“A marriage alliance…”

Gu Qichi leaned back in his chair and let out a cold sneer, his face displaying undisguised disgust.

Gu Chengtian was a good father—to Gu Yuning and Gu Yuan’an, that was certainly true. But to Gu Qichi, Gu Chengtian was nothing more than a mercenary businessman.

Back when the paparazzi broke the news about the real and fake young masters, the Gu Group’s stock price had plummeted. Gu Qichi’s anti-fans watched the drama with glee, Gu Yuning’s fans were relentless, and the general public stood on the moral high ground, pointing fingers. Weighing the pros and cons, Gu Qichi naturally became the one to be discarded.

Once the press release and statement were issued, the Gu Group stood in opposition to Gu Qichi, aligning themselves with the public. Everyone was happy with the outcome, and the Gu Group’s stocks began to rise again.

Gu Chengtian had been cautious for so many years; his greatest joys were a rising stock market and endless money.

He had always liked taking Gu Qichi to high-society cocktail parties for a simple reason: Gu Qichi was good-looking—outstandingly so. This opportunistic father of his had always planned to exchange a small cost for a large investment. In short, he wanted to use Gu Qichi as a chess piece, gifting him to some big shot in exchange for connections and capital.

In his past life, and indeed in every life, he had been drugged and framed by Gu Yuning, “caught in bed” when clearly nothing had happened. Yet, Gu Chengtian had still flown into a rage, going so far as to break one of his arms. It was simply because Gu Chengtian felt the “product” known as Gu Qichi had been soiled, was no longer valuable, and could no longer be exchanged for what he wanted.

What Gu Chengtian failed to accomplish in previous lives, he had unexpectedly moved to this one.

The lighting was sparse. Luo Qianqian didn’t dare to breathe loudly; having just started the job, she was already privy to the boss’s secrets—she didn’t know if this counted as bad luck or good fortune.

Sitting beside her, Wen Xi was so angry she looked ready to flip the table. Her scarlet fingernails dug into her palms as she stared like a tiger at the phone in Gu Qichi’s hand.

Under this three-sided pressure, only Gu Qichi had yet to make his stance known.

On the other end of the line, Gu Yuning began to sob, and Gu Yuan’an’s voice could be heard suppressing his rage.

Pale fingertips tapped lightly on the edge of the table, making a crisp sound. Gu Qichi waited leisurely to hear what other disgusting things this family could say.

After about a minute of silence, Gu Chengtian, who always thought highly of himself, finally deigned to speak. “Gu Qichi, do you remember that you have a father? You’ve been running wild outside for so many days without coming home to check in once. Who taught you to be like this?”

The fingertips tapping the table stopped. Gu Qichi lazily lifted his eyelids, his gaze indifferent. “Mr. Gu, I’ve been ‘running wild’ outside for four years. In these four years, I haven’t seen you care about me once. Why remember me now?”

Since his original character setting was the malicious supporting male, he might as well play the role to the end. Gu Qichi casually tossed the phone onto the dining table, draped his arm over the back of the chair, and spoke coolly:

“Has Gu Yuning contracted a terminal illness and needs me to come back and prepare his body for burial? or are you dividing the inheritance and remembered I have a share, so you’re impatient to see me?”

In the villa, Gu Chengtian nearly choked on his breath from anger. Gu Yuning, having been humiliated, fell silent, tears sliding from the corners of his eyes, looking pitiful. Gu Yuan’an wanted to rush up and teach the ungrateful Gu Qichi a lesson but was forcibly held back by Mother Gu.

A month ago, Gu Qichi was clearly a well-behaved and withdrawn child who wouldn’t talk back to anything. What on earth had he experienced to become so audacious now?

Mother Gu couldn’t help but feel a headache coming on. That ‘Big Shot’ had specifically named Gu Qichi for the marriage alliance. But everyone said that man was fiercely mad. If Gu Qichi married over there and didn’t please him, what would happen if the Gu family got dragged down?

She softened her voice, taking the phone and speaking gently, “Xiao Chi, come back and visit. Mom misses you very much.”

“You know your dad just has a bad temper; he’s only saying that because he cares about you.”

The mockery in his eyes was clear and distinct. Gu Qichi closed his eyes briefly, his Adam’s apple bobbing to form a sharp arc.

“You want me to come back? Fine. Beg me.”

The smile on Mother Gu’s lips stiffened. She couldn’t help but spit internally—truly an uncouth child. Raised in that kind of family, he knows no etiquette and has no shame.

“Xiao Chi, Mom is begging you. Come back and visit, okay?”

If it weren’t for that person pressuring the Gu family, when would Geng Tingxun ever suffer such indignation? She used her eyes to silently urge Gu Chengtian. The latter, with a dark face, spoke reluctantly:

“Dad begs you. Just come back and take a look.”

To make Gu Chengtian and Geng Tingxun go this far was extremely difficult. It even made Gu Qichi curious—who exactly had they provoked to make them beg him so humbly?

“I’ll go back.”

Hanging up decisively, Gu Qichi stood up. His posture was languid as he glanced at the food on the table. “You guys eat first. I’m going back to check it out.”

Sensing what Wen Xi wanted to do, the young man smiled reassuringly. “If I don’t go back, they’ll just come to tie me up and take me back. It’s better to quit while I’m ahead. I know my limits; you don’t need to worry about me.”

Wen Xi: …

Having her thoughts guessed completely, Ms. Wen could only watch Gu Qichi leave with a resentful gaze.

The Gu residence was actually quite far from Gu Qichi’s apartment. Even though he caught a taxi as soon as he went out, it was fifty minutes later when Gu Qichi arrived at the villa district.

The white villa before him was high-end and grand, a world away from the small apartment he lived in. Management in such places was strict. Gu Qichi practicedly ducked into the security booth to register his name.

Perhaps because he hadn’t been back for too long, the person on duty in the security booth had changed to a young man. Gu Qichi glanced at him while registering but didn’t say a word. After writing down his information, he leaned lazily against the wall, waiting for the guard to call Gu Chengtian to clear him for entry.

Only after receiving Gu Chengtian’s approval did the duty guard dare to let Gu Qichi in.

As he walked out, he happened to run into the former security guard, Uncle Yan. He nodded in greeting before leaving.

The new security guard scratched his head and asked, “Uncle Yan, do you know him?”

Uncle Yan nodded, looking at Gu Qichi’s increasingly thin back, and sighed silently.

“I saw the address he filled in was the Gu family home. Hey, Uncle Yan, is he that young master who was switched at birth? But why didn’t the Gu family give him access rights? It’s really weird that he has to fill out a form to go home.”

As he muttered, he flipped through the form Gu Qichi had filled out, only to be bonked on the head by Uncle Yan. The older man continued to stare at Gu Qichi, watching him turn into that familiar small path.

“Stop minding the business of these wealthy families. Just do your own job well.”

“By the way, rumor has it a big shot is coming today. You’d better behave yourself.”

Author’s Note:

Bo Yu: (Lighting a cigarette.jpg)

Bo Yu: Why is it not my turn to appear yet? I want my wife!

Baby Chi: Do you remember? I’m not interested in you. (Just kidding)