Gu Shaoyuan was very pleased and smiled. “He is also very loyal. His mother spoils him too much. Despite being a grown man, he acts on his whims like a fool.”

Song Yi smiled lightly and adjusted his glasses. “A childlike heart is the most precious, indicating that Mr. Gu has provided an excellent family upbringing.”

No matter his true thoughts, his words were flattering enough. Gu Shaoyuan couldn’t find any flaws and admired Song Yi’s quick thinking. Curious about Song Yi’s background, he asked, “What kind of business does your family do?”

Song Yi truthfully explained that Zhao Hongyan was a nurse in the hospital and that his late father had been a worker. He emphasized that he came from a typical family in the capital.

Gu Xingchuan frowned as he listened. “Why are you asking him about this?”

Gu Shaoyuan glanced at him and snorted softly, “Look at him, then look at you.”

Gu Xingchuan glanced at Song Yi and deliberately misinterpreted Gu Shaoyuan’s mockery. “I think he’s pretty good,” he said.

Gu Shaoyuan retorted helplessly and shook his head.

On the table, there was a signature dish of lobster with lemon butter sauce. Gu Xingchuan took a bite, hissed lightly, and put down his fork.

Gu Xingchuan touched his lower lip, revealing a crack that had reopened. It had been a few days since he had touched anything with lemon.

Gu Shaoyuan glared at him and said, “What happened?”

Gu Xingchuan remained calm and composed as if nothing had happened. Song Yi wished he could bury his head in the table to hide his embarrassment, knowing that Gu Shaoyuan would find out that Gu Xingchuan was bitten by him. He really wanted to find a place to hide.

“Bitten,” Gu Xingchuan replied with a carefree smile. “A little dog bit me.”

Gu Shaoyuan glanced at Song Yi, who tried to remain composed and sighed inwardly. “If there’s someone special in your life, bring them home so your mother and I can meet them. Your mother hopes to have a grandchild to play with.”

Gu Xingchuan frowned and said, “Go have one yourself.”

“If we could still have children on our own, why would we need you?” Gu Shaoyuan said angrily.

Gu Xingchuan’s eyebrows furrowed even tighter. If he really had a baby, he wouldn’t be able to enjoy him alone and would have to share it with others. That was out of the question.

After finishing the meal, Gu Shaoyuan hurriedly returned to the company and instructed Gu Xingchuan to take Song Yi home. Song Yi once again enjoyed the luxury car pick-up and drop-off treatment.

There’s a natural admiration for strength ingrained in men. Although Song Yi hadn’t interacted much with Gu Shaoyuan, he deeply respected him. Building such a successful business abroad on his own for so many years was no small feat.

He envied Gu Xingchuan, not for his family background, but for the harmonious and comfortable atmosphere of equal communication between his father and mother.

Money and status can be earned, but if one cannot obtain anything else, they are truly lacking.

He and Zhao Hongyan only have a relationship of dependency. Zhao Hongyan doesn’t care about what he thinks or wants; she only cares about whether Song Yi brings her pride or shame.

As Gu Xingchuan drove, he noticed Song Yi’s gloomy expression and asked softly, “What are you thinking about?”

“What do you want to eat tonight?” Song Yi turned to face him and asked casually.

—