Chapter 449: Good Idea—Don

Gu Zhihang acted quickly; he said he wanted to buy a motorcycle, and by mid-month he had one.

He informed Gu Chenghuai and Lin Zhao one day in advance.

The couple made time specifically to see his new vehicle.

Gu Zhihang had excellent taste—he ordered a black motorcycle, tall and striking, exuding quiet luxury.

“Dad, Mom, this is the bike I picked out—it just arrived today. What do you think?”

Lin Zhao walked around the bike once, nodding. “Not bad.”

Seeing two helmets beside it, she smiled. “There are helmets too—good, safety first.”

“Of course. If you’re going to do it, do it right.” Gu Zhihang didn’t mention that both helmets were custom-made, each costing an ordinary person a month’s salary.

He handed her the pink helmet. “Mom, this one’s custom-made for you—pink, with a printed design. Pretty, right?”

The customizer said the design was from the hottest animated series, loved by adults and kids alike, and adding the print cost extra—nearly thirty yuan per helmet. Little Boss Gu nearly cursed the merchant for being a scammer.

But.

Considering his mother and sister both loved pretty things, Little Boss Gu added the design without hesitation.

“So pretty! This design’s actually really cute!” Lin Zhao praised immediately. “Yaobao will love it for sure.”

“Do you like it, Mom?” Gu Zhihang asked.

“Me? I like it too. Who doesn’t like something beautiful?” Lin Zhao said.

Gu Zhihang put on his own helmet, swung his right leg over, and sat down, glancing sideways at her. “Mom, put on your helmet and get on. I’ll take you for a ride.”

Lin Zhao smoothed her hair, slipped on the helmet, and climbed on. Before they left, she waved at Gu Chenghuai. “I’m going out for a spin with my son—we’ll be back soon.”

Gu Chenghuai: “Gu Zhihang, drive slowly.”

“Got it.” Gu Zhihang tapped his temple lightly with his right hand and started the engine.

With a few hums, the two vanished from sight.

Gu Zhihang kept it measured—no speed, no distance. After a short loop, mother and son returned.

“We’re back!” Lin Zhao took off her helmet and shook out her long, jet-black curls.

Gu Chenghuai steadied her arm and helped her off the bike.

“How was it?”

“Great. Different from driving a car,” Lin Zhao said. “Free, refreshing.”

Gu Chenghuai couldn’t help smiling.

Such a down-to-earth description.

“Want to ride again?” he asked.

“Another time. I can’t leave you alone,” Lin Zhao said.

Gu Chenghuai couldn’t bear seeing Lin Zhao force herself. “I’ll get my license too. Get a bike just like Zhihang’s. Then I’ll take you out whenever you want.”

Lin Zhao looked at him, lips parted, then silent. A military commander riding a motorcycle around town—wasn’t that a bit odd?

“...No need. A car’s fine. You’re so busy—you wouldn’t have time to take me out even if you bought one.”

Gu Chenghuai looked guilty.

He felt he’d failed his wife. For years he’d been constantly occupied. Now at his rank, his workload was endless—so many decisions waiting, so much piled up. Rest one day, and his desk would be buried.

“Hey, don’t look at me like that. I understand. Besides, I’ve got my own things to do—I’m not bored,” Lin Zhao said, linking arms with him as they walked home.

Gu Zhihang called out to her. “Mom, hand me the helmet—I’m going to pick up Yaobao and take her out for a ride too.”

If he bought a new bike and didn’t take Yaobao out, his little drama queen sister would throw a fit—she’d write letters to her big brother and third brother accusing him of being heartless.

Remembering past complaints from his sister, Gu Zhihang shook his head.

“Drive slow,” Lin Zhao returned the helmet. “Come home for dinner.”

Yaobao had no class tomorrow morning—she’d sleep at home tonight.

“Got it.”

…

After Lin Yu and Cen Yan’s wedding, the couple dropped their duties and traveled abroad—to developed countries, not within China.

With poor communication between domestic and overseas, Lin Zhao could barely reach them.

But packages kept arriving—luxury cosmetics, designer handbags, elegant dresses, precious jewelry… all kinds of things.

All were gifts from Lin Yu.

Lin Zhao found out the newlyweds had sent gifts to everyone.

“So rich. Ridiculously rich—they’re spending money like water.”

Gu Chenghuai had long known the Lin family’s wealth ran deep—when his father-in-law kept gifting Lin Zhao house after house, the feeling grew stronger. After attending Lin Yu and Cen Yan’s wedding, it deepened further.

“Yes,” he couldn’t help sighing.

“What? Feeling pressured?” Lin Zhao’s bright face pressed close to her husband’s, eyes fixed on him.

