Chapter 6 – 006

“Cough, cough, cough!”

Gu Xian coughed and wiped the cola off himself, barely catching his breath as he cursed, “You damn—are you insane?”

Yan Lingfang carefully wiped the stains from her dress, her face full of concern, while Gu Rongcai also looked displeased. “How old are you to still be so reckless!”

In contrast, Xie Yunjing, sitting farther away and having anticipated this, was unaffected.

“Gu Xian, I’m serious.”

“That’s bullshit!” Gu Xian shot him a huge glare. “Do you even believe what you’re saying?”

Before Xie Yunjing could respond, Gu Rongcai chimed in, “Stop throwing a tantrum. Yunjing isn’t joking. His grandfather called me personally this morning.”

“Wait,” Gu Xian said, bewildered, “wasn’t this guy just about to get engaged to Tao Ranran yesterday?”

Switching partners the very next day, isn’t it way too swift?

“Why are you so petty?” Gu Rongcai said impatiently, his face showing genuine annoyance. “Who can you blame for this? It’s your own fault. If you hadn’t kept your relationship with Yunjing such a secret, his grandfather wouldn’t have arranged for him to marry that girl from the Tao family.”

“Stop throwing childish tantrums. As soon as his grandfather found out, he contacted us to discuss the marriage.”

“No way, I can’t marry him!” Gu Xian’s face was full of rejection, as if the well-dressed Xie family heir in front of him was some kind of hideous monster. “We’re not even like that!”

“Gu Xian, I’ve already apologized.” Xie Yunjing’s brow furrowed in displeasure. “The engagement with Tao Ranran was because you refused to come forward. You still won’t admit our relationship. What exactly do you take me for?”

What nonsense? Not only was Xie Yunjing lying through his teeth, but he was also putting the blame on him. Gu Xian was utterly shocked by Xie Yunjing’s shamelessness.

“Alright, Xiao Xian, just give your aunt and father some face and discuss the marriage first. As for your issues with Yunjing…” Yan Lingfang smiled gently, “you can resolve them in private, okay?”

“But I and he…”

Gu Xian suddenly realized that Old Master Xie, who had dominated the business world in City A for decades and was renowned internationally, couldn’t possibly be unaware of the true nature of his and Xie Yunjing’s relationship. Arranging for him and Xie Yunjing to marry was likely a move to spite Xie Yunjing after some fallout between the grandfather and grandson.

Xie Yunjing’s pretentious and irritating attitude was clearly a ploy to get Gu Xian to refuse the marriage on his behalf.

Both the grandfather and grandson were no good, trying to use him as a pawn? 

Heh!

“He won’t even drink what I gave him. He’s not here to apologize but to deliberately annoy me. I’m not discussing marriage with him.”

Feigning indifference and trying to provoke a reaction, Gu Xian thought to himself. The old fox intended to upset people, and if Xie Yunjing’s plan fell through because of him, there would be consequences. He wouldn’t reject or accept, he wanted to see how Xie Yunjing would handle it.

Gu Rongcai and Yan Lingfang, unaware of the undercurrents between the two, misinterpreted Gu Xian’s behavior as playful banter between lovers.

Gu Xian had indeed given Xie Yunjing the cola, and the latter had only taken a sip when he accepted it from Gu Rongcai. Drinking cola wasn’t a big deal, so the two parents enthusiastically encouraged him, “Yunjing, come on, drink up.”

“…”

Gu Xian raised his eyebrows, the challenge in his eyes unmistakable. Xie Yunjing stared at him for a moment before picking up the cup and drinking it all in one go.

The taste was awful.

Xie Yunjing tightened his jaw, struggling to maintain a composed expression.

“Are you satisfied now?” he asked, his voice slightly hoarse from the effort to keep his composure.

However, Gu Xian was unrelenting. The triumphant look vanished from his face as he adopted a more affected tone. “You only did it after being told and needed my dad and aunt to persuade you. What kind of sincerity is that?”

Gu Rongcai and Yan Lingfang had thought they were giving Xie Yunjing an easy way out, only to see Gu Xian jump up and trample all over it.

“Gu Xian! Can you be a bit more sensible?” Gu Rongcai scolded.

Gu Rongcai could barely contain his anger, but Xie Yunjing remained calm and accommodating. “What else do you want me to do?”

Gu Xian, showing no respect for his elders, patted his father’s shoulder. “Dad, why are you getting so worked up?”

He grinned shamelessly. “This is just our way of having fun. Besides, if I don’t assert my authority, who’s going to get bullied? Of course, it’s me—your son. Don’t you agree, Third Young Master Xie?”

Xie Yunjing’s mouth twitched, clearly irritated.

“I wouldn’t dare.”

Yan Lingfang placed a calming hand on Gu Rongcai’s arm, stopping him from lashing out. She gently patted him in reassurance. “Xiao Xian, Yunjing is already being so accommodating. Stop making things difficult for him.”

