Chapter 302: Photos of Gu Sen When He Was Young

Jiang Lai stared blankly at Ke Zhongyu; she hadn't expected Ke Zhongyu to do that.

Ke Zhongyu was trying to make up for the regret she had in her youth.

Facing her gaze, Ke Zhongyu stopped the explanation, and although pleased inside, said calmly, "Listen carefully, Jiang Lai, you are now fifteen years old."

Jiang Lai's mouth was quicker than her actions; she replied "Oh" and went along with him.

Thus, she learned about all the zoo's animals from Ke Zhongyu's mouth, and also realized his remarks could sting as well as his metaphors were amusing.

After passing the two reptile houses, Ke Zhongyu said the Komodo dragon and the Chinese alligator were engaged in an East‑West showdown.

In the bird area, Ke Zhongyu called the strolling penguins "stupid kids in heavy cotton coats who can't walk."

When they reached the beast and primate zones, Ke Zhongyu protected her again, fearing the Bengal tiger and the gorilla might hurt her.

In fact, the zoo animals rarely harm people; Jiang Lai thought Ke Zhongyu was overly nervous, but when she saw Ping'an reaching toward a large beast, she too became nervous enough to instinctively stop him.

In those moments, Jiang Lai realized Ke Zhongyu's protection of her was subconscious.

It was so novel.

The feeling Ke Zhongyu gave her was so novel, something Shen Xun had never given her.

It has been that way since they met.

After touring the botanical garden and the zoo, the four found a nearby restaurant for a meal; after eating, Dean Tang and Ping'an were tired and had no intention of further shopping.

Ke Zhongyu drove them to the hotel, and midway Dean Tang received a call from Fuli Yuan; she had matters to attend to and would probably have to return tomorrow.

Ping'an stayed behind.

Ke Zhongyu again assured Dean Tang that he would take Ping'an to the hospital for a full check‑up together with Jiang Lai, and said he had already made the arrangements.

Dean Tang looked at the towering Ke Zhongyu, had words on the tip of his tongue but didn't know how to say them, and finally managed only five words: "Thank you, President Ke."

Ke Zhongyu replied politely to his elder, "You're welcome, Dean Tang."

This time Ke Zhongyu entered the hotel together with them; Jiang Lai swiped her card and led Ping'an inside, and as Dean Tang lifted one foot, Ke Zhongyu called out to her.

In the instant they met eyes, she knew Ke Zhongyu had something to tell her alone.

"President Ke, this way, please."

They walked a few steps aside, and Dean Tang asked directly, "President Ke, what do you want to say?"

Ke Zhongyu still recalled the incident when the car left this morning; he asked, "Dean Tang, this morning you mentioned 'really looks like'; what does that mean?"

A matter that had been pushed aside was brought up; Dean Tang was momentarily stunned and said, "I just said it offhand."

Ke Zhongyu: "Do you think Jiang Lai looks like someone?"

Dean Tang, surprised by his perceptiveness, nodded, "It's just an association; such words can't be spoken carelessly, lest they cause trouble."

Ke Zhongyu said in a low voice, "Dean Tang, rest assured, I won't speak out anything without a definite conclusion."

Dean Tang looked at him, recalling how he had previously been willing to stake his ID and the Ke Group's reputation in front of her; this person was, to some extent, trustworthy.

She hesitated a moment then said, "Jiang Lai actually looks a bit like Mr. Gu."

This time Ke Zhongyu was stunned.

He didn't think Jiang Lai resembled Uncle Gu; rather, her naturally noble aura was somewhat similar.

Dean Tang added, "When he was young, Mr. Gu's youthful appearance… "

"Such words can't be spoken carelessly; Mr. Gu has a daughter, President Ke, just treat what I said today as nonsense."

Ke Zhongyu nodded, "Dean Tang, rest assured, I won't say it out."

Dean Tang: "Jiang Lai must not say it either."

Ke Zhongyu: "Okay."

As soon as the words ended, Jiang Lai emerged from the room, surprised that the two had been outside, apparently discussing something she didn't know.

Dean Tang entered the room and said to Jiang Lai, "Go back early to rest; after I buy the tickets I'll tell you the time."

Jiang Lai nodded, said goodnight to Dean Mom and Ping'an, then turned and took the elevator down with Ke Zhongyu.

"What did you say to Dean Mom?"

Ke Zhongyu, expecting the question, calmly replied, "You told me to safely bring you back."

Jiang Lai seemed half‑believing, half‑doubting.

Of course she wouldn't specifically ask Dean Mom about it; the two chose to talk outside, also to keep her unaware.

Ke Zhongyu changed the subject: "Dean Tang leaves tomorrow, Ping'an will stay with you, Mo Yi is just returning to Nanshan Villa for a few days to tidy up there."

Jiang Lai nodded.

Ke Zhongyu escorted her to her doorstep, and Jiang Lai politely invited him in for a seat.

Ke Zhongyu glanced inside, his gaze staying on Jiang Lai's face: "No, I don't want to sit; I'd rather stay standing."

Jiang Lai quickly said, "Good‑bye."

Ke Zhongyu gave a mute laugh.

He nodded, "See you tomorrow."

Ke Zhongyu closed the door for her and turned away.

After greeting Mo Yi, Jiang Lai entered her room to wash up; sitting at the desk, she pinched the paper bearing Ke Zhongyu's name and wrote in the right column: "Will feel happy."

Leaving the apartment building, Ke Zhongyu picked up his phone, got into the car and called his mother.

"Son, don't be anxious; your father and I will be back tomorrow."

"Ms. Nian, do you have photos of Uncle Gu from his younger days? Photos from over twenty years ago in G Province."

"Yes, I have them," Ms. Nian's puzzled voice said over the phone, "Why did you suddenly think of needing those photos?"

"You'll tell me more when you return."

"Photos of Gu Sen when he was in G Province? That was twenty‑ or thirty‑something years ago; I'll have to look. I remember we have a photo album at home that includes him; you can flip through it, it might be faster than me searching."

"Okay." Ke Zhongyu turned the car around and headed toward the old residence.

The butler and servants were still a bit surprised to see him return; it wasn't that the Young Master didn't miss coming home, but ever since Miss Jiang appeared, he now had someone and somewhere he missed even more.

Not to mention the Young Master, the Miss is much the same; Mr. and Ms. Nian sometimes, when they can't see their daughter, will unconsciously say, "She's either not at school, or she's with Miss Jiang."

Ke Zhongyu went straight to Shufang, took out all the family photo albums, flipped through them one by one, until he saw a few laminated old photos in a red, gilt-edged album.

Some were black and white, some were color.

Each of them showed a face that was unfamiliar yet somewhat familiar; upon closer look, it clearly bore Gu Sen's likeness, and……

Jiang Lai's shadow.

Ke Zhongyu stared at the photo, dazed, took out his phone, snapped a picture of it and sent it to his mother, asking whether the person he had circled was Uncle Gu.

Military Strategist: 【Yes, that person you circled is your Uncle Gu】

Ke Zhongyu took the photo out of the album, examined it repeatedly, then suddenly asked Ms. Nian a question.

【Don't you think Uncle Gu when he was young looks like Jiang Lai now?】

The other side showed that they were typing.