Chapter 4: “It would be good if he was a woman, I could then marry him, and he could give birth to our children.”

After a few days, Gu Yuan went back to the Gu mansion. He took the scholar’s four jewels as a gift to his father. 

Every year, Gu Zongming’s birthday celebration was also the time when the whole family gathered. Business partners, important subordinates, and family-owned business conglomerates all came to join the party. The whole celebration, starting from the reception  until the end of the entertainment, would last for 7 or 8 days. Within these days, three days were for the wine party. 

As the eldest son of Gu Zongming, Gu Yuan arrived on the first day, but the relationship between Gu Zongming and him had become stressful after he became an adult. He only took a few subordinates, including Fang Jin, with him this time in order to keep a low-key profile. 

“All these years, I only come back on the birthdays. I feel more and more strange about this place.” Gu Yuan looked at the lawn and rows of luxury sedans through the bedroom’s French window. “The feeling is so strange; I feel like I am a guest.”

Fang Jin picked a black velvet suit from the wardrobe and said, “You can wear this today.” 

It was only the two of them in the spacious bedroom. Gu Yuan bared his upper body and looked at the suit and said, “Too sissy.”

However, Fang Jin unexpectedly insisted, “No, it suits and fits you naturally.”

Gu Yuan was a stubborn person, but he barely saw Fang Jin disobey. Gu Yuan looked at Fang Jin holding the suit, full of expectation. He compromised. 

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While pressing the tie, Fang Jin raised and looked at him with surprise. 

“You don’t know? His mother doesn’t live here. My father has an eccentric character. People never stay in this mansion for a long time. He only lets people accompany him here for a short while.”

“…No, I was thinking…” After making the tie, Fang Jin stepped back and said, “Ms. Chi gave birth to Gu Yang; her status in the family should be secured. She doesn’t need to deliver young girls to Mr. Gu to please him, right? I think her target is you. You are at a marriageable age anyway…”

The ending of his statement was faint. If people listened closely, they would hear a little changing tone. 

But Fang Jin was always prudent and conservative; Gu Yuan didn’t realize his strangeness and said, “Oh, you think so?”

Fang Jin asked: “…Will you agree?”

Gu Yuan turned and faced the dressing mirror. He had to admit Fang Jin had good taste. His tall and sturdy figure was highlighted by this black velvet suit, showing his broad shoulders and long legs. The exquisite design displayed his graceful and valiant character. The sapphire blue tie clip was the perfect finishing touch. 

“In her dreams.” Gu Yuan replied, “Let her keep her own relative.”

He turned and walked past Fang Jin. Without turning his head, he said, “Come and meet the big boss with me.”

Gu Yuan had to make an appointment with his father before visiting him. Gu Zongming’s secretary had arranged a time based on his schedule. After the servant made sure of the appointment with Gu Zongming twice, Gu Yuan could see his father. 

Gu Yuan, followed by Fang Jin, walked across a gorgeous hallway and a park and then arrived at the southern part of the mansion. This part of the building contained meeting rooms, media rooms, and a private library. Gu Zongming usually did his office work here. But Gu Yuan had left home and studied abroad ever since he was a child . He had moved out immediately after going back to the country; he didn’t know more about this area than a common guest would. 

All the guests were in the hall and ballroom located at the eastern end of the mansion. The library was empty. Gu Yuan walked up to the last floor and saw two people: Gu Yang and his mother. 

Obviously, they had just walked out of Gu Zongming’s study room. They looked at Gu Yuan and became stunned too. Gu Yang’s mother, Chi Wanru, started to smile: “Yoo~ Isn’t this Elder Young Master? Long time no see.”

Gu Yuan replied politely, “Auntie Chi.”

  Chi Wanru wore a dark-red long dress. She looked like she was in her 30s, and people would mistake her as Gu Yang’s sister by just simply looking at them. Nevertheless, she had already secured her position in the Gu family. Ten years ago, she even almost became Mr. Gu’s legal wife, but Gu Zongming didn’t marry her for some reason. 

That Gu Zongming didn’t marry Chi Wanru was similar to Gu Yuan, who was studying in the UK at that time, being able to dodge a bullet. Because he and Gu Yang were the same age, he could only rely on his legitimacy status. Gu Zongming and his mother were engaged before his mother died due to dystocia, so Gu Yuan was Gu Zongming’s only legitimate son. 

