Chapter 475: Is Something Happening?

Gu Zhiyu’s emotions were complicated, but Ning Xiao thought Jiang Rong had it coming?

He said coldly, “Greed never leads to a good end.”

“The dead deserve respect. Don’t let it weigh on your heart and ruin your mood,” Gu Zhiyu comforted his good friend.

“I know,” Ning Xiao said.

He wasn’t without spirit—he’d heard about the Jiang family’s provocation and wouldn’t do nothing. After learning of his father-in-law’s plans from his father’s mouth, he quietly added fuel behind the scenes once action began.

As a result, the Jiang family lost face badly, and their family scandals spread like wildfire.

When Jiang’s wife heard, her expression turned grim.

Others, seeing this, quickly left.

“Lin Zhao!” Jiang’s wife hissed, utterly hating the person in her mouth.

She stormed home, furious—when she arrived, the lights were off, the house pitch-black.

Click.

The lights turned on.

Jiang’s wife looked up and saw someone sitting in the living room—she nearly screamed.

She blurted out, “You’re here? Why didn’t you turn on the light? Trying to scare me to death?”

Smelling the strong smoke, Jiang’s wife opened the window, frowning.

“If you want to smoke, go outside. I’ve told you a hundred times—don’t smoke at home, breathing that stuff all day is bad for your health…” She muttered under her breath.

“Did you speak ill of Gu Zhihang?” Jiang Rong’s father stood up, asking bluntly.

Jiang’s wife hesitated slightly, knowing she couldn’t deceive her husband, so she said, “I did. So what? Is that a crime?”

Her eyes burned with hatred. “If Gu Zhihang hadn’t been so cruel, Lu Baozhen wouldn’t have argued with Jiang Rong. If she hadn’t argued with Jiang Rong, she wouldn’t have accidentally killed him…”

“Enough!” the man snapped coldly.

“You didn’t raise your son properly—he was chasing after what was in the bowl while eyeing what was in the pot. Gu Zhihang was simply defending his sister; don’t drag others into this nonsense and end up harming yourself.”

Jiang’s wife nearly lost her composure.

She stared wide-eyed, incredulous. “...That’s your son! Your son is dead—you’ll never see Jiang Rong again—and you won’t even let me say a few words to avenge him?!”

“How did I end up married to such a useless man? You can’t even avenge your own son. Are you even a man?”

In the face of overwhelming anger, people inevitably say hurtful things without thinking.

Jiang Rong’s father said nothing, gazing deeply at her, as if trying to peer into the depths of her soul.

After half a lifetime of marriage, everything he’d given to this family was reduced to her calling him a “useless man.”

How could that not chill the heart?

After a long silence, the man lowered his eyes, smiled faintly with no clear meaning, then left.

Only when the door closed did Jiang’s wife snap back to reality.

Only then did she realize she’d said such cruel words.

She rushed after him—but saw only his retreating back.

Jiang’s wife sank down, sitting helplessly on the floor.

The next day, she learned that because she’d spread rumors and slandered a military family, she was supposed to be punished—but Jiang Rong’s father had begged his superiors to take all blame onto himself, showed sincere remorse, and so she escaped punishment.

Jiang Rong’s father, however, was temporarily suspended from duty—and his promotion, once certain, was gone…

“Ah—!! How could this happen?!” Jiang’s wife covered her face and burst into tears. “I didn’t know! I didn’t know anything! He never told me—why didn’t he tell me?!”

“I was wrong… I didn’t mean it. Those weren’t my true words.”

The neighbor shook his head.

Words spoken are like water spilled.

Say fewer hurtful things.

“We’re getting three days off—I’m going home to see my wife. What about you, big brother-in-law?” Ning Xiao packed his things, his usually stern face glowing with triumph, his invisible tail wagging wildly.

“Han Shuang came to see me. I need to entertain her—I can’t go back yet,” Gu Zhiyu said.

Ning Xiao stopped moving, face blank, yet radiating excitement only Gu Zhiyu could read.

“Something’s up?” He dropped his things and sat down straight away, bluntly asking.

Gu Zhiyu was speechless.

“Not yet.”

“Not yet?” Ning Xiao dragged out the words, acting strangely.

“Don’t tell anyone yet. I’m afraid if I say something now and it doesn’t work out, our families will be disappointed,” Gu Zhiyu emphasized. “You know Uncle Han is my father’s old friend, and my mother adores Han Shuang. If we make it, fine. If not, I don’t want them to feel awkward around each other. Better to say nothing for now.”

If it works out, he’ll bring her home.

