Chapter 1204: You Look Perfect
Chapter 1204: You Look Perfect
Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
The third branch of Sister Hua’s Gourmet Shop had just opened to considerable fanfare.
Naturally, Gong Xin had arranged for two of the biggest and most outrageously extravagant floral baskets money could buy. And since the office was unusually quiet that afternoon, she didn’t hesitate to take the opportunity to slip away.
With the blessing of her bemused supervisor, she was off on a mission to see her beloved soul sister, Gu Zi.
It had been over six months since they’d last laid eyes on each other, and when Gong Xin finally caught sight of Gu Zi again, she was momentarily stunned into silence.
"Gu Zi!" she gasped, blinking in disbelief. "What exactly have you been eating in the capital? You’ve... ballooned!"
Gu Zi rolled her eyes at her friend’s characteristic lack of a filter and gave her a once-over of her own.
Gong Xin, with her now-long hair and a touch of understated makeup, exuded a newfound femininity—softer, more elegant. There was less of the tomboyish energy, and in its place, a quiet maturity. She looked like a woman on the cusp of romance—or perhaps already deep in it. Plumper, fairer, and glowing... it was obvious someone had been feeding her well. No doubt, Jin Long’s doing.
Feigning solemnity, Gu Zi lowered her gaze to her rounded belly and murmured in a mock-conspiratorial tone, "Baby, remember this moment well. Auntie Gong Xin can’t even recognize you when you’re in the womb. When you’re born, don’t bother recognizing her either, all right?"
The words hit Gong Xin like a thunderclap. She suddenly remembered—Jin Long had mentioned something about Gu Zi being pregnant! She squealed with glee, her eyes lighting up as she turned to Gu Zi’s belly like it was a holy relic.
"There’s a little one in there?! Oh my God—of course I recognize you, sweet baby! Auntie Gong Xin will buy you every toy under the sun, you hear me? Every last one!"
Gu Zi couldn’t help laughing, "All right, all right. Enough fooling around. But tell me—what made you drop everything and come running? Don’t tell me it’s just to see me?"
Gong Xin shot her a mischievous smile. "You know me too well. Of course I missed you, but... I’ve also got some delicious gossip. About your dear adoptive father, Gu Shan. Want to hear it?"
Gu Zi leaned back lazily. "Let me guess. Gu Shan has an illegitimate son. The child is with Li Li. And now Gu Shan’s divorcing Zhang Mei and backstabbing Lin Miao so he can clear the way for Li Li and the love child to move in?"
Gong Xin made a dramatic face, sulking as she cracked open a sunflower seed. "Ugh, you ruin everything. How do you always guess the punchline? There’s no fun in telling you things!"
Gu Zi chuckled and handed her a fistful of peanuts. "It’s not my fault they make it so easy to figure out. I’ll try to keep quiet next time—let you have your big reveal."
In truth, it wasn’t exactly a mystery. Gu Shan had been entangled with Li Li for quite a while, and the moment she got pregnant, he’d been itching to dump Zhang Mei. The only reason he hadn’t was because Zhang Mei had stubbornly refused to sign the papers. That woman, honestly—how had she not seen the storm brewing? How could she not have taken precautions?
But Gu Zi couldn’t bring herself to pity Zhang Mei. The woman had made her own bed. Let her lie in it.
As for Gu Shan, he finally had a son of his own and was scrambling to make things official with Li Li. That meant he would no longer have the time or inclination to meddle in her life. With Zhang Mei and Lin Miao both headed to prison, the chances of future trouble were slim to none.
Once everything here was sorted, Gu Zi could return to the capital in peace. Her three little angels were waiting for her there—and oh, how she missed their sweet faces.
As they chatted, Gong Xin munched on sunflower seeds, occasionally reaching for the delicate pastries laid out on the table. "Be honest," she said between bites. "Have I gotten fatter?"
Gu Zi had, of course, noticed immediately. But now that it was being brought up, she took a moment to give her friend a proper once-over. "I am being honest. You’ve definitely been eating well. But it’s a cute kind of chubby—still totally flattering."
Gong Xin raised her chin in smug satisfaction. "Naturally. I’ve got great bone structure—gaining a little weight won’t change that. But I seriously can’t afford to get any heavier. I’m not joking—half my dresses are too tight at the waist. But when I told Jin Long that, he just laughed and said it was the fabric shrinking. Can you believe that? He insists I haven’t gained a single ounce and still drags me to all these tastings. I swear, I need to start dodging him."
Just then, as if summoned by name, Jin Long himself waltzed in carrying two takeaway bags. He stood over them, expression mildly perplexed.
"Xin Xin, who are you dodging?" he asked, voice laced with mock suspicion. "Is someone bothering you? Just say the word and I’ll make sure they’re gone for good."
He plopped the bags down with a flourish.
"These are some new dishes we just added to the menu. I was coming to see Gu Zi anyway, so I thought I’d bring you both something to try. I know you’re going to love it."
He handed each of them a portion with the confidence of a man who knew his food never missed.
Gu Zi, now craving something sour, eagerly opened the container and dug in. It was just the right flavor—tangy, refreshing. Perfect for her pregnancy cravings. But Gong Xin recoiled a bit and waved him off dramatically.
"Seriously, you need to hire a real taste-tester for your restaurant. Stop making me your personal lab rat! If I get any rounder, I’ll need to throw out half my wardrobe. I can’t even zip up my cute dresses anymore."
Jin Long gave her an assessing look, and then smiled like a man deeply satisfied with what he saw.
"I think you look perfect. If it’s dresses you want, I know a place that does custom tailoring. Gorgeous work, totally bespoke, and the fit is like a dream. I’ll take you there myself—just say the word."