Chapter 27: Didn’t Keep It a Secret

Regarding the sale of Grandma Lin’s chili sauce recipe, the other party presented two options. One was a buyout contract, which was straightforward enough. The other was a royalty system—she would receive a percentage of the profits based on how much product was sold in a year.

Gu Shiying had looked into the company’s products. A royalty agreement would be great, providing significant support for Guoguo’s future. However, since Guoguo wouldn’t be involved in the company’s operations, there was a risk of numbers being manipulated, leaving them without the promised long-term profit. It was a real dilemma. Grandma Lin didn’t understand any of it, so she asked Gu Shiying what to do.

Both options had their pros and cons.

Gu Shiying couldn’t make the choice for Grandma Lin, but he could consult Guan Yu. Guan Yu was a law student and could review the contract—after all, he was a top scholar, and it would be a waste of a perfectly good connection not to use it.

Guan Yu’s knowledge was indeed solid. After reviewing the contract, he gave Gu Shiying his conclusion: the contract itself was sound. It protected the basic interests of both parties and, overall, was quite favorable for Grandma Lin.

Gu Shiying then had Fu Huan look it over. Fu Huan pretended to skim through it for a moment and told Gu Shiying he thought it was fine.

On Wednesday afternoon, Gu Shiying got out of class a little early. He met Assistant Hu at the school gate. He had also called Guan Yu along to provide on-site legal assurance. Originally, he wanted to bring Fu Huan, but Fu Huan had an elective course that evening and couldn’t join them.

“Hello, are you Gu Shiying?”

“Yes, I am. Hello, President Hu.”

Assistant Hu was representing his own company, so naturally, Gu Shiying addressed him as “President Hu.” Assistant Hu wore a professional smile. As a sophomore still in school, Gu Shiying’s first impression was that this man was quite easy to get along with.

Assistant Hu didn’t bother with the overly formal adult handshake routine with Gu Shiying and Guan Yu. Gu Shiying hadn’t found an opportunity to listen to his inner thoughts. But then again, this also suggested the man was principled and logical, someone who understood social boundaries well. He probably adapted his words depending on who he was talking to, smooth as a chameleon—it was second nature to him by now.

The two of them got into Assistant Hu’s car and headed to Grandma Lin’s house.

Gu Shiying hadn’t seen Guoguo in a few days, so he brought a jigsaw puzzle for him. As expected, Guoguo loved it and immediately sat down on the play mat to start working on it.

Grandma Lin was a woman of experience; she had invited someone from the community office to be a witness.

Given her unfamiliarity with the company, she chose the buyout option. Her intention was clear: she wanted to leave this money for Guoguo’s future.

With the community staff present, they even recorded a video as a witness.

Everything went incredibly smoothly.

Before Gu Shiying and Guan Yu left, Grandma Lin gave each of them a red envelope.

Grandma Lin said, “You and Little Fu have really worked so hard these past few days.”

Gu Shiying replied, “It’s nothing, really, no trouble at all. We’ll be going now, Grandma.”

Grandma Lin stopped Gu Shiying again. “Here’s a red envelope for Little Fu. Please take it back to him.”

Gu Shiying had no reason to refuse. “Alright.”

Assistant Hu had already learned from his boss about the relationship between Gu Shiying and his younger brother. He waited patiently to drive them back to school.

Gu Shiying’s opinion of the young President Hu changed. He wasn’t a smooth-talking, chameleon-like corporate drone—he was a genuinely good person.

“I’ll drop you off here, then.”

Hu Yiyan also held Gu Shiying and Guan Yu in high regard. One was a kind-hearted young man using his expertise to help others, and the other possessed a professional demeanor, the makings of a future great lawyer already taking shape.

He proactively extended his hand to the two younger men. “You’ll both be juniors next year, right? If you get the chance, come intern at our company.”

Guan Yu was the first to shake Hu Yiyan’s hand. “We’ll definitely consider it.”

Hu Yiyan then extended his hand toward Gu Shiying, who returned the handshake. He thought he would hear some inner complaint about having to work on weekends, but to his surprise, it was something else entirely.

[Finally finished the task for President Fu. His younger brother’s classmate didn’t find out that President Fu is the one buying the recipe through his brother.]

