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Xie Wen used ordering food as an excuse to get closer to Gu Bai. "Their signature dishes are pretty good. What flavors do you like?"

Gu Bai was particular about food. He disliked greasy dishes and had certain ingredients he never liked eating.

"I prefer sweet and sour."

Xie Wen finally found his footing again. "The honey-glazed ribs here are pretty good, and so is this sweet vinegar fish. Oh, right, your surname is Gu. Are you from the Gu Family?"

Xie Wen knew only two people from the Gu Family: its head, Xie Haisheng, and its second son, Gu Ruilin. He had heard the eldest daughter's name but did not remember it. He had never heard of anyone else, because they had never shown their faces in public.

Gu Bai noted down the two dishes Xie Wen had mentioned, then answered his question. "I'm Gu Bai, the third child of the Gu Family."

Startled, Xie Wen failed to control his volume and exclaimed, "Oh, you're the Gu Family's third son, the one who didn't get any of the family fortune?"

Chapter 14

Chu Zeshen and Lu Shengfan turned to look at the overreacting Xie Wen, who seemed to have realized he had said the wrong thing and was trying to find a way to make up for it. His remark had rather slighted Chu Zeshen.

But Gu Bai did not take it to heart at all and even continued chatting with Xie Wen.

"I'm part of the Gu Family, so by all rights, I do have a share of the family assets." Gu Bai paused. "But I can't compare with you. After all, I'm not an only son."

The Chu Family, the Xie Family, and the Lu Family each had only one son and no other children, so there was no possibility of any drama over dividing the family assets.

Xie Wen gave an awkward smile. "Being an only son doesn't matter anymore. You've got the Chu Family too, haven't you? Our A Ze's family fortune is worth two others'."

Discussing whose family fortune was larger at this point was somewhat unfilial. Their elders had not yet passed away, yet this bunch of young masters was already showing off their family assets.

Lu Shengfan spoke up to stop Xie Wen from discussing the subject again. "What did you order?"

Xie Wen took the offered way out. "I know what you usually like to eat. A Ze can take care of the person he brought himself."

Gu Bai said, "I only added three things."

Xie Wen tilted his head to look. "Didn't you only circle two dishes? Where's the third?"

Mocha had been beside Gu Bai's feet the whole time. Gu Bai smiled. "I ordered a bottle of milk for Mocha outside just now."

Why did Xie Wen feel that their A Ze mattered less than a dog? Even at a meal, Gu Bai kept his dog in mind and left their A Ze to fend for himself.

When the server came in to take their order, they brought a bottle of pet milk and pet bowls and utensils.

Gu Bai poured the milk into a bowl while Mocha sat obediently to one side, waiting for instructions.

Xie Wen was delighted by the sight. "How come your dog listens to you so well?"

Gu Bai took his time giving the command. Mocha stared longingly at the bowl of milk, then sought out someone else to work on a few seconds later.

Mocha turned to gaze at Chu Zeshen with big, watery eyes, occasionally tilting his head and making cute gestures. Xie Wen and Lu Shengfan beside him were amused.

Chu Zeshen glanced at Gu Bai, then gave Mocha the command. "One, two... three. Drink."

At the command, Mocha rushed eagerly to the bowl and began gulping down the milk.

The four of them watched Mocha drink his milk.

Xie Wen smiled and said, "A Ze, didn't you say before that you wanted a dog?"

Gu Bai looked away from Mocha, who still wanted more, and asked Chu Zeshen, "You want a dog?"

Both Xie Wen and Lu Shengfan held their breath for Chu Zeshen. Why did those words feel like such a gentle killing blow? There could only be one dog in the family.

Chu Zeshen was exceptionally calm. "I asked you before whether you'd stayed at the family's hotel. I was staying there for work at the time too, and happened to run into Mocha in the lobby. That was what gave me the idea of getting a pet."

The mention of the hotel reminded Lu Shengfan of the Border Collie he had seen out at sea, so he asked Chu Zeshen, "So the dog we saw wearing a life jacket from the yacht belonged to your husband?"

Something seemed to have amused Chu Zeshen, though it was unclear what. The corners of his mouth lifted. "That was him."

After hearing this, even Xie Wen had to ask whether there really could be such a coincidence. It looked as though it had all been arranged.

Gu Bai had no recollection of Chu Zeshen from the days he had stayed at the hotel, and asked casually, "Which floor were you on?"

Chu Zeshen said, "The suite on the top floor."

Gu Bai smiled. "The day I checked in, the manager told me someone was already staying in my usual suite. So it was you. I had to stay in the suite one floor down."

Always happy to stir up more trouble, Xie Wen egged them on. "A Ze booked out the top floor. I was just along for the ride. You can settle your family affairs yourselves when you get home. We're having dinner now, so no settling domestic disputes."

The dishes they had just ordered arrived one after another, and they chatted as they ate.

This was Gu Bai's first time meeting the other two, and they had no connection apart from Chu Zeshen. The three friends did most of the talking at the table while Gu Bai ate quietly. He knew perfectly well that he was only there for a free meal.

"How are things progressing with the Tan Group?" Chu Zeshen reached out and turned the lazy Susan.

Lu Shengfan glanced at Gu Bai, then began discussing business.

Gu Bai was just about to turn the lazy Susan when he realized it had stopped, with the honey-glazed ribs right in front of him.

Gu Bai picked up a honey-glazed rib. He really did like sweet-and-sour food. It whetted his appetite enough for him to eat a few more mouthfuls of rice.

As they were nearly finished eating, Mocha kept rubbing against Gu Bai's leg. One look at him was enough for Gu Bai to know what he wanted.

Gu Bai stood up with Mocha's leash in hand. "I'll take Mocha out for a little walk. He probably needs to relieve himself."

Chu Zeshen was about to stand when Gu Bai stopped him. "I'll just be on the grass outside. I won't go far."

Chu Zeshen kept his eyes on Gu Bai right up until he left the private room with the dog.

Xie Wen looked in amusement at his friend's utterly besotted expression. "Come on, man, he's only stepping outside for a moment. Do you really need to worry that much?"