SFBF CH8

A childlike voice rang out from Aozai, and Shen Qing almost stumbled.

Out of embarrassment.

He didn’t know how little Gu Ao interpreted things, but was everyone in this world so scatterbrained?

But Shen Qing couldn’t collapse yet.

There were still outsiders present; he had to resolve the matter at hand first!

So Shen Qing said to Ms. Gu’s family, “If you really want to know the details, just go ask Huaiyu.”

His smile remained impeccable, his expression even slightly shy, as if reluctant to mention too much.

He practically embodied ambiguity to the extreme.

In any case, pushing everything onto Gu Huaiyu couldn’t be wrong.

Shen Qing felt no pressure adopting the form of address Ms. Gu’s husband had just used for President Gu, calling him ‘Huaiyu’ directly in front of outsiders.

Nothing more to it, it just seemed intimate!

The original owner liked to create an illusion of marital harmony with Gu Huaiyu in front of outsiders. Yet, he never dared to fake affection in front of the Gu or Shen families.

Due to low self-esteem and timidity, he always felt that both the Gu and Shen families looked down on him and wouldn’t believe it. He also feared that Gu Huaiyu might accidentally find out and expose him, or get angry.

But Shen Qing wasn’t that sensitive and never overthought things.

He only knew that this Gu Huaixiang was a bully. Her attitude towards him just now was terrible, arrogant enough to look down her nose at everyone.

But in the Gu family, everyone was very polite to Gu Huaiyu, including this Ms. Gu before him.

So all in all, appearing close to Gu Huaiyu in front of these people wouldn’t be a mistake.

It’s good to lean on a big tree for shade; rely on it if you can.

As a person, why make life difficult for yourself?

Besides, what are the chances Gu Huaiyu would find out what he said outside… Mr. Gu was so sick he couldn’t even get out of bed. Even if Ms. Gu and the others were gossipy, he believed they wouldn’t dare ask him.

Hahaha!…

But perhaps Shen Qing’s inner thoughts were too brazen.

As soon as he turned his head, he saw Mr. Gu in a wheelchair suddenly appear at the corner of the corridor not far away!

…Right after he had sweetly called the other party “Huaiyu”!

…

Um, a bit awkward.

At first, Shen Qing couldn’t accept this fact.

He blinked hard.

Then he realized Gu Huaiyu was getting closer and closer to him…

Shen Qing: “…”

Help, Gu Huaiyu didn’t hear everything, did he?

This was different from when he called him “hubby” to his face. Fox-pretending-to-be-a-tiger in front of outsiders, and being heard by the person involved on the spot…

It would be awkward.

Before becoming a salted fish, Shen Qing had also fought for everything himself and was self-sufficient.

He used to care a lot about saving face too!

Shen Qing stood frozen in place, and Gu Huaiyu had already arrived by his side.

Mr. Gu was wearing a set of dark blue silk pajamas today. The color was lighter than last time, but his complexion seemed even paler.

“What are you talking about?”

Despite being haggard and gravely ill, President Gu’s voice was still deep and pleasant.

It wasn’t full of vitality, but it reminded one of a bright moon and a gentle breeze.

Seeing that Gu Huaiyu had come out personally, Gu Huaixiang’s arrogance clearly diminished significantly.

But she was, after all, Gu Huaiyu’s sister. The Third Miss of the Gu family had always been proud and couldn’t appear too humble.

Scanning the scene, Gu Huaixiang immediately raised her chin and chose to target Shen Qing.

She had also sobered up now, knowing that Shen Qing and her sixth brother couldn’t have known each other before.

—When Shen Qing came to the Gu house that time, Gu Huaixiang had seen clearly that Shen Qing was obviously afraid of Old Six.

Thinking back to how there was absolutely no interaction between the two then, how could they have that kind of intimate relationship!

She knew Shen Qing was intentionally making things up just now to mislead her!

“We were talking about him!”

