Page 8

Xie Wen pursed his lips and changed the subject. "I heard you've been thinking of getting a dog lately. Tell me what breed you want. A friend of mine breeds show-quality pets professionally. He could give you some advice."

When Chu Zeshen had encountered that Border Collie at the hotel a while ago, he really had started thinking about getting a pet. On a whim, he had casually mentioned it to Lu Shengfan. News among the three of them always got passed around, and Xie Wen had heard it from Lu Shengfan too.

"I'll tell you after the funeral. Now isn't the time to discuss it."

Xie Wen inwardly muttered at that. Couldn't he just name the kind of dog he wanted? He actually needed to set aside time for it? What sort of peerless pet was he planning to get?

The funeral was about to begin, and the officiant was already in position. Everyone stood in silence, waiting to observe a moment of silence for the deceased.

The next second, a noisy argument broke out at the cemetery entrance behind them, interrupting the proceedings.

A security guard from the Gu Family hurried over, looking utterly distraught and bumping into several guests along the way.

Zhao Xinran frowned and snapped, "What are you doing! Can't you see all the guests here? We told you to handle security outside. What is all this racket?"

"The family head, he..." The guard looked panicked, panting so hard he couldn't put a sentence together.

Zhao Xinran's expression had already turned exceptionally ugly, but she held back because the guests were present.

"The family head? So you do remember that today is his funeral? Are you trying to stop him from being laid to rest?"

Shocked at having such a grave accusation pinned on him, the guard stopped panting and could finally speak clearly.

"The family head is back."

The atmosphere turned utterly bizarre at those words. Announcing the family head's arrival at his own funeral instantly transformed an ordinary funeral into a séance.

Gu Jiazi and Gu Ruilin spoke in unison. "What nonsense are you talking about!"

Suddenly, everyone turned to look behind them. A crowd was escorting someone in a white Zhongshan suit toward them. Once they saw who it was, disbelief spread across every face.

Gu Bai tried to search his mind for this part about a faked death, but aside from remembering the cannon fodder who shared his full name, he could recall nothing else of the plot.

Gu Haisheng walked calmly up to the gravestone bearing his own portrait. Looking at his black-and-white photograph, he laughed. "It seems you were all very eager for me to go out to sea and never return."

None of Gu Jiazi's usual gentleness remained on her face, and disbelief showed in her eyes. Gu Ruilin froze on the spot. Gu Yi showed no joy at the sight of her father, instead hiding behind her mother.

Zhao Xinran had the strongest reaction of anyone present. At first, her pallor had been makeup. Now, even her makeup couldn't conceal how deathly pale she had become.

Gu Haisheng took in every reaction from his closest relatives before him. But one person was still missing.

He searched for quite a while before spotting his third son at the back. He had heard that the news of his death had shocked his third son into a car accident. It seemed his health was not seriously affected.

Gu Bai looked up and met Gu Haisheng's gaze, his eyes not devoid of emotion. This was his father in name, after all, and he had learned of his death on his very first day here. Now that he had personally seen his father appear before him, any ordinary person would feel happy, as well as relieved.

He didn't want someone dying right at the start.

Gu Haisheng withdrew his gaze from Gu Bai and turned to the guests. "Everyone, family affairs are unpredictable. The Gu Family has failed to host you properly today. We will certainly hold a grand banquet to apologize another day. For now, please head home."

Although many of those present were astonished at the Gu Family head's return from the dead, and some were curious, he had swallowed his pride and asked them to leave. They had no reason to deny him that courtesy.

But with so many people talking, there was no telling what form today's events would take once word spread beyond the cemetery.

Xie Wen left with Chu Zeshen, his face full of excitement. Now he no longer regretted not going out of province with A Sheng. If he had gone, he would have missed today's spectacle.

Witnessing it firsthand was exciting indeed. At first, he had even felt that the Gu Family head deserved better. As it turned out, this funeral had been a move in the man's game too. Sure enough, anyone who rose to the position of family head was no pushover.

Xie Wen had wanted to have a proper chat with Chu Zeshen, but after taking a phone call, Chu Zeshen said he needed to return to the old family residence and left him behind. He had no choice but to go home with his parents.

In less than ten minutes, all the guests had left. Only the Gu Family remained in the cemetery.

Gu Haisheng didn't look at the Gu Family members beside him. Instead, he told his daughters and sons, "Back to the Gu residence."

Gu Bai watched his older sister, younger brother, and younger sister follow their father on unsteady feet, as though their grand plans for the family fortune had been strangled in the cradle before they could even begin.

Well, their lovely dream of rising in status, striking it rich, and having their old man die had shattered.

Gu Bai followed at the rear with an expressionless face. He already had the eighty million. Whatever changes occurred now had nothing to do with him.

He had taken a taxi to the cemetery himself. On the way back, each member of the Gu Family had a car of their own. They could barely look after themselves, so how would they think to give Gu Bai a ride?

After getting into their cars, none of them spared Gu Bai a glance before driving straight toward the cemetery gates.

Gu Bai took out his phone to book a ride. The next second, a car stopped in front of him, and the person in the front passenger seat got out to open the rear door.

"Third Young Master, please get in."

Gu Bai saw his father, back from the dead, sitting in the rear seat.

If Gu Bai hesitated for even a second, he would be letting down the hundred-odd yuan he would otherwise spend on a taxi.

Once inside, Gu Bai buckled his seat belt without prompting and looked straight ahead.

Gu Haisheng spoke first. "Are you feeling any better?"

Gu Bai knew what Gu Haisheng was asking about. He also knew that his father was fully aware of everything that had happened in the Gu Family during this time.

"It's nothing serious anymore." Gu Bai turned to Gu Haisheng. "How is your health, Father? Are you all right?"

It was nothing more than an ordinary expression of concern.

Gu Haisheng laughed aloud. Unlike his smile at the cemetery, which had concealed a chill, this time his laughter was genuine, as though Gu Bai had said something funny.