After resting for a week, Xia Zichen officially returned to work at the company, and life continued following its usual routine. After Xia Yuze started working at Gu Corporation, his workplace was much closer to Gu Xu’s company. Whenever they had free time in the evening, Xia Zichen and Gu Xu would choose to have dinner with Xia Yuze. Sometimes Gu Yan would join them as well. The atmosphere between the family members became increasingly harmonious.
The current situation of the Lei family was still unclear. Rumor had it that the two brothers were fighting fiercely over the family assets, with both wanting to gain as much as possible. After hearing that the two investments had completely failed, the old master of the Lei family, who was already hospitalized, became so furious that he suffered a heart attack. His body, which had already been barely holding on, became even worse. By now, he spent most of his time unconscious and only occasionally regained awareness.
After news spread that Old Master Lei was nearing the end, the former business partners began quietly withdrawing. Those who had previously expressed interest in cooperating also gradually distanced themselves, and some even disappeared completely. As the saying went, outsiders saw things more clearly. Lei Cheng and Lei Xin thought highly of themselves, but anyone with a little intelligence could see that without Old Master Lei, the Lei family was finished. And how many businessmen who managed to rise to the top were fools? Naturally, they would run as far away as possible.
As for the Shen family and the Fan family, they had already been trapped inside and could no longer withdraw.
Ever since Xia Yuze entered Gu Corporation, he had not seen Lei Xin again. After Xia Zichen returned from his vacation, he went to work with Gu Xu every day and also did not encounter him. For this father and son pair, this was the best possible outcome. With Lei Xin gone, their lives returned to the peaceful days they had before.
However, they did not know that Lei Xin had indeed gone to Shengchen to look for Xia Zichen.
Lei Xin did not dare force his way into Gu Corporation. As long as Xia Yuze did not want to see him, the security guards downstairs would dutifully drive him away. Therefore, he chose Shengchen, which seemed easier to enter.
However, Gu Xu had already made preparations. While Xia Zichen was on vacation, he had arranged all the security measures. Professional bodyguards had also been added, and the floor where the finance department was located had specially assigned guards stationed there.
To avoid making the employees suspicious, Gu Xu explained that since the end of the year was approaching, things would become more chaotic, and strengthening company security was simply to allow everyone to work with greater peace of mind.
Because of this, Xia Zichen did not suspect anything. He continued doing his own work as usual.
Lei Xin came twice during that period, but both times he was sent away by the bodyguards downstairs. The matter was quietly covered up before Xia Zichen even knew about it. After all, Xia Zichen did not really care about it.
After entering January, logically speaking, the end-of-year rush should have gradually ended. However, Shengchen Technology showed no signs of becoming less busy. Instead, it became even more hectic.
The cooperation project they had been fighting for had entered its final stage. Everything depended on the other party’s final decision.
Besides Shengchen, several online game companies were also competing for this cooperation opportunity. Compared with those companies, Shengchen was considered a newly rising online game company. Although it had Gu Corporation supporting it behind the scenes, Gu Xu clearly had no intention of taking advantage of Gu Corporation’s influence.
However, precisely because Shengchen was a newcomer, many of its ideas and concepts were fresher and more distinctive, better matching the preferences of current online game players. This was also its strongest competitive advantage.
After finishing the work in his hands, Xia Zichen closed his slightly dry eyes. He stood up from his seat and walked out into the corridor to relax for a while.
Afternoons were especially easy for him to feel sleepy. Xia Zichen had developed the habit of drinking a cup of coffee to help himself stay awake.
During this period, Gu Xu had been extremely busy. Almost every afternoon he had meetings, so their secret afternoon tea dates had temporarily been canceled.
While walking toward the pantry, Xia Zichen noticed that a very tall man was standing by the window where he usually rested.
He only saw the man’s side profile, so Xia Zichen could not recognize him. After all, there were too many people in the company, and he did not know everyone.
However, that man did not feel like an ordinary employee.
The coffee in the pantry had just finished brewing. Xia Zichen poured himself a cup, thought for a moment, then took out a disposable paper cup and poured another one. After adding milk and sugar, he walked out of the pantry and headed toward the window.
