Chapter 26

Chapter 26

The autumn clothes Gu Shenhan had ordered for Rong Yuan earlier were delivered to their house one after another as autumn set in.

The colors in Rong Yuan's wardrobe were becoming increasingly diverse, and his accessories were gradually growing as well. But he still hadn't developed the strong sense of fashion and aesthetic judgment that matched this world.

That evening, they were going to the mansion. Rong Yuan video-called Gu Shenhan and asked him to pick out an outfit for going out. Gu Shenhan, who was already dressed, simply grabbed his coat and went downstairs to help him choose.

He picked out a student-style outfit for Rong Yuan. A pearlescent sky-blue shirt, a cream-colored thin knitted vest, white jeans below, and a khaki trench coat on top.

Given the current temperature, this might be considered overdressing for most people, but for Rong Yuan, it was just right.

The issue was that Rong Yuan thought the pants were too short and showed his ankles.

"Honey, feet are the foundation of the body. Wearing this at night—the cold will seep into my bones. It's really bad for me if I want to have a baby later. Can you grab me a different pair?"

"There you go again. What baby? I can get you different pants," Gu Shenhan said. "There's no baby."

"Fine, I won't argue with you!"

"Who's the one arguing, you Little Antique?"

"I'm not a Little Antique anymore." Rong Yuan licked his lips. "I've obviously improved a lot."

"Alright, alright. We're about to go out, don't get me all hot and bothered. Hurry up and change."

Rong Yuan grabbed the long pants and changed into them. The pant legs were longer now, but the waist was way too low: "This is way too low, isn't it? Hurting the waist is the same as hurting the kidneys. How can I wear pants like this? Insufficient kidney qi is also not good for having a baby."

Gu Shenhan dug out the most conservative pair—a very plain style. Originally, this pair was meant to be matched with a flashy T-shirt and jacket, and it had absolutely no special eye-catching design.

Rong Yuan put them on and was finally satisfied.

Gu Shenhan used some hair oil to mess up his hair: "So into health maintenance, are you planning to give me ten kids?"

If you can't beat 'em, join 'em. It was just a joke anyway.

Rong Yuan said, "I'm not a pig. Three or four is best. Five is okay too. But ten is really too many."

Gu Shenhan: "..."

He was joking, but Rong Yuan was being serious.

So he pretended to be serious too: "Then three to five is fine."

Rong Yuan was finally content.

The couple returned to the mansion as if stepping on a spring breeze.

Gu Chengzhi hadn't slept well for days and didn't want to see the reproachful looks from his family, so he was smoking outside. When he saw a Bentley pull up, the hatred in his eyes seemed sharp enough to form blades.

Even when Gu Shenhan and Rong Yuan got out of the car, he didn't hide that look—full of malice.

But Gu Shenhan was thoroughly enjoying the outcome, and took the initiative to say, "Big brother, did you come out specially to welcome us?"

Gu Chengzhi stubbed out his cigarette: "Traded your chance of having kids for some power, and you can't help but show off?"

Gu Shenhan smiled: "After all, what I've gotten is real tangible benefit, unlike some people—all your eggs are smashed and the chicken's flown away."

Gu Chengzhi said, "I really want to know how thick your skin is. Xiao'an, you'd better watch out. The second son married you just to get the deputy position in Qianhai Shipping. Who's to say he won't dump you one day for another position?"

Rong Yuan replied, "Big brother, don't worry. I believe Han Ge wouldn't do that. After all, he just has a strong drive for his career—he's not incompetent. He wouldn't stoop to being a kept man for a bit of advancement. He still has his principles, unlike some people. Right, honey?"

Gu Shenhan let out a snort and couldn't help but grab his husband's soft, fluffy hair: "Right, you're always right. You little cheeky. Go on in and see if there's anything you like to eat tonight."

Rong Yuan covered his head: "Honey, stop grabbing my hair!"

Gu Shenhan deliberately went for it again, and only stopped after Rong Yuan swatted his hand.

There were more people here today than expected. Besides the Third Granduncle and Third Grandaunt they'd met before, there was also the family of the grandmother's younger sister.

