SFBF CH18

President Gu asking if things went smoothly reminded Li Hong of the lunatic who suddenly popped up in the mall just now to insult the Madam.

He immediately reported this matter to President Gu.

“Is that so?” Gu Huaiyu listened to the whole story while unwrapping the gifts.

“Yes, I was furious!” Li Hong: “That… when the Madam came to see you just now, didn’t he tell you?”

President Gu’s hand unwrapping the gift paused visibly.

…Although it wasn’t a major event, Shen Qing indeed hadn’t told him.

His fingers curled slightly, tapping on the desk. Gu Huaiyu felt something was strange.

He felt a bit uncomfortable in his heart.

Then, he remembered the youth’s bright and sunny face when he entered just now.

…This Shen Qing didn’t seem sensitive and timid as his investigation data showed.

Not only was he neither sensitive nor timid.

Gu Huaiyu’s gaze fell on the safe under his desk, where a pink pig piggy bank had already been added, and thought: It’s more than just not sensitive or timid.

He’s simply audacious to the extreme.

Unconsciously pinching the bridge of his nose, Gu Huaiyu asked again: “And you said Duoduo defended Shen Qing today?”

“Yes.” Li Hong: “You didn’t see it, Young Master Duoduo was super cool! His expression at that time almost matched yours!”

Gu Huaiyu glanced at Li Hong and didn’t speak.

Li Hong reported whatever came to mind: “By the way, I met the Madam in the corridor just now, and he even asked me about your illness.”

“Oh?” There was no reaction on Gu Huaiyu’s face.

He just asked: “Then what did you say.”

Li Hong: “I didn’t say anything, but for some reason, the Madam seemed to suspect that you had…”

Towards the end, his voice suddenly dropped very low, buzzing like a mosquito.

Gu Huaiyu didn’t hear clearly.

He never liked euphemisms and beating around the bush, so he couldn’t help frowning and pressing: “What?”

Li Hong was startled. Although he regretted mentioning this, he didn’t dare to gloss over it, so he had to continue speaking very fast: “The Madam was worried you got AIDS!”

Gu Huaiyu: “…”

“Cough cough cough!”

Li Hong was so shocked he hurried to help his boss smooth his breath: “Of course, I already clarified for you, absolutely not. The Madam should have believed it too, don’t get excited…”

“…”

Gu Huaiyu tried hard to stop coughing, but still asked with a hoarse voice, unable to help himself: “Why would he think that?”

He knew the youth’s way of thinking was very different.

But Gu Huaiyu hadn’t expected it to be so… extraordinary.

Li Hong said: “I don’t know either!”

Saying this, he glanced at President Gu again, really wanting to say, Who told you never to share a room with the Madam.

Anyone would probably have some ideas. Naturally, wouldn’t they think in the wrong direction, assuming either you can’t perform, or you’re too promiscuous and sick? These are all very normal thoughts.

But Li Hong didn’t dare say these words.

Because Assistant Li saw that a fragmented look had appeared on President Gu’s usually cold and expressionless face.

Shen Qing, who had already returned to his room, suddenly sneezed twice.

And if he knew what Assistant Li was thinking, he would probably also lament: This person’s imagination is actually bigger than mine!

…Where did he get so many ideas? He was just concerned about the family’s economic pillar. Isn’t this just human nature?!

.

The next day was Little Friend Xu Weiming’s birthday banquet.

Shen Qing took Gu Duo and Gu Ao to the banquet, and unexpectedly, the whole process went very smoothly.

The Xu family treated their family of three very politely, fully fulfilling the duties of a host. Basically, after Shen Qing’s car drove into the Xu family estate, members of the Xu family surrounded and accompanied them the entire time.

With the Xu family having this attitude, others naturally treated him and the cubs with immense amiability and enthusiasm.

This made Shen Qing, who had already imagined countless wealthy family struggles and thought of ways to deal with them in advance, a bit at a loss.

…Maybe he had overthought everything.

The Xu family was influential, but this really was just a simple children’s birthday party. There was no intrigue or deception, mainly just finding an excuse to provide children with opportunities for relaxation and entertainment.

It seemed that those wealthy family novels he read before were still a bit unrealistic.

However, the reason tonight was so peaceful also had a lot to do with other members of the Gu family not attending.

—Shen Qing had seen with his own eyes what the relationship between Gu Ming, Gu Jie, and Duoduo and the others was like, and how domineering the Third Miss Gu was.

He heard that Gu Huaiyu’s eldest brother also had two children at home, also a boy and a girl, both older, but as domineering and unreasonable as Gu Ming.

When they were in the Gu family’s main residence, they often teamed up to bully Aozai and Duoduo.

Otherwise, his own two cubs wouldn’t be as cautious as they were now, being careful in everything they did.

