SECRETS
3501 Words
The woman in white was gone.
Wanning remained at the entrance of the mansion, staring into the trees.
She could still feel the weight of that brief glimpse.
White dress.
Long hair.
A face she couldn’t see clearly.
And the way the woman had stood there without moving.
Watching.
“Wanning.”
Gu Chenyuan’s voice brought her back.
She turned.
He was standing a few steps away, his expression colder than it had been moments earlier.
“What?”
“Go inside.”
She didn’t move.
“Was she real?”
“I don’t know.”
Wanning frowned.
“You saw nothing?”
“I didn’t say that.”
“You said you didn’t see her.”
“I said I didn’t see anyone.”
“That is the same thing.”
“No.”
She stared at him.
He walked past her and toward the trees.
Wanning immediately followed.
“Where are you going?”
“To check something.”
“I’m coming.”
“No.”
She stopped.
“Why?”
“Because I told you to stay inside.”
“You’re not my father.”
His eyes moved to her.
“No.”
“Then don’t order me around.”
Gu looked at her for a long moment.
Then he turned away.
“Fine.”
Wanning followed.
They walked only a short distance before Gu stopped.
There were footprints in the wet soil.
Wanning crouched.
“Those aren’t mine.”
“No.”
She looked at him.
“Are they yours?”
“No.”
The footprints were small.
Bare feet.
Wanning’s skin prickled.
She stood.
“Someone was here.”
Gu didn’t answer.
“Maybe a woman from a nearby village.”
“Perhaps.”
“Then why are you looking so serious?”
He looked at the footprints.
“Because there are no footprints leading into the forest.”
Wanning looked down.
He was right.
The marks began several feet from the mansion.
They continued toward the entrance.
But there was nothing beyond them.
No trail.
No broken branches.
Nothing.
Wanning slowly stood.
“Maybe the rain washed them away.”
“It stopped raining hours ago.”
“Then maybe…”
She stopped.
She didn’t have an explanation.
Gu straightened.
“Come.”
This time, she followed without arguing.
⸻
Inside the mansion, Wanning kept thinking about the footprints.
She sat at the dining table and pushed food around her plate.
Gu sat opposite her.
“You’re not eating.”
“I am.”
“You’ve moved the same piece of food for five minutes.”
Wanning looked down.
He was right.
She picked it up and ate it.
“Happy?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“You’re still thinking about the woman.”
“Obviously.”
Gu took a sip of water.
“You shouldn’t.”
“Why?”
“Because you don’t know what you saw.”
“And you do?”
“No.”
She dropped her fork.
“Then we’re both confused.”
Gu said nothing.
Wanning leaned back.
“Tomorrow we’re going to the countryside.”
“Yes.”
“My grandmother’s house.”
“Yes.”
“You’ve been there?”
“No.”
“Then how do you know where it is?”
“I don’t.”
She frowned.
“You said we’re going.”
“I know.”
“So how are we getting there?”
“By car.”
“Do you know the address?”
“No.”
She stared at him.
“You don’t know the address.”
“No.”
“You’ve never been there.”
“No.”
“And we’re still going?”
“Yes.”
Wanning rubbed her forehead.
“You’re unbelievable.”
“I’ve been told.”
She almost smiled.
Almost.
Then she remembered the painting.
The gemstone.
The woman in the forest.
Her smile disappeared.
“I need to find my grandmother’s things.”
“Why?”
“She gave me the necklace.”
Gu’s eyes dropped to the gemstone.
“She may have known something.”
“Maybe.”
“You never asked her?”
“She died before I understood that there was anything to ask.”
Gu was silent.
Wanning looked away.
“My grandmother was the only person who ever kept me.”
Her voice had become quieter.
“When my parents sent me to the countryside, they acted like they were doing me a favor. They said I’d be happier there.”
She laughed once.
“They didn’t even visit properly.”
Gu didn’t interrupt.
“She raised me. She fed me. She taught me everything. When I got sick, she stayed awake with me.”
Wanning touched the gemstone.
“She gave me this before she died.”
“Do you know where she got it?”
“No.”
“She never told you?”
“She said it belonged to our family.”
Gu’s gaze sharpened.
“Your family?”
“Yes.”
“Did she say how long it had been in the family?”
“No.”
“Did she ever mention the name Gu?”
Wanning thought.
“No.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
She looked at him.
“Why?”
Gu leaned back.
“Because my family has had its own half for a very long time.”
“How long?”
“Longer than I can remember.”
“You’re one hundred and twenty-seven. That’s not very helpful.”
“I know.”
