I Heard You Liked Me First - Chapter 12

Su Wan turned back to Gu Hongyun, her expression calm.
“You want Gu Yue to marry into the Xiao family, don’t you?”

Gu Hongyun nodded.

Su Wan’s smile was soft, but her eyes were utterly devoid of warmth.
“I truly didn’t expect the Gu family’s manners to be like this.”

She looked to Gu Yue, her tone light but every word cutting like a blade.
“Miss Gu, do you think this is appropriate? Once married, she’d become part of the Xiao family. Do you think the Xiao family would tolerate anyone treating their daughter-in-law this way?”

Her voice remained gentle, but the weight behind it pressed down like a mountain.
“Of course, right now Gu Yue hasn’t married into the Xiao family yet. So… are you saying you don’t want her to become one of us?”

She didn’t pause, her words flowing with quiet precision.
“And even if she did, do you think we’d feel comfortable letting a child raised in such a household join ours? Would she also treat our future children like this?”

“This isn’t just about me. I can tell you now my mother-in-law would never agree to such a marriage.”

“N-no, that’s not it.” Gu Hongyun faltered, at a complete loss for words. To her, hitting her daughter wasn’t wrong at all. Wasn’t it said that ‘a child raised under the rod becomes filial’? She was doing this for Gu Yue’s own good for the Xiao family’s sake!

But Su Wan seemed to read every thought flickering across her face.

She shook her head gently. “The Xiao family doesn’t want a woman who believes in the rod. Nor do we want someone controlled entirely by her mother. Just as your husband’s family wouldn’t want your mother dictating your life.”

Gu Hongyun froze, her knees almost giving way.

All this time, she’d believed that the reason she was unwelcome in her husband’s family was because she hadn’t given birth to a son. Her mother and the Gu family had always been her shield, her leverage. But what was Su Wan implying? That her mother’s interference was the very reason she and her husband’s family fell apart?

She couldn’t find an answer.

But Su Wan’s meaning was perfectly clear.
“If the Gu family truly wishes to form an alliance with the Xiao family, then I hope you’ll stop trying to control Gu Yue so tightly.”

Her gaze dropped to the marks on Gu Yue’s shoulders. The soft laugh that escaped her lips was quiet, but sharp as glass, it caught in Gu Hongyun’s throat like a blade.

Su Wan tilted her head slightly, voice airy yet merciless.
“What do you think, Miss Gu? If you can’t accept the Xiao family’s way of doing things, we can stop talking about any future cooperation right here.”

It was absolute domination power delivered with poise and grace.

Even though Su Wan was speaking as the Xiao family’s representative, what truly suffocated Gu Hongyun was the contrast: the woman smiled so gently, yet her very presence was terrifying.

How could Gu Hongyun possibly disagree? She needed this marriage alliance.

Her brother needed to stay in power as president of Gu Group. Her nephew needed the Xiao family’s backing to grow.

Her daughter was unreliable too soft, too timid. Once married, she’d be out of reach, and there’d be no one left to rely on.

Only her nephew would remain part of the Gu family. He was her only real bet for the future.

For the sake of her own security, she could only compromise.

It didn’t take long for her to compose herself. In the end, her purpose was simple: get her daughter married into the Xiao family, and use that to secure the resources they offered.

If she had to swallow her pride to do it, so be it.

Putting on her most polished smile, she said, “How could I possibly disagree? I was too harsh before. From now on, if there’s ever an issue with Gu Yue, I’ll consult you, Mrs. Xiao.”

Su Wan’s expression softened again, as if nothing unpleasant had ever been said. “Thank you for understanding, Miss Gu. This is your contribution toward the alliance between our families.”

Gu Hongyun could no longer maintain her smile. She glanced at Su Wan, then at her daughter, huddled in a corner, eyes lowered, trembling like a frightened rabbit.

Disgust burned faintly in her chest. Useless girl.

But what could she do now? After Su Wan’s warning, she no longer dared lift a hand against her.

So when Su Wan suggested taking Gu Yue shopping to “build a closer bond,” she wanted to refuse but didn’t dare.

As they were about to part ways, her gaze swept across Gu Nan and Chi An like a blade.

Chi An picked up the clothes in her hands and said casually to Gu Nan, “Well, since it’s resolved, we should get going. Let’s not disturb Mrs. Xiao and Miss Gu.”

Gu Nan, however, still had that mischievous look on her face. “Who knows when we’ll get to see something this entertaining again?”

She gave Gu Hongyun a bright, mocking smile. “Good luck, Auntie.”

With that, she left with Chi An.

At first, Gu Hongyun suspected they’d plotted this whole thing with Su Wan to trap her deliberately.

But as she watched the distant, formal exchange between Su Wan and the two girls, and the smug satisfaction on Gu Nan’s face, she started to think it might just be a coincidence.

Still, she shot her daughter a few sharp, warning glances before leaving.

Su Wan tilted her chin toward Gu Yue. “Get changed and come out. I’ll take you to dinner afterward.”

Gu Yue quickly pulled her dress back over her shoulders, clutching it close. She took two hesitant steps forward. “I’ve already eaten dinner…” she murmured softly.

Su Wan’s gentle smile returned like a warm April breeze brushing against the frozen edges of Gu Yue’s heart.
“Then let’s have something sweet instead. Maybe a little dessert, a walk. Don’t worry, I’m not here to scout a daughter-in-law for my son. Just a simple outing among friends.”

When Gu Yue stepped out, she was surprised to find Gu Nan and Chi An still there.

Chi An was talking with Su Wan while Gu Nan came over and linked arms with her. “Had dinner yet? Want to grab a bite?”

Gu Yue shook her head shyly, her eyes glimmering as she looked at her cousin. “Thank you.”