If it doesn’t, he’ll say nothing. He and Han Shuang are adults—they can handle their own feelings.

“When have I ever gossiped? This is your life—of course you have to tell it yourself,” Ning Xiao made a zipping motion across his lips.

“Good luck,” he said.

“Han comrade is excellent. She deserves you.”

Ning Xiao truly cared about his good friend and brother-in-law’s major life matter.

He himself was happy and wanted his friend to be happy too.

Gu Zhiyu punched him. “Since when did you become a fortune-teller? ‘Deserves you’…?”

Ning Xiao took the punch, grabbed his luggage, and left.

Only three days off—he didn’t have much luggage; inside were all the gifts he’d bought for his wife, either himself or through others.

When Gu Zhiyao saw her husband, she froze. She rubbed her eyes—still there, that tall, handsome figure—and her delicate face broke into a radiant smile.

“Xiao Ge, why didn’t you tell me you were coming back?” Gu Zhiyao rushed to him, grabbing his sleeve.

Ning Xiao said, “I wanted to surprise you. Don’t rub your eyes—Fourth Brother says it’s bad for them.”

“I know, I know. I thought I was hallucinating. Didn’t expect you’d really come back,” Gu Zhiyao beamed.

“It’s my fault,” Ning Xiao said promptly, offering all the proper apologies.

His father-in-law said: A real man doesn’t lose face by apologizing for family harmony.

Ning Xiao wholeheartedly agreed.

Gu Zhiyao gave him a playful glare.

“I bought you your favorite milk tea—it’s still warm. Warm your hands,” Ning Xiao inserted a straw and handed the steaming drink to his beloved.

Gu Zhiyao’s heart warmed. She took a sip—the dryness of her lips soothed, sweet cream bursting in her mouth, washing away her fatigue.

“So good. Try some too.”

Seeing the straw offered to his lips, Ning Xiao, though not fond of it, graciously took a sip.

He instinctively frowned.

Gu Zhiyao burst out laughing.

“You clearly don’t like it, yet you force yourself to drink.”

Ning Xiao said seriously, “Father says the worst thing in life is spoiling the mood. I don’t want to be the one who spoils it. Whatever you like, I want to try.”

So we won’t have nothing to talk about.

Otherwise, some outside fox might dig at my wall.

“…Father’s advice is never wrong,” Gu Zhiyao said insincerely.

Sometimes Father spoke too absolutely, but always for her good—she wouldn’t hold him back.

“I know. I’m still learning,” Ning Xiao said earnestly.

In his eyes, his father-in-law had countless strengths worth emulating.

Especially his skill in managing a family—unprecedented.

From what Gu Zhiyu and the others said, his father and mother had been married for decades without a single quarrel, always affectionate, each other’s entire world.

Ning Xiao hoped he and his beloved could be the same.

Gu Zhiyao was a star at the TV station—her show was wildly popular, and many people watched her commute.

Studying her makeup, her outfits…

Now, seeing Gu Zhiyao walking closely with a handsome man, they instantly guessed: this was her mysterious husband.

Several female interns stood together, whispering.

“That’s Gu host’s husband, right? So well-matched.”

“Right? Right? I’ve seen him before—I told others, they didn’t believe me, said I was just kissing up because the Gu family is rich. My god…” The girl with a baby face rolled her eyes. “Gu host doesn’t even know me. Even if I fawned till I dropped, they wouldn’t give me a single cent. Why would I bother?”

The TV station was a small society—some people were normal and easy to get along with; others were weirdos who grabbed credit, bossed people around, and groveled everywhere.

The girls all knew who she meant. Silence fell. No one knew how to respond.

They silently moved on.

“Gu host’s husband is so thoughtful—he came to pick her up with milk tea.”

“Isn’t that true?”

The girls happened to be walking the same route as the couple, trailing behind them, watching their interactions, occasionally wearing expressions of “so sweet, I’m shipping them.”

Someone had been following them all along—Ning Xiao noticed quickly.

He glanced briefly—didn’t recognize them.

“Do you know those people?”

Gu Zhiyao turned around.

Saw it was a few interns.

“I know her—she’s an intern from the radio station,” Gu Zhiyu explained, waving to a few recent graduates.

“...Miss Gu, we’re not going with you—we’re heading to the subway station,” the girl with a baby face hurried to clarify.

“I know,” Gu Zhiyu smiled. “The subway station’s quite far from here. My husband drove us—we can give you a lift.”

“That’s too much trouble...” The girls quickly shook their heads.

“It’s no trouble. It’s only a few minutes by car,” Gu Zhiyu said softly.

Seeing her expression was genuine, the three girls reluctantly thanked her.

