Chapter Thirty: Fan Yirou

"Uh... there's no need to be so surprised! Isn't it perfectly normal for me to seek her out?" Chen Hao was startled by Gu Mengyan's reaction. "I thought you could guess that my business partner is Fan Yirou?"

The Fan Yirou mentioned by Chen Hao was indeed someone Gu Mengyan was very familiar with—perhaps even more so than Bill Andre. If Gu Mengyan was Chen Hao’s childhood companion, then Fan Yirou was her closest confidante. At home, it was Chen Hao who kept Gu Mengyan company, but at school, it was always Fan Yirou by her side. The two had been classmates from elementary school all the way through high school, never once separated. Such a bond was truly remarkable.

In the earliest days—back when Gu Mengyan was in elementary school—she and Fan Yirou weren’t so close. With more than forty students in the class, split evenly between boys and girls, Gu Mengyan would never have guessed that this girl would be her classmate for twelve consecutive years. She treated Fan Yirou no differently from any other classmate, and Fan Yirou reciprocated.

But everything changed on Gu Mengyan’s tenth birthday.

Children always look forward to their birthdays, and Gu Mengyan was no exception. Her family could be considered wealthy and distinguished; though she wasn’t their biological daughter, Chen Hao’s parents adored this clever, adopted girl, treating her as their own, with no distinction between her and Chen Hao.

So, her tenth birthday was a grand affair. Apart from inviting relatives and friends, Gu Mengyan’s classmates were also included. All the guests were welcomed to Chen Hao’s own mansion. Because the estate was inaccessible by public transport, those without their own cars were picked up and dropped off by arrangements made by the family.

Such matters were hardly a challenge for Chen Hao’s parents. They instructed the staff to ensure everything was elegant and proper, with not a hint of negligence. The staff knew how cherished Gu Mengyan was, and dared not slacken in their duties. The festivities were managed by a professional team, renowned chefs prepared the meals, and guests were ferried in luxurious limousines.

But all this was to be expected—many wealthy families celebrate their children’s birthdays in similar fashion. What set this occasion apart was something no ordinary rich family could match: to give Gu Mengyan prestige and let her classmates experience something extraordinary, the transportation for her classmates wasn’t cars, but helicopters—far more lavish and spectacular than any automobile.

Yes, helicopters. An extravagant indulgence. Ordinary people wouldn’t dream of such a thing, and even those who could afford one rarely had a place to keep it, not to mention the upkeep and the pilot’s salary.

Some affluent families might rent helicopters for special occasions, but Chen Hao’s family owned theirs outright. Chen Hao’s father even had a pilot’s license. The pilot wasn’t a temporary hire but a full-time employee of the household, always ready to fly Chen Hao’s father wherever needed.

Naturally, he was tasked with transporting Gu Mengyan’s classmates. Gu Mengyan was always low-key at school, and the schools chosen for her and Chen Hao weren’t prestigious private academies but ordinary public schools accessible to any family.

Her classmates came from average backgrounds; even the relatively well-off couldn’t compare to Gu Mengyan’s household. Gu Mengyan’s modesty at school meant no one suspected her family’s extraordinary wealth. When they saw the estate, they were dumbfounded, gazing at Gu Mengyan as if she were a princess. No—she truly was a princess.

Amidst everyone’s astonishment, one expression stood out: Fan Yirou’s. Her gaze was peculiar, yet Gu Mengyan didn’t notice it at the time.

Gu Mengyan herself was startled by the spectacle, never expecting Uncle Chen and Aunt Du to use helicopters for her classmates. Still, she maintained her composure, greeting her guests as usual.

She was calm, but her classmates were not; they were uneasy, though, being ten-year-olds, the shock soon gave way to curiosity and excitement. With such a vast estate, the children soon ran wild in the garden, thoroughly enjoying themselves.

Only one remained different—Fan Yirou. She seemed unimpressed by the grand manor, wandering quietly alone, scrutinizing every corner. Sometimes she nodded at what she saw, sometimes she shook her head, mostly lost in thought.

None of the other children noticed Fan Yirou’s odd behavior. At school, she was always silent and cold, beautiful like Gu Mengyan, but so aloof that few spoke to her.

Gu Mengyan, normally indifferent, remembered her duty as hostess. Uncle Chen and Aunt Du had instructed her to look after every guest, so despite their unfamiliarity, she went to Fan Yirou.

The voice of a ten-year-old girl is pure and innocent. Even though Gu Mengyan tried to mimic Uncle Chen’s manner with guests, she still sounded sweet and childish: “Fan Yirou, why are you here alone? Why not play with everyone? Is it a little uncomfortable?”

“Hm?” Fan Yirou seemed uncertain, as if she didn’t understand why Gu Mengyan was approaching her.

Outgoing as ever, Gu Mengyan continued, “You know I’m an orphan, right? Uncle Chen and Aunt Du adopted me. My original family wasn’t rich, but not poor either. Compared to this home, though, it’s worlds apart. When I first moved in, I was overwhelmed by everything, too.

But after living here, it’s just a house, big or small doesn’t really matter. What’s truly important is the people who are with you. Uncle Chen and Aunt Du treat me like their own daughter, so over time, I’ve come to see this place as my home.

You haven’t said much, but I’ve noticed you looking around a lot—curious, right? If you’re interested, you’re always welcome to visit, or even stay here if you like. There are plenty of rooms. Usually it’s just me and my brother, but if you came, it’d be lively. If you don’t mind, I can be your first friend!

Sorry for saying this, but you seem to keep to yourself at school, so…”

Fan Yirou surprised her with a laugh—delicate and unexpected. It was the first time Gu Mengyan had seen her smile. At school, Fan Yirou never wore a frown, but she never smiled either. Now, her smile was radiant, her whole demeanor transformed—no longer the reserved, silent girl, but someone entirely different.

“You’re absolutely right! I don’t have many friends at school. Did you think I’m shy, and that’s why I don’t talk to people?” Fan Yirou’s expression was oddly mature for her age.

Gu Mengyan was at a loss for how to respond. Agreeing seemed impolite, denying felt untruthful. She could only stammer, unsure how to answer: “Well…”

Fan Yirou waved it off. “It’s understandable for you all to think that, but it’s just an act I put on for others.”

“Hm?” Gu Mengyan was even more confused. “An act? Why?”

Fan Yirou sighed, strolling slowly forward, with Gu Mengyan trailing behind, bewildered.

“I’m actually like you, from a very wealthy family,” Fan Yirou confessed. “The only difference is, I’m not an adopted orphan. But maybe that’s not so different—or maybe it is. You’re an orphan, but your adoptive parents treat you well. I’m not an orphan, but my biological parents…”

She left the rest unsaid, but the meaning was clear.

Gu Mengyan didn’t doubt her, but was shocked, her mouth agape. “Oh! Um…”

Fan Yirou smiled. “No need to comfort me. I’m used to it.”

“I’m sorry…” Gu Mengyan replied, “I shouldn’t have brought this up!”

Fan Yirou smiled, gently stroking Gu Mengyan’s hair, leaning in to inhale its scent. “You smell wonderful! Don’t be upset. If you truly want to comfort me…”

Gu Mengyan felt shy at the intimacy. Though they were both girls, such closeness was described in books as something between lovers. If anyone were to do this, it should be Chen Hao.

Fan Yirou quickly continued, “If you really want to comfort me… were you serious about letting me stay here?”