Chapter 9: The CEO’s Son Can’t Take the Civil Service Exam…

When Gu Mingchen was blinded, Xie Ting’an hadn’t passed away yet. The scenes in the revolving lantern mainly featured Xie Ting’an, with only a brief mention of how Gu Mingchen ended up like this.

However, in the future scenes, after Gu Mingchen inherited the Gu family, Xie Ting’an heard more rumors.

The most popular rumor was that while Gu Mingchen was working at a club, he encountered a perverted customer who liked his eyes. This customer drugged Gu Mingchen, intending to gouge out his eyes, but the attempt failed due to lack of skill.

After the incident was exposed, the club didn’t want to take responsibility or offend the customer, so they sent Gu Mingchen to the hospital, gave him some money, tricked him into signing a waiver, and left him there to fend for himself.

At that time, the old butler had already passed away, and Gu Mingchen was forced to sign a breakup agreement. He had to stumble back to the dilapidated Western-style house, where a kind mother and daughter from the nearby urban village took care of him for a while. Even so, he almost died that winter.

Although the truth of the rumors was unknown, Xie Ting’an looked at those beautiful eyes and couldn’t help but feel a bit of pity.

In the future, after Gu Mingchen took over the Gu family, he faced great resistance in everything he did due to his blindness and was often mocked and ridiculed behind his back.

“Do you plan to keep working at the club?” Xie Ting’an’s tone was slightly heavier, with a hint of warning. The club was a mixed bag, and even if he avoided one perverted customer, it didn’t mean he was safe.

“I…” Gu Mingchen instinctively looked straight at the person in front of him.

“I’m not very smart, and I can’t learn the ways of the world, so it’s hard for me to find a job.”

Xie Ting’an met Gu Mingchen’s gaze and was silent for two seconds.

An IQ of 140 isn’t smart enough?

Then what is Sun Zong?

An amoeba?

“Because of my family background, no company wants me. I’m in my senior year of college and want to take the exam, but I can’t pass the political review.”

Gu Mingchen lowered his eyes, feeling a bit down.

Xie Ting’an watched Gu Mingchen for a moment and suddenly realized something.

Back when Gu Qiu was a playboy, Xie Ting’an had just started high school. He had a strong sense of justice and publicly exposed Gu Qiu for two-timing, being involved with Xie Ting’an’s then-neighboring sister, who later became Gu Mingchen’s mother, while also entangled with his white moonlight.

After learning the truth, Gu Qiu’s white moonlight left Rong City in tears. Gu Qiu chased after her to City A, got jealous, illegally broke into someone’s house, and caused trouble. The other party was also a prominent figure in City A and refused to reconcile, leading to Gu Qiu being jailed for a while.

Recalling this, Xie Ting’an instantly realized that it was likely this incident that cut off Gu Mingchen’s path to the civil service exam.

Xie Ting’an raised his hand to his forehead, pinching his brow, and turned slightly away, avoiding looking at Gu Mingchen’s expression.

Gu Qiu probably didn’t have the face to tell his son about this, but if Gu Mingchen found out that it was inadvertently his fault that he lost a career path, there would definitely be a reckoning in the future.

“Right now, the only thing I can offer is my appearance.” Gu Mingchen’s gaze remained steady, still looking straight at the person in front of him. For some reason, his ears turned a bit red.

“And… my physical strength.”

Seeing that Gu Mingchen was determined to continue working at the club, Xie Ting’an raised his hand to stop him from saying more and offered a solution.

“Quit the club job. I’ll find you a position at another company.”

Gu Mingchen’s eyes cleared a bit, seeing Xie Ting’an standing opposite, with a slight frown, his delicate features showing a rational beauty, and his voice steady as he made arrangements.

“You’ll use an alias to work at the company I arrange for you. Throughout the process, you won’t have contact with the company’s upper management. The salary will be higher than at the club, but you must not reveal your identity, and you’ll need to make some changes to your appearance.”

“Will I see you?” Gu Mingchen asked, accidentally voicing the question in his heart, which surprised even himself.

Xie Ting’an looked up, meeting the young man’s gaze. Even though he knew he wasn’t seen as a good person by the Gu family, the question was indeed a bit presumptuous.

“Given the relationship between our families, I won’t place you in a company under the Xie family, so you don’t have to worry about being targeted by them, nor about seeing me.”

Xie Ting’an raised an eyebrow, “This job is just to help you get through a tough time. If you find a better opportunity, you can leave anytime.”

Gu Mingchen’s thin lips moved slightly, his eyes fixed on the person in front of him.

It was like finding a stray puppy on the road, gently petting it, but having no intention of keeping it. He would neatly pack it up with its supplies and send it elsewhere, not even bothering to look back.

Gu Mingchen slowly lowered his eyes, his hand clenched at his side, and after a long time, he softly said, “Thank you.”

Xie Ting’an turned away, not responding, nor expecting any future repayment from Gu Mingchen. As long as he could inherit the Gu family like in the novel and not target the Xie family, Xie Ting’an believed that with the system in hand, he could get through this.

The old butler’s surgery was over, and he was sent to the recovery room for further observation and treatment. Xie Ting’an saw the health value above the old butler’s head turn pink and slowly fade, guessing he had passed the most dangerous period.

Leaving Gu Mingchen to continue watching over the old butler, Xie Ting’an went to the hospital lobby. While waiting for the car, he entered observation mode.

The newly acquired data points were peculiar. They appeared above men’s heads but not women’s. All the numbers were in standard font, with the smallest observed number being 3 and the largest being 26 above Gu Mingchen’s head. Most others were in the 6-15 range.

Xie Ting’an pondered for a long time until he accidentally glanced at the free contraceptive dispenser in the hospital lobby.

People came and went in the hospital, and almost no one took anything from the dispenser in public.