Perhaps because he had interacted with more people at work, Xia Zichen was now much more comfortable socializing than before. For him, this was a good change.
When he reached the window and stopped, the man noticed someone beside him and turned his head.
Only then did Xia Zichen realize that this man appeared to be mixed-race.
He looked about the same age as Gu Yan. His facial features were deep and refined, his proportions were perfect, and his blue eyes were like gemstones—beautiful yet sharp. His hair was slightly brown and looked very smooth.
Xia Zichen admitted that this man’s appearance was extremely outstanding.
But there was a type of person who, no matter how good-looking they were, gave off such a powerful aura that others instinctively kept their distance. They gave people the feeling that they could not be provoked and should not be challenged.
For example: Gu Yan, Gu Ao, Gu Xu, and the man standing before him…
Although the pressure from him was strong, Xia Zichen had already brought two cups of coffee out. It would be awkward to turn around and leave now.
Besides, after being with Gu Xu for so long, his resistance to this kind of intimidating aura had improved.
“Would you like some coffee? I happened to bring an extra cup,” Xia Zichen asked.
The man froze for a moment. He looked at Xia Zichen for a while before reaching out and accepting the cup.
“Thank you.”
Seeing that he understood Chinese, Xia Zichen relaxed.
Although his English was not bad, he had never really used it in daily life. Aside from his courses, he mostly used English for reading books or documents. When it came to speaking, he was not very confident.
Xia Zichen held his own cup and slowly drank his coffee. Through the window, he looked at the distant scenery, gradually relaxing.
The advantage of standing high was being able to see farther. Taking in the scenery before him, he enjoyed the sense of openness and tranquility it brought.
“Are you an employee of Shengchen?” the man asked, looking at Xia Zichen beside him. “You look quite young.”
“I’m an intern,” Xia Zichen replied. “Are you… coming to work at Shengchen?”
If this person really joined Shengchen, he was probably someone at the management level.
The man hesitated for a moment.
“Something like that. I’m still considering it.”
Since work was a personal choice, Xia Zichen did not plan to say more.
The man’s reflection appeared on the glass. Xia Zichen could see his slightly furrowed brows. When he was silent, his eyes seemed unfocused, as if he was thinking about something troubling.
Xia Zichen was not someone who liked meddling in other people’s affairs.
But for some reason, with this man, he wanted to ask one more question.
Perhaps it was because this man seemed around the same age as Gu Yan and Xia Yuze.
“Do you have something troubling you?” Xia Zichen asked.
He actually did not expect an answer. It was only a polite question.
“I do, a little.” The man smiled faintly, but the smile did not reach his eyes. “Do you have a solution?”
Xia Zichen was speechless for a moment.
After thinking, he said:
“I can’t really say it’s a solution. It’s just that when I’m troubled, drinking some hot cocoa makes me feel much better.”
This was something he had only told Gu Xu before.
The man froze slightly and asked somewhat tentatively:
“Did you come up with that yourself, or did someone teach you?”
Xia Zichen curved his lips slightly.
“My father taught me. It works very well.”
The man looked at Xia Zichen seriously, as if trying to discover something from him.
Xia Zichen felt uncomfortable under his gaze.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“What is your name?” the man asked seriously.
Xia Zichen was silent for a moment before answering.
“Xia Zichen.”
He did not understand why this man suddenly asked for his name.
“You’re surnamed Xia?” A trace of realization flashed in the man’s eyes. Then he asked, “Do you know Xia Yuze?”
“Hmm? You know my father?”
This time, Xia Zichen was the surprised one.
He had never expected that a conversation about hot cocoa would lead to this man knowing his father.
The man smiled.
This time, genuine amusement appeared in his eyes.
“I know him. I never thought his son would turn out like this.”
The man placed his empty coffee cup on the windowsill and patted Xia Zichen’s shoulder.
“You have a very good father.”
“I know.”
Xia Zichen had never denied this.
The man’s smile deepened, and the distant feeling around him faded considerably.
He turned and walked away a few steps, then stopped and looked back.
“You’re very good too. Your voice is very nice.”
