Shen Weilan offered nothing more than a faint, indifferent smile. She understood perfectly well what Gu Chongyang’s "lesson" was about; he was merely worried she might divorce Gu Yunze.
A divorce would not only deal a devastating blow to Gu Group, but it would also force Gu Yunze to hand over half of his assets to her. Gu Chongyang was a businessman, and he would never allow such a losing proposition to occur, hence the scene he had orchestrated this evening.
"You brat, hurry up and apologize to Weilan! Promise her that you will never see Lin Huichu again."
Before bringing his son to her, Gu Chongyang had already given Gu Yunze a lecture to ensure he could securely take over Gu Group in the future. For the sake of his prospects, Gu Yunze had no choice but to bite the bullet, apologize to Shen Weilan, beg for her forgiveness, and promise never to meet with Lin Huichu again.
Shen Weilan reached out and patted Gu Yunze on the head, much like one would pet a dog. "My husband is such a good boy! I believe you..." As if that were true!
Gu Yunze sneered inwardly. He knew Shen Weilan was hopelessly in love with him; as long as he apologized, she would be just as obedient as she had always been.
Seeing that Shen Weilan had "cooled off," Gu Chongyang seized the moment and said, "Then why don't you two go back to the Shen Family tomorrow night? Don't let them worry."
Shen Weilan understood Gu Chongyang’s goal perfectly. He wanted to use this opportunity to show her parents that his son and she were on excellent terms. That way, the Shen Corporation’s investment in Gu Group’s suburban land development would be secured.
Shen Weilan’s lips curled into a meaningful smile. "Understood, Dad."
Gu Chongyang nodded, satisfied. Flowers grown in greenhouses were always easy to manipulate; otherwise, when the Gu Family was in trouble back then, she wouldn't have been so easily tricked into marrying Gu Yunze after just a few empty words.
***
The following evening. The Shen family villa.
Before getting out of the car, Gu Yunze didn't forget to warn Shen Weilan not to talk nonsense in front of her parents. Shen Weilan only offered a cold smile in response.
Did she even need to say anything about the messes Gu Yunze had made? Surely, after the news about him and Lin Huichu broke, her parents had already started their own investigation.
Upon arriving at the Shen residence, Gu Yunze gripped Shen Weilan’s hand tightly, a smile plastered on his face, looking for all the world like a devoted couple.
"Big Brother," Gu Yunze said, smiling at Shen Huaibei.
Shen Huaibei didn't even grant him a glance. He stood up, walked over to Shen Weilan, and gently ruffled her hair, his gaze softening. "Mom and Dad went on a trip, but they instructed me to host you properly."
At these words, Gu Yunze’s face darkened, his brow furrowing. Why did Shen Qingshan and Fang Yuning have to go on a trip at such a critical moment? Had he known, he never would have come.
Although Shen Huaibei was the eldest son of the Shen Family, he had not taken over the family business. Instead, he had established his own path, opening a hospital. His medical skills were renowned, attracting patients from abroad year-round.
Shen Weilan nodded with a light smile. "Then I’ll have to trouble you, Brother."
Shen Huaibei’s mouth curved upward. "We're family; saying that makes us sound like strangers. I’ll make sure you're satisfied tonight."
"Oh~" Shen Weilan understood instantly.
Gu Yunze glanced at the siblings chatting and laughing, wondering why it felt like they were plotting something right in front of him. But he had no proof.
"Big Brother, I just remembered I have some work at the company. I’m truly sorry about tonight."
Since Shen Qingshan wasn't here, he couldn't discuss the investment project anyway, so there was no need to keep up this charade of a loving marriage for Shen Huaibei.
Shen Weilan was slightly stunned. She remembered the past—whenever her parents weren't home, even if Gu Yunze came over, he would always find an excuse to leave. Back then, she had naively believed he was busy with work and even made excuses for him. Now that she was clear-headed, the realization hit her: Gu Yunze had always just been using her. How ironic!
"Does my brother-in-law look down on me? You won't even stay for a meal?" Shen Huaibei’s eyes narrowed, his tone turning chilly.
Gu Yunze laughed. "Of course not, but work is urgent." He turned to Shen Weilan. "Weilan understands me best, don't you?"
In the past, Shen Weilan would have certainly defended him, but not now.
Just as Shen Weilan was about to speak, a low, deep voice interrupted, "It seems I’ve arrived at a bad time."
Gu Yunze looked toward the source of the voice. When he saw that face, his expression shifted from shock to delight. He was immensely excited, nervously rubbing his hands together.
Shen Huaibei and Shen Weilan were equally startled by the arrival. Shen Weilan’s expression sank instantly. Why had this guy shown up all of a sudden?
After composing himself, Shen Huaibei immediately stepped forward, his face full of concern. "Is your old condition acting up?"
Huo Junxiao generally wouldn't come to the Shen house unless his condition flared up and he couldn't reach him any other way.
Huo Junxiao nodded. He glanced at Shen Weilan. "But it seems I’ve come at a bad time tonight."
Upon hearing this, Gu Yunze’s eyes lit up. He hurried forward, his tone fawning, "Lord Huo, so you are a friend of my brother-in-law’s! I am Gu Yunze, Vice President of Gu Group. Not long ago, our group even submitted a project contract proposal to Junyue Group."
Junyue Group was among the top 500 companies in Huaxia and the undisputed leader in City A. Huo Junxiao was its CEO. If he could become friends with him, he wouldn't need to go through the Shen Corporation for future investments, nor would he have to kowtow to Shen Qingshan and Fang Yuning.
Watching Gu Yunze, Shen Weilan couldn't help but roll her eyes. This sycophant was being far too obvious! How had she ever been fooled by him?
Huo Junxiao was characteristically cold, especially toward people he didn't know; he wouldn't even deign to look at them properly. And this was especially true for the man currently standing before him.
Faced with Huo Junxiao’s blatant indifference, Gu Yunze felt awkward, but for the sake of the big project, he had to grit his teeth and keep trying to suck up to him.
"At this hour, Lord Huo hasn't eaten yet, right? Why not stay and join us for dinner?"
His remark was completely out of line; this was the Shen house, after all! If anyone were to suggest that, it should be Shen Huaibei—it was not his place to offer.
Unsurprisingly, he was met once again with total silence from Huo Junxiao.
"I'll wait for you in the study." Huo Junxiao gave Shen Huaibei a brief instruction and turned to head upstairs.
Worried about Huo Junxiao’s health, Shen Huaibei turned to Gu Yunze. "Didn't you say you were leaving?"
He was lucky today that he didn't have the time to deal with him.
But having not yet secured a connection with a titan like Huo Junxiao, how could Gu Yunze possibly leave at this point? He laughed, "Since I'm already here, there’s no rush to leave before dinner. Work is never-ending."
Shen Weilan sneered and called him out directly. "You just want to use this opportunity to get to know Huo Junxiao, don't you?"
Gu Yunze raised an eyebrow. "For a big shot like Lord Huo, I think everyone would want to know him."
"Your ulterior motives are so loud, even the neighbors could hear them."
"I'm only doing this for the sake of the Gu Family and our little home," Gu Yunze replied shamelessly.
Shen Weilan’s expression chilled. Their little home? He must have meant the little home he shared with Lin Huichu.