Deep in the Night - Chapter 4

A few days later, when Gu Yuan returned to the Gu family mansion, he brought a set of traditional writing tools—ink, brush, paper, and inkstone—as a birthday gift.

Gu Mingzong’s birthday was an annual grand event for the entire family conglomerate. Business partners, key subordinates, and influential figures from various financial empires streamed in and out like a never-ending parade. The celebration lasted seven or eight days in total, with three full days dedicated to formal banquets.

As the eldest son, Gu Yuan arrived on the first day. However, his relationship with Gu Mingzong had grown increasingly strained since he came of age. He kept his entourage small, bringing only a few trusted subordinates, including Fang Jin, and maintained a low profile.

“It’s strange,” Gu Yuan said, standing before the wide floor-to-ceiling window in his bedroom and gazing out at the lush green lawn and row of luxury cars in the estate. “I barely come home except for birthdays, so this place feels more unfamiliar each time. It’s almost like I’m visiting as a guest.”

Fang Jin rummaged through the wardrobe, pulled out a slim black velvet suit, and said, “Let’s wear this today.”

Alone in the vast bedroom, Gu Yuan, his muscular torso bare, scrutinized the suit critically. “Too feminine,” he declared.

To his surprise, Fang Jin persisted, uncharacteristically stubborn. “No, it will emphasize your presence. It will look perfect on you!”

Eldest Master Gu was usually stubborn and inflexible, but Fang Jin’s unyielding stance was even rarer. Gu Yuan watched him stand motionless, holding the clothes hanger, a hint of anticipation in his expression. For some reason, a sudden impulse to compromise arose.

“…Fine, give it here.”

Fang Jin smiled, his eyes crinkling slightly at the corners.

“This is only because it’s today,” Gu Yuan said, pulling on his shirt. “At the formal banquet, there’ll be professional stylists, and you won’t get a say.” It was unclear whether he was warning Fang Jin or justifying his momentary concession. A moment later, he instructed, “Get me my tie.”

Fang Jin brought over a thin black silk tie with a subtle pattern. Gu Yuan frowned at it but didn’t bother arguing. He tilted his sturdy neck toward Fang Jin, signaling him to come tie it.

Fang Jin seemed capable of anything. He understood accounting, auditing, and risk management; spoke English and German; could drive cars and pilot small helicopters; knew basic self-defense; cooked excellent Cantonese cuisine; made all kinds of soups; and even knew over a dozen different ways to tie a man’s tie.

If only he were a woman, Gu Yuan thought absently. Then I could marry him and have him bear my children.

He paused, startled by the terrifying thought that had crossed his mind. Has it really been that long since I last visited Xiao Qing’er?

“Gu Yang’s mother came today,” Gu Yuan said casually, trying to dispel the unsettling feeling. “She brought a young woman from her family, probably trying to shop her off to someone.”

Fang Jin pressed a hand against his tie and looked up at him with mild surprise. “You didn’t know? His mother doesn’t live here. My father’s temper is strange. Despite all the people around him, he doesn’t let anyone stay long-term in this villa. He only calls someone over now and then for a couple of days.”

“…No, I was just thinking…” Fang Jin straightened his tie and stepped back slightly. “Since Madam Chi gave birth to Gu Yang, her position in the Gu family is secure. CEO Gu probably doesn’t need young women sent his way to curry favor. Perhaps she’s here for you instead. After all, you’ve reached marriageable age for some time now…”

His voice trailed off softly, and if you listened carefully, you might detect a slight shift in tone.

But Fang Jin was always so cautious and reserved in his demeanor that Gu Yuan didn’t notice anything unusual. “Oh, you think so too?”

“…Would you agree to it?” Fang Jin asked.

Gu Yuan turned to face the full-length mirror. He had to admit that Fang Jin had good taste. The deep black velvet suit looked exceptionally crisp on him, its impeccable tailored fit accentuating his broad shoulders, narrow hips, and long legs. The luxurious fabric exuded elegance and authority, while the crimson gold and sapphire tiepin added the perfect finishing touch.