After saying that, he left without looking back.
By the time work ended, Xia Zichen learned that Shengchen’s cooperation project had already been successfully signed.
That afternoon, someone from the other company had come to Shengchen for an inspection. They did not request anyone to accompany them. They only said they wanted to walk around freely and learn about Shengchen’s working methods.
At Luo Ji’s request, the public relations department returned to their own departments, allowing the other party to move around freely.
Originally, the other side had still been considering their decision, but for some unknown reason, they suddenly made up their minds.
The other company’s president directly knocked on the meeting room door, asked Gu Xu for the documents, signed them, and then left with his people.
On the way home after work, Xia Zichen asked about the man.
From Gu Xu, he learned that the man’s surname was Qiao.
Only then did Gu Xu realize that it was because of Xia Zichen that the other party had signed so decisively.
However, Gu Xu did not know exactly what relationship that man had with Xia Yuze. He estimated that he would have to ask his elder brother after returning home.
Regardless, after securing this cooperation, Shengchen should have a much easier time in the coming years.
Gu Xu reached out and pulled Xia Zichen into his arms, kissing him on the lips as he smiled.
“You really are my lucky star.”
Xia Zichen snorted lightly.
“Stop saying sweet things.”
There were many holidays throughout the year, but the Lunar New Year was always the most important one.
In previous years, Xia Zichen had always spent it with Xia Yuze alone. But this year, the Gu family would be celebrating in N City, and it was also the first year that Gu Xu was bringing Xia Zichen home to meet his family.
After discussing it with Gu Yan and his parents, Gu Yan decided that this year they would invite both Xia Yuze and Xia Zichen over so everyone could celebrate together.
That way, Gu Xu would not have to spend New Year’s without seeing Xia Zichen and end up having a miserable holiday.
Moreover, Gu’s parents had never formally met Xia Yuze. This was also a perfect opportunity to meet him and officially acknowledge the relationship between the two children.
Gu Yan went to speak with Xia Yuze, and Xia Yuze did not object.
After all, father and son had spent so many years living quietly and coldly together. Having a livelier celebration was not a bad thing.
Gu Xu found some time to ask Gu Yan about Mr. Qiao.
Gu Yan only said that it was Xia Yuze’s private matter and that it was inconvenient for him to say more.
He and Qiao Chuqin had known each other for a long time and had a good relationship. They simply had never had an opportunity to cooperate. In addition, Qiao Chuqin was often abroad, so the two had rarely met over the past two years.
The reason Gu Yan had previously investigated Xia Yuze’s matters was also because Qiao Chuqin had asked him to.
Gu Yan had not mentioned Shengchen’s situation to Qiao Chuqin, but he assumed the other party probably already knew that the company belonged to Gu Xu.
However, Qiao Chuqin had always been someone who clearly separated public and private matters. He would not give Gu Xu special treatment simply because of his relationship with Gu Yan.
This time, when Qiao Chuqin went to inspect Shengchen, he probably already intended to cooperate with Gu Xu.
Xia Zichen just happened to become the final push that made him make the decision.
That was why Qiao Chuqin had signed the contract so readily.
In other words, besides thanking Xia Zichen, Gu Xu also needed to thank Xia Yuze.
After all, Qiao Chuqin had no idea that Xia Zichen was working at Shengchen. Their accidental meeting and their conversation about Xia Yuze were simply a coincidence.
Because Mr. Qiao was connected to Xia Yuze’s personal affairs, Gu Xu did not feel comfortable asking too much.
Gu Yan also reminded him that it was better not to mention Qiao Chuqin in front of Xia Yuze for the time being.
Therefore, Gu Xu could only continue keeping silent.
Recently, Xia Zichen had been busy preparing for the New Year, so he temporarily forgot about Mr. Qiao.
On the afternoon of New Year’s Eve, Gu Xu drove to pick up Xia Yuze and Xia Zichen and brought them to the Gu family home.
Butler Fu warmly welcomed them and led Xia Yuze into the house.
Hearing that Xia Yuze had arrived, Gu’s mother hurried out with a smile.
“This must be our in-law. Welcome, welcome. Please come inside.”
