Chapter 463: He

This was exactly the mountain Gu Zhihang planned to visit.

He heard there was a master on the mountain who could divine things—some kind of spiritual insight—and he wanted to know what the version of himself in another world might be like…

“What’s wrong?” Lin Zhao noticed a shift in her son’s mood and asked curiously.

“Nothing.” Gu Zhihang feigned surprise. “I heard the temple on the mountain is very efficacious—I’ve always meant to go see it.”

Lin Zhao smiled. “You still believe in this? Aren’t you the one who always says you’re a materialist, that you must trust science?”

Gu Zhihang’s expression turned strange. He hadn’t believed before—but now that it had landed on him, he couldn’t ignore it.

Not believing was just foolish stubbornness.

“I’ve slowly come to think it’s better to believe than to deny. It’s also a family rule of the Lin clan.”

Lin Zhao laughed in disbelief. “I’m a Lin. How come I’ve never heard of this ancestral rule? You’re just making things up.”

“Fine, go ask my grandfather when you get back,” Gu Zhihang said.

“Alright, I won’t argue with you. Tell Xiao Wang to drive slower. We’ll wait for you at home—don’t rush,” Lin Zhao said gently.

“Got it, Mother.”

Wang, sitting in the driver’s seat, looked calm.

At first, hearing Gu Zhihang speak to his family like this shocked him—he felt something inside him shatter. Only after several times did he grow used to it.

The smiling tiger who ruled the business world was, at home, someone who played, laughed, and teased.

This version of Gu Zhihang felt more real.

When Gu Zhiyu learned Gu Zhihang was joining them for the hike, she was delighted at first—then her expression drooped as she remembered something.

“Mom, isn’t second brother coming back just to scold me?”

Lin Zhao: “Why would he scold you? What did you do wrong? Even if you did, your father and I are here—he’s not the one to scold you.”

“He says I’m too close to my male colleagues,” Gu Zhiyu pouted.

“Do you think you did anything wrong?” Lin Zhao asked in return.

“No,” Gu Zhiyu shook her head. She didn’t feel she’d done anything wrong—but thinking of how her second brother cared for her, how he protected her, stirred up a complex feeling she couldn’t name.

“Don’t worry—I’ve talked to your second brother. He’s come around. He won’t interfere with your relationships,” Lin Zhao soothed, patting her hand.

“Thank you, Mom,” the girl happily kissed Lin Zhao’s cheek.

“What about Dad?” she looked at her hopefully.

“Your father listens to me. If I nod, he won’t argue.”

Gu Zhiyu grew even more excited. “Mom, I told you—you’re the pillar of this family!”

“Alright, stop flattering me. Go do your thing,” Lin Zhao tapped her forehead and pushed her away.

Gu Zhiyu laughed and went to pack her things.

Seeing this, Lin Zhao could no longer sit still. She rose and went back inside to pack.

The next morning, the whole family set out.

First they took a fast bus, then a taxi to the mountain’s base, and finally bought tickets to ascend.

The heavens were kind—it was sunny, the sky a brilliant blue, the green mountains and clear waters adorned with blooming wildflowers, the scenery exquisite.

The air in the mountains was crisp, filling one with a sense of peace and refreshment.

“This place is amazing,” Gu Zhiyu said, her backpack on her back, full of energy.

Gu Zhihang walked beside her. “Don’t boast yet—you haven’t even started climbing. Don’t end up crying from exhaustion.”

“I won’t!” Gu Zhiyu retorted.

Then, realizing how absolute that sounded, she hesitated a few seconds before adding, “But since you’re here, if I get tired, you can carry my bag—I’ll be able to keep going.”

Gu Zhihang: “….”

“You’d rather I carry it? Then just give it to me now—I’ll use it for weighted training.” He’d already told her to hand over that huge backpack; he had no idea what junk she’d stuffed inside—it looked swollen and bulging.

“No, I can carry it. If I can’t, I’ll ask you for help,” Gu Zhiyu said firmly.

“I don’t get what you’re being stubborn about…” Gu Zhihang muttered.

Lin Zhao looked at him with a look of utter exasperation.

“What? Mom, why are you looking at me like that?!” Gu Zhihang looked utterly baffled.

“You’re like a wooden post,” Lin Zhao said calmly. “Your father and I aren’t emotionally clueless. You’re smooth as silk in business—how can you not see that Zhiyu is worried about wearing you out? You’re hopeless.”

With that, she shook her head and pulled Gu Chenghuai up the mountain.

Gu Chenghuai wore a black sportswear set, paired with a black baseball cap matching Lin Zhao’s—making him look even more refined and handsome.

He carried a large bag, but most of its contents belonged to Lin Zhao; his own items were few.

Lin Zhao wore a camera around her neck, moving as lightly as if she were out for a spring stroll.

“If you’re tired, say so—I’ll carry you.”

Lin Zhao smiled. “Alright, but I probably won’t need it.”

