Chapter 462: I Don

Lin Zhao saw Gu Zhihang’s expression change and followed his gaze.

Yaobao walked side by side with a male colleague, seemingly chatting amiably.

She was about to speak when she saw Gu Zhihang stride forward, face cold, as if to rush over.

Lin Zhao quickly grabbed his arm. “What are you doing? What do you plan to do?!”

“Mom, it’s Yaobao.”

“I saw her. Yaobao’s discussing work with a colleague—what are you going to say if you chase after her?” Lin Zhao gripped his arm tightly, fearing his impulsiveness.

Gu Zhihang couldn’t bring himself to shake off his mother’s hand, so he could only fume helplessly, watching his sister and that yellow-haired man grow farther away.

“The military parade’s over—what work could they possibly be discussing?! Mom, did you see that guy’s smile? He’s clearly a weasel paying respects to a chicken—no good intentions! I have to go after him. What if he swindles Yaobao out of money or seduces her?!”

“How old is your sister?” Lin Zhao asked.

Gu Zhihang caught her implication and replied firmly, “No matter how old she is, she’s still my sister—I have to guard her. Yaobao’s naive; she thinks the world has no bad people. Losing money isn’t the worst—what if she gets heartbroken? I promised Big Brother and Qianbao I’d take care of you, Dad, and Yaobao, including their share.”

Lin Zhao understood her son’s heart and looked at him with warmth. “It’s fine. Yaobao knows what she’s doing. She’s not a child anymore—you can’t keep treating her like a ten-year-old girl. She’s working now; whether she dates or marries, it’s her freedom. You can’t restrict her—that’s wrong.”

“Mom…” Gu Zhihang’s sharp black eyes showed rare confusion. “I’m afraid Yaobao will get hurt.”

Lin Zhao took his wrist and walked forward, only speaking when they reached an open space. “That’s her own choice. You can’t deprive her of experiencing life just because you fear she’ll get hurt—it’s unfair to her.”

“She’s your sister, but she’s also an independent individual, a living person. She has the right to choose—no one can interfere. Do you understand?”

Gu Zhihang nodded reluctantly.

“I’ll try,” he said. “Mom, if I do anything wrong, remind me—I don’t want Yaobao to hate me.”

“She won’t,” Lin Zhao said. “Yaobao loves us. She’d rather suffer herself than neglect any of us.”

Gu Zhihang knew all this—precisely because he knew how good his sister was, he couldn’t bear the thought of her being hurt.

Though he wouldn’t interfere, he still planned to look into that boy.

He dared not tell Lin Zhao this—he feared she’d slap him.

He’d check the guy’s character, his family background… just like background checks before a date. He feared Lin Zhao would say he was lawless, getting more and more “crazy.”

“You must remind me,” Gu Zhihang emphasized.

He worried he might do something annoying without realizing it.

“Alright, hurry up and go shopping—I want to buy boots. You watch for me,” Lin Zhao changed the subject.

“Sure. I saw a pair that would suit you perfectly—they’d look stunning with a coat,” Gu Zhihang shook off his worries and brightened.

Lin Zhao admired him—no wonder he made so much money and thrived in business.

“Why are you staring at me like that? Do I have eye gunk?” Gu Zhihang touched his eyelid.

Lin Zhao: “…”

You guessed well. Don’t guess again next time.

The mother and son went shopping, arms full of bags; only then did Gu Zhihang feel at ease, his gloomy expression largely gone.

Lin Zhao bit back a laugh.

No wonder Zhihang kept bringing things home—shopping was clearly his mood-lifting secret weapon.

So adorable.

“Have you bought enough? If not, keep going.”

Gu Zhihang spoke with lingering satisfaction. “That’s enough—I can’t carry more.”

“I can carry them,” Lin Zhao said.

“I’m very satisfied with my leg length—I don’t want to suddenly lose half a foot,” Gu Zhihang said seriously.

Lin Zhao’s forehead filled with question marks.

Gu Zhihang explained calmly, “If Dad sees me carrying that much, he’ll break my legs—I’d be half a foot shorter.”

Hearing this, Lin Zhao burst out laughing, her voice like silver bells, her cheeks aching.

“You child, you’re so funny.”

Gu Zhihang smiled, treating it as filial entertainment.

After leaving the mall, he hailed a taxi, and they rode home.

When they arrived, Gu Chenghuai had already returned and sat on the sofa reading the newspaper.

“Husband, you’re back!” Lin Zhao skipped over, squeezed into his arms, hugged his sturdy waist, tilted her head to kiss his chin, and praised, “Husband, you’re so handsome today—absolutely the center of attention, even more handsome than my favorite Hong Kong movie star. I have so much to tell you, but you were busy. Lucky you arranged Zhihang to accompany me—I’d have been lonely and bored otherwise…”

Two “husbands” softened the General’s grumpy gaze.