Shen Qing mainly had to guard against this group of children and their parents.

But he didn’t know if the Xu family simply didn’t invite them, or if they didn’t come themselves.

Shen Qing didn’t see this group of people the entire time, which made him feel that attending this banquet was worry-free and effortless, quite comfortable.

Anyway, this was the first wealthy-level banquet he had attended, and it was quite fun.

Otherwise, even someone thick-skinned and coarse-nerved like Shen Qing would feel nervous.

After all, wealthy families had many disputes and rules. He used to be just an ordinary citizen and wasn’t sure if he could handle it.

He really just braced himself and went in.

But ultimately, the result was good.

On the way back from the birthday party, Shen Qing hummed a little tune in a cheerful mood.

In the car, Aozai, settled in the child seat, had his big head swaying slightly with the car, already asleep and unconscious against the seat.

Although the banquet started at five in the afternoon, it wasn’t even eight o’clock yet.

But the little Long Aotian had played wildly today. As the youngest cub at the banquet, although Gu Ao was young and small, he was smart and mature for his age, and his physical fitness was good. He could keep up with children around Gu Duo’s age.

Whether physically or mentally, they could play together.

The aftereffect was that his energy dissipated quickly too.

Shen Qing glanced through the rearview mirror, then pulled out a few tissues and handed them to Gu Duo in the back: “…Wipe your brother’s mouth, the drool is almost catching up to the Milky Way.”

Gu Duo: “…”

Gu Duo, who had been looking out the window, reached out to take the tissues and meticulously wiped his brother’s face.

Little Gu Ao, not knowing if he dreamt of something, suddenly giggled twice, scratched his fair and tender cheek, then tilted his head to the other side and continued to snore lightly.

Gu Duo: “…”

A helpless but amused look appeared in Gu Duo’s eyes.

Shen Qing reached out from the front passenger seat again and said: “Give it to me.”

Gu Duo hesitated, folded it, and then handed the tissue his brother had drooled on to Shen Qing—there was no trash bag in the back row of this car.

And ever since returning from the toy city yesterday, there seemed to be a certain tacit understanding between Gu Duo and Shen Qing.

—Without much communication, Gu Duo could roughly understand what certain actions of Shen Qing meant.

Gu Duo saw Shen Qing dispose of the used tissues without any disgust.

Afterwards, he looked away and gazed out the window again.

Shen Qing discovered that this kid quite liked looking outside the car.

Is he yearning for freedom?

Then I could consider taking them somewhere to wander around and play.

At the birthday party, compared to the lively, active, and heartless little Long Aotian, Gu Duo was obviously much less energetic among children of similar age.

He always stood aside watching others play. Occasionally, when children came to talk to him, he wouldn’t ignore them, just chatting decently and politely for a few sentences, then deliberately distancing himself, ending the conversation.

…Sometimes Shen Qing couldn’t believe this was just a child not yet seven years old.

“Did Duoduo have fun today?”

Thinking about it, he still chose to talk to the child in the back row: “That little young master of the Xu family is quite fun, huh? I saw him running to you several times tonight. Are you two close?”

“It was okay,” Gu Duo replied.

Concise and comprehensive.

Shen Qing: “…”

Shen Qing continued to chat with him without giving up: “I really didn’t expect the Xu family’s little young master to be mixed-race. Those big eyes blinking, looking so fair and clean, he could compete with you, Duoduo.”

“…” Gu Duo continued to look out the window silently.

Shen Qing: “Of course, our Aozai is cute too. I mean he seems to really like you. I saw him actively looking for you every time…”

Gu Duo: “…”

Gu Duo felt the reason he could understand this man’s meaning without much communication might be mainly because this man talked too much. He had to understand quickly to effectively avoid him continuing to talk.

Shen Qing was still saying: “…actively looking for you, and even pounced on you several times!”

“Uncle.” Gu Duo suddenly interrupted him, also remembering Xu Weiming liking to pounce on him.

When they attended preschool together before, Xu Weiming always liked to stick close to him.

…So that meant he liked me?

Gu Duo sat in the back row looking out the window, the car window reflecting his frowning appearance.

Shen Qing in the front yawned and said: “Of course he would like you. Our Duoduo is so handsome, mature, and cute. Which kid wouldn’t like you?”

Gu Duo: “…”

He never knew what “like” meant.

Nor had he ever thought someone would like him.

Although protected well by his mother in the past, in Gu Duo’s impression, the three of them—mother and sons—always lived in seclusion and rarely had contact with people.

Because there was no father.

After going out, he and Aozai had been called bastards.

At that time, Gu Duo didn’t know exactly what “bastard” meant, only that his mother disliked this word very much, and she would be very sad every time she heard it.

