Chapter 99: Team Up

Gu Yunci never imagined that, as the CEO of a hundred‑billion multinational corporation, he would one day be cornered in an elevator by his three‑year‑old nephew asking such a question.

Yet the words struck him deeply.

He didn't answer Song Yilin right away; instead he went to the sixth‑floor balcony, watched Meng Shutang tending the plants on the third‑floor balcony, his Adam's apple gently bobbing, and said, "Sure, as long as she's willing to be my leader."

Song Yilin paced around the house; he liked the place a lot.

That day the uncle and nephew ate their meal in the house, ordering a small hot‑pot delivery, but because the home was filled with the previous owner's belongings, Gu Yunci felt uncomfortable and left as night fell.

While taking the elevator down, he ran into Meng Shutang leading Xin Xin down to throw out the trash.

Song Yilin reached out and took Xin Xin's hand, "Xin Xin, from now on we'll be neighbors."

Xin Xin stood quietly there like a delicate porcelain doll, her long, dense lashes casting a faint shadow beneath her eyelids.

Her voice was soft and milky, each word sweet as honey, "Really? That's wonderful; from now on we can see each other every day."

She paused, glanced at Gu Yunci, "Teacher Xing said the sports meet the day after tomorrow requires both dad and mom to take part. Are your dad and mom coming back?"

Song Yilin shook his head, "They won't come back; they're still vacationing abroad for a month!"

Xin Xin's almond eyes flickered, "Then who will join you?"

Song Yilin replied, "My uncle."

Xin Xin thought for a moment, "How about this: the four of us form a team, so we'll have both a 'dad' and a 'mom'."

The elevator chilled for a moment; Meng Shutang gave Gu Yunci an awkward glance.

"Xin Xin, you can't just say that."

Song Yilin said, "Xin Xin isn't speaking nonsense; the teacher specifically said to form teams like this."

After speaking, he turned to Gu Yunci, "Uncle, shall we team up with Xin Xin and the others?"

Gu Yunci stole a glance at Meng Shutang, a sweet feeling in his heart, "Of course I'm willing."

Xin Xin tugged Meng Shutang's hand, "Mom, can we team up with Uncle Gu and the others?"

Meng Shutang hesitated.

Xin Xin shook her hand, "Is it okay, Mom?"

Meng Shutang, not wanting her daughter disappointed, replied, "Fine."

Xin Xin, hearing that, extended her pinky, "The four of us will hook up."

Song Yilin cooperated, actively hooking Xin Xin's hand, "Then it's settled, okay? No one may back out."

Seeing the two children so happy, Meng Shutang, still hesitant, grabbed their pinkies; Gu Yunci, noticing, immediately supported her hand.

"Hooked together, hung up, not allowed to change for a hundred years; liars are puppies!"

The instant his fingertip brushed Gu Yunci's, it felt as if burned, extremely uncomfortable.

When it ended, she instantly withdrew.

The elevator opened just then; she took Xin Xin's hand and stepped out, her voice slightly tightened, "Xin Xin, let's go."

After discarding the trash, Meng Shutang had intended to take Xin Xin home directly, but the two children, hand in hand, insisted on playing a bit longer.

Meng Shutang stood there watching; Gu Yunci, seeing this, slowly took his place beside her.

He said nothing, just stood quietly until Song Yilin spoke up, "Uncle, we're heading back to Qian Shui Wan."

Xin Xin went to see him off, "What kind of place is Qian Shui Wan?"

Song Yilin replied, "It's my uncle's home."

"Is Qian Shui Wan beautiful?"

"It's very beautiful, huge, with crabapple trees in the yard and many beads."

"Beads? My mother restores antique beads."

"Is that so? Then you can visit Qian Shui Wan later."

"Don't you live here?"

"Not yet settled; Uncle said he'll come back after a while."

……

Although the two children were small, they got along well, walking and chatting the whole way.

Finally reaching the car, Meng Shutang watched Gu Yunci and Song Yilin get in, bent over and waved to Song Yilin, "Bye‑bye."

Gu Yunci glanced at her, then at Xin Xin, "Bye‑bye."

Watching the Maybach disappear into the night, Meng Shutang led Xin Xin home.

She happened to be seen by Bai Cixian.

Meng Zhibang received some local specialties from a subordinate and thought of sending some to Meng Shutang.

When Bai Cixian saw this and wanted to come over, Meng Zhibang, fearing a clash between the sisters, initially refused.

But Bai Cixian said, "Dad, my sister and I are half‑sisters; after you've lived a hundred years, who will I be closest to? Definitely my sister!"

"You have to give us a chance to get along."

Meng Zhibang thought she was right and gave her the items.

Bai Cixian never expected that, upon arriving at Qingluju, she would witness such a scene.

A small head poking out of Gu Yunci's car, if not mistaken, was Song Yilin, Gu Wan‑ying's son.

Meng Shutang stood in the shadows, far away, unable to see clearly.

But she vaguely saw a tiny figure.

Seeing Meng Shutang walk away, she got out, tossed the local specialty into a roadside trash bin, then turned back to the Meng family garden.

"You came back so fast; didn't you see your sister?" Meng Zhibang asked, surprised.

Bai Cixian replied, "I saw her, and gave her the items."

When she went upstairs, she tugged Bai Lianyue; they hadn't had dinner, and she hurried up the stairs with a clatter.

Bai Lianyue entered and closed the door. "What's wrong?"

Bai Cixian paced anxiously back and forth in the room. "Mother, that bitch Meng Shutang gave birth to Brother Gu Yunci's child."

"We've been planning this for so many years, and we never expected her to seize the initiative."

Bai Lianyue's hand tightened slightly. "Did you see it wrong?"

Bai Cixian: "I didn't see it wrong. From far away I couldn't see the face clearly, but I'm sure that child is about the same age as Song Yilin."

"Calculate the time; there can't be a mistake."

That night she stood at the hotel‑room door and heard movement inside.

Meng Shutang is devoted; if she becomes pregnant she would never abort.

Suddenly she turned around, grabbed Bai Lianyue, and said, "Mother, tomorrow go to Qingluju and see whether that child is a boy or a girl, and what they look like; as long as they resemble Brother Gu Yunci…"

Bai Lianyue yanked her sharply. "Daughter, don't panic. Even if she gave birth to President Gu's child, mother has a way."

Bai Cixian sat down on the bed, desolate.

For the first time she felt a deep crisis. Even if Meng Shutang returns in four years, she never felt this terrifying.

But for some reason, seeing the small figure Meng Shutang held in her hand, she panicked instantly.

Bai Lianyue comforted her, "Don't act rashly for now. Tomorrow mother will go and see; maybe it's someone else's child."

Bai Cixian lowered her head and sat there, silent.

The next day.

Bai Lianyue went to Qingluju.

Coincidentally, as soon as she arrived she saw Meng Shutang and several other mothers leading a few children playing in the community.

She observed for a while, saw Xin Xin run to Meng Shutang, Meng Shutang took out a handkerchief to wipe her sweat, and Xin Xin raised her phone, and with a "Click!" pressed the photo function.

She checked whether the shot was clear, and when she zoomed in on Xin Xin a little, she confirmed that she looked as if she were molded from the same mold as Gu Yunci.

She put away the phone and turned to leave.

Suddenly a figure approached, snatched her phone, and said, "What are you skulking around here for?"