SGEIRS -Chapter 456 She Spoils You

Inside the study.

Gu Jingxi and Qi Yunwen were playing chess on the board while casually chatting about daily life.

Suddenly, Qi Yunwen said, “Yaoling, there’s something I almost forgot to mention. It’s from A-Ning—she asked me to tell you, so you can inform your younger brother’s wife. A-Ning gave birth to a son yesterday evening. Both mother and child are healthy.”

Gu Jingxi was momentarily stunned, then quickly sank into a bit of gloom.

Actually, Mobei was only a year older than him, yet Mobei’s child was much older than his. And now, not only was Mobei’s child older than his, even Mobei’s niece’s child was older.

Suddenly, he had a deep understanding of the phrase “having a child late in life.” By the time his own child could walk, Mobei would have increased in seniority again. By the time he became a grandfather, Mobei would already be a great-grandfather.

The more Gu Jingxi thought about it, the more irritated he became, though he didn’t show it on the surface. He nodded and replied, “Alright, I’ll tell A-Yao tonight.” Then he changed the topic, pointing to a newly hung painting on the wall. “Mobei, take a look at this painting I just finished. What do you think?”

Qi Yunwen followed the direction his friend indicated and saw a spring scenery painting. The composition and the mood were excellent, clearly the work of his friend. He didn’t hold back his praise: “Not bad. The mood is very well captured.”

“Is that so?” Gu Jingxi responded, then turned to the writing on the wall. “Actually, I think the calligraphy is also very nice—delicate and elegant, perfectly matching the painting. So I decided to hang it up.”

Earlier, Qi Yunwen had been focused only on the painting and hadn’t noticed the writing. Now, hearing his friend’s words, he looked at the inscription on the right side.

*The east wind is cold, the green moss mottled, apricot blossoms fall.
Melancholy in the drizzles of early spring, the swallows return.

Long lazy in combing clouds and brushing the moon, wordlessly leaning on the railing alone.
When will the boat return on the waves, separated by the blue smoke?*

After reading the poem, Qi Yunwen immediately understood his friend’s intention.

Well, well!

Gu Yaoling was actually showing off his wife to him—showing that even when he went away on trips, his wife was on his mind. Then, upon seeing the inscription, he was emotionally touched and hung up the painting to showcase the strong bond between them.

Who says men don’t have little schemes? This one is pretty obvious! And he had made Qi Yunwen think he was just inviting him to a chess match. The real purpose was to flaunt his wife.

Qi Yunwen felt thoroughly frustrated. He dropped the white chess piece in his hand. The game was decided: “Gu Yaoling, I may have won this game, but in today’s match, you’ve truly won.”

Having achieved his goal, Gu Jingxi’s irritation evaporated entirely. Pretending not to understand, he said, “What do you mean I’ve won, you’ve won? Of course you won. Let’s play another round.”

Qi Yunwen was momentarily speechless: “……”

He had been completely tricked!

After a moment, Qi Yunwen said, “It’s only after your marriage that I truly understood you. They were really blind to think you were a low-profile person.”

Gu Jingxi offered a dignified reply: “Look at what you’re saying, as if I’m so high-profile. I just painted a picture I liked and invited you to appreciate it—not exactly hanging it on the city gate for everyone to see.”

Qi Yunwen wanted to roll his eyes but could only grumble, “You call this inviting me to appreciate your painting? Clearly, it’s so I can admire your wife’s calligraphy.”

Looking at the inscription again and then at his friend’s smiling face as he gazed at the painting, Qi Yunwen got goosebumps. He continued, “I know you and your wife aren’t newlyweds, so why are you still this lovey-dovey? It’s unbearable.”

Gu Jingxi replied calmly, “Who was walking around in new shoes in front of me today?”

Qi Yunwen: “……”

It was him.

That morning, he had walked a few times in front of Yaoling wearing the new shoes his beloved wife made for him. Then he looked at Yaoling’s shoes and teasingly said, “Yaoling, they say that once a woman has a child, she tends to neglect her husband. Didn’t expect you to fall out of favor before the child was even born.”

Hearing this, Yaoling instinctively looked down. He continued, “But look on the bright side. Why quarrel over affection with a child? With me, once the child grows a bit, the wife’s heart will return. Why, yesterday she even gave me the newly made shoes so I wouldn’t wear the old ones.”

Even now, he still remembered his friend’s frustrated expression.

Seeing Qi Yunwen flustered, Gu Jingxi smiled faintly. “A-Yu’s calligraphy is truly beautiful, and the poem fits perfectly.”

Qi Yunwen: “……”

Karma comes quickly—he’d been the one to act shamelessly first.

Gu Jingxi leisurely gathered the chess pieces and said, “Come on, let’s play another game. Dinner will be ready soon, and tonight we’ll enjoy a good drink together.”

Qi Yunwen: “……”

He didn’t feel like celebrating at all. How could he enjoy a drink after this?

But this was just the beginning. In the next ten sentences from Gu Jingxi, at least seven or eight were about his beloved wife, leaving Qi Yunwen’s ears practically sore.

After dinner, Qi Yunwen immediately took his leave without lingering.

Gu Jingxi had won back a round and was in a good mood, which only improved when his wife made him a new pair of shoes. The next day, he wore them to the Dali Temple for duty, walking a few steps in front of Qi Yunwen to show them off.

Qi Yunwen, frustrated the night before, saw him strutting like a peacock today and helplessly said, “Gu Yaoling, you’re not a maiden. Why are you showing off in front of me?”

Gu Jingxi replied, “The new shoes A-Yu made are comfortable, so I walked a few extra steps.”

Qi Yunwen had no retort. He looked down at his friend’s new shoes and fell silent. This guy really loved showing off—compared to him, it was unmatched.

Later, when Officer Zhang passed by and heard Gu Jingxi, he immediately moved forward to flatter him: “These shoes were made by Madam Gu? She’s so skillful!”

Qi Yunwen: “……”

How could there be such a sycophant? He hadn’t even looked at the shoes yet and was already praising them. Though his sister-in-law was indeed talented, the shoes were nicely made.

Gu Jingxi smiled and responded, “The weather is getting colder. My wife always worries I might catch a cold, so not only did she make the shoes, but also two sets of winter clothes. I told her not to tire herself out and to have the embroidery ladies in the house make them, but she wouldn’t listen.”

Hearing this, Zhang continued flattering: “Madam Gu is truly virtuous. Sir, you are very fortunate.”

Qi Yunwen listened to their conversation: one showing off, the other flattering. The superior and subordinate chatted amicably as they walked away, quietly switching the topic to the case.

After finishing his duty, Qi Yunwen saw Gu Jingxi and teased, “Sir Gu, walk carefully. Don’t step on sister-in-law’s affections for you.”

Gu Jingxi paused, turned his head, and replied calmly, “Mutual concern. Qi Shaoqing, you walk carefully too, or you’ll step on sister-in-law’s affections.”

Qi Yunwen: “You’re really childish.”

Gu Jingxi: “You’re mature—you were just showing off your new shoes to me yesterday.”

Qi Yunwen: “I…”

Gu Jingxi: “You can’t handle it.”

Qi Yunwen: “……”

Looking at him, he was momentarily transported, seeing the young, dashing man from over ten years ago. That young man was just like this.

Suddenly, Qi Yunwen laughed: “It’s obvious—your wife truly spoils you.”