Then she looked at Xia Zichen, who was walking behind them.
“Little one, make yourself at home. Today I’m only going to take care of your father.”
Xia Zichen smiled and nodded before changing his shoes and entering.
At this moment, Gu’s father and Gu Yan heard the commotion and also came down from the study.
“We asked Gu Yan to arrange a meeting with you before, but our schedules never matched.”
Gu’s father walked over and shook Xia Yuze’s hand.
“Welcome. Zichen is a very good child. We all like him very much. It is also because you, as his father, raised him well.”
“You are too kind.”
To Xia Yuze, Gu Zhengqing and Wang Yuehua were both elders worthy of respect.
“Zichen meeting Gu Xu is also his good fortune.”
“You’re too polite.”
Gu Zhengqing was not a man of many words, but toward people he approved of, he was willing to say a few more things.
“Come inside and sit. Don’t stand here.”
“Alright.”
Xia Yuze followed Gu Zhengqing and Wang Yuehua into the living room. He also nodded slightly at Gu Yan, who was walking behind them, as a greeting.
Gu Yan smiled but did not enter the living room. Instead, he turned and went into the kitchen.
Because Wang Yuehua had gone out to welcome them, Gu Han and Gu Ao waited in the living room so that everyone would not crowd the entrance. Too many people would only make it inconvenient for guests to enter and make the place look chaotic.
“This is my second son, Gu Han, and my third son, Gu Ao,” Wang Yuehua introduced.
Although Xia Yuze was not very old, according to seniority, the two still called him uncle like Gu Xu did.
“Little Demon is so good-looking. Looks like he takes after Uncle.”
Gu Ao smiled.
“But no matter how I look at Little Demon, he still seems like a child. Uncle feels even more charming.”
Everyone in the Gu family knew that Xia Zichen was not Xia Yuze’s biological son. However, nobody cared about that.
Besides, Xia Zichen truly did not resemble anyone from the Lei family. His temperament was much more like Xia Yuze.
“He is still just a child. If he does anything wrong, please be understanding.”
Xia Yuze smiled.
“Compared to us, Little Demon is much more sensible. You don’t need to worry.”
Gu Han smiled reassuringly.
“That’s right. Ever since Little Demon entered our family, all of us have lost favor.”
Gu Ao leaned lazily against the sofa and said this with a slightly teasing tone.
Wang Yuehua sat beside Xia Yuze and pointed at Gu Ao while laughing.
“Stop being silly.”
The family casually chatted together. Gu Yan came out of the kitchen carrying two cups of Blue Mountain coffee and placed them in front of Xia Zichen and Xia Yuze.
“Freshly brewed. Try it.”
“Thank you.”
Xia Zichen thanked him and shared one cup with Gu Xu.
Xia Yuze took a sip and nodded with a smile.
“The taste is very good.”
In the entire Gu family, the person who was actually best at making coffee was Gu Yan. It was just that he rarely brewed it.
With Xia Yuze and Xia Zichen joining the family this year, there were naturally more topics to talk about.
In the evening, Wang Yuehua and Xia Yuze went into the kitchen to make dumplings together with the servants. This was something Mrs. Gu did every New Year’s Eve.
Although her cooking skills were terrible, every year she would still prepare something for her family. Even though she could not roll out dumpling wrappers or prepare the filling, she could at least wrap dumplings.
Although the dumplings she made were not exactly beautiful in shape, none of that mattered. What mattered was her sincerity toward her husband and sons.
This year, with Xia Yuze joining her, Wang Yuehua became even more enthusiastic. She learned from Xia Yuze how to wrap dumplings more neatly.
The results were not outstanding, but there was obvious improvement. At least the filling no longer leaked out.
At eight o’clock in the evening, dinner was officially served.
The servants prepared another table in the building used for entertaining guests. This way, the family could eat more freely, and the servants could also feel comfortable. Nobody needed to feel restrained.
At the dinner table, Gu Zhengqing raised his wine glass.
“This year, Zichen becoming part of our family is the thing most worth celebrating. Although you two have not officially registered yet, inviting Yuze here for dinner this year means that Zichen and Gu Xu’s relationship has been formally decided.”
