CHAPTER 47: CHAPTER 44: LITTLE FRIEND GU YANJING

Qiao Family

When Qiao Yu saw Qiao Yuxian return home, the family had already finished dinner.

Qiao Zhiang was doing homework in the living room, with Chen Hui guiding him nearby.

TYPICALLY, when there’s no school activity, Qiao Lechu would be at home, and at this moment, she was in the living room, working on her laptop.

The three quietly doing their own thing, watched as Qiao Yu returned. Chen Hui looked up and said, "Back already?"

"Mm." Qiao Yu responded as he sat down on the sofa.

Qiao Lechu and Qiao Zhiang greeted him, and once he responded, they returned to their tasks.

Qiao Yu poured himself a glass of water, drank it, glanced at the busy trio, and cleared his throat.

Hearing him cough lightly, the three didn’t pay much attention.

After a while, seeing no one responded, Qiao Yu drank another sip of water and cleared his throat again.

This time, the trio sensed something was amiss and looked at him.

Qiao Yu, looking composed, took another sip of water, then looked at them, and asked, "What’s the matter? Why are you staring at me?"

Chen Hui: "......"

Qiao Lechu and Qiao Zhiang looked at him, then turned to Chen Hui.

Chen Hui and Qiao Lechu exchanged a glance, then looked at Qiao Yu and said, "Feeling so happy, did you win the lottery?"

"Do I really look happy?" Qiao Yu said with a stern face.

Chen Hui nodded, "Except you’re not smiling, everything else suggests you’re quite happy."

Qiao Yu gave a small smile but said nothing.

Chen Hui asked, "Did you see Yu Xian?"

"Just had dinner together." Qiao Yu’s tone was casual, but there was a hint of pride.

Qiao Lechu chuckled and returned to her homework.

Qiao Zhiang finally got a break from homework, eyes wide, attentively listening to his dad brag.

Seeing his expression, Chen Hui knew the meeting went well. He was happy, and so was she.

But then Qiao Yu suddenly sighed.

"What’s wrong?"

"It was that stern-faced man who took her to the restaurant, then picked her up." Qiao Yu frowned and said, "I have no clue what kind of person he is."

"You didn’t ask?" Chen Hui asked.

"Didn’t dare." Qiao Yu admitted, "It seems they’re living together, but I don’t know what kind of person he is or if he’s trustworthy. What if he’s a scam artist..."

"I’m sure my sister knows what she’s doing." Qiao Lechu said.

"That’s true, I don’t think we need to worry about Yu Xian; ordinary people don’t catch her eye." Chen Hui patted her son’s head and said, "Tell your dad about the guy you met that day."

Qiao Yu looked at her, "What guy?"

Chen Hui raised her eyebrows, "Probably Yuxian’s boyfriend, if nothing unexpected happened."

Qiao Yu paused, then looked at Qiao Zhiang.

Qiao Zhiang’s big eyes twinkled twice and he said, "That brother is really good-looking, has great presence, but is a bit stern and intimidating, even scarier than when you’re mad."

Qiao Yu: "......"

"But sister probably likes him a lot; she treats him differently than us, very close to him." Qiao Zhiang said.

Qiao Yu’s fingers curled slightly.

Qiao Lechu’s expression also paused, and then she glanced at her father.

"That brother treats sister well too. Sister told him he could go back first, but he said he’d wait for her, no rush." Qiao Zhiang thought for a moment and added, "I think that brother is quite good, stable, not reckless...doesn’t seem like the type...a playboy."

Qiao Yu stared at him without speaking.

Chen Hui said, "Kids’ intuition is usually spot on."

"I have a sharp intuition." Qiao Zhiang whispered.

"You’re not doing your homework, you think you won’t have to sleep tonight?" Qiao Yu said.

Qiao Zhiang glanced at his homework notebook, pouted, picked up a pen, and started writing.

"We saved you some dinner, still want some?" Chen Hui asked.

"No thanks."

That night, heading to the bedroom, Chen Hui sat at the dressing table, doing her skincare routine. Qiao Yu came out from the shower, paused, and hugged Chen Hui from behind.