Gu Huaixiang pointed in Shen Qing’s direction, her confidence growing: “Do you know what nonsense he was spouting just now? He actually deliberately misled me… saying he could give birth to your children!”

Gu Huaiyu: “…?”

Shen Qing was dumbfounded: “Huh??”

No, it was clearly your own wild imagination; how did it become me deliberately misleading you? …

And even if I misled you, I didn’t mislead you into thinking I could give birth!!

Shen Qing quickly looked at Gu Huaiyu opposite him.

President Gu in the wheelchair sat steadily, but his face was very pale, silent and deep.

He seemed to have indeed received some kind of shock, his expression looking even more solemn and stern.

Gu Huaixiang felt she had hit the nail on the head. While arranging her long hair with her hand, she continued with a high and mighty attitude: “What, a man wants to rely on carrying on the family line for our family to become a proper daughter-in-law of the Gu family? Simply dreaming! Not that I want to say this, Huaiyu, but you really should discipline this person; he’s too unruly…”

“Wife, you’re pregnant?”

As soon as Gu Huaiyu spoke, the whole room fell into silence again.

Although his voice wasn’t loud, its impact was undoubtedly enormous.

Gu Huaixiang looked at Gu Huaiyu in shock, then turned to look at Shen Qing.

Shen Qing looked at Gu Huaiyu with a confused face: “Huh?”

…Originally thought Gu Huaixiang and her husband were just simple cannon fodder, so they didn’t have much brains.

But big boss… you…

“I… am not.”

Because he really didn’t expect the big boss to ask this suddenly.

Shen Qing answered completely mechanically.

Gu Huaiyu chuckled lightly as if nothing happened, and even showed a clear look of indulgence on his face: “Oh, that’s good. Otherwise, pregnancy would be very harmful to the body.”

Shen Qing: “???”

No, big boss, are you serious?

So why on earth do you also believe I can get pregnant! And harmful to the body…

If the others in the Gu family just generally had wild imaginations.

Then there must be a black hole inside Gu Huaiyu’s head!!

While Shen Qing was still confused, he saw Gu Huaiyu raise his hand to him and say, “Come here.”

“…”

Shen Qing went over obediently.

Incidentally bringing along the two children who were completely bewildered.

This family of four was on one side, and Gu Huaixiang’s family of four was on the other.

The next moment, Shen Qing’s hand was held by Gu Huaiyu.

“!!?”

Gu Huaiyu said to Gu Huaixiang, “I’m afraid Third Miss Gu is mistaken. No matter what, Shen Qing is the Gu family’s daughter-in-law, but this has nothing to do with you. Everything is only because my surname is still Gu.”

Gu Huaixiang: “…”

Gu Huaiyu spoke somewhat breathlessly, but his tone remained domineering: “Even if one day my surname isn’t Gu, he is still my wife, and Duoduo and the others are still our children. But this, still has nothing to do with you.”

Gu Huaixiang: “You!…”

The Gu family had huge internal expenses and numerous conflicts. Moreover, they mainly operated in traditional industries, and their projects in emerging fields were sluggish; they were already strong on the outside but weak on the inside.

The reason they could maintain their glamour in front of outsiders in recent years was mainly relying on the several companies Gu Huaiyu had established independently, which were supporting the Gu family’s façade from the outside.

But the Gu family was merely mooching off Gu Huaiyu’s fame in the circle. —As long as Old Six was still a member of the Gu family, the Gu family’s foundation in Huacheng wouldn’t be shaken.

However, legally speaking, everyone in the Gu family knew that the top companies in Gu Huaiyu’s hands had nothing to do with the Gu Group; they were completely independent.

Gu Huaiyu and the Gu family had long reached the point of breaking up.

Gu Huaixiang knew very well that if Gu Huaiyu didn’t have few days left to live and couldn’t toss and turn, he probably would have left the Gu family long ago.

