SGEIRS -Chapter 166 Trust Him More

Dinner was very quiet.

Gu Jingxi had always been one to observe silence while eating. He focused on his meal and did not speak a single word.

As for Meng Jinyao and Gu Xiuming, there was nothing much to say between them either. Naturally, they would not initiate any conversation. If Gu Xiuming were not present, she would occasionally chat with Gu Jingxi when she was in the mood.

The family of three ate in silence. The scene looked harmonious—at first glance, it even seemed warm and happy.

“Wait.”

Suddenly, Gu Jingxi, who had been silent all this time, spoke.

Gu Xiuming froze just as he was about to pick up some food. He looked at his father in confusion. Meng Jinyao was also puzzled and instinctively stopped eating.

Gu Xiuming asked, “Father, what is it?”

“This is what your mother likes.”

Gu Jingxi spoke calmly. As he finished, he picked up the chicken wing that Gu Xiuming had been about to take and placed it into Meng Jinyao’s bowl.

He remembered clearly that among the whole chicken, the little girl loved the middle wing the most. Once, he had eaten it himself, and she had shot him several resentful glances. Only then did he realize he had taken her favorite and made her unhappy. Since then, whenever he saw chicken wings, he tactfully refrained from eating them.

Watching his father’s smooth, natural movements and composed expression, Gu Xiuming was dumbfounded.

When had his father ever treated anyone this kindly?

Even toward Grandmother, he had probably never been this attentive.

Meng Jinyao stared at the chicken wing in her bowl, momentarily stunned.

What was going on?

Seeing that she was frozen, Gu Jingxi asked gently, “What’s wrong? Don’t you like it anymore?”

She hurriedly shook her head. “No, I still like it. I probably always will.”

Gu Jingxi nodded. “Then eat.”

She responded softly and said nothing more. She picked up the chicken wing and took a bite. Of course, she didn’t stuff it into her mouth—her eating manners were still elegant and refined.

Seeing her eat with relish, Gu Jingxi smiled faintly and continued his meal.

Gu Xiuming quietly observed everything. A dark glint flashed in his eyes.

He knew his father doted on Meng Jinyao. After all, it was a marriage between an older man and a younger wife, and she was quite beautiful. It was natural for his father to like her.

But seeing their interaction in person, he realized his father loved her even more than he had imagined. They looked like a deeply affectionate couple.

After dinner, Gu Xiuming left Weirui Pavilion and returned to his own courtyard.

Watching his figure disappear, Meng Jinyao curled her lips into a meaningful smile. Her tone, however, remained calm.

“Husband, our son has improved a lot lately. If he keeps studying diligently like this, he’ll surely make it onto the list of successful candidates someday.”

Gu Jingxi paused slightly, narrowed his eyes, and replied indifferently, “If his mind isn’t so cluttered and he focuses on studying, then it might be possible.”

Meng Jinyao turned to look at him. She stopped there, saying no more. Everything was understood without words.

Her earlier remark had been a test.

These days, Gu Xiuming often came to ask for guidance. Whenever Gu Jingxi had time, he would teach him patiently. She had thought Gu Jingxi completely trusted him.

But that reply showed he did not fully believe in Gu Xiuming’s change.

And that was normal.

What kind of person was Gu Jingxi?

He was the Minister of Justice. He had dealt with countless scheming criminals. How could Gu Xiuming’s tricks fool him?

There was no need for her to badmouth Gu Xiuming in front of him.

Thinking of this, her smile deepened.

“Husband is knowledgeable. With your personal guidance, isn’t success only a matter of time?”

She sighed lightly.

“After all, fathers are different. You’re a responsible father. Unlike my own father, who barely guided my two younger brothers in their studies.”

Gu Jingxi glanced at her with a meaningful look and asked with a half-smile, “Little fox, you’re speaking in circles. What are you trying to get out of me?”

“What do you mean, husband? I don’t understand.”

She pretended to be innocent, looking at him with wide eyes. She certainly wouldn’t admit that she had been indirectly probing why he still taught Gu Xiuming despite knowing he wasn’t sincere.

Gu Jingxi chuckled. “Still pretending?”

She became even more innocent, silently gazing at him without responding.

Her almond-shaped eyes were clear and bright, looking at him pitifully. She looked extremely harmless.

Yet Gu Jingxi felt that she had said everything without saying anything at all.

After staring at her for a while, he said gently, “I am his father. It’s my duty to teach him. As for other matters, there are other ways to deal with them.”

Meng Jinyao immediately understood.

Her husband was truly responsible—not only to his wife, but also to his son.

Even though Gu Xiuming was not his biological child, since he had adopted him, Gu Jingxi sincerely fulfilled his duty as a father. He did not treat him merely as a tool to carry on the family line.

Even after sensing that his son wasn’t truly repentant, he still taught him seriously when he asked questions.

Teaching and disciplining were two separate matters. They did not conflict.

Gu Jingxi looked at her and smiled helplessly.

“Next time, you can just ask me directly. No need to beat around the bush.”

She stubbornly denied it. “What are you talking about? I was just speaking casually. What beating around the bush?”

Gu Jingxi’s gaze lowered to her tightly clasped hands.

The corners of his lips lifted slightly.

Whenever she was nervous or guilty, she did this.

Since she refused to admit it, he didn’t press the matter. He only said softly, “Madam, I know what I’m doing. You can try to trust me a little more.”

Meng Jinyao’s pupils widened visibly.

She lowered her eyes to hide her surprise.

Trust him more?

She did trust him.

But some things were too risky to gamble on. That was why she had been so cautious.

Gu Jingxi watched her silently. Seeing her lower her gaze and remain quiet, he sighed softly.

Once again, he felt that raising a girl was not easy.

Girls were sensitive and hard to read—especially this one.

Sometimes she seemed very bold; other times, extremely timid. Her personality was full of contradictions.

After a moment, he changed the subject.

“I’m going to take a walk in the garden to digest. Do you want to come?”

She smiled faintly. “I won’t go. You go ahead.”

He nodded, stood up, and left the room.

After he left, Ningdong whispered, “Madam, it seems the Marquis understands everything clearly.”

Meng Jinyao was slightly stunned, then nodded.

“Yes. That’s why there’s no need to badmouth Gu Xiuming in front of him. If I can see the problems, he can certainly see them too.”