When Xia Zichen woke up, it was just past seven in the morning. Gu Xu was already gone from his side, but surprisingly, Xia Zichen did not feel disappointed.
Before going to sleep last night, Gu Xu had already told him that he would go running and do morning training with Gu Yan at seven. Whenever Gu Xu stayed at the main residence and Gu Yan was not working through the night, the two of them would go jogging together in the morning.
Xia Zichen felt that this was indeed a good habit. On one hand, it allowed them to exercise and stay healthy. On the other hand, it also strengthened the bond between brothers.
Gu Xu had a habit of exercising early, but he did not do it every day. Sometimes, if he woke up early, he would go for a run.
He had also tried persuading Xia Zichen to join him before.
Waking up early was not difficult for Xia Zichen, but when it came to running, he truly could not develop any interest in it.
He would rather wake up early and make breakfast for Gu Xu than run on an empty stomach until he was covered in sweat.
After trying a few times, Gu Xu stopped forcing him and changed their routine from morning runs to evening walks after dinner.
This was something Xia Zichen could completely accept.
The two of them holding hands and walking slowly together was also something Gu Xu considered a kind of enjoyment.
When Xia Zichen went downstairs, the Gu family’s main residence was still very quiet.
Only a few servants on the first floor were moving around quietly.
When they saw him come down, they all stopped and greeted him good morning. Xia Zichen politely returned their greetings.
Through the large floor-to-ceiling windows in the living room, Xia Zichen saw Butler Fu directing several servants as they cleaned the courtyard.
Although there were not many fallen leaves during this season, after a night of cold wind, there was naturally still dust in the yard.
After walking through the main living room, Xia Zichen saw Gu Han eating breakfast in the side hall.
The morning sunlight entered through the floor-to-ceiling windows, creating a layer of soft white light. It was not dazzling, but warm.
When Gu Han looked up and saw him, he smiled and waved.
“Good morning. Come over and eat. Big Brother and Fourth Brother will still need some time before they return.”
“Good morning.”
Xia Zichen answered and walked over.
The place Gu Han had chosen was probably the spot in the Gu residence with the best sunlight.
Although the dining room was the proper place for meals, sitting in this small side hall felt much more like a real home.
When Butler Fu heard that Xia Zichen had woken up, he quickly walked in.
“Good morning, Young Master. What would you like for breakfast? The kitchen prepared steamed buns, shumai, as well as bread, fried eggs, and grilled sausages. If you would like something else, we can prepare it for you as well.”
After Gu’s father and mother acknowledged Xia Zichen last night and began calling him “Little Demon,” Xia Zichen’s title had changed from “Young Master Xia” all the way to “Young Master.”
Xia Zichen knew this was everyone’s way of showing they had accepted him.
Although he was still not used to it, he awkwardly accepted it because it was their goodwill.
Xia Zichen glanced at Gu Han’s breakfast.
The freshly made steamed buns were still giving off heat. Through the thin wrapper, he could vaguely see the filling inside, which immediately aroused his appetite.
“I’ll have the same as Second Brother.”
“Alright, please wait.”
Butler Fu smiled, nodded, and left the side hall with the servants.
“Sit.”
Gu Han pointed to the seat opposite him.
“Mom and Dad, as well as Third Brother, are still adjusting to the time difference. They won’t wake up this early, so let’s eat first.”
The Gu family was quite casual about meals. They did not require everyone to eat together every time.
Xia Zichen sat opposite him.
A servant brought him a cup of honey water before quietly leaving.
“Second Brother also just got off the plane yesterday, right? Why didn’t you sleep longer?”
Although Xia Zichen did not know where Gu Han had flown back from, traveling by plane could indeed leave people exhausted.
“I’m used to it. I’ll sleep again this afternoon.”
Gu Han smiled and ate slowly.
“This past year, aside from seeing patients at the hospital, I’ve been following my mentor around both domestically and overseas doing medical research. I haven’t really had time to come back.”
“I heard from Big Brother long ago that Fourth Brother had found someone he wanted to settle down with. I was quite surprised at first, but after hearing that you two get along well, I felt relieved.”
“So busy?”
Gu Xu had mentioned this second brother before, but he had not explained in detail.
Xia Zichen had thought Gu Han had also settled abroad.
“Mm. I’ll finish being busy next month. After that, I plan to work as a doctor properly and take some time to rest.”
“Will you stay in the country?”
“I’m still considering it.”
Although Gu Han said he was still considering, his expression looked as if he had already made a decision.
Xia Zichen did not ask further.
If Gu Han planned to stay in the country, Gu Xu would definitely tell him.
Xia Zichen’s breakfast was quickly brought over.
Butler Fu even specially picked out two pieces of shumai and placed them in Xia Zichen’s bowl for him to try.
Gu Han finished eating and leaned back against the chair. While drinking coffee, he looked at Xia Zichen.
“Being with Fourth Brother isn’t boring?”
Xia Zichen looked up at him and shook his head with a smile.
“Gu Xu is very good. It’s not boring.”
