Christmas Eve

  After that incident, Mother strictly forbade anyone from mentioning the name Joys in front of Big Brother, so for three years now, this name has disappeared from Big Brother's world.

  Gu Mo's face sank, it had been a long time since someone mentioned this name in front of him. Qiao Si, the woman who suddenly accepted someone else's proposal back then, even left Nanhua City on the second day after they broke up. She went somewhere, he didn't know where, and she didn't leave any information behind. Her phone and email were all cut off.

  "It's nothing, it's all in the past." Gu Mo felt that his mood was quite calm now, he had Si Yun, and other things he didn't want to think about anymore.

  And who knows, maybe Joyce has already had children with another man by now.

  "Big brother, you and big sister are getting along well, you two really match. " Gu Xi smiled and said casually, "In the future, if I make dad and mom angry, you and big sister must speak up for me, otherwise I'll be in trouble, dad will not forgive me easily."

  Gu Mo looked at him and said, "Is there something behind your words? Are you hiding something from me?"

  He tensed up for a moment, "No, Dad has never been too fond of me running around outside all the time, but you also know I'm not someone who likes to stay put, it's just that I'm afraid that day I might have upset the old man."

  "Gu Xi, when you were little, you would tell me everything that you didn't dare to say to your parents. But now, why are you deliberately hiding things from me? Do you think I'll stop you like Mom and Dad do?"

  "Big brother, what do you know?" He met her outside of Nanhua City just to avoid home, big brother couldn't possibly know.

  "That time I went to Shanghai on a business trip, coincidentally saw you with Qiao Ke Xin together"

  "Then will you oppose it like Mom and Dad?"

  "What about you?" Gu Mo asked back.

  "You won't, will you? Big brother, you'll definitely support me"

  "Gu Xi, your path won't be any smoother than mine." Gu Mo looked at Si Mian downstairs.

  He did not expect that the woman Gu Xi had been thinking about was actually Qiao Ke Xin, and when he saw her in Shanghai that day, he thought he was seeing things.

  Before, when he met with Qiao Si, sometimes Qiao Ke Xin would come along.

  That day, he saw Qiao Ke Xin, but he didn't rush up to ask her about the news of Jiao Si. At that time, he had worked so hard to maintain this relationship, and he didn't want to be abandoned by her so easily.

  Thinking of that relationship, Gu Mo still has some feelings. It was the first time he seriously wanted to have a good talk about love, using all his youthful energy and craziness. To say it's etched in his memory isn't an exaggeration.

  He didn't know if their feelings would come to fruition, but he hoped that Gu Xi wouldn't end up getting hurt like him.

  "I'm not afraid, I've made up my mind. No one can make me let go of the person I've decided on. If it comes down to it, I'll... leave the Gu house."

  His words were not finished, Gu Mo turned his head and stared at him with a warning tone, "Say this to me, I'll pretend I didn't hear it, but don't let me hear it again, or else don't blame me for not helping you."

  He knew Gu Xiqian was unruly, but he didn't expect him to have such an idea.

  Gu Mo's dignity made Gu Xi no longer speak, but the thoughts in his heart were not something that Gu Mo could change with just a few words.

  Although Gu Xi looks careless and idle every day, he doesn't neglect his duties. However, when he gets serious, he can also be very stubborn.

  After all, he also has Gu Qi's blood flowing through his veins.

  Soon after, Gu Xizhe deceived his family into thinking he was going on a business trip and took a plane to Beijing to see Qiao Ke Xin.

  Qiao Ke Xin is a model, so she's always flying around the world. The place and time for her to meet with Gu Xi are always temporary decisions, but no matter where in the world or which city, he will fly over to see her.

  "Sorry I'm late."

  Qiao Ke Xin wore fashionable clothes, a standard nine-head beauty with white skin, her eyes slightly raised at the corners, with a few hints of charm, a head of curly hair scattered casually behind her back, with a crystal hair clip on her head.

  In the restaurant, Gu Xi took off his coat and sat there in his shirt, "It's okay, I just got here not long ago"

  "Darling, you're so good." Qiao Ke Xin sat down, propping her chin with her hand. "This time in Beijing, how long do you plan to stay?"

  "Spent five days with you, how was it? Was it fun?"

  "Really? That's great!" Qiao Ke Xin said this with an expression that was less excited than her words.

