Chapter 45 Part 1

“Alright.”

Seeing Liu Yong caught off guard, Gu Lao began to speak: “What Gu Yuan just said makes some sense; it’s also a conventional way to handle such issues. Little Fish hasn’t turned eighteen yet, and I am still the Acting Chairman. I hope the PR Department and Supervision Department will carry out their work diligently. As for whether someone inside is spreading rumors—”

Gu Lao narrowed his eyes and scanned everyone present one by one. His expression was calm, yet it carried an oppressive pressure that brooked no argument.

“I will uncover the truth before Little Fish turns eighteen and announce it to everyone then.”

This time, no one else voiced an opinion. Gu Lao had done a lot of preparatory work beforehand, and the PR plan he presented was meticulous and rigorous—the best approach at the moment. Although the executives were inclined to side with Liu Yong, their own interests came first.

Having weathered this crisis, Zhou Chiyu finally breathed a sigh of relief.

He sneaked a grin at Gu Yuan, but he noticed that Gu Yuan’s gaze toward him was somehow different from usual.

He couldn’t quite pinpoint what was off.

If he had to describe it, perhaps it held a touch of deep affection and infatuation?

Or maybe… his eyes were just playing tricks?

Zhou Chiyu glanced at the conference room window. There was no wind today.

In the corridor, Zhou Chiyu’s eyes shone with admiration: “Brother, how are you so amazing?”

Like when he was little, he linked arms with Gu Yuan while munching on a biscuit: “All that financial knowledge you talked about—you’ve studied it all?”

“Mm.” Gu Yuan’s pace was unhurried; he even deliberately slowed down a bit, making Gu Lao turn back frequently. “For five or six years, I spent most of my time on a hospital bed in the laboratory. Aside from chatting with you, the rest of the time was spent reading.”

“You’re smart and studious; you’ll definitely be able to manage the company well in the future.” Zhou Chiyu proudly lifted his face: “I want to learn from you too. Starting this week, I won’t skip any weekend classes.”

Truth be told, Zhou Chiyu had never been too serious about the extra classes Gu Lao arranged for him. Eight days of classes a month, and he’d already skipped three.

But after today’s events, he understood one thing.

Even though he had Grandpa and Brother to protect him, he also wanted to stand on his own two feet and protect the family he cared about.

“I’m glad Little Fish has this realization.”

Gu Lao turned back to look at him: “But I think we still need to add more classes.”

“Ah??”

Zhou Chiyu’s plaintive voice echoed in the empty corridor: “More classes?”

Gu Lao smiled kindly: “There are still winter and summer vacations.”

“Brother!” Zhou Chiyu trotted after Gu Lao, pleading, “Help me say something.”

Gu Yuan was still immersed in thoughts about the marriage alliance, somewhat distracted.

After thinking for two seconds, he replied flatly: “Little Fish, I have a way to lighten your load a bit.”

Zhou Chiyu’s eyes lit up as he jogged over: “What way?”

Gu Yuan cleared his throat: “Marry into our family. Then, with our combined strength, the pressure on you will naturally ease.”

“Pfft.” Zhou Chiyu laughed helplessly: “Marry who? There isn’t anyone particularly suitable; I’ve always seen all my younger siblings at home as family. Don’t tell me—marry you, Brother?”

Gu Yuan raised a thick eyebrow: “That works too.”

Zhou Chiyu laughed even harder: “Grandpa, did you hear? Brother wants to marry me.”

Gu Lao blew his beard in exasperation: “I heard. You two can fool around all you want.”

“I’m not fooling around, Grandpa.” Gu Yuan ruffled Zhou Chiyu’s curly hair. “I just think this suggestion is pretty constructive. They say good things shouldn’t go to outsiders; commercial marriages are quite common, aren’t they?”

“Na na na.” Zhou Chiyu stuck out his tongue at Gu Yuan, then linked arms with Gu Lao to plan what to eat for dinner. Gu Lao glanced at Zhou Chiyu and noticed he seemed a bit plumper lately.

“Little Fish, have you gained some weight?”

“Yeah.” Zhou Chiyu pinched the flesh on his belly. “Ever since Brother came back, my bowl is always piled high with rice.”

Gu Lao chuckled: “This reminds me of when Little Yuan secretly took you to buy milk tea back then.”

Mentioning this made Zhou Chiyu find it amusing.

He sneaked a peek at Gu Yuan, recalling many childhood memories.

Gu Yuan watched him, his thin lips curving slightly.

…

The National Day holiday soon ended, and Zhou Chiyu’s October schedule was packed. He threw himself into nonstop busyness.

At noon after class, Zhou Chiyu ordered food ahead of time and waited for Gu Yuan to join him for lunch.

These days, Gu Yuan had been busy too. According to him, he was about to participate in a friendly basketball game against International Academy, and he often trained in the afternoons when he had no classes.

The doctor said Gu Yuan’s body was in the recovery phase and that he should appropriately increase his exercise to improve lung function.

“Hey, Little Fish, long time no see.”

His roommates rarely saw Zhou Chiyu in the cafeteria and teased him as they approached: “Where’s your brother?”

Ever since Gu Yuan appeared, Zhou Chiyu hadn’t eaten with them for a long time. The most common excuse for skipping hangouts was needing to find his brother.

Recently, the news about the ZN Group heir’s crisis had been all over the place, and Chen Qixuan and the others were very curious: “Little Fish, what exactly happened to you?”

Zhou Chiyu took a bite of a meatball and recounted the whole story in detail. After hearing it, Chen Qixuan was stunned for a long time: “Your brother is really good to you.”

“Yes.”

Zhou Chiyu had always been proud of their precious brotherly bond.

“My brother has been especially good to me since we were little, treating me like his own little brother.”

“Own little brother?” Everyone was stunned: “He’s not your real brother?”

“Of course he is.” Zhou Chiyu puffed out his cheeks, munching on his favorite Black Chicken Roll. “He has the surname Gu, I have the surname Zhou—how could we be blood brothers?”

“We thought…” Chen Qixuan and the others exchanged glances. “That there was some wealthy family secret or dramatic entanglement between your families.”