Chapter 444

"Hahahaha, sister is shy." Gu Zhihang laughed out loud, and the car was full of his hearty laughter.

"Mom, your words sound like a compliment to me. I like it. Grandpa said that doing business has to be like this: slick, hiding a knife in a smile, true and false, false and true; only then can you make it big and strong."

The corners of Lin Zhao's mouth twitched. "Are you sure this is Grandpa's original words?"

Gu Zhihang cleared his throat. "The general idea is like that."

"You just twist it." Lin Zhao rolled her eyes at him and stopped bothering with the second son, whose mind was becoming more and more active.

Although he had many schemes and a black heart, his roots were ultimately straight, so Lin Zhao didn't interfere.

And there were so many people in the family watching, so he wouldn't walk his path to death.

The heat on Yaobao's face faded, and her fingers flicked the tassels on the passenger seat cushion, not knowing what she was thinking.

Gu Zhihang said: "Yaobao, don't date secretly in the future; you have to tell your brother, and Brother will check for you, you know? You're silly, don't get cheated by someone."

"Second Brother!!" Yaobao turned red again and looked for a helper. "Dad, look at Second Brother."

Gu Chenghuai gave Gu Zhihang a knife-like look. "What nonsense are you spouting? Your sister is still young; it won't be too late for her to find a partner after she turns twenty-two, no, twenty-five."

He felt that twenty-five was early; it would be best if she were like Ms. Lin Yu and found someone in her forties or fifties.

Gu Zhihang was dumbfounded.

He felt he was old, and said his sister was young; double standards couldn't be like this.

"I was talking about if..." Gu Zhihang didn't argue with his dad; he couldn't win anyway, he just emphasized.

"There's no such messy 'if'." Gu Chenghuai didn't like to hear it. "Your sister is obedient; unlike you, who only knows how to make your mom angry. Hurry back to Haicheng, don't wander around in front of us."

Gu Zhihang shattered.

What did he do to deserve being disliked like this?

Heartless!

"Dad..."

Gu Chenghuai interrupted the second son's spell-casting. "Don't call me; aren't you busy? Go be busy with your things, and come back less whether you have something or not."

His son had grown up and should go be busy with his own things; he was eager to live a two-person world with his wife.

Gu Zhihang looked at Lin Zhao. "Mom."

Lin Zhao reached out and patted her son's shoulder to show comfort, but didn't speak.

Gu Zhihang had an exaggerated look of injury, clutching his chest. "Mom, you're actually on Dad's side; am I not your precious second cub anymore."

"You're not my precious second cub; you're Gu Zhihang, you don't even let people call you Hengbao, how are you my treasure." Lin Zhao wrapped her arms around her daughter's shoulders and kissed the girl's fragrant and soft face. "Yaobao is my treasure; you three brothers are all leaky jackets."

Gu Zhihang said "Hey." "Leaky jackets buy you coats, buy you cosmetics, and give you lots and lots of money to spend. Mom, people have to be kind."

"Who is kind to you? You're not a kind person; if one is kind to you, you'll eat them alive." Lin Zhao teased.

Gu Zhihang's eyes flickered, and he touched the tip of his nose.

Business matters shouldn't let Mom and Dad know; his image was completely ruined.

He leaned back, very casually.

He gave up.

Gu Chenghuai looked at his comfortable appearance, and speechlessness appeared in his eyes. "Next time, rest well before you come in front of us."

Gu Zhihang opened his eyes. "Mm?"

Lin Zhao explained for him. "Your dad means, next time he'll pull you to be a laborer, for example, driving."

This kid was sleep-deprived, and he was afraid he would drive the car into a ditch, so Gu Chenghuai wouldn't even let him touch the steering wheel.

Gu Zhihang sat up straight and saluted his dad, his movements casual but carrying a bit of high-spirited handsomeness. "Alright, I'll be the laborer; I'll arrange everything."

"Second Brother, your smile is really exaggerated." Yaobao looked at the smile on Gu Zhihang's face and couldn't help but say, "Dad wants you to do work, why are you so excited?"

"What do you know? You don't understand the hearts of us wanderers at all; being needed is a happy thing, silly girl." Gu Zhihang laughed.

He just liked Mom and Dad ordering him around; he was super happy.

