Chapter 44 Part 1

Moonlight poured down through the thin gauze curtains.

After taking a shower, Gu Yuan lay on his side by the bed, his breathing unconsciously lightening.

Zhou Chiyu slept opposite him, the liquid from the IV drip slowly entering that slender wrist along the transparent tube. He stared unblinkingly at Zhou Chiyu’s face, even his gaze tinged with a hint of caution.

It seemed that ever since childhood, he had not known how to handle his own emotions.

The AI’s suggestion did not align with his own thoughts.

At present, he had no better solution; the only thing he could do was stay by Zhou Chiyu’s side.

But human nature was selfish.

He was selfish too.

He was not content.

He was unwilling to one day witness with his own eyes Zhou Chiyu falling for someone else and completely leaving his world.

The mere thought of Zhou Chiyu being affectionate with another person, while he became Zhou Chiyu’s second choice, third choice, or even further down the line, filled him with intense jealousy that gnawed at his heart like ants.

Outside the window, the sound of crashing waves occasionally drifted in.

Gu Yuan grasped Zhou Chiyu’s wrist that was exposed outside the quilt and gently rested his head by Zhou Chiyu’s pillow.

The next day, Gu Lao personally brought Zhou Chiyu home.

On the private jet, Zhou Chiyu sat cross-legged on the sofa, having already devoured quite a bit of food.

Through this incident, he had thoroughly figured things out.

The future and accidents could come suddenly at any time, and he was not yet eighteen—dying now would be too much of a loss.

He still had many delicacies he had not tasted enough of and many fun places he had not checked off his list.

“Brother.”

Zhou Chiyu’s eyes shone brightly. “Let’s find a time to go to Mount Fuji.”

“Sure.” Gu Yuan reached out to smooth Zhou Chiyu’s messy curls, warmly reminding him, “The soup is quite hot; drink it slowly.”

Zhou Chiyu picked up the soup bowl and downed the Pork Ribs Matsutake Soup in one go, revealing a satisfied expression. “It’s so fresh!”

“Ah.”

Gu Lao sat opposite, silently observing the two children, and let out a soft sigh.

Zhou Chiyu slurped two mouthfuls of juice and quietly asked, “Grandpa, are you feeling unwell?”

“No.” Gu Lao’s tone carried affection. “Little Fish, you must never go to such a dangerous place again. Grandpa’s heart can’t take the fright.”

Upon hearing that Zhou Chiyu had nearly lost his life, Gu Lao’s long-dormant high blood pressure had suddenly worsened the day before; he had taken a lot of medication to barely control it.

Knowing he was in the wrong, Zhou Chiyu shrank his little head like a small turtle. “I’m sorry, Grandpa.”

Gu Yuan raised his hand and patted Zhou Chiyu’s head, his gaze gentle. “Grandpa, next time I’ll take good care of Little Fish.”

Zhou Chiyu sneaked a glance at Gu Yuan, then simply buried himself in Gu Yuan’s arms, only daring to peek at Gu Lao stealthily.

He had just overheard Gu Lao’s assistant saying that ZN Group’s stock price had plummeted, and Gu Lao and the others had held an emergency meeting to discuss countermeasures.

This time, he had truly caused trouble for everyone.

Gu Yuan held his shoulders and gently soothed him. “Grandpa, does the Corporation need our help?”

Gu Lao’s brows and eyes showed fatigue. “In principle, no, but I think we can use this incident to have Little Fish intern at the Corporation for a couple of days—listen more, observe more, learn more.”

Zhou Chiyu clutched his wrinkled shirt, his fingers fiddling with Gu Yuan’s. Gu Yuan looked down and met Zhou Chiyu’s pleading gaze. “There are still a few days of vacation left; I’ll go with Little Fish.”

Gu Lao stared into Zhou Chiyu’s guilty eyes and laughed in exasperation. “Grandpa isn’t blaming you.”

Zhou Chiyu hurriedly offered flattery. “I knew Grandpa was the best to me.”

In another month, it would be his coming-of-age ceremony. No matter how immature he was, he knew that the Gu Family’s care for him had long surpassed ordinary familial affection. ZN Group was not peaceful internally; if not for Gu Lao holding it down, those with ulterior motives would surely take advantage of this stock plunge to stir up trouble.

“Brother is the best to me too.”

Zhou Chiyu’s round almond eyes narrowed slightly, his expression full of adoration. Like when he was little, he rubbed his head against Gu Yuan’s neck hollow and picked up the Rock Sugar Bird’s Nest to continue eating.

Only after waking up did he learn that Gu Yuan had rescued him.

Fortunately, this time he had not dragged Gu Yuan down like he had in childhood.

“Having a brother like Gu Yuan, I have no regrets in this life!”

Zhou Chiyu grinned and held the spoon he had used to Gu Yuan’s lips. “Brother, this is really good. Try a bite.”

Gu Yuan slowly stared at the spoon Zhou Chiyu had used, then lowered his eyes and took a taste.

After a long moment, he said, “It’s good.”

…

This was Gu Yuan’s first time at ZN Group’s headquarters.

He glanced at Zhou Chiyu beside him and sensed the other’s slight tension.

Zhou Chiyu tightly gripped the biscuit in his pocket. After entering the elevator with Gu Lao, he pulled it out and quietly took a bite.

He understood the source of Zhou Chiyu’s unease; in Zhou Chiyu’s view, this stock market turmoil was his fault.

Chewing the biscuit, Zhou Chiyu’s eyelashes trembled slightly, and a crisp sound came from his mouth. Gu Lao, standing in front of him, turned at the noise and frowned slightly. “Hungry?”

Zhou Chiyu shook his head and tried to muffle the sound.

“Then we’ll have dinner early tonight.”

Gu Lao leaned on his cane and smiled at Zhou Chiyu.