If Gu Zongming married Chi Wanru, Gu Yuan couldn’t have a good life in these years. 

Nonetheless, even though they didn’t register their marriage, Chi Wanru was still Gu Yang’s mother, no one dared to go against her in the family. Chi Wanru laughed during their small talk, “—All these years, have you met any woman you like? Your father was talking about you, he said when he was your age, he already had Gu Yang.”

Gu Yuan was so annoyed but only spoke lightly, “Haven’t decided yet. I want to focus on my career first.”

“Family and career are not in conflict. Men can only pursue their careers with full force when their family is stable. You don’t have a mother. Your father told me to pay attention to this issue. I have someone in mind for you.”

“Thank you, Auntie Chi. Don’t let this kind of issue bother you.” Gu Yuan looked at his watch and said, “—Fang Jin! Quickly, or we’ll be late!”

Chi Wanru was unhappy due to Gu Yuan’s refusal. 

But before having the chance to reply, she saw Fang Jin who was standing behind Gu Yuan. 

—At that moment, she was shocked. 

While Gu Yuan was turning back his head impatiently and Gu Yang didn’t notice his mother’s subtle facial expression, Fang Jin was the only person who looked at her eyes. The former person was peaceful, but the latter one involuntarily narrowed her eyes with heavy makeup.

“Ms. Chi.” Fang Jin greeted. 

“…” Chi Wanru asked, “Have I seen you before?”

“You have probably mistaken me for someone else.”

After they stared at each other for several seconds, Chi Wanrui’s red lips formed a smile, “…Sorry, I must have mistaken you for someone else.”

Their short conversation was strange and camouflaged. The Gu brothers stood aside and didn’t pay any attention to it. After nodding to his brother, Gu Yuan walked into his father’s study room. Fang Jin followed him. 

Chi Wanru looked at their backs with an inexplicable expression. 

“What happened, Mother?” Gu Yang finally realized that something was wrong.

“That person… that person, why does he work for Gu Yuan?”

Gu Yang didn’t take it seriously, “Oh, you mean Fang Jin? He was one of the assistants sent by our father to work for elder brother. All the other assistants were fired, only he was kept by elder brother— You know him?”

Chi Wanru took back her gaze with visible confusion on her face, but she shook her head immediately, “No, you don’t understand… Never mind.”

Gu Yuan knocked on the door and waited until Gu Zongming shouted from the inside of the room, “Come in.”

Gu Yuan took a deep breath and pushed open the door. 

Gu Zongming’s study room was like a big office room that contained a meeting room, a kitchen, and a bedroom. Gu Yuan had never been to the bedroom but heard that it was luxurious; he even mischievously speculated that only his father’s most favored mistress could stay in the bedroom. However, he then realized that his mother had already died, so Chi Wanru and Gu Yang would be the ones who were jealous. 

The outermost room was a library with French windows and red wooden bookshelves. Gu Zongming was reading a book behind the desk. He spoke without lifting his head, “Take a seat.”

Gu Yuan called out “Father” and then sat on the leather sofa. Fang Jin stood next to him. 

People had heard that Gu Zongming liked outdoor activities when he was young. He had hiked in JiangXi and climbed mountains in Nepal in the 90s, and drove across the Mongolian Desert with his modified SUV. His body was in good shape because of his outdoor habits. Even when he stood there, people could notice the intensity of his aura. 

His face resembled an older version of Gu Yuan. Some wrinkles were at the corners of his eyes, he looked younger than his age. These wrinkles revealed the unparalleled glamor of his face which both Gu  brothers couldn’t even compare. 

“You are several minutes late,” said Gu Zongming as he flipped a page in his book. 

Gu Yang replied calmly, “I saw Auntie Chi outside. We talked to each other for a couple of minutes.”

Gu Zongming didn’t mention whether he wanted Chi Wanru to find a future wife for Gu Yuan. He only refuted, “You should consider more probabilities before taking an action. You were late to meet me by several minutes, will you be late for more important things in the future?”

Gu Yuan stood up, “—My fault.”

Gu Zongming spoke in a cold tone, “You are a grown man, why are you still inconsiderate?”

Fang Jin slightly moved his body and thought, ‘They really don’t get along well, just like what other people had gossiped.’

