Chapter 469: Who knew whose first love was a guy whose braid wasn

Gu Zhiyu raised her eyes and glared at her second brother—was she really going to whine to Lin Zhao about him?

“Mom, look at my second brother!”

Her lips pouted slightly as she grumbled, “He’s practically hoping I break up with him.”

“So what’s going on with you and Mao Dan?” Lin Zhao asked. “Judging by your expression, you’re not planning to go out—you two had a fight?”

“No. He’s busy today, we’re meeting tomorrow.” Thinking of her beloved, Gu Zhiyu’s smile turned sweet.

Gu Zhihang: “That’s a real shame.”

Lin Zhao pinched his arm. “Whether you date or not, your father and I won’t pressure you—but you stay out of Zhiyao’s business. If you drive away my future son-in-law, I’ll make you regret it.”

Gu Zhihang made a complicated face. “So the son-in-law matters more than the son? Got it.”

“Haven’t you heard? A son-in-law is half a son. Of course he matters.”

“Half a son doesn’t compare to a full one, Mom. Wake up.”

Lin Zhao ignored him, sweeping a glance at Gu Zhihang. “Aren’t you and Mao Dan the best of buddies? Why wouldn’t you want him as your brother-in-law? Mao Dan’s upright, respects women, has education, has a job, and he’s good-looking—he’s practically flawless on the matchmaking market. Why do you dislike him so much? Is there something I don’t know?”

Concerned for his best friend’s reputation, Gu Zhihang quickly explained, “No. Mao Dan’s great—everything about him is good.”

“I’m just upset they’ve been dating almost a year and only told me now.”

Lin Zhao laughed and sighed. “Your older brother hangs out with him every day—he only found out half a day earlier than you.”

“Mao Dan and I are like brothers. When he and Zhiyao fight, I won’t know who to side with.” Gu Zhihang groaned at the thought.

“You’re thinking too far ahead,” Lin Zhao said, exasperated.

“Sigh.” Gu Zhihang sighed.

“My advice? Don’t interfere,” Lin Zhao offered. “Unless it’s a matter of principle, minor squabbles between couples are normal. Let them work it out themselves—they’ll get better over time. If you meddle too much, small issues become big ones, and that won’t help Zhiyao.”

“Mom, did you and Dad ever fight?” Gu Zhiyu asked. She and Ning Xiao were already discussing engagement—her first time, and she was nervous.

“...Hmm, we did argue, but never really fought.”

“Your dad stays calm. He only solves problems—he never solves people.”

“He understands me. He knows why I get frustrated or angry, and he always calms me down quickly. With him, I’m always happy.”

The siblings suddenly felt overwhelmed.

Seeing their expressions, Lin Zhao cleared her throat and turned serious. “Living together takes time to adjust in every way—you’ll understand when you get married.”

Gu Zhihang snorted. He hadn’t even opened up to the idea of marriage yet.

But Gu Zhiyu, facing it head-on, asked curiously, “Like what?”

“Little things—like you go to bed before ten, but your partner doesn’t sleep until eleven, and they make noise at home—you won’t get proper rest, right? Or you always scald your towel with boiling water after use, but your partner never washes theirs more than a few times a year...” Lin Zhao gave random examples.

Gu Zhiyu’s beautiful face wrinkled, looking strained and reluctant.

“Would Xiao Ge have these bad habits?” she asked uncertainly, glancing at Gu Zhihang.

Gu Zhihang and Mao Dan were close—since childhood they’d shared a room, worn the same pants.

Even if he wanted to badmouth his buddy, he couldn’t.

In his heart, Mao Dan was as important as Li Bao—weighty as Mount Tai.

After graduation, Li Bao followed Gu Zhihang and had already achieved financial freedom. This simple-minded kid had dated a sweet, lovely girlfriend since college. Over the years, both focused on their careers and never mentioned marriage—but their relationship was strong, and marriage was only a matter of time.

Family members had pressed them, but Li Bao and his girlfriend took things slow. He wanted everything to unfold naturally—not just to get married for the sake of it.

Neither wanted the other to feel even a hint of reluctance.

Gu Zhihang couldn’t lie to drag Mao Dan down.

He said, “Mao Dan is just like your brother—his sense of order is extraordinary. Honestly, I can’t name a single flaw. If you’ve won him over, I truly think you’re incredibly capable.”

Gu Zhihang couldn’t help smiling. “I thought he’d spend his whole life alone.”

Hmm—his older brother also looked that way in his mind.

