PB - Chapter 53

Chapter 53

The restaurant, built on the seabed, was sealed with plexiglass. During the meal, fish would swim all around. The restaurant Gu Fanchu had chosen was actually decided on by Gu Jianchu. As for why? She was certain that the person Gu Fanchu wanted to invite was, nine times out of ten, Qiao Qi. She had planned to bring Qiao Qi to this very restaurant the last time she was in Shenzhen, but unfortunately, it hadn’t worked out. So, she might as well let Gu Fanchu have it.

Immersed in the deep sea, rays with strange expressions drifted past the curved ceiling. Curious schools of fish changed formations at will around the glass. The lights illuminated the room through the azure seawater, making even the colors of the coral on the reefs clearly visible. Gu Fanchu was secretly delighted with his sister's excellent recommendation, because he had caught the fleeting look of surprise on Qiao Qi's face.

During a pause in the meal, Qiao Qi was still expressing her gratitude. “I've troubled you a lot during this time, Mr. Gu.”

Gu Fanchu smiled. “In that case, may I call you Qiao Qi?”

“Of course.”

“Then you shouldn't keep calling me Mr. Gu, either. You can call me Fanchu.” He paused to observe Qiao Qi's expression, then took a step back. “Or Gu Fanchu.”

Qiao Qi gave a faint smile but didn't respond. Not letting the atmosphere cool, Gu Fanchu continued, “The work here is almost finished. When are you planning to fly back to Beijing?”

“The day after tomorrow.” Qiao Qi knew what he was getting at, so she said, “I've taken up a lot of your time here, Mr. Gu. I'm very sorry. I imagine you need to head back as well.”

“My mother called yesterday to ask when I was coming back, and I told her in two days. What a coincidence, it seems I can go back with you.”

“In that case, I'll have Yao Qiu book a ticket for you, Mr. Gu.”

“Then thank you in advance, Secretary Yao.”

---

Shenzhen's weather was humid and muggy, different from the dry heat of Beijing. For the past few days, both cities had been windless and rainless, with the sun beating down relentlessly. This weather seemed likely to last until the end of the season.

The day before Qiao Qi returned was a Saturday, and Gu Jianchu had worked overtime at the company all day. Because Liu Yanyan had tipped her off, her mother called at nine in the evening and summoned her home. She had been overworking recently, and as a mother, she was naturally most worried about her daughter's health. So she forced her to stay home on Sunday and forbade her from going to the office to work overtime. It just so happened that Gu Fanchu had said he was coming back, so her mother insisted on dragging her to the airport to pick him up.

The car was parked in the private lot, and Gu Jianchu was pulled into the VIP lounge by her mother. Gu Jianchu rarely used the VIP channel, so her mother was more familiar with the way than she was. Today, she wore a sea-blue striped shirt with an asymmetrical collar that revealed her collarbones, casually paired with wide-leg jeans. The large sunglasses perched on her high-bridged nose couldn't hide the impatience in her expression.

“I should have just driven the car right in.” Seeing her daughter's cold expression, her mother said irritably, “All day long you're either working or disappearing. Today I finally get you to come out with me to pick up your brother, and you give me this attitude.”

“Mom.” Gu Jianchu's brows furrowed. “I've been too busy lately. I want to rest.”

“Exactly. Why do you work yourself so hard every day? You have so many people under you, let them do it. I refuse to believe the group can't survive without you.” She didn't see Gu Jianchu retort, but instead saw her suddenly freeze. Following her daughter's gaze, she saw Gu Fanchu coming out pushing his luggage. She quickly went up to greet him with a smile.

Gu Jianchu had no time to argue with her mother because she saw Qiao Qi beside Gu Fanchu. Gu Fanchu was laughing and talking with Qiao Qi and had even taken the initiative to push her luggage for her. Her eye-roll was hidden by her sunglasses, but her expression still clearly showed her displeasure. Soon, the three of them walked up. She remained coldly silent. Gu Fanchu pretended not to notice her attitude and took the initiative to make introductions.

“Mom, this is Qiao Qi from Ruifeng.” Gu Fanchu hadn't expected Gu Jianchu to come. He was a little worried, so his full attention was on Qiao Qi. “Qiao Qi, this is my mother.” At that moment, Gu Jianchu took off her sunglasses. He shot Gu Jianchu a look. “No need to introduce my sister.”

Qiao Qi smiled faintly. “Hello, Auntie.”

Mrs. Gu knew of Qiao Qi and had naturally heard some rumors. Her attitude wasn't cold, but it couldn't be called warm either. “Miss Qiao, hello.”

