Chapter 345: Ke Zhongyu Has Always Been Considerate

Jiang Lai's brief three sentences made Gu Sen fall into a moment of silence.

The others at the table held their breath.

These three sentences both explained a matter, expressed Jiang Lai's own attitude, and asked Gu Sen's opinion—how would he respond to this matter?

The specific way he says it would represent Gu Sen's stance.

Gu Sen gave no response, only saying, "I have something to attend to back home; let's meet another day."

Then he stepped out.

He left.

Jiang Lai's heart sank a little more, and suddenly a noticeable heat spread across the back of her hand.

She turned her head toward Ke Zhongyu, tugged at her lips and said, "It's fine."

Ke Zhongying didn't know about Jiang Lai looking like Gu Sen, but she wasn't stupid; she vaguely sensed something was amiss, linked the recent events, and pieced the situation together.

Jiang Lai's older sister has a relationship with Uncle Gu?

No, no, no… that can't be…

She stammered in her heart.

Even with many doubts, she knew now wasn't the time to ask those questions.

Especially since the nature of that relationship was still ambiguous, everyone spoke without being explicit, probing back and forth; before knowing the specifics, it was better for her not to raise many questions, let alone voice an opinion.

But she could at least shift the topic.

"Jiang Lai, sister, there's only a week left before the Spring Festival holiday. Are you returning to G Province or staying here? If you stay here, I'll postpone my New Year's visit to my grandparents this year."

Jiang Lai snapped back, looking at the cautiously caring Ke Zhongying, and felt warmth in her heart: "I'll go back to G Province; I've already spoken with Dean Mom about it."

"Oh, do you want me to accompany you back?"

Ke Zhongyu's gaze cooled, and he glanced sideways at Ke Zhongying: "What authority do you have?"

Ke Zhongying retorted, "What don't I have a status?"

Ke Zhongyu asked, "What status do you have?"

Ke Zhongying placed a hand on her hip, pointed at herself with the back of her hand: "Me! Jiang Lai's primary eldest maid!"

Ke Zhongyu opened his mouth slightly.

"The boyfriend's own younger sister! Jiang Lai's future sister‑in‑law!"

Ke Zhongyu shut his mouth.

After all, the latter two sentences sounded acceptable.

"Fine, stop nagging." He himself didn't mutter anywhere, but Ke Zhongying kept shouting.

Ke Zhongying lifted her chin triumphantly.

Ke Zhongyu ignored her, turned his head and asked Jiang Lai, "How long has it been since you last visited Professor Wang?"

Jiang Lai: "More than twenty days."

She used to go almost every week before, even if just for a meal, and would rush back after eating.

Lately, she has been swamped and can't find time, and with Ping'an moving in to stay, she prefers to carve out time to keep Ping'an company.

Ke Zhongyu: "Choosing an auspicious day is pointless; let's go today, I'll give you a ride."

Jiang Lai looked into Ke Zhongyu's eyes and already understood his purpose.

He was telling her that she has family.

Family that loves her dearly.

A faint smile curved Jiang Lai's lips: "Alright, together."

Ke Fu, who had been sitting quietly, trying to lower his presence so as not to make the children uneasy, seized the moment to say, "I'll go pick up your mother."

Ke Fu stood, first glanced at Jiang Lai, then at Ke Zhongyu; his later gaze was a reminder to his son to take good care of his girlfriend—after the hard work of delivering the goods, don't let them be returned.

Ke Zhongying, being considerate, said, "I'll leave too; Jiang Lai, I'll quickly organize the data and give it to you."

Ke Zhongyu, however, called out to his sister, "You come along."

Ke Zhongying and Jiang Lai were both surprised.

"Are you my brother?" Ke Zhongying asked, her voice a soul‑piercing question, "You seem to want to cling to Jiang Lai sister twenty‑four hours a day, wishing even the air stays away from her, and now you want me to go with you?"

Jiang Lai listened to Ke Zhongying's description, and the exaggeration made her face warm up slightly.

Ke Zhongyu also didn't want his sister to be a third wheel, but now wasn't the time for him to romance, leaving Jiang Lai feeling uneasy.

She felt uneasy because of Uncle Gu's silence and retreat.

Even without a definite answer, Uncle Gu's expression and behavior already indicated that Jiang Lai and the Gu family indeed have a connection.

The exact nature of the relationship remains unknown.

And it's not worth probing further.

Jiang Lai's remark, "I think it's a coincidence," already showed she didn't want a tie with the Gu family.

Jiang Lai now needs someone by her side—not just narrow romantic love, but also elders and friends.

One cannot have only love.

That's not comprehensive enough.

Ke Zhongyu has always been considerate.

Jiang Lai's aloof temperament always leaves people unsure of her thoughts, but Ke Zhongyu had silently observed her for so long, keeping her at the tip of his heart, so he understood.

Ke Zhongyu may seem unusual, but for Jiang Lai, who has long lacked various emotions, he can keenly perceive his true intention.

Jiang Lai squeezed Ke Zhongyu's hand and said to Ke Zhongying, "Together."

Ke Zhongying's eyes rolled, and gradually she came around, straightening her back and lifting her chin: "Fine, I'll reluctantly be your Steve!"

Where three walk together, there must be a Steve.

It means the third-wheel friend who always shows up in couples' dates, trips, meals, and photos; the phrase comes from a song about always bringing along the friend Steve on dates.

And Ke Zhongying walked ahead, humming contentedly: "Steve, doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo, Steve…".

It instantly swept away the gloom on Jiang Lai's face; she turned her head to speak to Ke Zhongyu, who naturally bent down and lowered his head, bringing his ear close.

"Chongying is so cute."

"Oh? Is that so?" Ke Zhongyu gave her a deep, sidelong look.

Jiang Lai felt that Ke Zhongyu was also quite cute.

But there's no saying a big man is cute, so she didn't say it.

Jiang Lai called her master's wife, saying in advance that she would come over to eat; on the phone, the master's wife didn't reply directly to her, but turned to butler Deng and said: "Jiang Lai will come over later! Have the kitchen make what she likes to eat!"

From the phone came Uncle Deng's happily uttered "Okay."

Jiang Lai added: "Master's wife, Ke Zhongyu and Chongying are coming too."

The master's wife exclaimed in surprise, half-teasing: "Is this just a casual meal, or are you coming to meet the parents? If it's the latter, I'll need to prepare something."

Jiang Lai, compelled by some strange impulse, asked: "Prepare what?"

Master's wife: "Make things difficult for him."

Realizing what she had asked, Jiang Lai quickly explained: "Just in passing."

The master's wife laughed on the phone: "All right, all right, stay safe on the road."

Just as the three got into the car, Secretary Cen's call came through to Ke Zhongyu's phone.

"Boss Ke, Lawyer Gu is downstairs at the company, wanting to see you; we can't get rid of him here."

"See me?" Ke Zhongyu's voice instantly turned cold: "What capacity is he seeing me in? As a partner? Ke Clan has its own legal team."

"Gu Zhiyan? I've never gotten along with him; I won't see him."

"If he comes as a member of the Gu family, tell him I only meet the head of the household."

"He's over thirty and still not the head of the household, while I became head at twenty; only the head of the household is worthy to see me."

Secretary Cen thought to himself that he had to convey this to Gu Zhiyan, lest he anger him to the point of dropping dead on the spot.