After Becoming the Family Head, I Got an Unofficial Fiancée (GL) - Chapter 13
As soon as Jiang Man heard that Gu Weiyan was going to accompany her back to the Jiang family, her heart skipped a beat, and she nervously waved her hands, saying, “No, no need. I know the way, I can go back on my own.”
“If I let you go back alone, my parents and grandpa will definitely keep nagging me.” Gu Weiyan casually continued eating her breakfast, then said to Jiang Man, “You wouldn’t want them coming over to the house all the time, would you?”
Upon hearing this, Jiang Man immediately fell silent. She realized that Gu Weiyan was right. She was only staying at Gu Weiyan’s place temporarily as a fiancé forced upon her by her family, and even when Gu’s mother came over, she had to pretend for her sake. Clearly, Gu Weiyan didn’t have any romantic interest in her.
Thinking about Gu Weiyan’s standards for a partner, none of which she met, Jiang Man realized that she wasn’t even a potential candidate. She was just the “fiancée” temporarily living at Gu Weiyan’s house. They weren’t even friends, and if she had to describe their relationship with one word, it would probably be “acting.”
“I understand.” Jiang Man softly said, holding a slice of toast spread with strawberry jam. “Thank you, Gu Weiyan.”
Gu Weiyan glanced at her, finishing the last bite of her fried egg, and quietly leaned back in her chair to sip her tea. She waited until Jiang Man finished her meal, then they both headed out to the car together.
Before they knew it, the weekend had arrived. Gu Weiyan had already informed the Jiang family that she would be taking Jiang Man to visit on Sunday. Aunt Jiang was thrilled when she heard the news, and Gu’s mother quickly called to praise Gu Weiyan for being so considerate.
On Saturday, Jiang Man spent the whole day doing homework. By the afternoon, she had finished all her assignments. When she walked out of her room, she saw Aunt Zhou in the living room, sorting through something.
“Aunt Zhou.”
Jiang Man came downstairs and looked at the cigarettes, alcohol, and other things already packed on the coffee table. She asked in confusion, “What are these?”
“These are gifts that Gu Weiyan is taking to your family,” Aunt Zhou said, pulling Jiang Man over to take a look. “You used to live at your uncle’s house, right? Do these cigarettes and alcohol look like things your uncle likes?”
Jiang Man was a little stunned. “Why does she need to bring so many things to my house?”
Aunt Zhou couldn’t help but laugh. “Silly child, you two are basically like a young married couple now. Of course, you need to bring gifts when you visit.”
Jiang Man’s face instantly turned bright red. She hurriedly explained, “No, no. Gu Weiyan and I are just… um…”
Just what? Jiang Man couldn’t quite explain. But they certainly weren’t a young married couple.
The thought of Gu Weiyan’s delicate face made Jiang Man’s cheeks burn even more, and her face turned beet red.
“Alright, alright, I won’t tease you anymore,” Aunt Zhou said, comforting Jiang Man. “The gifts are all prepared by Gu Weiyan. They’re not really valuable, so we’ll just take care of the rest.”
Jiang Man’s face was still flushed as she looked at the gifts. She softly asked, “Aunt Zhou, I’d like to use the computer in the study to check some materials.”
Aunt Zhou nodded. “That computer hasn’t been used for a while. Feel free to use it, no need to ask me.”
Jiang Man nodded quietly and went to the study.
On the first floor, besides the living room, dining room, and maid’s room, there was also a study with floor-to-ceiling windows. Jiang Man had noticed the study when she was walking around the yard before. The room wasn’t large, but it had two entire walls lined with books.
At her age, kids were always full of curiosity, like little cats or dogs.
The study wasn’t usually locked, and Aunt Zhou would also open the windows every day, so it was mostly left open. However, Jiang Man didn’t dare to wander freely in the house. She still remembered the first time she met Gu Weiyan at home when she was told that Gu Weiyan didn’t like anyone entering her room.
Thinking about it, there were probably many places Jiang Man shouldn’t go.
Standing at the door of the study, Jiang Man looked at the two shelves filled with books, which were more abundant than the ones in her school’s library. She stood in front of the shelves, hands behind her back, trying hard to restrain her curious little hands from touching Gu Weiyan’s things.
Not forgetting why she had come, Jiang Man reluctantly walked away from the bookshelf, sat down at the desk, and turned on the computer to look up some materials for a homework assignment. It wasn’t complicated, and she finished it in about ten minutes.
After leaving the study, Jiang Man made sure to close the door behind her. She saw Aunt Zhou busy in the kitchen and then glanced at the clock in the living room. It was already six in the evening.
Even though it was Saturday, Gu Weiyan still had work to do. However, she had mentioned that she would be home for dinner that night, so Aunt Zhou had prepared a big meal, enough for the three of them.
Just past seven, the car headlights shone into the yard. Jiang Man, who had been sitting in the living room watching TV, was the first to notice. She quickly put down the fruit she was holding and ran to the entrance. As soon as she heard Gu Weiyan stepping out of the car, she rushed to open the door.
Gu Weiyan had just reached the door when it opened. Jiang Man, wearing a soft light yellow duckling nightgown, was standing at the door, looking at her.
“Gu Weiyan,” Jiang Man said, her eyes sparkling as she looked at her. “You’re back.”
Gu Weiyan was struck by the brightness in her eyes and couldn’t help but smile. “Yeah, there was some traffic today. Have you and Aunt Zhou had dinner?”
