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Chu Zeshen said, "It's his first time here."

"He's still the Gu Family's third young master. He's been to just as many places as we have. You don't need to treat him like some sheltered innocent." With only the three of them left, Xie Wen stopped keeping up appearances. "You two had an arranged marriage, right?"

Chu Zeshen said nothing, tacitly admitting it, but a few seconds later, he still added, "We were betrothed as children."

At that, Xie Wen finally lost it and burst out laughing. "What century is this? Betrothed as children? How come I never saw you two have anything to do with each other as kids? You're almost thirty, and now you're talking about a childhood betrothal."

The three of them were the ones who had actually known each other since childhood. They had attended the same kindergarten, elementary school, middle school, and high school, only going their separate ways for university. During the two years Chu Zeshen studied abroad in particular, they had basically seen each other once a year.

With the Chu Family's background and power, they hardly needed a marriage alliance to consolidate their position. Compared with the Chu Family, the Gu Family was a mixed bag. They had offered up Gu Bai, their least favored child, as a bargaining chip, hoping to use the Chu Family's influence to shore up their position.

Ultimately, it was only because Chu Zeshen had agreed that the Gu Family had gotten the opportunity.

Lu Shengfan asked, "Have you thoroughly investigated his background? He was born to Gu Haisheng's second wife. Does he have any ties to his mother's family?"

Chu Zeshen said, "His mother is a painter and currently lives in Australia. Her family comes from a scholarly background and has no connections to the business world."

Lu Shengfan asked, "What about him?"

"He graduated from B University's literature department. He knows nothing about finance or management."

Listening to Gu Bai's résumé, Xie Wen asked, half-seriously, "A member of the Gu Family who knows nothing about finance or management? Who would believe that?"

"Gu Bai has Gu Jiazi and Gu Ruilin above him, and Gu Yi, the fourth young lady, below him. The older two stuck together and grew up together, while the youngest had her mother by her side. He was stuck in the middle, all alone with no one to rely on, and the easiest one to control," Lu Shengfan said. "If someone used a few little tricks to keep him from developing an interest in finance as a child, that's certainly possible."

Xie Wen thought for a moment. "The Gu Family has been in business for generations. Growing up in that household, he would've picked things up. I don't believe he knows absolutely nothing. But he chose to major in literature, after all. Ultimately, Gu Haisheng never once considered putting the Gu Family's businesses in his hands."

Xie Wen paused, then turned to Chu Zeshen. "So why did you agree to marry him?"

Gu Bai and Chu Zeshen could be considered a suitable match in terms of family standing, but that was as far as it went. Whether in background or ability, Chu Zeshen far surpassed Gu Bai. There was no need for him to shackle himself to an arranged marriage.

What people like them valued most was freedom. Even when they went out playing the field, it was only for fun. Once they walked away, weren't they still completely unattached?

No emotion showed on Chu Zeshen's face. "Why does there have to be some big reason?"

Xie Wen was dying of curiosity and refused to give up without getting something out of him. "You're Chu Zeshen. You must have a reason for doing something."

After a long while, Chu Zeshen finally found a reason. "Just think of it as me wanting a pet."

Xie Wen: ...

Lu Shengfan chuckled. "A pet as in 'he,' or as in 'it'?"

Chu Zeshen fell silent again.

Xie Wen couldn't take it anymore. "Can you two stop speaking in riddles? Don't you know word problems are my weakest subject?"

Lu Shengfan said, "A Ze said we should take a trip sometime soon, and he’ll pay for it. See if you can find somewhere fun."

This time, Xie Wen finally understood. He raised an eyebrow. "Leave the eating, drinking, and entertainment to me. We've still got time tonight. There's an open-air place nearby where we can drink. Want to go for a round?"

Lu Shengfan said, "I'm fine with anything."

Chu Zeshen said nothing, and Xie Wen understood. "Got it."

When Gu Bai returned from walking Mocha, Xie Wen came over as soon as he stepped inside. "Want to go for a drink in a bit? It's outdoors, so Mocha can run around."

Gu Bai nodded. "Sure."

Xie Wen had wanted to use the pet angle to persuade Gu Bai, taking him drinking so he could pry some information out of him. But Gu Bai was a boozehound. The words "go for a drink" alone were enough to tempt him.

Xie Wen's simple little scheme had seemed sound at first, but could someone please tell him how this delicate-looking third young master of the Gu Family could drink so much?

Any place that won Young Master Xie's favor was bound to be good. At the semi-outdoor bar, Chu Zeshen was in charge of playing Frisbee with Mocha on the lawn outside, while Gu Bai was in charge of drinking.

After several glasses of different kinds of alcohol, Xie Wen's face showed the effects, while Gu Bai watched Chu Zeshen in the distance without a flush or a racing heartbeat.

Chu Zeshen was a conscientious owner, tirelessly tossing the Frisbee for Mocha. The excited little runs and jumps somewhat shattered Gu Bai's stereotypical image of Chu Zeshen.

Xie Wen leaned over. "Young Master Gu, you could drink a thousand cups without getting drunk. I'm impressed."

Gu Bai had never tried drinking a thousand cups. In his previous life, he had had no other hobbies, only a fondness for tasting liquor.

"You flatter me." He picked up his glass and clinked it against Xie Wen's. "Thank you for treating us, Young Master Xie. You've gone to quite an expense."

The few glasses he had drunk had to have cost at least five figures.

Xie Wen thought this spouse of Chu Zeshen's was quite frank and easygoing, without any scheming. He wasn't arrogant and domineering like some people who climbed the social ladder through marriage. Xie Wen looked down on people like that.

The lighting was dim, scattered points of light falling across Gu Bai's exquisite profile. He was a flawless work of God's creation.

Whatever else might be said, Gu Bai really was good-looking. Chu Zeshen had found himself a treasure.

Lu Shengfan left his seat to go to the restroom, leaving only Xie Wen and Gu Bai at the table.

Someone approached from a distance and, spotting Xie Wen, came over to greet him. "Young Master Xie, long time no see."

Xie Wen looked up at him, not quite remembering who he was, but replied anyway, "Long time no see."

As the man drew closer and saw Gu Bai beside him, he couldn't help being struck by his looks. Everyone who regularly hung out with Xie Wen knew that Young Master Xie never lacked company, but today's companion could be considered top quality.

"Young Master Xie, who's this?" The man's gaze was already glued to Gu Bai as he edged closer without making it obvious.