BXBX NOVEL Chapter 289 - Two-Hundred and Eighty-Nine: Making Overtures
Before Gu Man could speak, Lin Yu had already stood up and kneeled before Chang Hui, saying, “Auntie, Xi Cheng lost his conduct after he got drunk and mistook Gu Man for me. He got handsy with Gu Man, and a-almost—almost… Fortunately, the maids found out in time and stopped him from making a big mistake.”
“My mother-in-law has already given Xi Cheng a beating, and I volunteered to come here to apologize on behalf of Xi Cheng and the Xi family. We’re besties; I can’t let the Xi family come to apologize themselves because if that happens, it’ll be difficult for our families to work together in the future.”
Lin Yu continued, “If the Gu family loses this opportunity, Gu Man’s sisters and cousins will definitely blame her. I fear that she’ll suffer more grievances, so I came today. Auntie, Gu Man always says you dote on her the most, so please don’t blame her. It’s my fault; I didn’t take good care of Xi Cheng, resulting in him making a mistake.”
Chang Hui had no clue what Lin Yu was talking about but still subconsciously helped Lin Yu up. Just the phrase “itll be difficult for our families to work together in the futuré’ was enough to stir her heart.
“Dear child, there’s no need for this! Come now, get up. Why are you being so formal? What’s there to forgive between friends?” Chang Hui said benevolently.
Gu Man’s anger flared up. She pointed at Lin Yu and snapped, “Have you no shame? You say Xi Cheng mistook me for you? Hah! Lin Yu, you really know how to flatter yourself! Xi Cheng clearly mistook me for Fang Xi!”
Lin Yu stared at Gu Man in surprise, as if shocked by her words. Only then did Gu Man realize that she’d outed herself. She glared fiery death at Lin Yu and hissed, “Lin Yu, you ruthless b*tch! I truly didn’t expect you to do this to me when I treated you like my best friend! If I’d known, I would have, would have—”
“Gu Man, I know you like Shi Nian. Don’t worry, we’ll keep this matter between our two families—only the few of us will know about it,” Lin Yu interrupted, her voice sincere and with tears in her eyes. “I promise you I’ll do my best to matchmake you and Shi Nian. I promise!”
Gu Man couldn’t help but stagger backward, so furious that she nearly spat blood. Chang Hui understood what Lin Yu meant and beamed with joy. “You’re such a good friend! Gu Man, look at how nice Lin Yu is to you! Lin Yu, Shi Nian already has a wife; it won’t be easy getting him to marry Gu Man.”
Lin Yu smiled. “Auntie, where there’s a will, there’s a way. In terms of looks and family background, Gu Man is in no way inferior to Yun Nan—she’s just a step too late. But that doesn’t matter; life is long, and you never know what’s ahead of you, so it’s not necessarily bad to be a step late. Our Gu Man is a lucky girl. Don’t worry, we’ll work hard together and definitely marry her into the Shi family.”
Chang Hui was immediately delighted. “What if I want to marry into the Xi family instead?” Gu Man sneered.
Lin Yu’s smile vanished, and she asked timidly, “Gu Man, you want to marry Xi
Cheng? You… want me to give Xi Cheng up?”
Tears pooled in her eyes as she dejectedly said, “I’m fine with that. As long as you don’t hold a grudge against Xi Cheng and the relationship between the Xi and Gu families remains intact, I’m fine with anything. If my apology can’t appease you and you insist on marrying Xi Cheng, I’ll give up my position as his fiancée. I’d rather—I’d rather lose Xi Cheng than lose you as a friend. Gu Man, I mean it.”
Gu Man stared at Lin Yu coldly, thinking, ‘We both know what’s what, so stop pretending otherwise. Do you really think you can deceive me?
However, many thoughts had run through Chang Hui’s mind in those few seconds. She quickly held Lin Yu’s hand and glared at Gu Man before smiling and saying to Lin Yu, “Oh child, what a one-track mind you have! Can’t you tell that Gu Man is only sulking? She’s used to being bossy among her sisters and cousins. It’s my fault; I’m the one who spoiled the girls so much that they have such difficult tempers. Really, all of our girls combined aren’t as sensible as you!”
She continued, “Lin Yu, Auntie understands what you’re saying, and I appreciate your gesture. No matter what, the relationship between the Gu and Xi families is the most important. You said it yourself: Xi Cheng imposed himself on Gu Man because he was drunk; he didn’t do it on purpose. Gu Man is just throwing a tantrum, so ignore her!”
Lin Yu glanced at Gu Man. Gu Man was so angry that she was trembling, wishing she could pounce on Lin Yu and tear her apart. Lin Yu mentally sneered, ‘You think you can squeeze me out with this little bit ofskill? How naive!’
Lin Yu timidly uttered, “Auntie, my mother-in-law said that, no matter what,
Xi Cheng is in the wrong. So, we plan to give you our jewelry store in West
Town. Consider it a small token of our appreciation, and please forgive us..”