"You're quite the looker—but that answer was a bit ambiguous. Are you saying the drama was good, or the person was good?" Kong Xue'er teased, clearly enjoying stirring the pot.
Jiang Mo broke into a sweat. Girl, he’s literally sitting right here. Keep this up, and it’s gonna get awkward.
"Can’t it be both?" Gu Ye straightened up. "I know I’m no match for someone like you with formal training, so spare me the sarcasm, alright?"
"Who’s being sarcastic? Don’t say that where others can hear, or your fans might come for me," Kong Xue'er pretended to be scared, then grinned. "But yeah, I’ll second what Mo Mo said."
Watching them bicker, Jiang Mo figured they must get along pretty well.
Gu Ye went upstairs to grab something, leaving the two girls alone in the living room.
Once he was gone, Kong Xue'er grabbed Jiang Mo’s hand. "Hey, about that embarrassing thing from before… please don’t tell anyone, okay? You haven’t mentioned it to Gu Ye, right?"
"Embarrassing thing?" Jiang Mo thought for a second—she must mean the cheating incident—and shook her head. "No."
Kong Xue'er patted her chest in relief. "Good. If Gu Ye found out, I’d die of shame."
Jiang Mo was still curious. "So how did you handle it in the end?"
"I cursed him out, took back all the gifts I gave him, and dumped him," Kong Xue'er fumed. "That bastard even begged to get back together. Yeah, right."
"Stupid XXXX, if the timing weren’t so bad, I’d have exposed him online, XXXX..."
The rapid-fire rant left Jiang Mo a little stunned. "Wait… isn’t your online persona supposed to be ‘sweetheart’ or something?"
After two interactions, the contrast was… jarring.
Kong Xue'er coughed, admitting she might’ve gotten a little loud just now. She hadn’t meant to lose her cool.
"Ha, that’s just the image the company gave me..."
Gu Ye came back downstairs, car keys in hand, and found the two whispering like conspirators. "How about the three of us go out? I’ll treat you to dinner tonight."
Wang Xia happened to walk in with a fruit platter, setting it on the coffee table. "Young Master, you and Miss Kong should go ahead. Jiang Mo still has work to do."
Jiang Mo was relieved. The current trio setup made her feel like a third wheel.
"Yeah, you two go ahead. I still need to tend to the garden."
"That garden work doesn’t have to be done today," Gu Ye insisted. "If it’s too much, I’ll help you tomorrow."
"No need, I can handle it. You two go ahead," Jiang Mo muttered. Why drag me into this?
Kong Xue'er also vetoed the idea. "No way. With that face of yours, if we’re spotted together, I’d never hear the end of it. I was just dropping by to visit—I still have to head back to my great-aunt’s place later."
With both of them refusing, Gu Ye had no choice but to drop it.
Jiang Mo, meanwhile, put on her sunhat, grabbed her watering can and fertilizer, and headed to the garden.
Gu Ye eyed her gear. "So you really were going to work."
"Obviously. Did you think I was lying?" Jiang Mo sighed and carried her supplies outside.
To her surprise, Gu Ye and Kong Xue'er found the whole thing amusing and followed her.
By the time Su Yunjin returned home, all three were busy in the backyard.
Su Yunjin sipped her juice, watching from the window. "That boy’s never lifted a finger at home. Now that a girl’s here, suddenly he’s all hands-on."
"Must be trying to make a good impression," Wang Xia chimed in, peering out at the yard.
"Ah, what was this girl’s name again?" Su Yunjin tilted her head.
Wang Xia, who’d done her homework, was ready. "Kong Xue'er. She’s an actress, also from Jiangcheng. Related to Grandma Zhong, who visits the villa sometimes."
Half an hour earlier, Su Yunjin had heard from Wang Xia that Gu Ye had a classmate visiting.
She’d assumed it was a boy and told Wang Xia to be hospitable. But when she learned it was a girl, her interest skyrocketed.
Since her son had grown up, she’d never seen a girl come over. How unusual. Just days ago, she’d wondered—was her son’s love life finally blooming?
After wrapping up her errands, she’d rushed home.
After Wang Xia’s report, Su Yunjin nodded. "From afar, she seems graceful and hardworking."
"Tell the kitchen to prepare a lavish dinner tonight."
"Of course, Madam. I’ll arrange it right away," Wang Xia said cheerfully before heading to the kitchen.
Outside, Jiang Mo was directing the other two, unaware they’d been observed for a while.
"Don’t over-fertilize, or you’ll kill the plants," she warned. "And that flower on your left—don’t overwater it. Just a little."
"Got it. What’s this yellow flower? It’s pretty," Kong Xue'er asked, pointing at a cluster of greenery.
Jiang Mo trimmed a branch. "That’s a golden camellia. A rare ornamental plant from the camellia family."
Kong Xue'er nodded. "You really know your stuff when it comes to plants."
"Just picked it up online," Jiang Mo smiled. It was handy when guests took an interest in the garden.
