CHAPTER 599: CHAPTER 588: THE DIVINE DOCTOR FATHER OF THE WEALTHY DAUGHTER-IN-LAW

"Is this the place? It’s so quiet!" Li Xinyi walked into the entrance of the Western restaurant, curiously looking inside.

"This is my friend’s place. It’s currently in its trial operation phase. Most of the customers are friends, so there aren’t many people. But the ingredients and chefs are top-notch. You should try their dishes later."

"If Brother Ming Shen recommended it, it must be delicious," Li Xinyi said cheerfully.

"Where do you want to sit? I’ve already spoken with my friend; we can pick any seats today."

"Can you see the night view from that window over there?"

"Yes, this is the top floor, the view is quite good."

"Then let’s go there."

As Gu Mingshen and Li Xinyi approached, they realized that the best spot by the window was already taken by acquaintances.

"Mingmei, is it just you and Xiao Hao here today?" Gu Mingshen, holding Li Xinyi’s hand, went over to greet them.

"No, there’s another friend; she’s gone to the restroom." Gu Mingmei smiled as she wiped crumbs from Gu Hao’s mouth, "Second Brother, is this your girlfriend?"

Gu Mingshen looked at the blushing Li Xinyi and didn’t respond or deny: "This is Xinyi, she was the girl next door when I lived in Donghu Villa. Xinyi, this is Mingmei, the daughter from my grand-uncle’s family."

"Hello." Li Xinyi kindly extended her right hand.

"Hello." Gu Mingmei looked at Li Xinyi and felt she seemed familiar, as if they had met somewhere before, but since it might only be their second encounter, she did not act very warmly.

Li Xinyi felt a bit hurt. Was it because she wasn’t good enough? Why did it seem like Brother Ming Shen’s sister didn’t like her very much? And why did she look so familiar? Where had she seen her before?

"Second Brother, go ahead and eat. Don’t mind me and Xiao Hao; I won’t disturb you two."

"Alright, I’ll be going then."

"What a beautiful child!" At this moment, Li Xinyi was captivated by Gu Hao, squatting down with a face full of astonishment.

"Hello, little friend. My name is Li Xinyi. What’s your name?" Li Xinyi smiled sincerely.

Gu Hao turned his head, sneaked a glance at her, and then whispered: "Gu Hao."

Gu Mingmei was slightly surprised; she hadn’t expected Xiao Hao to take such a liking to this woman!

Gu Mingshen, however, understood clearly. Although Xinyi had many shortcomings, her mind was pure, and she indeed found it easier to connect with children than most people.

"It’s the first time Xiao Hao has liked someone this much!" Gu Mingshen felt somewhat happy inside. As the saying goes, a child’s heart is the purest, and they like people with pure minds the most. Xinyi truly deserved his approval.

"Really?" Li Xinyi looked surprised, "Xiao Hao hasn’t smiled at me, I thought he didn’t like me."

"Xiao Hao is a bit special; it’s already quite rare for him to talk to someone he’s just met."

"Second brother, you’re wrong about this, Gu Hao likes two other people more than just family members." Gu Mingmei didn’t know why, but she just couldn’t bring herself to like Li Xinyi—perhaps she thought that adults should act like adults. Although being naive is rare, communicating can be quite exhausting. She really admires her second brother for finding such a girlfriend, but since he is the child of her second uncle, there’s a separation, and she couldn’t say much. As long as he likes her, that’s all that matters.

"Oh? There are people that Gu Hao likes even more?" Gu Mingshen asked curiously, and Li Xinyi was also somewhat surprised, as she naturally attracts children’s affection. Could there really be someone with more appeal to children than her?

"Speak of the devil, and he shall appear. One of them is her, and the other is her dad." Gu Mingmei pointed to Ye Chan, who was walking over from a distance.

Seeing Ye Chan approaching, Gu Hao quickly jumped off the stool and grabbed the hem of her clothes as she reached his side, clearly very fond of her.

"Ye Chan?" Li Xinyi exclaimed.

"You know each other?" Gu Mingshen and Gu Mingmei both looked over, and Li Xinyi’s face immediately turned sour, pouting and turning her head away, clearly not wanting to see Ye Chan.

"Yes, her brother is my ex-husband," Ye Chan said with a candid smile, her expression very calm.

"Oh!" Gu Mingmei looked at Li Xinyi meaningfully. No wonder she couldn’t bring herself to like Li Xinyi at first sight; it turns out that she’s the sister of her good friend’s ex-husband. She finally remembered where she had seen her before—it was because of this same Li Xinyi when she first met Ye Chan.

She knew the causes and effects surrounding her friend’s divorce, and recalling what Li Xinyi said that day, she liked her even less.

"Hello, I’m Gu Mingshen, Mingmei’s brother." Gu Mingshen had no animosity towards Ye Chan; on the contrary, his attitude was quite good.

"Hello, I’m Ye Chan."

"Hmph!" Just when the atmosphere was getting better, Li Xinyi suddenly huffed angrily, making things a bit awkward.

Gu Mingshen slightly frowned, then turned to Ye Chan and said, "I heard you’re now working at my elder brother’s company. How is it going? Are you getting used to it?"

"I’m getting used to it. President Gu is very nice—as long as we satisfy him with our work, he generally doesn’t make things difficult for us employees."

"You’re working at my elder brother’s company?" Gu Mingmei suddenly spoke up.

"Gu Mingting is your elder brother?" Ye Chan hadn’t expected this connection; she generally didn’t talk about her work, and Gu Mingmei rarely mentioned anyone in the family apart from Gu Hao, hence they only learned of this connection now.

The two looked at each other and laughed, finding it somewhat ironic.

"Hmph, you must be pleased with yourself, coming to dine so freely in a Western restaurant. I heard your job is going really well, but I can’t believe you have the capability for it. Ye Chan, stop pretending; you must have known Mingmei’s identity beforehand and approached her on purpose," Li Xinyi vented her frustration, remembering how her brother still seemed distracted today.

"You’re thinking too much. My relationship with Mingmei doesn’t need your questioning. Besides, it’s been almost two months since you and your husband divorced, so why can’t I eat in a Western restaurant?" Li Xinyi had targeted her time and again, and Ye Chan had lost her initial tolerance, saying with a neutral expression and not very politely.

"You became the general manager of Gu Pharmaceutical at such a young age, who knows what methods you used?" Stung by Ye Chan’s words, the occasional comments from Gao Juan slipped out inadvertently.

She didn’t notice that both Gu Mingshen and Gu Mingmei’s expressions had turned cold.

Gu Mingshen took a deep breath, his tone low, "Xinyi, apologize to Miss Ye Chan."

"I won’t, why should I?" Xinyi felt aggrieved and turned her head away. Her Brother Ming Shen was actually yelling at her for another woman!

"Because you spoke out of line. Apologize. My elder brother is impartial in his professional duties; how could he be biased in work matters?" Gu Mingshen’s tone grew colder.