Compared with Gu Yang, Gu Yuan didn’t even have a mother who could smooth the situations when he and his father were arguing. Even though Chi Wanru didn’t come from an upper-class family, she could still help Gu Yang deal with his father by leaking some internal information to Gu Yang. This role was important and imperceptible when people dealt with Gu Zongming. 

Another thing that caused Gu Zongming to dislike Gu Yuan was that he was similar to a younger version of himself. It was just like an older wolf who is still strong and robust, and the younger wolf had already grown out its sharp teeth. Even though they were father and son, they had to keep an eye on the other. How could Gu Zongming be fond of him?

Gu Yuan gave a light cough and then started a new conversation, “Father’s birthday is this week. I found a set of the scholar’s four jewels as a gift. The brush, ink, and paper are ordinary things. But the inkstone is Laokeng ink— The list is here. Please take a look.”

He took out an exquisite envelope from his pocket and passed it to Gu Zongming with both hands. Gu Zongming opened it. 

The study was quiet. After a while, Gu Zongming said, “En… Not bad.”

Gu Yuan took a glance at Fang Jin, ‘You see, I chose the right gift.”

“You should pay more attention to your career. All these things are nothing.” Gu Zongming put away the list but softened his tone, “I heard you are signing a joint-venture contract with MingDa Shipping Company. This opportunity seems desirable. MingDa Shipping Company’s backers work for the government. If you complete this contract, the future will be bright. But if you lose, you will lose everything.”

Gu Zongming was the founder of the southern shipping empire. No one dared to ignore his words. Gu Yuan solemnly replied, “Yes.”

“The senior management of MingDa has been doing money-laundering, so you should be more careful when dealing with them. Their security is also bad…” Gu Zongming pointed out some internal information. Later, he waved his hands, “You go to the grand hall first, I will catch up later.”

Gu Yuan listened carefully. He bowed and left, with Fang Jin following him. 

“Phew—” Gu Yuan relaxed after walking out of the room. He moved his stiff shoulders, “I said I shouldn’t have talked with Chi Wanru. Every time I talked with her, something bad would happen.”

Fang Jin smiled, “But Mr. Gu said MingDa shipping Company is valuable. We should do an overall investigation when we get back.”

“I know. Even though he didn’t mention it, I will do an investigation anyway. Do you think I still need his advice?”

Fang Jin inwardly replied, ‘You were listening carefully. What are you pretending in front of me?’ but he only nodded his head with obedience, “Of course, you don’t need his advice.” After he said that, Gu Yuan let him go. 

They walked across the hallway and entrance hall. On the east side, there was a half-opened grand hall and ballroom. Today was the first day of the celebration. Most guests were relatives and family friends. As the eldest son of Mr. Gu, Gu Yuan attracted people’s attention and was circled by guests when he walked into the room. 

Gu Yuan was adept at dealing with upper-class social activities. Around conversations and gorgeous people, his movements and manner were elegant and eye-catching. 

Fang Jin’s status wasn’t good enough to fit into the circle. He stood next to the door, watching Gu Yuan from a distance. 

Later, he shook his head and inwardly sighed. Before leaving for a drink, he heard a voice calling him “Assistant Fang.”

Fang Jin turned back and saw Chi Wanru who was looking at him, with a smile on her face and a glass of champagne in her hand. 

“…Ms. Chi.”

She looked younger with the delicate makeup applied on her face. Diamond jewels glittered on her neck and hands.  She took a sip of champagne, sized up Fang Jin, and then said, “How is your health?”

“Recovered.” Fang Jin replied calmly, “Thank you for your concern.”

  “That’s nothing. I just heard you were seriously ill at that time and almost died… I thought you might have died. What happened next?”

“I went to school in Germany and just came back a few months ago.”

Chi Wanru nodded with a smile and asked suddenly, “Are you still working for Mr. Gu or his son?”

The hidden meaning in this question was noticeable. Before Fang Jin could answer, a bodyguard walked up to him and said, “Assistant Fang. Mr. Gu is waiting for you in the library. Please come with me.”

Chi Wanru slightly trembled upon hearing the message. 

Fang Jin smiled at her. “I am working for whomever Mr. Gu wants me to work for.” Then, he slightly bowed and walked out of the wine party.