Chapter 63: Good Deeds Interrupted

Shen Yanhui narrowed his eyes: "Family? Which one is family?"

Gu Yan tilted her head, deliberately saying nothing, just watching him and smiling.

That smile was cunning and bright, like a little fox up to no good.

The hand Shen Yanhui had placed on her waist tightened slightly, and Gu Yan stumbled against him.

He lowered his head, his breath brushing against her earlobe, "A reminder to Mrs. Shen, our Marriage Certificate is still locked away with me."

Gu Yan refused to concede, "The family I'm talking about, of course, has to share my surname."

Shen Yanhui chuckled: "What of it."

He paused, leaning in closer, speaking almost against her lips: "I can take my wife's surname, Gu."

Gu Yan's heart skipped a beat.

"... What nonsense are you spouting."

"Not nonsense." Shen Yanhui pinched her waist, "Gu Yanhui, that sounds pretty good too."

Gu Yan was amused by him and pushed him away: "Who wants you to have the surname Gu..."

"Then whose surname do you want to be Gu? Hmm?"

Their bodies were pressed tightly together, and Gu Yan could feel the taut muscle lines beneath his shirt.

The corners of her lips curved, and she reached out to pat his chest, as if coaxing him, "Alright, alright, of course I want you to have the surname Gu. Have you forgotten what my mother said, about you marrying into our family?"

Shen Yanhui: "Anytime."

Gu Yan looked up: "You said it yourself, you're not allowed to go back on your word."

"I won't go back on my word." Shen Yanhui continued, "So, who are you helping?"

Gu Yan stood on tiptoe to kiss his lips, "Helping you, helping you!"

Shen Yanhui was still not satisfied, pushing his luck even further: "No matter who comes, no matter what they say, you must stand on my side, understand?"

"You're so overbearing!"

"Hmm." He admitted it candidly, his eyes fixed on her, "So, do you agree?"

Gu Yan: "Fine, fine, fine! I'll stand on your side!"

Shen Yanhui was finally satisfied, lowered his head to kiss the corner of her lips, and then released her, "Go get some rest, I will arrange for someone to pick up your brother."

Gu Yan nodded and turned to leave.

After walking two steps, she turned back and called to him: "Shen Yanhui?"

"Hmm?"

"That... my second brother is actually just a bit childish, don't take him too seriously."

Shen Yanhui nodded slightly, "Understood, go on."

——

There are no direct flights from Budapest to Lagos.

Gu Lin flew to Istanbul first, then transferred. After tossing and turning for nearly twelve hours, it was already late at night when he landed.

As soon as the cabin door opened, the hot and humid tropical air rushed toward him. Gu Lin loosened his collar and walked quickly down the boarding stairs with his carry-on luggage. He turned on his phone while walking toward the exit, but the moment the screen lit up, his finger hovered over his contacts.

Gu Chen's name was at the very top of his recent contacts.

Gu Lin stared at those two characters and hesitated.

From childhood to adulthood, seeking out his eldest brother whenever he was indecisive had almost become his instinct.

But remembering Gu Yan's gritted-teeth warning, forget it, better not expose her secrets.

It's just one Shen Yanhui, what's there to be afraid of?

The exit was crowded with people.

Just as Gu Lin was looking around for the taxi sign, an Asian man in a dark suit with an upright posture walked up to him.

"Second Young Master Gu." The man nodded slightly, "I am Chang Su, Mr. Shen's assistant. The car is already waiting outside, please come with me."

Gu Lin froze.

He stared at Chang Su for two seconds, then suddenly realized: "Gu Yan told you guys?"

Chang Su was noncommittal, only turning to the side and making a "please" gesture: "It's been a long journey, let's return to the residence first. Mr. Shen and Miss Gu are waiting for you."

"Wait." Gu Lin stood still, "Shen Yanhui knows I'm here?"

"Yes."

"Gu Yan told him?"

This time Chang Su paused before answering: "Miss Gu is very concerned about you."

The implication was obvious.

Gu Lin gritted his teeth.

That girl who always sides with outsiders!

But since he was already here, he couldn't just turn around and leave. He kept a straight face and followed Chang Su outside.

A black Bentley was parked outside the airport. Gu Lin sat in the back seat, Chang Su sat in the passenger seat, and the car drove off smoothly.

"How long will it take?" Gu Lin asked.

"About forty minutes." Chang Su replied.

After a while, he asked again: "Yesterday... was Yanyan really alright?"

"Miss Gu had a fever yesterday from the shock, but she has recovered today. Doctors are on standby around the clock, please rest assured."

Gu Lin felt slightly relieved and tapped his fingers on his knee.

The car was quiet for five minutes.

He couldn't help but ask again: "That... is your Mr. Shen's temper not very good?"

Chang Su: "..."

"I heard he's quite ruthless in his dealings. There was a project in London before, and his competitor seemed to... have a rather unfortunate end?" Gu Lin continued to probe.

Chang Su glanced at him through the rearview mirror, remained silent for two seconds, then spoke: "Those are all baseless rumors; Second Young Master Gu need not take them seriously."

"Are they really just rumors?"

"... Sir has two different attitudes toward business competitors and his own people."

That was a clever way to put it.

Gu Lin pondered for a moment, feeling that this was the same as saying nothing at all.

The forty-minute drive felt like four hours of torture. Finally, the car stopped in front of a white villa.

Chang Su led him inside.

Gu Lin looked around; the house was nice, the view was nice, and Gu Yan certainly wasn't being wronged living here.

Although it was late at night, the house was still brightly lit.

As soon as Gu Lin walked into the living room, his head gave a "buzz."

On the sofa, the rumored stern and ruthless Mr. Shen was bowing his head, kissing the young woman on his lap. The sound of lips and teeth entwining was particularly conspicuous in the quiet space.

And that young woman with a flushed face—who else could it be but his own Yanyan?

Knowing his sister was dating was one thing, but seeing her being "chewed on by a dog" with his own eyes was another.

Gu Lin strode over, pulled Gu Yan out of Shen Yanhui's arms, and shielded her behind him.

The movement was so fast that Gu Yan didn't even have time to react.

"What are you two doing! Carrying on like this in broad daylight, what kind of behavior is this!"

Shen Yanhui's hand remained in mid-air for a moment before slowly lowering it. He raised his eyes to look at the newcomer; there was no expression on his face, but there was a hint of displeasure in his eyes at being interrupted.

Gu Lin shuddered suddenly, sensing a murderous aura.

No, he couldn't be a coward.

He was Gu Yan's family, her backing.

"Gu Lin! How did you—" Caught in the middle of a kiss, Gu Yan was so embarrassed that even her neck turned red.

"How did I come? If I didn't come, you'd be eaten by this big bad wolf!"

Gu Yan felt even more uncomfortable.

As for being eaten, hadn't that happened a long time ago?

Besides, who was eating whom was hard to say.

"What's wrong with a couple kissing..." she retorted in a low voice.

"It's not okay!" Gu Lin said instinctively.

Gu Yan glared at him, and feeling a bit guilty, he changed his words: "It's not okay in front of me!"

Gu Yan: "..."

Shen Yanhui finally spoke, his tone devoid of emotion: "Second Young Master Gu, you've had a long journey; you must be tired."

He rose from the sofa.

Gu Lin instinctively shielded Gu Yan more tightly behind him.

Shen Yanhui's gaze fell on the hand Gu Lin was using to grab the young woman's wrist, his eyes unreadable.

"Second Young Master Gu, why be so nervous? Yanyan is my wife..."

Gu Yan: "???!!!"