“In your dreams,” Gu Yuan replied casually. “That girl belongs to her family. Tell her to keep her hands off.”

He brushed past Fang Jin, not even bothering to look back as he said, “Come on, let’s go pay our respects to the boss.”

———

Before Gu Yuan could meet his father, he had to make an appointment. Gu Mingzong’s secretary would check his schedule, confirm the time, and only then could the meeting proceed. The fact that father and son had to go through such formalities was truly pathetic.

Gu Yuan led Fang Jin through the ornate corridors on the third floor, past the long path through the open-air garden, and into the northern wing of the villa. This area housed the conference rooms, media room, and large study, where Gu Mingzong usually worked from home. Gu Yuan, however, had left home to study abroad as a teenager and moved out immediately upon returning. His familiarity with this part of the villa was no greater than that of any other guest.

At that moment, the guests were gathered in the banquet hall and dance hall on the eastern side of the villa, leaving the vast study floor empty. As Gu Yuan reached the top of the stairs, he suddenly saw two figures emerge from the end of the corridor—Gu Yang and his mother, Chi Wanru.

Their timing and direction made it clear they had just come from Gu Mingzong’s study. They paused when they saw Gu Yuan and Fang Jin. Chi Wanru broke the silence with a smile. “Oh, if it isn’t the Eldest Young Master! It’s been ages!”

Gu Yuan greeted her politely. “Aunt Chi.”

Chi Wanru wore a deep red dress that made her look no older than her thirties, resembling Gu Yang’s older sister. Over the years, she had established herself as a formidable presence in the Gu family. Ten years ago, she had even come close to becoming the family matriarch. However, for reasons unknown—rumored to be some kind of mishap—Gu Mingzong abruptly abandoned his plans to marry her.

For Gu Yuan, who was studying in Britain at the time, this was a narrow escape. Being around the same age as Gu Yang, his only advantage lay in his status. While his mother wasn’t a proper Madam Gu either, at least she had been engaged before her fatal childbirth, granting him the nominal status of a legitimate heir.

If Chi Wanru were to officially enter the Gu family, Gu Yuan’s life would undoubtedly become difficult.

Even without formal recognition, Chi Wanru was widely known as Gu Yang’s birth mother, and everyone, both inside and outside the family, had to treat her with respect. After exchanging pleasantries, she asked with a smile, “Has the Eldest Master encountered any young ladies who have caught his eye during his time away? Your father just mentioned you earlier, saying that he already had Gu Yang by the time he was your age.”

Gu Yuan felt a surge of annoyance, but he replied calmly, “Nothing definite yet. I’ve been focusing on building my career these past few years.”

“Career and family aren’t mutually exclusive. A man needs a stable home base to truly excel. Since you don’t have a mother, your father asked me to keep an eye out. As it happens, I know a few…”

“Thank you, Aunt Chi, but there’s no need for you to trouble yourself,” Gu Yuan said gracefully, glancing at his watch. “Fang Jin! Hurry up or we’ll be late!”

The hidden barb in Chi Wanru’s words was bluntly rebuffed, leaving her visibly displeased.

Before she could respond, Fang Jin, who had been standing behind Gu Yuan, looked up and answered, “Yes, sir.” The sound of his voice drew Chi Wanru’s gaze.

For a fleeting moment, she froze.

At that instant, Gu Yuan turned impatiently, oblivious to the subtle shift in his mother’s expression. Only Fang Jin met her gaze, his calm demeanor in stark contrast to the slight narrowing of her finely made-up eyes.

“Madam Chi,” Fang Jin began.

“Have I seen you somewhere before?” Chi Wanru asked hesitantly.

“You must have me mistaken,” he replied.

They locked eyes for several long seconds before a faint smile slowly spread across Chi Wanru’s red lips. “My apologies. I must have mistaken you for someone else.”

The brief exchange had been so subtle and cryptic that even the Gu brothers standing nearby remained completely unaware. Gu Yuan nodded politely to his brother in farewell before striding purposefully toward his father’s study, with Fang Jin following closely behind.

But as they departed, Chi Wanru turned to stare at Fang Jin’s retreating figure, her expression indescribably complex.