“What does he have to fear?” Gu Xian withdrew his impudent hand from his father. “Aunt Yan, it’s not that I’m being uncooperative, but look at this: marriage is a huge deal. He didn’t even ask if I was willing first and just brought you all here. Is this really a discussion or more of a forced decision?”

“So, you’re saying you don’t want to marry me?”

“No, no, I didn’t say that.”

Xie Yunjing wanted to take the opportunity to back down gracefully, but Gu Xian wasn’t going to let him off that easily.

Gu Xian propped his head on his hand, leisurely swinging his leg. “I just don’t want to discuss marriage right now. I’m still angry. Besides, for something as big as marriage, isn’t it reasonable for me to take a couple of days to think it over?”

“…”

Clearly, no conclusion would be reached today, and staying any longer would be a waste of time.

“Of course,” Xie Yunjing said, standing up. “If seeing me makes you angry, I’ll leave for now. Additionally…”

He fixed his gaze on Gu Xian, emphasizing his words. “I hope you seriously consider this and avoid making decisions you’ll regret.”

Gu Xian nonchalantly waved his hand, not even bothering to move from his spot. “Bye-bye, no need to see you out.”

As Gu Rongcai and Yan Lingfang tried to persuade him to stay, Xie Yunjing nodded politely. “Uncle Gu, Madam Yan, I’ll take my leave now. No need to see me out.”

His own father shot him another angry glare, but Gu Xian simply curled his lips into a smirk and loudly blew a kiss. “Darling, see you next time! Mwah~”

Xie Yunjing visibly stiffened for a moment before leaving without a word.

After watching Xie Yunjing get into his car, Gu Rongcai and Yan Lingfang hurriedly returned from the door.

Gu Xian continued to lounge lazily, while Gu Rongcai raised his hand in anger, only to lower it gently under Yan Lingfang’s calming influence, looking like he wanted to explode but couldn’t.

Seeing them sit down and Gu Rongcai slowly calm down while sipping tea, Gu Xian couldn’t help but ask, “Dad, aren’t you angry?”

A vein bulged on Gu Rongcai’s temple as he gripped his cup, and a torrent of reprimands poured out. “You know it! Yunjing sincerely wants to marry you, and you speak to him like that!”

“Oh, that’s not what I meant.” Gu Xian sat up, finally showing some seriousness. “I meant, aren’t you angry that I’m gay?”

Gu Rongcai looked like he had punched a pillow, and choked on his words.

Yan Lingfang answered for him, with a smile, “What’s there to be angry about? Nowadays, same-sex marriage is legal. Your father isn’t some outdated old fogey.”

Gu Xian responded with an uninterested “Oh,” lacking the joy of receiving support and instead seeming somewhat disinterested.

He scratched his head. “There wasn’t a hint about me and Xie Yunjing before. Didn’t you guys find it suspicious at all?”

Gu Rongcai scoffed. “We saw the photos.”

“Exactly,” Yan Lingfang added, covering her mouth with a knowing smile. “And besides, the injury on your lip couldn’t have been self-inflicted, could it?”

“…” Xie Yunjing hadn’t held back when he bit, leaving distinctive outward-turned teeth marks that Gu Xian couldn’t have made himself.

Gu Xian was speechless, and slumped back down.

He often behaved nonchalantly, and Gu Rongcai and Yan Lingfang weren’t bothered by it. Yan Lingfang gently continued, “Xiao Xian, let’s talk about you and Yunjing getting married.”

“Your father and I hope you can settle down with Yunjing soon. Of course, it’s not that your father doesn’t care if you’re mistreated, it’s just…” The elegantly woman with make-up sighed deeply, with her face full of worry. “You don’t know, but your father’s company hasn’t been doing well lately. Those partners and competitors are all trying to take advantage, without a shred of decency. Your father is so worried that he can’t even sleep properly.”

“Fortunately, you’re in a relationship with Yunjing, and the Xie family has agreed to your marriage,” Yan Lingfang’s eyes sparkled with hope. “With the Xie family’s support, others won’t dare to take advantage, and your father’s company can smoothly get through this tough time. Xiao Xian, please, for your father’s sake, let’s finalize the marriage soon, okay?”

The Gu and Xie families were once close, renowned merchant families in the area since the last century. However, the Gu family’s descendants had not lived up to expectations, and in recent years, the Gu family had declined, causing their relationship with the Xie family to fade.

Gu Rongcai’s constant references to “your grandfather” were full of ingratiating flattery.

“So that’s how it is.”

Gu Xian’s tone irritated Gu Rongcai. “What more do you want? Is fooling around with Xie Yunjing more important than our family’s company? Do you think your carefree lifestyle comes without effort?”