"You're the silly one; you're the silliest in our family." Yaobao said unconvinced.

Gu Zhihang glanced at the exam tools his sister put aside, said nothing, and yet said everything.

Yaobao clenched her hands into little fists.

She turned her head and looked out the window.

Her beautiful face was slightly bulging, and in Gu Zhihang's eyes, his sister was cuter than a kitten a few months old.

Thinking that Yaobao was about to go to college and would be a big girl in the blink of an eye, his mood was indescribably complex.

Lin Zhao saw Gu Zhihang's mischievousness and rolled her eyes at him. "Why do you always tease your sister? It's lucky Zhiyu and Zhiqian aren't here, otherwise you'd just wait to be lectured."

Yaobao said immediately: "That's right, that's right. If Big Brother and Little Brother knew you were bullying me, they would definitely lecture Second Brother."

"Hey, you girl, you're using Big Brother and Third Brother to pressure me; who went through all the trouble to get the tapes you wanted? You little ungrateful thing." Gu Zhihang said with a light laugh.

Yaobao took people's things and was short-handed; she didn't know how to refute and turned her back again.

Lin Zhao smiled helplessly; the second son's mouth was truly owed, and he wouldn't stop until he made his sister angry every time.

Just wait, when the eldest comes back, he'll have good fruit to eat.

The sedan stopped.

Yaobao opened the car door, brought her exam tools, got out of the car, and stood by the car door waiting for Lin Zhao to get out.

Although she was puffed up with anger, she still didn't forget to wait for Mom, obedient like a cloud shape.

Lin Zhao's heart softened.

"Why is Yaobao puffed up with anger? Who provoked you?"

The front gate of the house was suddenly opened from the inside, and two tall figures appeared.

Gu Zhiyu looked at his family with a smile on his face; it was he who was speaking.

Yaobao heard the voice, turned her head sharply, saw her Big Brother and Little Brother at the gate, her eyes lit up instantly, and a brilliant smile appeared on her face.

"Big Brother! Little Brother!!"

Yaobao rushed up, hugged both brothers, and jumped on the spot happily.

"Why did you come back? You didn't say anything before coming back. We went to eat hot pot, and Big Brother and Little Brother didn't get to eat!" Her tone was so regretful.

Gu Zhiyu's dry and broad palm rubbed his sister's hair, laughing: "If we can't eat today, there's still tomorrow."

Yaobao's eyes were even brighter. "How many days can Big Brother stay at home?"

"One week." Gu Zhiyu said.

He was a pilot, his work was very busy, and he was often like a dragon seeing its head but not its tail.

To put it without exaggeration, ever since he went to college, the number of times Lin Zhao had seen her eldest son was limited.

Lin Zhao walked over, looked at her two sons, and the corners of her mouth raised slightly.

"Finally have time to come back."

Gu Zhiqian stepped forward and hugged her, a smile spreading across his cold brows and eyes. "Mom, we're back; we've made you worry."

Lin Zhao patted his shoulder a few times. "I know, as long as you're all fine. Have you eaten? If not, I'll go make you something."

"No need, Aunt Qiao made it for us; we've eaten." Gu Zhiyu said.

Qiao Hui knew Lin Zhao and the others were going to eat hot pot, and she was called too, but she didn't really want to go out, so she didn't go.

It was good she didn't go, otherwise, when Zhiyu and Zhiqian came back, there wouldn't have been a hot meal to eat.

"As long as you've eaten, come home." Lin Zhao pulled her two sons into the house.

Gu Zhiyu asked curiously: "Mom, what's with the car at the gate? It doesn't look like Dad's official car."

"Your Great-Aunt gave it to me; is it generous?" Lin Zhao said with a smile.

"Generous, Great-Aunt is truly rich." Gu Zhiyu gave a thumbs up.

He had a good friend whose family had a car, and he heard it was very expensive. Great-Aunt was even willing to give this to his mother; it seemed she was truly not lacking money.

The family sat in the living room and talked.

Yaobao complained to her Big Brother and Little Brother.

Gu Zhiyu glanced at his second brother. "Is this how you take care of Yaobao? What kind of skill is it to bully a little girl? Practice with me in the courtyard tomorrow morning; I'll see if you've regressed."

Gu Zhihang looked at his brother, silently resisting.

