Chapter One: She Is My Sister

Because of Song Xining’s car accident, Tang Xi rushed back to Beijing on an early morning flight.

She spent the whole day at the hospital with her friend, and by the time she returned home, her back and waist were sore. When she opened the door, she found the living room filled with colorful little lights, and glowing helium balloons scattered across the sofa and carpet.

Tang Xi paused in surprise.

Today was not any anniversary between her and Gu Yu, and he had no idea that she would be home ahead of schedule.

But Gu Yu possessed an innate sense of romance and ceremony. In their three years of marriage, he remembered every anniversary related to them—whether it was as significant as their wedding or as trivial as their first time holding hands.

Everyone said Tang Xi’s cheerful smile augured good fortune: she had found a husband who was handsome, successful, and—most importantly—devoted to her.

After their wedding, Gu Yu couldn’t bear for Tang Xi to work. He kept her at home, pampering her like a precious treasure.

Except for the engagements he truly couldn’t avoid, he always returned home promptly every day to wash his hands and prepare soup for his beloved wife.

Gu Yu’s devotion was legendary in the business world.

Tang Xi changed into her slippers and picked up the shopping bag beside her, containing the Lego set she’d bought for Gu Yu in Harbor City.

Though nearly thirty, Gu Yu liked building games like a big kid.

At home, there was a room dedicated solely to his Lego collection.

As she passed the dining room, Tang Xi’s cheerful steps abruptly halted.

The people in the dining room were clearly caught off guard as well.

Not only was Gu Yu there, but also a woman and a boy of about five years old.

On the table sat a cake and several of Gu Yu’s signature dishes, while the boy wore a birthday crown.

For a moment, Tang Xi felt as if she had walked into the wrong room and stumbled into someone else’s family.

Her sudden appearance made a flash of panic cross Gu Yu’s eyes, but he quickly regained his composure and rose to greet her.

“Wife, why didn’t you tell me you were coming home early? I could’ve driven to pick you up.” Gu Yu stepped forward to embrace Tang Xi, but she dodged him.

Tang Xi clutched the bag tightly, her eyes misty. “If I’d told you, would I not have seen all this?”

Gu Yu had always said that in this lifetime, he would only cook for her.

There was a cookbook in the kitchen used solely for her to choose dishes.

But now, her husband stood in an apron, with dishes he’d prepared laid out on the table. The three of them looked far more like a sweet, happy family.

“Wife, you’re misunderstanding.” Gu Yu smiled with a sigh. “That’s Gu Wenwan, my sister. And that’s Xiao Feng, her son.”

“Your sister?”

“Don’t you remember? I’ve told you many times—I have a stepsister, Wenwan.”

Tang Xi recalled.

Gu Yu had come from a single-parent home. When he was ten, his father remarried, and the woman brought a five-year-old girl into the family.

That girl later took Gu’s surname—she was now Gu Wenwan.

Gu Wenwan stood up as well. She was a little shorter than Tang Xi, with a frail figure and skin so fair it was almost translucent—the current popular ‘pale, slim, young’ look.

“Sister-in-law, I’m Wenwan. I’m sorry to disturb you.” Song Wenwan gently pulled Xiao Feng to her side. “I haven’t returned to Beijing in five years. Suddenly coming back, I had nowhere to go and had to stay with my brother first. Sorry for the misunderstanding. Xiao Feng, say hello to your aunt.”

Gu Yu took the opportunity to wrap his arm around Tang Xi’s shoulders, winking at her as if to say, See? It’s just a misunderstanding!

Tang Xi’s cheeks grew warm as she glared back at him, annoyed he hadn’t explained earlier and made her look foolish.

Yet, even in their silent exchange of glances, sweetness overflowed.

“Pfft, vixen!”

Suddenly, Xiao Feng pulled a face at her. “I’m not calling her aunt—she’s nothing but an annoying vixen.”