Volume One, Chapter 20: The Gu Family Parents

The car hadn’t even come to a complete stop when the rear door flung open. Mrs. Zhou hurriedly got out and made a beeline for the living room.

She pushed the door open and grabbed Gu Qingchen’s arm, looking around anxiously. “Qingchen, how are you? This morning, Wang Ma called and said you had a fever last night and even drank alcohol. Are you feeling better now?”

Gu Qingchen gently patted her hand. “Mom, I’m fine. See? I’m perfectly okay.”

Gu Xun entered and stood beside Mrs. Zhou. “See? He’s fine. You’re so worried this early in the morning. If anything had happened, we would’ve been informed. Qingchen knows how to handle himself.”

But Mrs. Zhou’s eyes reddened as she recalled the accident. “What do you mean ‘handle himself’? Neither of you had any sense! You didn’t tell me anything, and by the time I got the notice, my son was already in the operating room.”

Gu Qingchen felt a pang of guilt toward his mother. When the accident happened, Gu Xun was still restricted; without saying a word, Gu Qingchen drove off alone. By the time he called Mrs. Zhou, he was already in surgery. She nearly suffered a heart attack and forced herself to wait until he regained consciousness.

With both husband and son in trouble, Mrs. Zhou—a pampered eldest daughter—felt as if the sky had fallen. Within days, her hair turned gray, and even now, she couldn’t hide it.

Gu Qingchen held her hand tightly. “I’m fine, Mom. You don’t need to worry.”

Gu Xun patted her shoulder. “It’s a holiday. Cheer up, he’s fine.”

Mrs. Zhou wiped away her tears. “I was just too anxious. It’s good that you’re alright. Wang Ma said there’s a doctor here this morning. Where is the doctor? I want to ask about your condition.”

She started to move further inside, but Gu Qingchen stopped her. “Mom, the doctor’s tired after taking care of me and is resting now.”

Mrs. Zhou paused, then thought for a moment. “Right, I won’t disturb them. Make sure to give a red envelope to thank them properly for staying here during the holiday instead of going home.”

Gu Qingchen nodded. Gu Xun, meanwhile, sat down on the sofa. “As long as our son is fine, that’s what matters. You’ve been so worried you haven’t eaten breakfast. Ask Wang Ma to prepare something; you need to take care of your stomach.”

Just then, Wang Ma came downstairs, and Mrs. Zhou pulled her toward the kitchen, leaving the father and son alone.

Gu Xun and Gu Qingchen had never really spoken heart-to-heart. Qingchen’s cold nature made even conversations with Mrs. Zhou brief. Gu Xun was busy with official duties, socializing constantly for promotions, and had missed much of Qingchen’s upbringing. Their moments alone were laced with a certain awkwardness.

Gu Xun broke the silence first. “At the Zhou Group’s annual meeting yesterday, they announced you as the successor, right?”

Gu Qingchen nodded. His grandfather was old, and the group had expanded steadily, navigating the business seas like a great ship. The elder was ready to retire. As the sole blood heir, Qingchen’s ruthless skills and far-sighted vision made him the natural choice.

Gu Xun continued, “So, is there anyone unhappy about it?”

Gu Qingchen smiled bitterly. “Of course. I don’t even have the Zhou surname. If this precedent is set, the Zhou Group won’t really be ‘Zhou’ anymore.”

The Zhou family was large. The group had existed for over a century, but power always rested with Qingchen’s grandfather’s lineage. The elder had loved Qingchen’s grandmother deeply, but she passed early, leaving only Mrs. Zhou as their daughter. The elder remained unmarried, still mourning his late wife.

When Qingchen’s succession was announced yesterday, the Zhou family on the board erupted.

“How can an outsider like Gu Qingchen be the heir?”

“Does the Zhou Group even still bear the Zhou name? Might as well change it to Gu.”

At the banquet table, they spoke flattering words while forcing drinks down Qingchen’s throat, disregarding his injury.

Gu Xun’s eyes grew cold. “The real question is your own thoughts, Qingchen. I’ve spent my life in politics. It’s meaningless, just so-so. I’d rather be among the people. If it weren’t for your grandfather’s insistence, would you still want to take over the Zhou Group?”

Qingchen looked at Gu Xun and noticed the gray at his temples, whiter than when he’d just been released from detention. The once inflexible Mayor Gu now seemed a little weary.

“Dad, why do you insist?” Qingchen asked.

Gu Xun glanced at Qingchen, noting how he had grown. Years ago, Qingchen had been brash, vowing to rule the business world. Now he was much more composed.

“Why insist?” Gu Xun looked out at the bare branches outside the window, recalling a sentence he had penned in the front pages of a book in his youth: “To establish a heart for Heaven and Earth; to establish life for the people; to continue the teachings of the ancient sages; to open peace for all generations.”

He turned to Qingchen. “Don’t tell me you, as a businessman, don’t think the same.”

Qingchen smiled. “Of course, I’m not as enlightened as you. I just believe the Zhou Group’s steady growth began from a small workshop. It’s because we upheld the belief of aiding the world after succeeding ourselves that we’ve come this far. Recently, I met a young girl who made me understand this more deeply.”

Strength brings shelter; it means being a pillar for her, backing her up.

Gu Xun’s gaze shifted from calm to approving. “You’re my son, no wonder. Your awareness is good. As long as you’re not just a profit-driven merchant, I’ll support you.”

They shared a smile.

Leaning in, Gu Xun lowered his voice. “The girl you met—the doctor who cared for you, right? Your mom mentioned her to me last time. When will I get to meet her?”

Qingchen froze briefly, trying to evade, “What are you talking about? That’s not true.”

Gu Xun narrowed his eyes. “Your little tricks don’t come close to mine back in the day.”

Qingchen couldn’t hold out. Just then, Mrs. Zhou returned and saw the warm scene between father and son, smiling knowingly. “Breakfast is ready. Come eat.”

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The three of them ate breakfast in a quiet, refined atmosphere. All well-mannered, the table was peaceful.

Feng Xi came downstairs to fetch water, unaware anyone was in the dining room. Half-asleep, she took a sip, then suddenly noticed three people at the table.

Clatter!

Her cup fell, water spilling everywhere.

Hearing the noise, Wang Ma came out. “Doctor? You’re awake?”

Feng Xi stood there, hair messy, eyes vacant, stepping on Gu Qingchen’s slippers. Her mind buzzed like an explosion.

She recognized Mrs. Zhou and guessed the man beside her was Gu Qingchen’s father but had no experience dealing with such elder relatives.

In a flash, she reviewed twenty years of knowledge but found no suitable way to handle this situation.

Gu Qingchen broke the tension, maneuvering his wheelchair beside Feng Xi. “Mom, Dad, this is Feng Xi, my caregiver. She’s highly skilled—basically my private doctor.”

Mrs. Zhou tapped Gu Xun’s shoulder, whispering, “This is the girl.”

Then she warmly invited Feng Xi, “Feng Xi, come eat with us. You worked hard taking care of Qingchen all night.”

Gu Xun whispered to Mrs. Zhou, “She looks so much like—”

Mrs. Zhou replied, “Like Qing, right? Maybe your son just likes that type.”

Gu Qingchen touched Feng Xi’s wrist. She immediately moved behind his wheelchair and gently pushed it, lowering her voice. “I didn’t know anyone was here. I didn’t mean to intrude. I was just thirsty.”

Gu Qingchen smiled. “It’s okay. Let’s eat together.”