Chapter 57： Granting Her Freedom

Mrs. Gu smiled and nodded, "Very well then, this old woman will say a few words."

Seeing Yang Huiru acting like a hostess, Gu Mingzhu's eyes were full of sarcasm.

The warmth and coldness of the world, the fickleness of human relationships.

After so many years, who still remembered that she was just a third-party who rose to power?

Gu Mingzhu picked up her wine glass and stood aside, listening half-heartedly to Mrs. Gu's pretentious speech.

Not long after, Xu Xingbai rushed over in a flamboyant manner, wearing a dazzling silver starlight dress that almost blinded everyone's eyes.

She had applied the most vibrant red lipstick, her hair piled up high, one hand holding a handbag, and she walked to Gu Mingzhu's side, raised her glass, and finished it in one gulp.

Gu Mingzhu looked at her and asked warmly, "Why are you in such a hurry?"

"I don't want to miss the show."

Gu Mingzhu smiled and asked again, "Did you pass the message to Mrs. Zhang?"

"I did, but speaking of which, Mrs. Zhang Zhihong is indeed beautiful, but her temper is really terrifying." Xu Xingbai's gaze, along with Gu Mingzhu's, fell on Mrs. Gu, looking like she was afraid of causing trouble.

Gu Mingzhu curved her lips warmly, "Terrifying is good."

Mrs. Gu kept up her airs for about five or six minutes before it came to the gift-giving part.

Most of the gifts from the guests were pre-packaged, received and registered by special personnel, but the gifts from the Gu family had to be presented in public.

Xu Xingbai looked at Gu Mingzhu and remembered that last year she had given a clock, almost choking Mrs. Gu to death, so she couldn't help but ask softly, "Zhu Zhu, what are you giving her this year?"

Gu Mingzhu curved her red lips and glanced at her, "I'm giving her freedom."

Xu Xingbai was stunned for a few seconds, then raised her glass and laughed.

This disrupted the Gu family's plan to enter the furniture industry and made Mrs. Gu's carefully planned efforts come to naught. This was indeed giving her freedom.

She took a sip of wine and laughed, "I thought you wouldn't even bother with saving face anymore."

Gu Mingzhu coldly snorted, "I still have to maintain appearances, but spending an extra penny on her makes me feel a pang of pain."

Xu Xingbai smiled and suddenly felt that over the years, she had never really changed.

Even though she was hurt again and again, even though she had to wear a thick mask, even though she had to flatter and manipulate, deep down she was still the same Gu Mingzhu from her childhood.

Facing Xu Xingbai's gaze, Gu Mingzhu knew what she was thinking.

They were alike, equally arrogant and flamboyant, equally bright and unrestrained.

But in the end, they walked different paths in life and became two completely different kinds of people.

But Gu Mingzhu felt that this was actually quite good.

Sometimes when she looked at Xu Xingbai, she felt like she was seeing the self she was supposed to be.

So as long as she could remain fervent and unrestrained like this forever, she still felt satisfied.

Back then, when they were young and carefree, riding horses on the bridge, the whole building was filled with red sleeves waving.

As they were talking, it was now Gu Chaoyun's turn to give her gift.

Yang Huiru said softly on the side, "Mom, over the years, Chaoyun has always wanted to do something for you and for the Gu family. This time, for your birthday celebration, she has put a lot of effort into preparing."

At this, Mrs. Gu's face was full of smiles, and she looked at Gu Chaoyun affectionately, nodding her head, "Chaoyun is really thoughtful."

Under everyone's gaze, Gu Chaoyun stepped forward in a white dress and handed a contract to Mrs. Gu, earnestly saying:

"Grandma, I know that our Gu family is preparing to enter the high-end furniture market, but you have always been worried about the shortage of mahogany materials. So, on the occasion of your birthday, I took the liberty of signing a batch of mahogany materials for you as a gift..."