had made him laugh—and feel a bit helpless.
Song Miaoli scoffed, “Is that so?”
Gu Nanyan loosened his collar further. “Fine, it’s my fault.”
His straightforward admission left Song Miaoli unsure where her anger stemmed from. “Then tell me—where exactly did you go wrong?”
For a few seconds, she felt like one of those stereotypical irrational, quarrelsome girlfriends often summarized online.
Song Miaoli even thought that if she submitted this exchange, it would garner thousands of comments within minutes.
Gu Nanyan was also exasperated. Initially, it had been to make her admit her feelings, but now it had turned into a trap for himself.
After a moment’s thought, he said, “Miaoli.”
Song Miaoli spoke, “Come tomorrow to take your ring back.”
“Alright.”
Gu Nanyan had planned to visit the Song residence tomorrow anyway. If tonight hadn’t been inconvenient, he would have gone in after dropping Song Miaoli off.
“You dare say ‘alright’?”
Song Miaoli exploded.
She had said it on purpose, and Gu Nanyan actually dared to agree.
Let him go alone, this despicable man. She hadn’t even warmed up the ring he sent tonight, and he already wanted it back.
“…I was just agreeing with you,” Gu Nanyan said slowly.
“Don’t you know that everything a girlfriend says during an argument is out of anger?” Song Miaoli pouted so much it could hang an oil jug.
She was all talk and no action.
Gu Nanyan chuckled. “I understand now.”
He understood perfectly.
In the distance, fireworks lit up the sky. Even from afar, their faint glow painted half the night in blurry brilliance.
Though the Song residence and Gu Nanyan’s place were some distance apart, they were in the same city and district. Song Miaoli could see the fireworks clearly too.
Through the phone, she heard Gu Nanyan’s low, cool voice: “It’s yours now. No one can take it away.”
The sound sent shivers down her ears.
It was like sometimes in bed, when they were close, and he whispered near her ear—so near it felt tangible.
Suddenly, there was a knock at her door.
Song Miaoli snapped back to reality and opened it slightly.
Outside, Song Chengrui’s expression was cold as he sized her up, ensuring her emotions were stable. “I heard you arguing with someone.”
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