Chapter 132: Gu Family Memories

The old residence of the Ke family.

Second Aunt Ke Yunhui also came to the front hall tonight; hearing the two siblings return, she turned her head, looked over, and said with a smile, "Ke Zhongyu is also coming back tonight."

"Second Aunt," Ke Zhongyu called politely.

Ke Yunhui continued, "Congratulations, Ke Zhongyu, on securing a big project."

"So the little girl I arranged to work for Ruo Hua is this capable; Miss Jiang and our Ke family have a strong connection."

Ke Zhongyu felt deeply appreciative: "Thank you, Second Aunt."

"Ke Zhongyu's return must be for something important; I'll go rest first," Ke Yunhui reached out to pat her little niece's head, "Little Chongying, good night."

"Good night, Second Aunt," Ke Zhongying smiled sweetly, watching her aunt leave.

When she looked at her mother, she instantly became obedient, occasionally reaching out to tug at her older brother's sleeve.

Ke Zhongyu ruthlessly pulled away.

Ke Zhongying: "?"

What about the promised help for her?

Shen Xun cares for his sister, Gu Zhiyan also cares for his sister; why does it change when it comes to her brother?

Ke Zhongyu sat opposite his parents, his gaze drifting lightly onto his sister, as if he had also become a subjugator.

Ke Zhongying rolled her eyes; if her brother later pursues Jiang Lai, she'll count herself as having lost!

"Mom, would you listen to my explanation?"

Ms. Nian looked at her daughter's cautious demeanor and couldn't help laughing.

"Hmm, go ahead."

Seeing Ms. Nian's tone wasn't serious, Ke Zhongying immediately sat beside her mother, linking her arm, as close as sisters.

"Those words weren't mine; they were Gu Zhiyan's. He asked me, 'Do you know that I have a friend who has no parents.'"

Ms. Nian frowned, "That Gu Zhiyan child."

How can he speak like that?

Although matching families is an invisible rule for the elite when younger generations mingle, it shouldn't be spoken like that in front of others.

Indeed, it's uncouth.

She can't control Gu family's children, but must manage her own.

"He can't speak, and you can't either? Why repeat those four words?"

Ke Zhongying pursed her lips, "Sister Jiang Lai isn't that fragile… maybe…"

She also realized she shouldn't have repeated "no parents."

Ms. Nian: "Whether she's strong or fragile has nothing to do with it; we shouldn't expose someone's wound. I've told you and your brother since you were kids that regardless of others, we must restrain ourselves, right?"

"Yes, Mom," Ke Zhongying said she would further restrain her words and actions.

Ms. Nian pinched her cheek, then finally glanced at her son.

"You called brother to be a helper?"

"He wouldn't help me," Ke Zhongying snorted, "I won't help him either in the future."

Ke Zhongyu's deep eyes looked at her.

He seemed to understand the threat in Ke Zhongying's words.

He said seriously, "Mom, Ke Zhongying didn't do it on purpose, don't be angry."

Ke Zhongying: "…"

Ms. Nian: "…"

"Too late!" Ke Zhongying huffed as she went upstairs, glancing back to glare at her older brother.

Ke Zhongyu remained very calm, looking around and seeing no father.

"Where's dad?"

"Shufang is on the phone with your fourth uncle and aunt," Ms. Nian said smiling at her son, "Your cousin is about to graduate and will return to the country to develop."

In just a few words, Ke Zhongyu understood the significance of that call.

Ke Fu came out of the study, slightly surprised, "Rare guest, you still remember to come back."

Ke Zhongyu watched his father walk over and sit beside his mother, reached out to lift the tea cup on the table, and took a sip.

He couldn't help thinking of the old man's insulated mug Jiang Lai gave and the white‑hair silver needle.

"Where does Fourth Uncle want to place Ke Chi?" Ke Zhongyu withdrew his gaze, looking at his father.

Ke Fu's hand motion paused noticeably.

"That's a matter for next year; we'll discuss it then."

That lets father avoid the topic; it seems Fourth Uncle and Ke Chi's lion have opened their mouths wide.

