Chapter 123: Going Home Together

As the glass of wine went down, a thin layer of crimson flushed Gu Yan's cheeks.

She shook the empty glass in her hand and looked up at Shen Yanhui, her eyes sparkling with a hazy, watery sheen: "I want more."

Shen Yanhui looked down at her: "No."

She blinked, pushed the glass toward him, her movements revealing a childish stubbornness: "You said you would mix another one for me."

Shen Yanhui's movements paused; it was true that he had said that, but in her current state, if she drank another glass, she would likely be drunk to the point of unconsciousness.

"I'll mix one for you next time."

"No, I want it now." She shook her head, felt dizzy after doing so, leaned into his embrace, and pressed her forehead against his chest, her voice muffled.

Shen Yanhui didn't speak and reached out to take the glass from her hand.

She wouldn't give it to him, hid the glass behind her back, and burrowed into his arms: "Just one more."

Her voice was impossibly soft, carrying a coquettish lilt that made one want to give her the best things in the world.

But not alcohol.

Shen Yanhui lowered his eyes to look at her.

She tilted her face up, the small mole at the corner of her eye appearing and disappearing under the light, her lips slightly pouted, in a posture that said, "If you don't agree, I won't get up."

Sheng Ze watched with great interest from the side, holding his wine glass as he leaned back into the sofa and crossed his legs.

"Yo, is Little Sister-in-law's alcohol tolerance really that good? Down after just one glass?"

Gu Yan poked her head out from Shen Yanhui's arms and glared at him. That look had zero lethality; instead, because of the drunkenness, it appeared exceptionally delicate and soft, her shifting gaze carrying an unconscious allure.

"I'm not down."

Sheng Ze was amused and raised his glass to her: "Fine, fine, fine, you're not down, the wine is down."

Gu Yan huffed, shrank back into Shen Yanhui's arms, hugged his waist, and said aggrievedly: "He's bullying me."

Shen Yanhui: "Mm."

"You aren't helping me either!"

Shen Yanhui curved his lips and raised a hand to tuck a stray lock of hair beside her cheek behind her ear.

"Help you with what?"

Gu Yan thought for a moment, looked up, and said: "Help me beat him up."

Sheng Ze: "?"

Shen Yanhui: "Okay."

"Hey, hey, hey, what did I say to deserve a beating?" Sheng Ze was so amused by this absurd conversation that he laughed.

Zhou Wei couldn't bear to watch: "You deserve it."

Fang Qinru couldn't help but laugh either: "You were the one who insisted on provoking her; you deserve it."

Sheng Ze raised his hands in surrender.

Gu Yan was still acting spoiled, hanging off Shen Yanhui, her cheeks flushed, red lips slightly parted, looking like someone who could be molded at will.

He knew that if they stayed any longer, she would definitely be too ashamed to face anyone when she woke up tomorrow.

He simply stood up and scooped her up horizontally.

Gu Yan was stunned for a moment, subconsciously wrapped her arms around his neck, and dangled her legs in the air.

"What are you doing?"

"Going home."

"But I haven't finished my drink?"

"We'll drink at home."

"Oh."

Gu Yan was satisfied, obediently curled up in his arms, and found a comfortable position.

Fang Qinru also stood up, looking a bit worried as she spoke: "Is Yan Yan okay?"

"She's fine, I'm taking her away first." Shen Yanhui nodded slightly.

Fang Qinru nodded and added a reminder: "Give her some honey water when you get back."

Seeing them about to leave, Sheng Ze didn't learn his lesson and jeered: "Yo, yo, yo, leaving already? If I didn't know better, I'd think you were hiding a beauty in a golden house, afraid we'd take a few extra looks."

Shen Yanhui's footsteps paused, and his cold gaze swept over him.

Gu Yan was even more direct: "Shut up."

Shen Yanhui withdrew his gaze and walked away while holding her.

Watching their retreating backs, Sheng Ze muttered: "Tsk, Old Shen has truly fallen for her; he's protecting her like..."

Zhou Wei added coldly from the side: "Say less."

