Chapter 5 Called Mommy
Gu Yan's mansion sat in Shanghai.
At first, the idea of going to Shanghai made me resist a little.
Pei Yuchuan's family lived there too.
But then I thought, Shanghai is huge, and we didn't have that deep a connection anymore. How could we possibly run into each other?
Gu Yan's biological parents were from a Wealthy Family. Their villa had a massive garden outside.
The whole way, Gu Yan kept chattering about her younger brother.
I listened half-heartedly, then my steps suddenly stopped as I looked at the man sitting on the corridor in the distance.
He had his back to me, only showing a faint side profile. I couldn't see his face clearly, but something about him felt strangely familiar.
Gu Yan followed my gaze and explained, "Oh, that's my older brother."
"Actually, my brother is really handsome too, but his romantic history is too complicated. He's not suitable as a partner."
I couldn't resist my curiosity and asked, "What kind of history?"
"I heard he dated a terrible woman before. They even had a child together. But after the baby was born, that woman abandoned them and ran off."
"My brother was deeply hurt. Ever since, he's thrown himself into his career, closed off his heart, and focused on raising the child."
The story sounded oddly familiar. If Gu Yan's last name wasn't Gu, I would have suspected her brother was Pei Yuchuan.
After passing the corridor, his figure disappeared from my sight.
I glanced back one more time and couldn't help wondering how Pei Yuchuan's career was doing now.
The villa's back garden had been set up with a square table and desserts. Gu Yan's brother, Gu Xu, was already waiting.
"I told you, my brother may not be as handsome as my older brother, but you'll definitely like him."
Before sitting down, Gu Yan whispered confidently in my ear. I brushed it off.
But when I got a clear look at the man in front of me, I froze in place.
He was indeed very handsome.
His sharp jawline and those affectionate peach-blossom eyes hit my type perfectly.
Yet he shared some resemblance with Pei Yuchuan.
Today felt strange. Was I missing Pei Yuchuan so much that everyone looked a bit like him?
I pushed down the ridiculous thought and was about to greet Gu Xu when he widened his eyes and spoke first.
"You're... Wen You?"
I nodded, figuring Gu Yan had told him my name beforehand.
But after my confirmation, he just stared blankly, speechless for a long time.
Gu Yan slapped the table and looked at him with frustration. "What are you doing just standing there? Guys should take the initiative!"
"See? Isn't Wen You pretty?"
Gu Xu pressed his lips together and nodded lightly.
Gu Yan pressed on. "Is she your ideal type, appearance-wise?"
Gu Xu didn't want to answer at first, but under Gu Yan's pressure, he hesitated and let out an "mm."
"Then hurry up and introduce yourself. Have a proper blind date with Wen You!" Gu Yan urged, annoyed.
After a long silence, Gu Xu forced a smile that looked worse than crying.
"Sis, I really can't have a blind date with her. Absolutely not."
"What's wrong with it? She's only three years older and had a child before. I told you everything, and you said you didn't mind."
Gu Yan was getting angry. "Don't go back on your word in front of my best friend."
"I really don't mind." Gu Xu looked at me, his face flushed red, stammering, "But... but big brother would mind."
I felt completely confused.
Just as I was about to ask, a little girl came running over.
Her hair was tied in cute little pigtails, and she wore a floral dress. She looked about three years old, chubby and adorable.
I wasn't fond of kids, but she was so cute that an odd sense of closeness washed over me.
Our child with Pei Yuchuan should be around this age now.
"This is my brother's daughter, Xixi." Gu Yan introduced her while trying to pick Pei Xi up.
But Pei Xi ignored her and threw herself straight into my arms, reaching out and calling in her milky voice.
"Mommy."
I froze on the spot.
Gu Yan quickly tapped her head. "You can't just call anyone Mommy. This is Auntie's friend. You should call her Auntie."
Pei Xi looked up at me, clutching my clothes, and argued excitedly. "It's Mommy. This is my mommy!"
"I've seen pictures of Mommy. I wouldn't get it wrong!"
Only then, as she looked up, did I notice she resembled me a little from when I was young.
My blood seemed to freeze. I turned to Gu Yan. "What's your brother's name?"
Before she could answer, a deep male voice came from behind.
"Xixi, come to Daddy."
The voice was familiar, but I hadn't heard it in three years.
I turned slowly and saw him walking toward us under the warm autumn sun, dressed in a white shirt.
He had lost weight over the years and gained a more mature air.
It was Pei Yuchuan.
He noticed my gaze and turned his head. Our eyes met.