“Have you eaten?”

Lin Zhao shook her head. “Not yet. I wanted to eat with you.”

Gu Chenghuai’s mood improved further; his lips curled slightly. “The restaurant’s reserved. Shall we go now?”

Gu Zhihang watched his father being so easily soothed and sighed helplessly.

Too easy to please. Thank goodness he didn’t take the bet—he’d have lost for sure.

At that moment, the house phone rang.

Gu Zhihang, leaning against the sofa back, answered.

It was for him.

From Haicheng—urgent. He had to go immediately.

Gu Zhihang tugged at his collar, irritated.

He’d planned to ask Yaobao about that male colleague tonight—his plan was ruined!

“Busy?” Lin Zhao asked gently.

Gu Zhihang lowered his head. “Yeah. Something came up in Haicheng.”

“Serious?” Lin Zhao asked, concerned.

“Not serious—just need to go in person.”

Gu Chenghuai said, “Call me if there’s trouble.”

“Thanks, Dad.” Gu Zhihang stood straight, said no more, grabbed his ID, slung his backpack, and left.

After walking a few meters, he stopped, turned back.

He looked at Lin Zhao. “Mom, pay attention to Yaobao’s situation?”

“I know. Go ahead. I’ll find out and call you, alright?”

Gu Zhihang’s brow relaxed. “That’s great.”

With that, he waved and left.

Gu Chenghuai turned to Lin Zhao. “What’s this about Yaobao? What happened?”

Lin Zhao spoke lightly. “Nothing. When we left the viewing stand, we saw Yaobao walking with a male colleague. Zhihang’s always been sensitive about any man near his sister.”

“Male colleague? Are you sure? Not a suitor?” Gu Chenghuai’s sharp eyes narrowed.

“How would I know? I didn’t go ask. If you want to know, wait till Yaobao comes back and ask her yourself?” Lin Zhao smiled mischievously.

Gu Chenghuai crumpled the newspaper in his hand. “You ask. You two can talk about anything—I can’t bring myself to.”

“I knew you’d say that. Fine, I’ll ask,” Lin Zhao said.

Gu Chenghuai set down the newspaper, placed his hand on her shoulder, and began massaging it. “Then it’s your hard work, wife.”

Lin Zhao had walked too much today and was truly tired; she closed her eyes and enjoyed it. Only when the fatigue eased did she rise and go out to dinner with her husband.

That night.

Gu Zhiyao came home smelling of alcohol.

It was the first time she’d returned so late—nearly ten o’clock.

“Drinking?” Lin Zhao sniffed the scent, turned, and saw Yaobao’s flushed cheeks but clear eyes.

“I didn’t drink—my colleagues did,” Yaobao kicked off her shoes, slipped into slippers, and collapsed onto the sofa.

“Did you eat?” Lin Zhao asked again.

“Yes. I didn’t want the alcohol to bother Dad and Mom, so I kept my distance. I never neglect my stomach—I ate a lot. Just tired. I’ll shower after resting a bit.”

“Do as you like,” Lin Zhao said.

Gu Chenghuai gave her a look, signaling her to ask.

Lin Zhao was speechless—he was too shy to ask himself, so he pushed it onto her.

“Yaobao, at the TV station, do you have any male colleagues you get along with well?” Lin Zhao was curious too—no games, straight to the point.

“Mom saw me walking with a male colleague?” Gu Zhiyao wasn’t foolish—she realized she’d been spotted the moment her mother asked.

“Yes. I saw you with your second brother.” Lin Zhao spoke plainly.

“…Second brother must’ve nagged me! No wonder I sneezed so many times on the way home.” Yaobao realized.

“Mom, you both saw me—why didn’t you call out?”

Lin Zhao smiled faintly. “Zhihang wanted to, but I saw you chatting happily with that young man—I didn’t let him interrupt.”

Gu Zhiyao’s cheeks flushed crimson, clearly embarrassed.

There really was something going on.

The air around them suddenly turned cold.

Lin Zhao turned her head—General Gu’s eyes had darkened, icy and chilling.

A slender white hand reached out, grasped his arm, and gave it a gentle twist.

Gu Chenghuai snapped back to himself, his expression softening.

Lin Zhao was satisfied.

Good. Why chill the room at random? You’ll scare Yaobao into silence—and she’ll regret it.

“How far has it gotten?”

Gu Zhiyu blinked her eyes softly and said, “I’m still getting to know him. So far, it seems okay—I need to keep observing.”