Rong Yuan didn't know them, so Gu Shenhan introduced him one by one and helped him greet them.

The First Branch, Third Branch, and Fourth Branch were all here, and even the younger generation was present. The only ones missing were Gu Shenhan's parents.

Rong Yuan still hadn't dared to ask Gu Shenhan about this. Maybe it was some kind of intuition that told him it wasn't the right time yet. Or perhaps when the time was ripe, Gu Shenhan would tell him on his own.

At that moment, the aunt (Gu Minglan) said, "Shenhan, I heard Xiao'an had an accident and got injured a while back. How's his recovery now?"

Gu Shenhan said, "He's pretty much recovered."

Rong Yuan added, "Thank you for your concern, Auntie."

Gu Minglan smiled: "Shenhan's husband is sweet-looking and sweet-talking. How's the wedding preparation going? Is there anything I can help with?"

Rong Yuan looked at Gu Shenhan, too shy to talk about his own wedding.

Gu Shenhan said, "We've found two wedding planning companies and asked them to come up with some designs. But An'an and I haven't decided on one yet. We'll decide after we've seen them. But if Auntie has the time, could you help us pick a good date?"

Gu Minglan said, "Of course that's no trouble. Let me go back and ask someone to look into it. Do you have any specific ideas about timing? Which season or which two months? Xiao'an, is there any season you particularly like?"

Rong Yuan said, "I'm fine with anything, Auntie. I'll go with whatever Han Ge decides."

Just then, the grandfather and grandmother came downstairs. The grandmother heard this and said, "Why listen to him? You should make him listen to you instead."

Rong Yuan stood up: "Grandpa, Grandma."

The grandmother gave a brief, sweeping glance at everyone still seated, then looked at Rong Yuan with a deeper smile: "Good child, sit down."

The grandfather and grandmother took the seats of honor. The Third Granduncle's family sat to their left, a bit lower down, followed by the First Branch and the Third Branch.

To the lower right of the seats of honor was the grandmother's younger sister's family—the grandmother's own sister's family. After them sat Gu Shenhan and Rong Yuan, followed by the aunt's family.

The grandfather motioned for the butler to start serving the dishes. During the meal, the aunt said, "Well, isn't it strange? Chengfeng is so quiet today. Usually he loves to bicker with his second brother. What's with the change?"

Gu Chengfeng wished no one would notice him. He still remembered that Rong Yuan's third condition hadn't been fulfilled, and he didn't want Rong Yuan to bring it up.

But everyone's attention was drawn to him anyway, so he had to say, "With all these elders around, if I still bickered, wouldn't that be asking to be scolded?"

The grandmother laughed: "I have to say, Chengfeng has improved a bit lately. I was just thinking about having him officially take over hotel management. Starting with the Central China region—and since that area was originally managed by Gu Chengzhi, it would be convenient for him to take over."

The moment she said this, the entire large living room fell into complete silence, so quiet you could hear a pin drop. The servants' footsteps as they served dishes became unconsciously soft.

Let Gu Chengfeng manage the hotels in Central China? Then what about Gu Chengzhi?

No one had yet brought up the issue of Gu Chengzhi "helping himself" at the family's hotels. But could the grandmother be unaware? Absolutely not. If she were unaware, she wouldn't have invited the grandmother's sister's family—after all, that family held shares in the Hibiscus Hotel, and quite a sizable stake. The message was clear without further explanation.

The expressions of the First Branch were extremely sour. Wang Shuyi forced a smile: "Mother, if Chengfeng goes to the hotels, what about Chengzhi?"

The old lady said, "Chengzhi, go to Qianhai to handle some business—think of it as a rotation. Anyway, I think he's quite interested in Qianhai's affairs, and I doubt the board will have any objections."

Gu Chengzhi's face flushed red, then went pale. His main job wasn't in the shipping company, and the old lady was clearly calling him out for meddling in the Fei family's affairs.

The old man then specifically asked, "Cheng Feng, do you have any thoughts?"

Gu Chengfeng looked at his big brother and shook his head. "No."

The old lady said, "Work hard. If you seize the opportunity and really apply yourself, you can still learn a lot."

