“Jiashu, hurry up and take your brother-in-law out to go dancing.”

When Li Jiashu heard this, he shuddered. He responded sternly, “Grandpa, first of all, I don’t go dancing; it’s too vulgar. Secondly, my brother wasn’t happy even when I just played games with my brother-in-law. If I take him dancing, he might break my legs!” He felt he had uncovered the real reason why he had been kicked out of the team that day.

The old man, upon hearing this, was immediately displeased. “What? You even play games with your brother-in-law? Let me break your legs first!”

Li Jiashu was horrified. “Grandpa! This is entrapment!!!”

The old man snorted and said, “How about this: since you’re already preparing for your startup, and your brother-in-law studied finance in college, you can bring him along and let him learn about business, gaining more experience. He’s always cooped up at home; you should take him out to do something.”

Li Jiashu replied, “… Grandpa, when you say ‘going out to play,’ you really mean ‘going to work,’ don’t you?”

He said mysteriously, “Grandpa, let me tell you, my brother-in-law will never go to work. He’ll never work in his life.”

The old man frowned. “Why?”

Li Jiashu grinned. “I’m not telling you. Only I know that my brother-in-law has 5 million in pocket money! With that much spending money every month, who would go to work? No wonder he’s so laid-back every day.”

“And what’s the point of your brother-in-law working? He could help you with watering the flowers, practice Tai Chi with you, discuss tea, or research health meals… It’s perfectly fine for him to stay at home and keep you company, don’t you think?”

Li Jiashu thought that his energetic, jumpy personality, which often got him scolded by Grandpa, contrasted sharply with his brother-in-law’s calm and steady demeanor. Such a temperament was likely what old people prefer. In fact, Grandpa’s mood had improved significantly since his brother-in-law had been staying at the old house. He scolded Li Jiashu less often now.

Listening to this, the old man gradually clutched his chest. “… Who will save this true old man?!”

After some serious thought and a sigh, he said, “How about… you take him out dancing first?”

Li Jiashu immediately grew cautious. “No, no, no, Grandpa, I really don’t dance. Speaking of which, I’ve been staying at home for several days. It’s time for me to start working…”

Although Li Jiashu had a cheerful and lively personality, he was still responsible when it came to serious matters. He had made all the necessary contacts for his startup, and everything was ready to go.

The old man sighed again. “Alright, if it’s time to get to work, then go ahead.”

“Okay, Grandpa!” Li Jiashu stroked his chin. Hmm? Why did Grandpa look so disappointed?

Early the next morning, Li Jiashu packed his things and was eager to leave the old house. Before he left, he made sure to say goodbye to the elders in a very proper manner.

When he entered, the living room was filled with the aroma of tea, suggesting it was a rare and treasured blend. Grandpa was in the living room drinking tea, with Gu Chen by his side. Both were holding teacups.

His brother-in-law was sipping tea and occasionally flipping through an ancient book, which seemed to be a cherished old edition from Grandpa’s collection. Li Jiashu felt more and more that having his brother-in-law accompany Grandpa was indeed very appropriate. He could enjoy tea with Grandpa while Grandpa had his fine tea and treasured books. It was a win-win situation.

And as for him, he could happily make his exit.

With this thought, Li Jiashu smiled and said, “Well, Grandpa, I’m leaving now. I’ll come back to visit once the company is up and running.”

Seeing his grandson’s cheerful smile, Grandpa felt a pang of sadness. He said, “Ahem, Jiashu, there’s no rush. Sit down and have a cup of tea first.”

Li Jiashu’s smile froze. “… Is it because I was smiling too happily just now?” It must be because, with his brother-in-law handling things in front, he had relaxed and had been cheeky in front of Grandpa these past few days.

But, it’s just a cup of tea; it should be finished quickly. He plopped down across from Gu Chen, and the servant promptly brought him a cup of tea.

However, as he sipped, he started to feel something was off. Wasn’t this situation a bit too quiet? Quiet to the point of feeling a bit “strained”? Grandpa was drinking tea but kept glancing at his brother-in-law.

Seeing that no one was speaking, Li Jiashu wondered if they were competing in composure. Grandpa, brother-in-law, can you say something already?

Should he say he’s leaving? He was conflicted.

Soon, he began to feel uneasy, suddenly understanding why Grandpa had asked him to sit down.

He started sipping his tea and glancing at Gu Chen. He noticed that Gu Chen was leisurely flipping through a book, eyes lowered, seemingly detached, as if she were a serene, unmoving statue.

He had an epiphany! Could there be anyone more composed than his brother-in-law? Even Grandpa was outmatched!

He desperately needed someone to come and rescue him!

Just as the lively Li Jiashu was about to lose his mind, a female voice finally appeared to rescue him.

