Chapter 445: What a Lawless Outlaw

Gu Zhiqian’s special unit normally cannot communicate with the outside world, underscoring its importance.

Someone has been watching his movements—this is a major matter.

As soon as Gu Zhiqian’s protectors reported it, the Ling family’s ancestors three generations back were thoroughly investigated.

Ling Zhi herself was also invited for a tea chat.

After questioning and investigation, they discovered that what they assumed was infiltration and subversion was merely a girl’s crush.

When Gu Zhiqian learned the investigation’s outcome, his brows knotted so tightly they could trap a fly.

Lin Zhao laughed at her son’s expression, “Didn’t expect our Qianbao to have someone chasing him first.”

“Mom, I’m still young,” Gu Zhiqian said seriously.

“You’re not that young—you’re an adult, old enough to date,” Lin Zhao teased, her eyes still sparkling with amusement.

Gu Zhiqian’s face was full of resistance.

He had no interest in those girls; if he had time, he’d rather solve difficult problems.

“I’m not interested in her,” Gu Zhiqian emphasized, fearing she might show up and pressure his family into matchmaking.

He was highly intelligent and emotionally astute—he knew how to cut off potential problems.

“Don’t worry, your personal matters—I and your father won’t interfere, do as you please,” Lin Zhao understood his meaning and reassured him.

Gu Zhiqian’s brow relaxed, “Thank you, Mom.”

With his mother’s word, he could finally relax.

Heaven knew how terrified he was that one day, returning from the institute, he’d find a fiancée or a girl arranged for him waiting at home.

Gu Zhiyu felt the same.

He longed for the kind of quiet, enduring love his parents shared—he didn’t want blind, arranged marriages.

After Lin Zhao finished speaking, Gu Chenghuai spoke up, addressing Gu Zhiyao: “Yaobao, you’re still young—don’t rush into dating. Girls should be reserved; too much initiative is unbecoming and invites disrespect.”

“Who dares,” Gu Zhihang’s eyes flashed with cold fury.

Gu Chenghuai glanced at him; Gu Zhihang immediately softened his gaze, reverting to his usual smiling tiger persona.

Gu Zhiyao blushed, forcing calmness: “I know. Dating would distract me from my studies—I have no intention of dating. I still want to join the TV station.”

“You want to be an anchor?” Gu Zhiyu looked at his sister.

Gu Zhiyao said, “Mm. What do you think, Brother?” Her eyes shone with anticipation—she valued his opinion deeply.

“I think you’re excellent,” Gu Zhiyu’s dark eyes were serious, his answer earnest. “You’re beautiful, your appearance is perfect, your learning ability is strong, your reactions are quick, and you’ll master multiple foreign languages. I’m worried I’ll waste your talent as a little anchor.”

The praise lifted her spirits, making her even more confident.

She clenched her hands, “I’ll work hard.”

“Don’t put too much pressure on yourself,” Gu Zhiyu’s demeanor was steady, growing more like the eldest son—he smiled gently. “Eat well, play well.”

“If you need anything, tell me—I fully support you.”

Gu Zhihang couldn’t help himself: “Big brother, I’m here. You don’t need to do anything. If Yaobao needs anything, just call me—I’ll have it delivered to her by the next day at the latest. If you’re involved, she’ll wait a month.”

Gu Zhiyu said nothing, gave him a cool glance, then immediately looked away, handing his sister a passbook: “Yaobao, going to university—I, as your elder brother, must give you something. These funds are in your name, password is your birthday. Don’t hoard them—spend them all, and I’ll give you more.”

Yaobao’s eyes welled with tears; she hugged her brother’s arm, rubbing her smooth, pale face against him.

“Thank you, Big Brother. You’re the best.”

Gu Zhihang: “Yesterday you said Second Brother was the best—today it’s Big Brother. You change fast.”

Yaobao ignored him, adding, “Little Brother is great too—I love the bicycle he gave me. I’ll ride it to school every day.”

Gu Zhiqian smiled slightly, “Glad you like it. University is huge—walking everywhere is exhausting. A light bicycle saves a lot of time.”

The bicycle he gave Yaobao was his own modification—lighter than a geared bike. Knowing she loved pink, he painted it pink. It wasn’t large, just the kind any girl would adore.

“Qianbao really thought of everything,” Lin Zhao watched the harmonious sibling scene, her lips curving upward.

Outside, the sun shone brightly, a gentle breeze carried floral fragrance, and the time passed swiftly amid laughter and chatter.

The eldest and the youngest were returning to their units; with Qiao Hui’s help, Lin Zhao prepared some keepable foods and clothes for her two sons to take along.