  Looking at Gu Xi's handsome and elegant face, Qiao Ke Xin herself was a bit confused about her feelings towards him. Was she really fond of him or just because he could fly from other cities to see her whenever she wanted? She didn't know, it was complicated, even she couldn't figure it out.

  Qiao Ke Xin is a standard pampered girl, never lacking excellent men pursuing her, with perfect body proportions, making her receive envious glances wherever she goes.

  Having dinner, the two of them watched the night view together. Qiao Ke Xin only left after that, getting into a car parked by the side of the road. As soon as she got in, she heard low laughter teasing her, "Meeting your little lover again?"

  In the car sat a man who looked like a standard playboy, with a tall and robust physique, deep eyes, and a hint of a bad smile between his eyebrows, making him look very charming.

  "Yesen, admiring or jealous?" Qiao Kexin raised an eyebrow and looked at him.

  His enchanting eyes suddenly flashed like electricity to her, "Envy and jealousy, dear, how are you going to make up for the hurt in my heart?"

  Qiao Ke Xin hit him back, "Nervous, how did you end up hiding in my car? Are you being chased by a lover again? Didn't pay for the service?"

  "Thinking of you, I'm here." Yessenin stretched his waist, pulled off his tie, and messed up his originally neat hair, instantly gaining a decadent charm. "Lend me your car, let me send you home, and return it to you tomorrow."

  "Where's your car? Don't tell me someone else's husband came back and you slipped out through the window?"

  "How could I? I'm faithful to you"

  She has known Yesenin for a long time, and every time he speaks, she can't tell which sentence is true and which is false. However, whenever she's unhappy and needs someone by her side, it's always Yesenin who's there.

  Closer than friends, yet farther than lovers.

  The car stopped under an apartment building. Qiao Ke Xin was about to get out of the car when Ye Si Ning grabbed her hand, "Baby, want a goodbye kiss?"

  "Stop messing around, it's late at night." Qiao Ke Xin couldn't help but roll her eyes.

  "You want to flirt with me, but you don't even understand, how boring" Yessenin let go of his hand.

  "Alright, I'm leaving, don't crash my car."

  Yessenin waved at her and then stepped on the gas pedal, and the car sped away without a trace.

  Qiao Ke Xin went back and saw Qiao Si standing on the balcony, obviously she had seen everything when she was fighting with Ye Sen Ning earlier. Qiao Ke Xin walked over, "Sister"

  "Did you meet with Gu Xi today?"

  "Right," Qiao Ke Xin didn't plan on hiding it either, "He's come to Beijing and will be staying for five days."

  "Break up with him, did you hear?"

  "Why"

  "You don't like Gu Xi at all, Can Xin, be good and listen to your sister, break up with him." Qiao Si grasped her wrist.

  Qiao Ke Xin's face had a rebellious look, "I won't, besides, how do you know I don't like him? Would I be with him if I didn't like him?"

  "If you really like Gu Xi, why are you still entangled with Ye Xingning? If you really love Gu Xi, you should think for him." Qiao Si worried that if things continued this way, not only would others be hurt, but she herself would also be hurt eventually.

  Qiao Ke Xin didn't hear a word "You actually thought for Gu Mo, even to the point of deceiving him. You accepted someone else's proposal just to make him give up on you, but in the end, you yourself got stuck in it and can't extricate yourself, and still can't forget him"

  Jiao Si was taken aback for a moment, and a hint of helplessness flashed in her eyes. Then she said lightly, "Who says I'm trapped inside and can't extricate myself? I haven't loved him for a long time."

  "If you don't love him anymore, then why did your parents introduce so many excellent men to you and you didn't even bother to meet them?"

  "Jiao'er, look at you," she said. "Why does my love have to be controlled by Mom and Dad? Why do I have to be with the person they choose for me? What era is this? Can't believe it's still like this. Qinxin, you don't understand love yet. The reason you're with Gu Xi is just because he can come see you anytime, anywhere, while other men can't do that. Sister, please, break up with Gu Xi, don't hurt him, he's a good man who deserves to be treated well by a good woman."

  Qiao Ke Xin furrowed her brow, and at the thought of breaking up with Gu Xi, her heart felt a little distressed.

  "Ke Xin, listen to your sister for once, I don't want to have anything to do with Gu Mo again, okay?"

  Finally, Qiao Ke Xin nodded her head, "Okay".