“I didn’t say I wouldn’t agree,” Gu Xian said, pulling out his phone and opening a game. “It’s just that I just made a big deal out of this. If I immediately say I’ve made up my mind, it’ll look like I have no backbone. Then, Young Master Xie won’t take me seriously, and getting his help won’t be easy.”

“You could have just agreed right away instead of causing trouble!” Gu Rongcai grumbled.

“Mm,” Gu Xian responded absentmindedly, his attention seemingly fully absorbed by the game.

Yan Lingfang stopped Gu Rongcai from further scolding. “Xiao Xian, your father is having a really hard time. Please, you must help him.”

“Got it,” Gu Xian replied without looking up. “I’ll handle it.”

The couple drank their tea for a while longer.

Yan Lingfang put her phone back in her bag and stood up with Gu Rongcai. “Xiao Xian, since there’s nothing more for now, your father and I will head out.”

Gu Xian’s hand paused briefly before he continued playing his game. “It’s almost dinner time in an hour. Won’t you stay for a meal?”

“Xiao Yu has a match tonight.”

Gu Xian turned off his phone and stood up. “Alright, I’ll see you off then.”

“Dad, Mom, hurry up, or we’ll be late!”

As the door opened, a loud voice called out. 

A black sedan had parked outside the gate at some point, and a young boy with a delicate appearance was leaning out of the car window, waving urgently.

“Going out means changing shoes. I’ll just see you off from here,” Gu Xian said, lifting his foot to show the slippers he was wearing.

Gu Rongcai glared at him, clearly displeased with his laziness.

Yan Lingfang, however, asked, “Xiao Xian, do you want to come with us?”

Gu Xian looked disinterested. “No, I won’t understand anything there anyway.”

As the couple reached the car, Gu Rongcai affectionately patted Gu Leyu’s head before opening the passenger door and getting in. Gu Leyu’s voice could be heard asking.

“Isn’t Brother coming?”

And Gu Rongcai’s dismissive response.

“He’d just be wasting a seat.”

“Bye, Brother,” Gu Leyu said, and smiled smugly, clearly intending to gloat.

Gu Xian with his hands in his pockets, didn’t care whether they heard him or not. He simply said, “Bye,” and considered the matter settled.

The sedan carrying the family of three drove off hurriedly, but Gu Xian remained at the doorway. Just as he was about to turn back inside, he heard a voice.

“Brother Xian! I’ve brought the food you ordered!”

Gu Xian didn’t break his stride, but he spoke loudly enough for the delivery guy to hear clearly.

“Don’t want it, take it to Li Yuqiu.”

With that, he closed the door, leaving the delivery guy confused and muttering “huh huh” a few times.

*

Muzi Qiu: Why did you suddenly order so much food for me?

Li Yuqiu messaged just as Gu Xian was looking at his phone. He took another slurp of instant noodles before replying.

Your Brother Xian: In a good mood.

Muzi Qiu: [sweating]

Muzi Qiu: Well, thanks, big brother?

Your Brother Xian: [patting your dog head.gif]

Your Brother Xian: Send me Xie Yunjing’s contact card.

Muzi Qiu: ??????

Your Brother Xian: Just send it, don’t question it. Why so many question marks? You think you’re a walking encyclopedia?

Muzi Qiu: [bitter][bitter]

Muzi Qiu: Why are you suddenly taking him off the blacklist? Did he come to see you? That doesn’t make sense. If he did, why didn’t you just add him back?

Your Brother Xian: Just send it.

Li Yuqiu sent Xie Yunjing’s contact card, but Gu Xian didn’t open it right away.

Your Brother Xian: One more thing, is my dad’s company not doing well recently?

Muzi Qiu: !!!

Muzi Qiu: Big Brother, are you finally planning to fight for the family assets!!!!!

Your Brother Xian: Fight for what? A real man relies on himself.

Muzi Qiu: But Gu Leyu, that little green tea, really deserves a lesson [bitter]

Muzi Qiu: I don’t know the specifics about Gu Group’s situation, but I heard your dad is planning to sell that land in the east of the city. The buyers who can afford it know he needs money urgently, so they’re all offering low prices.

The land Li Yuqiu mentioned was a prime piece of real estate, a true gem. The Gu family had held onto it through thick and thin, never considering selling it. To the Gu family, it was almost like an heirloom.

And now, Gu Rongcai was not only planning to sell it but was also being pressured into a lower price?

This was beyond “not doing well”; it was disastrous, signaling that the Gu family was on the brink of collapse.

Your Brother Xian: Got it, go eat your food.

Gu Xian continued to search for information about Gu Group’s situation until he finished his noodles.

He reopened his chat with Li Yuqiu and finally clicked on Xie Yunjing’s contact card.

The friend request was quickly accepted, and Gu Xian, still pretending, sent a message.

Your Brother Xian: Are you there?