Correspondingly, the Gu family was still trying their best to maintain a relationship with Old Six now, only eyeing the assets behind him…

Thinking of this, Gu Huaixiang didn’t dare to offend Gu Huaiyu.

Especially Old Six’s bad temper… Although she was truly angry just now, the Third Miss Gu’s arrogance was extinguished immediately.

On the other side, hearing Gu Huaiyu’s words, Shen Qing lowered his head to exchange a glance with him and instantly understood Mr. Gu’s intention, so he let the other party hold his hand.

—So Gu Huaiyu knew everything; he was just backing him up.

Unexpectedly, having dominated the world of verbal battles for years, he was now protected by a sickly person who gasped for breath when speaking. Shen Qing touched his nose uncomfortably.

He was naturally grateful in his heart, but he still proactively looked away the next second.

Mainly because… although Gu Huaiyu wasn’t crazy and wouldn’t think a man like him could give birth.

But the matter of him fox-pretending-to-be-a-tiger was known by President Gu! Even though the other party was willing to cooperate…

It was still awkward!

Gu Huaiyu didn’t say anything more. Noticing little Gu Ao beside him still clutching his small robot tightly, President Gu couldn’t help but ask in a deep voice: “Why is Aozai still holding this robot? Isn’t it heavy? Do you need Uncle to help you hold it?”

Hearing this, Aozai shook his head.

His little robot, he wanted to protect it himself!

Hugging the small robot that was about the same height as him, Aozai was still small and slow to react to some things.

In fact, the adults had said so much just now, but his little round head was still pondering the question of whether he was born by his uncle and this person.

After all, this question was quite important.

Aozai thought with a solemn face: If that’s the case, what about Mom? …Could it be that after Mom went to heaven, he became born by Uncle and Aunt-in-law?

In Aozai’s tiny head, another big question mark appeared.

…Even with questions, he wouldn’t put down the little robot in his hands.

Unless Gu Ming and Gu Jie, who always bullied him, left, he couldn’t be completely at ease.

Gu Ao carefully wrapped his chubby arms tightly around his small robot.

Gu Huaiyu looked at such a child, and for a moment, a trace of emotion and pity appeared in his expression.

But he quickly looked away.

Glancing at the opposite side, he asked in a languid and casual tone: “Does Third Miss have any other business?”

Gu Huaixiang: “…”

What other business could there be?!

She specially brought the children to visit their little uncle this time, but Gu Huaiyu didn’t give her any face, and she didn’t manage to borrow money.

What else could there be besides this.

Was she supposed to say she wanted to forcibly buy Gu Ao and Gu Duo’s toys!

Seeing the people standing together opposite her, looking surprisingly harmonious and truly like a family of four, Gu Huaixiang suddenly felt very uneasy.

Her daughter Gu Jie was right just now; her sixth brother was partial to Gu Duo and Gu Ao now.

But how could that be?

Old Six was a bane of solitude; saying he was cold-blooded and emotionless was polite. He was clearly vicious and cruel!

He wasn’t close to anyone since childhood, and after growing up, she had never seen him be close to any child.

…He hadn’t even hugged her two children!

Why was he different towards these two bastards, Gu Duo and Gu Ao??

When Gu Huaiyu took Gu Duo and the others away before, although Gu Huaixiang thought it was abnormal, she didn’t think much of it. She assumed that with Old Six’s temper, even if Gu Duo and the others went over, their fate would eventually be to be driven away. At most, Gu Huaiyu would give them food to eat; how could he take care of them with great effort.

Now, thinking about it carefully, she was terrified—given Old Six’s current health, if he passed away…

Wouldn’t the assets he left behind all go to…?

Gu Huaixiang felt she could hardly stand.

But thinking of Gu Huaiyu’s assets, she couldn’t fall out with this brother.

So Gu Huaixiang suppressed her displeasure and smiled, saying politely: “Third Sister is relieved that you guys are fine. Huaiyu, rest well then. Your brother-in-law and I will go back first.”

She had to go back quickly and tell Eldest Brother and the others about this situation!

