My Brother's Arranged Marriage Partner Is My Boyfriend - Chapter 49

About an hour later, the banquet officially came to an end.

Gu Feng stood at the door seeing off the guests. It was only when he saw Mo Yichen emerging with Bai Nanxing that he remembered he seemed to have forgotten something.

“This must be your future partner for the alliance marriage, right, Yichen?”

He’s really asking despite already knowing the answer, Bai Nanxing couldn’t help but complain inwardly.

Mo Yichen placed an arm around his shoulder and introduced him: “Correct. His name is Nanxing.”

Although the marriage law for men had been established for some years and many people were gradually coming to accept same-sex marriage, it still ran counter to traditional concepts and would inevitably be criticized by some.

Undoubtedly, Gu Feng belonged to the latter group.

From his gaze, Bai Nanxing could detect disdain—or more accurately, loathing.

He didn’t know if it was because of his status as an illegitimate son or because Gu Shize liked him; it was likely the latter. Regardless, Gu Feng’s expression was clearly not pleasant upon seeing Bai Nanxing.

“Nanxing, greet Chairman Gu,” Mo Yichen said.

Bai Nanxing followed suit and said, “Hello, Chairman Gu.”

Gu Feng gave a cold, abrupt grunt of acknowledgment. His tone sounded extremely forced, and after responding, he shifted his gaze away from Bai Nanxing and toward Mo Yichen.

“Your father’s recent new project must be quite busy. It’s a pity he didn’t come tonight; I really wanted to sit down and have a slow chat with him.” Gu Feng squeezed out a fake smile. “When he’s finished with his work, remember to pass a message to him. If he’s free, let’s go out for a meal together; my treat. It’s been a long time since our two families have interacted. You still remember Ranran, right? You met just now. She said she has some questions regarding business that she doesn’t quite understand and wants to ask for your advice.”

Ranran’s original name was Gu Ran. She was Gu Feng’s eldest daughter. Because she possessed great business talent, Gu Feng had arranged for her to enter the Gu Group at the age of nineteen. The achievements she had made over the years very much carried the style of Gu Feng in his prime.

Bai Nanxing had seen Gu Ran back when he was in high school.

At that time, Bai Yi had business dealings with Gu Feng and would often bring Gu Ran along. Since Bai Nanxing lived at school and only returned home once a week, he happened to see her.

However, back then, Gu Ran had stayed in the car and hadn’t come out; he had only caught a glimpse of her from a distance. Gu Ran was very beautiful with a capable short haircut. Unlike ordinary girls with soft features, Gu Ran’s appearance was highly aggressive—the kind of face a man would remember at first sight.

“Chairman Gu, you must be joking. My meager abilities are nothing compared to yours. If we’re talking about seeking advice, you are the most suitable person, Chairman Gu,” Mo Yichen said modestly.

Gu Feng was very satisfied with this statement and let out three hearty laughs.

Just as his laughter stopped, a clear female voice drifted from a distance.

Turning to look, it was Gu Ran.

“Dad, what are you and Brother Yichen talking about? I could hear your laughter from afar. Are you having such a happy conversation?” Gu Ran greeted them politely. “Brother Yichen.”

Mo Yichen also nodded politely in response.

Perhaps because Mo Yichen holding Bai Nanxing’s hand was so conspicuous, Gu Ran finally deigned to cast her gaze upon Bai Nanxing. “This must be Brother Yichen’s ‘fiancé,’ right? He’s truly good-looking.”

Whether this praise was sincere, Bai Nanxing didn’t know. He only knew that Gu Ran likely disliked him—or rather, she viewed him as a love rival.

When rivals meet, their eyes usually burn with envy; being able to maintain such an attitude was already considered quite good.

It seemed the gossip from the people at the bar wasn’t unfounded; Gu Ran did indeed like Mo Yichen.

The most obvious sign was that after seeing Mo Yichen in person, Gu Ran’s entire demeanor changed.

“Is that so? Thank you.” Mo Yichen didn’t feel the need to specifically clarify the matter; this happened to save him the trouble of explaining it to everyone one by one.

When Bai Nanxing wanted to speak, Gu Ran directly ignored and interrupted him.

“Brother Yichen, are you free lately? I happen to have many questions I want to ask you. When would you have time for a meetup?”

Mo Yichen himself had no interest in Gu Ran. Furthermore, the private conflicts of interest between the Mo and Gu families were far more intense than imagined. Excessive interaction was not a good thing for him as the heir.

Additionally, his own old man disliked Gu Feng’s way of doing things. If he agreed, the old man would surely give him a lecture later.

The mere thought gave Mo Yichen a headache, so he simply pushed Bai Nanxing forward. “What is Nanxing’s opinion?”

Bai Nanxing looked up at him. After considering for less than two seconds, he said to Gu Ran, “I’m sorry, Miss Gu. Brother Chen promised me that if he has time, that time belongs to me.”

Gu Ran’s face darkened visibly, but she still maintained her necessary politeness and grace. Following Bai Nanxing’s words, she said, “Really? That’s fine. Whenever Brother Yichen wants to come and chat with me, he is welcome anytime.”

Mo Yichen smiled and said nothing.

At this moment, Gu Shize walked over. After calling Gu Ran “Sister,” he saw Mo Yichen and Bai Nanxing. Recalling what Mo Leyang had done on the balcony earlier, he didn’t have a pleasant expression.

