Upon hearing Mr. Gu’s words on the other end of the phone, Ji Yu felt utterly conflicted.
Resolving the issues within the Feng family wasn’t easy, especially with Gu Qixiao’s unyielding attitude.
If the Gu family refused to relent, the problems with the Feng family would only become harder to tackle; many matters required careful planning.
Still, the thought that Mr. Gu might know something stirred Ji Yu’s emotions into disarray once more.
Feng Qinqin observed Ji Yu’s torn expression and intentionally spoke near Ji Yu’s phone, pretending it was casual, ensuring Mr. Gu could hear her voice.
"Yuyu~"
Looking at Feng Qinqin’s antics, Ji Yu gave a helpless smile and was prepared to decline Mr. Gu’s invitation.
But just as she was about to speak and refuse, Mr. Gu seemed to anticipate her intention and turned the tables.
"That girl from the Feng family is beside you, isn’t she? Why don’t both of you come to the house for dinner? Otherwise, I’ll be stuck here as a lonely old man eating a tableful of dishes by myself."
Ji Yu, who had originally planned to refuse, suddenly found herself at a loss for words due to Mr. Gu’s few sentences. Lucky for her, Feng Qinqin was quick-witted.
Hearing Mr. Gu’s proactive invitation, anyone could tell the appropriate response was clear as day.
"We’ll head over soon!"
Feng Qinqin’s cheerful and forthright personality was well-known throughout the elite social circle in Beijing, so her direct response over the phone didn’t annoy Mr. Gu.
Hearing Feng Qinqin’s hearty laughter even made Mr. Gu feel rather pleased.
In fact, it prompted him to momentarily muse why his own son didn’t have such a personality. If Gu Qixiao were this carefree, he probably wouldn’t need to worry so much at this age.
But alas, life doesn’t always go the way one wishes.
"Alright, we’ll head over in a bit."
Since Feng Qinqin had already agreed on Ji Yu’s behalf, Ji Yu had no grounds to refuse.
After a few casual exchanges with Mr. Gu, Ji Yu hung up the phone and drove Feng Qinqin to the Gu Mansion.
Of course, along the way, she didn’t forget to stop by a gift shop to prepare a small present for Mr. Gu.
Technically, as the Gu family’s daughter-in-law in name, it wouldn’t have been unreasonable for her to skip the gesture. But Feng Qinqin wasn’t in the same position.
Initially, Feng Qinqin hadn’t considered these details, but it dawned on her only when Ji Yu brought her to the shop.
"Yuyu, thank goodness for you." With exaggerated sniffles and tearful theatrics, Feng Qinqin hugged Ji Yu’s slender waist.
Her delicate waist felt just right in Feng Qinqin’s arms, and before letting go, she even sneakily tickled Ji Yu’s stomach.
"Alright, I’ve already picked out the item for you on the way. Just pay for it and let’s go."
Seeing that Ji Yu had arranged everything for her, Feng Qinqin swiftly completed the payment process and followed after her out of the store.
After all, having been Gu Qixiao’s wife for three years—despite never having met him—Ji Yu would often visit Mr. Gu during those years.
Especially since Mr. Gu held her in higher regard, Ji Yu had a good sense of his likes and dislikes.
When the two reached the Gu Mansion, the food was just freshly prepared.
Watching the housekeeper arrange the dishes on the table one by one, Ji Yu smiled knowingly.
Mr. Gu always did this—pretending he’d prepared a lavish meal while complaining, but actually only starting to cook once Ji Yu had agreed to come.
Ji Yu never exposed his little act.
"You’re here, come sit."
Seeing the two of them arrive at the mansion, Mr. Gu didn’t rush to chat with them. Since the dishes were ready, there was no harm in eating first.
When Feng Qinqin handed over the gift to Mr. Gu, she noticed the obvious smile at the corner of his mouth, and the three of them ate the meal in great comfort.
The atmosphere was so pleasant that the two almost forgot they had other business at the Gu household.
Fortunately, Mr. Gu hadn’t called Ji Yu over merely for companionship. After the meal, the conversation grew heavier.
"Yu, that silly boy told me the matter has been resolved, right?"
Hearing Mr. Gu talk about the issue being resolved, Ji Yu froze for a moment and then quickly understood.
Gu Qixiao had likely said that to prevent Mr. Gu from interfering in his decisions.
If Gu Qixiao was indeed playing this angle, resolving the matters with the Feng family would undoubtedly become even harder.
Ji Yu was still contemplating how best to respond when the straightforward Feng Qinqin jumped in and explained what had happened.
Although Feng Qinqin didn’t know the full details—nor was she aware of the Feng family high-level executives’ current plans—
She did know the collaboration cancellation by Gu Qixiao was abrupt and that he had decided never to cooperate with the Feng family again.
Merely these two points were enough for Mr. Gu’s expression to change significantly as he listened.
If not for Feng Qinqin’s presence, Mr. Gu probably would’ve immediately called up Gu Qixiao to berate his rebellious son.
Gu Qixiao hadn’t anticipated that Feng Qinqin would afford him some semblance of dignity as President.
"Yu, come with me to the company later."
Ji Yu understood Mr. Gu’s underlying intent immediately, and upon hearing that Mr. Gu wanted her to visit Gus Group, Feng Qinqin’s eyes lit up.
However, considering Feng Qinqin might struggle to handle her affairs alone upon returning home, Ji Yu ultimately declined Mr. Gu’s proposal.
Ji Yu and Feng Qinqin left the mansion shortly after, heading to the Feng household, leaving Mr. Gu alone at the mansion to stew in frustration.
Not long after their departure, Mr. Gu’s irritation boiled over, and he promptly ordered the driver to take him to Gus Group.
Soon, the booming voice of Mr. Gu echoed from Gu Qixiao’s office.
"Gu Qixiao, get over here, you brat!"
Although Mr. Gu had stepped down from his position, as the former President of Gus Group, not even Assistant Li dared to block his path.
Thus, when Mr. Gu reached Gu Qixiao’s office, there weren’t many employees present. Assistant Li and a few others remained in the workspace outside the office.
Among them were assistants Mr. Gu had promoted back in his tenure, and many were grateful to the elder Gu, further ensuring no one tried to obstruct him.
Gu Qixiao, initially engrossed in a complex project, was startled by his father’s voice, pausing in shock, thinking he’d imagined it due to stress.
Looking up, he saw Mr. Gu standing right before him.
"Dad, why are you here?"
Even though he didn’t know Mr. Gu’s reason for coming to the company, Gu Qixiao didn’t dare disregard his father.
He quickly poured tea for Mr. Gu and, upon his arrival, indicated to Assistant Li that no one should disturb him in the office.
Recently, Gu Qixiao had found Mr. Gu increasingly unreasonable. His gut told him this visit wouldn’t bring anything good.