Later on, Gu Xuan’s real authority was directly stripped away.
Qin Yingrong wanted him to settle down, so she arranged a marriage for him early on.
After getting married, he did behave himself somewhat.
After all, he was still her biological son, and she couldn’t bear to truly mistreat him.
Gradually, Gu Zhenghua began handing some authority back to him.
The Su family also knew very well about Gu Xuan’s character and behavior.
Although their son wasn’t particularly promising, what mother would ever dislike her own child? They had gone through considerable effort just to secure an invitation to the banquet.
Later, Su Wancheng only discovered she was pregnant after a month.
The drug had originally been intended for Gu Hengzhi, but someone had entered the wrong room by mistake. In the end, Qin Yingrong unintentionally became the one who brought Gu Hengzhi and Su Wancheng together.
She had schemed and worked hard for over half a month, only to end up making wedding clothes for someone else. It angered Qin Yingrong so much that whenever she saw Gu Xuan, she wanted to slap him.
As for Su Wancheng’s attitude, Gu Zhenghua didn’t care in the slightest.
His son, Gu Hengzhi, was a rising star in the business world. The Li family remained prosperous and influential, and the Su family had long-standing ties with them. Layer upon layer of connections had turned Gu Zhenghua into the biggest winner of all.
“We are businessmen. Businessmen value profit and understand clearly what brings the greatest benefits. Besides, the Su family has the Li family backing them like a towering mountain.” The implication of his unfinished sentence was obvious.
“I’ve never needed to rely on anyone,” Gu Hengzhi replied.
Gu Zhenghua knew he had the confidence to say such words.
Gu Xuan brewed the tea and filled the cups one by one.
Under Gu Zhenghua’s authority, he didn’t dare leave and could only slump on the sofa like a corpse.
Whenever the conversation turned to company matters, irritation welled up uncontrollably inside him.
Both his father and mother constantly compared the two brothers. Ever since childhood, Gu Hengzhi had always overshadowed him.
Back then, he could bully him because Gu Hengzhi had no support, but after growing up, it was as if Gu Hengzhi had suddenly unlocked some cheat code.
Even more infuriating was the fact that he had married the famous beauty of the high society circle.
And now, Gu Xuan had no choice but to keep smiling submissively.
After a while—
“Enough. It’s too late. Stay the night at the old residence,” Gu Zhenghua said as he looked at Gu Xuan yawning endlessly, feeling frustrated at his uselessness.
Gu Hengzhi stood up. “No need.”
He opened the study door.
The atmosphere in the living room was equally tense beneath the surface.
Gu Hengzhi walked straight out. “Let’s go.”
Su Wancheng took Xiao Tuanzi with her. Seeing this, Qin Yingrong also stood up. “It’s very late. Stay here for the night.”
Seeing that Gu Hengzhi had no intention of responding, Su Wancheng answered instead, “No, Aunt Qin. Mumu isn’t used to sleeping in unfamiliar places.”
“Then be careful on the road,” Qin Yingrong said.
Su Wancheng smiled and bid everyone farewell.
“Gu Hengzhi.”
Just as they reached the car, they heard Gu Xuan’s voice. His tone no longer carried the warmth and friendliness he had shown inside the villa.
“Get in the car,” Gu Hengzhi said to Su Wancheng.
After the two got inside, Gu Hengzhi walked around to the driver’s seat, clearly having no intention of dealing with him.
“Wait.” Gu Xuan grabbed his sleeve.
Gu Hengzhi frowned and said coldly, “Let go.”
Looking at him, Gu Xuan said, “I really want to know—how did you convince Miss Su to put on this loving-married-couple act with you?”
In his eyes, Gu Hengzhi was still nothing more than an illegitimate son hidden from the public eye.
And what status did Su Wancheng have? A noble young lady born with a silver spoon in her mouth.
Not to mention, before him there was Li Yuanchen—the perfect childhood sweetheart who excelled in everything. Sure, Gu Hengzhi had money, but he was dull and boring.
At best, he could only attract shallow gold-diggers. As long as Su Wancheng wasn’t blind, she would know whom to choose.
“I refuse to believe Miss Su was attracted by your personality. In what way is Li Yuanchen not better than you?” Gu Xuan continued.
“I said let go.”
Gu Hengzhi possessed an innate sense of authority. Even under the bright night lights, he carried an eerie aura, like a ghost emerging from the darkness to claim souls.
Gu Xuan was somewhat intimidated by him and loosened his grip. Then he said,
“I know you transfer money every year to an account in a small county town.”