Chapter 464: Money Power

"Mom, do you want these Buddhist beads? If you do, I'll give them to you." Gu Zhihang wanted to give everything good to his mother.

Lin Zhao took the beads; they felt slightly cool to the touch, and each bead was very round and smooth. She didn't know what kind of wood they were made of, but they had a faint fragrance.

She pulled Gu Zhihang's hand over and slipped the beads onto his wrist, "You exchanged them with incense money, wear them yourself."

After putting them on, Lin Zhao held up her son's hand to examine it, "They look strangely good, and your hand is good-looking too; even wearing a red string looks good."

Not to mention that these Buddhist beads matched the protective red string she had given him quite well.

Gu Zhihang's mouth was as if smeared with honey, "Dad and Mom are good-looking, so the cub they gave birth to is also good-looking."

"Second Brother is really narcissistic," Gu Zhi Yao said with a giggle, leaning on his arm.

Gu Zhihang poked his sister's head, "If I were to say you don't look good, that you're ugly, you'd be unhappy again."

"I'm not ugly."

Gu Zhihang gave a helpless expression of 'see, I knew it.'

Everything he said was wrong.

"Alright, stop messing around. Where else do you want to go? Let's walk around while we have time," Lin Zhao urged the siblings.

"Mom, let's stay on the mountain for one night and go down after watching the sunrise tomorrow morning," Gu Zhihang said.

"Can we watch the sunrise?" Lin Zhao asked with interest.

"Yes, I've already inquired about it; I'll take you to see it tomorrow morning," Gu Zhihang said.

"Second Brother, where will we stay?" Gu Zhi Yao asked; she didn't want to huddle anywhere.

"There are meditation rooms provided for tourists." Don't ask, asking means money power.

"Second Brother! You're really amazing; it's so comfortable to be out with you!!" Gu Zhi Yao's eyes brightened as she praised her brother.

Gu Zhihang looked proud.

Of course.

He was just reliable.

That night, they stayed in a meditation room in the temple. The temperature on the mountain was low, but the air was good, and there was a pleasant fragrance in the room that could calm the mind; it was very comfortable.

Early in the morning, the sky was still dark.

A knocking sound of 'dong dong dong' rang out.

"Dad, Mom, time to get up, otherwise we won't be able to grab a good spot."

Hearing the sound, Lin Zhao was dazed and couldn't open her eyes. Her legs were very sore after climbing the mountain, making it the perfect time to lie in bed and rest; she couldn't get up at all.

"Can I give up?" Her clear voice was slightly hoarse, acting spoiled.

Gu Chenghuai had already put on his clothes; he was used to getting up at five for morning exercise, so it was strange to be called up by his son for a change.

He leaned over to look at his beloved on the bed, his laughter low, "If you say give up now, you'll feel bad if you miss it later."

His cool fingers approached Lin Zhao's eyelids, the deep chill entering her bones. Only a sigh was heard, and the person on the bed finally opened her eyes.

"Up."

Getting up became easy after waking up. Lin Zhao sat up, put on the wool coat Gu Chenghuai handed her, and rubbed her fingers.

"It is cold on the mountain. I was wearing a skirt at the foot of the mountain, and now it's winter again."

Gu Chenghuai saw his wife's hands were cold, pulled them into his palms to warm them, and after they became warm, let her go out to wash up. He tidied the room, took the luggage, walked out of the room, and closed the door behind him.

"Are you ready? Are you still cold? If you are, put on another layer." He walked toward Lin Zhao, touched her hands, his eyes full of concern.

"I'm not cold. I'll be warm once I start walking."

"That's good. If you're cold, just say so, don't catch a cold," Gu Chenghuai said worriedly.

"I know, I know." Lin Zhao found him long-winded, took Gu Chenghuai's hand, and caught up with the children who had already run out.

"I brought a camera; I'll take pictures of you later," she said aloud.

Gu Zhi Yao stopped, turned back, and smiled, "I can take pictures for Mom and Dad too."

"Then thank you, Yaobao," Lin Zhao responded.