She practiced dance two hours a day and loved running and jumping—her stamina was decent.

Su Jingqiu, her good friend, had designed an intense schedule for her—and the results were clear: her body had tightened, her clothes looked better on her.

Gu Chenghuai asked again: “Are you thirsty?”

“I’m fine. If I get thirsty, I’ll tell you,” Lin Zhao’s smile deepened. This man always thought of practical things—worried she’d be cold, hot, hungry, or thirsty.

“Mm. Don’t be afraid to ask. We’re here to enjoy ourselves—take it slow,” Gu Chenghuai said.

Gu Zhiyu watched her parents’ interaction and covered her mouth to laugh.

Seeing this, Gu Zhihang quickly shifted the topic to marriage. “A woman marrying is like being reborn—keep your eyes wide open. Marry a monster, and your whole life will be misery.”

Gu Zhiyu glanced at him. “So what? I’m not being sold. If the marriage’s bad, I can just divorce.”

“….”

She was already thinking about divorce before even getting married?

Gu Zhihang fell silent, momentarily at a loss for words.

“…Just keep your eyes open. Don’t act impulsively.”

Thinking of his sister in the other world—her brain addled—he grew deeply troubled, his brow permanently furrowed.

It was as if she’d been cursed. They abused her, and she still rushed to them—washing clothes, cooking meals, worse than a servant. At least servants got paid. She got nothing—except the couple’s insults and mockery.

The more he thought, the heavier his chest grew, almost like a heart attack.

Damn it.

If he’d known it would turn out like this, he never would’ve gone to Jiang Rong and Lu Bao’s wedding—wasted his gift money.

Don’t think about it.

Thinking made it worse—so bad he wanted to do something spiteful.

But no—he didn’t want to activate whatever false halo surrounded those two.

“Second brother, I know what you’re saying. I won’t let myself be mistreated—I promise,” Gu Zhiyu said earnestly, looking straight at Gu Zhihang.

“Mm. Good if you remember,” Gu Zhihang said casually.

Whoever dared hurt his sister—no matter the cost—would pay for it.

He wasn’t just a good-hearted charity doer.

Since graduating, Gu Zhiyu hadn’t exercised much—her stamina had plummeted. Halfway up, she was gasping for breath, sweat pouring down her forehead.

“So tired… so many steps, they never end.”

Gu Zhihang had already taken her backpack—otherwise she’d have collapsed on the ground long ago.

“I told you to exercise more. You never do,” Gu Zhihang said, freeing his right hand to grip her wrist and lend her strength.

Gu Zhiyu said, “I’m fine normally.”

It didn’t take much effort.

Gu Zhihang didn’t scold her further, only said: “When we get back, you’ll run with me. I’ll call you.”

Gu Zhiyu’s face twisted in protest.

Her second brother knew exactly how to pressure her. He said calmly: “You sit in your office all day. If you keep this up, your arms, belly, and legs will get fat. Your face will puff up too. Heard you get heavier on camera—will you still be able to move to the front?”

Hearing this, Gu Zhiyu instinctively pinched the soft flesh on her waist—it was indeed flabby.

“...I’ll run,” she gritted out the two words. “Second brother, you call me.”

“Fine. I’ll call you—but don’t back out,” Gu Zhihang warned.

“Who’s backing out…?”

The siblings bickered and teased as they hurried upward.

The temple sat at the summit.

The ancient wooden gate stood wide open. Before it sat a massive incense burner, thick incense sticks burning inside, smoke curling upward.

“Guest, need incense?” An elderly woman with a basket approached, keeping her distance. Her dark, aged face smiled nervously.

“Yes, one pack,” Lin Zhao replied.

The old woman beamed and carefully pulled out a pack of incense, handing it to Lin Zhao.

“Thank you,” Lin Zhao smiled and said to Gu Zhihang: “Zhihang, pay.”

The incense cost two yuan on the mountain. Gu Zhihang gave five, said “Keep the change,” and caught up with his parents and sister.

Lin Zhao lit the incense using the candle beside the burner, bowed respectfully, and placed it in the incense burner.

Her demeanor was sincere.

Gu Chenghuai, moved by her emotion, also bowed and placed his incense in the burner.

Gu Zhihang’s purpose was to offer incense and find the master monk—he naturally followed suit.

Gu Zhiyu finished watching all of this: “...”

She thought they’d come for a relaxing outing—so they’d come to pray to the Buddha?

Gu Zhiyu, educated to the highest level and wholly grounded in scientific thinking, was greatly surprised.

She didn’t believe in gods or Buddhas, but in this setting, she, like her parents and brothers, lit incense and silently prayed for the Buddha’s blessing of good health for her family.

After sticking in the incense, Gu Zhiyu realized what she’d just been thinking—and fell silent again.

Toxic.

“Dad, Mom, I want to wander around on my own,” Gu Zhihang suddenly said.

