Chapter 137: Counterproductive

With the matter successfully resolved, Gu Nan saw a glimmer of hope and decided to approach his sister-in-law in private to negotiate.

Of course, the word "negotiate" was something he had learned from her, but he felt that she was the only one who could help him now. Gu Nan told Tang Xin that if she helped him resolve the issue with his stepmother-to-be, he would study diligently from then on and supervise Li Jiang and Li Hai to ensure they all applied themselves at school.

Tang Xin thought it over and decided the deal was worthwhile. She high-fived Gu Nan and said, "It's a deal!" Naturally, she wouldn't tell this little brat that she had already been planning to sabotage Gu Changfu’s current matchmaking prospects anyway. She just hadn't expected someone as young as Gu Nan to have the wit to come to her for a negotiation. No wonder he would go on to get into university with high marks; his brain was clearly much sharper than those twin brothers of his.

So, the next time her mother-in-law invited Gu the Third to bring the children over for a meal, Tang Xin asked directly, "Third Brother, have you been meeting with a potential suitor? How did it go?"

Gu Changfu choked on his own saliva, not expecting Tang Xin to be so blunt. He noticed everyone else stop eating to watch him with curiosity, which made him feel quite awkward. He laughed it off, saying, "What matchmaking? I’m busy working in the fields every day; where would I find the time for such trivial things?"

His own son was the one to expose him. Gu Nan curled his lip and said, "Don't you have time once you finish your work? Don't think I don't know. I heard about it—you've already met with that woman several times."

Tang Xin arched an eyebrow. *Oh?* So the stepmother from the original book who had made Gu Nan’s life a misery hadn't just appeared; she was already in contact with Gu Changfu? Seeing Gu the Third's unnatural expression, could it be that he was actually starting to develop feelings for her? Tang Xin remembered the description from the book: the woman was very good at putting on a facade in the beginning, which was how she gained Gu the Third's trust, eventually convincing him to change his mind and have children with her. That had only fueled the woman's selfishness, leading to the series of tragedies that defined Gu Nan’s fate.

However, Tang Xin had misjudged the situation. The reason Gu the Third felt uneasy was simply that he was embarrassed to discuss such matters in front of the children. Although he had met the woman a few times—and both the matchmaker and those around him kept praising her—he only felt lukewarm about her. He simply thought that since Gu Nan was older now and no longer at risk of being harmed by petty villains, it might not be a bad idea to bring a woman home to help take care of things.

Gu the Third tapped Gu Nan’s bowl with his chopsticks. "Eat your food. Since when do children interrupt when adults are talking?"

Li Xihua helped him out by shifting the focus to the younger ones: "Li Jiang, Li Hai, Gu Nan, I heard the teacher gave you a lot of homework today. Why aren't you eating faster so you can go finish it?"

Li Jiang and Li Hai cried out in injustice—what did this have to do with them? Why were they being dragged into this just for wanting to eat?

Gu Nan, however, looked indignant. "They say that in other families, a stepmother brings a stepfather; in my case, the stepmother hasn't even entered the door yet, and the stepfather is already starting to abuse me?"

Gu the Third was caught between laughter and tears. He hadn't even done anything yet—how had he become a "stepfather"?

Tang Xin gave Gu Nan a wink, and he understood immediately: since the deal was struck, his sister-in-law would help him. Being clever, Gu Nan grumbled a few more complaints before finishing his dinner and dragging Li Jiang and Li Hai off to their room to do their homework. When it came to adult matters, children interfering too much could sometimes have the opposite effect.

After dinner, Madam Fang sent Li Xiyue to wash the dishes and, using the excuse of tutoring, chased Li Kai off to the children's room as well. That left Father Li, Li Xihua, Tang Xin, and Madam Fang to encircle Gu Changfu, creating an atmosphere of an interrogation.

Gu Changfu was bewildered. "What are you all doing?"

Tang Xin blinked her large eyes and asked with feigned innocence, "I'm just curious, Third Brother. Are you really planning to remarry and take that young widow as your wife?"

Tang Xin couldn't remember the woman's name, so she simply called her the "young widow."

Gu Changfu gave Tang Xin a wry smile. It was a good thing he had already finished his meal, or he would have choked again. His son called Tang Xin "sister-in-law," yet she called him "Third Brother"—it was all so chaotic. However, the absurdity helped ease his tension. After a moment of thought, he decided to be honest. "It’s not really about whether I 'like' her or not. For a widower like me, it’s not easy to find someone suitable."

Li Xihua expressed her disapproval. "Why are you in such a rush, Third Brother? You're still young, you work hard, and you're good-looking. Finding a wife shouldn't be that difficult, right?" (She had started calling him "Third Brother" at some point, even though she used to call him "Third Uncle" out of respect for her parents' generation.)

Gu Changfu shook his head and sighed. "It's not easy at all. It's hard to find the right person." In their rural area, for a man his age with a child, finding a woman who would truly be good to both of them was no simple task.

In truth, Gu Changfu was underestimating himself. He was only three years older than Li Sheng; in a later era, he would be in his prime. Initially, he had intended to brush off the younger ones' questions, but seeing the serious expressions on Father and Mother Li's faces, he became more cautious.

"Actually," he admitted, "there is such a woman. Everyone says she's quite kind, and since she has no children of her own, she said she wouldn't have any in the future either, and that she would treat Gu Nan like her own. I... I am considering it."

It was clear he was tempted; otherwise, why would Gu the Third, who had insisted for years that he wouldn't remarry, say he was "considering it"?

Li Xihua suddenly felt her heart race, but she knew some things weren't appropriate to say in front of her parents. She looked up and saw Tang Xin sitting across from her, clutching a handful of sunflower seeds, in pure "spectator" mode. Though she wasn't satisfied with the situation, there were no other candidates. Li Xihua could only ask, "Tang Xin, what do you think?"

Tang Xin, who had been focused on her seeds, finally finished the handful. She looked up and said earnestly, "Since this concerns Third Brother’s lifelong happiness, should we hold a family meeting to discuss it?"

It seemed that ever since Tang Xin had married into the family, the Li household had adopted this habit: whenever something important came up, the whole family would hold a meeting to deliberate. Like the last time with the issue of her eldest sister's divorce—it was only after a unanimous vote (Li Xihua's opinion hadn't mattered) that the Li family had taken action. Since they considered Gu Changfu family, it was only natural for Tang Xin to make such a proposal.

Gu the Third, however, looked flustered and waved his hands repeatedly. "No... is that really necessary?"

Having to bring such a personal matter up for everyone to discuss—wasn't that just too embarrassing?