After the pleasantries, Qiao Qi said, “Since your family is here to pick you up, Mr. Gu, we'll be on our way.”

Gu Fanchu quickly said, “Let me give you a ride back.”

Yao Qiu knew Qiao Qi didn't want to get entangled but found it hard to refuse, so she interjected, “We have a car coming, so we won't trouble you, Mr. Gu.”

Just as they were about to leave, the great Miss Gu, who had been seething with jealousy, realized she hadn't even managed to say a single word. She raised her hand and grasped Qiao Qi's wrist. “It's the weekend. Are you still going back to Ruifeng?”

Qiao Qi didn't pull away. “I'm going back for a meeting.”

This kind of conversation, one that only happens between people who are very familiar with each other, startled the two other Gu family members. They had both assumed the relationship between them was like fire and water, but seeing Gu Jianchu grab Qiao Qi's wrist, it was clearly the action of someone on good terms. But Gu Fanchu still felt something was off about them.

“You just got back and you're going straight to a meeting? Don't you need to rest?” Gu Jianchu was sulking, so her tone was a bit harsh, but within that harshness, a hint of grievance could be felt.

Qiao Qi could hear it, and her heart softened. Her voice naturally became gentle as well. “I'll just go over a few things and then head home.”

Gu Jianchu's little temper instantly vanished, a clear smile in her eyes. “Then can I pick you up for dinner tonight?”

“Mm, I'll wait for you at home.”

Gu Jianchu pulled her toward the parking lot, making no effort to hide their relationship. It seemed she was deliberately putting on a show for Gu Fanchu. This childish act couldn't be called a declaration of sovereignty, but the need to defend her ownership had to be demonstrated. Qiao Qi had always been indulgent with her, so she let her hold her hand the whole way.

“Go home and get some rest this afternoon. I'll call you before I come to pick you up.”

“Okay.” After replying, Qiao Qi got in the car. The Gu family watched her car leave the airport.

On the way back, Gu Jianchu drove as usual. Gu Fanchu mulled over what he wanted to say for a long time but never said it, especially since his mother's expression didn't look good. Sure enough, as soon as they got home, Gu Jianchu was called into a room by her mother, deliberately avoiding Gu Fanchu. Once inside, Gu Jianchu asked, feigning ignorance, “What's with all the secrecy?”

“Are you very close with that Qiao Qi? How long has your brother been involved with her? He stayed in Shenzhen all this time for this Qiao Qi, didn't he?” Mrs. Gu said sternly, “Did you know all along?”

Gu Jianchu said, displeased, “I told him not to get entangled with Qiao Qi.”

Mrs. Gu misunderstood her meaning. “Although this Qiao Qi is good-looking, her reputation isn't very good. Someone like that isn't suitable to marry into our family, and she's not good enough for your brother. No wonder your brother suddenly came back and is thinking of transferring back to the country. So that was his plan. No, you can't agree to let him come back. Make him stay put over there and give up this idea.”

Gu Jianchu stopped rubbing the bridge of her nose, feeling even more displeased. “Qiao Qi is the granddaughter of the Jin family and the Vice President of Ruifeng. Whether it's status, character, or looks, there's absolutely nothing wrong with her marrying into our family. Besides, it's my brother who isn't good enough for her.”

Mrs. Gu suddenly leaned closer. “How did you two get to know each other? Weren't you competitors before? Is what you're saying true? Even if it is, her bad reputation makes her unsuitable for your brother. Since you two are so close, you should go talk to her.”

Gu Jianchu thought for a moment, then temporarily set aside her annoyance and linked her arm through her mother's in an intimate gesture. She spoke unhurriedly, making the threat sound less harsh at first. “If Gu Fanchu dares to have any ideas about A Qi, I'll be the first one to not let him off the hook. So, Mom, you'd be better off giving Gu Fanchu a talking-to and making him get rid of any improper thoughts sooner rather than later.”

Mrs. Gu had heard rumors about Gu Jianchu's past escapades, but she had pretended not to know, not wanting to make a scene. Recalling their intimacy at the airport today, and now hearing her say this, alarm bells went off in her head. She had thought that after becoming President of Rongfang, Gu Jianchu had reined herself in for the past year and a half because she'd had enough of her foolishness. She never expected this. “What do you mean, you won't let your brother off the hook?”

Fearing the next words would be too much of a shock for her mother, Gu Jianchu started to act cute. “It means she's my person. Even my own brother isn't allowed to have designs on her.”

Mrs. Gu pushed her away and said sternly, “Gu Jianchu, stop this nonsense. What kind of nonsense is this between two girls? Do you hear me? No more nonsense.”

