A visit

By the day Gu Jiangli's family came to visit, Gu Jiangfeng had arranged his company's affairs a day in advance, and Auntie Sun had gone grocery shopping early that morning and returned to busy herself in the kitchen.

The family of three arrived shortly before noon.

A young man in his twenties followed behind the couple. He looked refined and scholarly, nothing like the sturdy Gu Jiangli.

He Zhiwei mustered a faint expression. "Wanling, we brought you some gifts. I'm so sorry to trouble you again."

"We're all family. There's no need to talk about troubling us."

Noticing that his cousin kept looking at him, Gu Zhiyue chuckled and introduced himself. "Gu Zhiyue, the younger cousin you've never met."

He Zhiwei's eyes lit up. "The little nephew who went missing all those years ago-you've finally found him!"

Gu Jiangli, however, frowned slightly. "Jiangfeng, the boy's been missing for over ten years. Aren't you worried someone with ulterior motives is impersonating him?"

Gu Jiangfeng was about to reply when a scoff rang out. Gu Zhiyue retorted without a shred of courtesy, "My dad isn't as clueless as you, Uncle. Naturally, before bringing me home, he confirmed that I was a child of the Gu family."

For some reason, those words sent a flicker of panic through He Zhiwei's heart. She stole a glance at Gu Zhiyue's expression and only relaxed when she saw that he looked perfectly normal.

Gu Jiangli's expression soured. "You have none of our Gu family's manners."

Gu Zhiyue picked up his cup and took a small sip. "The Gu family doesn't belong to you alone, Uncle. My parents can see for themselves whether I have manners. Besides, this is our own family's business. Coming here and saying that right away seems a little overbearing."

Zhao Wanling spoke up to stop Gu Jiangli. "Zhiyue only just came home. Naturally, he needs time to settle into the family. As his elder, you should be more tolerant of the younger generation."

He Zhiwei smiled. "Child, how long have you been back? I'll bring you a gift next time."

Gu Zhiyue nodded. "Thank you, Auntie. I've been back four or five days. I'm settling in well."

Gu Jinghuan said, "I'm your older cousin, Gu Jinghuan. If you ever need help, just ask."

"Okay." Gu Zhiyue nodded in agreement. [Gu Jinghuan seems pretty decent.]

Xiao Jiu agreed. [He really is. Later, He Zhiwei learned that Gu Jiangli was going to frame your parents. When she couldn't stop him, she wanted to tell them, but Gu Jiangli found out. To keep his plan from being exposed, he ran her over and killed her while she was on her way to see your parents with the evidence.]

Hearing that, Zhao Wanling felt as though her heart had stopped for a moment. Gu Jiangfeng's brows unconsciously drew tight, and Gu Shuoyan quietly moved his chair a little farther away from Gu Jiangli.

Gu Zhiyue ate the food Zhao Wanling had put on his plate. [Wasn't he the one who forced Auntie to be with him back then? I thought he loved her deeply. I never expected him to be so ruthless toward his own wife.]

[Gu Jiangli did like He Zhiwei during the first few years of their marriage. But as time passed, he felt he didn't like her all that much. Back then, he insisted on marrying her at any cost only because he couldn't stand the thought of another man marrying the woman he liked.]

Gu Zhiyue clicked his tongue, indicating that he had nothing more to say.

Gu Jiangfeng asked Gu Jinghuan, "Jinghuan, aren't you graduating soon? Would you like to work at my company?"

Gu Jinghuan declined tactfully. "Thank you, Uncle, but I'll just work at my family's company."

"All right, then. If you need any help, just ask."

After the meal, Gu Jiangli exchanged a few words with Gu Jiangfeng before the two went to the study to discuss business.

Gu Zhiyue glanced in their direction. [Here we go. Gu Jiangli's about to start fishing for information.]

Xiao Jiu said, [The contract has already been replaced. Even if Gu Jiangli gets everything out of him, it won't do any good. You don't need to worry, host.]

[Oh, I see. That's good, then.]

He Zhiwei was chatting with Zhao Wanling. She sighed. "I don't know what he's been busy with lately. He's been so jumpy. I used to go into his study whenever I wanted, but when I went in a while ago, he flew into a terrible temper. Afterward, he apologized and said there were some very important documents he was afraid of losing."

