Taking advantage of Gu Junxing being upstairs, Butler Su had already informed his young master, telling him that the boss knew about his recent actions and advised him to stand at attention and take his punishment.
When Gu Junxing came downstairs, Gu Zhijing was already in the living room, hanging his head in remorse.
Gu Junxing held out his hand to his son, "Keys, hand them over."
Gu Zhijing closed his eyes and cried out, "Dad, I was wrong. If you're really angry, just give me a beating." He knew that once he handed over the keys today, he didn't know when he'd get them back.
"Gu Zhijing."
"Here, here, take them. Please don't be angry." Gu Zhijing obediently took out the keys and placed them in Gu Junxing's palm.
What he feared most wasn't his father scolding him, but rather like now, calling his full name with an expressionless face. Past experience told him that at times like this, he should quickly admit defeat.
"Go stand by the dining table."
"Dad~"
"3, 2..."
"I'm going, I'm going!"
The servants in the house who witnessed this scene remained silent, everyone minding their own business, eyes fixed on their tasks.
Nian Suian woke up after sleeping for about an hour, only to find herself already in bed.
While marveling at her deep sleep, she thought to herself: if she were to time travel to ancient times, sleeping this heavily, her head could be chopped off without her even knowing.
"You're back?"
Nian Suian came downstairs to find Gu Junxing sitting on the sofa. It seems he was the one who moved her from the third floor to her room on the second floor. She had thought she had blacked out from sleep.
"Mm, I came back an hour ago. I see your punishment for Zhijing seems more tiring for you," Gu Junxing teased.
Nian Suian felt a bit embarrassed, "It's not tiring, just a bit boring. By the way, where did Zhijing go?" She wondered if Gu Junxing would let Gu Zhijing off this time since she had already punished him.
"Standing in the dining room as punishment."
"Dining room?"
"Yes, let him watch us eat dinner."
Hearing this, Nian Suian felt that Gu Zhijing was too pitiful, so she said to Gu Junxing, "But he didn't eat lunch either."
"Wednesday night, he played until 3 AM. Thursday night, he pulled an all-nighter. I see he's so energetic, missing two meals shouldn't starve him to death."
Nian Suian was also amazed, not understanding how he could play so much, as if there would be no more chances to play in the future.
As dinner time approached, smelling the aroma of food wafting from the kitchen, Gu Zhijing really wanted to rush to the kitchen and have a big meal.
During dinner, Nian Suian deliberately chose a seat with her back to Gu Zhijing. This kid had a manipulative nature, and she was afraid she wouldn't be able to resist.
Out of sight, out of mind. Gu Zhijing decided to turn away and not look at the food.
But Gu Junxing seemed to have eyes in the back of his head, "Don't move. Every time you move, add an hour."
Gu Zhijing had no choice but to watch the two of them eat with longing eyes.
Sweet and sour ribs, his favorite.
Braised fish, his favorite.
Egg yolk chicken wings, his favorite.
Tears slid down from the corners of his mouth...
Perhaps Gu Zhijing's desire to eat was too strong. Nian Suian felt that the pair of eyes behind her back followed her chopsticks' movements. Gu Zhijing was starving, and she felt pressured eating as well.
Unlike Gu Junxing, who, whether intentionally or not, even had an extra serving of rice compared to usual.
Gu Junxing noticed Nian Suian's discomfort and picked up a piece of rib for her, "Just eat your food, pretend he doesn't exist."
It must be said that Nanny Zhang's culinary skills were indeed impressive. Even with the burning gaze on her back, Nian Suian couldn't bear to put down her chopsticks.
Finally, when both of them finished eating, Gu Zhijing secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He planned to ask Nanny Zhang to save him some leftovers after his dad went upstairs.
Nian Suian looked at Gu Zhijing, whose eyes were brimming with saliva, and whispered to Gu Junxing, "Are you really not going to let him eat?"
Gu Junxing asked her in return, "Feeling sorry for him?"
"He's your son, it's fine as long as you don't feel sorry for him."
"Don't worry, he won't go without food." Gu Junxing didn't think Nanny Zhang could resist not giving Gu Zhijing food.
As if on purpose, just as Gu Zhijing had secretly eaten most of a bowl of rice in the kitchen, Gu Junxing appeared at the kitchen door.
Gu Zhijing nearly choked to death twice today, both thanks to his dear father.
Gu Junxing acted as if he hadn't seen him eating secretly, "Come out and put on your shoes, follow me."
"Where are we going, Dad? Just the two of us?"
The more Gu Zhijing thought about it, the more scared he became. Why were they going out without bringing along his young stepmother? His dad wasn't planning to abandon him in the middle of the night, was he?!
"Dad, where are we going? Abandoning children is illegal?!" Gu Zhijing saw from the car window that their route was unfamiliar, but they had clearly left the city center.
Gu Junxing, whether intentionally or out of laziness, just focused on driving and didn't answer his son's questions.
"Get out."
Seeing that his dad had already gotten out, Gu Zhijing had no choice but to obediently follow. At least the place in front of them looked brightly lit, not so scary.
[Junxing Industrial Park]
Gu Zhijing had already seen the words on the sign and was even more confused, not knowing why his dad had brought him to their family's industrial park at night.
But he didn't dare to ask, only following his father step by step.
"Mr. Gu, you're here! And this must be young Mr. Gu? What a talented young man!"
"No, no, no!!" The middle-aged man's words frightened Gu Zhijing, who waved his hands frantically. Who was he to be called young Mr. Gu?
"Old Yu, I'll leave him to you. I'm leaving now." With that, he left without even looking at his son.
??
Gu Zhijing suddenly looked up. What was going on? Was he planning to sell him off? How could he just hand him over to someone else?
"Dad!" Gu Zhijing turned around, wanting to chase after him.
"Young Mr. Gu, please come with me. Mr. Gu has his reasons."
As they were speaking, Gu Junxing had already left. Gu Zhijing couldn't care about anything else and quickly chased after him.
Then—
He got a mouthful of car exhaust.
"Young Mr. Gu, please come with me. It'll be fine."
Even though it was his father's property, Gu Zhijing had never been here before. It was pitch black outside, looking scary. Gu Zhijing had no choice but to obediently follow Old Yu back.
"Uncle, what did my dad tell you to do with me?"
"Oh my, I wouldn't dare! Young Mr. Gu, you're just like Mr. Gu. Just call me Old Yu. Please, follow me."
Old Yu led Gu Zhijing through a long corridor and swiped a card to enter a door.
"This is..."
The scene before him truly shocked Gu Zhijing.
At home, Nian Suian already knew that Gu Junxing had taken Gu Zhijing out, but she didn't know where they were going.
Now, seeing Gu Junxing return alone, she couldn't help but wonder.
"Why did you come back alone? Did you abandon Zhijing?"
"Don't worry, he's fine. Since he can't sleep at night, I found him a night shift job."