“He’s a professor in our project group. Everyone in our group has his number saved.”
Zhou Bai, afraid Gu Chengjin might misunderstand, quickly hung up the phone and explained to him.
“I was just asking casually. Why are you so nervous?”
Gu Chengjin scoffed.
Zhou Bai thought to herself, You asked, so of course I’m nervous. If I didn’t explain right away, who knows what you’d do?
“It’s been over two years since you last saw each other. How does it feel meeting again?”
Gu Chengjin suddenly leaned in close, whispering the question in her ear.
Zhou Bai’s ear tingled, and she leaned back slightly, replying calmly, “No particular feeling. I wasn’t close with him to begin with.”
I’m not even close with you, let alone him.
“Right, you’re not close with me, so you’re even less close with him.”
Gu Chengjin actually guessed her thoughts, saying with a half-smile.
Zhou Bai felt awkward, her ears turning red as she lowered her head.
They were husband and wife, married for two years, and had even consummated their marriage. Saying they weren’t close sounded somewhat ridiculous.
She suspected he was deliberately teasing her, but she had no proof.
“Why are your ears red?”
Gu Chengjin glanced over and reached out to touch them.
“Don’t touch me.”
Zhou Bai nearly jumped up like a startled cat, nervously dodging to the side.
Her ears were a sensitive spot; she usually avoided touching them herself. How could he just reach out like that?
“Ticklish?”
The man raised an eyebrow, but his hand refused to stop, determined to touch her.
Zhou Bai grew anxious and grabbed both his hands.
“I told you not to touch. Why are you still doing it?”
“You’re my wife. Can’t I touch you?”
His domineering side flared up, and he insisted on touching her.
Buzz, buzz, buzz. “Your phone is ringing,” Zhou Bai quickly reminded him.
Gu Chengjin reluctantly pulled his hand from hers and answered the call.
“A Jin, when are you arriving? Your parents are already here, just waiting for you and Xiao Zhou.”
It was Old Master Gu on the phone, his voice clear enough for Zhou Bai beside him to hear.
“Half an hour. We’ll be there soon,” Gu Chengjin replied.
Old Master Gu hung up, satisfied.
So, he was taking her back to the old mansion?
No wonder he bought her fried skewers on the way—probably trying to win her over to play along with his act.
“Is it because of the rumors with Zhou Muyan that you’re taking me back?”
Zhou Bai thought of the news she’d seen a couple of days ago and asked Gu Chengjin curiously.
Every time Gu Chengjin was involved in rumors with a female celebrity, he would drag her back to the Gu family mansion to prove his innocence.
In truth, she thought it was unnecessary.
The Gu family didn’t care whether he cheated; they might even hope he would.
“So later, behave properly. Don’t act like I’m taking a piece of your flesh just because I touch you. We are husband and wife.”
Gu Chengjin wrapped one arm around her waist while swiftly touching her ear with his other hand, warning her.
“You…”
Zhou Bai’s ears flushed red from his touch, and her entire face turned crimson.
She glared at him, both embarrassed and angry, pushing him away and shrinking toward the car door.
Soon, the car arrived at the Gu family old mansion.
The Gu family mansion was nestled halfway up Qishan Mountain, far from the city center.
This location had been chosen by the Gu ancestors, who claimed it was a feng shui treasure, beneficial for the family’s prosperity.
For over a century, through changing times, the Gu family had indeed remained prosperous and thriving.
Therefore, even though Jiangcheng was later re-planned and developed with many so-called affluent neighborhoods, Old Master Gu insisted on not moving out of the old mansion. He believed it was the Gu family’s blessing and that moving out would disrupt the family’s feng shui.
However, the original mansion was indeed too old, so in recent years, it underwent renovations again.
Upon entering the main gate, one could see two towering white pillars, with marble curling into snow-white swirls. The ebony doors and windows were all exquisitely carved, and the lush greenery of the trees filled the air. A gentle breeze carried the refreshing fragrance of hibiscus flowers.
“Third Young Master, Third Young Mistress.”
The Gu family’s servants stepped forward to open the car door for them, greeting them respectfully.
Gu Chengjin gave a slight nod. As soon as he stepped out of the car, he took Zhou Bai’s hand.
Zhou Bai cooperated this time, not pulling away.
This was what they had agreed upon from the start—no matter the reality of their situation, when at the Gu family home, they must appear affectionate and never let the Gu family suspect their relationship.
“Third Brother, Third Sister-in-law, you’re here.”