Xie Ting’an’s eyes flickered, and he had a vague guess while looking at the contraceptives inside. He took a few steps closer, and through the glass window, he saw the data above his own head, speechless for a moment.

Three seconds later, Xie Ting’an expressionlessly opened the data point management mode and decisively hid this data.

No one.

Absolutely no one.

Wants to look up and see how long someone else’s bird is!!!

Xie Ting’an closed his eyes, trying to erase the numbers from his mind, but even after getting in the car, the strings of numbers kept flashing, especially the highest and lowest values, occupying the emotional extremes.

People usually pity the weak and admire the strong. Xie Ting’an pressed his temples, trying to calm the emotions brought by the numbers.

It’s understandable for a harem novel’s male lead.

Some people are just naturally gifted.

It’s okay, make peace with the world.

His private phone vibrated a few times, breaking his thoughts. He opened it to see a message from Xie Boxia.

The house was missing a few ingredients, and she couldn’t go downstairs, so she asked Xie Ting’an to bring them when he came.

Xie Ting’an’s expression softened as he replied.

[By the way, brother, remember to wear a mask when you come, and it’s best to be fully armed. There seem to be paparazzi in the neighborhood today.]

Xie Ting’an sent a “good” back, and as Xie Boxia’s phone rang, the man next to her leaned over.

“Is your brother really coming?” The man looked at the message nervously, glancing at his outfit, visibly anxious.

“Ren Shan, you don’t have to be afraid of my brother. He’s friendly to strangers too.”

Xie Boxia’s hand holding the phone was slightly sweaty. She patted her chest, trying to calm herself.

Don’t be afraid, it’s just letting brother taste her cooking and introducing her boyfriend.

“I feel like I’m not ready. Maybe you should just say I’m your ordinary friend.” Ren Shan’s face was full of unease.

“If I mess up today, will your brother blacklist me in the industry?”

“My brother isn’t unreasonable, and besides, you’re a celebrity.” Xie Boxia looked at Ren Shan, her expression more serious.

“Since you proposed to officially date me, meeting my family is necessary.”

“But I never thought you’d be the eldest daughter of the Xie family, and your brother would be the CEO of Xie Corporation.”

Ren Shan’s eyes were almost tearing up, “I even asked your friend, and she said you came from a small town, and your parents were retired teachers!”

“If you feel pressured by my background, we can pretend we never dated.”

Xie Boxia stood up from the sofa, suppressing the bit of disappointment in her heart, tying her hair up neatly.

“My brother will take a while to buy groceries, you have time to run.”

“I didn’t mean that, it’s just that my contract with my old company is about to expire, and my agent has been in contact with the executives of Xie’s entertainment company. I’m worried your brother will misunderstand my intentions.”

Ren Shan followed Xie Boxia to the kitchen, explaining earnestly.

“As long as you explain clearly, my brother won’t overthink it.” Xie Boxia focused on the ingredients soaked in saltwater, rinsing them several times, trying to carve a heart with a knife.

“Xia Xia, you have to help me explain too. I really didn’t know your identity before.” Ren Shan looked at Xie Boxia with a hint of pleading in his eyes.

Xie Boxia looked at her first boyfriend in over twenty years, realizing she hadn’t told him anything before. After a moment of thought, she nodded.

“Xia Xia, thank you.” Ren Shan sighed in relief, looking around and rolling up his sleeves, “Xia Xia, let me help you.”

Xie Boxia shook her head, “If you interfere, my brother will taste it.”

Ren Shan immediately retracted his hand, standing behind Xie Boxia, his eyes on the vegetable leaves in her hand, speaking casually.

“By the way, Xia Xia, with your brother being such a big CEO, why are you only a seventh or eighth-tier actress?”

Xie Boxia paused her chopping, not turning back.

“My brother didn’t initially agree with me entering the entertainment industry, but he couldn’t stop me. We made a pact that he wouldn’t interfere with my career, and I had to make a name for myself with my own abilities.”

“I see.” Ren Shan tried to suppress his overwhelming disbelief, pretending to understand, and gently poked Xie Boxia’s cheek from behind, speaking indulgently.

“Look at your stubbornness, even the famous Xie CEO can’t handle you. It seems you’ll be the boss at home.”

Xie Boxia’s face turned a bit red, turning to push Ren Shan out of the kitchen. Having been single for over twenty years, she finally dated a big star who respected her. Her brother would probably think he’s great too.

Xie Ting’an received a message from the bodyguard while picking vegetables at the supermarket near his sister’s neighborhood. There were indeed paparazzi, but their target wasn’t Xie Boxia.

When Xie Ting’an paid, the bodyguard sent a photo, having found two paparazzi and handled them according to the usual procedure.

Carrying the groceries, Xie Ting’an entered the neighborhood, passing by a few patrolling security guards. The lead guard gave the behind-the-scenes boss an apologetic look. Xie Ting’an’s expression remained calm, making a stern warning gesture before entering the building and pressing the elevator button.

In the revolving lantern, the events that happened to Xie Boxia a year later were something Xie Ting’an would never allow to repeat.

Those baseless scandals, exposed private photos, and various insults and threats were like knives, leaving her battered and bruised.

At that time, Xie Ting’an was in a sorry state, unable to stop the endless rumors, only able to seek help everywhere. But now, every sign would be nipped in the bud.

The elevator reached the floor, and Xie Ting’an gently pressed the doorbell, hearing a distant “coming” from inside. His brow relaxed, and he couldn’t help but smile.

The door swung open, and Xie Boxia, wearing fluffy slippers, ran over with a happy face. Just like when she was a child, she stood on tiptoe and hugged Xie Ting’an’s neck, her fluffy head rubbing against him.

“Brother, I missed you so much!”