Gu Nan rolled her eyes. “Why are you being so polite with me?”

Gu Yue bit her lip. “It’s… all because of me…”

Gu Nan cut her off. “It’s got nothing to do with you. You and Grandma were both victims.”

“Alright, enough of the sad talk. I actually made a new friend today, don’t ruin my good mood.”

Gu Yue nodded quickly, then glanced at Su Wan across the store, still chatting with Chi An. “I’ve never met anyone as gentle as Mrs. Xiao,” she said softly, eyes full of admiration.

Gu Nan gave her a strange look, her tone lazy. “You think she’s gentle?”

Gu Yue nodded earnestly. “Mm, like a spring breeze warm and elegant.”

A very different image of Su Wan flashed in Gu Nan’s mind the way she had looked last night, standing under the lights, radiant and untouchable. Her lips curled.
“I’d say she’s more like the summer sun bright, burning, and impossible to ignore.”

Gu Yue blinked, clearly puzzled.

At that moment, Chi An and Su Wan walked over. Su Wan asked with a smile, “What are you two talking about?”

Gu Nan grinned wickedly. “My cousin said you’re like a spring breeze gentle and refined. I was just correcting her. I said you’re the summer sun fierce and dazzling.”

For a split second, Su Wan’s expression froze. Then she turned to Gu Nan, the faintest glimmer of warning hidden behind her poised smile.

“Seems Miss Gu still has a few misconceptions about me.”

Gu Nan only smiled back, saying nothing at all.

*********

Su Wan cleared her throat softly. “Do you still want to look around for clothes? If not, let’s find somewhere to sit down for tea.”

Gu Nan immediately said, “Tea’s boring. Let’s have a drink instead. I know a great bar.”

Su Wan smiled, gentle as ever but in that smile, Gu Nan could see a flash of something sharp and dangerous.

What was with Su Wan and this obsession with her “gentle lady” persona? Fine, she could keep up that act in the Xiao household, but here? In front of Gu Yue? She still refused to drop it?

Beside her, Chi An raised a brow at Gu Nan. “You still want to drink?”

This time it was Gu Nan’s turn to look awkward.

She hadn’t even fully recovered from last night’s allergic reaction to alcohol her eyes still itched a little. But she couldn’t resist the urge to see Su Wan lose her composure.

“I’ll just drink juice,” she said with a teasing smile. “I’ll toast you with that.”

Let’s see if she can really keep her composure in a place like a bar, Gu Nan thought.

All three of them turned toward Gu Yue.

Her eyes widened, filled with surprise and a flicker of excitement. “I’ve never been to a bar before. Will I embarrass myself?”

Gu Nan gave a deliberately pitiful sigh. “My poor little cousin. She hadn’t even eaten KFC before I took her, and the first time she went to an arcade was with me too.”

Though Gu Nan’s decision to leave home had led to tragedy, she had to admit those few days away had been the happiest of Gu Yue’s life.

Just thinking about those memories made the corners of Gu Yue’s lips lift unconsciously.

When they walked into the same bar from the previous night, Su Wan instantly regretted her softheartedness.

At the very least, she shouldn’t have come here.

Too many people here recognized her.

Gu Nan, with that mischievous gleam in her eye, clearly didn’t understand that in an adult’s world, masks were often a necessity.

Gu Yue, on the other hand, was pure curiosity her wide eyes reflected every flicker of neon light, shimmering like stars.

Su Wan sighed to herself. Fine. I’ll just endure it.

Gu Nan slid into a booth and told the waiter for the third time, “For me and this little cousin of mine, we’re only having juice. And not that kind of sweetened cocktail nonsense, got it? If we get drunk, we’ll tear this place apart.”

The waiter, amused by the sight of four beautiful women, grinned brightly. “Got it. Don’t worry, our juices are excellent.”

After he left, Gu Yue hesitated, then admitted softly, “I’ve never had alcohol before… kind of want to try.”

Gu Nan shook her head. “Kids shouldn’t get those ideas.”

But none of them expected that Gu Yue would actually sneak a drink.

After finishing her juice, she waited until no one was watching and poured herself a glass of whiskey.

The liquor burned down her throat, leaving a strange warmth in its wake.

By the time the others noticed, she was already drunk though she’d had barely half a glass.

Drunk Gu Yue was even more endearing. Her eyes curved into crescents, a shy smile playing on her lips.

Gu Nan quickly moved the glass away. “Honestly, what a handful.”

Gu Yue looked up at her through half-lidded eyes, voice soft and syrupy. “Cousin, you’re amazing. You’re so cool.”

Gu Nan chuckled. “Why are you suddenly being honest?”

Gu Yue giggled faintly, a hum deep in her throat. “You’re so strong and pretty. I really like you. Please don’t hate me, okay? You’re the first family member who’s ever been this nice to me.”

Gu Nan’s eyes stung for a moment. “Alright, alright, I’ll try not to.”

Su Wan waved a hand in front of Gu Yue’s face and couldn’t help but laugh. “Who would’ve thought she’s even more obedient drunk than sober. That’s rare.”

Chi An nodded in agreement.

Some people, when they drink, bristle with thorns.
Others… are soft enough to break your heart.

She glanced toward Gu Nan, something wistful flickering in her eyes.

Meanwhile, Gu Yue turned her gaze to Su Wan. She reached out carefully, curling a small pinky around Su Wan’s finger and murmured sweetly, “Mrs. Xiao, you’re the gentlest person I’ve ever met. I really like you too. How can someone be so kind and still so amazing? Even my mom’s afraid of you.”

Su Wan felt the faint warmth of the girl’s touch on her skin, heard her soft, slurred rambling, and felt something melt quietly inside her chest.

How could someone this lovely… have been treated so cruelly by her own mother.