Chapter 443: Gu Zhihang, You

Hearing the cheerful tone in his beloved’s voice, Gu Chenghuai knew she truly didn’t lack anything; his tone turned wistful: “What a pity—I have no chance to show off.”

Lin Zhao looked puzzled. “Show off what?”

“Buy you things, of course,” Gu Chenghuai said as if it were obvious.

Everyone’s been competing with me, leaving me clueless on how to please my wife.

Lin Zhao watched the calculating look in her husband’s eyes and burst into laughter, collapsing against him.

“Don’t worry, there’ll be plenty of chances—I’ll give you room to shine,” she patted his shoulder, her eyes brimming with mirth.

Gu Chenghuai seemed mollified, his gaze softening slightly. “Good. I need to be useful for something.”

Otherwise, I fear Zhaozhao will forget all about me.

Ever since the Lin family returned, she’s been having so much fun she’s forgotten everything else! Even remembering me occasionally is a rarity.

“Useful, useful—right now, punish you by buying me a lipstick!” Lin Zhao tilted her chin up, commanding him with a haughty air.

Gu Chenghuai’s eyes brightened with amusement; he took his wife’s hand and walked to the counter, choosing a shade she liked without her prompting.

“How about this one? I think you’ll like it,” he said, his deep gaze fixed on Lin Zhao with focused tenderness.

“Perfect—it’s exactly what I wanted,” Lin Zhao smiled, eyes crinkling. “Thank you, Yaobao’s dad.”

Gu Chenghuai’s smile was both exasperated and indulgent. “What else do you want?”

“Let’s hold off for now—we’ll come back another day and bring Yaobao with us,” Lin Zhao remembered today’s main purpose.

“Alright,” Gu Chenghuai replied.

With time to spare, the couple noticed a crowd lining up nearby to buy cake; they exchanged a glance and walked over, purchasing two portions.

Both were strikingly beautiful, with distinctive auras; their presence drew far more than average attention on the street, and standing there was no different—if everyone had a phone, this couple would’ve been photographed countless times.

Gu Chenghuai frowned uncomfortably, his dark, icy eyes sweeping over them; anyone who met his gaze trembled inwardly and quickly looked away.

He’s handsome, sure—but terrifyingly fierce. Just looking at him is scary.

Lin Zhao tugged her husband’s sleeve, teasing: “Did you scare them?”

“Mm,” Gu Chenghuai replied calmly, his expression serene.

Lin Zhao burst out laughing.

“What’s so funny?” Gu Chenghuai looked at her.

“Nothing,” she said. The sun was bright, so she opened her parasol; Gu Chenghuai took it with one hand and tilted it slightly toward her.

“Why don’t you wait for me in the shade?”

Lin Zhao shook her head. “No need—it’ll be quick. We’re almost there.”

As she spoke, the people ahead moved forward; she promptly pulled Gu Chenghuai along.

Gu Chenghuai let her lead them forward, bought the cake, then took her hand and drove toward the exam center.

When they arrived, no candidates had emerged yet. After waiting a while, they spotted Yaobao—she’d turned in her paper early.

Lin Zhao waved at her. “Yaobao!”

The bright, youthful girl beamed, running over like a butterfly.

“Dad, Mom, I’m starving—let’s go eat!”

Gu Chenghuai took her belongings. “What do you want? Today’s your call—I’ll follow your lead, and so will your mother.”

He added quickly: “Choose something healthy. Tomorrow’s another exam—don’t give yourself a stomachache.”

“Dad, after the exam, I want hot pot!” Yaobao loved bold flavors, and the thought of spicy, numbing hot pot made her mouth water.

“Fine. We’ll take you tomorrow afternoon,” Gu Chenghuai agreed instantly.

“Speaking of hot pot, I’m getting hungry too,” Lin Zhao said, looking just as eager.