“Second Uncle! I’m so angry! You must help me this time…” The woman’s voice was filled with both frustration and grievance.

When she finally entered and saw Gu Chen, her voice faltered, and she awkwardly said, “Uh… Second Uncle, are you discussing something with a guest? Then I’ll wait outside for you…” Though she addressed the old man as Second Uncle, she looked to be in her early thirties, well-maintained, and dressed in modern, stylish attire.

The old man, visibly relieved, said, “Morong, it’s not a disturbance. Please, sit down.”

So, Li Morong took a seat as well, and a servant brought her a cup of tea. She took a sip and, though her expression remained unchanged, she was slightly surprised. The old man had even brought out “Golden Melon Tribute Tea,” a rare collectible. Who was this guest?

At the same time, she observed Gu Chen. The young man’s appearance and demeanor were exceptional, matching the old man’s presence perfectly. She thought to herself that he was indeed a young talent on par with Tingqin.

However, the old man said, “Morong, this isn’t a guest. This is your niece-in-law, Tingqin’s husband, Gu Chen. Xiao Gu, this is your Fourth Aunt ”

Gu Chen addressed her as Fourth Aunt .

Li Morong: “…?”

She smiled appreciatively and said, “Tingqin’s husbandand he truly make a perfect match. It’s clear they are equals in their careers and have come together as partners.”

As the daughter of the old man’s third younger brother, she wasn’t directly from his branch of the family. When Gu Chen and Li Tingqin got married, it was a small, private affair within the Li family’s main branch. She had only heard of Gu Chen but had never met him before.

Li Jiashu touched his nose, thinking to himself, “Auntie, you really know how to flatter.”

The old man said, “…Young people and their careers, there’s nothing to talk about. Ahem, Morong, just say what you need. There are no outsiders here.”

Li Morong immediately became distressed. “It’s embarrassing to admit this in front of you, but it’s already well-known outside. I won’t hide it from you. I’ve been married to Ling Weiguang for so many years, and now I’ve just found out he’s been keeping a mistress outside! He’s been secretly collaborating with that woman’s company! I don’t know how many projects he’s been taking care of for her… I’m so furious. For years, this scoundrel couple has been leeching off me and living a good life!”

“My stake in the company is larger than his, and he won’t be able to take anything if we divorce. My lawyer won’t let him gain anything. But just thinking about… them continuing to live well makes me grind my teeth with rage!”

“And, that woman’s company was established by him from scratch. Now that we’re getting a divorce, the company is thriving and won’t go under… If they can continue to strut around in the business world and flaunt their success in front of me, being constantly provoked by them every day might really make me lose my temper one day… Second Uncle, please help me. Make them go bankrupt quickly… I really can’t stand these two wretches any longer.”

Li Morong seemed quite capable and not just a naïve housewife who let her husband control the company. However, making sure her scummy ex-husband got nothing in the divorce and ensuring the mistress’s company went bankrupt was beyond her capability. Hence, she came to seek help from the most powerful person in the Li family—Grandpa Li.

Hearing that Ling Weiguang had done such a thing and had hidden it from the Li family for so many years, the old man was genuinely infuriated. Although he was strict with the younger generation, he truly cared for his descendants.

He said, “Morong, don’t be too upset. I will definitely help you with this matter. However, even if Ling Weiguang and his mistress go bankrupt, the Ling family might still take him back. Would you be satisfied with such an outcome?”

Even though Ling Weiguang was a spoiled young man, he could still return to the Ling family and live a prosperous life despite the divorce and the financial losses.

Li Morong immediately said, “Of course, I don’t want him to live in luxury!”

But to make the Li and Ling families fight so fiercely in the business world just for her divorce? As Second Uncle’s niece, she had no substantial contribution to his business and felt awkward asking him to help to that extent.

So, she was very grateful and said, “But Second Uncle, just your help up to this point is enough… Let’s leave it at that.”

However, the old man shook his head, showing a hint of evaluation, and turned to Gu Chen. “Xiao Gu, what are your thoughts? How do you think this matter should be handled best?”

Gu Chen looked up and said calmly, “Grandpa, I really don’t understand business matters and can’t think of a reasonable solution.”

After all, he no longer had the skill set of “Tian Liang Wang Po” to fall back on.

The old man encouraged him, “No matter if it’s right or wrong, just speak up. It’s good practice.”

Li Morong looked at him with anticipation, saying, “It’s okay, Xiao Gu. Fourth Aunt believes in you.”

Xiao Gu seemed like someone on par with Tingqin, who was a business prodigy. Since Tingqin could manage the Li family at such a young age and help Grandpa successfully semi-retire, Xiao Gu should be equally impressive.

