Chapter 48

**Chapter 48**

“That’s the niece of Ning Ning’s uncle!”

Ying Ning suddenly remembered. A few days ago, her aunt had visited their house and mentioned that the husband of her uncle’s niece had taken out a loan from loan sharks and couldn’t repay it, so debt collectors were hounding them day and night.

After the husband went into hiding, the debt collectors started harassing the niece. Sometimes they even banged on the door, leaving the niece trembling in fear, forcing her to seek help from her uncle.

Her aunt was reluctant at first, but seeing how pitiful the niece was, she let her stay at their place for a few days.

At the time, Ying Ning’s mother had been worried—afraid her aunt might get caught up in the loan shark trouble. So if the debt issue had been resolved, does that mean they could casually go shopping now?

“Ning Ning’s aunt meant well, but who knew she’d end up letting a wolf into the sheepfold? Still, who could’ve guessed the niece would hook up with her own uncle?”

They hooked up???

Ying Ning seethed with anger inside.

“No way. Ning Ning’s always been so kind to me—I’ve got to find a way to warn her.”

Ying Ning had already figured it out. After a moment’s thought, she offhandedly said, “Sister Tingyue, I just remembered—my aunt mentioned she wanted to go shopping too. I’d like to ask her. You wouldn’t mind, would you?”

Lin Tingyue wouldn’t mind at all.

“Perfect timing! They’re heading to Yunhao Hotel to get a room. We’ll catch them in the act—let’s see how he denies it then.”

Just what Ying Ning was hoping for.

Honestly, her aunt was truly kind-hearted, but she had one flaw—she was a die-hard romantic.

Back when her uncle was still penniless, her aunt had thrown fits, insisting on marrying him. When her grandparents refused, she even ran off with him in the middle of the night.

Luckily, they managed to stop her in time. Seeing their daughter dead set on marrying the man, the grandparents relented, telling her they’d agree as long as he showed even a little success.

Eventually, her uncle worked his way up the corporate ladder. Seeing how well her aunt had lived all these years, her grandparents were at least somewhat relieved.

And now this!!!

Her aunt adored her uncle so much—they needed to catch him in the act, or she’d never give up.

Ying Ning stepped aside to make a call, making it sound like an emergency and urging her aunt to come right away.

Worried something had happened to Ying Ning, her aunt arrived in no time.

“Shopping?” Gu Xuebing sighed in relief. “I thought something had happened to you! You really scared me!”

Ying Ning grinned. “I just didn’t think you’d come otherwise.”

Gu Xuebing rolled her eyes. “Tell me, when have I ever ignored your calls?”

“Last time, at my coming-of-age ceremony…”

“Oh, Ning Ning, the flight was really delayed! Your uncle and I were stuck abroad, frantic…”

Gu Xuebing turned and noticed Lin Tingyue. Her eyes instantly lit up. “She’s absolutely gorgeous! Ning Ning, is this your new friend?”

Ying Ning introduced her. “Auntie, this is Lin Tingyue.”

Lin Tingyue smiled warmly and said, “Hello, Auntie.”

“Oh, hello, hello!”

Gu Xuebing was grinning from ear to ear.

Ying Ning tugged at Gu Xuebing’s sleeve and whispered, “Auntie, be a little more reserved. People might think you’re trying to take Tingyue home with you!”

Gu Xuebing thought to herself, *If only I really could!*

Both Gu Xuebing and Ying Ning’s mother, Gu Shaohua, were suckers for a pretty face—whether it was a man or a woman, if they were attractive, they loved them.

Back then, Aunt Xuebing had insisted on marrying her (now) husband precisely because he was handsome.

“I *am* being reserved!” Gu Xuebing protested.

Ying Ning looked at Gu Xuebing’s face. Her aunt had lived a smooth, sheltered life without much hardship. She really didn’t want her to suffer such a blow, but better a sharp sting than a slow poison.

Ying Ning decided to get to the point. “Auntie, feel like taking a look at Yunhao Hotel’s new rooftop pool?”

Gu Xuebing caught on quickly. “So this isn’t about shopping—you’re just after my wallet!”

Ying Ning blinked and cooed, “Come on, Auntie, pleeease?”

“Fine, fine.”

Gu Xuebing turned to Lin Tingyue. “Yue Yue, you’re coming too, okay?”

Ying Ning’s jaw dropped. *Yue Yue? Already?*

Lin Tingyue replied softly, “Of course, thank you, Auntie.”

“You’re welcome.”

Ying Ning looped her arms through theirs, her eyes glinting. “Then let’s go!”

Yunhao Hotel wasn’t far—a quick three-minute walk. As they entered, Ying Ning suddenly realized she didn’t know her uncle’s room number.

No big deal. She had ways to find out.

“Auntie, Sister Tingyue, wait here for a bit. I’ll go book the room.”

Gu Xuebing stopped her, smiling. “Book a room? Why? I own shares in Yunhao. They keep a permanent VIP suite reserved for shareholders. I even know the manager, though he never mentioned anything about a rooftop pool.”

“Oooh, maybe it’s a *secret* shareholder perk!”

