Chapter 253: Dad Is Coming to A City

"Brother, are you going to Shutong's trial tomorrow?" Gu Yinxue already had an answer in her mind, but she still asked.

The brother and sister stood before the floor‑to‑ceiling windows of the hotel suite, overlooking the brilliance and bustle of A City, which B City could not match, though B City's solemn grandeur was also beyond A City's reach.

Gu Zhiyan frowned, "I'll go, rest assured."

If anything is omitted in court, perhaps he can give Meng Lü and Shutong a reminder.

"You really like her a lot," Gu Yinxue smiled, "Is the case finished?"

Gu Zhiyan: "An assistant will follow up, I'm not in a hurry to return."

"Hmm." Gu Yinxue didn't want her brother to go to the courtroom.

Regardless of the trial's final outcome, Lin Shutong was the at‑fault party from the start; Lin Shutong's actions would be gradually exposed for judgment, which is terrible for a man who likes beautiful things.

Her brother might from then on see through Lin Shutong, recognizing the true nature of Lin Shutong's pure‑lotus exterior and green‑tea heart, which would be disadvantageous for her.

For now she can't find anyone who could replace Lin Shutong to pull her brother into her own camp.

Gu Yinxue pondered in her mind, what way could prevent her brother from attending the courtroom tomorrow?

Not feeling well?

Given her brother's years of secret crush on Lin Shutong, even if he were sick he'd still go to cheer for Lin Shutong, right?

The only thing that could make her brother disobey is a parental order.

Gu Yinxue picked up her phone and said, "Mom sent me a message; I'll call Mom back."

"Okay." Gu Zhiyan was looking down at his phone, typing to reassure Shutong not to worry about tomorrow's hearing; if the verdict is unfavorable, an appeal can be filed within fifteen days of the judgment's delivery.

After walking away, Gu Yinxue called her mother, "Mom, do you miss me and brother?"

"I do miss you, but you two siblings are each more wayward; it's you who don't think of us."

The mother's voice carried no blame, only a hint of indulgent resentment; Gu Yinxue smiled, "My brother and I will be back soon, after I finish the Fu Family's brand shoot. But brother could go back first; brother has nothing much, can go back and handle life's big matters first."

"Your brother's 'big life matters' I won't listen to; he's already thirty."

"Isn't there also dad?"

"Oh right, let me tell you something quietly: your dad arrives in A City tomorrow morning; you two siblings, may you take care of yourselves."

"Dad is coming to A City?" Gu Yinxue's tone instantly tightened, "When is this? Why didn't I hear Dad say? Why did Dad suddenly think of A City? Is it work‑related?"

"Yin Xue, why are you so tense? It seems your dad guessed correctly; something or someone in A City must be occupying you two siblings' thoughts. Dad has been wanting to find time to go, and tomorrow he's free, so he asked me to keep it from you. If you hadn't thought of Mom today and called her, Mom wouldn't have secretly told you."

Gu Yinxue swallowed nervously, "Thank you, Mom, but it's really because of work."

"No need to hide it from Mom, because it's that Ke Zhongyu kid, right? Don't worry too much, dear, Mom will help you."

Gu Yinxue felt a warmth in her heart, "Thank you, Mom."

The mother and daughter chatted a while longer before hanging up.

Gu Yinxue found her brother and said, "Mom just quietly told me that dad will arrive in A City tomorrow morning; brother, you might not be able to attend the trial."

Gu Zhiyan asked, puzzled, "Why would dad suddenly come over?"

Gu Yinxue pressed her lips, "We both keep going to A City, maybe they're worried we might get into trouble there, or that we could bring trouble to the Gu family; Mom and they think it's because of Ke Zhongyu, your..."

She looked worried: "Shutong's matter has become quite a stir; if dad finds you at the courtroom, or if dad learns that you frequent A City despite work just for Shutong, it could cause dad to have a bad impression of Shutong."

"I know you like Shutong; Shutong has also been heart‑broken by Shen Xun, and now needs you, but if you can't keep your composure early on, it will be hard to deal with the family later."

"Brother, you know, many things in our Gu family can't be done at will; we must be cautious everywhere."

Gu Zhiyan knows how severe his father's strictness is beneath the gentle exterior; he has followed his elders' arrangements all his life, and only the marriage matter he has been postponing these years; Shutong is the only choice belonging to him in thirty years.

"About the trial..."

"Don't worry, brother; I'll stay with Shutong. I'll tell you the specifics as soon as the trial ends."

Gu Zhiyan reluctantly said okay.

In an imperceptible spot, Gu Yinxue curled her lips.

Likewise, Lin Shutong, upon learning Gu Zhiyan couldn't attend the trial tomorrow, let out a huge sigh of relief.

Soon, anxiety returned because of tomorrow's trial, tossing and turning.

……

Jiang Lai slowly opened her eyes.

Looking out the window, it was still a bleak winter; the treetops outside were tilted to one side by the cold wind.

She got up, brushed her teeth, and the phone alarm rang.

7:30 a. m.

The alarm set by Ke Zhongyu, after turning it off, she opened the wardrobe and saw the white shirt that had arrived a few days ago, took it out to change, then grabbed a warm brown cashmere coat and went downstairs.

Ke Zhongyu and Ke Zhongying were already seated at the dining table.

The hard‑to‑wake Ke Zhongying didn't yawn at all, energetically shouting, "Sister Jiang Lai, come eat breakfast quickly; after we finish, we'll set off."

"Okay." Jiang Lai walked over, noticing Ke Zhongyu staring at her clothes.

The three‑dimensional yet slightly loose shirt on her gave a relaxed yet proper feel.

Ke Zhongyu still wore a three‑piece suit, a dark‑red striped tie, with only a hint of the white shirt visible at his chest.

Ke Zhongyu was wearing the one Jiang Lai bought and returned to him, but only he knows, since all white shirts look the same.

"Zhong Poqian asked me to tell you to stay calm."

Jiang Lai nodded, "I understand."

After breakfast, the three of them rode together to the courthouse.

Zhong Poqian was already waiting for them at the courthouse entrance, smiling, showing no sign of nervousness.

Matron Deng Bo Bo and Xiao Qian also arrived, Jiang Lai hugged them one by one, indicating she was fine.

As the group was about to go inside, a taxi stopped at the roadside.

Shen Xun and his father got out of the taxi, standing right between Ke Zhongyu's black Maybach and the blue taxi.

Shen Xun wore a Western suit and leather shoes, his hair meticulously groomed, his tie neatly tied, his leather shoes polished to a shine.

Despite this, it was still hard to hide his face, which had grown thinner than before, and the faint fatigue in his eyes.

The two sides faced each other from a distance.

Shen Xun looked at Jiang Lai, who was surrounded in the center, her features beautiful, her complexion radiant; her simple attire only enhanced her cool, orchid-like temperament, making her all the more captivating.

He stared, stunned, again and again.

His throat felt as if it held a handful of fine sand, and after a long while he managed to croak out two words: "Jiang Lai…"

Jiang Lai ignored him, and in a low voice said to the people beside her: "Let's go in; the trial is about to begin."