Nian Suian had no idea that Gu Junxing was about to return home. In fact, she had completely forgotten about his existence. These past few days, she had been spending her time wandering the streets during the day and waiting for Gu Zhijing to return from evening self-study sessions at night. They would chat and joke around before going to bed. It was truly a life even the immortals would envy.
This city truly lived up to its reputation as the stronghold of powerful CEOs. Recently, when Nian Suian went out, she could witness public marriage proposals, dramatic chases through rainy streets, and picture-perfect families shopping in supermarkets—scenes straight out of a romance novel's happy ending.
Of course, these were just minor occurrences. She hadn't witnessed anything truly outrageous yet, though both she and other passersby had become quite accustomed to such sights.
The school allowed day students to leave evening self-study half an hour early, so Gu Zhijing could get home just after nine o'clock, perfect timing to enjoy a delicious and nutritious late-night snack with his young stepmother.
By now, the two had become inseparable late-night snack buddies, exchanging "intelligence" every evening. Nian Suian would tell him about the latest love triangles she'd observed on the streets, while Gu Zhijing would share gossip about who had passed love letters or confessed their feelings at school.
What's the quickest way to become familiar with someone?
Gossip, of course!
After just three or four days, Nian Suian and Gu Zhijing were practically sworn siblings. Thankfully, they still maintained enough self-awareness to remember their actual relationship. Otherwise, they might have run out to the courtyard to perform a ceremony of brotherhood.
Tonight's late-night snack was old-fashioned fried chicken. Well, for a midnight snack, they didn't need to eat too much—just enough to satisfy their cravings.
This just proved how skilled the housekeeper of a wealthy family could be. Nian Suian didn't even need to show her a recipe; she just had to mention it, and the housekeeper could prepare it perfectly. Nian Suian decided that if she ever got divorced and had to move out, she'd have to take this housekeeper with her. Then, with a bit more effort, she might even try to get custody of Gu Zhijing.
Nian Suian left the kitchen and sat in the living room, waiting for Gu Zhijing to return home while watching a recent talent show.
In this new world, even the young heartthrobs were fresh faces. Nian Suian was quite pleased, especially since the heartthrobs in this world of powerful CEOs were clearly a step above in terms of looks. After just two days of watching the show, she had already picked eight favorite contestants.
"This guy isn't handsome at all. What's wrong with your taste?" Gu Zhijing had been home for a while but hadn't been acknowledged by his snack buddy, so he came over to see what she was up to.
Men, and boys too, rarely admit that other men are more handsome than themselves. Gu Zhijing didn't think any of the guys on the screen were particularly good-looking.
"What do you know!" This was Nian Suian's favorite contestant, and she wouldn't tolerate anyone criticizing him, not even her snack buddy.
"How could I not know? If I went on a talent show, I'd probably be more popular than him." Young Master Gu was very confident in his looks. Since childhood, his grandmother had always told him he was the most handsome boy in the world.
Hearing Gu Zhijing's confident statement, Nian Suian couldn't help but look up at him.
His appearance was decent, but he still looked like a child who hadn't even grown his first whiskers. She casually retorted, "Yeah, right. You're not even as handsome as your dad!"
She then returned her attention to the iPad screen.
"My dad? You actually think my dad is more handsome than me!"
"That's right. Give it another five years, kid." Nian Suian brushed him off.
"What kind of taste do you have? My dad is old!"
After finishing his contract work, Gu Junxing had wanted to return home immediately. Unfortunately, he encountered severe weather and had to stay at a hotel near the airport for two days. As soon as the weather improved enough for flights to resume, he rushed back.
What he didn't expect was that upon returning home late at night, instead of being greeted by his son's affection or the warmth of home, he would hear...
"My dad is old!"
...
"My dad is old!"
Gu Junxing thought to himself that it was a good thing he wasn't actually old, or else this might have given him a heart attack.
After shouting those words, Gu Zhijing suddenly felt a chill down his spine. He turned around to see his father standing not far away, giving him an ambiguous smile.
"Dad!"
Hearing Gu Zhijing's voice, Nian Suian also looked up. Seeing the newcomer, she blurted out, for some inexplicable reason...
"Dad?"
Gu Zhijing's face turned ghostly pale. "He's my dad!" His expression clearly said, "I thought we were brothers, but you're trying to steal my inheritance?"
"Uh, slip of the tongue," Nian Suian stuttered as she hurriedly closed her iPad. "I meant to say, Zhijing's dad, haha. Why are you back so late?"
Gu Junxing said nothing, put down his suitcase, and sat on the sofa.
The atmosphere in the living room suddenly became very strange, making Nian Suian, who hated awkward situations, feel extremely uncomfortable. Gu Zhijing was too busy regretting his words to rescue his snack buddy.
Nian Suian caught a whiff of fried chicken from the kitchen, which gave her an idea to ease the tension.
"Haha, Zhijing's dad, are you thirsty? Would you like to drink some fried chicken?"
Oh no, what was she saying?!
Before Gu Junxing could respond, Gu Zhijing quickly stood up.
"I-I-I want to drink fried chicken. Come on, let's go to the dining room together."
His father was so scary; he didn't want to sit here anymore.
This impromptu mother-son duo suddenly felt a sense of shared destiny in their predicament.
Gu Junxing watched their retreating figures from behind, furrowing his brow thoughtfully.
Even the delicious fried chicken couldn't improve their mood now.
"I'm doomed. I'm definitely not getting any allowance this month," Gu Zhijing predicted his future clearly.
"Wow, that's harsh. Hang in there. If things get really bad, I can lend you some money." As his snack buddy and legal stepmother, Nian Suian felt she should show some loyalty.
"Really? That's so nice of you! Then lend me 3,000. I've got my eye on a pair of shoes but I'm a bit short."
"3,000! Are your feet made of gold? Get lost!" So much for loyalty; money was her most faithful companion.
"Aren't we brothers?"
"We never were. Two hundred max, take it or leave it."
"I'll take it, I'll take it! Transfer it to me!" Two hundred was still money. When he was really starving, two hundred could buy twenty deluxe jianbing, enough to keep him from dying of hunger. As the most unfortunate rich kid who often had his allowance docked, Gu Zhijing knew to cherish every cent.
Sitting in the living room, Gu Junxing heard the whispers coming from the dining room and felt a bit dazed.
Had Nian Suian switched his son with someone else's? That brat Gu Zhijing, ever since he started middle school, trying to have a conversation with him was like pulling teeth. Initially, Gu Junxing thought his son was just quiet like him, but now it seemed the boy had plenty to say—just not to his father!
Butler Su had been standing nearby for quite some time. Noticing his employer's expression alternating between serious and furrowed brows, he couldn't help but say, "Sir, it's getting late. Why don't you go upstairs and rest? You must be tired after sitting on a plane for several hours."
Tired?
Well, maybe a little. As Gu Junxing went upstairs and reached his bedroom door, he did indeed feel some fatigue.
It must be because of the flight, of course. Definitely not because he was getting old.
"Old Su, help me find a gym nearby and sign me up for some personal training sessions."
"Sir, why not hire a trainer to come to the house? We have a gym here, it would be more convenient."
"What do you know? It's about the atmosphere of being around people." Yeah, right. How could he work out at home? Gu Zhijing would laugh him to death.
Nian Suian... Gu Junxing lay on the bed, rubbing his forehead. He had left for a business trip right after getting the marriage certificate, and had almost forgotten he even had a wife now.