The sunrise at the top of the mountain was exceptionally shocking. A red sun rose, dyeing half the sky red, with birds occasionally flying past—what a majestic scene.

Many people came to watch the sunrise. Lin Zhao could always find the right angle for photos. Gu Zhi Yao stood next to Gu Zhihang, making ghost-like and exaggerated movements, and had many more life photos.

Gu Zhihang looked at the figure beside him who wouldn't stop moving, turned his head, and a trace of helplessness appeared on his handsome face. His side profile was softened in the shallow halo of light, and the indulgence and pampering almost overflowed.

"Can you stop moving around like a flea?" he said with a sharp tongue.

Gu Zhi Yao's expression stiffened, and she asked with some disbelief: "... What did you call me?"

"Nothing." Gu Zhihang was amused by the expression on her face, pinched the back of his sister's neck, and led her away from the photo spot.

Afraid that Yaobao would make a scene, he hurriedly took the camera from Lin Zhao's hand, "Mom, I'll take pictures for you and Dad."

Seeing this, the furious Gu Zhi Yao didn't make a scene anymore and obediently guarded the luggage.

There were quite a few people, and if things were swiped, they wouldn't be able to find them back. There were many precious items in the bag, so they couldn't be lost.

Over so many years, Gu Zhihang's photography skills had long been practiced, and he raised the camera to take a series of shots.

No matter how many times he saw his parents standing together, he couldn't control the emotion that arose in his heart—

He had never seen anyone more compatible than his parents.

It wasn't about looks or temperament, but the natural tacit understanding; they didn't even need to look at each other, and a sense of warmth and love surrounded them.

Seeing this scene, many people around cast complex looks.

"Pity I forgot to bring a camera; a miscalculation."

"Having a camera is really convenient."

"Why isn't there a photography service on the mountain? I'd be willing to pay to have photos taken!"

Hearing this, a person who had carried water and food up the mountain to sell early in the morning had flickering eyes; this might be a way to get rich.

He pondered that taking photos was much more profitable than selling water and food.

After going down the mountain that night, he raised enough money from a few friends, used connections to buy a camera, and went specifically to learn photography techniques...

Not long after, there was a young man on the mountain with a camera hanging around his neck, asking everyone he met: "Do you want to take a photo? It's not expensive, my skills are top-notch, I guarantee they'll look good. It's not easy to climb up here, you have to leave a few photos behind..."

Because of this business, the young man opened a photo studio at the foot of the mountain, hired employees, became a small boss, and lived a very happy life.

That was a story for later.

Lin Zhao's family didn't know that they had just provided a wealth code to a fine young man by taking photos as they pleased.

After taking photos, the family walked down the mountain.

Lin Zhao was afraid of heights and didn't dare to take the cable car. Gu Zhihang was bold and wanted to try, pulling Yaobao to sit.

"Mom, let's go together, I'll accompany you," Gu Zhi Yao said, not wanting to be separated from Lin Zhao, acting spoiled.

"You guys go, I'm really panicked," Lin Zhao declined.

She was truly afraid of heights; thinking about it made her heart panic, and she didn't dare to try it that much.

"We're here." Gu Zhi Yao didn't necessarily need her mother to accompany her, but she felt that walking down the mountain was too tiring; didn't they say climbing up was easy but going down was hard?

"There are four-person ones, let's sit together," she continued to persuade.

Lin Zhao wavered a bit.

She looked at Gu Chenghuai.

At this moment, her husband was her backbone.

Deep down, she still wanted to overcome her fear, after all, traveling by plane was truly convenient.

"I'll accompany you, if you want to sit, then sit, don't be afraid," Gu Chenghuai said soothingly.

Gu Zhihang said earnestly, using the tone of an academic report: "I've looked into it, the safety factor of the cable car is still very high, no need to worry too much."

The worst result was just hanging there waiting for rescue, and it wouldn't fall down.

He didn't say this, as it sounded like intimidation.

Lin Zhao gritted her teeth, "Let's go, let's sit together."

If she could survive this ordeal, she would probably be able to take a plane back to Haicheng, which could save a lot of time.