Wanning sighed.
“Tomorrow.”
“Yes.”
“I’m finding answers.”
Gu nodded.
“So am I.”
⸻
In the city, Liliana stood outside the Gu mansion.
She stared at the enormous gates.
For several seconds, she didn’t move.
Even she had to admit it was impressive.
The property looked less like a private residence and more like a place built for royalty.
The gates were black iron.
Stone walls surrounded the estate.
Tall trees lined the driveway.
There were security cameras positioned around the entrance.
Liliana adjusted her dress.
She had rehearsed this moment all morning.
She needed to appear worried.
Not jealous.
Not angry.
Not desperate.
Worried.
She approached the security guard.
“Excuse me.”
The guard looked at her.
“Yes?”
“My sister is here.”
“Name?”
“Shen Wanning.”
The guard checked something.
Then looked back at her.
“Are you family?”
“Yes.”
“Do you have an appointment?”
Liliana smiled gently.
“No. I just came to check on her.”
“We can’t allow visitors without permission.”
Her smile faltered.
“I understand.”
She looked down.
“I just…”
Her eyes became watery.
“My sister has always been difficult, but she’s still my sister.”
The guard’s expression didn’t change.
Liliana continued.
“She ran away from home yesterday. My parents have been worried sick.”
That part wasn’t completely false.
They were worried.
Mostly because they were afraid of the Gu family.
Liliana lowered her voice.
“I heard she came here.”
The guard remained silent.
She clasped her hands.
“Please. I don’t need to stay long. I just want to see her.”
Before the guard could answer, another voice came from behind her.
“Let her in.”
Liliana turned.
An older man stood near the entrance.
He was dressed formally and carried himself with quiet authority.
Liliana smiled immediately.
“Thank you.”
The man looked at her.
“You’re Shen Wanning’s sister?”
“Yes.”
“Liliana?”
Her smile widened.
“Yes.”
“Come inside.”
She followed.
Her eyes moved over everything.
The entrance alone looked more expensive than her family’s entire house.
She had imagined wealth.
She hadn’t imagined this.
The man led her through the hallway.
“Where is Wanning?”
“She left this morning.”
Liliana’s steps slowed.
“She left?”
“Yes.”
“Where?”
“The countryside.”
Liliana blinked.
“Why?”
“To visit her grandmother’s house.”
Liliana’s face tightened.
Her grandmother had been dead for years.
“What does she want there?”
“I don’t know.”
Liliana looked around.
“Is Gu Chenyuan here?”
The man stopped.
“Yes.”
Her heart jumped.
“Can I see him?”
“No.”
The answer was immediate.
Liliana forced a smile.
“Why?”
“He is busy.”
“I won’t disturb him.”
“No.”
She smiled again.
“I’m family.”
The man looked at her.
“You are Wanning’s sister.”
“Yes.”
“That doesn’t make you family to the Gu family.”
Liliana’s smile disappeared for half a second.
Then she recovered.
“Of course.”
The man continued walking.
She followed.
Inside, she was furious.
Nobody had ever spoken to her that way.
She was beautiful.
She was charming.
Men usually became friendly within minutes.
Yet this man barely looked at her.
She needed to know what kind of man Gu Chenyuan was.
Then she saw him.
At the far end of the corridor.
He was standing beside a large window, speaking to someone.
Liliana stopped.
Her breath caught.
She had seen wealthy men before.
She had seen handsome men before.
But she had never seen anyone like him.
He wore a black shirt.
No unnecessary jewelry.
No loud display of wealth.
He simply stood there.
Calm.
Tall.
Composed.
His presence made the entire corridor seem quieter.
Liliana’s eyes lingered on him.
So this was Gu Chenyuan.
The man Wanning had somehow married.
She suddenly understood why nobody could compare him to Lu Cheng.
Lu Cheng had money.
Gu Chenyuan looked like money had been invented for him.
The older man noticed Liliana staring.
“Mr. Gu.”
Gu turned.
His eyes landed on Liliana.
She immediately smiled.
“Hello.”
Gu said nothing.
Liliana walked closer.
“I’m Liliana.”
“I know.”
She smiled.
“You’ve heard about me?”
“Yes.”
She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
“I’m Wanning’s younger sister.”
“I know.”
His answer was cold.
Liliana didn’t let it discourage her.
“How is my sister?”
“She is fine.”
“I was so worried.”
“She doesn’t need you to worry.”
Liliana’s smile weakened.
“I’m her sister.”
“I know.”
Again.
That same answer.
She lowered her eyes.
“I suppose she told you terrible things about me.”
