Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Rong Yu'an didn’t find out until everyone had fully arrived that, among the younger generation in this big family, only Gu Shenhan’s parents were absent for long periods.

Before coming to Haicheng, he had asked his second aunt about one thing—what kind of people his future in-laws were. His second aunt said they were both very busy people, so he probably wouldn’t see them much. When he pressed further, his aunt told him not to worry about those things, as if the only thing that mattered was whether he could marry into the Gu family to solve the Rong family’s urgent problems.

But he had indeed believed his second aunt, and not seeing his in-laws on ordinary days hadn’t seemed strange. He had even refrained from asking too many questions because of his agreement with Gu Shenhan. But he never expected that even on a day like this, those two elders wouldn’t be present.

In local terms, it was his first visit as a son-in-law! Shouldn’t they at least come to see him?

Rong Yu'an was full of questions.

The eldest branch had five people: the eldest uncle and aunt had two sons and one daughter. The eldest was cousin Gu Chengzhi, then Gu Chengfeng, and then Gu Chengmin.

The second branch—just Gu Shenhan alone, and now adding him.

The third branch had third uncle and third aunt, plus a younger brother who was said to be in school and hadn’t come.

The fourth in the Gu family was the aunt, who had come with her husband and daughter. According to Gu Shenhan, her husband had married into the Gu family.

"Xiao An, although you’re a boy, Auntie sees you as sensible. In the future, make sure to take good care of Gu Shenhan," the eldest aunt said, her eyes gleaming with envy as she saw Grandma place Rong Yu'an and Gu Shenhan’s seats close together. "Shenhan’s parents have been away since he was little, and he was raised by his grandparents, but they’re busy and can’t always be there for him, so he’s a bit solitary. In the future, be more considerate of him."

"I will, Eldest Aunt. Don't worry," Rong Yu'an said, even helping Gu Shenhan ladle a small bowl of soup. Putting on a show—he knew how that worked.

"When’s the wedding going to be?" asked the eldest uncle, Gu Mingchuan.

"We’re planning it, but it’ll take at least three or four months," Gu Shenhan said. "An An and I haven’t decided on the style yet."

"Mom, to be honest, I still think this is too rushed," the eldest aunt said. "After all, it’s our Gu family child getting officially married. There hasn’t even been an engagement party. Just getting the license privately and moving in together—it doesn’t sound great when people talk."

"You’re getting picky now," Grandma said. "These days, plenty of young people live together before marriage. Besides, they’re legally married after getting the license, so living together is only natural. And since they don’t have a romantic foundation, being closer will help them develop feelings sooner."

"I just feel sorry for Xiao An. He’s only twenty-one, still half a child."

"When you were twenty-one, you’d already given birth to Gu Chengzhi. He’s getting married at twenty-one, and he's getting married later than you did."

Wang Shuyi: "..."

"Grandma’s right," Gu Chengzhi said. "But I heard Xiao An just graduated from university recently. Does he plan to continue his studies or find a job? I happen to have friends in the art field. If Xiao An wants to continue learning, I can introduce him to some people."

"Thank you, cousin," Rong Yu'an said, "but Brother Han has already said he’ll arrange everything I need whenever I want."

Gu Shenhan barely curved his lips and cut a piece of carbon-grilled honey beef for Rong Yu'an.

Rong Yu'an ate in small bites, his movements light and elegant. He’d only been using a knife and fork for a few days, but he already handled them properly.

This contractual partner was extremely observant about things he wanted to learn, Gu Shenhan now felt sure. And when he wasn’t shy, his little mind worked quite well—smarter than he’d anticipated.

The younger aunt then asked, "Mom, since An An has married into our Gu family, how are things going with the Rong family situation? Do we need to do anything?"

"No need," Grandma said. "I’ll handle it myself. If you all genuinely want to help, look after Xiao An more in the future. And about the wedding—they have no experience, so give them some suggestions."