Gu Chen reluctantly set aside his book. Sigh, being looked at by everyone like this, waiting for him to speak, is quite awkward.

So he hesitantly said, “Fourth Aunt, I think… it’s time to reclaim your official seal.”

Li Jiashu : “???” Wow, my brother-in-law is amazing, haha.

The old man: “…” Xiao Gu, I asked you to speak, not to make random comments.

“!!!” Li Morong suddenly realized, “Oh no! I’ve been so angry and flustered that I forgot to have my people secure the administrative and financial seals! If Ling Weiguang was able to hide things from me and do business with that woman, it’s likely that he had his people in the administrative and financial departments. Otherwise, such a series of transactions couldn’t have gone so smoothly, nor could they have been kept so secret! I need to quickly retrieve those seals!” What if Ling Weiguang used the seals to sign more messy contracts?

She looked at Gu Chen with genuine gratitude and said, “Xiao Gu, thank you so much for the reminder.”

Li Jiashu was stunned, thinking, “My broter-in-law is amazing!”

Gu Chen: “… You’re welcome.” He had only made a joke, after all, it seemed like the business world did love to steal seals these days.

Li Morong immediately called her company to remind them about this issue. After hanging up, she anxiously clenched her phone and said, “But I still can’t do much about him. Xiao Gu, do you have any other good ideas? Could you give me another hint?”

Gu Chen, quite modestly, replied, “Fourth Aunt, I don’t really understand the matter well enough to offer any further advice.”

He then tried to give her a clear, innocent look and asked, “But I have a question: isn’t it illegal for Mr. Ling to have your company work with that woman for such a long time?”

Li Morong was momentarily stunned by his question, then her eyes lit up with realization. She jumped out of her seat, exclaiming, “Oh my God! Xiao Gu! You’re truly brilliant! Absolutely brilliant!”

She nearly rushed over to shake Gu Chen’s hand in her excitement but quickly pulled back when she saw his imposing aura.

She slapped her recovered hand down with force and said, “Great! Watch me not send Ling Weiguang and that mistress to prison on charges of economic crime! No matter how wealthy he is, I don’t believe he can live in luxury while in jail!”

“How could I not have thought of such a good solution?! It must be that I didn’t hate him enough! Ah, Xiao Gu, I don’t know how to thank you enough…”

Li Jiashu’s Bmouth was wide open, almost big enough to fit an egg. “ Brother-in-law, you really are amazing! You deserve to be married to my brother. Just a few words from you can have such an impact—impressive, really impressive. Even though you’re usually so innocent and introverted, it seems like you have a special talent for winning over elders. After impressing Grandpa, now you’re impressing Fourth Aunt too?”

After her excitement subsided, Li Morong  remembered and turned to Grandpa Li. “By the way, Second Uncle, did you have any good suggestions earlier?”

Grandpa Li: “…” Suggestions? Everything he was going to say had already been covered by Xiao Gu, so what more was there to suggest?

“Ahem.” Grandpa Li cleared his throat, feeling awkward ever since Gu Chen arrived. “Morong , what I wanted to say was that I have good lawyers who can help you find evidence and deal with Ling Weiguang. But for now, don’t alert him too soon…”

Li Morong  nodded, “Second Uncle, I understand. Thank you so much for your help today, and thank you to Xiao Gu as well.” It seemed that Grandpa Li also highly recognized Xiao Gu’s plan—among the younger generation, very few could earn Grandpa’s approval besides Ting Qin.

Just as she was about to leave, she suddenly received another call. “What?”

“Ling Weiguang actually signed a contract with EW Company and got it stamped at the office?”

“Fortunately, it was intercepted.”

“Alright, you all make sure to manage it properly. From now on, any documents requiring signatures and stamps must be verified with me before proceeding. Anything stamped without my approval will not be valid.”

After hanging up, Li Morong  was increasingly alarmed. Although her shareholding was substantial, to the outside world, a stamped document represented the company’s stance. Regardless of internal disputes, proving otherwise in court would be extremely complicated and time-consuming, potentially draining her resources.

So, while the notion of stealing official seals might sound absurd, such incidents are not uncommon in disputes over company shares or divorces.

Fortunately, Gu Chen’s timely reminder had prevented a major issue. She gratefully said, “I really didn’t expect Ling Weiguang to dare to do something like this… Xiao Gu, thank you for pointing it out. Young people like you who navigate the business world are truly sharp… I almost overlooked the most critical matter.”

Li Jiashu : “!!!” My brother-in-lawreally has some kind of magic! How coincidental is this? Even though he thought Gu Chen’s “nonsense” didn’t reveal any real business acumen, it didn’t stop him from seeing Gu Chen as someone impressively enigmatic.

