Rebirth: Contract Husband Falls in Love with Me-Chapter 433 - 222: Winning Over

After a few exchanges, Gu Fangzi had basically figured out what Mrs. Li was like and couldn’t help finding it amusing internally. How could she let such an opportunity slip by? She quickly responded with a smile, "You flatter me too much, Madam Li. Calling me ’Miss Gu’ is far too formal—my name is Gu Fangzi. If you don’t mind, just call me Fangzi! With your graciousness, surely you won’t stoop to the level of maidservants!" She then continued to heap praises upon her.

"Ha, okay, okay, then I won’t stand on ceremony! Fangzi, ha ha! That’s better, it’s more like family this way! Don’t call me ’Madam Li’ either, just call me Aunt Li!" Mrs. Li, seeing herself lifted to such high esteem by Gu Fangzi, was so delighted she practically itched all over, her entire body felt so light as if she could float up to the sky.

Gu Fangzi, with a slight smile on her lips, then said, "Aunt Li, you are still too formal! I’ll just call you Second Aunt! And this is—"

"That’s fine, that’s fine!" Mrs. Li was so happy she could hardly find her bearings. How could she refuse such a proposal? She truly considered this Miss Gu to be a wonderful person. Noticing her gaze towards Sang Yan, Mrs. Li hastily pulled her forward with a smile and said, "This is my daughter, Sang Yan, and also your elder madam’s cousin! Ayan, quickly greet your cousin!"

Sang Yan was already nervous and didn’t know what to do, feeling inferior in front of the radiant and effortlessly charming Gu Fangzi. Dragged forward by her mother, she became even more flustered and, after stammering for a while, managed to call out in a mosquito-like whisper, "Cousin."

Mrs. Li was not satisfied with Sang Yan’s performance, feeling that her daughter’s timidness was a reflection on her, she frowned and pinched Sang Yan’s wrist forcefully, causing her pain enough to grit her teeth and bear it, while her eyes reddened with grievance.

"Sister, no need for such formalities!" With a cheerful smile, Gu Fangzi took Sang Yan’s hand and looked her over before saying, "Don’t be nervous, sister. I get along very well with Second Aunt, and her sister is my sister too! Hehe, you seem to be a sweet and endearing girl. We’ve just met, so I haven’t prepared any fine gifts for you. Please accept this hibiscus gold hairpin as a token of my affection!"

Having said that, she pulled from her head the hairpin with the gold foundation, ruby petals, and pearl pistil shaped like a hibiscus, and affectionately placed it in Sang Yan’s hair.

Sang Yan wanted to refuse but was too tongue-tied to articulate, awkwardly allowing Gu Fangzi to proceed.

Mrs. Li, seeing the glittering golden hairpin and the flawless, vivid gemstone, secretly estimated that the gold weighed at least an ounce and wondered how much it was worth. Knowing it was something that Miss Gu had worn, she was certain it couldn’t be cheap!

She smiled so radiantly on her face, repeatedly exclaiming "I couldn’t possibly, I couldn’t possibly," and then poked Sang Yan’s forehead scolding, "This girl is so silly, all dazed and confused. Hurry up and thank your cousin!"

Sang Yan was even more embarrassed, wishing she could turn and leave immediately, and said in a timid voice, "Thank you, cousin..."

"Second Aunt and sister, please don’t be so courteous!" Gu Fangzi said with a smile, "It’s not often that Second Aunt visits, it’s a pity my sister is out with my aunt today and I don’t know when they’ll return! If Second Aunt does not find it too much trouble, why not come and sit at my place? Oh, have you had your meal yet?"

Mrs. Li didn’t think twice and quickly agreed, but upon hearing the question about whether she had eaten, she suddenly felt her stomach churning with hunger and hurriedly said with a smile, "I rushed here early in the morning, how could I have had time to eat!"

"Oh dear, we shouldn’t let Second Aunt and sister go hungry! Let’s make haste, I’ll have someone prepare some food right away!" said Gu Fangzi as she began to escort Mrs. Li away.

"Fangzi, you really are a good person! I’m so sorry to trouble you!"

"We’re all family, it’s no trouble at all!" Gu Fangzi smiled with pursed lips. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

Gu Fangzi and Mrs. Li hit it off with laughter and chatter from the start, and Liu Ya opened her mouth several times wanting to speak but simply couldn’t find an opportunity to interject. Seeing Gu Fangzi taking Mrs. Li away, Liu Ya truly panicked.

Mrs. Li was always rather eccentric, and Gu Fangzi was quite malicious. If she really managed to take Mrs. Li to the peony garden, who knows what she would say or ask Mrs. Li!

Throwing caution to the winds of propriety, Liu Ya hurriedly stepped forward to stop them, pleading with a smile, "Madam Li, the elder madam might return soon, why don’t you come with me to Ningyuan first to meet the elder madam?"

Truth be told, Mrs. Li did not have a good impression of Liu Ya, and the same went for Gu Fangzi. She was both envious and resentful towards Gu Fangzi, a contradiction she herself could not properly articulate. Now that she had finally encountered a truly respected young lady who was so courteous and flattering towards her, Mrs. Li’s vanity soared to its peak, a sensation she adored and relished too much to cease. Upon hearing her, she said, "Miss Wan isn’t back yet, is she? With Fangzi being so hospitable, I will go sit at her place first. When Miss Wan returns, you can send her over to fetch us!"