The younger aunt’s daughter, Gu Anran, laughed, "I think Second Brother is taking good care of Second Brother-in-law!"

Gu Chengfeng: "Right. Anyone would think they’d been secretly dating for years. It's only been a few days since he was brought here—already serving him soup and picking dishes? How fake is that? Who do they think they're fooling?"

Rong Yu'an: "How can you say that, cousin? Brother Han and I have never been secretive!"

He wasn’t that kind of person! Saying so was an insult to his character!

He and Gu Shenhan hadn’t even touched hands yet; they’d been completely proper. Although, sometimes, occasionally, Gu Shenhan could be a bit sharp-tongued and say embarrassing things, he still had boundaries.

Gu Chengfeng: "I was just joking. Why are you so worked up?"

Gu Shenhan: "There are plenty of good jokes you could tell, but you chose a nasty one. Who else would I call out?"

Gu Chengfeng: "How could I—"

"Enough!" Grandma interrupted. "Even eating can’t shut your mouths! Since we’re all here, including Third Uncle’s family, I’m announcing something. Starting next month, the international shipping routes of Qianhai Shipping will be managed by Shenhan. I’ll announce it at the board meeting tomorrow."

The faces of the eldest branch turned all sorts of colors. Gu Mingchuan said, "Mom, isn’t this too hasty? How long has Gu Shenhan been involved in shipping operations? And the board members might not agree."

"You weren’t born knowing how to manage yourself either. You have to give the younger generation some chances. Besides, I said he’ll manage it, not that you’re being removed. What’s the rush? And Cheng Feng, starting next month, you’ll be learning at the hotel."

Gu Chengfeng said, "Grandma, isn’t my eldest brother already at the hotel? What’s the point of me going? I’d rather go straight to the group headquarters. I can start at the grassroots."

"If you don’t want to go, you don’t have to. I’m giving you a single-choice question, not multiple choice."

Gu Chengfeng glanced at his eldest brother.

Gu Chengzhi thought for a moment and smiled. "You’ve been complaining about being bored, haven’t you? Grandma must have her reasons. Why don't you thank her?"

Gu Chengfeng’s mouth twitched slightly, but he suppressed his displeasure. "Thank you, Grandma."

Wang Shuyi looked at Third Great-Uncle, but he acted as if he hadn’t heard the discussion and didn’t interrupt. It wasn’t until the old man and Grandma finished eating and stood up to leave that he said, "Big Brother, how about a couple of rounds of chess?"

Old Master Gu Zhenshan said, "Two rounds? Not enough. At least five today."

Grandma: "You two go play chess. Xiao An, come with Grandma. I have a gift for you too."

Rong Yu'an glanced at Gu Shenhan.

Grandma: "What are you looking at him for? Do you think he dares stop you if I call you?"

Gu Shenhan felt a surge of satisfaction somewhere in his heart and smiled. "Go ahead."

Rong Yu'an followed Grandma, while the old man and Third Great-Uncle went to the chess room.

The others remained in the living room on the first floor. Gu Mingchuan said, "Nephew, I used to think highly of you. But it turns out you’ll bend your conscience for profit too. Though, speaking of which, does he know why you married Rong Yu'an?"

"Why don’t you ask him yourself?" Gu Shenhan took a sip of red wine and smiled. "Maybe he’ll give you a satisfying answer."

"Hmph!" Gu Mingchuan threw down his napkin heavily. "Upstart!"

"Ah, I’m full too. You young ones enjoy yourselves." Third Great-Aunt stood up.

"Third Aunt, let me take you to rest," Wang Shuyi followed, lowering her voice. "Third Aunt, why didn’t you or Third Uncle say anything during dinner? Do you really want Gu Shenhan to have everything his way?"

"Can’t you see it’s a done deal?" Third Great-Aunt said. "Anyone who steps up now will only get hurt."

