"Husband…" She shot him a sharp glance, then cast a wary look toward the nearby bodyguards. "Keep your voice down."
He laughed heartily. "I'm quite willing, but do they dare intervene?"
Gu Lili walked briskly, a serene smile gracing her lips. "Right now, I truly feel happiness."
"How profound is this happiness?"
She smiled softly. "Since my master passed away, I felt utterly alone, engulfed by sorrow. Yet now, each day brings me joy, and it's all because of you."
She was so easily contented.
Long Yubei gently pinched her cheek, unable to deny that these days were the most delightful he had known—all thanks to her.
The next day, after arranging the furniture, Gu Lili journeyed to Xiliang Mountain, with the delivery team following closely behind.
Upon arrival, she found Gu Xichen had already arranged his room's furnishings.
From construction to completion, the house had taken just over two months.
The furniture was installed first to allow for ventilation—the newly renovated home was not yet fit for occupancy.
"Why did you arrive so early?"
Gu Xichen lounged on his new bed, propping himself up lazily on both hands. "Just a coincidence. Are you here to set up the house as well?"
Gu Lili hummed in acknowledgment. "What do you think of the layout?"
"Ordinary." He replied carelessly. "Clearly tailored to your taste. I had spoken privately with Mom about renovating the house, but she refused—she's unwilling to spend Gu family money. This house was built by you…"
"And with Gu family money," she interrupted smoothly. "But it was earned by me. I'm certain Master wouldn't begrudge me; after all, she always taught me that money earned by oneself is truly one's own, no matter whose it originally was."
"Well said. Your first earnings were quite substantial."
"That compliment feels oddly awkward. Have you explored the surroundings yet?"
"While they were delivering furniture, I took a walk. Not far from here is a hot spring pool…"
She warned him promptly, "That's my domain—the place where I bathe. You're strictly forbidden to touch it."
In the past, his visits had been limited, and he'd never ventured nearby, so only she knew of it.
Now that he knew, Gu Lili naturally reminded him.
"Did you write your name on it? Claim it as your exclusive patent?" He paid no heed. "When winter comes and I stay here, I'll surely soak in it. I see you even had it refurbished—good. Let's share; don't be so stingy."
"Gu Xichen, I warn you, it's mine! Absolutely mine! If I catch you using it, I'll beat you senseless."
"Such remarkable stinginess."
"Remember this well: you are not allowed to use it!"
Seeing her fierce expression, as if she might kick him across the room, he had no choice but to concede, "If I do use it, I'll inform you first, and only after you permit me. Fair enough? No need to be so rigid. It's just a pool—we're family after all…"
Gu Lili curled her lips disdainfully. "You must tell me beforehand. As agreed, only with my consent may you use it."
"Understood." She asked, "I plan to visit Master's grave. Will you come with me?"
"Certainly."
Gu Lili walked alongside him.
Since their conversation that day, her attitude toward him had softened considerably.
Chapter 52: Live Well for Yourself
Though once rejected and spurned by him, unwilling to be entangled, he was still Master's only son.
To Master, the two of them were the only family she had left.
Not that Gu Xichen lacked grandparents, but long ago, when Master's reputation for ridding evil forces caused his grandfather's death, Gu Xichen's maternal grandmother offered Master a sum of money, urging her to live independently and sever ties with her birth family.
Pride and self-respect compelled Master to refuse the money.
When she confided this to Gu Lili, it was with calm detachment.
She never returned to her birth family.
Together, Gu Lili and Gu Xichen knelt by the grave.
Side by side, they placed offerings—paper money, ingots, food, and drink—before the tomb.
"First, this." Gu Lili produced an apology letter from Gu Xichen's mother. "Master, do you see? This is the mistress's apology. If there is a next life, I hope you will not live so stubbornly again. The world is vast, and men abound—surely one will understand, cherish, love, and warm you. Why pin your heart so tightly to just one?"
She watched the paper burn, stacking sheet after sheet of spirit money in the flames.
"Lili is right, Mom. Everything is but fleeting smoke and mirrors. I hope in your next life you won't be so obstinate—live well, for yourself."
Gu Xichen's heart ached recalling his mother, whom he had failed to protect or provide for. When he gained the means, she refused to leave the mountain, choosing to live out her days there.
"Master, I am married now. My husband treats me well. Rest assured, I bear no resentment for Gu Xichen's broken engagement. Without his withdrawal, where else could I have found such a wonderful husband?"
Gu Xichen cast her a sidelong glance. "In that case, you ought to thank me properly."
"Indeed?" Her eyes shimmered. "Thank you for sparing me from marriage to you."
Returning home from Xiliang Mountain that afternoon, Gu Lili was surprised to find a police car parked outside Qinyuan.
Driving in, she paused by the security booth, rolling down her window to inquire, "Why are the police here?"
"The Director of Public Security, Ma Shijie, from our city's bureau, has arrived. I don't know the details."
She quickly parked in the garage and hurried toward the living room.
Just inside, hearty laughter greeted her as she entered.
A bald, middle-aged man in police uniform sat opposite Long Yubei. Upon seeing her, he rose promptly.
"Good day, Mrs. Long. I am Ma Shijie, Director of the Public Security Bureau."
He extended his hand; she took it warmly. "Hello, pleased to meet you."
They sat again.
"I've been speaking with Mr. Long for some time now, and it's been most pleasant. I'm here today on official business seeking your assistance."
"Oh? How may I be of help?"
"Word has it that you, like your late Master—the former matriarch of the Gu family—possess extraordinary abilities unseen in ordinary people: the capacity to perceive spirits and communicate with them. Currently, our bureau faces a baffling predicament: at the city's top university, a series of unexplainable drownings have occurred—one student per day falls victim to the lake. Surveillance reveals no clues. Though the incident has been suppressed from the media, three young men have perished. We fear the tragedy may continue. Yesterday, we sought help from semi-spiritual mediums in our city—all frauds. The situation is dire, which is why we come directly to you."