Long Yubei chuckled. "Not jealous anymore?"
"You've explained everything—what's there left to be jealous of?"
"In that case, I'll have them brought back tomorrow. Truth be told, I've never felt entirely at ease with them living there."
Gu Lili hadn't expected the truth to be so mundane. Thinking of all the needless resentment she'd harbored, she felt a wave of self-reproach and irritation.
"Don't you dare breathe a word of this to her," she warned. "I wouldn't know where to put my face."
"Naturally. Your husband isn't so tactless. But what about your little escapade at the bar tonight—how should I settle that score?"
"You drove me to it," she replied, flinging the words at him.
His gaze darkened, intense. "Is that so?"
She bit her lip and whispered coyly, "Tonight, I'll accept any punishment you see fit."
—
Early the next morning, Long Yubei instructed Tang Qingli to bring Nan Yuesheng and little Yueqi over from Yunan Garden. Feeling guilty for having misunderstood them, Gu Lili greeted them somewhat sheepishly. "Hi, hello."
Nan Yuesheng smiled warmly. "I'm Yuesheng, twenty-one. May I call you Sister Lili?"
"Of course! Please, sit down." Gu Lili reached out and gently took Yueqi's tiny hand. "She's not shy at all, is she?"
"She knows who you are," Yuesheng explained. "You're her godmother. One of your wedding photos is in our album—I always point you out to her and say, 'That's your beautiful godmother.'"
Gu Lili looked at Nan Yuesheng and, quite unexpectedly, felt a rush of warmth toward her. "Yueqi is such a beautiful child."
"Yes. She takes after her father," Yuesheng said softly, her eyes growing misty. "He was very handsome."
"Yubei told me about Mo Lingqi. I believe he's alive somewhere, just unable to return for now. Don't lose hope. As long as there's even the faintest chance, never stop searching."
"I never have," Yuesheng choked. "He must still be alive. If he weren't, how could he not even appear in my dreams once to see his daughter and me? We've been able to live in peace only because of Yubei's kindness. Sister Lili, we won't be intruding, will we?"
"Of course not. A lively household is a joyful one. And I adore children." Gu Lili pulled Yueqi onto her lap, speaking to her in a soft, coaxing voice. "You sweet little thing—you're absolutely adorable."
Yueqi beamed, delighted, her chubby cheeks slick with drool like a babbling brook, entirely unaware that her father's fate remained uncertain.
That bright, innocent smile melted Gu Lili's heart. "Little Yueqi, will you and Mommy stay here with us, hmm?"
"Mama…" the child cooed, her voice tender and milky.
"She just called me Mama," Gu Lili said in wonder.
"She did, she did," Yuesheng laughed.
The two women sat together, cradling the child, their conversation growing warmer and more familiar. When Yueqi finally fell asleep, Yuesheng held her gently in her arms.
Gu Lili dashed upstairs and returned with two charm papers, handing them to Yuesheng. "These are for Yueqi. They'll protect her from anything unclean or harmful."
"Thank you, Sister Lili," Yuesheng said, deeply touched. "Yubei told me about your abilities—I'm genuinely in awe."
Gu Lili offered a soft smile. "I'm heading out now. Don't be reserved—if you want anything to eat, just let the kitchen know."
"All right."
She took her car keys and headed toward the garage. But before she reached it, Tang Qingli came running. "Young Madam, please—you must come to the front gate right away!"