It was Ji Mingzhu's first time staying in such a spacious, magnificent mansion. Although the Gu Residence favored traditional Chinese decor, every corner exuded understated luxury.
The rosewood staircase was cleaned and maintained every day. Its steps and handrail gleamed brightly enough to reflect a person's face, as though someone had painstakingly waxed them. Worried he might slip, Ji Mingzhu fell a few steps behind and slowly made his way down, holding the handrail.
Gu Shang's mother, Shen Yue Ru, paused. She patted Father Gu with her elegantly French-manicured hand and murmured, "So I wasn't imagining things last time. Look at him. He doesn't seem like the scoundrel the rumors make him out to be. He was quite polite at the wedding, too."
Before Father Gu could offer an opinion, Gu Yan—Gu Shang's younger brother—gave a cold snort. "He's already married my brother. If he doesn't behave himself, he's the one who'll have a hard time, isn't he?"
Then Gu Yan said to Mrs. Gu in clear displeasure, "Mom, you're way too naive. Don't you know the tricks rich wives always use? He's a grown man putting on this coy little act. Obviously, he's pretending to be some innocent little flower to win sympathy. Just watch. If you're even a little nice to him... he'll take advantage of it and start complaining to you that my brother treats him badly!"
Shen Yue Ru came from a good family. Before marrying Gu Ze, her family had doted on her; after she married into the Gu Family, her husband and sons spoiled her. Even now, she remained innocent and carefree, without a trace of worry on her face.
She was easily swayed, and his words made her doubtful again. "Surely not. Is that really what he's doing? I think he looks quite kind. He and A Shang looked so well matched at the wedding..."
Exasperated, Gu Yan said, "Obviously! If he really knew how to conduct himself, why did he make such a disgraceful scene before? Don't tell me getting married changed his whole personality. You have no idea how much people have been laughing at my brother. They say he makes all that money and still can't even get himself a wife."
At that, Mrs. Gu's expression soured as well.
While they whispered among themselves, Father Gu could find no opening to join the conversation, so he could only sit there expressionlessly and pretend he wasn't there.
Gu Shang took his seat, and a little while later, Ji Mingzhu sat down too.
The young man obediently greeted everyone. "Dad, Mom, little brother."
Gu Shang's mother gave him a somewhat strained smile and a nod in acknowledgment.
The atmosphere was a little stiff. Apart from the newlyweds, Gu Shang and Ji Mingzhu, everyone at the table felt uneasy for their own reasons.
Gu Shang's mother smiled. "Mingzhu, how did you sleep last night? Are you settling in all right? What about A Shang?"
Ji Mingzhu answered sweetly, "Mm, I am. I fell asleep right away!"
Actually, it was all his husband's fault for keeping him up so late. He had been so sleepy that he fell asleep the moment he closed his eyes.
At the mention of last night, the tips of Gu Shang's ears threatened to grow warm again.
Last night...
He should have found it difficult to adjust to having someone beside him in bed. Besides, he had fooled around with Ji Mingzhu before sleeping, until even his abs felt hot. Yet he hadn't suffered from insomnia. He had even woken up with a warm, soft body in his arms, which rather proved him wrong.
As a result, he had skipped his usual morning workout and shower. He had only had time to wash up and change before hurrying downstairs.
Ji Mingzhu continued obediently, "Mom, Gu Shang slept really well last night too. He slept straight through until morning."
Unexpectedly, the young man sitting across from him gave a cold snort and sneered, "How would you know?"
This little minx had tried to butter up his mom, only to put his foot in it, hadn't he?
Everyone in their family knew his older brother had severe insomnia. It was almost impossible for him to sleep through the night.
Sure enough, Ji Mingzhu hadn't slept in the same room as his older brother at all. Too afraid to admit it, he had made up this lie to earn praise and make himself seem concerned about his older brother.
Ji Mingzhu looked at him innocently. "Is that so hard to find out?"
His husband had slept right beside him. Hadn't he only needed to turn his head to see?
Gu Shang paused in the middle of eating, struck by the inexplicable feeling that his brother was about to say something obnoxious.
Gu Yan sneered. "My brother is really grumpy when he wakes up. You'd know that if you'd actually slept in the same room as him."
But Ji Mingzhu didn't understand.
The young man leaned toward Gu Shang's ear and asked quietly, "Honey, what does being grumpy when you wake up mean?"
At that unexpected form of address, everyone present froze for a moment, wondering whether they had misheard.
Gu Shang's lower abdomen inexplicably tightened.
How could he not know what morning grumpiness was? Surely this little brat was just using it as an excuse to seduce him!
He had actually leaned over to whisper soft, sweet words in his ear in front of all these people. The young man's breath brushed his earlobe.
The heat that had filled his body before bed now threatened to flare up again. The other side of his neck tingled, and his voice came out cold and stiff.
Gu Shang ignored Ji Mingzhu. After all, the best response to seduction was no response at all. If the little brat thought his attack had failed, he might stop trying so many sneaky tricks in the future.
Gu Shang merely turned an icy gaze on his brother and said in a low voice, "Gu Yan, if you don't want to eat, don't sit here."
Gu Yan: "...???"
Huh???
Why was he the one getting scolded???
He had only been standing up for his older brother. How had he ended up not even being allowed to eat?!
Before you continue