“What’s wrong, Mother?” Gu Yang finally noticed the tension.

“That man… the one who was just here. Why is he following Gu Yuan?”

Gu Yang dismissed the matter. “Oh, you mean Fang Jin? Eldest Brother said he was one of the assistants Father sent. The others were sent back, but Fang Jin, being both adept and efficient, was the only one allowed to stay. Why? Do you know him?”

Chi Wanru averted her gaze, her expression still betraying her astonishment. She quickly shook her head. “No, you don’t understand… Never mind.”

Gu Yuan knocked twice on the door, waited a moment, and heard Gu Mingzong’s voice call out, “Come in.”

He took a deep breath and pushed the door open.

Gu Mingzong’s study resembled a sprawling office complex, complete with a conference room, break room, and a private inner chamber for rest. Rumor had it that the inner chamber was lavishly furnished. Gu Yuan had once maliciously speculated that only his father’s most favored mistress was granted access to this sanctum. But upon reflection, he realized his mother was long dead, and any lingering resentment should rightfully belong to Chi Wanru and Gu Yang. Thus, he abandoned the thought.

The outer office, however, was undeniably a study: floor-to-ceiling windows, redwood bookcases lining the walls, and Gu Mingzong standing behind his massive desk, flipping through a book. Without looking up, he said, “Sit.”

Gu Yuan addressed his father formally before approaching the large leather sofa against the wall and taking a seat. Fang Jin stood obediently beside him.

It was said that Gu Mingzong had loved outdoor activities in his youth. In the 1990s, he had hiked alone through Xiangxi, climbed snowcapped mountains in Nepal, and even modified a fleet of off-road vehicles to cross the deserts of Inner Mongolia. Years of rigorous training in the wilderness had honed his physique, and even now, his figure remained remarkably lean and fit. Even standing simply at attention, he exuded an imposing aura, like a deep pool of water or a towering mountain.

His face was the adult version of Gu Yuan’s, though faint lines at the corners of his eyes betrayed the passage of time. Yet rather than aging him, these lines seemed to lend him a weathered charm, a maturity that time had etched into his features—a presence that likely surpassed that of both Gu Yuan and Gu Yang combined.

“You’re a few minutes late,” Gu Mingzong remarked, flipping through a book.

Gu Yang replied calmly, “I ran into Aunt Chi outside just now and chatted for a moment. That’s what held me up.”

Gu Mingzong neither confirmed nor denied this, nor did he mention whether he had actually asked Chi Wanru to keep an eye out for potential wives for Gu Yuan. Instead, he said, “When undertaking any task, you must consider three steps ahead before you act and four steps ahead after. Anticipate every possible variable. Otherwise, if you’re a few minutes late to see me today, you’ll be equally tardy in far more critical matters tomorrow.”

Gu Yuan rose. “Yes.”

Only then did Gu Mingzong say coldly, “Even at your age, you still act so rashly.”

Fang Jin, standing nearby, subtly shifted his weight forward onto the balls of his feet, thinking to himself that the father-son relationship was indeed as strained as the rumors suggested.

Compared to Gu Yang, Gu Yuan’s greatest disadvantage was the lack of a mother who could intercede with Gu Mingzong. While Chi Wanru couldn’t provide her son with the backing of a powerful maternal family, her years of soft persuasion, whispered advice, and discreetly passing crucial information to Gu Yang had subtly yet significantly aided him.

Beyond this, Gu Yuan had another trait deeply disapproved of by his father: he was too much like Gu Mingzong in his youth.

Even when the alpha wolf is still at the height of his power, a younger generation with overly sharp fangs is considered a threat—even if they are his own son. How could Gu Mingzong possibly favor such a meeting?

Realizing the conversation was heading toward an impasse, Gu Yuan cleared his throat and took the initiative to speak. “This week marks Father’s birthday. I’ve specially gathered a set of the Four Treasures of the Study as a gift. The brush, ink, and paper are ordinary items, but the inkstone is a specially sourced antique Duan inkstone from an old quarry. Here’s the gift list; please review it to see if it meets your approval.”

