Chapter 6

“You…” Gu Yunhao looked at Ning Yuxuan in disbelief. “Don’t you have anything you want to say to me?”

She didn’t stop him or even utter a single “take care.”

The woman who once loved him so deeply now looked at him with such impatience— the contrast was too great for Gu Yunhao to accept.

It was one thing that he no longer loved her, but for her to act as if she didn’t care at all was another matter entirely.

Upon hearing this, Ning Yuxuan finally met Gu Yunhao’s gaze for a few seconds.

Just as Gu Yunhao thought she was about to soften and say something tender, Ning Yuxuan let out a short laugh.

“If you insist on me saying something,” Ning Yuxuan lifted her chin, “you should take off that tie around your neck. After all, a dog doesn’t deserve to wear the tie I gave him.”

Gu Yunhao was stunned.

He stared blankly at Ning Yuxuan for a moment, his face showing humiliation and disbelief. “What did you say?”

The corners of Ning Yuxuan’s lips curled, but her eyes remained cold. “I’m saying, Gu Yunhao, you’re not worthy.”

Gu Yunhao couldn’t believe his ears—he was shocked and angry all at once.

He glanced down at his chest and suddenly remembered that the tie he was wearing today was the very one Ning Yuxuan had given him when they first got together.

When he left the house, Gu Yunhao had expected that after meeting, Ning Yuxuan would beg for reconciliation or even cry to win him back.

After all, in the past, no matter how fierce their arguments were, Ning Yuxuan was always the one to give in in the end.

He couldn’t quite explain his feelings, but before leaving, he had deliberately tidied himself up, dressed formally, and put on a tie.

He owned many ties, all branded, and the one Ning Yuxuan gave him was nothing special among them.

Until Ning Yuxuan mentioned it, he hadn’t thought about it at all.

For some reason, realizing this slightly tempered the anger welling up inside him.

“You…” Gu Yunhao softened his tone a little. “I know it’s me and Mengmeng who have wronged you, but love doesn’t follow any order. Breaking up with you was for your own good.”

It was the first time he spoke gently in front of Ning Yuxuan. He paused, hoping to catch a hint of the emotion he longed to see on her face.

But Ning Yuxuan only stared at him expressionlessly.

Her reaction replaced the little guilt in Gu Yunhao’s heart with renewed anger. “No matter what, you can’t put all the blame on me! At the start, I didn’t want to be with you, but you kept pestering me relentlessly until I was moved and agreed.”

“Is that so?” Ning Yuxuan replied.

“W-what else?” Gu Yunhao stammered.

Ning Yuxuan looked at him lightly and said, “I thought you only got together with me to please your grandfather.”

Gu Yunhao’s expression darkened. “What nonsense are you talking about?”

“Whether it’s true or not, you know it in your heart,” she said.

Gu Yunhao clenched his fists, unable to argue.

The Gu family had stood strong among the many wealthy clans in Northern City for years, thanks largely to the hard work and careful management of the old patriarch.

For decades, the old master held full control.

Until five years ago, when he fell seriously ill. After recovering, his spirit was diminished, and he had to hand over much of the company’s management.

Unfortunately, the new generation lacked his vision and leadership. In recent years, the Gu family’s growth stagnated, even regressed, and their influence in Northern City waned considerably.

Gu Yunhao’s father was not the most outstanding among his siblings but was the first to marry and have children. As the eldest grandson of the Gu family, Gu Yunhao was the primary heir, while his younger brothers were barely of age.

The old patriarch was strict with the younger generation but showed an unusual fondness for Ning Yuxuan.

Gu Yunhao’s mother noticed this special affection and encouraged Gu Yunhao to be with Ning Yuxuan to gain the old man’s favor.

With the elder’s support, they could wield more influence in the family’s power struggles.

Ning Yuxuan had never cared much about these matters before; even if she had heard bits and pieces, she never gave them much thought.

But judging from Gu Yunhao’s reaction now, she knew her guess was right.

Some things she initially thought unnecessary to mention, but since it had come to this, she didn’t mind exposing his hypocrisy.

She continued, “Besides, if you didn’t like me, you could have just broken up. Instead, you kept treating me with cold silence, stood me up at the start of our dates to buy the snacks Cen Meng likes, and on my birthday, in front of all my family and friends, you left right after getting a call from Cen Meng.”

Her tone was calm and clear, not an outburst of emotion but a steady recitation of facts.

Gu Yunhao opened his mouth but only managed to utter “I,” unable to find any further retort.

He even avoided her gaze, his eyes shifting nervously.

They stood in a quiet corner near the street food market. Without realizing when, several people had gathered not far away.

Gu Yunhao caught a glimpse of someone holding up a phone, seemingly pointing the rear camera at their direction.

Finally finding an outlet for his frustration, he lunged forward, “What are you filming? Don’t you know it’s illegal to film secretly?”