Gu Zhi Yao said in surprise: "Really?"

She didn't expect to be able to persuade her mother.

"Stop talking, be careful I change my mind, still hesitating," Lin Zhao said deliberately.

In reality, she wouldn't; she had made up her mind, and there were few times she changed it.

Gu Zhi Yao raised her hand to her mouth and zipped it, falling silent.

Lin Zhao burst into laughter, chiding: "You little rascal."

"Let's go quickly, it'll get hot later," she said, pressing down the brim of her hat to urge them.

Several people walked toward the sign for the cable car down the mountain.

Not long after, they successfully sat on it.

Before it even started, Lin Zhao's heart began to thump, and her palms sweated slightly.

Gu Chenghuai held her hand, felt the damp heat, his eyes slightly stunned, knowing his wife was truly nervous. He stretched out his right arm, wrapped it around her shoulder, and pulled her into his arms.

"If you're afraid, close your eyes; we'll be there in a while."

In a while? Not necessarily.

Lin Zhao smelled the refreshing scent on her husband, and her heart slowly calmed down, "Mm-hmm."

Feeling the cable car under her bottom begin to move, she couldn't help but tighten her fingers clutching Gu Chenghuai's lapels.

Gu Chenghuai gently patted her back, his movements soothing, keeping an eye on her reaction at all times, with no heart to even look at the scenery.

"So beautiful!! The scenery is different sitting on the cable car; this feeling is a bit like Second Brother speeding," Gu Zhi Yao exclaimed.

Lin Zhao raised her head, "When did Zhihang speed, and he even took you?"

Gu Zhi Yao realized she had spilled her second brother's secret, a guilty look flashed in her eyes, she covered her mouth, shook her head with wide eyes.

I didn't say anything.

Lin Zhao shifted her gaze to Gu Zhihang.

That light gaze made Gu Zhihang feel immense pressure.

"It wasn't speeding, it was just a little faster than usual. There was no one on the road, so I accelerated. It was only for a moment; the speed was normal at other times."

"When driving, you're not only holding your own life, but also the lives of pedestrians; you can't be careless, and you can't have a fluke mentality."

Lin Zhao didn't say anything more, followed Yaobao's line of sight to look around. They were shuttling through the mountains, the scenery was pleasant, the wind blew across her face, and her mood was like a kite that had broken free from its restraints and flown into the sky.

Distracted by the children, the nervousness in her heart was actually gone.

Seeing this, Gu Zhi Yao winked at her brother, and while Lin Zhao was attracted by the scenery, she quietly turned her head to the side and whispered: "Second Brother, you still have ways, but your sacrifice is too great."

Gu Zhihang crossed his arms and glared at her, "Don't fear a big sacrifice, as long as it's useful."

Gu Zhi Yao gave a thumbs up, "Useful, very useful, Mom isn't nervous anymore, right? But aren't you feeling bad in your heart after being scolded by Mom?"

"Why feel bad? Mom is right; you really have to be careful when driving," Gu Zhihang said dismissively.

Gu Zhi Yao looked at him complexly, humming in her heart.

He always said she hadn't grown up and was a mama's girl, but in fact, he was the same; whatever Mom said was right, and he even dug up his own dark history.

"Gu Zhi Yao, are you mocking me in your heart?" Gu Zhihang narrowed his eyes, his expression probing, looking like he was brewing some bad idea in his stomach.

"... No, no, I'm praising you. Second Brother is really filial, I want to learn from you!" Gu Zhi Yao said with determined eyes.

"Pfft." Gu Zhihang didn't believe her at all. Could he believe Gu Zhi Yao? This girl weighed less than 90 pounds, but had more than 50 pounds of rebellion.

Lin Zhao looked at the siblings opposite, "What are you two whispering about?"

"Just daily bickering, Mom, are you not nervous anymore?" Gu Zhihang smiled.

"Mm, this feeling is okay," Lin Zhao said.

"If Mom wants to take a plane one day, tell me, I'll accompany you," Gu Zhihang said.

"I can too!" Gu Zhi Yao said, competing.

