“You… you’re here.”
Gu Chengyang’s gaze fell on their clasped hands, his expression dimming.
“Second Brother called Zhou Zhou, wasn’t it to hurry us over? But next time, Second Brother can call me directly; the effect might be better.”
Gu Chengjin deliberately shook the hand he held with Zhou Bai, smirking as he reminded Gu Chengyang.
Gu Chengyang’s face darkened, and he explained in a low voice, “I called Zhou Zhou about something else.”
“What is it?” Zhou Bai instinctively asked.
Gu Chengjin’s expression darkened, and he squeezed Zhou Bai’s palm hard.
Zhou Bai winced in pain, unable to help but frown.
Gu Chengjin then sneered and asked Gu Chengyang, “How long does Second Brother plan to block the way?”
As the saying goes, a good dog doesn’t block the path.
Gu Chengjin was too cruel—how could he call his own brother a dog?
Gu Chengyang, being such a proper person, couldn’t possibly catch the insult. Zhou Bai felt anxious on his behalf.
“A Yang, why did you come out wearing just a thin shirt? Hurry and put on some clothes.”
At that moment, Mrs. Gu walked over with a coat, lovingly draping it over Gu Chengyang’s shoulders.
“Thank you, Mom,” Gu Chengyang said gratefully.
Mrs. Gu smiled gently, dotingly patting his shoulder. “You’re my son; it’s only natural for me to care about you. Why thank me?”
“Let’s go inside first,” Zhou Bai reminded Gu Chengjin.
Gu Chengjin snorted with a laugh, leading Zhou Bai inside by the hand.
Zhou Bai glanced sideways at the smile on his face and sighed silently to herself.
Truthfully, she couldn’t quite grasp the relationship between Gu Chengjin and Mrs. Gu.
That Chen Xiuzhu didn’t like her was a fact even a fool could see.
But Chen Xiuzhu also didn’t like Gu Chengjin—a secret she discovered after her fifth visit to the Gu family, a year into her marriage with Gu Chengjin.
At first, she thought Chen Xiuzhu might not be Gu Chengjin’s biological mother.
But later, she found out that Gu Chengjin’s eldest brother, Gu Chengfei, second brother, Gu Chengyang, and younger sister, Gu Yunyun, were all born to Chen Xiuzhu.
So, Chen Xiuzhu was Chairman Gu’s first wife.
Since she was the first wife, she couldn’t possibly be Gu Chengjin’s stepmother.
She had also subtly asked Gu Yunyun whether Gu Chengjin was adopted from outside.
Such scandals weren’t uncommon in wealthy families—the master having an illegitimate child outside, unwilling to divorce his first wife, and bringing the child back for her to raise.
But Gu Yunyun was absolutely certain: her parents were deeply in love, childhood sweethearts, each other’s first love, a model couple in high society who would never betray one another.
Moreover, Gu Chengjin and Gu Chengyang looked very similar, and both resembled their mother, Chen Xiuzhu, more.
If he was her biological son, why didn’t she like him?
For a time, she had felt sympathy for Gu Chengjin.
But later, she realized that Gu Chengjin didn’t seem to care about it at all.
Once inside, Gu Chengfei and his wife, along with Chairman Gu, were already seated at the dining table.
Gu Chengjin and Zhou Bai greeted everyone.
Old Master Gu invited everyone to start the meal.
“Ruo Ruo, eat more.”
Chen Xiuzhu served food to her eldest daughter-in-law, Pan Ruo.
Pan Ruo thanked her repeatedly.
Chen Xiuzhu then served food to her two sons and daughter but deliberately ignored Gu Chengjin and Zhou Bai.
Zhou Bai didn’t mind this, though she glanced at Gu Chengjin with some concern.
Unexpectedly, Gu Chengjin smiled indifferently and placed a piece of braised pork in her bowl. “Eat more.”
“You too.”
Zhou Bai mustered up her courage and also picked up some food for Gu Chengjin, placing it in his bowl.
After all, they were husband and wife. Since his mother was deliberately ignoring him, she would be a little nicer to him—it wouldn’t hurt anyway.
Gu Chengjin curled his lips and ate the food she had given him.
Gu Yunyun exclaimed in surprise, “Third Brother, how come you’re eating wood ear mushrooms? Don’t you hate them the most?”
Zhou Bai felt awkward. She had given Gu Chengjin wood ear mushrooms, unaware that he didn’t eat them.
“That was before. People’s tastes can change—I really like them now.”
Gu Chengjin calmly explained.