Zhao Wanling asked curiously, "What documents could make him so angry with you?"

He Zhiwei shook her head. "I don't know. He wouldn't tell me when I asked. He just said very mysteriously that it was an especially good document, something about how it could take our family of three to the very top of Anzhou."

"I don't understand what he means, and I don't want to be at the top of anything. I just want to live a good life with my child and the person I love."

Zhao Wanling laughed softly. "Your wish will come true."

Gu Zhiyue smiled. "Jinghuan got his looks entirely from Auntie. He didn't inherit any of Uncle's genes. Uncle's genes are far too weak."

Gu Jinghuan nodded in agreement. "Yeah. Dad was upset about that for ages when I was little, but he came around later. No matter how little I resembled him, I was still his child, so it didn't matter."

Gu Zhiyue couldn't stop a broad smile from lifting the corners of his mouth, but then he reined it in. "Looking only like Auntie is great. You're handsome. A lot of people must like you, right?"

Gu Shuoyan joined in. "That's true. Jinghuan was very popular at school because of his looks."

"Shuoyan, do you go to the same school? How do you know he's popular?"

"No, but I often see posts and videos from students at his school. People keep posting him online to confess their feelings."

Gu Jinghuan looked helpless. "This face really does cause quite a bit of trouble."

In the study, Gu Jiangli kept steering the conversation toward the contents of the bid document. Gu Jiangfeng answered his questions calmly on the surface, but inwardly, he had already stabbed Gu Jiangli a hundred times over.

After Gu Jiangfeng answered a few more inconsequential questions, Gu Jiangli grew visibly impatient, and a trace of urgency unwittingly crept into his voice.

Seeing that it was about time, Gu Jiangfeng went along with him and answered a few questions about the bid document, choosing to reveal details that seemed important but were actually dispensable.

Since that system had said the bid document had already been replaced and it made no difference whether he talked, he might as well grant Gu Jiangli's wish and tell him something he wanted to hear.

Having finally received the answers he wanted, Gu Jiangli's anxious gaze grew calm. Gu Jiangfeng even felt there was a hint of mockery in it.

Gu Jiangfeng stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray and stood. "We've pretty much finished discussing business. Let's go out and chat with the others."

"All right."

Seeing them approach, Zhao Wanling asked, "Have you finished discussing everything?"

Gu Jiangfeng nodded. "We're done. We came to see what you're all talking about."

Gu Shuoyan smiled. "We were talking about finding a time to go racing together."

Gu Zhiyue chimed in. "Jinghuan mentioned skydiving, too. I've never done any of those things, so I want to try them all."

"Sure. Try everything you want to. Young people should be lively."

Gu Jiangli said, "It won't do if all that playing interferes with his studies. Wanling, you can't indulge him like this just because he's only just come home. What if you spoil him?"

Gu Zhiyue silently rolled his eyes. [Why is this guy so annoying? He keeps deliberately putting me down, both openly and indirectly.]

Xiao Jiu said, [Gu Jiangli isn't putting you down just because he has nothing better to do. Gu Jiangfeng and Zhao Wanling having three children was already enough to upset him. Now that you've come along, that's another obstacle to his plans to seize their assets. Naturally, he finds everything about you irritating.]

[So that's why. Then I'd better play along. I'll be such an eyesore he can't stand it. I'll trip him up at every turn.]

Gu Zhiyue clicked his tongue. "From the sound of it, Jinghuan must be pretty unhappy, right? With you controlling him like this, Uncle, he can't even enjoy himself."

Gu Jinghuan scratched his head. "Uh... it's actually okay. It's not as bad as you make it sound."

Gu Zhiyue continued, "Be careful. Being too strict can have the opposite effect. What's wrong with relaxing a little? People in their twenties are at the age when they love having fun. What's wrong with having more fun? It's not like he's plotting against his own brother."

Gu Jiangli visibly paused, then cleared his throat. "You can eat whatever you like, but you can't say whatever you like."

"I was just giving an example. If you don't like hearing it, Uncle, don't listen."

He Zhiwei looked at Gu Jiangli. "The children finally want to do something together. Stop putting on that stern face. Jinghuan's grades are so good, but you're never satisfied."

