Chapter 35 Part 1

“Young Master, what are your plans for this weekend?”

The financial economics class had just ended, and Chen Qixuan yawned while organizing the notes on his laptop. “I heard a new barbecue place opened next to the school. Want to check it out? Their wagyu is supposed to be amazing.”

“Barbecued wagyu? It must smell incredible.”

The bright and beautiful young man silently closed his laptop, propping his cheek on his hand with a troubled frown. It was the end of summer, and though the breeze carried a hint of autumn coolness, the muggy heat lingered.

After a full day of classes, fine beads of sweat dotted Zhou Chiyu’s nose. He lazily used his book to block the glaring sunlight.

At eighteen, the young man’s features had fully matured. The mixed-race genes from his mother were becoming more apparent. As sunlight poured down, he squinted slightly, his long, thick lashes casting gentle shadows. His clear pupils resembled black ink flecked with gold powder—captivating and profound.

The girl sitting in front of him to the side stared at him in a daze.

Ever since Zhou Chiyu had shot up five years ago, his figure had grown slender and refined, shedding his baby fat. His facial contours softened into elegant lines, and he often received all sorts of love letters while walking around campus.

The most outrageous was a fervent suitor who held an exhibition called “Confession” featuring various portraits of Zhou Chiyu.

Of course, everyone else just watched the spectacle, while Zhou Chiyu wished he could crawl into a hole. The suitor had captured his expressions and demeanors in different school scenes—clearly candid shots turned into artwork.

Zhou Chiyu had seriously expressed his discomfort and hoped the other would end the farce, but the art major was an “art lunatic” who couldn’t be reasoned with.

“My grandpa gave me a task.”

Zhou Chiyu sighed, his fluffy chestnut curls brushing lightly against his forehead. “Starting this weekend, I need to intern at the family corporation.”

The night before, Gu Lao had called him to the study room for a heartfelt talk about inheriting the family business. In two months, Zhou Chiyu would turn eighteen, and all of Old Master Zhou’s assets under his name would transfer to Zhou Chiyu.

Gu Lao had always believed that building an empire was easy, but defending it was hard. He worried that the inexperienced Zhou Chiyu might be swayed by villains and ruin his old friend’s hard work, so he hoped a series of elite courses would help him mature quickly.

“Young Master, after I graduate, can your corporation save me an offer?” Chen Qixuan’s eyes brimmed with envy. “I don’t ask for much—a salary of 400k is fine.”

“Count me in, Young Master!”

“And me! And me!”

In the tiered classroom, several of Zhou Chiyu’s roommates started cheering. Though he hadn’t stayed in the dorm since the semester began—always commuting—they got along great. Especially after everyone learned he was the heir to ZN Group, the school forums exploded, turning Zhou Chiyu into a campus celebrity overnight.

“Don’t worry, I’ve got you all noted.”

Zhou Chiyu glanced at his wristwatch. “Uncle Driver is coming to pick me up. See you tomorrow~”

“See you tomorrow, Little Fish!”

“Little Fish, stay safe.”

After Zhou Chiyu left, the group continued chatting about future jobs. Finance Class 1 had thirty students, and nearly everyone liked Zhou Chiyu.

When they first learned of his billionaire status, they expected typical young master arrogance. Instead, he turned out surprisingly approachable. He was handsome, friendly, and generous—everyone in the class wanted to be his friend.

Leaving the classroom, Zhou Chiyu hummed a tune as he turned toward Zijing Garden. At this time, the durian pastries were fresh out of the oven. He wanted to buy some to bring home for Grandpa. Though the family chef was a pastry master brought from France, he still thought the school’s durian pastries were the best.

Entering the cafeteria, Zhou Chiyu’s lips curved up slightly, his steps radiating the youthful energy unique to boys his age.

University life was indeed far more colorful than high school. At the restaurant entrance, club seniors were enthusiastically recruiting members.

After queuing and buying the durian pastries, Zhou Chiyu’s eyes crinkled in a smile. His steps quickened excitedly on the way down, the faint durian scent wafting through the air around him.

Passing a glass window, he paused to check himself out.

So handsome—nice!

When Brother came back, he’d definitely rave about his looks!

Just before getting in the car, Zhou Chiyu bumped into an acquaintance.

It was Jing Hua, the Campus Heartthrob from the architecture department. During military training, he’d been assigned to Zhou Chiyu’s dorm—easygoing and handsome, very popular.

Jing Hua was photographing campus scenery and waved at him with a smile. Zhou Chiyu curved his eyes in response and got in the car to head home.

…

In the living room, Zhou Chiyu fed durian pastry to Gu Lao and, just like when he was little, clung to his arm acting spoiled.

He hadn’t told Grandpa about that suitor. He knew with the Gu family’s means and power, they could make the person vanish from his world—but he didn’t want that.

“Little Fish, Grandpa wants to talk to you about something.”

Gu Lao held Zhou Chiyu’s hand, frowning slightly. “Your grandpa hoped I’d look after you until you turned eighteen. In two months, you’ll be an adult. What do you think—”

“No way!” Zhou Chiyu hugged Gu Lao’s neck tightly, his pretty brows furrowing intensely. “I want you to be my grandpa forever.”

“Aiyo.” Gu Lao raised a hand to rub his nose affectionately. “You’re so grown up and still acting spoiled.”

“I’m just staying here and not leaving.” Zhou Chiyu buried his head in Gu Lao’s chest. “Wherever you and Brother are, that’s my home.”

Mentioning Gu Yuan brought a barely concealed smile to Gu Lao’s sunken eyes. “Then Grandpa wants to ask—who’s more important to you, me or Gu Yuan?”

“Pfft, Grandpa, you’re so childish.” Zhou Chiyu peeled a wogan orange and fed it to him. “You’re both equally important—the dearest people in my world.”

Over the years since Gu Yuan left, Zhou Chiyu had been happy, but he’d fallen ill twice during middle and high school—once with acute appendicitis, once with kidney stones. Both landed him in the hospital, and Gu Lao had cared for him tirelessly despite his busy schedule. In the months right after Gu Yuan left, Zhou Chiyu had nightmares every night; Gu Lao slept with him, telling stories to soothe him to sleep.

Fourteen years of companionship wasn’t long, but it filled 90% of Zhou Chiyu’s memories. To him, Gu Lao was his real grandpa.