He knew Gu Han was concerned about their relationship, so he did not avoid the question.
“You think he’s good because you like him.”
Gu Han teased him without hiding his amusement.
“A lot of people at school like him.”
Although no one dared to actually confess directly to Gu Xu, Xia Zichen had still heard plenty of gossip from An Jing.
“Fourth Brother is good in every other aspect. The only problem is that he doesn’t like dealing with people.”
Gu Han did not hold back at all when talking about his younger brother.
“To put it nicely, his personality is cold. To put it less nicely, he’s arrogant beyond measure.”
“Although he treats his family very well, we were all worried he would end up alone for the rest of his life.”
“The people he doesn’t care about, he definitely won’t pay attention to. But the people he does care about… with his personality, he probably would have scared them away too.”
“Luckily…”
Xia Zichen finished eating one steamed bun and continued,
“Gu Xu is someone whose thoughtfulness you only discover after putting effort into understanding him. And if he says he’ll do something, he will definitely accomplish it. That quality is very rare.”
Many people made beautiful promises but acted completely differently afterward.
That was why Gu Xu’s personality—only making promises when he was certain he could fulfill them—was especially valuable.
Gu Han nodded.
Nowadays, many people’s relationships had become based on material things first. It was difficult to sincerely get to know and treat their partner with their heart.
For people in the Gu family, it was even more so.
Others would first see their family wealth rather than who they truly were.
Therefore, the way Gu Xu and Xia Zichen interacted was especially precious to the Gu family.
Gu Xu had told him that when Xia Zichen first met him, it was through a game. At that time, Xia Zichen did not even know what the person behind the game character looked like.
When the two confirmed their relationship, Xia Zichen also knew nothing about the Gu family.
A relationship that came together purely because they liked each other was the most reliable kind in the eyes of the Gu family.
To put it harshly, if one day the Gu family fell into decline, those who claimed to love them would probably leave faster than anyone else.
But Xia Zichen would not.
He would stay beside Gu Xu.
That was also why the Gu family accepted Xia Zichen so quickly.
“Although Fourth Brother’s own company is doing quite well now, in a few years, when Dad is ready to completely let go, he will still have to return to the Gu family and help Big Brother.”
Gu Han spoke to Xia Zichen about the Gu family matters without any hesitation.
“I never wanted to manage the Gu family’s business in the first place, so I simply studied medicine. Even if you asked me to manage it now, I wouldn’t be good at it.”
A faint, satisfied smile appeared on Gu Han’s face as he continued.
“My mother is an only child, and my grandfather’s side also needs someone to inherit their family business. Originally, Third Brother and Fourth Brother were both suitable candidates.”
“But Third Brother is better at using underhanded methods, and he has always worried that Fourth Brother would be in danger, so in the end, Third Brother took over that side.”
“After that, only Fourth Brother was left to help Big Brother. Otherwise, Big Brother would have had to carry everything alone, and it would have been too exhausting.”
“If Fourth Brother becomes too busy in the future, you’ll have to help share some of the burden.”
Finally, Gu Han revealed the true reason he had said all those things.
Xia Zichen smiled and nodded.
From Gu Han’s words, what Xia Zichen felt most was his concern for his family.
He hoped that the brothers would support each other, and he also hoped that Xia Zichen and Gu Xu would not develop conflicts because of the pressure and responsibilities brought by the Gu family’s business.
Xia Zichen admired and liked this kind of family affection—the kind where someone always considered the well-being of their family members.
“I heard you’ve already started helping Fourth Brother?”
“Not really. I’m just learning at the company.”
Xia Zichen smiled.
His internship was more about learning than helping.
Although he had already started handling some of the accounting and cashier records, they were not particularly difficult tasks.
“I heard from Big Brother that you’re doing quite well.”
Gu Han smiled.
“In the future, you’ll have to put in more effort with our family’s affairs too. We’re all family, so I won’t stand on ceremony with you.”
Gu Han lightly tapped his coffee cup against Xia Zichen’s.
“I’ll do my best.”
Xia Zichen’s original intention had never been to help the Gu family.
He only wanted to help Gu Xu.
To him, Gu Xu’s importance was far greater than the Gu family itself.
As the two were talking, Gu Xu walked into the side hall after finishing his morning run.
He was still wearing sports clothes.
Gu Yan had already gone upstairs to shower.
“Good morning, Second Brother.”
Gu Xu greeted him, then turned to Xia Zichen.
“Why didn’t you sleep a little longer?”
“I woke up, so I got up.”
Xia Zichen smiled.
Sitting down beside Xia Zichen, Gu Xu picked up the honey water Xia Zichen had only drunk halfway and took a sip.
Xia Zichen picked up a steamed bun and placed it into the small dish in front of him.
“Do you want some?”
“Mm.”
Gu Xu leaned closer, completely showing no intention of taking it himself.
Xia Zichen helplessly picked up the bun and fed it into Gu Xu’s mouth.
“It tastes pretty good.”
After finishing the food in his mouth, Gu Xu nodded.