"Brother, I'm just a businessman; unlike you who practices every day, is it necessary?" He negotiated.

"Less nonsense." Gu Zhiyu glared at him.

The paths the brothers took were different, which could be said to be poles apart. After separating, their looks weren't even that similar anymore.

At least, no one would mistake them for each other anymore.

Gu Zhihang had listened to Big Brother since he was young, and it was the same after he grew up. He said: "Alright, practice then."

He had practiced too, so he shouldn't be beaten too hard.

His peripheral vision caught his brother's sturdy upper arm, his eyes paused slightly, and he touched the tip of his nose.

Cough, it might be a bit miserable.

Gu Zhiqian watched this scene calmly, the corners of his mouth slightly hooked.

"How did Yaobao test?" He asked Yaobao.

Yaobao's expression was confident. "I think it's not bad."

After chatting with Mom, she had considered it seriously and planned to study at a foreign language university.

She wanted to work at a TV station, and learning a few more foreign languages would be beneficial for her future development.

This was the result of Yaobao's deep consideration.

Gu Zhiqian nodded. "Mm, you study hard, you will definitely get what you wish for."

"Mm." Yaobao looked at Little Brother and smiled.

She felt Little Brother was becoming better and better looking, especially the calm, composed, and cold temperament on him, which was very eye-catching.

Little Brother had picked her up from school before, and the girls in her class all wanted to be friends with Little Brother.

She had refused them by saying they were still young and should focus their attention on their studies. Most of her classmates expressed understanding, but only one person kept looking for her, which annoyed her to no end. Fortunately, school started a few days later, and Yaobao suppressed the displeasure in her heart.

It was rare for the family to be reunited, and they had endless things to say. That night, they chatted until the TV had no programs, and it still didn't stop.

It was Gu Chenghuai who couldn't stand it anymore, pulled Lin Zhao back to their room, and the four cubs yawned and returned to their own rooms.

The next morning, Gu Zhihang found a good restaurant, booked a table, called the family, and walked over while chatting and laughing.

The restaurant wasn't far from home. No matter how many reasons Qiao Hui found, it was useless; she was pulled along by Lin Zhao.

Over these years, with Qiao Hui in the family, Lin Zhao was very worry-free and could follow her own wishes to do what she wanted to do.

Lin Zhao was very grateful for Qiao Hui's dedication over the years, and the salary she offered was higher than the market rate, so Qiao Hui had saved up a considerable sum.

Later, she tried her luck and bought a house that wasn't very large. It was a building, which couldn't compare to a Sihe Academy, but it won because the owner had protected it well, so one could live in it without major renovations, and the location was good, making everything convenient.

After having a house, Qiao Hui's spirit was different, and she was willing to spend the money she had been saving. Today she would pull cloth to make curtains, tomorrow she would add a table, full of energy.

"We're almost at Sister Hui's home." Lin Zhao saw the row of buildings not far away and spoke.

Qiao Hui's face was full of smiles.

"Thanks to the blessings of you two. If it weren't for you, how could I afford a house in the capital."

Lin Zhao shook her head. "Can't say that; Sister Hui, you also put in the labor. Over these years, if it weren't for you in the family, I wouldn't have been able to live so comfortably."

Countless times she was glad that Qiao Hui chose to stay. If she had left, she would have had to find someone again, and the person she found would have needed to be broken in. If she had encountered someone with flawed character, she would have had to be angry. Fortunately, everything was as she wished.

"I like Aunt Qiao; it's really good that Aunt Qiao stayed." Yaobao followed up and said.

Her clothes were washed and ironed by Qiao Hui, her room was tidied by Qiao Hui, and the food she ate was cooked by Qiao Hui. Qiao Hui took care of her the most, and Yaobao was very close to her Aunt Qiao.

Qiao Hui beamed with joy. "As long as Yaobao needs me, I will stay and take care of you forever."

At her age, she didn't have much drive to fight anymore, and staying at the Gu family to retire was quite good. Chenghuai and Zhaozhao were both easy-to-get-along-with people, and they had gotten used to each other over so many years.

Yaobao's eyes curved into crescents.

"I'll support Aunt Qiao in the future."

Qiao Hui was slightly startled, her heart softening into a pool of water. "You don't need to support Aunt Qiao; Aunt Qiao has money. When I can't work anymore, I'll hire a caregiver and won't add trouble to our Yaobao."

