Chapter 174: The Subtle Schemes Men Can't Detect

Ke Zhongyu turned and left quickly.

Jiang Lai was a bit taken aback, and when she returned to the R&D lab, a message popped up in the "【The Ke family is posting (4) today】" group.

Secretary Guan: "Ke Zhongyu is so sudden, taking a shower this afternoon."

She just saw Ke Zhongyu enter the lounge, still holding a towel, brow furrowed, walking hastily.

Secretary Cen: "It's indeed sudden; I guess it's too hot, so you need a cold shower to cool down a bit."

Jiang Lai looked up at the sky; it was overcast.

And winter was approaching.

Bathing and calming down together is fine, but what does hot weather have to do with calming down?

Secretary Cen's wording left Jiang Lai a bit puzzled, but she still typed back: "Ke Zhongyu likes cleanliness; that's a good habit."

Secretary Cen: "Yes, Ke Zhongyu has always kept himself pure; Secretary Guan, Assistant Zhou, and I can all vouch for it."

Assistant Zhou: "Absolutely true."

Secretary Guan: "Zhou Zhou, you're so elusive; when will you be back?"

Assistant Zhou: "I'll return once I get the thing."

Jiang Lai replied wishing him a smooth business trip, tucked her phone away, and went back to work.

…

Gu Zhiyan met his sister Gu Yinxue at the airport, gave her a brief hug, and took her to the hotel to check in, which was right next to his room.

Lin Shutong sent a message saying she hadn't been feeling well these past two days and couldn't go far; if they didn't mind, they could find a local restaurant near her home for a meal.

Gu Zhiyan was worried about Lin Shutong and was eager to meet, and Gu Yinxue saw her brother's thoughts and naturally didn't object.

The siblings arrived at the foot of Lin Shutong's house.

It was already mealtime, the building smelled of food, and Gu Yinxue was clearly a bit hungry.

Gu Zhiyan pulled a bag of small cakes from his coat pocket, tore it open, and handed it to his sister.

Gu Yinxue smiled, "Brother, why do you always have snacks in your pocket?"

"I grabbed one from the table when I left, just in case you get hungry," Gu Zhiyan explained on Lin Shutong's behalf, "Shutong, like you, loves looking good, so she probably needed to freshen up before coming down."

Gu Yinxue pressed her lips together, chewed the cake, and nodded, "I understand."

Gu Zhiyan looked at her, "Take your time eating."

As soon as he finished speaking, Lin Shutong came down, fully made up, with a bright smile.

"Zhiyan, Yinxue, sorry to keep you waiting."

He gave the brother and sister a hug each.

Then standing beside Gu Zhiyan, the three walked toward the reserved restaurant.

Lin Shutong seemed fine, but whenever she lowered her head to tuck her hair, Gu Zhiyan could see a hint of worry in the droop of her mouth corner.

He asked, "Shutong, have you been okay these past two days?"

Lin Shutong nodded, "I'm doing fine; my parents are back, I'm staying with them, and after the New Year they'll leave again."

Gu Zhiyan pursed his lips, about to ask something, when Lin Shutong looked at the quietly listening Gu Yinxue beside her and asked, "Yinxue, are you here to play or to film?"

Gu Yinxue: "Just to play."

Lin Shutong: "That's a bit of a pity; I have to stay with my parents for a while, so I can't hang out with you. Zhiyan, you're not busy, right? If you're free, spend more time with Yinxue."

Gu Zhiyan said, "I'm fine."

Gu Yinxue laughed, "I don't need him; he only gets in my way."

The three arrived at the restaurant and sat down; Gu Zhiyan looked at his sister, slightly displeased, "You're going to look for him again? Can you stop trying to warm a cold butt?"

Gu Yinxue leaned onto the sofa chair, unabashedly saying, "No, I just like him."

"Huh?" Lin Shutong was surprised, "Yinxue has someone she likes now?"

Gu Yinxue took a sip of water, smiled, "I've always had him; can you believe my brother never told you?"