Gu Chen: “… You’re really welcome.” He had only made a casual remark, and it was exhausting to deal with.

She sneered again and said, “Since he’s so bold, it seems he’s done this sort of thing before. Just watch me send him to prison.”

She sincerely and warmly added, “Xiao Gu, once I resolve this matter, I’ll come to thank you properly.”

Gu Chen: “Auntie, you’re too kind.”

As they chatted, the title of “Fourth Aunt” was upgraded to simply “Auntie,” and the old man, who had been forgotten in their conversation, thought to himself: “…”

Li Morong  took her leave, and Li Jiashu  seized the opportunity to say goodbye as well. Grandpa Li looked at his still-undrunk tea, then glanced at Gu Chen, who had once again picked up an ancient book, and thought: “…”

Is there really no one to rescue this old man?

……

After finishing a day’s work, Li Tingqin sat in the car, resting with his eyes closed, while Assistant Chen reported on domestic affairs.

Assistant Chen said, “The investigation into Mr. Gu’s high school incidents with Zhong Sheng, Du Ruiqing, and others has been completed.”

But being astute, Assistant Chen did not elaborate. Instead, he handed a folder to Li Tingqin and said, “Mr. Li, please review this.”

Li Tingqin opened his eyes and flipped through the folder, which contained Zhong Sheng’s statements from prison and information provided by Du Ruiqing.

The case was relatively straightforward. After Gu Zhongmao and Qi Yajun’s divorce, Xiao Gu went to live with Qi Yajun and was sent to a boarding school. However, Qi Yajun rarely checked in, and despite the wealth of both the Cheng and Qi families, they often forgot to provide Xiao Gu with living expenses and pocket money.

Seeing this, Li Tingqin sighed inwardly. No wonder Xiao Gu had asked him for pocket money but rarely spent it.

Due to Xiao Gu’s prolonged financial struggles, Du Ruiqing, who was eager to climb the social ladder, pretended to befriend him but actually saw him as someone to bully. Du Ruiqing, in need of money, mingled with people like Zhong Sheng and, when trying to distance himself from them, recommended the strikingly good-looking Xiao Gu to Zhong Sheng, deceiving him into the abandoned teaching building.

In the abandoned building, Zhong Sheng and his gang intended to harm Xiao Gu. Because of Xiao Gu’s resistance, they fought, and Xiao Gu used a broken brick to injure one of Zhong Sheng’s men. Ultimately, Xiao Gu was forced to jump from the building.

Qi Yajun heard from the school that Xiao Gu had been involved in a fight and injured the young master of the Li family. Instead of addressing the issue personally, she sent her 22-year-old stepson, Cheng Wenyiao, to handle it. Cheng Wenyiao not only failed to investigate the matter thoroughly but also befriended Zhong Sheng. Ultimately, he accepted the school’s decision, blaming Du Ruiqing as the primary instigator of the incident, and the truth of Xiao Gu being bullied was buried.

Li Tingqin closed the folder and rubbed his temples. In this incident, Qi Yajun, Cheng Wenyiao, Zhong Sheng, and Du Ruiqing were all villains, while Xiao Gu was the only innocent party who suffered so much. The Gu family, having ignored Xiao Gu for years, now sought to marry him off for their own benefit, yet still criticized him for his character and demeaned him.

Li Tingqin’s expression grew colder. These families truly lacked any warmth.

He said, “Have Secretary Xu consolidate the schedule for these few days and clear a couple of days. I need to return to the country.”

As Xiao Gu’s legal husband, he shouldn’t become one of those people who neglects Xiao Gu after marriage and shows no warmth. This isn’t right. Although Zhong Sheng and Du Ruiqing have been dealt with, Xiao Gu has suffered greatly, and he should go back to comfort him.

Assistant Chen nodded, “Understood, Mr. Li.”

Li Tingqin then asked, “Xiao Gu has been staying at the old residence for almost a week. Is he adjusting well? Grandpa hasn’t made things difficult for him, has he?”

Assistant Chen hesitated, “… Mr. Gu has been at the old residence for almost a week. However, according to Uncle Xu from the old residence, Mr. Gu is fine, but the old man is nearly going mad. Uncle Xu subtly asked me to convey to you that it might be time to bring Mr. Gu back soon.”

Li Tingqin: “?”

But then he thought it was reasonable. The first time Xiao Gu stayed at the old residence, he couldn’t stand the grandfather and moved to the annex. By the second time, Xiao Gu had already adapted. Xiao Gu really is very talented and is gradually growing. He was just hindered by his past family and environment.

So he said calmly, “Alright, I’ll pick up Xiao Gu when I return.”

Assistant Chen: “?” Boss Li, why is there no reaction to such an outrageous matter?