Before Lin Zhao could speak, Gu Chenghuai couldn’t help but say, “You’re still so young…”

“Enough,” Lin Zhao cut him off. “Your daughter is already in her twenties—she’s not a child. I married you before I was eighteen and gave birth to Dacai and Ercai! Small? Where’s small?”

“You won’t let a twenty-something girl date? Are you waiting until she’s eighty or ninety?”

Gu Chenghuai was left speechless and heartbroken.

Afraid of angering his wife, he dared not speak further.

Lin Zhao calmed down, smiled again, and said to Zhiyu, “Ignore what your father says. All fathers are like this—they can’t stand seeing their little cotton-padded jacket being pursued. Give him time. He’ll come around.”

Gu Chenghuai: “...”

Zhiyu glanced at her father, walked over, and linked her arm through his. Her expression was earnest. “Dad, if you don’t like him, I won’t bring him around you. In my heart, your feelings matter most.”

Gu Chenghuai felt even more heartbroken.

What did that mean? Not bringing him around, but sneaking around behind his back?

Even more heartbroken.

“...No need,” Gu Chenghuai said. “Listen to your mother. If you want to date, date.”

Saying it made his heart ache.

Zhiyu beamed. “Dad, you’re the best. Once I’m sure, I’ll bring him home and let you both vet him.”

Gu Chenghuai couldn’t resist picking a fight. “What if I don’t like him?”

“If it’s a matter of principle, not based on emotion, I’ll consider your opinion and rethink,” Gu Zhiyu said, her gaze unusually serious.

Gu Chenghuai patted her head. He couldn’t deny it—Zhaozhao had raised their children well.

They all had their own minds—neither stubborn nor submissive. They were perfect.

“Let’s go inside. Wash up and get some rest. You’ve been busy long enough—you need to relax.”

Gu Zhiyu stood up, picked up her bag, and headed inside.

After a few steps, she turned back. “Mom, I have a week off coming up. If you want to go back to Haicheng, I’ll go with you.”

Lin Zhao’s face lit up. “A whole week? How about we go hiking?”

She’d heard there was a temple on a mountain with strong incense and great blessings—she wanted to pray.

Because of Ercai.

If he’s already safe, it’s to repay the vow. If he hasn’t received the lucky talisman, she hoped the Bodhisattva would protect him with happiness and health.

“Great! Let’s go together. But shouldn’t we buy some sportswear first?”

Lin Zhao smiled. “Your second brother and I went shopping this afternoon. We bought everything. Yours are in your room.”

Zhiyu exclaimed in delight. “Really? I’ll go check!”

Back in the room, she saw several shopping bags piled on the sofa—clothes in every style.

Her heart was instantly wrapped in happiness.

After Zhiyu left, Lin Zhao turned off the TV and pulled Gu Chenghuai into their room.

“I’ll go hiking with you and Zhiyu,” Gu Chenghuai said.

“You have time?” Lin Zhao gave him a look.

“I do.”

“Then let’s all go,” Lin Zhao said without objection, beaming. “If I get too tired, you can carry me.”

Otherwise, why would he suggest it?

Gu Chenghuai smiled in agreement. “Alright.”

“Why the sudden urge to hike? You’ve always hated such tiring, troublesome exercise,” he asked again.

“People change,” Lin Zhao said, removing her hair tie and running her fingers through her hair as she lay back slowly.

“I don’t like change,” Gu Chenghuai said.

“That’s why you’re perfect for military life,” Lin Zhao said, opening her eyes to look at him.

He was born to be a general.

In that uniform, he glowed—utterly the center of attention.

Lin Zhao hadn’t extracted useful information from Gu Zhiyu, so she hadn’t rushed to call Gu Zhihang.

Yet the next afternoon, his call came back.

“Zhihang? Why the sudden call? Is something wrong?” Lin Zhao frowned slightly.

Gu Zhihang paused, then hurried to explain. “Everything’s settled. I’m on my way back. I called to ask about Zhiyu.”

His eyes held resignation. “Mom, didn’t you ask?”

“I didn’t forget. I asked. Your sister’s still observing—she hasn’t started dating yet,” Lin Zhao said.

“Observing...?” Gu Zhihang felt a pang of irritation. “If she’s observing, it’s almost done.”

“Mm, possibly,” Lin Zhao replied.

Gu Zhihang: “...”

It stung. He didn’t want to accept this annoying truth.

Lin Zhao added, “I want to go hiking. Your father and Zhiyu are coming with me. Will you join?”

“Of course. If you all go, what am I supposed to do, stay behind?” Gu Zhihang muttered. “Mom, which mountain? I’ll prepare everything—I’ll bring it back on my way.”

Lin Zhao named the mountain.

Gu Zhihang froze.