Zhou Bai breathed a sigh of relief and quickly lowered her head to eat, not daring to give him any more food.
After all, the two of them weren’t familiar with each other. She truly didn’t know what he liked or disliked.
If she accidentally slipped up and was discovered by the Gu family, it would be troublesome.
After the meal, Zhou Bai prepared to leave with Gu Chengjin.
In the past, every time they came over for a meal, they would leave right after eating.
But unexpectedly, Chen Xiuzhu suddenly spoke up today and said to Zhou Bai, “Zhou Bai, Wang Sao has taken the day off today, so Chen Sao is the only one busy. Go in and help Chen Sao clean up.”
“Oh, okay,” Zhou Bai agreed.
Gu Chengyang was just about to suggest that he go help too.
Gu Chengjin lazily said, “Mom, is our family so poor that we can’t even afford to hire one more servant?”
Chen Xiuzhu explained, “Grandfather doesn’t need that many people taking care of him here. Chen Sao and Wang Sao are enough. It just so happens that Wang Sao isn’t here today, and Chen Sao has been with the Gu family for so many years—she’s like family. How could we bear to let her work alone?”
“If that’s the case, then we really should help. However, you and Sister-in-law are also home. Is it really appropriate to order my wife around alone?”
Gu Chengjin asked again with a half-smile.
Chen Xiuzhu’s expression stiffened.
Chairman Gu cleared his throat and said, “Alright, Xiuzhu, Chen Sao can manage slowly on her own. It’s good for the family to gather and chat together—no need to make Xiao Zhou go help alone.”
Chen Xiuzhu still wanted to say something, but Old Master Gu also looked at her with dissatisfaction, so she had no choice but to drop it.
“Come here, sit next to me.”
Gu Chengjin beckoned to Zhou Bai.
Zhou Bai was actually quite embarrassed. She would rather Gu Chengjin not speak up for her and let her go help Chen Sao in the kitchen than sit and chat with his family.
They weren’t familiar—what was there to talk about?
She walked over with her head lowered and sat down beside him.
As soon as she sat down, he grabbed her hand and began rubbing it in his own, completely ignoring the fact that his other family members were present.
Coincidentally, Gu Chengyang, who was sitting across from them, saw this scene clearly, and his expression turned very unpleasant.
“Grandfather, actually, there’s one more thing I wanted to announce to everyone today.”
Gu Chengjin spoke up with a smile.
Old Master Gu asked with a smile, “What is it? You look so happy.”
Gu Chengjin tilted his head to glance at Zhou Bai and said with a blissful expression, “Zhou Zhou and I have decided to try for a baby. Grandfather, would you prefer a great-grandson or a great-granddaughter? I’ll do my best to meet your wishes.”
Zhou Bai: “…” Who discussed this with him?
How did she not know about this?
She was both shocked and horrified inside. If it weren’t for the fact that everyone was present, she would have almost blurted out a question to him.
“Really? Hahaha, that’s wonderful.” Old Master Gu was overjoyed.
Gu Chengfei and Pan Ruo had been married for many years but still hadn’t had a child.
Zhou Bai and Gu Chengjin had been married for two years without any good news. Although Old Master Gu was not old-fashioned and would not pressure his grandson to carry on the family line early, he would still be very happy if the fourth generation could appear in the family.
Chairman Gu also showed a delighted expression. He shared the same thought as his father and would be very pleased to have a grandchild.
Gu Yunyun immediately raised her hand to make a request: “I like little nieces. Third Brother, Third Sister-in-law, please have a little niece! I will definitely dress her up beautifully and make her the little princess of our Gu family.”
Gu Chengfei did not express any opinion, but his face also showed joy at the prospect of adding a new member to the Gu family.
Gu Chengyang’s expression naturally was not good, which was quite normal.
However, strangely, Chen Xiuzhu and Pan Ruo also looked very displeased.
The two exchanged a glance, and Pan Ruo shook her head.
Chen Xiuzhu looked unwilling, but it was not the right time to make a scene.
After chatting for a while, Gu Chengfei and Pan Ruo left first.
Gu Chengjin also stood up, took Zhou Bai’s hand, and prepared to leave.
Zhou Bai immediately breathed a sigh of relief. As she glanced around, she noticed Gu Chengyang also looking at her, which startled her, and she quickly averted her gaze.
“A Jin, you and Xiao Zhou should stay here tonight. Spend more time talking with Grandfather,” Old Master Gu said.
Chen Xiuzhu also quickly added, “A Jin, I also have something to discuss with you.”