Chapter 358: Discussing the Marriage Between the Two Families

The Nian and Gu families had always assumed that Ke Zhongyu and Gu Yinxue would marry; to put it grandly, it was to carry on the bond among the three families, and to put it modestly, it was about the friendship between Gu Sen and Nian Zhaoning.

When the two children were in their early twenties, both families had tried to set them up, but the girl had feelings while the boy had none—Ke Zhongyu was utterly merciless when rejecting people, saying all kinds of outrageous things.

But after so many years, Ke Zhongyu showed no signs of anything, and everyone could see Gu Yinxue's feelings; thinking to get things done before the children turned thirty, they kept putting it off and off, until this year, when Ke Zhongyu suddenly had a girlfriend.

Everything came too suddenly; the two elders of the Nian Family had always been skeptical, figuring this boy didn't want to marry the Gu Family's young lady and had grabbed someone at random to use as a shield, but from the looks of it now, that wasn't their guess.

Ke Zhongyu had laid things out directly, so at this point no one could well discuss the matter to his face—they had to leave the children some face either way.

The children's marriage couldn't be discussed, so they could only talk about the children's futures; Ke Zhongyu had already taken charge of the household, so discussing work matters with him would involve the Ke Clan's upcoming strategic plans, which also couldn't be casually discussed.

Thus, the only people left to chat about were Ke Zhongying and the three children from the Gu family who came today; Gu Kai's son's future path was already clearly arranged, so it was glossed over in a few words.

Ke Zhongying was going to continue her studies toward a doctorate, and the whole family fully supported her—nothing to pick apart there either.

Only Gu Sen's son and daughter, in the elders' eyes, still didn't have clear enough futures.

Song Shiwei said, "Zhi Yan is about ready to prepare for the political and legal organs' selection."

The two elders of the Nian Family nodded; the timing was about right, and they needed to hurry and get through the selection, so that Gu Sen's branch could get back on track.

Gu Zhiyan also indicated that he was already preparing.

Song Shiwei added, "Tomorrow Zhi Yan has a date with the Qu Family's second young lady."

This meant good news was on the horizon.

The Qu Family was a dance dynasty; someone in the family worked at the Culture and Tourism Bureau and the Cultural Center, Qu Mei's mother was the deputy director of the Cultural Center, and Qu Mei herself was impressive—already the principal of a ballet company at twenty-six.

Everyone present knew that Gu Zhiyan had repeatedly traveled back and forth to A City for his beloved, and had even used the Gu clan's connections; Song Shiwei's sudden remark was also, indirectly, making the point that children's marriages couldn't all be decided by themselves—what parents should decide, parents should decide, and where one should exert effort for the family, one should exert effort for the family.

It implicitly suggested that Ke Zhongyu should, like Gu Zhiyan, follow the arrangements of his parents and elders.

Everyone was as clear as a mirror in their hearts.

The two elders of the Nian Family subconsciously looked at Ke Zhongyu, who said calmly, "It seems Qu Er Xiaojie's smooth-sailing life is about to hit a tribulation—how can you not stand seeing others do well?"

It would have been fine without that last sentence, but adding it brought it to the level of provocation.

Ke Yue immediately shot his son a glance—don't cause trouble during the New Year, especially not in front of the elders.

Gu Zhiyan's mood had been bad lately; first he'd failed to win a suspended sentence for his beloved, and now he had to go on a date with someone he didn't like, and barring surprises he'd be engaged by the first half of this year.

Hearing Ke Zhongyu's insulting words on top of that, how could he possibly hold back?

"Ke Zhongyu, you don't need to reach so far, and you don't need to be so nosy."

As soon as Gu Zhiyan piped up, Ms. Nian thought to herself, "It's over"—no one present could out-talk her son; wasn't this just asking to be scolded?

"Shouldn't you be the ones to hear that?" Ke Zhongyu gave a cold snort. "I'm half surnamed Ke, half surnamed Nian, and only not surnamed Gu. Even my parents can't interfere in my marriage—what kind of nobody are you? If you didn't have the Gu surname, you wouldn't even have the ability to sit here and talk to me."

This already brought what everyone tacitly understood out into the open, and stomped Gu Zhiyan down hard.