  Qiao Si smiled and said, "Come on, sister has made your favorite spare ribs soup. I'll go scoop a bowl for you, sit down first."

  Qiao Ke Xin sat on a chair, lowering her head and flipping out photos of her and Gu Xi on her phone.

  The background is an ancient Roman battlefield, he has his arm around her shoulder, the two of them are wearing couple's outfits, and they're both smiling happily at the camera together.

  She didn't know why her sister had used that lie to break up with Gu Mo back then, but she knew there must be a reason behind it, which was why her sister gave up on that love.

  When her sister was dating Gu Mo, she would often accompany her to see him, but the number of times she met Gu Xi could be counted on one hand.

  It wasn't until three years ago that they got to know each other. Three years ago, she went to the UK to participate in a beauty pageant and unexpectedly won the championship. That night, her friends celebrated for her, and one of them brought Gu Xizhe along.

  Gu Xizhong walked over with a wine glass, a subtle smile on his face, but the surprise in his eyes still leaked out, "I didn't expect that little sister who always followed her older sister would finally grow up, congratulations to you"

  Qiao Ke Xin was somewhat surprised he would appear, "Gu Er Shao, long time no see"

  "Don't call me Second Young Master, it's not a habit I'm used to. Just call me Big Brother Gu instead. Besides, your sister is going to marry my brother, why be so distant?"

  Qiao Ke Xin immediately knew that Gu Xi still didn't know about her sister and Gu Mo's breakup, although Qiao Ke Xin didn't know the reason for their breakup, but her intuition told her that it must be Gu Mo who had hurt her sister.

  So when she saw Gu Xi, Qiao Ke Xin couldn't help but want to take revenge for her sister. At the celebration banquet, she deliberately made Gu Xi lose face with a few friends, but he easily resolved it every time. That calm and wise demeanor, in that instant, made Qiao Ke Xin's heart beat faster.

  The crowd dispersed, she stood by the street, he drove over and said gentlemanly, "I'll give you a ride."

  Qiao Ke Xin raised an eyebrow and smiled, but didn't say a word of refusal.

  Because this time didn't refuse, the two came and went naturally developed.

  Gu Shi originally came to the UK with his teammates for mountain climbing, but he gave up in order to spend more time with Qiao Ke Xin. After participating in the competition, Qiao Ke Xin was supposed to return to Nanhua City immediately, but she also stayed for three months for him.

  After that, the two would meet in various parts of the world. He would climb a mountain and then fly to the city where Joanne worked and stay for a week before returning to Nanhua City. It wasn't until Gu Mo's wedding news arrived, and the bride was not Joanne, that Gu Xi knew his older brother had long since broken up with Joanne.

  "Your elder brother is getting married, congratulations, you will have a sister-in-law now."

  Gu Xi only now realized that he knew too little about family matters. Such a major event and he only found out now.

  "I originally wanted to spend my birthday with you, but it seems like there's no chance now." Qiao Ke Xin's eyes flashed with disappointment. "I'll help you book a ticket tomorrow, get some rest early."

  Many people will attend Big Brother's wedding, but without him, it won't be any less; however, for Ke Xin, there is only him.

  After much deliberation, Gu Xi finally made up his mind and said, "Ke Xin, I'm not going back. I'll stay here with you."

  "Really?" Qiao Ke Xin looked at him in disbelief, and when she saw Gu Xi nodding, she burst into a smile, excitedly ran to his front, stretched out her hand and wrapped it around his neck, "Thank you, I'm so happy."

  Gu Xi's mouth curled up with a smile, and he stretched out his hand to hold her back. Then he made an excuse, saying that he had encountered wind and snow while mountain climbing, got stranded on the mountain, so he missed Gu Mo's wedding.

  Qiao Ke Xin's thoughts gradually came back, Qiao Si put the soup in front of her and smiled at her, "Drink it quickly"

  "Thanks sis" Qiao Ke Xin took a sip of the soup, "I'll make it clear to Gu Xi, you're right, if we don't like each other then we shouldn't waste each other's time."

  "Ah," Josie couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief in her heart, and smiled sympathetically, "You'll meet better boys later."

  This feeling will only get hurt more if it continues, just like a sister, so Ke Xin, don't hate your sister, sister wants to pull you out before you sink in too deep.

  This way is best for both you and Mr. Gu, she doesn't want to see anyone get hurt.

  …..

