Chapter 16: Concern That Comes Too Late Is Worth Less Than Grass

"Is there something you need?" Gu Luosheng asked Lin Yichen with a hint of impatience as she bit into a soup dumpling.

No matter how hard Gu Luosheng tried to conceal it, Lin Yichen still sensed a trace of disdain. Was Gu Luosheng actually looking down on him?

Taking a deep breath, Lin Yichen said, "Gu Luosheng, do you approve of my marriage to Qingwan?"

Gu Luosheng found Lin Yichen's question baffling. What did his marriage have to do with her? Was it really necessary to come and ask her? She wasn't his mother.

"Of course I approve. Why wouldn't I?" She answered so quickly she almost choked, hastily taking a big gulp of soy milk to wash it down.

"You..." Lin Yichen hadn't expected such a response. He remembered what Gu Luosheng had said to him in the car that day—could it be that she truly didn't care for him anymore?

He'd already humbled himself and come to her, hoping to talk things over.

"I'm not marrying Qingwan."

"Oh."

Gu Luosheng was utterly unmoved. Five years had already worn away any passion she once had for Lin Yichen. Now, all she wanted was to live her life in peace.

"This is for you." Lin Yichen placed a small gift box on the table, having taken it from his pocket. He knew what had happened five years ago had hurt Gu Luosheng deeply, and he was determined to make it up to her.

"No need." Gu Luosheng had no desire for further entanglement with Lin Yichen. She didn’t want him anymore; she’d already handed him over to Gu Qingwan.

But Lin Yichen seemed not to hear her and left without another word.

Gu Luosheng glanced at the gift box, then at Lin Yichen’s retreating figure, her face full of exasperation. Lin Yichen hadn’t changed at all—he never listened to her, caring only for his own words and what he wanted to hear.

She remembered how she used to prepare gifts and surprises for him, but Lin Yichen always responded with disappointment. He’d never once given her a present—this was the first time. But concern that comes too late is cheaper than grass; Gu Luosheng had no intention of accepting it.

"You really can’t back out of marrying Gu Qingwan, or else someone will blame me again in the end."

Gu Luosheng stowed the gift box in her backpack, already making plans in her heart.

She had intended to buy a portable charger and a small fridge at the mall this morning, to store skewers for grilling—when the weather warmed up, it would keep things fresh and stop the food from spoiling too quickly.

The plan was a good one, but fate had other ideas.

Gu Yunqi called her. She answered at once, thinking it must be urgent.

"Big Brother!"

"Luosheng, where are you now?"

"I’m at the mall."

Gu Yunqi laughed. "Come home this afternoon, I need to talk to you."

"Alright."

Curious about what her brother wanted, Gu Luosheng hurried home after lunch.

In the living room, Gu Qingwan sat alone, lost in thought. Gu Yunqi and Gu Yunzhou were chatting in the garden behind the villa.

Gu Luosheng’s arrival snapped Gu Qingwan out of her reverie. She shot a cold glance at Gu Luosheng, her face unfriendly as ever.

After a moment’s thought, Gu Luosheng took out the gift box Lin Yichen had given her that morning and placed it before Gu Qingwan. "Lin Yichen asked me to pass this on to you."

"Hmm?" Gu Qingwan looked at her in confusion, reaching for the box. "Why would Yichen have you give me this?"

"I ran into him this morning; he asked me to deliver it," Gu Luosheng replied vaguely.

Since it was from Lin Yichen, Gu Qingwan didn’t think much of it. She eagerly opened the box, revealing a dazzling necklace inside.

A delighted smile spread across Gu Qingwan’s lips. She knew it—Yichen still liked her. His recent coldness must have been just to set up the surprise of this gift.

Seeing Gu Qingwan’s satisfied expression, Gu Luosheng shook her head and left. Another hopeless romantic, she thought.

Gu Qingwan fastened the necklace around her neck and snapped a photo. Her delicate, fair collarbones set off the sparkling piece beautifully.

She sent the photo to Lin Yichen, adding the caption: "Got your gift box. It’s lovely—thank you!"

On the other end, Lin Yichen’s expression darkened as he gripped his phone tightly. He’d clearly said the gift was for Gu Luosheng, yet she’d handed it off to Gu Qingwan. What on earth was she playing at?

He’d wanted to use the gift to slowly mend the rift between them, but it seemed Gu Luosheng didn’t care for his gesture at all.

At last, Lin Yichen was certain—Gu Luosheng no longer loved him. A deep sense of loss surged within him.

As for Gu Qingwan’s message, he had no desire to reply.

Gu Qingwan, still waiting for his response, wasn’t upset; she simply assumed he was busy.

Gu Luosheng went to the garden to greet Gu Yunqi. "Big Brother!"

Seeing her, Gu Yunqi smiled warmly and beckoned her over.

On the side, Gu Yunzhou’s eyes flashed with irritation. What was the meaning of this? Why was Gu Luosheng only greeting Gu Yunqi—as if he, a whole grown man, was invisible?

Gu Luosheng sat down with Gu Yunqi, curiosity in her gaze. "Big Brother, did you have something you wanted to talk about?"

Unhurriedly, Gu Yunqi poured her a cup of tea. "There’s a banquet tonight—most of the prominent families in Cloud City will be there. I’ll take you along. See if you find any promising young men who catch your eye."

"Big Brother, do you think I’m a burden?" Gu Luosheng was puzzled by his intention—was he trying to find her a match?

Could it be that even Gu Yunqi didn’t want to have anything more to do with her and was eager to marry her off?

Gu Yunqi sighed. "I know things haven’t been easy for you at home. I thought, if you could meet someone you genuinely like and marry for love, you’d at least have someone to protect and cherish you. That way, I could be at ease."

Moments ago, Gu Yunqi and Gu Yunzhou had been discussing Gu Luosheng. Gu Yunzhou had kept complaining about her lack of understanding, making Gu Yunqi realize her life in the family wasn’t as good as he’d believed.

Perhaps leaving the family was the best choice for her.

"But Big Brother, I’m not ready to get married yet!" Now she understood that he genuinely wanted to help her.

Gu Yunzhou and Gu Qingwan didn’t like her, and while Gu Yunqi could scold them and keep them in check, if their parents didn’t care for her, there was little he could do.

"It’s alright, you can just meet people. It’s always good to plan for the future." Gu Yunqi still hoped to find her a suitor with good prospects.

Without the family’s connections, it would be difficult for Gu Luosheng to find a wealthy and well-matched partner.