What his mother didn’t like, he wouldn’t mention. He would also try his best to avoid being called that by others.

Instead, after his mother was gone and he and Aozai moved into the Gu family’s main residence, he thoroughly understood the meaning of this word.

At the same time, it made him understand that he and Aozai were unwelcome and wouldn’t be liked by anyone.

So what exactly did “like” mean?

“Then does Younger Uncle like us?” With two small hands clenching desperately in his pockets, Gu Duo asked softly.

He regretted it as soon as he asked because it felt very strange.

He didn’t know why he would ask this person a question.

…Clearly, he shouldn’t believe a single word Shen Qing said.

His fresh and tender face had an expression this time—almost twisted into a ball.

Gu Duo inexplicably recalled that at the birthday party just now, Xu Weiming would look in Shen Qing’s direction from time to time and say to him: “Your dad looks really good! He’s the most beautiful dad I’ve ever seen!”

“He treats you guys so well. It’s my birthday today, and my dad is still abroad and hasn’t come back!”

…

His ten fingers were tangled together. At this moment, Gu Duo heard Shen Qing say very affirmatively: “Of course, Younger Uncle of course likes you guys.”

…

Shen Qing wasn’t talking nonsense. He knew Gu Huaiyu treated the cubs very well indeed.

Although the big shot never showed it on his face and usually had no interaction with the two children, each one worse than the other at expressing concern and affection.

But thinking about the original novel, the villains who grew up twenty years later took revenge first on those who participated in plotting against their younger uncle back then. It showed that perhaps Gu Huaiyu really was the only unusual person in this world who had given them warmth and security.

So how could Gu Huaiyu not like the children? Shen Qing didn’t dare speak nonsense about this.

…Even if in the original novel, “he himself” twenty years later was also one of the first wave of people to be retaliated against… QAQ

Cough cough.

Speaking of which, although Shen Qing’s urgent task was to establish the best relationship in the world with these two future villains, preferably surpassing their younger uncle’s status in their hearts so his future days could be secure.

But as a smart person, Shen Qing wasn’t that narrow-minded—Gu Duo and Gu Ao lived in extreme lack of love and insecurity. Letting them know many people loved them was beneficial to these two children’s physical and mental health, so they wouldn’t grow up crooked and take extreme paths.

In the long run, Shen Qing hoped Duoduo and Aozai could receive more care and have more people loving them.

So Shen Qing didn’t hesitate to speak well of Gu Huaiyu in front of Gu Duo: “Your younger uncle is in poor health, frail and unable to go out. You can tell just by seeing he usually doesn’t even come downstairs. If his health were just a bit better, he definitely would have brought… definitely we would have brought you and Aozai to attend the birthday party together.”

“But even though he didn’t appear this time, he paid a lot of attention to this matter…”

“I know.”

Gu Duo suddenly said: “Xu Weiming already told me, saying Younger Uncle collaborated with their family… it was for me and Aozai.”

Shen Qing: …?

“Hmm???”

Now it was Shen Qing who was confused—

What, when did the big shot collaborate with the Xu family?

And how did Duoduo know the big shot collaborated with the Xu family for him?

And why does little friend Xu Weiming know so much???

…Forget about a precocious child like Gu Duo, but thinking of the Xu family kid’s image as soft and white as a rabbit, obviously different from his own two cubs, he should belong to the truly innocent and naive type…

But an innocent and naive kid knew about things like collaboration between two families.

And could clearly convey and reveal it to his little partner.

Shen Qing couldn’t help but sigh with emotion—are children nowadays so shrewd!!

“…” Gu Duo didn’t expect this matter to surprise Shen Qing so much. He calmly scrutinized Shen Qing in the front through the rearview mirror, subconsciously starting to think: Does this kind of collaboration really have a major impact?

He knew the meaning of collaboration.

Teachers often talked about collaboration in school.

But collaboration between him and his classmates was playing games together, completing a small task, etc., which felt ordinary… But this collaboration seemed really important to adults.

Because Xu Weiming’s exact words were: “Mom says your younger uncle is super amazing. Him willing to collaborate with my family this time is all thanks to you, so I can finally ask you to come play often in the future!”

Gu Duo could feel that before, Xu Weiming’s parents didn’t like him always running over to find him.

But with Younger Uncle’s “collaboration,” no matter how Xu Weiming stuck to him today, Xu’s mother didn’t interfere, and even brought them fruits instead…

It seemed this “collaboration” was really important.

And, very effective.

It should be similar to Shen Qing saying before that he would keep up appearances for him…

…

Shen Qing didn’t know Gu Duo was still stumbling through analyzing what collaboration was.

He asked Gu Duo two more questions: one was what Younger Uncle collaborated on with the Xu family, and the other was when they collaborated.

Gu Duo naturally couldn’t answer the first question, but he knew the second one.