Gu Shiying: …

President Fu?

President Fu’s younger brother?

Fu Huan?

Gu Shiying felt a jolt, unable to stay calm. He wanted to ask more questions, but that was Hu Yiyan’s current thought. It really was something that needed to remain hidden.

So, the conclusion was that Fu Huan was this “President Fu’s” younger brother?

The sale of the recipe—Fu Huan was the one who’d pulled the strings behind the scenes?

What kind of family did he come from? They had serious connections.

Why hadn’t Fu Huan told him directly? Was he trying to be an anonymous hero, doing a good deed without taking credit? Who in this day and age does something for neither fame nor profit? What was he after?

Gu Shiying’s mind was a whirlwind of mixed emotions. He was after him.

How could Fu Huan be like this, pulling out all the stops at the drop of a hat?

By the time they returned to school from Grandma Lin’s house, it was past nine at night. Hu Yiyan wasn’t familiar enough with them to share a meal, which meant Gu Shiying and Guan Yu still hadn’t eaten.

Guan Yu groaned, “I’m starving. Want to grab something from the canteen?”

Gu Shiying nodded. “Yeah.”

He was a bit past hungry, not famished anymore, but he still needed to eat.

Just as they were about to head toward the Second Canteen, Yang Shuheng sent a WeChat video call. He asked if they wanted to grab a late-night bite—he and Fu Huan were both in the mood.

Gu Shiying thought to himself, that special assistant’s inner thoughts hadn’t been wrong after all. The moment he was gone, Fu Huan knew they were back. It was obvious now—he really was that President Fu’s younger brother.

The four from Dorm 504 gathered at the East Gate.

Yang Shuheng had dressed to impress tonight, his hair newly dyed a riot of rainbow colors.

He ran a hand through a few stray locks falling over his forehead. “What do you think? Doesn’t my new look rock?”

Gu Shiying reached out to touch the colorful strands. “Very unique. It’s actually really smooth. I kind of like it. I want to dye my hair too.”

Guan Yu commented, “You’re just one step away from being a walking rainbow.”

Yang Shuheng was all for it. “Do it!”

Fu Huan cut in, “Gu Shiying, that wouldn’t look good on you.”

Gu Shiying asked, “Why not?”

Fu Huan looked at him seriously, reaching out to touch his soft hair. “It wouldn’t suit you. Your hair’s too soft. Yang Shuheng is different—he’s an art student.”

Still low-key annoyed at Fu Huan for keeping secrets from him, Gu Shiying brushed his hand away. “What does soft hair have to do with being an art student?”

Fu Huan simply stated, “It just wouldn’t look right. No particular reason.”

Yang Shuheng chimed in cheerfully, “Ying’er, just listen to Brother Huan—he’s got great taste.”

Gu Shiying: “…”

Fine. Dropping this topic.

They were headed to the BBQ spot at the East Gate, the same place they’d gone last time.

The streets were still packed before ten o’clock. The four of them walked in two pairs—Yang Shuheng and Guan Yu in front, Gu Shiying and Fu Huan behind.

Gu Shiying pulled the red envelope Grandma Lin had given him from his backpack and handed it to Fu Huan. “This is for you, from Grandma Lin. She said she’s really grateful for your help.”

Fu Huan accepted it, tucking it into his pants pocket with a simple, “Mm.”

On the way to the BBQ stall, they passed the newly reopened fried rice stall. The boss and landlady were incredibly grateful for Gu Shiying and Fu Huan’s help last time. They practically chased them down to offer a freshly made box of fried rice and several cups of ice-cold mung bean smoothies.

The landlady pressed the items into Gu Shiying’s arms. “Little classmate, thank you so much for helping us before. We don’t have much else to offer, but next time you come, your meals are free!”

Gu Shiying immediately shook his head, even a little flustered. “No, no, that’s not necessary. We really didn’t do much.”

The landlady insisted, “Please, you must take it!”

Unable to refuse their persistent kindness, Gu Shiying accepted. It was just some food. The moment the aroma of the fried rice hit his nose, his empty stomach began protesting loudly, saliva pooling in his mouth.

He was hungry.

