"My father wants to see you," Su Qingqing repeated, "I know you're in a hurry to get out. Do you have time now? If you do, could you come over for a moment?"
"I've come to see your father?" Gu Chen frowned and said, "What's this? A father-in-law meeting his son-in-law?"
"No, it hasn't come to that yet." Su Qingqing was surprised that Gu Chen would joke like that, and immediately blushed, saying, "He just wants to see you, it's just a normal meeting."
Seeing me isn't that simple.
Gu Chen pondered for a moment. Su Qingqing, this silly girl, usually so shrewd, how come she can't think straight now? Would her father's meeting with him be just a casual one?
Based on the information I learned from Su Qingqing, her father, Su Zhenbei, was a snobbish and despicable man. Before he fell on hard times, he was always amicable when we met at school. But as soon as the news came that the Gu Family had expelled him and his son, his attitude changed completely, and he became as indifferent as if he didn't even know them. Moreover, this man was even willing to betray his own daughter to the Li Family; he was simply a despicable person.
The news about the Zhou Family yesterday must have spread everywhere by now. Su Zhenbei has been keeping a close eye on the Zhou Family lately, so he might have noticed it too. The fact that they're looking for me can't be anything good.
However, Su Qingqing was also experiencing her first love and was completely oblivious to the world around her. She thought it was a test from her parents and was nervously excited on the side.
"What, is it not okay?" Su Qingqing asked nervously, "Gu Chen, my mother is also accompanying us this time. If you have something to do, I can ask them to reschedule."
"Okay, I'll be there in a bit."
Gu Chen finally agreed. After all, in his past life, Su Qingqing had treated him very well. Even if they weren't lovers, she still held a certain place in his heart.
Meeting Su Zhenbei wouldn't be a big deal.
"Okay!" Su Qingqing was overjoyed upon hearing this and said, "At the Yue Court Hotel restaurant, at noon, I'll be waiting for you!"
After saying that, he excitedly hung up the phone.
Gu Chen looked at his phone, shook his head, and couldn't help but smugly say, "Being handsome is such a troublesome thing. If being handsome were a crime, I'm afraid I'd be unforgivable."
Uncle Liu happened to come out of the storeroom and smiled, "Young Master is right. Young Master has always been the most handsome in our Gu Family. I remember when we were little, so many girls would fawn over Young Master, especially that girl from the Xiao Family, who was like Young Master's little shadow. Everyone was so envious of her."
"Cough..." Gu Chen felt a little embarrassed and quickly changed the subject, saying, "Uncle Liu, are you feeling better?"
"Young Master, you're much better now," said Uncle Liu.
"I have to go out now, remember to take your medicine." Gu Chen hurriedly walked out the door.
At noon, Gu Chen arrived at the Yue Court Hotel on time.
This should be considered a family dinner hosted by Su Qingqing. As soon as Gu Chen entered the room, there were only four people sitting at the large round table.
Su Qingqing, Su Yi, a middle-aged man, and a middle-aged woman.
Su Zhenbei sat in the main seat, and the woman next to him, who looked somewhat aged, must be Su Qingqing's mother. The two looked very alike, indicating that she must have been a great beauty in her youth, but her appearance was not like that of an ordinary wealthy woman, and there was a look of weariness between her brows.
He recalled what Su Qingqing had told him: because her mother wasn't the first wife, she didn't have a good life in the Su Family. That's why Su Qingqing wanted to prove herself and strive to stand out in the family.
Gu Chen!
Upon seeing Gu Chen enter, Su Qingqing immediately stood up. She had clearly dressed up carefully today; her long hair was styled in a flowing, elegant updo, adorned with numerous hairpins and accessories, and her silver-white long dress made her look charming and exuding nobility.
Although Su Qingqing is only twenty years old, she is already poised, elegant, and charming.
"Let me introduce you." Su Qingqing smiled brightly, took Gu Chen's hand, and said, "This is Gu Chen, this is my father, this is my mother, and this is someone you've met before, Su Yi, my brother."
"Yes, hello Auntie."
Gu Chen didn't even glance at Su Yi and Su Zhenbei, but simply greeted Su Qingqing's mother.
Su Qingqing's mother Chen Lan, had been looking Gu Chen up and down since he entered the room. Hearing him greet her, she stood up and smiled, saying, "Qingqing has mentioned him several times. Young Master Gu is indeed a promising young man."
"Mom!" Su Qingqing blushed.
"Um, Young Master Gu, please have a seat!" Su Yi also came over, pulled out a chair, and said ingratiatingly, meaning that Gu Chen should sit next to him.
But Gu Chen acted as if he hadn't seen them, and sat down directly next to Chen Lan and Su Qingqing, smiling, "I didn't expect Auntie to be so young and beautiful. Qingqing must have inherited Auntie's good genes to be so radiant."
While everyone was chatting and laughing, Su Yi felt extremely awkward. However, he was afraid of Gu Chen, so he could only sit down.
Su Zhenbei asked the waiter to bring the menu and said politely to Gu Chen, "It's an honor to Young Master Gu here. We're all family here today, so I didn't order much since I didn't know what Young Master Gu like to eat. What would you like to order?"
Gu Chen acted as if he hadn't heard anything and continued chatting with Chen Lan.
This immediately darkened Su Zhenbei's expression.
Su Qingqing quickly tugged at Gu Chen's sleeve, her eyes pleading, probably begging him to give her father some face.
Gu Chen softened and looked at Su Zhenbei, saying calmly, "Patriarch Su Family, right? I'm not related to you. Just order whatever you like; I've already eaten."
"This..." Su Zhenbei's expression changed again.
If Gu Chen ignoring him earlier was just a coincidence, then this time even a fool could see that he was targeting him.
"Let me order." Chen Lan took the menu, ordered a few dishes, and handed it to the waiter, trying to smooth things over.
The dishes were served quickly, but Gu Chen remained silent. Su Zhenbei, however, couldn't hold back any longer and stood up, smiling, "Young Master Gu, I heard that my daughter was up to no good a few days ago and ran into some thugs at a bar. You came to her rescue, and I haven't had a chance to thank you yet. This drink is on my behalf."
Gu Chen didn't even look up, and slowly peeled the shell off a large hairy crab.
Su Zhenbei stood there frozen. It was only after Su Qingqing nudged Gu Chen that Gu Chen slowly stood up and said, "The Su Family head's ability to distort the truth is unparalleled. If I told others that I rescued Su Qingqing's father's daughter from his clutches, do you think anyone would believe me?"
"Gu Chen, don't go too far!"
Su Yi finally snapped and slammed his fist on the table.
Gu Chen had been waiting for this moment. He gave Su Yi a cold look and said, "What, itching for a beating again?"
That look sent a chill down Su Yi's spine. He forced back his fear and said, "Gu Chen, we kindly invited you to dinner, and you're being so arrogant; you're simply too disrespectful."