Jiang Man, acting like a little maid, helped Gu Weiyan with her bag and coat, and even took her slippers out of the shoe cabinet. “Not yet. Aunt Zhou said we should wait for you to eat together.”
“Next time, you don’t have to wait for me. You can eat first,” Gu Weiyan said as she slipped off her high heels. After wearing them all day, her feet felt so much better on the ground, and the sensation was actually quite comforting. Her mood also lightened.
She stood up from the chair and looked at Jiang Man, who was standing in front of her. “Did you finish your homework?”
Jiang Man nodded. “Yes, I finished it this afternoon.”
“How about we leave tomorrow at 9 AM from home?”
“Is that enough time?”
Gu Weiyan smiled. “We have enough time. If we leave too early or too late, we’ll hit traffic. Plus, you’ll get to sleep in.”
Jiang Man’s cheeks flushed slightly. “I… I don’t really like sleeping in.”
No student actually dislikes sleeping in, Gu Weiyan thought, remembering how Jiang Man nearly fell asleep while eating the other day. She couldn’t help but chuckle but didn’t tease her.
The next day at 9 AM, Gu Weiyan set out with Jiang Man. This time, she didn’t call Uncle Xu to drive. Instead, she decided to drive herself.
The red Ferrari looked flashy and vibrant, and today, Gu Weiyan had dressed up in a striking black and white outfit, which matched her confident vibe perfectly.
Jiang Man stood in the yard, staring at Gu Weiyan in her outfit, stunned. She didn’t know how to react.
Gu Weiyan had a few cars, but not too many. She usually drove the Maybach for work, a sports car when she went to the bar or just wanted to show off, and the Ferrari she chose today was just one of many in her collection. She liked it because it was comfortable to drive.
But Jiang Man wasn’t used to being in cars like this. Although the Jiang family was wealthy, she lost her parents when she was still in middle school. She even had to take a year off from school. After that, she barely had a stable place to stay, let alone enjoy luxury cars.
Aunt Zhou, however, was used to it, and she helped Gu Weiyan load the car. The trunk was packed full of gifts—cigarettes, alcohol, tea, and other things Jiang Man didn’t recognize or couldn’t afford. Gu Weiyan didn’t bother telling her about it.
Once everything was packed, Gu Weiyan got into the car. Noticing the passenger seat was empty, she rolled down the window and looked at Jiang Man, still standing there frozen. “What’s wrong? Don’t want to go home?”
Hearing this, Jiang Man rushed over, opened the passenger door, and sat down. She froze for a moment, then nervously fastened her seatbelt. She turned toward Gu Weiyan and shyly whispered, “I… I’m ready.”
Gu Weiyan looked at her, slowly leaning down. Jiang Man could smell the fresh scent of laundry detergent on her, which matched the scent on herself.
“Jiang Man,” Gu Weiyan’s sea-green eyes were now deep, like a clear spring. She stared intently at the girl in front of her and asked, “Do you know what you should be doing today?”
Jiang Man’s heart raced, not out of shyness, but fear.
“I… I don’t know…” Jiang Man clutched her seatbelt nervously, as if it were the only thing keeping her alive.
Gu Weiyan didn’t answer immediately. Instead, she reached out and pried one of Jiang Man’s hands open, locking their fingers together as Jiang Man watched in horror.
“In front of both families, we are a couple, engaged and in a relationship,” Gu Weiyan’s breath brushed across Jiang Man’s face. The cramped car made Jiang Man tremble uncontrollably, and her eyes began to redden.
“When we go back this time, we’ll act like we’re very close,” Gu Weiyan continued. “After all, you’ve been living in my house for a month. You know how much the Jiang family expects from us. You don’t want to disappoint them, do you?”
Jiang Man’s eyes reddened, and, holding Gu Weiyan’s hand, she stammered, “I… I understand. We’re in a relationship now, so… so we need to act very close… Is that… is that right?”
“Very smart,” Gu Weiyan praised. “We’ll hold hands in front of your family. I’ll put my arm around your waist. I’ll serve you food at the table and wipe the corners of your mouth, letting your family know we’re very ‘in love.’”
“I… I’ll cooperate with you…” Jiang Man said softly, her voice filled with fear. “I won’t cause any trouble…”
“Good.”
Gu Weiyan released Jiang Man’s hand and straightened up to fasten her seatbelt. “Now, let’s go.”
Jiang Man lowered her head and kept it down the entire drive, not daring to look up. Gu Weiyan noticed but couldn’t tell if she had scared the girl. She glanced at her several times during the drive but didn’t see any tears, which left her confused.
Was I that terrifying?
The drive to the Jiang family’s home went smoothly, and they arrived in an hour. Uncle Jiang and Aunt Jiang had already received Gu Weiyan’s call and were eagerly waiting outside. They greeted the car enthusiastically and helped park it in front of the villa. Only then did Gu Weiyan and Jiang Man get out.
“Uncle, Aunt, why are you out here in this heat?” Gu Weiyan smiled as she held Jiang Man’s hand and walked over. “You shouldn’t have come out.”
Aunt Jiang looked at their intimate appearance and instantly smiled widely, her eyes crinkling. “We’re so happy to hear that you two are coming! Come inside quickly. Xiao Man, how’s it been living at Weiyan’s house? Have you done anything to make her upset?”
Jiang Man opened her mouth but didn’t say anything. Then, she felt a hand wrap around her waist. When she looked up, she saw Gu Weiyan holding her.
“Xiao Man is so good, how could she upset me?” Gu Weiyan laughed softly. “I’m the one who likes her.”