Gu Yunyun, like a beautiful and graceful butterfly, ran out from inside to greet them.
Gu Chengjin affectionately ruffled her hair with his other hand: “You arrived quite early. Why haven’t you picked up the necklace I left for you last time? The manager at the jewelry store called me, thinking you didn’t like it or didn’t want it.”
“I’ve been too busy lately with school matters. Third Brother, could you ask the manager to deliver it personally? I really don’t have time to go pick it up.”
Gu Yunyun pouted playfully.
Zhou Bai watched the interaction between Gu Yunyun and Gu Chengjin with envy.
Gu Yunyun was Gu Chengjin’s younger sister and the youngest daughter of the Gu family, especially doted on.
Not only were the Chairman and Mrs. Gu fond of her, but even Gu Chengjin, as her third brother, adored her.
She was truly a lucky one, having won at the starting line from the moment she was born.
“Third Sister-in-law, I went to your school the day before yesterday but couldn’t find you.”
Gu Yunyun then spoke to Zhou Bai.
Zhou Bai explained: “I went to the lab with my senior classmates. I heard from You Mei that you were looking for me. I’m sorry. Next time you come, I’ll treat you to a meal at the second cafeteria.”
“Third Brother, Third Sister-in-law, are you two okay?”
Gu Yunyun bit her lip, her expression uneasy as she asked.
“What could possibly be wrong with us? I treat your Third Sister-in-law very well.”
Gu Chengjin raised their intertwined hands.
Gu Yunyun broke into a happy smile: “That’s good.”
Zhou Bai watched Gu Yunyun’s relieved expression but found it utterly ridiculous.
Over the past two years, Gu Chengjin had been involved in quite a few scandals. She didn’t want to know whether they were true or false and never asked.
However, every time a scandal arose, Gu Chengjin would bring her to the Gu family to flaunt their affection, letting the family know they were fine and that those were just rumors.
In truth, apart from Gu Yunyun, who still held some goodwill toward her, everyone else in the Gu family hoped she and Gu Chengjin would divorce sooner rather than later.
Especially Mrs. Gu, Chen Xiuzhu, who hadn’t given her a single kind look in two years.
If Gu Chengjin were to get involved with another woman, Chen Xiuzhu would likely be the first to applaud.
Sure enough.
After they entered, Chen Xiuzhu saw them holding hands and sneered with a dark expression: “Every time there’s a scandal, you come home to flaunt your affection. If you were truly affectionate, how would those scandals even appear?”
Zhou Bai lowered her head and remained silent.
Her silence only angered Chen Xiuzhu further: “You never answer when spoken to. Are you mute? You can’t even keep your own husband in check. Did our Gu family marry you just for decoration?”
“Dad was linked with a female celebrity last month. Mom, could it be that Dad’s incident is also true?”
Gu Chengjin asked unhurriedly.
Chen Xiuzhu turned livid with anger and scolded, “How dare you! How can you speak like that? He’s your father. How dare you suspect your own father?”
“Of course I wouldn’t dare. I’m just using facts as a basis, hoping to let you know, Mom, that rumors are just rumors, not facts,” Gu Chengjin explained with a smile.
Chen Xiuzhu’s face grew even more ashen.
Seeing the situation turning sour, Gu Yunyun quickly stepped forward, shaking her mother’s arm and cooing, “Mom, Third Brother and Sister-in-law rarely come back. Please don’t get angry.”
“You too, what were you doing out there? I’ve told you so many times to stay away from him, so he doesn’t corrupt you.”
Unable to win the argument with her son, Chen Xiuzhu could only indirectly admonish her daughter.
Old Master Gu walked out leaning on his cane, his face stern. “I could hear you all shouting from inside. What kind of behavior is that? Hurry up and come in.”
Chen Xiuzhu naturally didn’t dare argue with her father-in-law and immediately took her daughter’s hand to go inside.
Zhou Bai greeted the old man, “Hello, Grandfather.”
Old Master Gu nodded slightly, then patted Gu Chengjin’s arm and said, “Don’t be angry with your mother. You know her—she’s just like that.”
Gu Chengjin smiled bitterly. “If I were angry with her, I would have cut ties ages ago. Don’t worry, Grandfather. I know what I’m doing. After all these years, I’m used to it.”
“That’s good. Come on in!”
Old Master Gu went in first, leaning on his cane.
Gu Chengjin, holding Zhou Bai’s hand, followed him inside.
However, as soon as they entered the living room, they ran straight into Gu Chengyang.