She watched the girl grow up, so how could she be willing to let her bear such a big burden.

"Aunt Qiao is not trouble, and Mom and Dad are not trouble either!" Yaobao said disapprovingly.

Lin Zhao said: "Take it one step at a time; why think so far ahead now? Let's talk about something happy..."

As long as there was money, retirement wasn't an issue. What did it matter if there was one more Qiao Hui; it wasn't worth mentioning.

"Gu Zhi Yao!" A voice sounded from diagonally behind Lin Zhao and the others.

When Gu Zhi Yao heard this tone, she pursed her lips and turned her head slowly. "Ling Zhi."

The moment the words left her mouth, she subconsciously walked toward Gu Zhiqian and stood calmly in front of her brother.

Gu Zhiqian raised his eyebrows.

What's the situation?

Thinking of something, he looked at the girl who called his sister, but met a pair of burning and obsessed eyes.

His brows furrowed, and he withdrew his gaze faintly without looking over again.

He didn't like this person's gaze.

It was as if he were her possession.

Ling Zhi saw Gu Zhiqian looking at her, her heart beating like a drum, full of excitement, but didn't know he had shifted his gaze, and disappointment surged in her heart.

She walked over, her peripheral vision always looking at Gu Zhiqian, but her words were to Gu Zhi Yao. "I didn't expect to meet you here; it's truly fate. Gu Zhi Yao, what are you going to do? Can I go with you?"

Before Yaobao could answer, Gu Zhihang laughed out loud. "We're having a family reunion dinner, and you're going too? In what capacity are you going?"

Ling Zhi's expression didn't change, but she felt very regretful in her heart.

It was too poorly timed.

She had made people wait for several days, and it was hard to finally see Gu Zhiqian.

"A reunion dinner, indeed I shouldn't go." But there would definitely be opportunities in the future.

"Mm." Yaobao's expression was distant.

Ling Zhi continued: "Gu Zhi Yao, where is your home? I'll come find you to play in a few days."

As she spoke, her eyes swept over Gu Zhiqian's face; the drunkard's intention wasn't in the wine.

Actually, Ling Zhi knew the Gu family's address; she needed a reason to visit openly.

Yaobao was very annoyed by Ling Zhi, feeling that this person had no sense of boundaries, kept asking her about Little Brother's matters, and occasionally showed a determined expression on her face, which was inexplicable.

"I'm about to go to Haicheng and will only return after school starts; I'm sorry." For the sake of being in the same class, Yaobao didn't say anything harsh and refused in a distant tone.

Ling Zhi had a good family background and a somewhat spoiled personality, so she was very dissatisfied with Gu Zhi Yao's answer. In front of Gu Zhiqian, she didn't want to lose her temper regardless, so she suppressed her irritability and smiled reluctantly. "So that's how it is, then let's talk after school starts."

Gu Zhi Yao remembered Ling Zhi's terrible academic performance and was silent for a moment.

Ling Zhi's grades definitely wouldn't get her into college, so for her, there probably wasn't such a thing as school starting, right?

She hadn't heard that she was going to repeat a year, but she had heard that Ling Zhi's mom and dad had already thought of a place for her, and she could live comfortably by following the steps.

Not wanting to cause the Gu family to dislike her, Ling Zhi took the initiative to leave.

Gu Zhihang looked at Gu Zhiqian. "How do you know that girl?"

"I don't know her." Gu Zhiqian's eyes were calm, and his tone was serious.

"Then her eyes are almost nailed to you." Gu Zhihang complained.

A little girl's liking was too obvious; anyone with eyes could see it.

"I don't know." Gu Zhiqian didn't care. After his vacation, he had to return to the research institute, and messy things couldn't affect him.

"Little Brother, after Ling Zhi saw you once, she kept asking me about you." Yaobao couldn't help but say.

Gu Zhiqian straightened his expression, suspecting that the girl had been infiltrated and wanted to turn him against his side.

He looked at the person protecting him in secret and made a gesture to the other party.

Investigate.

Better to be over-cautious than careless.

With this investigation, Ling Zhi's previous investigation of the Gu family's home address and her having people watch the Gu family... were completely exposed.

Later, she happily won a one-day tour of the police station.