Gu Huaiyu sat listlessly in the wheelchair, only lifting his eyes slightly to glance coldly in Gu Huaixiang’s direction. His voice was raspy as he said only two words: “Not seeing you out.”

Gu Huaixiang: “…”

“Ah? Leaving already? Stay for a meal, Third Sister.” Instead, it was Shen Qing who politely asked them to stay for dinner.

Subconsciously acting as the master again, fulfilling the duties of a host.

Gu Huaixiang wasn’t used to hearing Shen Qing, who came from an ordinary background, speak in such a masterful tone. Even though the other party was politely asking her to stay, which could be considered saving face for her family, compared to whether she stayed for dinner, Gu Huaixiang cared more about…

Old Six had practically issued an eviction order just now. What right did Shen Qing have to speak here?

Subconsciously, Gu Huaixiang sized up Gu Huaiyu’s reaction again.

Gu Huaiyu’s reaction… He didn’t even lift his eyelids again, seemingly not caring about what Shen Qing said or his tone of voice!

That’s right… With Old Six’s health, it was said that even leaving his room was difficult, yet he came here specifically to back up this Shen Qing…

Looking at Shen Qing again in disbelief, Gu Huaixiang suddenly realized that this young man indeed seemed much more handsome and radiant than she remembered…

She quickly withdrew her gaze, not daring to give Shen Qing attitude anymore. At this moment, she inevitably added a hint of politeness: “No need… I still have matters at the company, so I’ll leave first.”

Shen Qing didn’t insist anymore.

“Then I’ll see you out.” Fulfilling the host’s duties to the end, Shen Qing insisted on going downstairs to see them off.

…Of course, it was mostly because Gu Huaiyu was in a wheelchair and couldn’t be exposed to the wind, so there was a high probability he wouldn’t go downstairs to see people off.

In that case, he could find an excuse to leave and wouldn’t have to hold hands with President Gu anymore!

Although he knew Mr. Gu was backing him up, as a straight man, Shen Qing was really not used to such intimate actions with a man.

Shen Qing pulled his hand out of Gu Huaiyu’s palm and walked directly downstairs.

As he walked down, he flexed his fingers.

Those were the fingers that were held in Gu Huaiyu’s palm just now. Shen Qing still felt a bit cool.

…Gu Huaiyu’s palm was cool, without much warmth, and very dry.

The sensation was quite peculiar.

…

It had been snowing for the past few days, and it was freezing outside now, so Shen Qing wouldn’t go out.

Seeing the family of four to the door of the house was considered fulfilling the host’s duties.

Arranging for the butler and driver to see Third Miss Gu’s family to the car, Shen Qing immediately turned back. Looking up, the two children seemed to have returned to their room. Gu Huaiyu, whom he thought should have gone back to rest, was still lingering upstairs, looking down at him through the railing.

“Come here,” Gu Huaiyu said.

The exact same two words as before.

But the first time he was called over by Gu Huaiyu, in front of the arrogant Gu Huaixiang, Shen Qing felt it was only natural.

…Now that the other party called him over again, Shen Qing felt a shiver in his heart, unsure of what the other party wanted to do.

He quickly said, “It’s windy outside, Mr. Gu, go back and rest quickly!”

Incidentally putting on a look of being anxious for someone else.

Gu Huaiyu wasn’t anxious at all. Instead, he asked slowly and coolly, “Why aren’t you calling me ‘hubby’ now?”

His voice drifted down from upstairs, and the servants cleaning below couldn’t help but look at Shen Qing.

Shen Qing immediately lowered his head reservedly: “Hubby~”

Although he used to care a lot about saving face, for such a small matter, he would do as Mr. Gu wished.

Gu Huaiyu: “…”

“Come up,” he said again.

This time his tone was much tougher, meaning no refusal was allowed.

__

Author’s Note:

Gu Huaiyu: Come up.

Shen Qing: …So, so direct? O,O