"Alright."
Xixia nodded with a smile, then headed to the second-floor KTV to wait for customers. In truth, the young woman's job was quite simple: when a customer ordered alcohol, she would deliver it, politely greet them, open the bottle, and pour it. If some customers didn't know much about drinks, she could provide recommendations. Naturally, she earned commissions for successful sales.
After a while, Zhou Xingyan was also transferred down from the third floor by the manager. The two little best friends, being inseparable as ever, hadn't seen each other for just a short while, but the moment they reunited, they withdrew into a corner, chatting animatedly with hand gestures and gleeful expressions, unable to stop talking.
Meanwhile, the man seated in a private room on the second floor lounged with his long legs crossed, strong arms folded over his chest. His thin lips carried a faint amused smile, and his cropped hair glistened softly under the lighting. Such a simple pose exuded an air of noble sophistication.
His deep black eyes were fixed on the surveillance footage displayed on the high-definition monitor. His beloved young woman was by the tea station near the KTV at the time, seemingly hiding there as if no one could notice her. How could she be so adorable, not even realizing there were cameras installed!
The young woman's radiant face had a translucent, rosy glow at that moment. Her petite and straight nose added a delicate charm, while her creamy forehead, exposed beneath her bun, was as smooth as porcelain. Her lashes fluttered like butterfly wings, framing her large, rounded, glistening eyes that sparkled with pure allure. The corners of her lips curved into a delicate, bare shade of pink, and her small face, perfectly palm-sized, bore two faint dimples — like lily pistils — that were utterly enchanting!
She extended her porcelain-white hand to cover her slightly pink lips, as if sharing a secret. Whispering into Zhou Xingyan's ear, she prattled on endlessly with her little friend in a lively manner!
The sound transmitted clearly through the advanced surveillance camera. The young woman's voice was gentle, soft, and soothing, carrying faint murmurs as she talked about the happenings around her and small bits of gossip. Her clear and sparkling eyes glimmered, enhancing her striking beauty!
Upon seeing this, the man's lips curled into a gentler curve, and his heart, filled with warmth, felt overwhelmed with joy. To think his beloved young woman, in moments like these, was also so adorable and nosy—how could he resist liking her more and more?
"Silly girl, do you even realize? I'd give up everything I have just to make you happy and to see you staying by my side…" The man murmured affectionately, his deep eyes reflecting an ocean of boundless devotion.
At that exact moment, Gu Jingchen's phone rang.
"Hello? Grandson, it's your grandpa." Gu Yushan's voice, robust and forceful, came through from the other end of the call.
"Grandpa, what's the matter? Missing me already?" Concerned the sound from the surveillance footage might interfere with the conversation, the man decisively turned off the audio. Standing tall, he walked with long strides to the floor-to-ceiling window. Gu Jingchen's gaze softened, his voice rich with tender affection for his grandfather.
"Grandson, I heard from the butler that the girl teaching piano lessons at the house is named Shang Xixia, correct? I remember back when we lived in the old villa, the neighbors had a child named Shang Xixia. The butler doesn't recall, but I do! She must be the same girl, right? And the one you like, isn't she?"
Indeed, the seasoned elder had seen and weathered many storms. Despite his age, his analytical skills were still as sharp as ever.
"Heh, Grandpa, you're truly clever—no wonder you're my grandfather." Suppressing a chuckle, the man lowered his head, his Adam's apple moving subtly as he spoke with a lazy yet rich and mellow tone of voice.
"Ah, grandson, you've kept your thoughts hidden deep for so many years—how long have you had feelings for this girl? Guess you inherited that trait from me. Back in the day, I courted your grandma for years! She was quite proud then, but in the end, she couldn't resist your grandpa's charm!"
Meanwhile, back at the Gu Mansion, Gu Yushan proudly waxed nostalgic about his past, his face alight with enthusiasm. His animated storytelling caused the butler standing nearby to twitch his lips uncontrollably.
Why do all the men in the Gu Family have to be so cunning? Even their sly expressions are cast from the same mold!
"Grandpa, relationships should nurture from a young age."
The man's lips twitched faintly. Standing tall and imposing before the floor-to-ceiling window, he bathed in the golden sunlight streaming in, his deep eyes gleaming with unwavering confidence.
"Haha, you've got a point!" Gu Yushan clearly found his grandson's line about fostering love young incredibly amusing and broke into hearty laughter!
"So, when will you bring Xixia home for me to meet? That girl was like a porcelain doll as a child. She must be even more beautiful now."
Gu Yushan pressed on, clearly curious. Though he had seen a photo of her provided by the butler — she truly was a pretty little thing — what mattered most was how she looked through his grandson's eyes.
"To me, she's the most beautiful, Grandpa. But I can't bring her back to see you just yet—I haven't fully won her over. If she gets scared, it wouldn't be worth it."
Gu Jingchen thought hard for a moment. Things were progressing well, and he couldn't let any unexpected occurrences frighten his most cherished young woman away.
"Ah, you're not like me in that regard. Back when I pursued your grandma, I went in head-on…" Gu Yushan's excitement grew as he reminisced over his glorious youth, regaling his memories enthusiastically over the phone.
…
The grandfather and grandson were happily chatting away. While Gu Jingchen didn't manage to keep his attention on the surveillance, Li Chengxi just happened to walk into the KTV's entrance.
Beside Li Chengxi stood a man named Hu Ye. Before Li Chengxi's involvement with the Shang Family, these two had already hit it off, sharing the same bad habits. Hu Ye, in particular, was an utterly unreliable character. After Li Chengxi entered the Shang Family, through Xiang Fengmei's connections, the two of them became inseparable — practically two peas in a pod. After all, with Xiang Fengmei's backing, Li Chengxi had become synonymous with wealth!
Who wouldn't cozy up to someone with that much money to throw around?
Now, fresh out of the hospital after being thoroughly beaten by Gu Jingchen a few days ago, Li Chengxi had just been discharged today. Hu Ye thought it was only fitting to give him a proper welcome-back celebration, complete with some girls to play around with. After all, a few days cooped up in a hospital might have driven him stir-crazy, right?
With this in mind, the pair decided on this particular KTV. Rumor had it the girls here were classy, top-notch, and impeccably professional.
"Chengxi, don't let it bother you too much. Getting beaten up by him and still being alive already says something. Next time we see him, let's just avoid him altogether."