The two boys exchanged glances, their handsome faces breaking into identical, contented smiles. They packed their own belongings without help.

Before leaving, Gu Zhiyu hugged Lin Zhao, his voice calm: “Mom, I’ll be careful. Don’t worry. Take care of yourselves. I’ll come back to see you when I can—I will make you proud.”

Lin Zhao patted her eldest son’s shoulder, smiling with both reluctance and pride: “You already are our greatest pride.”

Gu Zhiyu released his mother and hugged Yaobao, whose eyes were wide and ready to spill tears: “Study hard. Maybe one day, you’ll see me waiting at your campus gate.”

“Big Brother is coming to pick me up after class?” Yaobao’s eyes lit up, then she blushed, shyly adding, “I’m in college now—I’m not a little girl who needs her brother to pick her up…”

“No matter how old you get, I’m still your brother. What’s wrong with picking you up? When you start working, I’ll pick you up after work too.” He’d make sure no one dared approach his sister.

Gu Chenghuai wholeheartedly agreed.

Yaobao nodded eagerly, “Then it’s a promise—you’ll come pick me up next time you’re back.”

“Mm, promise kept,” Gu Zhiyu replied, walking out with his third brother.

Gu Zhiqian silently ruffled his sister’s hair, glanced at the rest of the family, then stepped into a car.

He sat in the backseat, waving at Lin Zhao and the others as the car started.

This departure meant another unknown length of time before he’d return.

Gu Zhiqian was used to it—but the ache in his chest was still unmistakable.

At moments like this, he wondered: Was choosing this path worth it? Was missing countless moments with his family worth it?

Even now, Gu Zhiqian didn’t know the answer.

Sensing Gu Gong’s emotional turbulence, one of his bodyguards suddenly spoke: “Gu Gong, about Ling Zhi—I didn’t finish telling you earlier. Would you like to hear the rest?”

Gu Zhiqian, interrupted, felt his mood lift slightly. “What?”

“Comrade Ling Zhi is determined and stubborn about becoming your partner. She plans to pursue you first. If you never yield, she’ll escalate.”

Gu Zhiqian asked casually, “What’s the next step? Public opinion?”

“Something like that,” said the muscular man, stroking his chin with a strange expression. “She made a detailed plan: pursue, flatter. If that fails, she’ll use schemes—like a damsel rescuing a hero, or self-harm. If that still doesn’t work, she’ll deploy her ultimate tactic: manipulating Yaobao to trap you, then using public pressure to force you into submission.”

Gu Zhiqian’s usually impassive face twisted into a look of utter disbelief.

“...What an unregulated lawless maniac. Does she think state law is a decoration? She’s clearly slipped through the cracks of compulsory education.”

The bodyguard assigned to protect Gu Zhiqian gave him a thumbs-up after hearing this.

“Sharp assessment. But...” he added, “it’s terrifyingly plausible—you could easily fall for it.”

Gu Zhiqian realized it was true. “Warn the Ling family. Make them control her. She’s acting with total impunity—I suspect she’s dirty.”

It was utterly insane.

“Mm, still investigating. We’ll handle it according to findings.”

Only if she’s committed actual violations.

Ling Zhi had pulled many small tricks: leading classmates to ostracize others, mocking peers, using her family status to look down on people, ordering dorm mates to fetch water and take out trash...

Nothing illegal—but her behavior made people frown.

In the end, they could only scold her and let her go. The Ling family lost face when their daughter ended up in police custody; neighbors gossiped endlessly. Only then did they realize they’d failed to raise her properly—and after higher-ups sent word, they tightened their control over Ling Zhi.

Ling Zhi had originally been arranged a cushy, high-paying job. After this incident, it vanished. She was confined at home to study, forced to retake her final year.

The one who hated studying most, Ling Zhi, suffered terribly. In just one month, she looked like a scholar drained of all spirit.

After Gu Zhiyu and Gu Zhiqian’s visit, Gu Zhiyao had no regrets left. She spent several days eating, drinking, and playing with Lin Zhao, then traveled to Hong Kong with Lin Yu.

Arriving in Hong Kong, Gu Zhiyao felt like entering a brand-new world—everywhere she wanted to go, everything she wanted to try.

She met several idols she’d long admired and took photos with them; the girl was utterly delighted.

Coming to Hong Kong, Gu Zhihang and Gu Zhiyao finally understood just how vast the Lin family’s business empire was.

Had they not been mentally strong, they’d have been swept away by all the flattery.

Lin Yu moved effortlessly through social circles, discussing projects worth millions at a time.

