Chapter 276 - 257: Lin Ruoxi’s Questioning

Xue Rui leaned against the balcony railing, his view facing the outdoors, and pressed the "accept" button.

Gu Muxue was squatting by her front door. She flipped her camera, revealing two large boxes and two bouquets of flowers. One of the boxes contained two gift-wrapped skincare sets, tied with ribbons;

The other box was full of various samples Xue Rui had sent, likely for her father to inspect.

She had come out alone to get the delivery, which was now piled up downstairs from her apartment. But no matter how she looked at it, it seemed like gifts for two people. She decided to give Xue Rui a video call to confirm.

"Muxue, what’s up?" Xue Rui asked with a smile.

"Why are there two bouquets?" Gu Muxue asked, confused.

"Oh, that’s up to Uncle Gu. If he gives it to Aunt Zhao, then it’s his gift to her. If he doesn’t, then it’s my gift to her," Xue Rui said.

’Our families are so close, it would have been fine to only get a gift for Gu Muxue. But the Gu Family has two women...’

’After all, no woman, no matter her age, would turn her nose up at a surprise on a holiday, regardless of who it’s from.’

Gu Muxue was smart and immediately understood Xue Rui’s meaning. He wanted her father to give the gift to her mother.

Even though Xue Rui’s gift wasn’t exclusively for her, her mom was included too.

’How should I describe this feeling?’

’It’s a romance mixed with all sorts of interpersonal relationships, and even family affection...’

’It’s a romance touched with thoughtfulness and the warmth of family. She suddenly felt like she understood what it meant to be an old married couple...’

’She and Xue Rui have been together for so many years, couldn’t they basically be considered an old married couple too?’

As Gu Muxue thought of this, her eyes curved into crescents, and she stuck her tongue out playfully at Xue Rui on the screen.

Xue Rui laughed at Gu Muxue’s reaction. He thought it was a good thing he’d sent the extra gift; otherwise, her attention would be focused on where he was right now.

"Don’t talk for a sec, I’m putting you in my pocket," Gu Muxue said with a grin, shoving the phone into her pocket.

All Xue Rui could see was a pitch-black screen, and he could hear the sound of cardboard boxes being moved.

Gu Muxue hid the boxes around the corner of the building and made a "shush" gesture to the housekeeper who was coming out to take out the trash.

After hiding the items, she tiptoed back into the living room. Zhao Lizhen was at the dining table, looking at her laptop, likely working.

Meanwhile, Gu Qingshan was sitting on the sofa, holding up a book.

Gu Muxue sighed. ’They may be like an old married couple, but it’s the Qixi Festival today! Is it just going to be the same as any other day?’

She quietly walked over to Gu Qingshan and whispered in his ear, "Old Gu, Xiaorui sent me a gift."

Gu Qingshan’s brow furrowed immediately. ’What’s gotten into my daughter?’

’It seems the two of them have made their relationship official, but what’s the meaning of telling me this? Is she trying to provoke me on purpose?’

Gu Muxue knew Gu Qingshan wouldn’t understand, so she took out her phone, showed him her photo album, and said, "Xiaorui prepared two gifts. He said if you don’t give one to Mom, then he’ll just count it as his gift to her."

"Hm?" Gu Qingshan suddenly couldn’t sit still.

’That kid is so calculating. Are the women of my house all going to be receiving gifts from Xue Rui?’

Gu Qingshan’s eyes narrowed slightly as he muttered, "An overt plot. He’s actually scheming against me."

Gu Muxue looked dumbfounded. ’Xue Rui clearly had good intentions, how did it turn into a scheme?’

"Dad, don’t make it sound so bad. How could Xiaorui have any ill intentions?" Gu Muxue said in a low voice.

Gu Qingshan pinched the bridge of his nose. ’This silly daughter of mine is no match for Xue Rui.’

’Xue Rui’s move is a blatant, overt plot. He wants to give Zhao Lizhen a gift, but he informs me beforehand, saying it’s prepared for me to give.’

’Of course, he wasn’t going to get jealous and compete with a junior. A gift from a junior and a gift from him were two completely different concepts;’

’But if he took credit for the gift, he would owe Xue Rui a favor. If he didn’t give it, he’d end up looking less thoughtful than the younger man.’

’Even if he went out to prepare a gift now, it would be too late. Xue Rui’s gift was already waiting at the door. All it would take is one call, and his daughter would deliver the gift to his wife.’

’The point is, regardless of whether he was the one to hand it over, how would he explain two identical gifts?’

’Claim it’s a coincidence? His wife isn’t a fool.’

’Only an explanation from Xue Rui’s side would seem plausible.’

’Besides, even if he had prepared a gift in advance, Xue Rui wouldn’t have lost out at all.’

’In this holiday game, Xue Rui had placed himself in an invincible position from the very beginning.’

"Let’s go." Gu Qingshan pulled Gu Muxue’s arm and headed outside.

Gu Muxue was surprised. ’This wasn’t like Old Gu at all. Xue Rui really knows what he’s doing.’

’Usually, when she tried to persuade Old Gu to give her mom a gift, he would be reluctant. Even if she prepared it for him, he would just say it was from her.’

But Gu Muxue, being in the thick of it, couldn’t see the situation clearly. Xue Rui’s current status was that of an "outsider," so the meaning behind his gift was different from hers. At this moment, Gu Qingshan really had no other choice.

As the two of them went out, they happened to run into a neighbor who was heading out for a stroll. The man couldn’t help but scratch his head when he saw Gu Qingshan furtively circling his own doorway.

’Is that the usual Director Gu? Surely I’ve got the wrong person?’

"This must be it." Gu Qingshan glanced around before pulling a gift box from the larger box, grabbing a bouquet of bright red roses along with it.

Gu Muxue nodded. ’She really didn’t like bright red; the pink flowers were hers.’

"Little bastard," Gu Qingshan cursed under his breath.

Gu Muxue didn’t understand why Old Gu was so angry. She packed her own gift and flowers back into their box and started carrying them back.