Seeing his hands were full, Fu Huan took the cups of mung bean smoothies from him and handed them off to Yang Shuheng and Guan Yu, who were walking ahead.

The aroma wafting from the takeout box was incredible. The boss had packed it to the absolute brim, golden grains of rice practically fighting to spill out.

Gu Shiying said, “This fried rice smells amazing. Getting to eat Boss Zhang’s fried rice without waiting in line? Pretty sweet.”

Fu Huan replied, “You earned it by risking your own safety.”

Gu Shiying said deliberately, “If you don’t bring that up, we can still be roommates.”

Fu Huan shot him a sideways glance, saying nothing, as if the label “roommate” displeased him.

Gu Shiying pretended not to notice. The more snarky he was, the more Fu Huan would keep his distance.

Once they reached the BBQ place, the other three started ordering. Gu Shiying asked the boss for some chopsticks and divided the fried rice among them.

He had no intention of eating it all himself—everyone present gets a share.

Just as they finished, Yang Shuheng and Guan Yu’s conversation had already turned to the situation with Grandma Lin.

Young Master Moneybags spoke up: “Ying’er, how come you didn’t tell us about such a big thing? I’ve got money, I could’ve helped.”

Gu Shiying warned Yang Shuheng, “Having money doesn’t mean you should just give it randomly to people. Besides, Grandma Lin wouldn’t just accept it.”

Guan Yu was unwrapping Yang Shuheng’s utensils for him. “Yeah. Don’t go around telling people you have money. You’ve learned that lesson the hard way once—did you not learn anything?”

Yang Shuheng awkwardly tugged at his own hair. “I won’t do it again.”

In Gu Shiying’s eyes, Yang Shuheng was just a kid who’d been raised sheltered, innocent at heart, without a whole lot of guile. It made sense why, even after being scammed, he still didn’t have his guard up.

A lightbulb went off for Gu Shiying. “How about you let Second Brother make sure you don’t go throwing money around in the future?”

Guan Yu. Guan Yu. Second Brother Guan.

Suddenly burdened with a new nickname, Guan Yu said, “…I’m fine with that.”

Yang Shuheng tilted his head. “But I don’t throw money around recklessly.”

Gu Shiying, Guan Yu, and Fu Huan were all collectively speechless.

Guan Yu explained patiently, “Whenever you feel the urge to spend money on some random person, come to me. I’ll help you judge whether they’re worth it.”

Yang Shuheng slung an arm around Guan Yu’s neck, grinning. “Second Brother, I’ll be counting on you to look after me from now on.”

Guan Yu replied flatly, “Not really a fan of that nickname.”

Yang Shuheng pointed out, “But going by age, you’re the second oldest in our dorm. I’m older than you guys; my birthday’s in February. Ying’er is the youngest.”

Gu Shiying had never really thought about it before. “I’m the youngest?”

Guan Yu supplied, “I’m April.”

Fu Huan added, “July.”

Gu Shiying concluded, “I’m at the end of the year, December. Wait a sec, Yang Shuheng, you’re the oldest?”

Yang Shuheng made to pounce on him playfully. “What about it? Come on, little brother, call me gege!”

“No way.” Gu Shiying blocked him, not wanting him to land on him. But he misjudged Yang Shuheng’s weight and found himself tipping sideways. Just as his hand was about to hit the ground, Fu Huan, seated beside him, caught him, steadying his shoulder and waist to prevent an undignified sprawl on the floor.

Fu Huan looked at Yang Shuheng. “Sit properly.”

Along with Fu Huan’s low voice came an inner thought that traveled from Gu Shiying’s waist right to his brain.

[His neck is so pale. It must be so good to kiss. Want to kiss. Want to kiss. Want to kiss.]

Yang Shuheng sat back, still giggling, leaving Gu Shiying acutely aware of Fu Huan’s scorching body heat through their clothes. Off-balance, he had to brace his hand on Fu Huan’s thigh to sit upright again.

Rage simmering, Gu Shiying glared at Fu Huan’s white sneakers and stomped his foot down hard, leaving a filthy black mark on the pristine white leather.

Mention the word “kiss” one more time, and I’ll sew your mouth shut!

Fu Huan: “…”