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Zhao Xinran played along with Gu Jiazi, putting on the air of a generous, kindly stepmother. "Jiazi is right. What's done is done. We still have to live our lives properly."

Perhaps Gu Bai's attitude had served as a warning to Gu Ruilin. Although Gu Bai had no power backing him, he carried the Gu Family's blood, and the Gu Family valued family bonds. They still needed to maintain harmony on the surface. They could not let outsiders see the chaos behind their doors.

He reminded Gu Bai, "Don't forget the message sent to you a week ago, little brother. Did you receive it?"

What he meant was that Gu Bai had better behave now that he had received those eighty million in family assets, or he would end up without a cent.

Gu Bai chuckled. "I did."

The few things Gu Bai had said earlier were merely the questions and concern any normal person would express upon learning that his father had met with disaster, yet in the Gu Family's eyes, they had become threats.

He already had the money. Whatever happened afterward had nothing to do with him.

The butler continued serving the dishes, and that conversation at the table seemed to have been put behind them. The family ate together in perfect harmony, without a trace of their earlier hostility, much less any grief over losing a family member on their faces.

Gu Bai had come to the Gu Family home, eaten a free lunch, and learned the date of his father's funeral before leaving.

He did not need to have a hand in the funeral arrangements. He only needed to attend as the Gu Family's third young master.

Chapter 4

Gu Haisheng's funeral was on Wednesday, only three days after the announcement. For the head of the Gu Family, it was a very hastily arranged funeral.

Gu Bai attended at the appointed time, dressed in a black suit with a white chrysanthemum pinned to his chest, and stood behind the other members of the Gu Family.

The weather was exceptionally lovely that day. The sun shone brightly, and magpies flew onto the branches. It seemed more like weather for a wedding than a funeral.

The funeral was being held on a broad stretch of lawn. Mocha would certainly have been excited to see it, but today's occasion was not suitable for bringing a pet.

Zhao Xinran's quiet sobs reached Gu Bai from up ahead. He looked up and saw that guests had arrived, prompting her to start her performance.

Gu Bai did not recognize a single one of the arrivals. Gu Jiazi, Gu Ruilin, Gu Yi, and Zhao Xinran stood at the front, receiving their condolences.

They seemed to be important guests. Even the usually overbearing Gu Ruilin had become exceedingly polite.

None of the arrivals noticed that the Gu Family's third young master was missing from the front row. Whether they deliberately avoided mentioning him or had genuinely forgotten was unclear.

Gu Bai was perfectly happy being an outsider, too. No one came to bother him.

Few people in this crowd were genuinely grieving. He did not know how many guests were sincere, but there probably was not a single sincere member of the Gu Family. Just now, he had even heard Zhao Xinran ask her daughter how her makeup looked today.

Gu Jiazi and Gu Ruilin were also discussing company business. They seemed to have inadvertently eliminated a major rival of the company, and they had even laughed.

It bore out the saying that wealthy families had no affection.

Guests continued to arrive, and Gu Bai remained invisible at the back. He only wanted it to end quickly so he could go home.

Xie Wen had stayed behind his parents the whole time. The Gu Family's funeral was terribly rushed, too. They had simply picked some place to bury him. He really wanted to say on the Gu Family head's behalf that his family was a misfortune.

He was listening listlessly to his elders exchanging pleasantries with the Gu Family when his eyes suddenly lit up at the sight of Chu Zeshen.

Chu Zeshen attended the funeral alone, representing the entire Chu Family.

The man wore a somber, appropriate black suit and had an imposing presence. He wore no unnecessary accessories, and his hair had been left natural rather than styled, unlike Gu Ruilin's, which had taken half a bottle of hair gel.

For someone of the younger generation to attend the Gu Family's funeral looking like this was enough to demonstrate his respect for the deceased.

Zhao Xinran's eyes also lit up when she saw Chu Zeshen, but unlike Xie Wen's, her gaze was greedy. If she could establish a connection with the Chu Family, she could keep a firm hold on power within the Gu Family.

Chu Zeshen ignored the hungry, wolflike gazes ahead of him. He walked up to the members of the Gu Family and said evenly, "My condolences."

Zhao Xinran made a show of wiping away nonexistent tears. "It's been so long since I last saw you, Ze Shen. The Gu and Chu families used to be neighbors, but we haven't seen each other since the Chu Family moved away. I never imagined we'd meet again under these circumstances. Is your grandfather well?"

Chu Zeshen nodded. "He's quite well. I'll pass along your concern."

Zhao Xinran patted Gu Yi's hand. "Say hello."

Gu Yi was a little afraid to look directly at Chu Zeshen, yet she wanted to look at him. With her eyes half lowered, she said, "Ze Shen, older brother."

Listening to these ill-timed pleasantries from the back, Gu Bai yawned. With so many people in the front row, and since he was not standing straight, he had not seen the guest who had arrived.

At that moment, Gu Jiazi interrupted the conversation that was so inappropriate for the occasion. "Ze Shen, let me take you over to pay your respects."

Chu Zeshen declined. "There's no need. Stay here and receive the other guests."

Those who went to the front with the Gu Family to pay their respects were the family's honored guests, whereas he was only a junior member of the Chu Family attending the funeral.

As soon as Chu Zeshen left, Xie Wen excused himself to his elders and followed him.

The memorial ceremony had not officially begun yet, so Xie Wen and Chu Zeshen stood to one side and waited.

Xie Wen asked quietly, "Why did you come alone?"

"Just me is enough," Chu Zeshen said.

Xie Wen sighed. "A Sheng went to the neighboring province to discuss business. How did the timing work out like this? If I'd known, I would've gone with him."

He had not wanted to come at all. The Gu Family had never had any dealings with their Xie Family.

Chu Zeshen said nothing, merely looking toward where the Gu Family stood.

Xie Wen was not a gossip, but he still could not resist quietly telling Chu Zeshen, "The Gu Family is famous for valuing family ties, but haven't you noticed someone missing from their front row? Their third young master hasn't appeared. I heard he was the first to lose in the power struggle. Poor guy. The Gu Family has such a vast business empire, yet there's no place for him in it."

"We shouldn't comment on another family's private affairs." Chu Zeshen did not concern himself with other families' affairs, nor was he interested in their assets.

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