Gu Chengfeng said, "Thank you, Grandma."

The old man then asked, "Xiao An, would you like to take a look at our family's electrical appliances company? There are also plenty of learning opportunities there."

Before Rong Yuan could speak, Gu Mingchuan said, "What business does an outsider like him have at headquarters?"

Gu Shenhan asked, "Uncle, are you saying my wife is an outsider, or am I?"

Rong Yuan put on a hurt expression at just the right moment, looking down dejectedly at the pattern on his plate.

The old lady's lips slowly pressed into a thin line.

Gu Mingchuan realized his slip of the tongue and said, "I meant, after all, he doesn't bear the Gu surname. Besides, our nephew's wife is still young. Why rush him into learning things? Shenhan's mansion is so big—let him learn to take care of the household and look after Shenhan. Isn't that good enough?"

The old man said, "If you're done eating, you can excuse yourself."

Gu Mingchuan dared not say another word.

The old lady asked Rong Yuan, "What do you think, Xiao An?"

Rong Yuan said, "I'll go along with Han Ge. Whatever he says, I'll do."

Gu Shenhan said, "If you want to go, go. If not, don't."

Rong Yuan: "Then I'll go. Thank you, Grandpa, for giving me this opportunity."

The old lady said, "If An Ran isn't too busy with school, she can come along too. Fourth brother, you talk to her about it."

Gu Minglan managed the family foundation and had been hesitating about where to send her daughter after graduation. Upon hearing this, she agreed without a second thought.

As for the third branch of the family, they remained mostly silent. They had a son named Gu Xinghe, who was still a middle school student and naturally wouldn't participate in such topics.

The meal had some people happy and some worried.

Gu Chengzhi was actually the one who breathed the easiest when the meal ended. He had been constantly worried that someone would bring up his covert embezzlement of hotel revenue. Even though it wasn't brought up directly, no one at the table was an idiot. But at least they didn't make him lose face publicly, so that was good enough.

What surprised him were the arrangements made by the old man and old lady.

Letting Gu Chengfeng take his position was one thing, but sending Rong Yuan to Lianshan Electrical Appliances? What did that mean?

Back in their residence, Wang Shuyi was the first to blow her top. She fumed, "Have the old man and old lady gone senile, unable to tell friend from foe? Why should Rong Yuan be allowed to study at headquarters?"

Gu Mingchuan said, "He studied art. What can he possibly learn? I'm afraid the old man's intention isn't the wine—he's using Rong Yuan as a stepping stone for Gu Shenhan at the headquarters."

Wang Shuyi had also thought of that possibility and said sarcastically, "Gu Mingchuan, tell me, are you really the old lady's biological son? She's way too calculating. First, she takes from the left, then gives to the right. On the surface, it seems like she's giving Cheng Feng a benefit, but it's still meat plucked from our own palm! Chengzhi, why couldn't you have been more careful? Now you've caused such a huge joke—so embarrassing!"

Gu Chengzhi was also annoyed. The financial loss was one thing, but there was also the way the shareholders looked at him.

If it weren't for the old lady's sake, these people would have definitely pressed for answers. And his position! Being sent to handle business—what difference was that from starting at the bottom? And he was already thirty!

Just thinking about it made his teeth ache. It was all Gu Shenhan's fault!

Gu Chengzhi took a deep breath and looked at his younger brother. "What are you thinking about so intently?"

Gu Chengfeng said, "Nothing much. Brother, don't get too upset. In a while, when Grandma's anger subsides, you'll be able to come back."

Gu Chengzhi said disdainfully, "It's just a regional general manager position. What does it matter whether I come back or not? After all these years of slaving away, I haven't seen any good outcome."

Gu Chengfeng found those words grating. He clearly knew he was about to take over that position—what did his brother mean by saying that?

But they were still blood brothers, so he held back from arguing.

Back at the main residence, after dinner, Gu Shenhan was called away by Grandaunt with Rong Yuan. It was Grandaunt's first time meeting Rong Yuan, and she gave him a gold-and-jade ruyi that was about a palm's length.