Gu Zhiyan's face darkened.

Song Shiwei's expression was even more awkward—Ke Zhongyu looking down on her son like this wasn't that a slap to her face? She called out, "Zhongyu."

"Shiwei." Ms. Nian also called out to Song Shiwei—what kind of business was it for adults to keep interfering in the children's affairs? Wasn't that just the big bullying the small?

Song Shiwei, helpless, looked at Gu Sen.

Gu Sen, however, looked at the two elders of the Nian Family and said with a smile, "Zhongyu's girlfriend Jiang Lai is a very driven young woman; she and Zhongyu are actually quite a good match."

Song Shiwei's face went deathly pale.

Gu Kai's family and Gu Zhiyan all looked over in disbelief; only Gu Yinxue lowered her eyes, her fingers twisting together, and after a moment said, "Jiang Lai is indeed outstanding, to have earned Zhongyu's affection."

Ke Zhongyu: "Her excellence doesn't lie in earning my affection, much less in pleasing any man—it lies in her brain."

"If you can't speak properly, shut up."

Gu Zhiyan immediately stood up for his sister: "Ke Zhongyu!"

The situation was getting more and more serious; Ms. Nian had no choice but to send her son away: "I left my bag in the car—go get it for me."

Ke Zhongyu got up and left.

Gu Kai looked at Gu Yinxue, signaling her to go out too; Gu Yinxue used the excuse of going to the bathroom and also left.

Nian Jingchuan simply sent all the younger generation away, saying, "The children aren't young anymore; they can't be delayed."

This meant a decision should be made as soon as possible.

Ms. Nian spoke up to state their position: "Ke Yue and I respect the child's wishes. Zhongyu said he wants to marry Jiang Lai, and Ke Yue and I have no objections."

The Gu family was intent on continuing the marriage alliance with the Nian and Ke families; Gu Kai said with a smile, "Marriage can't be entirely up to the children themselves, can it? Our Yin Xue isn't bad either—a well-known photographer, and if we later hand the Gu clan's tourism and culture business over to her, wouldn't the two of them be a strong alliance? Both in business, so they'd have things to talk about. From what I hear you saying, Zhongyu's girlfriend is a researcher—might that make it hard for them to connect?"

Ke Yue: "They connect quite well."

Gu Kai: "..."

The conversation was dead-ended just like that.

The two elders could see that their daughter, son-in-law, and grandson all liked Jiang Lai very much; this matter wouldn't yield a result anytime soon, so they let it drop for now—the marriage between the two families could be discussed later, and they also needed to ask the children again.

Gu Kai said aloud that they did indeed need to consider the children's feelings, but in his heart he was already blaming Gu Sen for not speaking up for his own daughter, for not thinking of the Gu family, and Gu Yinxue was even more useless—couldn't even land a man.

Gu Yinxue had, one could say, lost all face at the Nian Family today, but she couldn't show it; she went to Ke Zhongyu as if nothing had happened.

Ke Zhongyu hadn't gone to get any bag for his mother; instead, he stood beside the rockery pond, watching the fish swimming inside.

As soon as Gu Yinxue stood beside Ke Zhongyu, he consciously shifted a step to the side.

Gu Yinxue gave a light smile: "Jiang Lai wouldn't be that petty, would she?"

Ke Zhongyu: "The only thing you can do is elevate yourself by putting others down."

Gu Yinxue was so angry she nearly spat blood inside, but on the surface she still had to pretend nothing was wrong and say, "Zhongyu, you're not a gentleman at all."

A gentleman?

Ke Zhongyu looked as though he'd heard a joke, gave a cold scoff, and turned to leave.

"Ke Zhongyu!" Gu Yinxue called after him. "I don't understand—Jiang Lai is so boring. Why would you choose someone whose personality is similar to yours instead of someone complementary? Won't your future life be boring like that!"

Ke Zhongyu turned back, his deep eyes seeming to see through everything: "Complementary? Are you referring to your stupidity of having no self-awareness? Or your filthiness of only egging others on behind their backs?"

Gu Yinxue's heartbeat stopped abruptly, her pupils widening slightly.

What's wrong with Jiang Lai being like me? the man's voice low and slow, full of weight, "The person I like should be just as happy as I am."