  Christmas Eve in Nanhua City is exceptionally lively, and as early as this morning at the company, many people are giving apples.

  In the evening when I returned home, Si Mian had also prepared four big red apples.

  "Mom, tonight is Christmas Eve, giving apples represents peace." Si Mian knocked on the bedroom door, Lü Qingyan was sitting in a chair reading a book, hearing her words, Lü Qingyan's expression was cold, "Put it there."

  "I'll leave it here, mom. You rest early, I'm going out first." Si Mian put down the apple and gently closed the door.

  She turned around and saw Gu Mo, Si Mian squeezed out a helpless smile, he touched her head, "Get some rest early"

  "Alright, I'll send the apple to dad and then come sleep, you go sleep first." She pushed him.

  "I'll wait for you in the room." Gu Mo walked towards the bedroom.

  She took a deep breath and regained her energy. For the sake of Gu Daxiong, she must get the recognition of her grandparents-in-law. Hard work will not betray those with determination.

  In the bedroom, Gu Mo sat on the sofa, reading a book while trying to get a pen out of his briefcase. He waved his hand and accidentally knocked the bag to the ground, spilling its contents. A blue velvet box fell to the floor, and a ring rolled out of it.

  Gu Mo saw the ring, was stunned for a moment, then bent down to pick it up. At some point, the ring had been put into his bag, he didn't remember when, probably when he was taking out files and casually stuffed it in.

  This blue velvet box had been kept in the study at home. One time when he pulled out the drawer, he didn't see it and looked around but couldn't find it, thinking it had fallen off.

  The ring is still kept very well, shining brightly, and doesn't look old at all despite the passage of time.

  His fingers trembled slightly, the palm of his hand gently rubbing against the ring, and in his mind, he involuntarily conjured up that warm and gentle face, which looked especially beautiful when smiling.

  On closer inspection, the inside of the ring was engraved with "qs", which were the initials of her name.

  The line of sight inadvertently looked at the big bed, on which were neatly and cleanly placed clothes that had been picked up by Si Mian, but not yet put away, scattered randomly.

  In his mind, he saw Sumin's innocent and pure face, sometimes clever, but also endearingly silly. He thought of how she had been trying her best to win over their parents for the sake of this family, and his heart warmed up. Looking at the ring in his hand again, it was time to bid farewell to the past.

  Gu Meimeim quietly put the ring back in its box. This ring needs to be dealt with at some point, and then put back into her bag.

  The door opened and Si Mian's agile figure ran in quickly. Seeing the big bed, she pounced on it and said with relish, "So comfortable!"

  He put down his book, sat beside her with one hand propping himself up on the bed, looking down at her, "Where's my apple?"

  "Uh... forgot to buy it, I only bought for dad and mom and Gu Xi. Oh dear, we're an old couple now, no need for these formalities."

  Everyone remembers, but he forgot, how unimportant he is in her heart. Gu Mo said with a dark face, "Make it up to me tomorrow."

  "It's no fun giving it to you tomorrow, how about I give you two next year?"

  "No way," Gu Mo flatly refused.

  He secretly took out an apple from the drawer and handed it in front of him, "Dang Dang Dang"

  Gu Mo raised his eyes and glanced at her, "You deceived me?"

  "How can I cheat? This is to give you more surprises," said Si Mian, smiling at Mi Mi. "Uncle Gu, Merry Christmas Eve, you must finish this apple."

  Gu Mo pretended to be disgusted and said, "You're giving me a gift for the first time, and it's so cheap."

  As soon as he heard it, Si Mian was unhappy and wanted to grab it back. "If you don't want it, return it to me, I'll eat it myself."

  Gu Mo stood up, grasped Apple's hand and lifted it up, Si Wei jumped up but couldn't reach it, "Give it back to me"

  "It's already been sent out, what's the point of going back?"

  "You're not interested anyway," Si Mian muttered, sulking with a scowl.

  Although this apple is worthless, she carefully selected it and even wrapped it herself, so even if you really don't like it, you have to pretend to.

  Gu Mo looked at her gloomy little face and held back his smile, saying, "Si Mian, why are you so silly? You believe whatever people say."

  Si Mian was taken aback for a moment, then suddenly lifted his head and smiled, "Gu Da Shu, you like it, huh? You still dare to lie to me that you don't like it. I gave it to you, how could you not like it?" He proudly raised his chin.