Startled, the passerby trembled and quickly pointed behind Gu Yunhao. “S-sorry, sir, I’m filming the puppet in that display window.”

Gu Yunhao instinctively turned to look. Behind him was indeed a display window containing a moving wooden puppet.

Taking advantage of Gu Yunhao’s distraction, the passerby hurried away.

Gu Yunhao couldn’t chase him and had no choice but to let it go.

The rift between them was now complete. Ning Yuxuan’s accusations were things Gu Yunhao refused to admit, but deep down, he knew she was right.

At this point, Gu Yunhao no longer harbored any illusions that Ning Yuxuan would soften.

He took a few deep breaths to calm himself and returned to stand before Ning Yuxuan, struggling to maintain his dignity. “Since we’ve already broken up, there’s no point in saying these things. I have just a few last words, then I’ll leave.”

Ning Yuxuan looked at him coldly, waiting for him to speak.

Clearing his throat, Gu Yunhao said, “The day after tomorrow is grandfather’s birthday banquet. Even if you’re unhappy with me, grandfather has never said a word against you. Please come to his eightieth birthday.”

Without waiting for her reply, he turned and left.

Ning Yuxuan watched his retreating figure, feeling both amused and relieved.

Though the previous events had been dictated by fate, the love and tears she poured into the past year with Gu Yunhao were real.

She took those words as if speaking for the foolish girl she once was, someone whose heart belonged only to Gu Yunhao.

After this, she would not waste another word on this man.

As for the banquet, Gu Yunhao inviting her was certainly at the old patriarch’s behest.

Since Gu Yunhao had once paired with her to please the old man, he naturally wouldn’t want to incur his displeasure by refusing the invitation.

But the family’s affairs no longer concerned her. She would deliver the gift prepared for the old master but had no need to appear herself.

Ning Yuxuan bought some sour plum juice and other snacks at the street food market.

Ning Shiyue’s work would end late, and she had messaged earlier saying she wouldn’t be coming home tonight.

All day long, Ning Fei hadn’t asked her daughter about Gu Yunhao.

Yesterday, before the show recording, her daughter had answered Gu Yunhao’s call and mentioned “breaking up.” Ning Fei naturally remembered.

But their relationship had only just begun to ease, and Ning Fei feared undoing the progress, so she decided not to question them for now.

After all, she had argued with her daughter countless times over her boyfriend before.

Yet Ning Fei, as a mother, knew best how deeply Ning Yuxuan loved Gu Yunhao.

They had broken up several times before, only to reconcile after her daughter’s persistent efforts.

So this time, Ning Fei believed it was just a short quarrel and that they would make up in a few days.

The next morning, Ning Yuxuan went to meet the manager of the chain hotel who was preparing to sell some branches.

Upon meeting, the manager looked down on the young girl.

Ning Yuxuan first asked several hotel-related questions, then inquired, “Are there any other buyers interested in these stores?”

The manager glanced at her. “Of course.”

Ning Yuxuan’s eyes widened slightly. “I thought I was the only one asking.”

Her surprise seemed genuine, which only increased the manager’s disdain.

He could tell she was wealthy, but Northern City was prime real estate; even in relatively remote areas, these four stores weren’t something just anyone with money could afford.

Such a young and naive girl didn’t seem to have that kind of financial power.

Still, she was beautiful, spoke politely, and sounded pleasant, so the manager was willing to be patient.

Ning Yuxuan asked again, “Who else has inquired?”

Seeing her genuine curiosity, the manager let his guard down.

“Quite a few, actually,” he said. “For example, the famous Gu family and many other wealthy people from Northern City. You probably wouldn’t know them.”

Ning Yuxuan nodded thoughtfully.

After asking more about the hotel’s situation, she said goodbye. “I’ll contact you again in a couple of days.”

The manager replied “Okay” but secretly thought she was probably wasting her afternoon again.

Since she was here for business, Ning Yuxuan hadn’t driven herself.

Once in the car’s back seat, she messaged Xie Zhiyan: “President Xie, is the offer you gave me still valid?”

Gu Yunhao was already considering buying the hotel. She had to act quickly.

Perhaps there were other ways to solve this problem, but given how much her mother had invested in the business over the years—and recalling how devastated her mother was when the original storyline’s career was destroyed—Ning Yuxuan didn’t want to take any risks.

Besides, according to the original story, Gu Yunhao would likely bring the entire Gu family against her for the sake of true love.

With Xie Zhiyan—the biggest antagonist in the story—on her side, she would have more leverage to stand up to the Gu family.

During the day on a workday, Xie Zhiyan was probably busy.

After about an hour, he finally replied succinctly with two words: “Still valid.”

Ning Yuxuan responded: “When are you available? Let’s meet to discuss the marriage. I’m free until this Saturday.”

Saturday was the recording day for the first episode of “Dear Mom,” and she had no other fixed plans.