Seeing her mother's agitation, Gu Jianchu changed tactics. “Mom, in what way do you think I'm being nonsensical?”

“Don't you start playing with words with me. You're just being nonsensical.”

Gu Jianchu pulled her mother into an embrace to soothe her. She said slowly, “If you think I'm being nonsensical because you're afraid of what others will think, then you can rest assured. Given our statuses, we don't need to care about that. If you're worried she has a bad character and won't be good to me, then you should be even more at ease. If she were a bad person, how could she have captivated Gu Fanchu to the point that he wants to move back to the country?”

Her voice gradually lowered and became serious. “Mom, I'm not being nonsensical. I've wanted her for a very long time. Did you know? While she was in Shenzhen, my first thought every morning when I woke up was to fly there to find her.”

Mrs. Gu was not an unreasonable person. Her emotions gradually stabilized. She sat up straight and began to pick holes in her daughter's words. “People always do rash things when they're hot-headed. You're still young, it's inevitable that you'll be impulsive. And as for what you said before, our family can afford not to care about that, but what about children? How are the two of you going to have children?”

Seeing her mother soften, Gu Jianchu felt playful. “You can have Gu Fanchu give birth to a few more, and then I'll adopt one or two. Don't worry, I'll definitely treat them as my own.”

Mrs. Gu was so angry she hit her a couple of times to vent. “You're trying to kill me with anger! I can't control you anymore, is that it?”

Gu Jianchu snuggled back into her mother's arms and continued to act cute. “I like her, so I want her. Instead of spending your time lecturing me, you'd be better off managing Gu Fanchu. Him, you can still control.”

“Manage what about him? Tell him not to get entangled with your Qiao Qi?”

Gu Jianchu pulled her mother up from the sofa and pushed her toward the door. “Mom, you should go quickly. Otherwise, he can forget about ever coming back.”

“You're being ridiculous! Disowning your own brother for an outsider?” Mrs. Gu raised her hand as if to hit her again, but it landed only as a light tap. “You're really making me furious.”

“Mom, hurry up and go. I need to go back to my room to work anyway.”

Mrs. Gu was pulled out of the room by Gu Jianchu. After thinking it over, she decided to first go to Gu Feng's study to sound him out. Unexpectedly, the couple both knew a thing or two about Gu Jianchu's past antics, so it wasn't that difficult to accept. Moreover, Gu Feng was very optimistic about Qiao Qi's current momentum at Ruifeng. If the two families could be joined by marriage, it wasn't necessarily a bad thing.

Mrs. Gu was not happy. “How can you still be thinking about this at a time like this? You and your daughter, one is more infuriating than the other.”

Gu Feng was truly open-minded. “If you had a way to handle Jianchu, would you be here getting angry with me? Isn't it just that you can't control that girl? You've raised her for thirty years and you still don't understand her? Whatever she wants, unless she herself decides she doesn't like it anymore, who can stop her? You might as well learn from me and think about something else to balance your mood. Besides, didn't Jianchu also say you can still manage Fanchu? He's not young anymore. As his mother, you should be personally arranging his marriage.”

Mrs. Gu couldn't win an argument against either the father or the daughter. She angrily left Gu Feng's study to find Gu Fanchu. Gu Fanchu never would have imagined that Gu Jianchu's revenge would come so quickly.

A little after four in the afternoon, Gu Jianchu came out of her room. In the living room, Gu Fanchu had been on the receiving end of Mrs. Gu's earnest lecture for nearly two hours. Seeing her emerge, he planned to divert the trouble onto her and asked, “Where are you going?”

It was a question he already knew the answer to, but Gu Jianchu still answered seriously, “To pick up A Qi for dinner.”

Afraid she would leave too quickly, Gu Fanchu grabbed her. “If you'd told me you were so close with Qiao Qi, I wouldn't have had to be so secretive. I could have even had you help me strategize. That restaurant you recommended in Shenzhen was really great. I could tell she liked it a lot.”

“I originally planned to take her to that restaurant myself. I recommended it to you because I knew she would like it.” While Gu Fanchu was stunned, she broke free from his grip. “Mom, I know a lot of friends who would be a good match for my brother. I'll send you their information later for you to look at. I'm leaving now. Oh, and I won't be back tonight.”

Gu Fanchu finally realized where that strange feeling at the airport had come from. It was Gu Jianchu's possessiveness over Qiao Qi. He could still recognize this difference in his own sister. Thinking this, he quickly turned to look at Mrs. Gu. Mrs. Gu glanced at him without saying more. It seemed his guess was correct.

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