Wang Shuyi's teeth clenched with frustration. She had hoped to get the old couple to speak for the eldest branch. She and this Third Great-Aunt were distantly related outside the Gu family. Besides, the third uncle’s family also had shares in Qianhai Shipping; she could promise them more benefits. But when it came down to it, the third uncle hadn’t said a word!

Gu Shenhan was still eating at the table. Nearby were his third uncle and aunt, as well as the younger aunt’s family. The third aunt was nearly done and said, "I have an early class tomorrow. Enjoy your meal."

With that, she dropped her napkin on the table and left without looking back.

The third uncle hurried after her, already trying to appease her along the way.

Only Auntie's family was left. Auntie got straight to the point: "Shenhan, tell me the truth—what are you really thinking?"

Gu Shenhan asked, "Thinking about what?"

Auntie said, "As far as I know, you didn't know Rong Yu'an before. Even if you'd heard of him, it was only through Grandma. Suddenly you're married, now Grandma says she's handing over Qianhai Shipping's international business to you. So what's next? You don't actually think you can hold that position just because Grandma said so, do you?"

"I'll manage somehow," Gu Shenhan said. "I'll do my best. But if you have any good suggestions, Auntie, I'd be happy to hear them."

"I know you own your own tramp ships. I want you to help transport something from Africa."

"As long as it's not against the rules, no problem."

"Good. This is for Xiao An."

Gu Minglan took out a brocade box containing a pair of dragon and phoenix gold bars.

Gu Shenhan accepted it: "I'll thank Auntie and Uncle on Xiao An's behalf."

He gestured for the servants to clear the table and went upstairs to find Rong Yu'an. To his surprise, Rong Yu'an came out on his own.

He was holding a round jewelry box inlaid with mother-of-pearl: "Han Ge, are we leaving?"

Gu Shenhan said, "I need to say goodbye to Grandma and Grandpa first. Take this too. These gold bars are from your aunt."

As soon as Rong Yu'an heard 'gold bars', his ears pricked up. He was flat broke, and the thought of them still got his heart racing—who could blame him, when he had no dowry to speak of? Since arriving in Haicheng, his second uncle and aunt hadn't even called him once.

But then he remembered he and Gu Shenhan were only married on paper, and he felt he couldn't accept these things. So he handed them back to Gu Shenhan along with the jewelry box: "You keep them. I can't accept these."

Gu Shenhan had promised him a villa and a comfortable life later—that was their deal. But these items were different. They were gifts from the elders, meant for the Rong Yu'an of this family, and he was only using that identity.

Gu Shenhan asked, "What did Grandma give you? Forget it, let's talk in my room."

Once inside Gu Shenhan's bedroom in the main house, the door closed, Rong Yu'an said, "Grandma gave me a big jadeite peace pendant, a mutton-fat jade gourd, and two ink sticks and an inkstone."

Gu Shenhan: "From now on, they're yours."

Rong Yuan: "Could these buy me a small house to live in?"

Gu Shenhan opened the box to see which peace pendant it was: "Enough to buy you three small houses and then some."

Rong Yu'an was stunned. After a moment, he gasped: "Then! Then I could support myself from now on?!"

Gu Shenhan: "..."

He suddenly had a bad feeling: "What do you mean?"

Rong Yu'an said, "I mean, now I'll have money to take care of myself. So I can help you, Han Ge, as a friend. Once your business is done, we can get a divorce, and I'll be able to find a husband to marry into my family, just like Auntie did!"

You little antique, Gu Shenhan's face instantly clouded over.

He snapped the box shut: "Dreaming before bedtime? These aren't street stall goods you can just sell whenever you want. Selling them requires procedures and taxes—do you understand? Do you have the tax money?"

"How much tax money?"

"A million buns!"

"That much?!" Rong Yu'an was crestfallen. "That's way too expensive."

"So you're allowed to use them, but not sell them."

"Oh." Rong Yu'an muttered under his breath, "All that excitement for nothing. I thought I could finally find a good man to marry."

"What did you say?!"

Gu Shenhan nearly choked on his anger.