Chapter 491: Has Its Favorites
Gu Tingfeng and his wife, Liang Su, were sitting in the third private room.
Gu Siyang had been kicked out, so it was much quieter now.
It was rare for Gu Tingfeng to not pay attention to the races. Instead, he was holding a book in his hand as he flipped through it.
“Su Su, what do you think of this set?”
As Gu Tingfeng spoke, he handed the book over and pointed to a picture on it.
Liang Su tilted her head and looked at it, nodding with a smile.
“Yes, it’s nice.”
Gu Tingfeng smiled as well.
“This is a new one this year. It’s most suitable for young ladies–”
Before he could finish his sentence, the door of the private room was suddenly pulled open.
“Big Brother.”
Gu Tingchuan and Gu Tingyun walked in.
Since they were all from the same family, the door of the private room was usually not locked. They could enter and leave as they pleased.
Therefore, the two of them had entered without even knocking on the door.
Subconsciously, Gu Tingfeng closed the booklet and placed it on the table.
“Why are you two here?”
Gu Tingchuan and Gu Tingyun did not notice his actions and greeted Liang Su.
“Sister-in-law.”
Liang Su nodded with a smile.
“It’s rare that you are willing to come here during the compet.i.tion. What’s so important?”
Gu Tingchuan and Gu Tingfeng sat down next to each other. When they heard this, their expressions were subtle.
Gu Tingchuan was the first one to start.
“Big Brother, you already met Ning Li yesterday, is that right?”
When he heard him mention this name, Gu Tingfeng nodded.
“Yeah, I met her at the horse racing area. What’s wrong?”
Gu Tingchuan’s expression became serious.
“I think Father and Mother are giving her too much special treatment at the moment. Big Brother, I’m afraid it’s not appropriate for this to continue.”
Gu Tingfeng was stunned.
“What do you mean?”
Gu Tingchuan shook his head.
“It’s only because she bears a slight resemblance to Yinyin. Hence, they’re constantly favoring her, especially Mother. Tingyun and I went over to take a look just now. The way she’s treating Ning Li is really… This girl’s family background is still unclear. Mother’s heart is fixated on Yinyin, so she’s completely defenseless against her… ”
He took a deep breath.
“How can we allow this to keep going on?”
Gu Tingfeng did not say anything.
Gu Tingyun also added, “Actually, I think that the girl herself is not bad. After all, Yinyin is Yinyin, and she is her. Regarding this point, we should still be able to distinguish clearly. Big Brother, don’t you think so?”
Gu Tingfeng calmly pushed the booklet toward Liang Su. After a while, he nodded.
“Hmm… What you said is not unreasonable…”
“I think this matter still needs to be handled by Big Brother. Our parents have the freedom to decide who they like. Moreover, they are already old. It is normal for them to want to treat Ning Li better because she reminds them of Yinyin. But on our end, how can we be confused?”
Gu Tingchuan concluded, “Big Brother, you have to remind them to be more careful.”
The private room was silent for a moment.
Gu Tingfeng nodded.
“I think so too.”
Hearing him say this, the two people were relieved.
Gu Tingyun unintentionally glanced at the table.
“Is sister-in-law choosing a riding outfit? Didn’t she just choose one last month?”
Gu Tingfeng pressed his fist against his lips and coughed.
Liang Su smiled and looked at him before saying,
“I felt that the one I chose previously was not very suitable, so I said that I would take another look again.”
Gu Tingyun understood.
The few of them chatted for a while more before the two of them left.
After the private room door had closed, Liang Su shook the booklet.
“Since that’s the case, I think that this riding outfit doesn’t need to be given away?”
“How can that be?”
Gu Tingfeng raised his voice before he met Liang Su’s gaze. However, he quickly concealed it again.
“Just… I’ve already chosen anyway… It can be sent to her later. After all, she’s Siyang’s friend.”
Liang Su laughed.
“Sure.”
…
The younger men were relieved. They returned to their private rooms with great tacit understanding.