Ke Zhongyu already had an idea in his mind, and didn't say it aloud.

Ke Fu also changed the subject: "I heard the Gu family's boy came to A City; these past two days he's been meeting various powerful families for Ji Lao's matters. When did the Gu family's boy become acquainted with the Ji family?"

Ke Zhongyu: "He has a connection with Lin Shutong."

Ke Fu paused briefly: "That girl has considerable talent, but unfortunately her mind is misaligned. If she focused on her career rather than men, she could achieve some modest success in the scientific community."

"With Ji Lao around, she gets these things too easily," Ms. Nian said, "She has always believed her prospects are bright, so naturally she doesn't focus on this."

Ke Fu said meaningfully, "The Gu family's boy mixing with her isn't good; it may one day backfire on him."

Ke Zhongyu: "He is destined to die."

Ke Fu: "…"

It's not necessary to be so poisonous.

Ms. Nian helplessly pressed her palm to her forehead and asked her son, "When will the feud between you two end?"

Ke Zhongyu: "He is the one who is ill; I have no obligation to cheer his sister up."

Ke Zhongying never really coaxed her, yet you're coaxing someone else's sister?

Unless he is ill.

Ms. Nian: "Gu Zhiyan loves his sister because she once got into trouble as a child and was almost never found."

Ke Fu accidentally says: "Did Gu Yinxue get lost?"

He knows little about the Gu family's past.

Ke Zhongyu also lifts his gaze and looks over.

Ms. Nian continues: "I don't know much either; I just followed back then and know a little."

Gu Zhiyan's father is named Gu Sen.

The Gu clan has been in politics for generations; although Gu Sen is not outstanding among the Gu Family's children, he still follows the ancestral rules and walks the path arranged by the family step by step.

Two years after marriage, when the son was one year old, Gu Sen was assigned to G Province. G Province's conditions are harsh, he barely achieved any major political results, being promoted in name but demoted in reality.

He could return only once a year; Gu Sen's wife could no longer endure it, insisted on going to G Province to accompany her husband, and shortly after arriving became pregnant.

Gu Sen feared his pregnant wife would suffer, wanted to send her back; Mrs. Gu refused, persisted in staying there, and after more than eight months of pregnancy the child was born prematurely.

But Gu Sen said nothing; instead at the end of the year he returned with his wife and child, saying he had resigned and would abandon politics for business. The Gu family was angry at his unilateral decision, but also noticed something wrong with Mrs. Gu—her condition was a bit insane; she would at times hold the daughter, mutter a couple of words, then toss the child away, and upon hearing the child's cry she would scramble over, tightly hugging the child.

Once when the child was tossed out, if Gu Zhiyan hadn't caught her, Gu Yinxue would most likely have been injured; for a long time Gu Sen and his son didn't let her touch the daughter.

Gu Sen came to me, asked if I knew any mental‑health experts; that's how I learned a bit—Gu Yinxue, shortly after birth, was almost lost in the hospital. Though she was eventually found, Mrs. Gu still suffered a serious blow.

Later, under the careful care of doctors, her husband, and her son, Mrs. Gu gradually improved and grew more affectionate toward Gu Yinxue.

"Gu Yinxue is the treasure of Gu Sen's family that they fear would melt if spoken about." Ms. Nian looks at her son, "You once, in front of both families' elders, refused her; even when you meet each year you hardly give her face. Gu Yinxue repeatedly tried to warm up to you, only to be met with cold shoulders. If brother Gu Zhiyan, the older brother, didn't get angry, who would?"

Ke Zhongyu is indifferent.

Still the same line: He has no obligation to cheer other people's sisters.

Ke Fu: "If Chongying is repeatedly rejected by boys she likes, would you get angry?"

Ke Zhongyu was about to speak, when he suddenly noticed that Chongying had somehow stood on the railing of Erlou, glaring at him fiercely.

"Brother, speak to me properly!"

"Otherwise I'll smear your neck tonight!"

Ke Zhongyu: "…"