He was here to find someone—to see if luck would smile on him.

“Go ahead. Meet back at the gate when it’s time,” Lin Zhao said.

“Got it.” Gu Zhihang strode briskly into the temple.

The temple was built into the mountainside, vast in size, crowded with worshippers, and everywhere sat people gathering their strength.

“Let’s go in too,” Lin Zhao said. “Yaobao, don’t wander off—stay with us.”

Yaobao was a girl; alone in this unfamiliar mountain, it wasn’t safe.

“I didn’t plan to wander alone,” Gu Zhiyu said, removing her hat and wiping sweat from her forehead with a handkerchief.

“Mom, my legs are so sore—can we find a cool spot to rest for a bit?”

Lin Zhao nodded. “Sure.”

Gu Chenghuai, with eyes sharper than a sniper’s, scanned the area and spoke: “Over there.”

No sooner had he finished than he pulled his wife and daughter toward the shade.

Someone had been sitting there—but rose and left just as they approached.

Gu Zhiyu’s eyes brightened, her expression admiring. “Dad, how did you know those people were about to leave?”

What skill is that? I want to learn.

It’s better explained while riding in the car.

“I could tell,” Gu Chenghuai said coolly.

“So amazing!” Gu Zhiyu’s tone dripped with admiration.

“Want to learn? I’ll teach you when we get back.”

“I want to learn, I want to learn! Dad, you know I often go out alone—I’m always unlucky and never get a seat on the bus. If I learn your trick, I’ll always get one!” Gu Zhiyu said happily.

Gu Chenghuai: “...”

He smiled helplessly. “Wouldn’t it be easier to just learn how to drive?”

Gu Zhiyu rubbed her nose. “I already know how—I just haven’t had time to take the test. As soon as we get back, I’ll schedule it.”

Lin Zhao took the water Gu Chenghuai handed her, drank a few sips, removed her hat, fanned herself, and said to Gu Zhiyu: “Get serious about driving. We have a car at home—it’s just sitting there. Why not let you drive it? Once you’re skilled, your father and I will buy you one too—same as your second brother’s. Just tell us what color you want.”

“No need to buy,” Gu Zhiyu said. “If I need a car, I’ll just use yours.”

“Fine, if you don’t want it, we’ll give you the money instead,” Lin Zhao always treated her children equally.

They’d bought a car for the second son; whether the first, third, or fourth wanted one, the money still had to be given.

That was the attitude.

“Alright,” Gu Zhiyu knew her parents’ stubbornness and accepted without refusal, openly and cheerfully.

“Another big sum coming in, hehe,” she grinned like a plush cat who’d stolen a fish snack.

“Little money grub.”

Gu Zhihang accidentally wandered into a meditation chamber.

He looked up and saw an old bald monk seated on a cushion, gently turning his prayer beads.

“Guest,” he nodded, his eyes as clear as a sky after rain—unsurprised by the visitor, even greeting Gu Zhihang warmly.

So he’d found the right person.

Gu Zhihang stepped in and sat on the cushion opposite the old monk.

“You knew I’d come?”

The old monk murmured a Buddhist phrase, smiled—and his smile carried the weight of universal compassion.

“When a noble guest arrives, how could the old monk not know?”

Gu Zhihang cut straight to the point: “Then you know why I’m here? Can I get what I seek?”

The old monk smiled. “Your deeds benefit the nation and its people—of course you will succeed.”

Gu Zhihang’s lips curled slightly.

So his efforts to accumulate merit on behalf of “Gu Zhihang” had worked.

“Thank you, Master, for your insight.”

The old monk murmured another sutra. “It is only right. But I hope you never lose your true heart.”

“Thank you for your advice,” Gu Zhihang bowed in return.

Finally, he donated five thousand yuan in incense money and received a string of prayer beads before leaving.

With a clear answer, Gu Zhihang’s steps grew light, as if he’d lost two jin in weight.

Full of energy, he roamed everywhere—and just happened to bump into Lin Zhao and the others in the vast temple.

“Dad, Mom, Yaobao—I’m back!”

Lin Zhao pinched her ear. “Lower your voice. Don’t disturb the Buddha.”

Gu Zhihang laughed. “So many people come every day begging for this and that—how could the Buddha’s ears ever be quiet? If I disturb him, even better—he can handle my request first.”

Gu Chenghuai twitched his lips. “So thick-skinned.”

Gu Zhihang wore an expression of proud, unapologetic boldness.

“...”

Lin Zhao noticed the prayer beads clenched in his hand and asked curiously: “Where did you get the beads?”

“The temple master gave them to me,” Gu Zhihang feigned pain. “I donated five thousand yuan—just for this one string? What a rip-off.”

Gu Zhiyu raised her thumb. “Second brother, you’re really generous.”

Gu Zhihang shrugged.

Couldn’t help it—he liked that old bald monk.

Besides, his good mood was worth far more than five thousand yuan.