Chen Hui was slightly stunned, then raised her hand to touch his face, "Brother, what’s the matter?"

Qiao Yu removed his glasses, his features sharper than usual, but his eyes were gentle: "Thank you for speaking on my behalf to Yu Xian."

"We’re a couple; there’s no need for such words."

Qiao Yu held her quietly for a while and said, "Jiang Shouzhuo came to the company today."

"What did he say?" Chen Hui’s expression turned cold.

"He proposed a project, on the condition that Yu Xian marries him. Otherwise, Jiang Family will pressure Qiao Family."

"Is something wrong with his head?" Chen Hui said angrily, "What a jerk! He dared to come and make such a proposal, treating our daughter like merchandise? Why didn’t you kick him out?"

"Assaulting people is against the law." Qiao Yu said honestly.

"Is Qiao Lechu blind, liking some guy like that?" Chen Hui said.

"You don’t have to badmouth your own daughter." Qiao Yu said, "He wooed Lechu, pretended well, it’s understandable that she liked him."

"I think she’s just like you, a bit clueless about relationships." Chen Hui said bluntly.

Qiao Yu: "......"

"He’s definitely not a good match. Talk to Lechu." Qiao Yu said, "I find it hard to talk about it with her."

"I’ll talk to her."

"Don’t scold her." Qiao Yu said, "Lechu is so obedient; don’t be too harsh on her."

"I understand." Chen Hui touched his hand and said, "Then what about Jiang Family? After all, in the Capital City, Jiang Family’s roots are deep and vast; if we confront them head-on, Qiao Group really can’t match them."

"I don’t know, we’ll take it one step at a time." Qiao Yu said, "If we really can’t handle it, we might have to move back to our old home."

Chen Hui smiled and said, "Then I wouldn’t have to worry about integrating into Qiao Zhiang’s parent group daily—I’d gain my freedom."

Qiao Yu kissed her on the side of her neck, gently saying, "Thank you for your hard work, madam."

"Hard work to you as well, brother." Chen Hui held his hand and gave it a kiss.

...

The next morning, before heading to work, Gu Yanjing glanced at Qiao Yuxian’s room, and seeing the door closed, he left.

Shang Chen stayed to protect Qiao Yuxian, and Meng Yan came back as well.

As Gu Yanjing was waiting in the courtyard for Meng Yan to drive over, planning to get in the car, Qiao Yuxian’s voice suddenly came from the living room: "Gu Yanjing, wait a minute."

Gu Yanjing paused his steps and looked toward the villa.

Qiao Yuxian, careful not to put weight on her left foot, limped out of the villa and, upon reaching the doorway, hopped on one foot a few times.

Gu Yanjing came to her side, offering support: "What’s up?"

Qiao Yuxian held out a can of cookies in one hand: "For you, keep this in the car, keep this in the office."

Gu Yanjing looked at her newly awakened state, her double eyelids wider than usual.

"Take it."

Gu Yanjing didn’t take it but instead helped her back to the living room, seating her on the sofa. Only then did he take the two cans of cookies.

Qiao Yuxian extracted two pieces of chocolate milk candy from her coat pocket: "Here’s candy for you too."

Gu Yanjing looked at the candy in her hand but didn’t take it.

Qiao Yuxian, observing his expression, smiled and said, "Gu Yanjing, wee one, given your excellent performance last night, this candy is your reward."

Gu Yanjing: "......"

In the corner of the living room among the potted plants, Shang Chen felt his forehead twitch.

What did "excellent performance last night" mean? What happened last night, and after it happened, they still slept in separate rooms?

Isn’t that a bit too formal?

Qiao Yuxian stuffed the candy directly into the pocket of his suit jacket, then gently patted it twice, looked up at him, and said: "Don’t overwork yourself; Gu Group is already the best, make sure to balance work and rest."

Gu Yanjing lowered his eyes, looking into her eyes, and after a moment, touched her face lightly, softly responding, "Mm."