Your Boyfriend is Great! He's Mine Now - Chapter 19

Shen Xubai was incredibly focused when he worked one might even say he completely shut out all distractions so he failed to notice the playful smile on Gu Linyuan’s face.

“I understand your requirements now. I will have the proposals ready and handed over to you before I leave today. If you have any questions after that, we can keep in touch.”

“There’s no rush. Just give them to me sometime in the next two days.”

Shen Xubai stood up and nodded. “Thank you for your trust, President Gu.”

Some actions were purely reflexive, like the friendly hand he now extended toward Gu Linyuan. Gu Linyuan, however, was far too sharp; he didn’t give Shen Xubai a moment to react or regret it.

Gu Linyuan’s palm was warm and dry, his knuckles calloused, and his grip was firm and steady. As Shen Xubai pulled his hand away, he felt as though his palm had been lightly scratched.

It was a little itchy.

“Happy to cooperate.”

The words Shen Xubai had meant to say were swallowed back. “Happy to cooperate,” he stammered.

Gu Linyuan raised his wrist to check the time. “It’s about this time, would you like to grab some lunch together?”

If it were any other client, Shen Xubai wouldn’t have let them be the one to suggest it; he would have already had everything arranged. But eating with Gu Linyuan… Shen Xubai found the pressure quite high.

“Let’s do it another time. I still have some things to finish up.”

Gu Linyuan wore an incredibly understanding expression. “Alright, just remember, Senior: you owe me a meal.”

“Mn.”

Gu Linyuan’s fingers lingered on the door handle for a few seconds. He turned his head to look at Shen Xubai, sounding somewhat helpless. “Senior, you shouldn’t treat people so differently just because I’m pursuing you.”

Shen Xubai didn’t understand how someone could bring up such a topic so casually. Yet, he knew that, truthfully, he was the one at fault.

“I’ll see you out.”

The moment they stepped out, they were met with a barrage of envious, curious, and jealous gazes. Shen Xubai calmly escorted him to the elevator lobby and pressed the button.

There were so many companies in this office building that waiting for an elevator during peak hours was common. Just like now. Shen Xubai stared blankly at the numbers constantly climbing and then suddenly stopping. He looked focused, but in reality, his mind had wandered.

Anyone would feel uncomfortable being stared at so intensely by Gu Linyuan without him blinking even once.

As the numbers increased, just as the elevator doors slid open, Shen Xubai spoke: “President Gu, take care.”

A soft chuckle came from right in front of him. Suddenly, a shadow fell over him, carrying the faint scent of sandalwood, and a teasing voice murmured in his ear: “Senior, don’t be so nervous. Relax a little.”

The elevator doors closed, and it descended.

It took Shen Xubai a few beats to push that mischievous smile out of his mind before he turned back toward his office.

Zhu Xue knocked and entered. “Brother Shen, is it all settled?”

Shen Xubai was currently spraying his hands with hand sanitizer. “The contract isn’t signed yet.”

“I’m sure it’ll be fine. It’s all over the office that he’s the young master of the Gu family, and he came here specifically for you, Brother Shen.”

Shen Xubai didn’t want to discuss these things. He gripped his mouse and said, “Go back out; I have work to do.”

Then, Zhu Xue noticed Shen Xubai pause for several seconds before putting the mouse down and returning to spraying hand sanitizer again. She frowned slightly; whenever Shen Xubai was troubled, he would repeat the same actions over and over.

It seemed this young master of the Gu family wasn’t as easy to handle as he looked. Not wanting to pry, she quietly closed the door behind her.

Whether the young master of the Gu family was easy to handle or not, it was clear that he was in a wonderful mood right now. This sensation of having his head patted was even better than the feeling of having his way at Shen Xubai’s house the other day.

However, this happiness didn’t last long before it was interrupted by a phone call.

With a sharp turn of the steering wheel, Gu Linyuan made a U-turn, his expression darkening.

The Gu family was a prestigious and wealthy clan, but their family tree wasn’t exactly flourishing. Besides the staff and employees, the number of people living there who actually carried the surname Gu could be counted on one hand. The manor was so vast that you couldn’t see from one end to the other, let alone understand the hearts of the people living there things that were invisible and intangible.

Gu Linyuan was the youngest son of the second brother of the Gu family, Gu Chengzhuo. Above him were a half-sister and a half-brother. His sister, Gu Ruoxi, was devoted to studying music abroad and had no interest in managing the family business. His brother, Gu Ruoqi, had just graduated from university a year ago and was working at the company.

Gu Linyuan had only met Gu Ruoxi a few times; she was cold by nature and hadn’t shown him much hostility or hatred, though she wasn’t friendly either.

In this house, everyone hated him, with Gu Ruoqi at the top of the list. So, when Gu Linyuan stepped through the front door, he was met with nothing but eye-rolls, contempt, and resentment all of which was to be expected. He took it all in stride.

“Grandfather.”

The man at the head of the table had hair as white as silver, and age spots had appeared on his skin. Despite being at death’s door, the majesty in his eyes remained as sharp as it had been in his prime.

“What have you been busy with lately? Not coming home for ten days or half a month at a time.”

Gu Linyuan answered respectfully, “Company business.”

“A pathetic little company, yet you act busier than a head of state.”

The contempt and disdain in his words were undisguised. Gu Linyuan looked at him with an expressionless face. Gu Ruoqi didn’t shy away, staring back at him with a cold smirk.

“I just returned and don’t understand things yet, so naturally, I have to spend more effort than Second Brother.”

“Is that so?” Gu Ruoqi mocked. “I thought you were spending all your time chasing after a man.”

Gu Linyuan pursed his lips, looking somewhat troubled. “You’re right, Second Brother. But this world is made up of men and women. Should I go chase after a woman instead?”

“You!” Gu Ruoqi glared at him fiercely.

Women were different from men. If Gu Linyuan used his status to get close to those aristocratic families and succeeded, it would only strengthen his power. But men were different they couldn’t get pregnant, and there was no way to form a political marriage. Furthermore, the man Gu Linyuan was pursuing had no background.

He posed no threat, which was a good thing for everyone present. Even Gu Ruoqi could figure this out, so there was no way the shrewd elders in the room couldn’t.

“That’s enough. Don’t cause a scene every time you come back. If you have so much energy, why don’t you get married sooner and produce a grandson for me to play with?”

That single sentence was a killing blow. Gu Ruoqi wisely shut his mouth.

“Linyuan, I called you back this time because there is a project in Haicheng. You go and follow up on it.”

The others seemed unfazed, as if they were used to it. Aside from a faint sneer from Gu Ruoqi, no one else said anything.

Gu Linyuan glanced indifferently at Gu Chengzhuo. Since he had entered, the man hadn’t said a single word, as if the matter being discussed had absolutely nothing to do with him.

“Linyuan.” When the old master spoke again, his tone carried a hint of pressure.

Gu Linyuan withdrew his gaze, lowered his eyes, and agreed, the corner of his mouth curling into a mocking arc.