Gu Tingchuan was not in the mood to watch the compet.i.tion. He was bored as he flipped through the menu for afternoon tea.
After a long while, he rang the bell and called for someone.
“Go and send mother a cla.s.sic baked creme brulee.”
The waiter looked at him blankly.
“Second Master, that’s… too sweet for the old madam, isn’t it?”
Gu Tingchuan frowned.
“Is it? Then give it to Gu Siyang.”
The servant said, “Doesn’t the Young Master also not like this–”
Before he could finish his sentence, he met Gu Tingchuan’s expressionless gaze.
“Add a traditional scone and a small m.u.f.fin.”
He knocked on the table and said with a heavier tone, “There has to be someone who likes it, right?”
The Servant replied, “Yes, Second Master.”
…
At the same time, Gu Tingyun was also considering the menu.
“Send a cup of English Black Tea. Father liked this when he was studying abroad.”
The servant replied, “Yes, sir.”
After saying that, he turned around and was about to leave.
“Wait.”
Gu Tingyun shook his head.
“Let’s change it to Earl Grey with fresh milk.”
The servant felt that it was a little strange, but he did not say much.
“Yes, sir.”
“Forget it. Father’s taste has changed quite a lot over the past few years. I think he prefers peach tea.”
“Then… Third Master, which one should I send?”
Gu Tingyun was silent for a long while. He sighed softly and rubbed the s.p.a.ce between his eyebrows as if he had a headache.
“Forget it. I have indeed been lacking in concern for Father recently… Let’s just send them all over and they can keep whichever one they like.”
The servant finally heaved a sigh of relief.
“Okay, Third Master.”
…
In the second private room.
Old Master Gu was watching the match on the field. From the corner of his eye, he saw that Ning Li was still sitting beside Old Madam Gu. The two of them were sitting very close to each other. One moment, they were watching the match. The next moment, they were looking at their phones as they chatted very happily with each other.
He straightened his back and took a sip of tea. Then, he asked unhurriedly, “Ah Li, since you’re following Teacher Yu, you should be good at drawing, right?”
Although Ning Li had said that she was not Yu Pingchuan’s student, being guided so attentively by him, she should know some of it.
Ning Li said, “I know how to do some simple sketching.”
Old Madam Gu was a little surprised.
“Really?”
Ning Li nodded. “Yes.”
Old Master Gu asked again,
“Have you partic.i.p.ated in any compet.i.tions?”
Yu Pingchuan was the one who had brought her up. Even if she was not very talented, her basic skills should still be pretty good.
Ning Li paused for a moment.
“No, I just helped someone draw in the park for a while.”
As soon as she finished speaking, the surroundings fell silent for a moment.
Old Madam Gu was stunned. She had not expected her to give such an answer.
Old Master Gu also frowned.
How could this child have done such a thing?
His thoughts had been a little chaotic when he went home yesterday, so he had not had the time to ask Ning Li about her family background.
It sounded like…
Knock, knock.
There was a knock on the door.
A servant brought a few desserts.
“Young Master, Second Master ordered these for you.”
Gu Siyang jumped up excitedly.
“Second Uncle especially gave them to me?! What a good day–”
Before he could finish his sentence, he saw the tray and he suddenly stopped speaking.
After a long while, he muttered in disbelief.
“How did Second Uncle manage to perfectly avoid my preferences?”
He turned his head to look at Ning Li.
“Ning Li, do you want some?”
Ning Li glanced at him. Before she could say anything, another servant walked in.
“Old Master, this is the tea that Third Master ordered for you.”
Old Master Gu’s gaze swept past the teacups and sneered.
How amazing. He did not like drinking any of them.
Each and every one of the little rascals were more scheming than the last.
He said to Ning Li, “Ah Li, choose whichever one you like and send the rest back.”
He leaned back in his chair.
“Remember, give the ones from Second Master to Third Master, and the ones from Third Master to Second Master. Don’t waste it..”