“Stay and eat with me later.”
“I’m already full.”
After eating and chatting with Gu Han, Xia Zichen had already eaten quite a lot.
“Then just sit with me for a while.”
Gu Xu squeezed Xia Zichen’s hand.
Xia Zichen smiled and pushed him lightly.
“Go take a shower first.”
Gu Xu answered, then exchanged a few more words with Gu Han before turning around and going upstairs.
Holding his coffee cup, Gu Han looked at the natural interaction between his younger brother and Xia Zichen just now.
Suddenly, he felt that finding someone suitable and living a simple life together did not seem like such a bad thing.
After lunch, the two drove away from the Gu residence.
They did not return to their own apartment but went directly to Xia Zichen’s home instead.
Today was Sunday. Normally, Xia Yuze should have been resting.
When they opened the door, Xia Yuze was indeed home.
Xia Zichen entered and called out,
“Dad, I’m back.”
Hearing the voice, Xia Yuze walked out of the study.
Seeing his son and Gu Xu, he looked slightly surprised.
“Why did you suddenly come back?”
On Friday, Xia Zichen had already told him that he would be going to Gu Xu’s home and would not be coming back this weekend.
“Uncle.”
Gu Xu greeted him.
“Mm.”
Xia Yuze responded.
“Come in quickly.”
“Uncle and Auntie asked us to bring some things for you, so we came directly here.”
Xia Zichen changed his shoes and took the things from Gu Xu’s hands, placing them on the coffee table in the living room.
Besides the Blue Mountain coffee from Gu Yan and the health supplements from Gu Han, there were also some food items prepared by Gu’s mother.
Of course, there was also the scarf Gu Xu had bought.
“Your parents are too thoughtful. Thank them for me.”
Xia Yuze said to Gu Xu.
“Okay.”
Gu Xu nodded, then added,
“Big Brother gave you a box of Blue Mountain coffee. It tastes very good. Would Uncle like some now?”
Hearing “Blue Mountain,” a hint of a smile appeared in Xia Yuze’s eyes.
He then nodded.
Gu Xu did not say anything more. After washing his hands, he took the coffee and went into the kitchen.
Although Xia Yuze also liked making coffee, and Xia Zichen knew how to make it too, when it came to skill, Gu Xu’s coffee was still the best.
Seeing Gu Xu enter the kitchen, Xia Zichen turned his gaze back to his father.
He frowned slightly and asked,
“Dad, have you been very busy with work recently?”
Although Xia Yuze had a smile on his lips, his complexion did not look very good.
There were also dark circles under his eyes, making him appear sleep-deprived. He also seemed thinner than before.
“Not really.”
Xia Yuze vaguely brushed it off.
“Work is important, but you still need to rest properly.”
Xia Zichen looked at his father and felt that something was wrong.
Previously, his father had also been very busy with work.
But no matter how busy he was, at most he only looked exhausted. After getting a good night’s sleep, he would recover.
However, his father now gave Xia Zichen the feeling that he had something troubling him, as if his mind was unsettled.
Moreover, ever since their family’s financial situation had stabilized, no matter how much work Xia Yuze had, he always made sure he ate and slept properly.
Because of that, Xia Zichen had not seen his father with dark circles under his eyes for a long time.
After hesitating for a moment, Xia Zichen suddenly asked,
“Dad, are you sick?”
“No. I just had a physical examination last week. Everything was normal.”
Looking at Xia Zichen, who was clearly worried, Xia Yuze felt emotions he could not quite describe.
“That’s good.”
Hearing his father say that, Xia Zichen finally relaxed a little.
Guessing that perhaps his father had encountered some troublesome matter at work, Xia Zichen did not ask further.
The three of them drank coffee and chatted throughout the afternoon.
Gu Xu and Xia Yuze also finalized the time for both families to meet.
After dinner, Xia Zichen and Gu Xu returned to their apartment.
Although Xia Zichen still felt somewhat uneasy, he could not find anything unusual about Xia Yuze.
He could only temporarily put the matter aside.
After class on Thursday, Xia Zichen planned to have dinner with his father before going to the company.
These past few days, Xia Yuze’s face with dark circles had constantly appeared in his mind.
To reassure himself, Xia Zichen decided to take his father out for a good meal and let him replenish his energy.
After all, the money from his internship salary was just sitting in his bank account with nowhere to spend it.
Treating his father to a meal was a proper use of it.
After leaving the subway station and walking to the office building where Xia Yuze’s firm was located, Xia Zichen immediately saw a man pulling at his father.
Xia Yuze’s expression looked terrible, but he clearly did not want to argue loudly with the other person downstairs.
It was currently lunchtime.
Many people were coming and going beneath the office building.
Everyone was intentionally or unintentionally looking at the two people who were arguing quietly.
Some were even whispering and pointing.
Xia Zichen stopped walking for a moment.
When he clearly saw the man who was grabbing his father, his expression immediately darkened.
All sense of politeness and manners were thrown aside.
He rushed forward directly.