Once Yaobao was in the car, Gu Chenghuai whispered in her ear: “Hold on a bit. Tomorrow morning, after dropping Yaobao off at the exam center, we’ll go eat.”

Lin Zhao smiled, lips pressed together. “Nah, I’d rather not—I’m afraid your daughter will be jealous.”

“Can’t let your mouth suffer,” Gu Chenghuai said matter-of-factly. “You eat yours. I’ll order another pot for her in the afternoon.”

In short, in his world, everyone must make way for Zhaozhao.

Who doesn’t love being someone’s sole favorite? Lin Zhao was a mortal woman—she adored it, and it satisfied her completely.

The smile on her face could fly straight to the heavens.

She said: “Alright then—tomorrow morning we’ll grab a quick bite, then after dropping Yaobao off, we’ll go eat hot pot.”

The capital had many hot pot restaurants, and Lin Zhao had never tried any.

“Good,” Gu Chenghuai nodded.

Just then, the car window rolled down.

Yaobao stuck her head out, cheeks plump with youth, eyes pouting.

“Can you two whisper a little quieter? I heard everything.”

Sneaking off to eat alone behind her back? Unfair! Unfair!

“Can’t help it—you’re taking an exam,” Gu Chenghuai opened the front passenger door; Lin Zhao got in, he circled around, slid into the driver’s seat, then continued: “Of course your mother comes first. You only have to wait half a day—you can do whatever you want after that.”

Yaobao’s face lit up. “Dad, my great-aunt says she’ll take me to Hong Kong—can I go?”

Her longing was unmistakable.

Gu Chenghuai started the car, eyes on the road, and nodded. “If you want to go, go.”

He’d seen the Lin family’s bodyguards—they weren’t ordinary people. They could protect Yaobao.

“Can Mom come too?” Yaobao wanted to go with Lin Zhao. Among the four children, she was the most attached to home—and most clingy to Lin Zhao.

No wonder she was the little cotton-padded jacket.

“It’s complicated for me to go,” Lin Zhao turned to Yaobao. “You go first. I’ll go another time.”

Yaobao’s eyes drooped in disappointment. “Alright.”

“Your second brother will probably go too—travel with him. Don’t forget to bring me gifts,” Lin Zhao demanded without hesitation.

“I won’t forget!” Yaobao declared loudly.

“My second brother’s going too? What’s he going for?!” Her voice held curiosity.

“He wants to see the world, learn business from the Lin family in Hong Kong,” Lin Zhao explained gently. “You know how impressed he was when he found out how big your great-grandfather’s business was—he’s been glued to him ever since, learning everything. He’s wanted to go for ages, but no one took him. Your mom and I wouldn’t let him go alone. When we heard your great-aunt planned to take you after your exam, he couldn’t sit still anymore.”

He wanted to go, so Lin Yu naturally agreed—now there was one more person heading to Hong Kong.

“Great!” Yaobao’s excitement soared. “Mom, I’ll take lots of photos and send them to you.”

“Alright,” Lin Zhao smiled.

…

After two days of exams, Yaobao finally got her long-awaited hot pot. As she devoured spicy beef and lamb, sipping cold drinks, her face glowed with pure satisfaction.

Gu Zhihang was there too.

He looked at his sister and chuckled. “You’re eating like you’ve been starved. Did Mom and Dad neglect you?”

“I didn’t dare eat spicy food—I was afraid of stomach trouble. I’ve been craving this for ages,” Yaobao kept eating nonstop.

Gu Chenghuai sat beside her, serving her dishes.

He pampered Lin Zhao and Yaobao so thoroughly, neither had to lift a hand.

Lin Zhao noticed he hadn’t eaten much; she dipped food into his bowl. “You eat too—don’t just focus on me and Yaobao.”

Gu Zhihang said: “Why doesn’t anyone serve me? Am I extra?”

Gu Chenghuai glanced at him. “Help yourself—no one owes you a meal.”