He didn’t dare say it.

Out of sight, out of mind—the elder and third siblings weren’t home often, but their mother guarded them fiercely.

“Mm-hmm,” Gu Zhiyu beamed with pride. “Of course I did—I’ve got an eye for talent.”

Gu Zhihang sneered inwardly.

Who knew whose first love was a guy whose braid wasn’t even properly cut?

Haicheng First Hospital.

The ward was filled with gloom.

The middle-aged man lying on the bed stared blankly.

How had he ended up with this illness?

“Husband, don’t think too much—it’ll get better,” the woman by the bed said, gripping his hand to comfort him, fearing he might do something desperate.

Thinking of their dwindling savings, her heart was heavy with worry.

“Mm.” The man replied.

He looked out the window. “Just when things were finally improving... How could this happen? I wonder if I’ll ever get the chance to work under Boss Gu again. Boss Gu is righteous—his kindness to me, I’ll never be able to repay in this lifetime.”

“You will,” the woman said, squeezing his hand tighter, as if trying to transmit belief into his body. “Rest well, get cured, then go back.”

“...Things change so fast—who knows if there’ll still be a place for me in the transport team?” The man was bleak.

Just then, his teammates from the transport team arrived.

The leader said, “Don’t worry—your spot’s still there.”

Another placed down the gifts he’d brought, sat down, and looked at his longtime colleague. “Your truck’s still parked at the factory. Boss Gu said once you’re healed, it’ll still be yours.”

“That’s right—we all heard it clearly. Ping’an, just rest and recover. I heard good moods help recovery. Don’t stress over this or that—your only concern should be yourself.”

Seeing his fellow workers, the man on the bed’s eyes brightened slightly, his expression improving.

“How did you all come? Aren’t you running routes? Don’t waste Boss Gu’s time—go back.”

“Don’t worry—we switched shifts. No work was delayed,” the leader said.

He handed an envelope filled with cash to the woman who’d just poured water.

“Sister, this is Ping’an’s salary for this month—Boss Gu told us to deliver it. Take good care of him. We’re waiting for him to come back.”

The woman stared at the envelope, her lips trembling violently.

“This... Ping’an isn’t working—how is he getting paid?” She looked stunned, hesitant to take it.

The man who handed over the money glanced at the patient. “You didn’t tell her about the pay continuing even though you’re on leave...”

Ping’an hadn’t believed it was real.

He froze, then finally found his voice—hoarse and cracked. “So it’s not a joke?”

“What joke!” the man who brought the money glared at him. “When has Boss Gu ever joked with us? He’s a man of his word—once he says something, he never takes it back. Boss Gu cares deeply about you—he called us personally to come check on you and told us to tell you to rest well...”

For days, the man had eaten poorly and slept poorly, terrified he’d become a burden to his family. Several nights, he’d almost gone to the rooftop to end it all. Now, seeing the envelope and the generous gifts his friends had brought, tears fell.

“Thank you.” He bowed his head, ashamed, countless times grateful he’d once been a soldier—never imagining his military service would bring him such unexpected benefits.

“Thank Boss Gu,” the leader said, clapping his shoulder. “Get well fast and come back. Your truck’s almost rusting without you.”

Light returned to the man’s eyes. “Mm.”

After they left, the woman buried her face in the bed and wept. For months, she’d been under immense pressure—elderly parents to feed, a child to send to school, mounting medical bills, savings drained, no income. Every night, she couldn’t sleep.

Now, no matter how much was in that envelope, the pressure had eased significantly.

Ping’an gently patted his wife’s back. “I’ll get better. I’ll hold this family together.”

The woman looked up. “You promise?”

She gripped his hand tightly. “You can’t leave me alone.”

Many times, when she met Ping’an’s eyes, a chill rose in her heart.

He didn’t want to burden the family—he wanted to leave.

She could see it.

“I won’t leave. I’ll help you raise this family,” Ping’an said seriously.

Now that the family had breathing room, he would follow medical advice and rest properly.

Just then, the doctor came for rounds.

He brought good news.

“Test results are in—it’s benign. Surgery can cure it.”

The words were like celestial music.

The couple’s faces lit up with joy. After the doctor left, they embraced and wept.

“Husband, did you hear? The doctor said you’re fine! You’ll get better—everything will be fine.” The woman lightly patted his back. “You scared me to death—I was terrified something would happen to you. What would I and the child do if you were gone...”

Since learning of his illness months ago, she’d held back her emotions—now they burst free.

