The younger brother he had never met

"Cut! That's the final scene!"

The crew hurried over with water and towels. Gu Shen Ci took the water, tipped his head back, and gulped down several mouthfuls.

The director came over. "Mr. Gu, thank you for all your hard work during filming. Congratulations on wrapping up."

Gu Shen Ci nodded with a smile. "Thank you all for your hard work, too. Congratulations to everyone on wrapping up."

"We'll invite you back for the promotional events and press conference when the show airs."

"Anything works for me. Just arrange it with my agency."

Gu Shen Ci went into the dressing room to have his makeup removed. His wig came off, and he changed into his everyday clothes while the staff restored his usual look.

Gu Shen Ci turned his head from side to side in the mirror. "I had to cut my hair short for filming, but that's all right. Nothing can hide how handsome I am."

The staff member put down the comb. "You're all set, Mr. Gu."

"Great, thanks."

His assistant came in. "Shen, your luggage is packed. Are we going to the office or somewhere else?"

Gu Shen Ci stood up and stretched. "I'm going straight home to meet the younger brother I've never met."

The two walked out of the set together.

"Younger brother?" His assistant, He Ran, scratched his head and chuckled awkwardly. "Your parents have still got it, huh?"

"What are you thinking?" Gu Shen Ci gave He Ran a rap on the head. "My little brother who went missing as a child is back. I've been filming here this whole time, so I haven't met him yet."

"Oh, oh! So that's what you meant."

"All right, I'll drop you off at the office first, then drive home."

"Shen, I've already booked a ride. Just go straight home. Don't worry about me."

"Really? Then I'll head off."

"Okay. See you next time, Shen."

Gu Shen Ci got into his car and turned the steering wheel, swinging the car toward the exit. He was still dozens of meters away when he heard the cheers and shouts of the bustling crowd outside.

As the car passed through the exit, fans crowded around outside the barriers. Two security guards had been stationed on each side. The fans held up support signs, flowers, or banners and chanted in unison.

Gu Shen Ci lowered his window and waved to everyone. "Thank you! Go on home. The sun's strong today."

"Ah! Shen Ci is so handsome!"

"Shen Ci, I'll follow you for the rest of my life!"

Gu Shen Ci kept waving as he slowly rolled the window back up. He could still faintly hear the fans talking behind him.

"Shen Ci! Give me some love!"

"Seriously, dude, why are you competing with us girls?"

"Who says I can't? There's only one Shen Ci. We've all got to compete fair and square, don't we?"

"Fine, you asked for it." She took a deep breath and shouted, "Shen Ci! Look at me!"

The girls behind her picked up the signal and shouted their chant in unison.

Gu Shen Ci smiled and shook his head. "Being too handsome has its troubles. I'm so popular wherever I go."

The car reached the main road. With the air-conditioning on, it was cool inside rather than stuffy. An incoming call appeared on the screen, and Gu Shen Ci answered it with a voice command.

"Mom, I'm already on my way home. I'll be there in a little over an hour."

"All right. Be careful on the road. Drive safely."

"Okay."

Zhao Wanling put down her phone. Beside her, Gu Zhiyue was snacking on prawn crackers. "Is my second brother coming home?"

Zhao Wanling nodded. "Yes, he's already on his way. Aunt Sun went out to buy ingredients. She'll make a few of your second brother's favorite dishes tonight."

"When he's working, how often does he usually come home?"

"That's hard to say. It depends on whether he's filming or attending events. Filming takes longer. Sometimes he has to work away from home for several months on a single show before he comes back."

Gu Zhiyue picked up a prawn cracker and put it into his mouth. It made a soft crunch as he bit into it. "That sounds exhausting."

Zhao Wanling asked with a smile, "Have you thought about what you'd like to do after graduation, Xiao Yue?"

Gu Zhiyue thought for a moment, then shook his head. "No. There isn't any job I want to do right now."

"It's fine if you don't work. With our family's assets, there's more than enough for you to spend your whole life eating, drinking, and having fun."

"That sounds pretty tempting, but Dad and my brothers all have jobs. If I don't work, we won't have anything in common to talk about."

Zhao Wanling reached up and ruffled Gu Zhiyue's hair. "I don't have a job either. Wouldn't it be nice to stay home and keep your mom company?"

Gu Zhiyue gave Zhao Wanling a look that said, Do you really expect me to believe that? "Mom, one of your paintings sold for over two hundred thousand. Does it make any difference whether you work? Who hasn't heard of Ms. Zhao's paintings?"

"That doesn't happen every day. A good painting takes months or even longer to create. Holding an exhibition and selling paintings at auction takes luck, too. My worst-selling painting only went for a thousand."

"A thousand? That used to be two months of pocket money for me."

Gu Zhiyue tossed the empty packet into the trash can beside the coffee table, clapped his hands clean, and got up to wash them in the bathroom. Then he let Zhao Wanling know before heading upstairs.

Not long afterward, Gu Shuoyan returned. Only the other housekeeper, Aunt Qing, and Uncle Qian the butler were on the first floor.

Gu Shuoyan scratched his head. "Uncle Qian, where are Mom and the others?"

Qian the Butler explained, "Third Young Master, Madam is in the back garden, and the youngest young master is in his room."

"Is my second brother coming back today?"

"Yes. Madam said the second young master should be home before dinner."

Gu Shuoyan poured himself a glass of warm water and drank the whole thing. "Okay, got it. I'll come back down when he gets here."

"Of course."

Gu Shuoyan picked up his phone and car keys from the coffee table and went upstairs to his room. As he passed Gu Zhiyue's room, he saw that the door was ajar, so he knocked and went in.

Gu Zhiyue was on a video call with Bai Qinglan. Seeing Gu Shuoyan come in, he smiled at the screen. "My third brother's here. Mom, do you want to meet him?"

Gu Shuoyan leaned over. "Is that Aunt Bai? Hello, Auntie!"

"Hello." On the screen, Bai Qinglan smiled warmly, her eyes curving slightly. "Xiao Yue has mentioned you often these past few days. He said you've been very good to him, taking him out to have fun and helping him with something important."

Gu Shuoyan grew a little embarrassed by the praise. "That's what I should do as his older brother. Any more compliments and you'll give me a big head, Auntie."

Bai Qinglan chuckled. "Seeing Xiao Yue doing better and better puts my mind at ease. When you have time, have Xiao Yue bring you over for a couple of days. I'll make blanched shrimp for you."

Gu Zhiyue recommended it enthusiastically. "My mom Qinglan makes delicious blanched shrimp. It's better than what a lot of restaurants serve."

"Then I'll definitely have to try it when I get the chance."

The sunset dyed the horizon orange-red, and a few rays of evening light shone through gaps in the banks of clouds.

The car drove toward the front courtyard. Detecting the vehicle's identity, the gate opened automatically, letting it enter smoothly. Gu Shen Ci braked, turned off the engine, then opened the door and got out.

Qian the Butler came to greet him. "Second Young Master, you're back."

"Yes. Have someone park the car. I'm heading inside."

"Of course."

"Where's my little brother?"

"The youngest young master is in his room upstairs, the third master bedroom on the right."

Gu Shuoyan nodded in acknowledgment, went inside and changed his shoes in the entryway, then headed upstairs.