Gu Jiangli frowned slightly. "There's still so much room for improvement. Of course he needs to seize the opportunity. If he doesn't study now, how will he manage my company in the future?"

He Zhiwei scoffed. "Your corporation isn't that big. The vice chairman isn't even as well educated as Jinghuan, and he can still hold his position. Why are you so strict with Jinghuan? Will better grades make your company bigger?"

Gu Jiangli was left speechless. After struggling for a long while, all he could say was, "In any case, there's nothing wrong with learning more."

Gu Jinghuan nodded. "I understand, Dad."

Gu Shuoyan smiled. "As long as you're willing to learn, you can learn things even while having fun all the time. Without the desire to learn, studying won't do any good. Jinghuan, remember to let loose and relax sometimes. My little brother is the perfect example. He loves playing and eating, but that didn't stop him from coming in first."

Gu Jinghuan smiled and nodded. "Okay. I'll try that when I get home."

Gu Jiangli said, "We've imposed on you long enough. We should be heading back."

Zhao Wanling asked, "You rarely come over. Why not stay for dinner?"

Xiao Jiu told Gu Zhiyue, [Gu Jiangli is in a hurry to get back and pass information to the opposing side and help them devise a plan. He's actually wanted to leave for ages, but you were all so caught up in chatting that he never had a chance to speak.]

Gu Zhiyue clicked his tongue. [So eager. With that kind of enthusiasm, whatever shit he scrambles for in the toilet is sure to still be hot.]

Gu Shuoyan nearly spat out the water he was drinking. He choked and couldn't help coughing several times, taking the opportunity to sneak in a few laughs as he bent over coughing.

After Zhao Wanling and Gu Jiangfeng saw their guests off, they returned inside. They had heard Gu Zhiyue's thoughts too, but they really couldn't laugh in front of the others.

Zhao Wanling covered her mouth, laughing until her eyes curved. Gu Jiangfeng held his cup as though drinking tea, but he couldn't hide the upturned corners of his mouth.

Gu Zhiyue looked between the three of them. "Mom, Dad, why do you all suddenly look like that?"

Gu Shuoyan said, "Maybe they thought of something happy. Zhiyue, want to come to my room and play games?"

Gu Zhiyue shook his head. "I haven't video-called my mom Qinglan for the past two days. I'm going back to my room to call her."

Zhao Wanling said, "Take some snacks and fruit upstairs. You can have something to eat if you get tired from talking."

"Okay!"

Gu Shuoyan stood. "Let's go upstairs together. Mom, Dad, see you at dinner!"

Zhao Wanling nodded. "All right. I'll call you down for dinner."

On the way home, Gu Jinghuan kept looking at the scenery retreating beyond the window. After a long while, he couldn't help asking, "Dad, do you have something against Zhiyue? You never used to talk like that."

Gu Jiangli gripped the steering wheel. "Of course not. Don't make wild guesses."

He Zhiwei glanced at Gu Jiangli and said to Gu Jinghuan, "Your dad is often like this. Perhaps seeing how much your younger cousin enjoys having fun made him start acting like a stern elder again."

Gu Jiangli warned Gu Jinghuan, "Spend less time with them from now on. Your uncle has plenty of children. Even if those two have no interest in managing the company, he still has two others. But you're our only child. Don't let them influence you."

Gu Jinghuan merely nodded. "I understand."

He Zhiwei said nothing, suddenly recalling what Zhao Wanling had whispered to her before they left.

"You should leave someone you don't love sooner rather than later. Perhaps the person you love is waiting for you, too."

He Zhiwei tightened her hands slightly in her lap. Perhaps her sister-in-law already knew the secret she had kept buried in her heart. Otherwise, her sister-in-law wouldn't have said something like that.

She just didn't know whether that person still remembered her. But if he had already married and had children, that would be perfectly normal. After all, she couldn't really expect him to remain single for her his entire life.

If Jinghuan's parentage was exposed one day, it certainly wouldn't be good for either of them. Besides, she could already sense that Gu Jiangli had stopped loving her long ago. To avoid having him discover the truth someday, she needed to move her plans along faster, get divorced sooner, and take her child somewhere else to live.

She only wanted her child to be safe and sound. Even if mother and son had only each other to rely on, anywhere would do as long as they left Gu Jiangli.