“Fine, I’ll do it myself,” Gu Zhihang stood up, determined to serve the whole family.

“Now serving: Gu Xiaoer, your personal attendant. Order anything you like,” he mimicked a tavern waiter, bowing and fawning.

Lin Zhao watched her second son’s mischievous act and couldn’t help laughing. She pulled him down. “Stop being such a show-off—sit down and eat.”

Gu Zhihang sat obediently. “You really don’t need my service?” he asked seriously.

“No need to trouble General Gu,” Lin Zhao played along.

Gu Zhihang waved his hand, flashing his business-smile—the kind that could charm snakes and tigers. “No problem, no problem.”

He was as smooth as oil.

Lin Zhao worried least about her second son—Hengbao had a tongue that could talk to anyone, even ghosts. He fit in anywhere.

People like him made perfect businessmen.

After dinner, the family left the hot pot restaurant.

At the entrance, they met Jiang Rong and Lu Baozhen.

“Gu Zhiyao?!” Lu Baozhen exclaimed in shock—she hadn’t expected to see Gu Zhiyao here.

Lu Baozhen instinctively glanced at Jiang Rong. Seeing his bright, clear smile, she clenched her right hand into a fist, afraid her hatred would show, and quickly lowered her head.

Does Jiang Rong like Gu Zhiyao too?!

Yaobao turned at the sound, frowned slightly at the person she disliked.

She gave a slight nod but said nothing.

Jiang Rong stepped forward, politely greeted Gu Chenghuai and Lin Zhao, then smiled and greeted Gu Zhihang and Yaobao.

“Zhihang, Yaobao, didn’t expect to run into you here—too bad you’ve already finished eating. Otherwise we could’ve chatted over a meal,” he said regretfully.

Gu Zhihang smiled. “Maybe next time.”

“True. Where do you live? Let’s grab a drink sometime,” Jiang Rong offered.

He’d played with Gu Zhiyu and Gu Zhihang as children. They’d had a falling-out over Lu Baozhen, but he felt it hadn’t damaged their friendship.

Gu Zhihang gave his address in Haicheng.

Jiang Rong was surprised, a strange feeling stirring in his chest.

Why isn’t this the capital’s address? Doesn’t Gu Zhihang want to be connected to me?

His heart sank.

Gu Zhihang clenched his fist and punched Jiang Rong on the shoulder, laughing: “I’m often in Haicheng.”

Jiang Rong realized his mistake and flushed awkwardly.

“Oh, I see. Alright, I’ve noted it down—I’ll come find you when I go to Haicheng.”

Gu Zhihang nodded. “You two eat. We’re heading back. Let’s chat again when we have time.”

“Alright.” Jiang Rong bid farewell to Lin Zhao and the others, his manners impeccable.

Jiang family upbringing was flawless, but Jiang Rong was clueless about Lu Baozhen—as if bewitched.

Lu Baozhen was treated like an invisible person the whole time; her heart burned with resentment, and when she looked up again, her merely ordinary face revealed a faint fragility.

“Jiang brother, Aunt Lin still doesn’t like me.”

Jiang Rong stared at her in surprise. “Why doesn’t Aunt Lin like you? Don’t you know? When you were a kid, you bullied Yaobao. Aunt Lin favors her own, so of course she won’t like you. Uncle Gu always listens to Aunt Lin—if she dislikes you, he won’t even look at you. Oh, wait—no, even if Aunt Lin had no issue with you, Uncle Gu still wouldn’t pay you any attention.”

Uncle Gu’s nature is like that—he treats even his own father that way. You and Lu Baozhen aren’t even as important as his father; you’re not worth his time.

After hearing this, Lu Baozhen nearly fainted.

Her face turned alternately pale and flushed.

How could this man speak so cruelly!

Which side is he even on?

Jiang Rong: The middle.

“Let’s go inside. After we eat, I’ll take you to the station,” Jiang Rong said.

Lu Baozhen’s expression changed slightly—she didn’t want to go back yet.