“A-Ze, what are you dazed for? Greet Brother Yichen.”

Gu Shize was very reluctant. Finally, pressured by Gu Feng’s presence and unable to lose face for his father, he grumbled unwillingly, “Hello, Brother Yichen.”

Mo Yichen more or less knew about the grudges and entanglements between Gu Shize and Mo Leyang, but he couldn’t control Mo Leyang’s affairs. Moreover, Gu Shize deserved it; if it were him, he might have acted even more ruthlessly than Mo Leyang.

However, out of respect for Gu Feng, Mo Yichen forced a response.

His tone was somewhat perfunctory. Bai Nanxing observed his expression out of the corner of his eye. To some extent, although the two were half-brothers, their personalities were surprisingly consistent—both were quite wicked.

But since the target was Gu Shize, Bai Nanxing was quite happy to watch.

Indeed, “evil people are tormented by those even more evil.”

Mo Yichen noticed Bai Nanxing’s gaze, lowered his head, and asked, “What’s wrong?”

Bai Nanxing didn’t want to stay there any longer. He was so bored he wanted to roll his eyes, so he leaned into Mo Yichen’s ear and whispered, “Brother Chen, when can we leave?”

A dark gloom flashed in Gu Ran’s eyes, and she couldn’t help but say, “Brother Yichen, it’s getting late. You should hurry back. I’ll see you out.”

Mo Yichen also didn’t want to stay. Following Gu Ran’s lead, he said, “It is indeed getting late. Chairman Gu has been busy all day and must be very tired, so I’ll be taking my leave first. I will certainly pass Chairman Gu’s words to my grandfather. However, there’s no need for Miss Gu to see us out; Nanxing accompanying me is enough.”

Seeing Mo Yichen’s firm attitude, Gu Ran was embarrassed to throw a tantrum in public. She forced a smile and said, “Alright then, take care, Brother Yichen.”

Gu Feng didn’t like the Mo family to begin with. Hearing that Mo Yichen was leaving, he even skipped the pleasantries. He didn’t say a word, simply watching as Mo Yichen said goodbye and left with Bai Nanxing.

Once they were a certain distance away, Gu Feng snorted with a dark face. He looked up and asked Gu Ran, “What, you still can’t forget him? He already has a fiancé now. If you still can’t let go, you’re just torturing yourself. Don’t say your father is cold-hearted; back then, the reason I didn’t let you pursue that boy was for the good of the Gu family and yourself.”

“The Mo family is a wolf’s den; you’d lose a layer of skin just going in! That lunatic in their family even wanted to kill your own younger brother! Yes, Mo Yichen is decent—he has a good business mind and is a fine person—but I’ve said it before: you can marry anyone, but you cannot marry into the Mo family! Besides, that boy Mo Yichen doesn’t like you at all. He likes that illegitimate son from the Bai family. Didn’t you see how affectionate they were just now?”

“Also, you know your father doesn’t get along with that old lunatic Mo Yuncheng. If you marry into the Mo family—even if it’s just dating—you’d be going against your father!”

Gu Ran couldn’t help but talk back: “Dad! Does what you just said mean that I’m inferior to that illegitimate son of the Bai family?!”

“Inferior to what? Bai Yi doesn’t even know which corner he found that wild woman to give birth to that bastard; he isn’t even worthy of being compared to you!” Gu Feng got angry just thinking about it. “Didn’t you see that bastard was deliberately asserting his dominance over you just now? And you still wanted to throw yourself at them. Are you only satisfied if you make the Mo family laugh at your father?!”

Gu Ran knew she had been too impulsive just now. Despite being scolded by Gu Feng, she didn’t talk back, but she was truly fuming. Clearly, her conditions were ten thousand times better than those of the illegitimate Bai Nanxing, yet in Mo Yichen’s eyes just now, there was no room for her at all.

In terms of looks, she wasn’t inferior to Bai Nanxing. In terms of strength, Bai Nanxing didn’t even have the qualification to compete with her. She really couldn’t understand what Mo Yichen saw in Bai Nanxing.

Was it just because Bai Nanxing was a man?!

If she lost because of gender, Gu Ran would be driven mad with rage.

Seeing the two of them still in a bad mood, Gu Shize didn’t dare to speak up. Standing there was boring, so he intended to sneak away.

However, just as he turned around, he was immediately called back by Gu Feng: “You brat, where do you think you’re going? I haven’t finished speaking yet. Get back here!”

Gu Shize turned back sheepishly. “Dad, there are so many people here. Can you rein in your temper for a moment? If others see this, how will they view our Gu family?”

“Strength is everything!” Gu Feng said. “As long as you are strong enough, they will shut their mouths.”

Reality was indeed like that. Gu Shize didn’t argue. Many people talked about the Gu family behind their backs, but because they needed things from them, they would keep their mouths shut. “That may be true, but if you lose your temper here, you might not find it embarrassing, but I do.”

“You brat, what did you say?”

“Nothing. Dad, calm down first.”

Gu Ran interjected and asked, “I heard just now that you went to provoke that lunatic again?”

Gu Shize stammered, “I didn’t provoke him! He went crazy and looked for trouble with me on his own! You know Mo Leyang has always disliked me at school; he even beat me up. I’m not so tired of living that I’d go looking for him.”

Seeing his eyes flickering, Gu Ran knew Gu Shize wasn’t telling the whole truth. “Is that so?”

Gu Shize instantly lowered his head in guilt.