He withdrew an exquisitely crafted envelope from his inner jacket pocket, held it between both hands, and offered it to Gu Mingzong, who accepted and opened it.

The study was quiet. After a moment, Gu Mingzong gave a calm “mm” and said, “Good taste.”

Gu Yuan glanced at Fang Jin, his expression implying, See? I told you I made the right choice. But Fang Jin’s eyelashes barely flickered in response.

“Keep your mind focused on your work. These are all trivialities,” Gu Mingzong said, putting away the gift list. His tone had softened slightly. “I heard you’re negotiating a joint venture contract with Mingda Shipping Group for a new shipping route. It sounds promising. Mingda has government backing, so if you handle this well, future prospects will be vast. But failure could be catastrophic. You must be careful.”

Gu Mingzong was a founding father of the southern transportation industry, and no one dared dismiss his words. Gu Yuan immediately responded with solemn agreement.

“Mingda’s upper management is riddled with money laundering. Be cautious in your dealings with them. Their security standards are also abysmal…” Gu Mingzong offered a few more pointers, mostly insider information about the other company. After a while, seeming to lose interest, he waved them away. “Go to the auditorium ahead. I’ll join you later.”

Having listened intently throughout, Gu Yuan leaned forward to take his leave. He bowed respectfully and led Fang Jin out of the study.

“Phew—” Gu Yuan let out a sigh of relief once they were outside, shaking his stiff shoulders. “I knew I shouldn’t have exchanged pleasantries with Chi Wanru earlier. Every time I see her, it’s nothing but trouble!”

Fang Jin chuckled. “Still, CEO Gu mentioned that the Mingda Shipping matter is worth investigating. We should look into it thoroughly when we get back.”

“I know. I would have investigated even if he hadn’t said anything. Do you really think I need his guidance for everything I do now?”

Fang Jin thought to himself, *You were clearly listening intently just now. Why are you trying to put on a brave face in front of me?* But he nodded obediently and said, “Of course not.”

Only then did Gu Yuan relent.

The two crossed the villa’s corridor and entered the main hall. To the east was a semi-outdoor auditorium and dance floor. Today was the first day of the celebration, and the reception was already bustling with family and social acquaintances. As the eldest son of the family, Gu Yuan immediately drew countless gazes upon his arrival, and soon a crowd had gathered around him.

Gu Yuan clearly thrived in these high-society social settings. Amidst the sea of elegant attire and whispered conversations, every one of his movements seemed to glow with an invisible halo, drawing attention.

Fang Jin’s status didn’t quite reach the level required for this inner circle. He stood near the reception entrance, silently watching Gu Yuan’s back as he mingled among the crowd.

After a long moment, Fang Jin shook his head and let out a self-mocking sigh. As he turned to leave and grab a drink, a pleasant female voice suddenly called out from behind him:

“Assistant Fang?”

Fang Jin turned around. Chi Wanru stood there, her long skirt trailing on the floor, a champagne glass in hand, smiling at him.

“…Madam Chi.”

Chi Wanru’s exquisite makeup made her appear ageless, and her diamond jewelry sparkled brilliantly under the lights. She took a sip of champagne, studied Fang Jin for a moment, and then asked languidly, “You’re fully recovered now?”

“Yes,” Fang Jin replied calmly. “Thank you for asking.”

“It’s nothing. I just heard that your condition was quite serious back then… For a while, I even thought you’d died. What happened after that?”

“I went to study in Germany and only returned a few months ago.”

Chi Wanru nodded with a smile, then suddenly asked, “So, are you still working for CEO Gu, or have you switched to serving the Eldest Young Master Gu?”

The hidden meaning in her words was sharp. Fang Jin was about to answer when a man dressed as a Gu family bodyguard pushed through the crowd and approached him. He bowed his head and said, “Assistant Fang, CEO Gu is waiting for you in the study. He requests your presence.”

Chi Wanru’s expression shifted slightly.

Fang Jin smiled faintly at her. “I follow whoever CEO Gu asks me to follow.” He bowed politely, then turned and left the reception.