Sheng Ze was unconvinced: "Aren't I happy for Little Sister-in-law?"

Fang Qinru held her teacup and curved her lips: "You're happy for yourself, finally having material to nag about for half a year."

Sheng Ze was exposed but didn't get annoyed: "Those who know me, Sister Qinru does."

——

The corridor was dimly lit, covered with dark carpets, and several ink wash paintings hung on the walls on both sides.

Just after turning a corner, a few people walked toward them.

The person in the lead paused.

Shen Yanhui also stopped.

Gu Fanglin stood three meters away, followed by two middle-aged men in suits, who were currently respectfully saying their goodbyes to him. Clearly, they had just finished discussing business and were preparing to leave.

"Chairman Gu, let's leave it at that for today, and I'll invite you for tea another day."

Gu Fanglin gave a faint "Mm," and the two men tactfully turned and left.

The corridor suddenly fell silent.

Only the three of them remained.

Both sides tacitly kept quiet, staring at each other for a few seconds.

Gu Yan sensed something was wrong; she groggily poked her head out to look forward and locked eyes with Gu Fanglin's unreadable face.

She rubbed her eyes.

"Dad?"

This call was soft and sweet; Gu Fanglin really couldn't bear to ignore her, so he responded with a cold face.

Immediately, he looked at Shen Yanhui and asked, "What is going on?"

Shen Yanhui's expression did not change: "A friend's gathering; she had a little to drink, and I was just planning to take her home."

Gu Fanglin frowned: "How much did she drink? To end up like this?"

"One glass," Shen Yanhui said. "The alcohol content isn't high, she just doesn't have much of a tolerance."

Gu Fanglin was silent for a few seconds, and Shen Yanhui didn't speak either; the two seemed to be secretly competing.

Only Gu Yan, completely oblivious, smiled at Gu Fanglin: "Dad, why are you here too?"

Gu Fanglin's tone remained stiff: "Discussing business, just finished."

"Oh." She nodded, then snuggled further into Shen Yanhui's arms, finding a more comfortable position: "Then let's go home together."

Gu Fanglin: "..."

He wanted to say something but stopped, then wanted to speak again, but ultimately compromised: "Let's go."

After saying this, he turned and walked away.

Shen Yanhui curled his lips slightly and lifted his feet to follow.

Gu Yan lay on the man's shoulder and waved at Gu Fanglin's back: "Dad, you're so nice."

Gu Fanglin gave a soft huff without looking back, though his pace slowed down a little.

At the entrance of the club, two cars were already waiting one after the other.

Gu Fanglin pulled open the car door, his hand suddenly pausing; he looked back and asked with feigned nonchalance: "Didn't I tell you to come back for dinner this weekend? Why didn't you come?"

Shen Yanhui pulled up Gu Yan's hand, which had slipped down, and replied: "We'll come tomorrow."

Gu Fanglin looked away, his tone somewhat unnatural: "Since you're coming tomorrow, don't bother with the trouble; just go back together tonight."

Without waiting for Shen Yanhui to speak, he sat into the car first.

Where the two could not see, he couldn't help but reveal an annoyed expression. He had said Gu Chen had defected, but it seemed he was about to defect himself.

Shen Yanhui raised an eyebrow, gave a few instructions to the driver, and then walked toward Gu Fanglin's car.

Gu Yan stirred in his arms and opened her eyes a slit: "What's wrong?"

"Changing cars," Shen Yanhui looked down at her. "Going to Dad's side."

Gu Yan blinked, looking somewhat dazed at the car in front: "Dad?"

"Mm."

She let out an "oh," snuggled back into his arms, and closed her eyes with peace of mind.

The driver had already gotten out to open the back door.

Shen Yanhui bent down slightly, placed Gu Yan inside, and sat in after her.

Gu Fanglin sat in the front passenger seat and glanced at them through the rearview mirror.

Gu Yan was nestled in Shen Yanhui's arms and happened to meet her father's gaze in the rearview mirror. She curved her eyes and called out to him sweetly again: "Dad."

Gu Fanglin gave an "mm."

"Go to sleep."