"What does it have to do with you? You're a TV station employee who has sold yourself; you're not as free as me, the boss," Gu Zhihang hit his own sister with a sentence, looked at Lin Zhao and said: "Mom, my time is free; whenever you want to sit, call my phone."

Gu Zhi Yao was furious and retorted: "Hmph, that broken phone of yours that always has no signal, how can I rely on it? It's better to rely on me."

"This is on the mountain; this big brother phone of mine is still very useful at the foot of the mountain; at least it's very convenient to contact someone," Gu Zhihang said. Of course, there were disadvantages, the disadvantage was that it was heavy and took up space.

Gu Zhi Yao still wanted to speak, but was interrupted by Gu Chenghuai, "No need for you two, my wife is taking a plane for the first time; the person accompanying her must be me, you two stop fighting over these useless things."

Gu Zhihang: "..."

Gu Zhi Yao: "..." Then I'll be the second one!"

The family talked and laughed as they went down the mountain.

Taking the cable car was faster than using their legs, and they happened to catch lunch.

They took a car to the city, found an authentic local restaurant, ate, and rushed to the station.

There was no airport here, otherwise they could have struck while the iron was hot and taken a plane back.

Regarding this, Gu Zhihang and Gu Zhi Yao both felt it was a pity.

Fortunately, for the optimistic siblings, as long as they were with their parents, it didn't matter what transportation they took.

The four didn't know that just as they got on the car, Gu Zhiqian returned home.

Seeing the locked gate, a look of surprise appeared in his eyes. He opened the door with a key, washed up, and thought of calling Gu Zhihang, who had the big brother phone.

Gu Zhihang was quite surprised to see it was a call from home.

He pressed the answer button.

"Second Brother."

Hearing this sound, Gu Zhihang was stunned for a few seconds.

After reacting, his voice was full of surprise, "Seeing Qian Bao?"

Gu Zhiqian's expression was helpless, his cold voice carrying a trace of complaint, "Why are you calling me by my childhood name again."

"You're home?" Gu Zhihang ignored this accusation and asked instead.

"Yes, I'm home. Where did you all go? There's no one at home."

Unaccountably, Gu Zhihang heard grievance in this sentence, and a feeling of pity for his younger brother rushed to his heart.

He hurriedly said: "We went hiking and are on our way back. When did you get home?"

Gu Zhiqian replied, "Not long after I got home."

Gu Zhihang was afraid his brother would be lonely at home alone, so he said: "Turn on the TV, watch some TV, go out to eat at night, we'll be home tomorrow morning."

"Got it." Gu Zhiqian turned on the TV.

Hearing the sound of the TV, Gu Zhihang's brows unfurled.

Lin Zhao said: "Zhihang, give me the phone, I'll say a few words to Seeing Qian Bao."

Gu Zhihang handed over the phone reluctantly.

"Seeing Qian Bao." Lin Zhao called out to her youngest son, whom she hadn't seen for a long time, on the other end of the phone with a smile.

"Mom." Gu Zhiqian's eyes brightened slightly, "Mom, did you have a good time hiking?"

"Yes, it's a pity you weren't there. If you were, your father and I would be even happier." A look of longing flashed in Lin Zhao's eyes.

She hadn't seen her youngest son for half a year.

Hearing the words from the other end of the phone, Gu Zhiqian felt sour and soft in his heart, pursed his lips, covered up his complex emotions, and said in a normal tone: "Dad went too?"

"He went, he happened to have time. We'll come again when you have time another day; it's quite interesting there," Lin Zhao's voice was soft.

"Okay."

Lin Zhao didn't hog the phone, said she would give the big brother phone to Gu Chenghuai, Gu Chenghuai asked a few questions about his youngest son's recent situation, and the big brother phone was passed to Yaobao.

Yaobao was overjoyed, excitedly telling her little brother about the things that had happened at home during this period, sharing everything in detail. Afraid of disturbing others in the car, she curled up in a corner, half-covering her mouth, and lowered her voice.

This chat lasted until the big brother phone ran out of battery.

Gu Zhihang: "..." ===== CHAPTER 465 =====