Gu Huai composed himself and spoke with a serious expression. “Brother Shen, is there any news on the matter I asked you to investigate?”
Brother Shen rolled his eyes dramatically. “What? You only think of me at a time like this? You are getting married tomorrow and you wait until now to tell me?”
Gu Huai had always known that Brother Shen could be stubborn about certain things, often making it difficult for him to respond. Over time, he had stopped visiting this place as often for that very reason.
Fortunately, Xie Wenye stepped in to smooth things over, but after a few sentences, he suddenly shifted his focus. “Wait, I only found out today that he is getting married tomorrow, too!” He turned to stare at Gu Huai. “Heh, and you call us good brothers.”
Gu Huai felt the true meaning of being unable to defend himself. “It was just decided. I did not intend to hide it from you. I told you as soon as the decision was made.”
Xie Wenye and Brother Shen shared a smile. They always found it entertaining to see Gu Huai’s frustrated expression. Knowing he had been teased by them again, Gu Huai did not mind. He took a folder handed to him by Brother Shen.
As he read, his face grew paler, and his voice began to tremble. “Is this… all true?”
“Yes,” Brother Shen replied, patting him on the shoulder.
Gu Huai forced a pale smile and bit his lower lip hard. “Alright. Thank you, Brother Shen.”
Brother Shen looked at him, unsure of how to offer comfort. “Stop smiling. Just… try to stay calm.”
Xie Wenye saw the contents as well and sighed inwardly. Things were truly getting messier by the second. After a few quick words, the group parted ways.
Gu Huai gripped the documents tightly, radiating an aura of irritability. He had always had his suspicions, but he never expected the truth to land in front of him so easily. It told him that everything was real. It was frustrating. His mind was a mess. He wanted to go out and get dead drunk to forget these troubles.
But then he thought of Bo Jianyan. He scrolled through his phone screen and suppressed the urge to drink. As if there were some sort of telepathy, every time his mood soured, a message from Bo Jianyan would pop up.
[Are you home yet?] [I miss you, baby.]
Gu Huai hesitated for a long time, typing and deleting words, before sending nothing at all.
[It has been five minutes. Is baby still writing a long essay?]
Gu Huai’s expression softened slightly. [Not home yet.]
Seeing that Gu Huai was once again being selective with his replies, Bo Jianyan did not get annoyed. He continued messaging him, claiming it was to “cultivate feelings with his wife.”
Gu Huai looked at the contact name he had given Bo Jianyan. He decided to change it; “Party A” made them seem far too unfamiliar.
Brother Bo: [Baby, I just finished my shower.] [Photo.jpg]
The man sent a photo of his bare upper torso. His hair was still wet, and it looked as though water droplets were about to fall. Gu Huai looked away, then typed a serious reply: [Remember to dry your hair.]
Bo Jianyan looked at the unromantic response with a sense of helplessness. Where did he go wrong? Why did his wife not praise his great body? Why was his wife’s usual behavior so different from their first meeting? Instead of being passionate, he was almost cold.
The CEO, worth billions, was actually troubled by this. If Song Chengchi saw him like this, he would surely curse: Bo the Dog, you really are an animal.
Perhaps because of the distraction from Bo Jianyan’s messages, Gu Huai did not feel as miserable, but a sense of powerlessness took its place. The plan he had previously discarded had to be implemented again. Looking at the documents and the contract with Bo Jianyan, Gu Huai closed his eyes. If he really carried out that plan, Bo Jianyan would undoubtedly be a great help.
Gu Huai sat up and stared at the contract. If the plan succeeded, no matter what happened in the future, he would owe this man. He was willing to do anything to make it up to him.
Bo Jianyan looked over the contract as if it were a precious treasure. The thought of going to the Civil Affairs Bureau tomorrow filled him with uncontrollable excitement. Feelings are unpredictable, but he did not believe that love could not grow over time.
Song Chengchi had never seen Bo the Dog act so formal. He could not help but sneer, “Heh, I have never seen you spend an hour picking out a tie just to meet your family elders. Is this the suit? We have already tried on nearly twenty.”
Bo Jianyan felt it was not enough. This was the day of their wedding photos. Of course, it had to be formal.
Song Chengchi looked exhausted. “Are you sick? Who could put up with such a show-off like you?”
Bo Jianyan glanced at him. “You can only talk big. It is hard for me to understand the thoughts of a single dog like you.”
As agreed, Bo Jianyan insisted on picking Gu Huai up from where he lived. Seeing several luxury cars arrive, Xie Wenye’s mouth twitched. “My boy, have you climbed a high branch?”
Having grown up together, Xie Wenye felt a strange, fatherly melancholy seeing Gu Huai like this. He patted Bo Jianyan’s shoulder. “Hey, treat our Gu Huai well. If you dare bully him, I will break your third leg.”
Hearing the words “our house,” Bo Jianyan glanced at Xie Wenye, wondering if this was his brother-in-law. Before he could finish his thought, Gu Huai finally emerged from the house.
He was naturally handsome, and his skin looked even fairer against the black suit. He had a slender build, and the suit added a certain radiance to him. When he smiled, everything else seemed to lose its color. For a moment, Bo Jianyan felt his soul leave his body.
“Sorry, I am late.”
Bo Jianyan’s heart rate was a bit out of control. He stepped forward and took Gu Huai’s hand. “No, you are not.”
Until the wedding photos were taken and the little red books were in his hands, Gu Huai still felt like he was in a dream. He had completed a major life event so casually, even if it was just an act.
Seeing Gu Huai staring blankly at the marriage certificate, Bo Jianyan ruffled his hair. “What is wrong, baby?”
Gu Huai turned his head away, his eyes filled with complex emotions. “Nothing.”
Both had things to attend to, so they did not leave together. Bo Jianyan posted an unprecedented update to his social circle, featuring a photo of the two marriage certificates side-by-side. The comments below exploded instantly.
[Damn, President Bo is married?? Congratulations!] [? President Bo, you were hiding this deep.] [9999999]
Gu Huai did not go back to Xie Wenye’s home. Instead, he took a taxi to the outskirts of the city. The rain was drizzling, and the entire city seemed shrouded in gloom. He felt no joy, only a heavy heart.
“Sir, you have reached your destination.”
Gu Huai walked into the rain without a care, letting the water soak him. Because of the rain, the already quiet cemetery was even more deserted. He walked skillfully to a large grave and spoke in a low voice.
“Mom, I have come to see you again.”