Deep Fog Kiss

After the rain, the sky cleared and the first rays of dawn appeared.

A black Rolls-Royce Phantom drove smoothly into a spacious, secluded Chinese courtyard in the city.

The vermilion doors had been pushed open by the servants. The lintel was carved with the two gilded characters "Gu Residence," which gleamed warmly in the morning light. The kylin reliefs on the white marble drum-shaped stone bases on both sides were glistening with morning dew, making the patterns even clearer and exuding majesty.

The courtyards are layered, with winding paths leading to secluded spots.

Legend has it that the Gu family's old residence was once the private mansion of imperial relatives in ancient times, and in Jingzhou, this location symbolized an unshakeable social status.

So many years have passed, and when Jiang Li stepped into this mansion, she was still as reserved and heavy-hearted as when she first entered the Gu family mansion at the age of ten.

It's like being bound by layers of rules and regulations, unable to move.

She still remembers that when she first came to the Gu family, it took her three days to remember the courtyard where her room was located.

Getting lost in old houses is a common occurrence.

Gu Rou grew up in the Gu family mansion, so she was naturally much more relaxed than her. She chatted with her all the way about the changes in the mansion in recent years and what new items had been added.

But Jiang Li doesn't really care.

Because the Gu family is not her home.

The black vehicle stopped at the side gate of the courtyard. The entrance porch was paved with bluestone slabs, with green bamboo and stone lanterns planted on both sides, and the lintel was inlaid with a meander relief.

The driver respectfully opened the door, and Jiang Li and Gu Rou got out of the car one after the other.

Just as I was about to be admitted to the hospital, a graceful and slender figure appeared in the porch.

Jiang Li looked up and saw that it was Gu Rou's mother, Yuan Wei, the wife of Gu Sheng, the eldest son of the Gu family.

Although Yuan Wei is over forty years old, she is very well-maintained, with delicate skin and no obvious fine lines on her beautiful face.

She wore a moon-white Suzhou embroidered cheongsam, which was described as "every inch of brocade is worth its weight in gold," and her temperament was elegant and noble.

"Mother."

Gu Rou hurried over, "Why did you come over? Sister Li and I were just about to go in."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Wei smiled gently, and then her gaze slowly fell on Jiang Li under the eaves.

"Ginger pear?"

She spoke softly, her tone seemingly inquiring.

Jiang Li nodded slightly and smiled politely, "Hello, Auntie."

Yuan Wei's eyes swept over her, "It really is Jiang Li. I almost didn't recognize her after so long."

It's only been two years since we last met, and his appearance hasn't changed much, so he's not unrecognizable.

Jiang Li smiled, knowing that Yuan Wei's words were teasing and tinged with sarcasm.

"Auntie, you flatter me." Jiang Li met her gaze and smiled, "It's been two years since I last saw you, Auntie, you're still so young and beautiful."

They still love to make sarcastic and sarcastic remarks.

Yuan Wei chuckled lightly, "You're quite the smooth talker, but sweet talk is useless."

"Jiang Li," she said, her smile fading slightly, "you need to learn to follow the rules."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Li raised an eyebrow slightly.

Alright, let's get down to business as soon as we meet.

"Mother."

Seeing the awkward atmosphere, Gu Rou quickly spoke up, "Sister Li just returned to the country and hasn't seen Grandma and Great-Grandma yet. Shall we go inside first?"

"Just returned from abroad?"

Yuan Wei raised her hand to separate Gu Rou, and when she looked at Jiang Li, the smile on her face disappeared, replaced by the authority of an elder. "Tell me yourself, how many days have you been back in the country?"

Everyone in the Gu family knew about her return to China, so Jiang Li had no need to hide it.

"Four days."

"What a wonderful four days."

Yuan Wei's eyes were stern. "If I hadn't asked Rou'er to invite you back, were you planning to refuse to even step foot inside the Gu family's house?"

She deliberately emphasized the word "please," and then said, "Jiang Li, you've lived in the Gu family for so many years, don't you even have any respect for us elders?"

Jiang Li stood under the eaves, her fingertips slightly clenched, but she maintained a smile on her face. "Aunt, you misunderstand. I just returned to the country and couldn't get away for a while. It was my oversight that made me a little late."

"That's a good excuse." Yuan Wei changed the subject. "But Jiang Li, you should know that in the Gu family, there are no excuses, only rules."

Yuan Wei looked down at her condescendingly, "If you do something wrong, you should be punished."

"Mom!" Gu Rou quickly stopped her, "Uncle already knows that Sister Li is back, she just hasn't had a chance to come back yet—"

"Does your uncle think he doesn't need to go back to the Gu family now that he knows?" Yuan Wei interrupted Gu Rou, saying bluntly, "If you have no respect for the elders in the Gu family, you should get out of the Gu family as soon as possible and cut off all ties with them!"

She scoffed, "Or do you think you can act with impunity just because your uncle is protecting you?"

Jiang Li lowered her eyes. "Auntie, you've misunderstood. I didn't mean that."

"Since you still call me 'Auntie,' then I have to teach you manners," Yuan Wei said sternly. "Jiang Li, kneel down!"

Jiang Li met her gaze. She understood that if Yuan Wei wanted to punish her, she would have a hundred reasons.

Moreover, Yuan Wei deliberately waited here when she entered the Gu family, simply to establish her authority.

Seeing that she didn't move, Yuan Wei's face darkened. "Is it that I can't punish you, or that my words no longer carry any weight?"

"I wouldn't dare."

Jiang Li responded, clenched her hands, and knelt down.

As the morning air dissipates, the sunlight slowly climbs overhead.

The blinding light cast shadows on the bluestone slabs, making them appear slightly tilted.

Although the servants had cleaned the bluestone slabs thoroughly, their rough texture was still clearly visible.

Jiang Li was wearing a short skirt, and her legs were not protected by any fabric. Soon, she felt an unbearable pain in her knees.

"mom!"

Gu Rou panicked, "Sister Li didn't mean it. She's really busy since she just got back, so please don't blame her."

"How busy is she?" Yuan Wei asked coldly, her eyes fixed on Jiang Li's stubborn face. "Is she some big shot? Is she busier than your father or your grandfather? She's been in the Gu family for several years, and she doesn't even know these basic rules. If outsiders spread this word, they'll say that our Gu family raised an ungrateful wretch."

Jiang Li lowered her eyes, staring at the slanted shadow on the ground without saying a word.

She had always known that Yuan Wei didn't like her. If there was any other reason, it was probably that her presence was an eyesore to Yuan Wei.

During her years with the Gu family, she tried her best to be polite and cautious, and never said or did anything that would give others cause for criticism.

But Yuan Wei would always find something to criticize her for.

When Gu Zhishen is around, Yuan Wei will restrain herself a bit.

With Gu Zhishen not around, and no one protecting her, her punishment will likely go beyond just kneeling.

Sure enough, she heard Yuan Wei call her name again.

"Ginger and Pear".

Yuan Wei took two steps forward, staring at her kneeling figure, "Don't blame your aunt for being strict, I'm doing this for your own good. From childhood to adulthood, I've treated you the same as Rou'er. When a daughter makes a mistake, no mother has the right to not teach her."

After saying that, she turned around and shouted, "Wang Ma, bring the family rules!"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Li suddenly looked up at her.