Rong Yuan thanked her and put it away, then was asked by the old lady, "So this time, are you really starting to prepare for the wedding?"

Rong Yuan looked at Gu Shenhan, who put an arm around his shoulder and said, "Yes, Grandma."

The old lady shooed them away. "Good. If you need anything, just tell me. If not, go have fun. We two old sisters need to catch up."

Gu Shenhan said, "Then please take your time, both of you."

Rong Yuan added, "Grandaunt, if you have time, please visit us at Cuixi Garden."

Grandaunt smiled. "Alright, alright. Go on now."

The door closed tightly, and the old lady asked, "So, what do you think?"

Grandaunt, whose given name was Chen Wanyu, deliberately put on a troubled expression. After a moment, seeing her sister growing anxious, she couldn't help but chuckle. "That kid seems like a little clever one."

The old lady said, "Right? Earlier, when Chengzhi went rogue, this child was seriously injured. I thought that Fei family wouldn't last long. But who would have thought? Instead of complaining, he bought shares in the Fei family's furniture company."

Chen Wanyu had also heard about Rong Yuan's incident at the Zheng family ranch and was surprised by the outcome. She said, "The Fei family has always been united, with the whole family on the same page. By giving one of them a favor, he essentially wins over the entire Fei family. The Fei family started from scratch and built their success through ability and experience. This deal is definitely a sure win."

The old lady sighed. "When will my own grandchildren have such vision and tolerance? Only then can I die with peace of mind."

"This time, Shenhan did well, didn't he? He didn't force the issue with the Fei family or drag Chengzhi into it."

"He did that not out of brotherly love, but because he knew that if he did, your husband and I wouldn't agree either. In the end, he's still looking out for himself."

"Old lady, you want the kids to be fierce like wolves, yet also compassionate like saints. You're too greedy."

The old lady sighed. "But without someone like that, the Gu family will eventually fall apart."

Chen Wanyu fell silent at that.

Rong Yuan followed Gu Shenhan downstairs, but there wasn't much to do. The old men were playing chess, and the younger aunts were playing mahjong. Gu Shenhan asked Rong Yuan if he wanted to join, but Rong Yuan thought he wouldn't learn quickly enough and would just be a bother, so he said he'd skip learning for now.

Gu Shenhan asked him, "Why did you agree to go to the Lianshan headquarters just now? Do you want to go?"

Rong Yuan thought, 'I'm busy thinking about having a baby every day. Logically, since we're getting married, shouldn't that be the top priority?'

Rong Yuan said, "I don't want to go. But I thought, what if it helps you? So let me take the spot first. If you think it's not right later, honey, I'll just find an excuse not to go. But I can't first say no and then change my mind. That might make Grandpa and the others mistakenly think you're pulling strings behind the scenes, which would be bad."

Rong Yuan spoke very earnestly, and Gu Shenhan was a bit dazed, looking at him for a long time.

"What's wrong, honey?"

"Nothing," Gu Shenhan said. "Let's just go home, shall we?"

"Leaving so soon? In such a rush?"

"Mm, I'm in a hurry to go home and 'enforce family discipline.'"

"..."

Knowing that only they understood the meaning of those words, Rong Yu'an still nervously looked around, then pulled Gu Shenhan and said, "We still need to say goodbye to Grandma and Grandpa before we go."

Gu Shenhan reluctantly nodded, letting himself be pulled and tugged along, feeling like he was floating on air.

Back in the car, Rong Yu'an was about to buckle his seatbelt when Gu Shenhan said, "Sit in the back."

Rong Yu'an was stunned: "Why?"

Gu Shenhan immediately pulled him out of the passenger seat, shoved him into the back seat, and closed the door...

Rong Yu'an instantly felt an overwhelming presence envelop him, pinning him in place, not allowing him to move or speak, and kissing him fiercely.

And it was more than just kissing. Gu Shenhan's hand reached under his shirt, his warm, large palm caressing his waist and back, making him go weak in his arms.

"Han Ge, husband, don't..."

"Relax, I'm just feeling..."

The suppressed desire filled the car. Rong Yu'an curled up in the corner, letting out soft whimpers.