Previous tests had been inconclusive, requiring further checks—now, finally, it was settled.

“It’s all right. I made you worry,” Ping’an comforted her.

When her emotions calmed, he said seriously, “Make sure our son studies hard. He should aim for a good university, then join Boss Gu’s company—he needs all kinds of talent, I’ve heard.”

Worried she’d object, he added, “He’s a man of honor. Working under a boss like him, you’ll never have to worry about the future.”

The woman rolled her eyes at her husband. “Do you think I need to tell you? Our son looks up to Boss Gu as his role model—he says he’ll apply to the same university Boss Gu graduated from. He’s already planned to help Boss Gu after graduation.”

“That’s my son—sharp-eyed indeed,” Ping’an said.

With the stone lifted from his heart, he slept soundly that night. In his dream, his son got into a top university, graduated, and joined Gu Corporation—he stood beside Boss Gu, looking every bit the elite, utterly dignified.

The next morning, Ping’an’s complexion had improved greatly.

The woman’s heart, along with the lunchbox she’d set down, settled back into its proper place.

Indeed, people live on spirit and vitality.

The news that the transport team’s elder had recovered fully after surgery reached Gu Zhihang’s ears.

He was pleased.

Tell Lin Zhao this news.

“That’s good news,” Lin Zhao said, genuinely delighted—any loss of life in this world brought sorrow, and she had always disliked partings.

“Find someone to deliver a large gift box to his ward, and add a red envelope.”

Gu Zhihang smiled. “Alright, I’ll arrange it right away.”

“Mm.” Lin Zhao nodded in satisfaction.

Just then, Gu Zhi Yao entered, arm linked with Ning Xiao.

“Your sister and Mao Dan are here—I’ll hang up.” Lin Zhao greeted her future son-in-law warmly.

“Mao Dan’s here—sit down, have some tea.”

Ning Xiao sat. He had grown up under Lin Zhao’s watch; in the Gu household, he felt as if he were at home. After dating Zhi Yao , he’d been awkward for a while, but now he was completely at ease.

“Thank you, Auntie.”

He used to call her “Aunt,” but now he’d changed his address.

“Auntie” sounded better.

Lin Zhao, the mother-in-law, liked her son-in-law more with every glance. “No need to be polite—you’re family. The fridge still has fresh lychees Zhihang bought; I’ll wash some. You two sit and chat.”

Ning Xiao stepped forward willingly. “I’ll do it, Auntie. You and Zhi Yao watch TV.”

Lin Zhao couldn’t outmaneuver him; she sighed with a smile. “What’s there to argue about? It’ll be done in a moment.”

“But if I wash them, it’s the same—aren’t you the one who said we’re family? A son-in-law is half a son—treat me like your half-son. I can do anything.” Ning Xiao’s expression was warm.

He had lost his mother at a very young age; thanks to the twins’ presence, Lin Zhao had given him much maternal care, and deep inside, he had long regarded Lin Zhao as his other mother.

The mother who had raised him, who had guided him with kindness.

Ning Xiao was content with who he was now—he knew the Gu family had shaped him profoundly.

“Mom, listen to Xiao Ge—he’s begging to be used. If you don’t use him… he’ll feel uneasy, right, Xiao Ge?” Gu Zhi Yao ’s voice was sweet and sugary.

“Right,” Ning Xiao laughed. Only the Gu family could give him orders—anyone else dared try, and they’d regret it.

The group returned to the sofa.

Lin Zhao gave her daughter a reproachful look. “Zhi Yao , don’t take advantage of Ning Xiao’s fondness for you. Marriage requires mutual understanding and compromise, do you understand?”

In the heat of romance, everything the other does feels perfect—but daily life isn’t like that. There will always be friction, and she didn’t want these two young people’s pure intentions worn down by trivialities.

Before Gu Zhi Yao could speak, Ning Xiao defended her. “Auntie, Zhi Yao ’s fine—she hasn’t bullied me. She’s just playing around.”

Lin Zhao smiled.

Well then—one willingly strikes, the other willingly takes it.

No more talk.

Gu Zhi Yao ate lychees, grinning at Lin Zhao. “Mom, I heard Li Bao Ge might be getting married—have you heard?”

Lin Zhao shook her head. “No, who told you? Is this rumor even ripe?”

She muttered, “Your Auntie Da didn’t even mention it to me.”

Gu Zhi Yao sighed. “Maybe they haven’t had time to tell you? I heard it from Yu’er Jie—apparently, the bride’s family ran into some trouble.”