Gu’s expression didn’t change.
“She didn’t tell me anything.”
Liliana looked up.
“Really?”
“No.”
She smiled softly.
“That sounds like Wanning.”
Gu stared at her.
Liliana quickly added,
“She has always been quiet. She keeps everything to herself.”
“Is there a reason you came?”
“Yes.”
She looked sad.
“I wanted to apologize to her.”
“For what?”
Liliana paused.
“I don’t want to talk badly about my family.”
“Then don’t.”
Her lips parted.
Gu continued,
“Say what you came to say.”
Liliana looked down.
“I was supposed to marry someone else yesterday.”
Gu didn’t respond.
“My parents chose him for me.”
Still nothing.
“I wasn’t feeling well.”
Gu’s gaze didn’t change.
“I heard Wanning ran away.”
“She did.”
“I didn’t know she would end up here.”
“I know.”
Liliana looked at him.
“Do you believe she loves you?”
The corridor became silent.
Gu’s eyes hardened.
“You shouldn’t ask me that.”
She immediately lowered her head.
“I’m sorry.”
Her voice trembled.
“I didn’t mean to offend you.”
Gu turned away.
Liliana watched him.
And something inside her became more determined.
He hadn’t rejected her.
He had only told her not to ask.
That was enough for her imagination.
She smiled faintly.
⸻
The next morning, Wanning stood outside the mansion with a small bag.
Gu was already waiting beside the car.
She looked at him.
“That’s it?”
“Yes.”
“We’re driving for hours.”
“Yes.”
“And that’s all you’re taking?”
“Yes.”
She looked at his clothes.
Then at herself.
“You really don’t prepare for trips, do you?”
“I do.”
“Where’s the luggage?”
“In the car.”
She opened the trunk.
There were several bags.
She stared.
“You packed all this?”
“For you.”
She turned.
“How did you know what I needed?”
“You were going to the countryside.”
“That doesn’t answer the question.”
He closed the trunk.
“You’ll need them.”
Wanning looked suspiciously at him.
“Did you buy these?”
“No.”
“Then where did they come from?”
“Your room.”
She frowned.
“My room?”
“You’ve lived here for two days.”
“And somehow you already had clothes my size?”
“Yes.”
“That’s creepy.”
Gu opened the car door.
“Get in.”
Wanning sighed.
“You really don’t know how to explain anything.”
“No.”
She got in.
He walked around to the other side.
The drive began.
For the first hour, neither of them spoke much.
Wanning looked through the window.
The city disappeared.
Buildings became smaller.
Then there were fewer roads.
Then farms.
Then long stretches of green.
She recognized the route.
“This way.”
Gu looked at her.
“You know it?”
“Yes.”
She pointed.
“That road leads toward the village.”
He followed her directions.
Eventually, she saw the old sign.
Her heart sank.
She hadn’t been back in years.
The village looked almost exactly as she remembered.
Small houses.
Old shops.
Children running along the road.
Women sitting outside.
A few men gathered near a roadside stall.
Wanning’s grandmother’s house stood farther away.
When they arrived, she didn’t immediately get out.
The house looked smaller than she remembered.
The walls were faded.
The wooden door was old.
The yard had become overgrown.
She swallowed.
“This is it.”
Gu parked.
Wanning opened the door.
She stepped out.
For a moment, she simply stood there.
Memories came rushing back.
Her grandmother calling her name.
The smell of roasted corn.
Rain falling on the roof.
Her grandmother sitting outside in the evening.
Wanning running barefoot through the yard.
Then leaving.
She had never wanted to leave.
She had been sent away.
She walked to the door.
It was locked.
“I don’t have the key.”
Gu stood behind her.
“There’s another entrance.”
“How do you know?”
“I checked the property records.”
She looked at him.
“You did what?”
“I needed to know the house wasn’t abandoned.”
Wanning stared.
“You really investigate everything.”
“Yes.”
They walked around the side.
The back door opened with an old key that Gu had somehow obtained.
Wanning looked at him.
“Where did you get that?”
“The caretaker.”
“There is a caretaker?”
“There was.”
“Was?”
“He died.”
She stopped.
“Gu.”
“Yes?”
“You have a very disturbing way of delivering information.”
He opened the door.
Dust filled the air.
Wanning coughed.
Inside, everything looked frozen in time.
Her grandmother’s wooden chair.
The old table.
The cupboard.
The faded curtains.
A calendar still hanging on the wall.
Wanning stepped inside.
She touched the chair.
Her fingers trembled.
“This was hers.”
Gu remained near the doorway.