“Not really.” Gu Chenghuai’s salary was high enough to afford most of what Lin Zhao wanted—he didn’t feel inferior.

“Good.” Lin Zhao turned to step back, but Gu Chenghuai gripped her waist and pulled her into his arms.

Lin Zhao froze slightly, then smiled, burying her face in his broad chest.

“I heard your parents want to visit the village?”

Gu Chenghuai grunted. “They said they want to see old friends and plan to stay in their hometown for a while.”

“Just them?”

“No, the third son will pick them up.” Gu Chenghuai rubbed his temples, thinking of his parents’ complaints. “Qingzhou’s going to have a headache.”

Lin Zhao lifted her head. “Because of the marriage thing?”

“Yes. They ordered Qingzhou to get married this year, saying they’ll stay until he does. If he doesn’t marry, they won’t leave.” Gu Chenghuai looked utterly helpless.

He didn’t want to pressure his brother—he’d already tried talking to his parents—but somehow they’d heard something, and their stance was firm. His advice fell on deaf ears.

“Did you tell Qingzhou?” Lin Zhao asked.

“...I did.”

Meeting his wife’s curious gaze, Gu Chenghuai had to explain further: “Qingzhou says he has no intention of marrying now. He asked his older sister to calm their emotions—he plans to lie low.”

“Going back for more study?” Lin Zhao understood.

“Yes. Closed training.” Gu Chenghuai said.

“He’s quick to react. Why not just talk to your parents, explain his feelings? Running away won’t solve anything.”

Gu Chenghuai: “I don’t know. Maybe he’s afraid he’ll be persuaded. You know Qingzhou—he’s filial. If they ask him to meet a girl, he can’t say no.”

“Hmm, given that, his hesitation makes sense.” Lin Zhao understood. “Marriage can’t be rushed—it’s a lifetime commitment. Even if divorce is possible, it drains you.”

Her second brother had divorced—he took a long time to recover. If he hadn’t met his brave, sincere second sister-in-law, he might never have recovered—he could’ve spent the rest of his life drifting aimlessly.

“I feel the same. It can’t be rushed,” Gu Chenghuai said, a trace of helplessness in his eyes. “They hung up on me. My parents.”

“?”

Lin Zhao stared in shock. “Your parents hung up on you? That’s unbelievable. You’re their proudest, most satisfied son—they actually hung up on you?!”

Gu Chenghuai was even more helpless. “I’m not anymore. Of all my brothers—big brother, second brother, Qingzhou—who’s done well? I’ve long been yesterday’s news.”

Honestly, for the first time in his life, he felt rejected. He wasn’t used to it.

Lin Zhao covered her mouth, stifling a laugh—she could picture the scene.

“Are you laughing at me, Zhaozhao?” Gu Chenghuai pinched her cheek, gently squeezing. Soft, smooth—perfect texture.

“Stop pinching my face—you’ve got germs on your hands,” Lin Zhao slapped his hand away. “I’m not laughing. How could I ever mock you?”

“This time, Qingzhou won’t escape.”

Gu Chenghuai said: “It’s fine. Let him meet more girls. Maybe he’ll find one who makes him willing to walk into marriage.”

“I hope so.” His younger brother was getting old.

Almost thirty.

The couple’s mouths were cursed with luck.

At year’s end, they received a call—Qingzhou called, announcing his engagement.

“Third brother, I’m getting married. March next year. Can you and third sister come back?” Qingzhou got straight to the point.

Gu Chenghuai’s usually calm face flickered with stunned disbelief. “Married? You?”

“Who are you marrying?”

Qingzhou’s reaction was expected—he laughed. “Of course, with my girlfriend.”

“When did you even get a girlfriend? Why didn’t you tell me or your third sister ahead of time? Trying to scare us?” Gu Chenghuai narrowed his eyes.

Qingzhou sensed the chill in his tone and quickly explained: “I wanted to tell you, but… I was embarrassed.”

Gu Chenghuai quickly reviewed his thoughts, raising an eyebrow. “Did your parents force you into blind dates, and you actually liked one of the girls?”

Qingzhou cleared his throat.

“...Anyway, that’s the situation. You and third sister must come. It’s been so long—we should get together. Third brother, I’m waiting for you. I’ve got to notify others—I’m hanging up now.”

He rattled off the message at lightning speed and hung up.

The dial tone buzzed.

Gu Chenghuai smiled, putting down the receiver.

“He’s nervous…”

Lin Zhao walked in just then and heard it. “Who’s nervous?”

“Qingzhou,” Gu Chenghuai said.

Lin Zhao hung up her bag, walked to the bathroom cabinet to wash her hands, then turned back to him, curious. “Qingzhou called you? Why’s he nervous?”