Gu Ye finished watering the moisture-loving plants as instructed. "Alright, done."
Once Jiang Mo wrapped up, the three washed their hands, put away the tools, and returned to the living room.
"Mom, when did you get back?" Gu Ye spotted Su Yunjin watching TV.
Su Yunjin pretended to just notice them. "Oh, just now."
Her gaze shifted to the unfamiliar face. "And who’s this young lady?"
Kong Xue'er stepped forward politely. "Hello, Auntie. I’m Gu Ye’s friend, Kong Xue'er. You can call me Xue’er."
"Oh! So you’re Xiao Ye’s friend. How lovely," Su Yunjin beamed. "Come, sit here."
With just peers around, things had felt relaxed.
But the presence of an adult made everyone tense up.
Kong Xue'er nodded and sat stiffly on the sofa.
"Make yourself at home. Have some fruit," Su Yunjin said warmly. "You’re from Jiangcheng too? What’s your zodiac sign?"
"Yes, I am. I was born in the Year of the Horse," Kong Xue'er answered formally.
"I heard you’re an actress. Does your family support your career?"
"I studied acting, so it’s a natural fit."
Gu Ye couldn’t take it anymore. "Mom, are you interrogating her?"
"Don’t be silly, I’m just making conversation," Su Yunjin chided. "Besides, you didn’t introduce her properly, so I had to ask myself."
Right, like that wasn’t already obvious.
"She’s here to hang out, not get grilled," Gu Ye said.
Su Yunjin turned and asked, "Little girl, are you nervous?"
"No, Auntie, I'm not nervous," Kong Xue'er replied with an awkward smile, already thinking of an excuse to slip away later.
"See? She said she’s not nervous. Look at you, shielding her like I’m some kind of monster..."
Gu Ye frowned, sensing something off about his mother’s expression and tone.
Meanwhile, Jiang Mo entered the kitchen and noticed the early preparations. "Chef Li, why the early start today? And so many ingredients too."
"Ah, we’ve got guests tonight. I’m planning to whip up a few hearty dishes," Chef Li said while handling the ingredients. "So, who’s that girl? Is she the second young master’s girlfriend?"
Gossip, after all, knows no age or gender.
Jiang Mo shook her head. "Haven’t heard anything. Just that they’re friends."
"Ha! Let me tell you, there’s no such thing as ‘just friends’ between men and women," Chef Li said with the air of a seasoned observer. "I’d bet there’s something more going on."
"How can you be so sure?" Jiang Mo pulled out her phone to film some footage.
Chef Li chuckled. "Just speaking from experience."
Kong Xue'er tried to excuse herself before dinner, but Su Yunjin insisted, "You’ve come all this way, and the meal’s already being prepared. Stay for dinner before you go."
Only four people would be dining at home that evening.
Gu Ye, noticing his mother’s unusual enthusiasm, chimed in, "It’s fine. Stay for dinner."
Kong Xue'er had no choice. She blinked desperately at him, but he didn’t catch the hint.
Unlike Gu Ye, she wasn’t oblivious—Su Yunjin’s warm hospitality, though unspoken, made her suspect there was a misunderstanding.
"Alright, then. I’ll trouble you for dinner," she conceded, staying for the meal.
Gu Baotian, upon learning Kong Xue'er was Gu Ye’s friend, remained indifferent, treating her like any other young guest.
After dinner, Kong Xue'er made a quick exit.
Seizing the moment, Su Yunjin asked Gu Baotian, "Dad, what do you think of that girl?"
"Nothing special," Gu Baotian said bluntly. "Our Ye doesn’t like her, so stop meddling."
"How do you know? This is the first time he’s brought a girl home!"
Gu Baotian scoffed, "Because I actually use my eyes. You’ve had him right under your nose, and you still can’t see it."
Su Yunjin was baffled. "See what? I think Ye treats Kong Xue'er differently."
"You? Pfft. Your observation skills need work."
With that, Gu Baotian retreated to his bedroom, leaving Su Yunjin puzzled.
"Was I wrong?" she muttered to Wang Xia. "Wang Xia, do you think there’s something between Ye and Kong Xue'er?"
"Madam, it’s hard to say for sure," Wang Xia replied diplomatically. "But our second young master is smart and handsome—what girl wouldn’t like him?"
Su Yunjin laughed. "You’ve watched him grow up. To you, he can do no wrong."
Their conversation wasn’t hidden from Gu Xuan, who later asked Gu Ye, "Second Brother, is Kong Xue'er your girlfriend?"
Gu Ye scowled. "What nonsense are you spouting?"
"Come on, no need to be shy about dating," Gu Xuan teased. "Even my deskmate has a girlfriend."
"You’re way too young to be talking about girlfriends. Do you even understand what that means?" Gu Ye shook his head in exasperation. "Kong Xue'er and I are just friends. Don’t spread rumors."
"Well, tough luck, Second Brother," Gu Xuan said, counting off names. "Grandpa, Mom, and Wang Xia all think otherwise."