He looked toward Xia Yuze.
“From now on, we are family. If you need anything, do not hesitate to say so.”
Gu Zhengqing continued:
“And please rest assured, we will not mistreat Zichen. If Gu Xu ever does something wrong, you do not need to be polite. I will personally discipline him.”
“Zichen being with Gu Xu makes me very reassured.”
Xia Yuze also raised his wine glass and spoke politely.
These were his true feelings. From the day the two children got together, he had never needed to worry about them.
“That’s good.”
Gu Zhengqing nodded.
“This year, the Gu family’s business also developed well. Gu Yan has worked hard, and Father is very confident in you.”
He looked at his eldest son.
“Gu Han, you have been too busy this year. Pay more attention to your health.”
Then he turned to Gu Ao.
“You are managing matters on your grandfather’s side. Be careful with everything. Safety comes first.”
Finally, his gaze fell on Gu Xu.
“Gu Xu, you accomplished the most this year. You established your own company and also settled your relationship with Zichen. Continue working hard next year.”
Looking at his sons, Gu Zhengqing’s expression remained serious, as it always was.
He was not a father who showed many emotions, but he truly felt proud of his sons.
“We know, Father.”
“Alright. I won’t say more.”
Gu Zhengqing raised his wine glass.
“I hope everything goes smoothly next year. May everyone stay healthy and safe.”
Everyone at the table raised their glasses and toasted together before beginning the meal.
During dinner, Gu Yan took care of Xia Yuze, Gu Xu took care of Xia Zichen, Gu Ao occasionally placed food into Gu Han’s bowl, while Gu Zhengqing and Wang Yuehua frequently exchanged drinks and served each other dishes.
The atmosphere was warm, joyful, and full of family affection.
After dinner, everyone gathered in the living room to watch television. The coffee table was filled with various fruits, snacks, and drinks.
Xia Zichen sat beside Xia Yuze.
Compared with the loneliness of previous years, this year had much more of the lively warmth that belonged only to a family.
Around eleven o’clock, Wang Yuehua called Xia Zichen upstairs alone and brought him to Gu Zhengqing and her bedroom.
She sat in front of the vanity table and asked Xia Zichen to sit beside her.
Opening a drawer on one side of the vanity, she took out a deep red velvet box.
When she opened it, a set of jade jewelry lay inside.
There were earrings, a necklace, a bracelet, and a ring.
The jade was a flawless emerald green without the slightest impurity. Even Xia Zichen, who knew nothing about jade, could tell that it was extremely valuable.
“This set of jewelry is a family heirloom of the Gu family.”
Wang Yuehua smiled as she placed the box into Xia Zichen’s hands.
“Originally, it was passed down from the previous generation to the next generation’s heir’s wife. But in your generation, I’m giving it to you.”
“I…”
Xia Zichen held the box and instinctively wanted to refuse.
Wang Yuehua interrupted him.
“Although Gu Yan is the one who took over the Gu family, Gu Xu will eventually have to return and help him. And you are the first person to enter our family, so I think giving it to you is the most appropriate.”
“As for who you want to pass it to in the future, that will be your decision.”
“Once this item is given away, it will never be taken back, so you must accept it.”
“Even though you boys may not have much use for jewelry, it represents our family’s attitude toward you.”
Xia Zichen pressed his lips together and nodded.
This was ultimately the Gu family’s recognition of him.
He could not refuse.
“Thank you, Auntie.”
Wang Yuehua smiled.
“After accepting the gift, it’s time to change how you address me.”
Xia Zichen’s lips moved slightly.
After a long pause, he finally spoke.
“…Mom…”
“Good boy.”
Wang Yuehua happily reached out and touched his hair.
“You and your father’s situation, we have already heard about it. You handled everything very well. You are a filial child.”
“From now on, Gu Xu and the others will worry about future matters. You only need to continue being the youngest child of our family.”
“Mm.”
Thinking about the years he and his father had spent in the past, Xia Zichen’s throat became slightly tight.
“From now on, life will only get better and better.”
“Mm, I know…”
Xia Zichen nodded.