A flicker of panic crossed Song Yuan's face, and she instinctively tightened her grip on Gu Qianyun's hand.
Seeing this, Grandpa Gu let out a cold snort and said, "Gu Qianyun, have you forgotten that you're married?"
"Grandpa, I—"
"Since you're married, stop being so fickle! Keep your distance from all these uncertain girls!" Grandpa Gu interrupted him, his gaze sweeping over the two of them before finally resting on Shen Yuwan.
For a moment, Shen Yuwan's heart leaped into her throat.
The only thought that ran through her mind was: It's over! Grandpa Gu has recognized me.
"You are…" Grandpa Gu's gaze lingered on her, his voice heavy with meaning. "You must be… Gu Qianyun's assistant, right?"
"Ah?!" Shen Yuwan's mind went blank, and she wanted nothing more than to disappear into the floor.
Gu Qianyun, who rarely saw her flustered, narrowed his eyes in slight suspicion. "Assistant Shen, is something the matter?"
Shen Yuwan glanced at Grandpa Gu's gentle expression, and for some reason, her nervousness started to fade.
Grandpa Gu shot Gu Qianyun a disapproving look and said, "I've heard your assistant is quite capable, working hard for you every day. And this is how you treat her?"
Gu Qianyun stood there in silence.
"Grandpa, don't forget, I'm your grandson!" Gu Qianyun said with a helpless sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose.
Song Yuan, ever obedient, quickly chimed in, "Assistant Shen really is excellent at her job. I admire her. Gu Qianyun should treat her better."
Grandpa Gu's expression darkened instantly as he turned toward Song Yuan. "You've been back for just a few days, and you already know so much about my grandson's affairs. Did you do your homework before coming back?"
Grandpa Gu's words carried a biting sarcasm.
Song Yuan's eyes reddened, and she looked toward Gu Qianyun for help.
But Gu Qianyun only patted her hand briefly, not offering any words of comfort. Instead, he shifted the topic. "Where's Grandma?"
"She's traveling abroad with her old friends," Grandpa Gu replied, still somewhat disgruntled.
Shen Yuwan observed all of this quietly, and a realization gradually dawned on her.
Over the past three years, she would occasionally receive calls from the elderly couple, asking her to come visit them at the old house for a meal. Each time, she had visited as Gu Qianyun's wife, his granddaughter-in-law. But today was the first time she was here as his assistant.
She suspected that the two elders must have known about her role as Gu Qianyun's assistant all along, but had never brought it up. It was only Gu Qianyun who seemed completely uninterested in the marriage.
Her breath hitched as she tightened her grip on the blanket draped over her legs.
"Grandpa, I found a beautiful tea set abroad and heard you like tea. Would it be okay if I brought it over for you sometime?" Song Yuan asked, gathering her courage.
Grandpa Gu ran his fingers over the armrest of the sofa, smiling warmly. "I already have plenty of fine tea sets at home. You can give that set to your grandfather instead. And by the way, there's no need to give gifts in advance, young lady."
Song Yuan's courage faltered completely, and she turned to Gu Qianyun for help.
Gu Qianyun, having been raised by Grandpa Gu and Grandma Gu, was well-acquainted with their temperaments. He calmly said, "Grandpa, that's enough."
Grandpa Gu only smiled and turned his attention back to Shen Yuwan. "Assistant Shen, you're not only beautiful but clearly capable as well. I'm sure there are plenty of excellent young men chasing after you, right?"
Shen Yuwan froze.
Suddenly, Gu Qianyun's gaze turned cold. His eyes darkened as he looked at her, and for a brief moment, it seemed like he was silently warning her: If you say anything that displeases me, I'll get rid of them.