Chapter 31

The moment the server opened the private room's door, someone took Gu Bai's hand. Before he could react, he was led inside.

As soon as the door opened, everyone's eyes fell on Chu Zeshen and Gu Bai.

Gu Bai clearly saw everyone's gazes slowly shift from their faces to their joined hands.

If they were putting on an act, they had to see it through. Gu Bai rather admired Chu Zeshen's quick reactions.

Still, he admitted that he had felt a little at a loss when his hand was taken. It would be a lie to say he was calm about holding hands for the first time. He was a slacker, but even a slacker knew joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness.

Of everyone there, only Elder Chu smiled from the heart. The sight of their joined hands kept him beaming.

"You're here."

Chu Zeshen led Gu Bai to the head of the table. "Grandpa."

Gu Bai followed suit. "Grandpa."

Elder Chu chuckled. "Good, good, good."

Then Gu Bai addressed Gu Haisheng beside him. "Father."

Chu Zeshen followed immediately. "Father."

Gu Haisheng smiled and nodded at them. "Now that you're here, sit down."

The two elders occupied the seats of honor, and since Gu Bai and Chu Zeshen were also the central figures of this family dinner, they sat beside Elder Chu.

Zhao Xinran had been waiting for Gu Bai to come over and greet her. Instead, he sat down with Chu Zeshen without saying a word to her. So marrying into the Chu Family made him better than everyone else now. He did not even know how to respect his elders.

"Third Brother, how could you keep your elders waiting on such an important day? It's just family today, so we won't fuss over it, but don't let it happen again."

Her tone was neither harsh nor mild. It sounded like a gentle rebuke, but she was really making a veiled jab at Gu Bai's lack of upbringing.

The members of the Gu Family present remained unmoved, seemingly accustomed to Zhao Xinran saying things like this.

Chu Zeshen looked at Zhao Xinran. "It was my fault. A meeting came up at the last minute, and I lost track of time and kept Xiao Bai waiting."

Zhao Xinran had never expected Chu Zeshen to speak up for Gu Bai. For a moment, she did not know how to respond and could only force a laugh. "It's good to be career-minded. Focus on your work."

Gu Haisheng glanced at Zhao Xinran, who was making a spectacle of herself, but could not say so outright in front of others.

"Didn't you say your throat hurt a couple of days ago? Drink some more water to soothe it."

Zhao Xinran smiled, picked up her glass, and took a sip without saying anything more.

Elder Chu spoke. "Since everyone's here, let's have the food served. We can talk while we eat."

The dishes arrived one after another.

At first, Chu Hanjin and Chu Ningwei watched without speaking. From what they could see, Gu Bai's standing in the Gu Family was not much to speak of. Only their older cousin treated him like a treasure.

Dressed in a long white dress, Chu Hanjin sat beside her mother like a well-behaved daughter and asked, "Great-uncle, when are they holding the wedding? I need time to prepare. I've put on weight lately, so I'll have to slim down properly to fit into a formal dress."

Rather than answering directly, Elder Chu scolded her. "What weight? You're too thin. Eat more. What's so attractive about being skin and bones?"

Noticing that neither Gu Bai nor Chu Zeshen wore a ring, Chu Ningwei suddenly said, "It doesn't matter whether there's a wedding. What matters most is that we've become family. Still, watching newlyweds exchange rings always moves me. When two people love each other, all they want is for it to lead somewhere."

Neither of them dared step out of line with Chu Zeshen, so they could only make things unpleasant for Gu Bai. He was merely a marriage partner no one valued.

Gu Ruilin watched the show excitedly, repeatedly nudging his sister with his elbow to get her to watch too. He had always thought the Chu Family was different from their Gu Family. It turned out they were all the same, seemingly harmonious on the surface while trading open and veiled barbs behind the scenes.

Gu Bai responded calmly. "What's the point of enjoying watching newlyweds exchange rings? Experiencing it yourself is what's truly moving. You're Ze Shen's younger cousin, two years younger than him. It's time you settled down too."

He acted every bit the elder, yet Chu Ningwei could do nothing about it. Gu Bai was younger than him, but he was Chu Zeshen's spouse, so by all rights, he counted as his elder.

"And you, worrying about your figure at such a young age. It's someone else's wedding, not yours. There's still time to watch your figure when your own wedding comes around."

Gu Bai was deliberately needling them. He had neither the position nor the standing to do this in the Gu Family, but here in the Chu Family, as Chu Zeshen's spouse, he counted as an elder to both of them.

In fact, his deal with Chu Zeshen really was mutually beneficial. He helped Chu Zeshen deal with the Chu Family, while Chu Zeshen helped him deal with the Gu Family. Given Chu Zeshen's position and standing, the Gu Family would not dare truly step out of line either.

Chu Hanjin and Chu Ningwei had still been hoping their older cousin would speak up for them. Instead, he did not even glance their way, focusing entirely on putting food on Gu Bai's plate.

Ever since Chu Zeshen entered the private room, Gu Jiazi had not taken her eyes off him. She had always thought his attitude toward the marriage alliance extended only as far as the interests involved.

From what she knew of Chu Zeshen, there was no way a mere marriage alliance could tie him down. Yet seeing him and Gu Bai looking so affectionate now made her waver a little.

Gu Jiazi took the initiative to speak to Gu Bai. "Xiao Bai, your big sister has been a little busy lately and hasn't come to visit you. You look much better today. In a couple of days, your second brother and I will come see you at the Chu Family home."

Gu Bai wished these people would never come bother him again. He had already used poor health as an excuse. Surely there were other excuses.

As he brainstormed, he heard Chu Zeshen say, "We might be going away in a few days. We've made plans to go have some fun with friends."

Gu Bai turned to Chu Zeshen in surprise, and Chu Zeshen gave him an indulgent smile. "Forgotten? We arranged it with Xie Wen and the others a while ago."

Gu Bai remembered that nothing of the sort had come up during the gathering, but since Chu Zeshen had said so, he would pretend he had forgotten.

"I forgot. I haven't packed anything yet."

Chu Zeshen said, "You don't need to prepare anything. Just bring a change of clothes. Xie Wen and the others will take care of the rest."

The two chatted quietly as though no one else were there, no different from any other newlywed couple.

Gu Jiazi's expression was rather unpleasant. If Gu Bai had refused her visit, she could have used it as an excuse to lecture him. But the one turning her down now was Chu Zeshen, and no one except the Chu Family elders could lecture him.