Chapter 4: The Playboy Second Young Master × The Overbearing Female CEO (4)

Nan Ming crossed her arms and lazily glanced at Gu Yin. “That depends on how it tastes.”

The cold and aloof aura around Nan Ming faded slightly, making her appear warmer. Gu Yin held a plate in one hand and gently pinched Nan Ming’s smooth, fair cheek with the other. “Then taste it carefully.”

Nan Ming’s earlobes suddenly turned red. Although she was already twenty-six, she had very little experience in love—let alone with a guy three years younger. She couldn’t help but think: Are boys these days always so enthusiastic?

She hurriedly sat at the dining table and looked at the spread before her—vegetable and lean meat congee, fried eggs, shredded potato pancakes. She was visibly surprised. “You made all this?”

“Of course.” Gu Yin raised his eyebrows. “Isn’t there an old saying that the way to someone’s heart is through their stomach? How could I not know how to cook?”

“…”

Nan Ming was defeated by his logic. Thinking about how she herself didn’t know how to cook, she realized winning someone’s heart was going to be hard. She took small bites of her food, secretly wondering if she should go home and ask her aunt for advice.

Gu Yin saw through her thoughts. “One person in a family knowing how to cook is enough. After all, in our home, you handle things outside, and I handle things inside.”

Nan Ming had to admit defeat with this guy and didn’t bother arguing. The two of them enjoyed a pleasant breakfast and arrived early at the office. As usual, Nan Ming focused on her work while Gu Yin sketched nearby.

By afternoon, Gu Yin had already ordered wontons for Nan Ming. “My old man’s been messaging me all day telling me to come home. I’ll go check in. Remember to eat on time. If I finish early, I’ll come pick you up. If it’s too late, you’ll have to get home on your own.”

“Got it.” Nan Ming thought this guy was like a nagging butler—especially long-winded.

Gu Yin drove straight to the Gu family home, located in the Qingling Villa District. The original Gu Yin had lived with his parents and older brother but later moved into an apartment to escape his parents’ constant nagging.

“Second Young Master!” As soon as Gu Yin entered, the butler greeted him with delight. “You’ve finally returned. The Master and Madam have been waiting for you.”

“Aunt Yang, you’re looking younger these days,” Gu Yin joked. “Have you been sneaking off to get beauty treatments?”

“You little rascal.”

Yang Yu had watched Gu Yin grow up and treated him like her own son. She lightly patted him, but the smile on her face couldn’t be hidden.

Before Gu Yin could finish joking with Yang Yu, a well-maintained middle-aged woman rushed out and began hitting him while hugging him.

“You little brat! You don’t even come home to see your mother anymore. Heartless!”

The original Gu Yin had been so unrestrained largely because of his mother’s indulgence. She even helped him cover up when he was secretly seeing men.

“Mom, I just came home a few days ago. It hasn’t been that long.” Gu Yin gently pushed her away. “Who knows? I might bring your daughter-in-law back to you in a few days.”

“Don’t even mention that! Your dumb father actually wanted you to marry into someone else’s family! Broke my heart, it did. My poor baby!”

Gu Yin’s parents had a harmonious relationship, and the children were filial. His mother was especially trusting and easy to fool—frequently duped by the original Gu Yin.

“Get in here already!” Before they could finish their chat, Gu Yin’s father’s booming voice echoed through the house.

“What are you yelling for? You’re scaring the child,” Gu Yin’s mother grumbled, but still led him into the living room.

Gu Yin casually slouched onto the sofa. His father frowned even more at his careless posture. “Why are you working at the Nan Corporation? Didn’t you say you didn’t agree to the marriage?”

“I never said that. I just don’t like arranged marriages. What era are we living in? Still going by ‘parents’ orders and matchmaker’s word’? That’s feudal thinking.”

“You—” His father was so angry he nearly raised his hand to hit him, only to be forced back into his seat by a slap from Gu Yin’s mother.

“You can go ahead and get close to Nan Ming—I won’t interfere. But you’d better not play around or act irresponsibly. Don’t ruin the Gu family’s reputation.”

“Got it, got it. Your son is a decent man.” Gu Yin waved him off impatiently. “By the way, where’s Sister-in-law and Xi Xi?”

Xi Xi was Gu Jie’s son, two and a half years old, extremely mischievous and charming with his adorable little face. Everyone adored him.

According to the original plot, when Xi Xi grew up, he was fiercely protective of the original protagonist’s daughter. Even when the original Gu Yin tried multiple times to get rid of the daughter to hurt Nan Ming, Xi Xi always stopped him.

“They went to swimming lessons. They’ll be back soon,” his mother said with a loving smile at the mention of her grandson.

“Why don’t we have dinner together before I leave?” Gu Yin’s mother noticed him checking the time and quickly spoke up to keep him around.

“Sure, just in time to see if my big nephew’s gained weight again!” It was only five o’clock. Earlier, Nan Ming had mentioned she wouldn’t be done until eight or nine, so he wasn’t in a hurry.

“I’m not heavy~” Just then, Xi Xi returned from his swimming lesson. Upon hearing his uncle say he was heavy, the little boy immediately dashed over on his short legs to argue.

Gu Yin looked at the little chubby ball waddling toward him and couldn’t help raising an eyebrow—this wasn’t heavy?

“Uncle’s mean! Xi Xi is the most handsome, not heavy at all!” The chubby boy waved his hands and shook his head, fiercely defending himself.

“Hahahahahaha! Xi Xi, you’ve got a double chin and you still say you’re not heavy?” Gu Yin teased him on purpose.

“No, I don’t!” The little guy immediately tried to stretch out his face to hide his baby fat.

The whole family burst into laughter. Everyone except Gu Jie, who was out for business, was present at dinner. The meal was cheerful and heartwarming. After dinner, Gu Yin left the house amidst his mother’s reluctance and his father’s nagging.

“Are you done for the day?” Gu Yin called Nan Ming as soon as he got in the car.

“Almost. You’re done over there?” Nan Ming still found it hard to believe they’d only known each other for two days and were already at the stage of updating each other about their daily schedules. But thinking of her friends in other arranged marriages—who went straight from meeting to planning the engagement—it didn’t seem that strange anymore.

“Yeah, I’m done. I’m on my way to you now. Have you eaten? Are you hungry?”

“I’ve eaten—a lot. There’s no way I’m hungry.”

“Haha. Then wait for me to pick you up and take you home.”

…

“Director, please take a look at this new collection. If you approve, we can launch it quickly and still make it in time for Fashion Week.”

Nan Ming flipped through the new design drafts White Xin handed her. “These designs are high quality. Quite innovative too. If we market them well, they might even start a new trend.”

“These were all designed by Young President Gu,” White Xin said, making Nan Ming pause in surprise. She glanced down at the signature on the works—it was indeed Gu Yin’s name.

Nan Ming spaced out for a moment. She and Gu Yin had already been living together for a month. Though calling it “cohabitation” might be a stretch—it was more like being roommates. Gu Yin was proper and disciplined, always made breakfast on time, and no matter how late it got, he came to pick her up from work.

There were a few times during social events when Gu Yin insisted on drinking for her. Even though he was noisy when drunk, she found herself increasingly used to having this young man by her side.

“Director, keeping Young President Gu around was the wisest decision ever!” White Xin couldn’t hide her excitement. If this new collection succeeded, they’d all receive hefty bonuses—just thinking about it was thrilling.

“Look at this ‘Starry Dream’ series. From first glance, it’s like wearing the entire night sky. It has playful, vibrant designs perfect for young women, and elegant, mature styles for middle-aged women too. Truly imaginative!”