“Thank you, Miss Gu.”

“Thank you.”

Miss Gu is really kind.

She has such a good temper—always speaks gently, so well-mannered.

It’s impossible not to like her.

The girls got in the car. Ning Xiao drove in silence, acting as driver; he only nodded at them when Gu Zhiyu introduced herself, then said nothing more.

This is how he is in public.

This is what his father-in-law taught him.

Respect yourself. Uphold male virtue. A man who doesn’t respect himself is like rotten cabbage.

The car stopped at the subway station. The three girls got out and bowed deeply to Gu Zhiyu and her husband in thanks.

The car started again.

Ning Xiao sat upright behind the wheel, his jawline sharp, his profile reflected in the window—strikingly handsome.

“Dad said to keep distance from female colleagues. A husband must have boundaries. Did I do well just now?”

Gu Zhiyu had thought he was brooding over something—she hadn’t expected it was this.

She couldn’t help but smile.

“Very good,” she said, solemnly praising him as he wished.

“Are you laughing at me?” Ning Xiao didn’t understand.

Since childhood, the only woman he’d ever truly been close to was Gu Zhiyu. He didn’t understand women’s hearts at all.

Even with Gu Zhiyu, he was clumsily learning.

Afraid she’d reject him, he sought advice from his father-in-law, bought a pile of random books, and asked his brothers-in-law about Gu Zhiyu’s likes and dislikes.

He didn’t understand—but he was learning seriously, trying hard to enter Gu Zhiyu’s heart.

“I wasn’t laughing. I was moved,” Gu Zhiyu blinked, her gaze earnest.

“Xiao Ge, you’re wonderful,” she said. “I’ll work hard too, to build a good home for us.”

“Mm. Let’s work hard together,” Ning Xiao smiled.

He thought of Jiang Rong’s harassment.

He said: “If anyone tries to harm you, tell me immediately. We’re married. I’m your husband. We’ll spend our whole lives together. If something happens to you, how can I not show up? My role as your husband must mean something, right? If I hear you’ve been hurt from someone else’s mouth, I’ll feel heartbroken—I’ll think I’ve failed as a husband.”

That was powerful. Gu Zhiyu quickly said: “To me, you’re a perfect husband—you’ve never failed.”

She explained: “I didn’t tell you right away about Jiang Rong because you were busy, and Second Brother was nearby, so I told him first. I didn’t want to disturb you...”

Ning Xiao’s job carried great danger. Gu Zhiyu worried constantly, always reporting good news and hiding the bad.

“I know,” Ning Xiao glanced at his wife. “But I want to know. You must trust me—I’m not the type to act recklessly without thinking.”

“Mm, I understand,” Gu Zhiyu obediently replied.

“Mom scolded me. I know I was wrong. I won’t do it again. I’ll never hide anything from you anymore.”

Ning Xiao said gently: “Didn’t cry, did you?”

“No!” Gu Zhiyu’s voice rose slightly, glaring at him. “I’ve moved from behind the scenes to the front—I’m Miss Gu now. Why would I cry?”

Talking about work, her radiant face glowed with quiet pride—adorable.

“Miss Gu is impressive. I’m glad I can see you on TV,” Ning Xiao said with quiet pride.

Gu Zhiyu froze slightly, fiddling with her fingers. “You... you watch my show?”

“My brother and I both watch. Whenever we have time. You host excellently—the show’s interesting,” Ning Xiao said.

Gu Zhiyu’s cheeks warmed.

The thought of her husband and brother sitting in front of the TV watching her host felt strange.

Ning Xiao knew his wife was shy about this, so he changed the subject.

“Nothing troubling you at work?”

Gu Zhiyu watched the traffic ahead. “Work can’t always go smoothly—there are always setbacks. But I can handle them.”

“If someone’s causing trouble, tell me,” Ning Xiao said.

“What will you do?” Gu Zhiyu asked with a smile.

“I’ll find someone to teach a lesson to anyone who dares to make trouble for my wife,” Ning Xiao said without hesitation.

He was joking—he was a law-abiding man.

“...” Gu Zhiyu’s expression turned peculiar.

He looked so much like Second Brother right now—so unserious.

“Hey, you passed it,” Gu Zhiyu quickly reminded him as he drove past.

“I didn’t pass. We’re going back to the military district. Brother’s busy and can’t come—he asked me to go instead,” Ning Xiao said.

“Fine. Drive me to work tomorrow morning,” Gu Zhiyu said.

“Of course.”

Gu Zhiyu asked casually: “You’re back already—what could be so urgent that Brother couldn’t come?”