Chapter 572

Jiang Liangjin's eyelid twitched, and just as he was about to pull Mu Youyu over to the sofa, the door was pushed open from outside.

Immediately followed by a few polite greetings and the sound of servants scurrying to fetch things, "Mr. Gu has arrived."

The one who entered was Gu Xingnan's father, followed by two attendants carrying large and small bags.

The gift packaging was exquisite, the logo flashing ostentatiously under the lights; at a glance it was clearly carefully chosen, full of sincerity.

Gu Father originally wore his usual businessman's smile, but as soon as he stepped in, he was stunned by the crowd of black-clad people in the living room.

He came to his senses and said, "Good day, Auntie Song, Mr. Lecra, Uncle Jiang, Director Jiang, Madam Jiang, everyone's here? I'm a bit abrupt coming like this."

Grandma Song raised her eyelids; although she was slightly displeased by the interruption, given the Gu family's longstanding cooperation with several households, she still nodded gently.

"Mr. Gu has come? Please sit, why bring so much stuff, you're being too polite."

Duke's Mansion – Duke's Mansion

Gu Father hastily bowed, gesturing for the attendants to place the gifts to one side, then he found a spot neither too near nor too far to stand, keeping his posture extremely low.

"I just happened to be passing by, thinking it's been a while since I visited Auntie Song, and since Future Path Jing is also here, I brought some new tea and snacks for the kids to try."

"Little Jing is still sleeping upstairs." Grandfather also greeted, voice steady, "We're all old acquaintances, no need to be so formal."

Because of Gu Xingnan's connections with Mu Youyu and Jiang Liangjin, the Gu family has always cooperated with the four major conglomerates, and the parents remain rather courteous toward him.

Shen Ningmu's lips curved in a proper smile, and Jiang Su gave a slight nod, counting as a greeting.

The servant hurriedly refilled Gu Father's cup with hot tea.

"Uncle Gu." Jiang Liangjin and Mu Youyu were the last to speak.

Lekele – Mr. Lekele

Maybe also "Gu father"? Not included.

Maybe also "Song auntie"? Not.

"It's summer vacation now, the kids are gathered together having fun; we parents hardly get a chance to meet… As a father, I really ought to come in person to thank you for looking after them."

Maybe also "Maternal grandfather"? Not.

His words precisely linked Gu Xingnan with the two people present, conveying closeness both overtly and subtly, while quietly boosting his own child's exposure before these key figures.

Maybe also "Granddaughter"? Not.

Maybe also "Jiang Liangjin" already.

Maybe also "Jiang Su" already.

Grandma Song took up the thread: "As long as the kids are having fun, there's no need to talk about taking care or not; we've grown up together since childhood."

Gu Father weighed it in his mind, feeling the groundwork was about done, then cleared his throat and said, "Funny enough, I've been seeing that Yan Yan girl's hot searches these past few days."

Maybe also "Gu Xingnan" already.

Maybe also "Mu Xianyan" already.

Maybe also "A Jin" already.

Gu Father continued his effusive praise: "Goodness, a girl changes dramatically at eighteen—her poise, her looks, the way she looks when playing the violin, simply superb! I told Xingnan, this girl is destined for greatness; given time, she'll surely become a pillar of society."

Maybe also "Duke's Mansion" already.

Gu Father glanced over Jiang Liangjin and Mu Youyu as if by chance, "My wife has been mentioning lately that our families get along well, the kids are about the same age—shouldn't we interact more, foster feelings……"

Maybe also "Director Jiang" already.

Gu Father's meaning grew stronger: "You know Xingnan's temperament—gentle and hesitant yet patient; Yan Yan's disposition is opposite, but they're the same age. I'm thinking, if the two kids could get to know each other, spend time together, they might get along nicely, which would be quite good!"

The more he spoke, the more his words subtly pointed toward a certain target; though he never named it, the object of that "fostering feelings" was already clearly indicated.

Grandma Song, so sharp, understood at once: "Mr. Gu means you want to match Yan Yan with your little Xingnan?"

"Exactly!" Gu Father's eyes lit up. "Of course, it mainly depends on the children's own wishes; we elders are just to make an introduction—if it doesn't work out, that's fine too."

Shen Ningmu had long been eager to chime in, and finally couldn't hold back: "I think this isn't something we can't consider! Xingnan is steady, speaks little, has good character; standing beside Yan Yan, they'd surely be pleasing to the eye."

Gu Father thought he had found an ally, becoming even more excited, "Yes yes yes, Madam Jiang said it perfectly!"

Jiang Su gave a light cough beside her, reminding his wife not to get too carried away, after all the child isn't theirs.

?

Jiang Liangjin lowered her gaze, her fingertip tapping the back of her girlfriend's hand, beginning to transmit some kind of signal.

Mu Youyu also lightly returned the pinch of his fingertip, and the two exchanged a silent glance.

Song Grandma noticed the two's small gestures, having figured it out in her heart, she finally replied slowly: "Mr. Gu means well. But, the children's affairs, especially marriage, plus they are still young, our generation shouldn't overstep."

At most she just watches her grandsons grow older, sets up a few blind dates, urges them to marry during the New Year for fun, and she never forces anyone to get married.

Grandfather echoed: "Yes, matters of the heart can't be forced. Xianyan is independent, plus she hasn't met Xinan many times, her affairs should be asked of her own opinion. Our views may not count."

Gu Father's heart skipped a beat as he secretly speculated: could it be that he feels Mu Xianyan's background…… isn't proper enough? Or that the Gu Family isn't worthy?

He hurriedly added: "Yes yes yes, Aunt Song is right, we must naturally respect the children's wishes. I just feel that Xianyan is truly outstanding, thinking if only she could be with our Xinan……"

"Oh, of course, I was just mentioning it casually; mainly it's up to the children's wishes and fate."

Shen Ningmu noticed the two children's expressions shift slightly, then realized that Mu Xianyan and Gu Xingnan seem not to have met much.

She didn't pick up Gu Father's thread, merely shifting the topic politely: "The snacks Mr. Gu brought look not bad—just right for the kids to try."

Jiang Su calmly glanced at Gu Father, and that aura made Gu Father's heart shudder.

Jiang Liangjin took advantage of the opening, secretly passing information to Gu Xingnan.

……

Gu Father, after all a veteran of the business world for many years, saw the situation, knew his hints probably hadn't worked, and tactfully dropped the subject.

He exchanged a few polite words about business, then rose to say goodbye: "I still have a dinner engagement elsewhere, so I won't disturb you all any longer; I'll take my leave now and come visit Aunt Song another day."

Seeing Gu Father off, Song Grandma let out a soft hum and told her granddaughter: "The Gu Family certainly has a lot on its mind."

Mu Youyu's lips curled slightly: "Grandma's right, older sister has her own ideas, and Gu Xingnan is only 17."

Grandfather began to sigh, his granddaughter's seventeenth birthday hasn't even passed yet.

Jiang Liangjin received a resentful glance.

Grandma Song saw that her precious granddaughter shared her view, and she glanced sideways at her husband with satisfaction, "What do you think?"

Grandfather shook his head, his tone indifferent: "Yan Yan's affair, we need not intervene; as for the Gu Family, a marriage alliance also depends on whether they are a good match."

Shen Ningmu didn't miss the chance to speak well of her son: "What Uncle said is right, unlike our A Jin and A Yu, they are a natural match."