The rooftop pool was just something Ying Ning made up. Truth was, she had no idea whether Yunhao even had one.

“Yunhao does love over-the-top upgrades,” Gu Xuebing murmured.

Ying Ning asked, “Auntie, what’s the room number?”

“8888. Lucky number, apparently.”

“Seriously?!”

As they stepped into the elevator, Gu Xuebing froze mid-step. *Wait—was that...?*

"They're so shameless! Actually hooking up in Auntie's penthouse suite!"

What?

Ying Ning was furious. "Jesus!" How could they be so brazen? Did they think Auntie would never find out?

Ying Ning clenched her fists, while Gu Xuebing was still confused. Who was fooling around in *her* penthouse?

The penthouse wasn't like regular rooms—it required a code to enter. Only she and her husband knew the code.

Gu Xuebing suddenly widened her eyes. Wait... could it be...?

No, no, Gu Xuebing reassured herself. Just this morning, Wen Rui had said before leaving that she'd coughed a bit last night and that he planned to take her to the hospital after work.

There's no way Wen Rui would cheat.

She was just being paranoid.

The elevator doors opened. Ying Ning said, "Auntie, let's go."

"Okay."

Too upset to notice, Gu Xuebing didn’t realize Ying Ning’s smile had vanished. Ying Ning walked with her, face grim, step by step toward the penthouse.

Gu Xuebing entered the password, pushed the door open, and the unmistakable sounds coming from inside made her face pale.

The penthouse was large, with several rooms. Gu Xuebing marched straight to the master bedroom.

Just as she reached the doorway, two naked bodies still locked together came into view.

"Ah!"

Gu Xuebing’s scream startled the oblivious pair. Wen Rui turned his head in panic and saw his wife. He blurted out, "Xuebing, let me explain!"

Ying Ning supported Gu Xuebing, gently stroking her trembling back. She said coldly, "Uncle, maybe pull out first before explaining to my aunt."

But after a moment, the couple remained stuck together, both beet-red with embarrassment.

Lin Tingyue: "?"

"Oh wow, they’re actually stuck. Like, literally stuck."

"I’ve read online that if you scare people mid-act, they can get stuck."

Ying Ning had no choice but to call an ambulance. The two were carried to the hospital together, making complete fools of themselves.

When word got out about the scandal, Gu Shaohua rushed over too.

Gu Xuebing was standing rigid outside the hospital room, her face dark with fury. Ying Ning whispered, "Mom, should we try to knock some sense into Auntie?"

Gu Shaohua sighed. "If your aunt wants to give up, she will. If she doesn’t, nothing we say will get through to her."

"Yeah… You can't reason with a lovesick fool."

Gu Shaohua turned to Lin Tingyue, who blinked innocently and said, "Nice to see you, Auntie."

Gu Shaohua took Lin Tingyue’s hand. "Tingyue, we really owe you one this time."

"Auntie, it was all Ning Ning. She kept her cool through the whole mess."

"Auntie still needs to thank you."

If it weren’t for Lin Tingyue’s inner thoughts, they might’ve remained clueless for life.

Over there, Gu Xuebing finally pushed open the hospital room door.

As soon as she entered, Wen Rui’s niece dropped to her knees in front of her.

The girl was sobbing hysterically, declaring that she and Wen Rui were truly in love and pleading with Gu Xuebing to accept their relationship.

"Oh my god!"

The girl whimpered pitifully, "Auntie, I know I’m in the wrong, but since things have already gone this far, why don’t you just divorce Uncle?"

Gu Xuebing raised her hand and slapped her across the face. “Are you out of your damn mind?”

The slap sent Wen Qiao reeling. She clutched her cheek, stunned. “Auntie, even now you still—”

Wen Qiao gaped in disbelief when Gu Xuebing then slapped Wen Rui too.

“Honey, let me explain, I was just momentarily blinded—”

Gu Xuebing snapped, “You weren’t blinded—I was the fool here! Get the hell out, you disgusting trash.”

After cursing them out, Gu Xuebing marched out.

The three people left behind looked at each other in stunned silence before rushing after her, only to find Gu Xuebing ranting under her breath as she walked: “It’s fine, it’s fine. What’s the big deal? I’m rich and gorgeous—I could have any man I want. Trash belongs with trash.”

“But… I’ve been around trash for so long—have I been tainted by all this?”

Gu Shaohua was at a loss whether to laugh or cry. Just as she was about to reach out and grab her sister’s hand, a hospital gurney came barreling past. The person on the bed was convulsing violently, clearly in serious condition.

People nearby were gossiping, speculating wildly about what had happened.

“That guy just now… He cheated on his wife and kids, OD’d on pills, and now he’s probably having a stroke.”

“Ugh, what a trainwreck. And he’s got a pregnant mistress too.”

Before that scene could settle, another one broke out nearby.

“This one’s even crazier—a creep in his seventies harassing a young girl on the street and getting beaten up by her boyfriend.”

Wait, what?

Gu Xuebing froze, even forgetting her grief for a moment.

Well, since things had come to this… might as well grab some popcorn.