Chapter 20: Ambiguous and Equivocal

Better if she never comes, even better if she leaves—neither mother nor daughter wished to see that woman. Both Gu’s mother and daughter believed that their most outstanding son, the third brother, deserved the best wife—not some unsophisticated village girl from the countryside, lacking education, refinement, or a job.

Therefore, neither mother nor daughter told anyone about Lu Jiaor’s visit, and Gu’s father remained completely unaware. Throughout, it was Gu’s mother who answered Gu Fengji’s calls, and in anger, she told her husband about their youngest son marrying a girl from the countryside.

Gu’s father was equally unwilling and displeased upon learning this. Their son was so exceptional and accomplished; countless old friends and colleagues had hinted at forming marital alliances with him. The fact that their son was so highly regarded by these venerable people made Gu’s father proud and honored—truly, a tiger father bore no dog son, and within their compound, he held considerable prestige.

Yet, the youngest son had suddenly married, and Gu’s father sensed something was amiss. If there were no pressing matters requiring marriage to resolve, why would their son sacrifice his marriage for such things? After pondering for two days, Gu’s father resigned himself to letting the matter rest for the time being, deciding to revisit it in a few years.

Later, Gu Fengji called again, saying he had arranged for his wife to come to the capital and asked Gu’s mother to arrange for someone to meet her at the station. Gu’s mother neither agreed nor refused, but Gu Fengji took her silence as consent that she would send someone for Lu Jiaor.

However, Gu’s mother never mentioned this to her husband and had no intention of doing so. The gate guards, loyal and discreet, never spoke of the family’s private affairs, especially those of a leader’s household; therefore, no one outside the family knew.

Gu Fengji’s call came on the evening of Lu Jiaor’s third day in the capital. The previous days had been filled with demanding tasks, leaving him no time to call home to check on her arrival.

“Mom, has Lu arrived yet?” Gu Fengji asked, surprised to find the situation in the capital entirely different from what he had imagined, never doubting his family.

“Is that the first thing you ask? Don’t you want to know how your father, your mother, your eldest and second brothers, or your sister are doing?” Gu’s mother replied with subtle skill, evading the question while implying Lu Jiaor had indeed arrived, and even turning the question back on her youngest son.

“Mom, how are you and Dad? How about my eldest and second brothers and my sister? I’m not uncaring—it’s just that my duties here are incredibly demanding.” Gu Fengji was filial and respectful, especially toward his mother, who favored him most, while his father cherished the eldest son above all.

“We’re all well, don’t worry. Everyone at home is fine. You take care of yourself there. Just come back safe and sound—that’s all that matters. Your mother is here to handle everything,” she reassured him.

“Okay, Mom, I understand. I’ll be careful.”

“Good. Don’t say more now; get some rest. Don’t worry, your mother’s got everything covered here.”

To avoid raising questions about the village woman, Gu’s mother spoke ambiguously, neither confirming nor denying anything. As for that unknown country girl, she cared little.

Their phone calls were usually brief and only for important matters, so Gu Fengji ended the call quickly. He truly did not suspect his mother and believed Lu Jiaor was safely at home. Whether he spoke to her personally mattered little; after all, he had not wronged her, though their relationship had never reached a deep level.

After hanging up, Gu’s mother exhaled deeply, though unease still lingered within her. She just did not know how to dispel it.

Meanwhile, Lu Jiaor remained utterly unaware of the events unfolding in the Gu family. Even if she guessed something, she paid it no mind. She was busy—by day, gathering herbs and wild vegetables outside the city; by night, studying diligently without rest.

After renting a place, Lu Jiaor wrote a letter home, naturally sharing only good news, never mentioning that she no longer lived with the Gu family nor that they neither acknowledged nor saw her. At the end, she left the address of her current residence.

In short, as long as she could keep it concealed for a while, the less pain and sorrow her family felt knowing she was well, the better. That was the best proof of all.

…

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