The capital was so wonderful: huge shopping malls, people on the streets dressed fashionably, far better than the boring military district. Lu Baozhen didn’t want to leave.

“Jiang brother, can I stay a few more days?”

Jiang Rong frowned. “What are you staying for? I’ve taken you everywhere to see, fed you everything delicious… I’ve got things to do. I don’t have time to babysit you. Go home early. If you keep lingering here, Uncle Lu will worry.”

Her father had already been won over by that woman’s son—Su Yuxian’s son—he wouldn’t worry about her.

Lu Baozhen seethed inwardly.

“I want to stay and find a job to support myself. I don’t plan to go back.”

Jiang Rong: “...”

He looked at Lu Baozhen, his gaze probing.

Lu Baozhen’s heart sank—she’d been too eager.

She gazed at Jiang Rong pitifully, her expression shattered and fragile.

“...Aunt Su forced me into blind dates. I don’t want to. I don’t want to marry someone I don’t like. I want to support myself with my own hands. The capital has so many opportunities—I’ll find a job eventually. I don’t want to go back home. That’s not my home—I’m extra there.”

Over the years, Lu Baozhen had learned exactly what made Jiang Rong soften—and now, as expected, he did.

“Alright, if you insist. Stay for now—I’ll keep an eye out for job opportunities for you.” Jiang Rong admired Lu Baozhen’s self-reliance; his gaze toward her grew appreciative.

Lu Baozhen smiled brightly, her voice turning sweet and playful. “Thank you, Jiang brother. You’re the best person in the whole world to me—I don’t even know how to repay you.”

Jiang Rong looked at her with pity. “No need to repay me. It’s just a small favor. Don’t think about it.”

Lu Baozhen beamed with joy, leaning on him affectionately, her heart pounding fast.

"Why are you staring at me? What do you want to eat? Order something," Jiang Rong said, oblivious to the longing in her eyes, just wanting to eat.

In the car.

Lin Zhao glanced at Gu Zhihang sitting to her left, poked his solid arm, and asked: “You still keep in touch with Jiang Rong?”

Gu Zhihang blinked. “No. This is the first time I’ve seen him since graduation.”

In fact, he hadn’t seen Jiang Rong much during college—he was too busy: attending classes, acting as his mother’s bodyguard, squeezing in time for buying low and selling high to accumulate his startup capital… Where was the time for socializing?

The main reason was that he and Jiang Rong had never been close—no need to waste energy cultivating the relationship.

Jiang Rong was decent and loyal, but he was too close to Lu Baozhen. Whenever Lu Baozhen was involved, his IQ dropped to zero. He feared being dragged down, so he kept his distance.

“Mom, why are you asking about this?”

Lin Zhao’s expression was complex. “I saw you arranging to meet him again—I thought you two had patched things up.”

“There was no ice to begin with—so how could there be a thaw?” Gu Zhihang chuckled at his mother’s phrasing.

“We never had a misunderstanding or a conflict—we just drifted apart naturally. Now we’re just acquaintances. The plan to meet again? Just idle talk. I’m sure he didn’t take it seriously. Mom, you’re out of touch with how young people socialize now...”

Lin Zhao: “...”

That was clearly saying she was old.

“Gu Zhihang, you’re hypocritical,” Lin Zhao snapped, launching her attack. “You’ve changed—you’re almost unrecognizable. Stay away from me. I don’t want to deal with you right now!”

Yaobao snickered quietly.

She shifted closer to Lin Zhao, wrapping her arms around her mother’s. “Mom, let’s chat. Leave Second Brother to suffer alone. Don’t be mad.”

“People in business are all fake!” Lin Zhao declared, pinching Yaobao’s cheek. “Don’t pick a partner with too many schemes—especially smiling tigers. They’re terrifying.”

Yaobao’s cheeks flushed crimson; she twisted her body into a knot. “Mom!!”