Because Xu Weiming was also a chatterbox. He didn’t ask anything at all, and the little chatterbox told him everything, relevant or not.

Xu Weiming said: “Yesterday my grandpa called me over and told me to play with you more in the future. He said your younger uncle attaches hen (very) much importance to you guys, not only did he suddenly throw out… threw out what branch? I forgot that word. Anyway, it was very powerful. In one day, he sent that contract back!”

Judging from this, the collaboration most likely happened just yesterday.

Gu Duo thought about it, felt there shouldn’t be anything he couldn’t say, and told Shen Qing his judged timing.

Then he continued to clench his small fists, eyelashes half-lowered, asking hesitantly: “So did Younger Uncle collaborate for our sake?”

Shen Qing: “…I don’t know about this either.”

How would he understand business matters?

“But judging from the timing, it should be,” Shen Qing added.

He thought about it seriously and carefully. Although he didn’t know exactly how big the Xu family business was, with President Gu’s status and financial power today, where even the Gu family’s main residence feared and curried favor with him, his collaboration with the Xu family should really be dispensable to him.

So if he signed the contract in such a hurry, it really was for… today’s birthday banquet, to keep up appearances for Duoduo.

…It was that feeling of ‘Your cub invited my cub for a birthday, so very good, seeing as you understand the times so well, I’ll give you a little sweetness. You have to treat my cubs better in the future!’

…

Damn.

Thinking about it this way, it’s simply super cool, okay?

Worthy of being the big shot!

Right, no wonder I didn’t see Gu Ming, Gu Jie, and those people present today…

Probably the big shot extended an olive branch to the Xu family, showing his attention and protection for Duoduo and Aozai. The Xu family got it, so they deliberately didn’t invite people from the Gu family’s main residence!

After all, Duoduo and Aozai were ostracized when they were at the Gu family’s main residence. The Xu family knew this too, shown by how they never invited Duoduo and Aozai to banquets like this before.

And now, not inviting children from the Gu family’s main residence anymore, it should be because they were “bought over” by Gu Huaiyu and switched sides.

…Oh mother.

So is this how wealthy families play?

This is truly a channel I couldn’t even imagine. It upholds the scene way more than me thinking of attending personally as a guardian to accompany them!

It’s not even on the same level, okay!

However, for such a big matter, the big shot didn’t even tell him in advance?

Made him think there would be a struggle today!!!

While Shen Qing was thinking these things, he heard Gu Duo ask from behind: “Then with such a collaboration, will Younger Uncle suffer any loss?”

The voice was a bit hesitant, with a hint of embarrassment.

In Gu Duo’s view, clearly this collaboration brought benefits to him and Aozai, such as respect, attention, and friendliness from others.

Then since they received rewards, someone must have paid something.

Just like his mother needed money to exchange for food.

Also like Shen Qing being willing to give time to accompany him and Aozai to the banquet. …Gu Duo understood, this was a kind of giving.

…Recalling again that several children praised ‘his dad’ for being handsome today, and said ‘his dad’ was so easygoing, and they were so envious…

Gu Duo never thought there would be a day when he would be envied. In terms of family.

Half-lowering his brows and eyes, Gu Duo lowered his head even more, even frowning.

And he didn’t want Younger Uncle to suffer too big a loss just for the sake of his and Aozai’s face.

Shen Qing didn’t expect this kid would think of this.

Loss or not, isn’t it a bit too early for a child less than seven years old?

Little Duoduo’s thoughts are too heavy!

So Shen Qing said: “Don’t worry, how could someone like your younger uncle suffer a loss?”

“Mn.”

Listening to the voice, Gu Duo relaxed a little.

Shen Qing: “He’s not stupid. His vision is high, thinking about things we can’t imagine. There’s no need for us to worry.”

Gu Duo: “…?”

He understood the content of the words.

But he felt something was wrong somewhere?…

Making a small complaint about the big shot not greeting him in advance, Shen Qing quickly changed his tune: “What Uncle means to express is, you don’t need to worry about adult matters, nor should you worry. We are here for everything. You just need to be happy with Aozai and grow up healthy!”

…

After these words were spoken, there was silence in the car, only the occasional sound of the driver turning on the turn signal.

He didn’t know if Gu Duo in the back listened, or what he was thinking.

He was too small, small and thin, and it was dark inside the car now.

Through the rearview mirror, he couldn’t see this cub’s figure clearly at all.

Shen Qing had to crane his neck and turn his head to look back at him.

Gu Duo was still looking out the window.

This child’s profile already had a slightly chiseled look, appearing quite deep.

Passing tree shadows and neon lights reflected on his face through the car window; he remained motionless.

After a long time, Shen Qing heard him respond.

A very low voice: “Mn.”