Gu Zhiyan, with a displeased look, said, "He's not suitable for you."

"You only know after trying, and I haven't even succeeded yet," Gu Yinxue said, then looked at Lin Shutong, shifting the topic, "How are you and your boyfriend?"

Lin Shutong's smile stiffened.

She first glanced at Gu Zhiyan, then gave a bitter smile, "It's fine."

Gu Zhiyan frowned upon hearing that, then changed the subject again, "The dishes are served; let's eat. Aren't you hungry?"

Gu Yinxue sensed a nuance, it seemed something had gone wrong recently.

At the table, Lin Shutong kept drifting off, occasional sorrow tinting her brows; when called, she would put on a proper smile, as if forcing herself to hold up.

Gu Yinxue's eyes darted back and forth, but it wasn't the right place to ask, so she kept silent.

After the meal, Gu Zhiyan asked Lin Shutong, "You look unwell; do you want to go to the hospital? Yinxue and I can go with you."

Lin Shutong shook her head the moment she heard 'hospital,' as if fearing something.

"No need to go to the hospital; I just can't sleep well."

Gu Zhiyan didn't believe her; he told his sister to wait in the car while he escorted Lin Shutong back alone.

At the building's entrance, just before parting, Gu Zhiyan asked, "Are you pregnant?"

How did he know?

Lin Shutong had planned to keep it from Gu Zhiyan, but now he knew, so she had to devise another plan, lest Gu Zhiyan think she was shamelessly clinging to Shen Xun.

Lin Shutong's eyes flashed, and she decided to continue portraying herself as a victim.

She lifted her gaze, tears glimmering, "Where did you hear that?"

Gu Zhiyan looked at her lower abdomen; it was indeed real.

"Can you keep it secret?" Lin Shutong pleaded, "Zhiyan, Shen Xun doesn't want it."

She lowered her head, tears falling in large drops.

Gu Zhiyan felt a pang in his heart, and quickly said, "I won't tell anyone, stop crying."

"Thank you, Zhi Yan." Lin Shutong lightly hugged him, then left, wiping her tears as she said, "My parents are very angry; during this time I'm not really able to go out and contact you guys. Take Yin Xue to have a good time in A City."

Gu Zhiyan watched her go upstairs before leaving.

After getting in the car, Gu Yinxue in the passenger seat immediately turned to ask him, "Lin Shutong seems to be breaking up with her boyfriend—is your chance coming?"

"How do you know she's breaking up with her boyfriend?" Gu Zhiyan looked at his sister, puzzled.

Gu Yinxue blinked and said, "That bitter smile plus a comment 'it's fine' isn't obvious? She's clearly saying she has something going on but doesn't want you to worry."

Quite scheming.

Still, it's a little scheming that men often fail to notice.

Gu Yinxue neither dislikes nor likes Lin Shutong; she merely regards her as an acquaintance.

Unless one day she really ends up with her brother, harbors the delusion of marrying into the Gu family and having genuine interaction with her, she will not give Lin Shutong a second glance.

Her brother has liked her for so many years without letting go; every matchmaking word she speaks from her mouth is merely to avoid dampening his enthusiasm.

Gu Zhiyan promised Lin Shutong to keep her pregnancy a secret, not even planning to tell his sister, but he mentioned Shen Xun and Jiang Lai.

To preserve Lin Shutong's image in front of his own family, he didn't mention that Shen Xun was married—especially since they're already divorced.

Better to do less than more.

"Her boyfriend has fallen for another woman."

Gu Yinxue exclaimed in surprise, "Is there really someone who can steal a man from her?"

This type of Lin Shutong is highly sought after among men with some ability; she comes from an educated family, has a pretty face and good figure, knows how to be gentle and coquettish, has a small career but doesn't overshadow the man.

"Who is it?" — someone with such ability.

Gu Yinxue became interested.

Gu Zhiyan frowned, "You wouldn't want to know—this person is also related to Ke Zhongyu."