Chapter 295: Chapter 173: The Conflict Begins

This was more than enough to infuriate Gu Wanting.

’Do you even know how to talk?!’

’If this were Lin Shen, he would’ve already cheered me up!’

Gu Wanting was taken aback by the startling thought that had suddenly popped into her head. Her expression froze.

’Why am I thinking about Lin Shen?’

"What’s wrong?"

Cheng Yue was a little confused when Gu Wanting suddenly went silent.

"Did I say something wrong? Tingting, I think you’re also part of the reason you don’t get along with them. You’re just too high-maintenance. You’re not suited for the workplace."

"You’re right."

Gu Wanting let out a soft sigh and fell into a long silence.

Before she graduated, she used to resent how Lin Shen would come home from work with a long face.

But now that she had a job, she was starting to understand him.

’Working with so many idiots, it’d be a miracle to be in a good mood!’

Sigh—!

Gu Wanting gazed wistfully out the window, her mind a chaotic jumble of thoughts.

The atmosphere in the car turned frigid, with only the soft sound of music echoing through the silence.

This left Cheng Yue feeling baffled.

’Was I wrong?’

’Why is she mad again?’

Seeing that Gu Wanting was ignoring him, Cheng Yue had no choice but to focus on driving, making occasional, half-hearted attempts at small talk.

—

「1:40 PM, Hongqiao.」

After parking the car, Cheng Yue followed Gu Wanting to the designated arrival gate.

The high-speed train pulled in, and moments later, a couple emerged, accompanied by a cute girl in a JK uniform.

"Sis!"

Gu Wanqing seemed to spot Gu Wanting first. She darted over and threw herself into her sister’s arms.

"I missed you so much!"

"I missed you, too."

Gu Wanting hugged her little sister tightly, nuzzling their cheeks together affectionately. She only stood up straight when their smiling parents slowly approached.

"Dad, Mom, you’re here."

"Mm."

Gu Zhiyuan was smiling warmly at the heartwarming sight of his two daughters reuniting, pulling their luggage along, when Cheng Yue suddenly approached him.

"Sir, I bet that luggage is too heavy for you. Let me get it. I’m strong."

’Huh?’

Gu Zhiyuan’s attention had been entirely on his daughters, so he hadn’t even noticed Cheng Yue. He’d assumed he was just a bystander, but apparently, he was with Tingting?

Gu Zhiyuan froze.

"And you are...?"

"Dad, didn’t I tell you? My boyfriend and I came to pick you up."

Gu Wanting patted Cheng Yue’s shoulder and chuckled.

"See? This is my boyfriend, Cheng Yue."

’Huh?’

’It’s not Lin Shen?’

Gu Zhiyuan’s brow furrowed slightly, while Chen Hui pulled Gu Wanting aside to whisper.

"Where’s Lin Shen?"

"I broke up with him."

Gu Wanting said nonchalantly, but Chen Hui looked shocked.

"Broke up? When did that happen?"

"It’s been over a month now... Mom, why are you always bringing up Lin Shen? I’m your daughter, you know!"

"He was practically family—a son-in-law is like another son, you know."

Chen Hui was confused.

"Why did you break up? The last time you brought Lin Shen home, you two seemed so happy together. I almost thought you were about to get engaged."

"It’s not that complicated."

Gu Wanting muttered under her breath, then linked arms with Chen Hui and said irritably.

"Ugh! Mom, just drop the subject of Lin Shen! If you keep talking about him, my boyfriend’s going to get upset."

"..."

Chen Hui snuck a glance at Cheng Yue, who was chatting with Gu Zhiyuan. Her first impression of him left her with a vague, uncomfortable feeling.

For one, Tingting’s new boyfriend didn’t look as trustworthy as Lin Shen. He didn’t seem like the type to be serious about a relationship.

Still, he was well-dressed and clean-cut, not sloppy at least.

Although she had many questions, Chen Hui decided to wait for a better time to talk to Gu Wanting.

Meanwhile, after exchanging a few words with Cheng Yue, Gu Zhiyuan was already secretly shaking his head.

’This guy is no good.’

’He might be more handsome than Lin Shen, but his personality and conversation skills don’t even come close. And his EQ is absurdly low.’

’He actually asked Gu Wanqing her age!’

It made her so embarrassed she could only lower her head and mumble.

"Eighteen..."

"Eighteen? Eighteen is a great age! That’s when a girl is in the prime of her youth and beauty!"

Cheng Yue couldn’t resist "praising" her. He then turned to Gu Zhiyuan, whose expression had darkened, and gave him a thumbs-up.

"Sir, you’ve done an amazing job raising such a grown-up daughter! Let’s get going. I drove my Mercedes E-Class to pick you up. None of you are fat, so the three of you will definitely fit in the back!"

Cheng Yue smiled, thinking he was being perfectly smooth, when in reality, every word he said made them cringe.

But since he’d been kind enough to come pick them up, Gu Zhiyuan couldn’t bring himself to say anything.

Just as the group was about to leave, Gu Wanqing suddenly stopped them.

"Um... someone else is coming to pick us up, too."

’Huh?’

’Who else could it be?’

While everyone was still wondering, an incredibly handsome young man approached from a short distance away.

He had refined features, a chiseled jawline, and deep eyes. The slight smile on his face made him seem exceptionally gentle and warm.

His fashion sense was impeccable. Though he was just wearing a casual, blue-and-white shorts and T-shirt combo, it perfectly complemented his well-proportioned, athletic build.

The sunglasses hanging from his collar and the gold watch on his left wrist added a touch of youthful flair and energy to his otherwise understated vibe.

He stood out from the crowd, his presence utterly magnetic.

The moment Gu Wanting saw him, her pupils constricted, and she froze on the spot.

Gu Zhiyuan and Chen Hui, however, were merely puzzled. They couldn’t recall knowing such a handsome young man in Modu.