Marrying My Bestie's Ferocious Brother - He Calls Me His Baby!-Chapter 254 - 253: Commander Gu Personally Bestows the Family Heirloom: My Daughter-in-law—Who Dares Touch Her!
The cries, curses, and pleas of Gu Xiuzhen echoed endlessly in the courtyard.
"Commander Gu! May you die a cruel death! You deny all your kin!"
"Gu Yanshen! You ungrateful wretch! Even as a ghost, I won’t spare you!"
She turned her head viciously toward Lin Wan Yi, her gaze venomous like a snake.
"Lin Wan Yi! You bringer of misfortune! I curse you! I curse your whole family to die cruel deaths!"
The voice dragged further and further away.
Until the courtyard gate slammed shut with a "bang."
Gu Xiuzhen’s final curses were completely cut off.
The entire world went silent.
At the kitchen door, there was a scene of chaos.
The surrounding guests didn’t dare to breathe heavily.
Commander Gu’s face, weathered by time, was dark enough to drip water.
He didn’t look at anyone else and instead turned around.
Step by step, he walked back in front of Lin Wan Yi.
Every gaze in the room followed him.
He looked at his daughter-in-law standing there, straight-backed despite the immense grievances she had suffered.
In those steadfast eyes of his, the anger dissipated, transforming into deep guilt and a faint warmth.
"Wanyi."
Commander Gu’s voice was no longer so harsh, bearing the huskiness of an elder.
"Today, it’s the Gu Family that wronged you."
Lin Wan Yi shook her head, her eyes slightly red, yet she said nothing.
Commander Gu gazed at her, nodding slightly, seemingly very satisfied with her integrity.
He suddenly raised his hand and took out an object wrapped in deep blue silk from the inner pocket of his Zhongshan suit.
He carefully unwrapped it, layer by layer.
Everyone held their breath.
When the silk was completely opened, a gentle, rich green hue flowed out.
It was a jade bracelet.
Entirely emerald green, with excellent translucency, shining with a radiant luster under the light, clearly no ordinary piece.
"This..."
Political Commissioner Zhou’s eyes widened.
"This is... the Old Madam’s bracelet!"
Dean Li also took a deep breath, having seen Commander Gu’s wife wearing it twenty years ago; it’s a true family heirloom of the Gu Family!
Symbolizing the status of the Gu Family matron!
Commander Gu paid no heed to the exclamations of the crowd.
He held out that jade bracelet to Lin Wan Yi.
"This is what your mother-in-law left behind."
"She said it was for the future mistress of the Gu Family."
His gaze swept across the room, finally resting on the clear eyes of Lin Wan Yi.
"Today, I hand it to you personally."
Lin Wan Yi was stunned.
She instinctively wanted to back away.
It was too precious.
But Gu Yanshen stepped forward, holding her hand to prevent her from retreating.
Commander Gu picked up the bracelet and personally drew Lin Wan Yi’s left hand.
The gentle jade bracelet was slowly and solemnly slipped onto her slender wrist.
The size was just right, neither too big nor too small.
The lush green jade made her skin appear even more fair and radiant.
"It’s on," Commander Gu spoke in a deep voice, each word firm and resolute, "From now on, you’re the mistress of this Gu Family."
He paused for a moment, his gaze suddenly sharpening, sweeping across Director Zhang and his daughter in the corner, as well as every face present.
"The daughters-in-law of my Gu Family are not to be falsely accused or bullied by just anyone!"
Director Zhang’s legs went weak, almost dropping to his knees.
Zhang Lina’s face turned pale, devoid of color.
These words were meant for Gu Xiuzhen.
But even more so, for them!
The army families around observed the priceless bracelet on Lin Wan Yi’s wrist, and then looked at Commander Gu’s unequivocal support, their gazes completely changing.
Envy, awe, and no longer a trace of contempt.
The atmosphere in the room was tense to the extreme.
At that moment.
"Bravo!"
A thunderous shout of praise broke the silence.
It was Zhao Tiezhu.
He squeezed in with a face flushed red, holding a full bowl of wine, shouting loudly.
"Commander, you’re wise!"
He raised the wine bowl high, toward Lin Wan Yi, and then toward Commander Gu.
"I, Zhao Tiezhu, am won over today!"
"This first cup, I toast to my sister-in-law! Sister-in-law has suffered! Sister-in-law is formidable!"
After speaking, he raised his head and downed it in one go.
He filled another bowl.
"This second cup! I toast to the Commander! Your excellency is wise, rooting out the scoundrels in our military compound! Cheers!"
Again, he downed it in one go.
His hearty gesture instantly ignited the atmosphere.
Political Commissioner Zhou was the first to start laughing and also raised his glass.
"Well said! Old Gu, I toast you a glass, and another for Wanyi! This child has truly suffered today!"
Dean Li also raised his glass: "Wanyi, it was my foolishness before, I actually believed that wicked woman’s nonsense, I’ll penalize myself with three glasses!"
"Yes, yes, yes, we all toast to sister-in-law!"
"Sister-in-law, we were blind not to recognize greatness!"
"From now on, whoever bullies sister-in-law is against our entire courtyard!"
In no time, the living room was bustling with excitement.
Everyone rushed forward, competing to toast to Lin Wan Yi.
Those army family members who had previously whispered and cast suspicious glances now wore the warmest smiles on their faces.
Lin Wan Yi was overwhelmed by this sudden burst of enthusiasm, holding a glass of juice, barely keeping up.
Gu Yanshen stood by her side throughout, like a silent guardian, intercepting one glass of strong liquor after another, yet his expression remained unchanged.
Commander Gu watched his son and daughter-in-law surrounded by the crowd, his face, serious for a lifetime, finally revealing a touch of a relieved smile.
This long-delayed birthday banquet, after experiencing a thrilling storm, finally returned to its rightful celebration and merriment.
...
Night fell.
The guests dispersed, and the house finally returned to silence.
Before leaving, Political Commissioner Zhou, holding Commander Gu, dragged away Director Zhang, who was dead drunk, saying he needed a good "heart-to-heart talk."
Professor Wang and Dean Li helped tidy up before cheerfully bidding farewell.
The two little ones, exhausted from playing, were already soundly asleep in the inner room.
Lin Wan Yi saw off the last guest, closed the courtyard door, and let out a long sigh.
She turned around and bumped into a solid and warm embrace.
Gu Yanshen hugged her from behind.
His chin gently rested on top of her head, his body carrying a faint scent of alcohol.
"I’m sorry."
His voice was low and hoarse, carrying an unprecedented vulnerability.
"For letting you suffer."
Lin Wan Yi said nothing, leaning in his embrace, feeling his strong heartbeat. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂
She raised her hand and pinched the soft flesh at his waist.
"Hmph."
She let out a light hum.
"The mess in your Gu Family is no small matter."
Gu Yanshen held her tighter.
He caught her hand that was still "acting up."
On that hand was the emerald jade bracelet.
He brought her hand to his face, lowered his head, and his warm lips gently touched the cold jade bracelet.
And then, her hand back.
He lifted his head, and in the moonlight, those deep eyes shone brrightly, full of her reflection.
"Never again."
His voice was as firm as a vow.
"Wherever you are,"
He paused, speaking each word clearly.
"Is where my home is."