He didn’t come closer.
Wanning walked through the house slowly.
She opened cupboards.
Nothing.
She checked drawers.
Old receipts.
Needles.
Thread.
A few handwritten notes.
Nothing about the necklace.
Then she remembered something.
“My grandmother had a wooden box.”
Gu looked at her.
“What kind?”
“Small.”
She pointed toward the bedroom.
“She kept important things inside.”
They entered the room.
Wanning searched beneath the bed.
Nothing.
Inside the wardrobe.
Nothing.
Behind the cabinet.
Nothing.
She became frustrated.
“She had it.”
“Perhaps someone moved it.”
“No.”
Wanning shook her head.
“She never let anyone touch it.”
Gu looked around.
“What was inside?”
“I don’t know.”
“You never opened it?”
“She wouldn’t let me.”
“Why?”
“She said I would understand when I was older.”
Wanning stopped.
A memory surfaced.
Her grandmother sitting beside her when she was around nine.
The old woman had held the heart-shaped necklace in her palm.
One half.
Exactly the half Wanning wore now.
Her grandmother had said something.
What was it?
Wanning closed her eyes.
“Something about a promise.”
Gu looked at her.
“What promise?”
“I don’t remember.”
“Try.”
She shook her head.
“I was a child.”
Then she heard something.
A soft knock.
Wanning opened her eyes.
“Did you hear that?”
Gu turned.
The sound came again.
Knock.
Knock.
Knock.
From inside the wardrobe.
Wanning stared.
“There’s something inside.”
Gu stepped toward it.
“Stay behind me.”
He opened the wardrobe.
Nothing.
Wanning frowned.
“Then what was that?”
Gu examined the wood.
His fingers stopped on a small panel.
He pressed it.
A hidden compartment opened.
Wanning stared.
Inside was an old wooden box.
Her breath caught.
“That.”
She reached for it.
Gu stopped her hand.
“Wait.”
“Why?”
“It’s old.”
“So?”
“Let me check it.”
Wanning pulled her hand back.
Gu examined the box.
There were strange markings carved into the lid.
Wanning recognized one immediately.
The same symbol appeared on her necklace.
Her stomach tightened.
“That’s it.”
Gu’s face changed.
“What?”
“That symbol.”
She touched the necklace.
“My grandmother had it on the box.”
Gu stared at the carving.
Then at the gemstone.
For the first time since she had met him, Wanning saw something close to genuine surprise in his eyes.
“You know it?”
“No.”
“You’re lying.”
“No.”
“Then why do you look like that?”
Gu didn’t answer.
He carefully opened the box.
Inside were old papers.
Photographs.
A small bundle of letters.
And beneath them all—
a black-and-white photograph.
Wanning picked it up.
Her breath stopped.
It showed her grandmother.
But she wasn’t alone.
Standing beside her was a young man.
A man Wanning had never seen before.
She turned the photograph over.
There was writing on the back.
Only one sentence.
He came for her before she was born.
Wanning looked at Gu.
“What does this mean?”
Gu didn’t answer.
Because he was staring at the photograph.
And for the first time since she had met him, the calmness in his face disappeared completely.
He knew the man.
Wanning saw it.
“You know him.”
Gu slowly lifted his eyes.
“Yes.”
“Who is he?”
He looked back at the photograph.
Then said,
“My father.”
Wanning’s fingers tightened around the picture.
“Your father?”
“Yes.”
“But…”
She looked at the photograph again.
The man looked young.
Far too young.
Her grandmother had been an old woman when she died.
Wanning swallowed.
“When was this taken?”
Gu didn’t answer.
She looked at the date written underneath.
Her face went pale.
The photograph had been taken more than fifty years before Gu Chenyuan was supposedly born.
Wanning slowly turned toward him.
“Gu…”
He looked at her.
She held up the photograph.
“How is your father in a photograph with my grandmother…”
Her voice dropped.
“…before you were even born?”
Gu said nothing.
Outside the old house, something moved past the window.
Neither of them noticed.
The old wooden door behind them slowly swung shut by itself.
And somewhere in the village, an old woman who had been watching the Gu car arrive whispered to herself,
“They finally came back.”
She crossed herself.
Then hurried away.
Inside the house, Wanning was still waiting for Gu’s answer.
But Gu was no longer looking at her.
He was looking at the photograph.
Because he knew something she didn’t.
The man standing beside her grandmother hadn’t been there by accident.
And if the photograph was real, then the secret connecting the Shen family and the Gu family had begun long before Wanning’s birth.
Possibly long before her grandmother’s.
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