That boy is getting married.

Lin Zhao shook her hand and glanced at Gu Chenghuai in surprise. “You’re talking nonsense—Qingzhou doesn’t even have a partner. Who’s he marrying?”

“He has a partner. From what I hear, it was arranged through a matchmaker.” Gu Chenghuai said calmly.

“Is that true? This is so sudden. We had no idea at all. Neither of my parents mentioned it.” Lin Zhao muttered.

“Who knows? We’ll find out by next March. At the wedding, someone will surely tease Qingzhou about it—he can’t escape it.”

Lin Zhao thought about it and nodded. “If Qingzhou marries, my parents will finally feel at ease.”

“Mm.”

Gu Zhihang returned home and learned his uncle was getting married.

His expression changed—he found it hard to accept.

“What’s that face for? Like you just swallowed something disgusting.” Gu Chenghuai frowned.

Gu Zhihang’s shock hadn’t faded. “Didn’t Third Uncle say he wouldn’t marry? Didn’t he say marriage would slow down his career? Why is he changing his mind now, with zero warning? At least give us a heads-up so we can prepare!”

“Why would you need to prepare? You don’t have to do anything for your uncle’s wedding,” Lin Zhao said.

Even so… sigh.

Gu Zhihang sighed. “I don’t know. I just feel pressure. When my uncle wasn’t married, he was up there holding things off—I still felt like a kid. Now that he’s getting married, there’s no one left above me. It’s unsettling.”

He looked at Lin Zhao. “Mom, you really won’t pressure me into marriage? You’re not just saying that?”

“You’re not going to set me up with one, two, three, four matchmakers, are you?!” Gu Zhihang was panicked.

Lin Zhao rolled her eyes. “I’m not that bored. You’re just worrying over nothing. Think all you want—but don’t think like that again.”

Gu Zhihang said, “You say that now, but when I’m in my thirties, you’ll change your tune—like your friends will nag you: ‘Your son’s already in his thirties—why isn’t he married yet? Good girls are all taken…’ At that point, Mom, can you still hold out?”

Lin Zhao’s expression remained calm. “You think awfully far ahead. What kind of annoying friends do you want to keep? I never pressure myself.”

Gu Zhihang visibly relaxed, then frowned again. “I remember Grandma used to say the same thing—promised not to pressure Third Uncle, yet she still did.”

Lin Zhao: “...”

Gu Chenghuai defended his parents. “It wasn’t pressure—maybe they just wanted him to go on a few dates. You know, try knocking on a tree even if there’s no fruit. Didn’t expect to actually hit one.”

Gu Zhihang stared at his parents. “You’re not going to do the same to me, are you?”

“How is that pressure? You’re a college student—this is parental love,” Gu Chenghuai corrected his wording.

“...Then I beg you to love me less,” Gu Zhihang said sincerely.

He couldn’t handle it.

“You say that, but if we so much as ignore you a little, you start whining,” Lin Zhao pierced his act.

“I don’t!” Gu Zhihang denied it.

“Don’t lie. When you were little, if we kissed Dacai and didn’t kiss you, you’d sulk all day. Now you talk about wanting less love?” Lin Zhao looked at him with disdain.

Gu Zhihang rubbed his nose. “Mom, give your son some dignity.”

“Sure thing, Young Master Gu.”

Gu Zhihang changed the subject. “Mom, when’s my uncle getting married? I need to clear my schedule.”

Gu Chenghuai answered, “They said March. The exact date’s still being picked. We’ll be told once it’s confirmed. If you’re eager, ask him yourself—and then let me and your mom know.”

“Alright, I’ll ask later.” Asking now would be useless.

Gu Zhihang was intensely curious about his uncle’s love life. He washed his face and hands, dragged a chair to the phone, and dialed Qingzhou’s workplace.

Qingzhou was now Engineer Gu, and his office had a phone.

He’d just hung up when the phone rang. He picked it up. “Hello.”

“Uncle, it’s Zhihang.”

Qingzhou smiled. “Zhihang? You’re such a busy man—what brings you calling me?”

“Uncle, I heard you’re getting married?” Gu Zhihang asked directly. “How’s the wedding planning going? Need your nephew’s help? TV, washing machine, refrigerator… anything missing?”

Qingzhou laughed. “Young Master Gu, you’re throwing around big-ticket items—clearly you’ve made some money. Nothing’s missing yet, but if anything comes up, I’ll call you.”

He knew full well Zhihang wasn’t calling just for that. Smiling, he asked, “You didn’t call just to ask about the wedding, did you? You’re really after info about your future auntie, aren’t you?”