Gu Zhihang opened a new world—he lost all sense of superiority over his peers.

What did his little wealth amount to? Nothing at all.

He didn't even have the qualification to negotiate cooperation here!

“What did you learn?” Lin Duan asked Gu Zhihang.

“A lot. My mind has settled,” Gu Zhihang replied.

Lin Duan nodded. “Keep observing.”

He was Lin Heling’s eldest brother, heir to the Lin family. He was delighted by the arrival of Gu Zhihang and his sister, personally taking them out to meet people, fearing they’d be overwhelmed.

Xiao Jiu had called him personally, urging him to care for his grandchildren—he dared not neglect it. Any mistake would earn him his father’s reprimand.

He was an old man now—he didn’t want to make a fool of himself.

“I understand,” Gu Zhihang answered.

He visited many factories, witnessing Hong Kong’s prosperity—and the dangers beneath it.

With professional bodyguards guarding him, the trip was tense but safe.

The Lin family held great power in Hong Kong; even underworld figures gave them respect, and entertainment stars were even more eager—when they learned Lin family children wanted photos, they were thrilled, giving Yaobao immense emotional value.

As a result, she was extremely satisfied with her Hong Kong trip.

She had so much fun, she felt reluctant to leave.

Lin Yu smiled. “You can come again. You have winter and summer breaks—I’ll bring you back next time.”

Yaobao beamed, “Great! Next time, I want to come with my mom.”

During her Hong Kong stay, Lin Yu had heard Yaobao mention her mother countless times—she was truly a mama’s girl.

Lin Yu indulged her: “Alright. Next time, I’ll bring your mom.”

Yaobao looked forward to it even more.

It was her first time on a cruise ship; she felt unwell and dizzy, but after taking the seasickness medicine Lin Zhao had prepared, she felt much better.

Now, on the return journey, whether she had adjusted or not, she no longer felt seasick and stood outside watching the scenery.

The deep blue sea churned like a monstrous beast ready to swallow people, full of mystery and danger.

Yaobao stared at the ocean surface and kept feeling as if something huge might burst out of the water at any moment—her heart leapt, and she felt a sudden loss of weight.

She told Lin Yu about her feelings.

Lin Yu smiled and said, “It’s normal. I’ve heard this is called deep-sea fear. If you’re scared, just go back to your room and lie down, just like on the way here. Don’t push yourself.”

Yaobao felt nauseous, not from seasickness, but from overwhelming fear.

“I’m going back to my room.” She didn’t force herself and returned to her room without hesitation.

Gu Zhihang worried about his sister and turned to follow her.

Back in the room, Yaobao lay down straight and finally felt comfortable.

“Big brother, you don’t need to look after me. Go have fun. I’m fine—I plan to sleep until we dock.”

Gu Zhihang noticed her complexion had improved and relaxed. “There’s still seasickness medicine—if you feel bad, take it. Don’t tough it out.”

“I’m not seasick. I just stared at the sea too long and got scared… I’m much better now.” Yaobao explained awkwardly.

“What’s there to fear about the sea? You’ve sailed before.” Little girl, so timid.

Yaobao pouted. “I didn’t go out much on the way over.”

There was so much to do on the ship that she never made it to the deck.

“Alright, alright, I won’t say more. If you feel unwell, tell me right away.” Gu Zhihang said.

“Got it. I’m going to sleep for a bit.”

“Sleep. I’m right next door. Call me if you need anything.” Gu Zhihang, still uneasy, decided not to return to the deck.

A few days later, the cruise ship docked.

When her feet touched solid ground, Yaobao’s smile became noticeably brighter.

“We’re home!”

Gu Zhihang glanced at her, thought “little coward,” and pulled her forward.

“Big brother, the gifts I bought for Dad, Mom, Grandpa, and Grandma…” Yaobao struggled.

“Someone’s carrying them. They won’t get lost. We’ll sort them out when we get home. I haven’t been around for a month—I’m anxious to see how my company’s doing. Yaobao, be good. When I make a fortune, I’ll buy you a big villa and a car, just like Mom’s. I’ll even get it customized in pink, how’s that…”

He handed out free promises as easily as breathing.

Yaobao let herself be pulled forward, smiling brightly. “I already have a villa—Mom gave me two. And two storefronts too.”

These were gifts Lin Zhao had given her after her college entrance exam.

Her brother had received the same. All properties had been transferred.

The children were growing up; sometimes they needed private space. Lin Zhao was happy to fulfill these small desires.

“Who doesn’t have the same?”

Yaobao thought of the two storefronts, recently renovated, and frowned. “Big brother, what do you think I should do with the storefronts?”