The atmosphere grew thick with awkwardness.
Tao Yu coughed, glancing at the two figures outside peering in their direction. With a perfectly serious expression, she asked Yue Linze, “Mr. Yue, since I'm attending as your girlfriend, how would you like me to behave towards your family?”
Yue Linze gave her a cool glance. “There are none of my family here.”
Understood. Tao Yu smiled, opened the car door, and stepped out. She rounded the vehicle to Yue Linze’s side, helped him out, and settled him in his wheelchair. Then, she personally pushed him forward.
Zhou Yanran and the man hurried over as soon as Yue Linze emerged from the car. Noticing the resemblance between the man and Yue Linze, Tao Yu realized this must be Yue Linying, Yue Linze’s half-brother.
“Linze, you’re finally back! Dad’s been waiting for you,” Yue Linying complained familiarly, even bending down as if to tug at Yue Linze’s sleeve. Anyone who didn’t know better would have thought they shared a close brotherly bond.
However, Yue Linze wasn’t interested in playing along with this charade of brotherly affection. He didn’t even lift his head in response. The housekeeper stepped between them, smiling. “Since Mr. Gu is waiting impatiently, perhaps we should go inside now.”
Yue Linying’s expression faltered for a moment, and he awkwardly stepped back. Tao Yu observed him discreetly, thinking that his act was rather comical. He became uncomfortable after just a few words—hardly the mastermind behind the bitter feud between Gu Yansheng and Yue Linze.
Before Tao Yu could observe him further, Yue Linying noticed her pushing the wheelchair. “And this is…?”
“How long are you going to block the way?” Yue Linze’s cool voice cut in before Tao Yu could introduce herself. It was the first thing he’d said since getting out of the car.
Embarrassment colored Yue Linying’s face. “Then let’s go in, let’s go in.”
Tao Yu smoothly pushed Yue Linze forward, with Yue Linying hovering solicitously beside them, chattering away with forced pleasantries. Zhou Yanran trailed behind, a flicker of disgust in her eyes as she watched Yue Linying. Despite her less prestigious background, she had always been pampered. She certainly didn't want to marry a sycophant.
Her gaze fell on Tao Yu’s back. Taking in Tao Yu’s inexpensive attire and then glancing down at her own expensive jewelry, she felt a surge of both contempt and resentment. What right did such an ordinary woman have to compete with her?
The group entered the hall, each harboring their own thoughts. The interior was lavishly decorated, filled with antiques, famous paintings, and leather goods. Every corner seemed to scream opulence.
Tao Yu’s lips twitched. The aesthetics were an assault on the senses. She was wondering how the Yue family, supposedly cultured merchants, could have such poor taste, when she noticed the housekeeper’s worried glance at Yue Linze. She immediately understood. The current decor was likely the work of someone else.
Yue Linze’s eyes darkened as he took in the scene. Oblivious, Yue Linying looked at him expectantly. “Dad’s getting on in years and doesn’t like dull colors, so I redecorated the house. What do you think?”
Tao Yu immediately looked at Yue Linze, assuming he wouldn’t reply. Instead, she heard him say, “Ugly.”
Just as he spoke, Gu Yansheng descended the stairs. He happened to hear the word and his brow furrowed. “Who are you talking about?”
“Dad, Linze wasn’t talking about you. Don’t misunderstand,” Yue Linying rushed to say, as if terrified of further friction between father and son.
Gu Yansheng paused, then walked over to the group with a cold expression. He glanced at Yue Linze’s legs. “Why haven’t they healed yet?”
“Thanks to you,” Yue Linze replied languidly.
His four words were a direct hit, instantly filling the living room with tension. Tao Yu shrank back, hoping to avoid being caught in the crossfire.
However, the next second, Gu Yansheng turned his gaze to her. “Who is she?” he asked coldly.
It wasn’t appropriate for the housekeeper to interject, and Yue Linze remained aloof. Tao Yu pasted on a smile and introduced herself. “Hello, Mr. Gu. My name is Tao Yu. I’m Linze’s girlfriend.”
Gu Yansheng had already heard about Yue Linze having a girlfriend and wasn’t surprised to see her.
Beside him, Zhou Yanran gasped, drawing everyone’s attention. Then, she said with feigned embarrassment, “I’m so sorry. Seeing Ms. Tao’s attire, I mistook her for a maid. I didn’t realize she was Linze’s girlfriend.”
Her words drew Gu Yansheng’s attention to the stark difference between Tao Yu’s and Zhou Yanran’s clothing. His brow furrowed again.
The housekeeper glanced worriedly at Tao Yu. They had left in a hurry and hadn’t had time to pack proper clothes for Dr. Tao. Now, she was being humiliated by these snobs. He wondered if she could endure it.
Unlike the worried housekeeper, Tao Yu calmly accepted the scrutiny, smiling at Zhou Yanran. “Ms. Zhou, how could you be so forgetful? Didn’t we meet before, when you came to Linze crying and complaining? How could you mistake me for a maid now?”
Her words caused both Yue Linying and Zhou Yanran’s faces to change. Zhou Yanran snapped, “What nonsense are you talking about? When did I ever go to Linze? Don’t spout such lies!”