Chapter 296: Chapter 173: The Conflict Begins

’Could he have the wrong person?’

But obviously, that wasn’t the case.

The young man walked straight up to the group and smiled.

"Uncle, Auntie, long time no see."

’Long time no see?’

Gu Zhiyuan sized up the young man before him, then asked tentatively.

"And you are...?"

"Uncle, you don’t remember me?"

The smile on the young man’s lips widened slightly.

"I’m Lin Shen."

Huh?

’Lin Shen?!’

Everyone present, except for Gu Wanqing, wore looks of astonishment.

Gu Zhiyuan, in particular, was completely bewildered.

In his memory, Lin Shen was still a simple, honest, chubby kid.

And now you’re telling me that this handsome, well-built young man with a magnanimous and confident air is Lin Shen?

"How did you lose so much weight!"

Chen Hui exclaimed on Gu Zhiyuan’s behalf. She walked over and felt Lin Shen’s muscular arm, her expression filled with amazement.

"And you’ve grown so much taller, too. Your whole demeanor is more distinguished! What have you been up to? You’ve changed so much!"

"Just some self-improvement. I kicked a few bad habits."

Lin Shen said with a lighthearted laugh, chatting familiarly with Gu Zhiyuan and Chen Hui.

Meanwhile, Gu Wanting watched silently from a distance, her thin lips pressed together as her astonishment slowly morphed into a much more complicated expression.

Although she had recognized Lin Shen at a glance, she still found it incredibly hard to believe the extent of his transformation.

They had run into each other at the restaurant before, but he was clearly even more handsome and had a more striking presence now than he did then.

’Can a person really change this much in just one month?’

Gu Wanting’s mind was in turmoil.

It became even harder to accept when she saw what Lin Shen was wearing.

A Louis Vuitton outfit, a green-dialed gold Rolex, and Gucci sunglasses.

All extremely expensive luxury brands.

Even if they were fakes, they would still cost tens of thousands all together.

If they were real...

Gu Wanting didn’t dare to imagine how much that would cost.

’In other words, not only did Lin Shen get handsome, but it seems he’s gotten rich, too?’

Gu Wanting was exceptionally curious and confused about what had happened to Lin Shen recently.

’When did he get so rich?’

Cheng Yue had the same question and couldn’t help but wonder.

’Did this guy go on some kind of wilderness survival competition?’

’He’d lose weight and win a huge prize. That would perfectly explain his current situation!’

’How else could you explain him getting rich and thin overnight?’

"...The school definitely lets family members in."

After chatting with Chen Hui and Gu Zhiyuan for a while, Lin Shen’s gaze skipped directly over the conflicted-looking Gu Wanting and Cheng Yue, landing instead on Gu Wanqing as he smiled and asked.

"Qingqing, have you been doing well at home lately?"

"I’ve been great."

Gu Wanqing was thrilled to see Lin Shen, but in front of her family, she couldn’t act too familiar with him.

Still, the brilliant, sweet smile on her face exposed her purest feelings.

"I had a great time this break! And Sister Jiang Wan helped me with a lot of issues about starting university and just life in general. She’s so nice!"

"Brother Lin Shen, thank you for introducing her to me!"

’Lin Shen introduced her to Jiang Wan?’

This news made Chen Hui’s mind stir.

She knew perfectly well that Jiang Wan was her daughter’s advisor.

At the time, she had been puzzled, wondering how Qingqing had made that connection.

It turned out Lin Shen had been the one to build the bridge!

"Thank you, Shen."

Chen Hui thanked Lin Shen softly. After all, if they could get on good terms with the advisor ahead of time, it meant Qingqing wouldn’t be bullied at school later on.

This filled her heart with warmth, but also with guilt.

"You and Tingting already broke up, yet you’re still looking out for Qingqing like this... Aiya... Auntie has let you down."

"Let’s just let the past be the past." 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

Lin Shen said with a smile.

"Come on, Uncle, Auntie. I’ll take you and Qingqing to the university."

"Then we’ll have to trouble you."

"Yay!"

Gu Wanqing skipped along, her excitement infecting Chen Hui and Gu Zhiyuan, bringing smiles to their faces.

The four of them walked toward the parking lot, laughing and talking, which made a bitter feeling spread through Gu Wanting’s heart as she was left to the side.

Cheng Yue, on the other hand, was completely dumbfounded.

’I’m the one carrying the luggage, and you’re the one who gets to take them?’

’So I do all the dirty work, and you reap all the benefits, is that it?!’

"When did this guy buy a car?"

Cheng Yue couldn’t help but wonder aloud. He subconsciously glanced at Gu Wanting and saw her staring at the ground, dejected, her thin lips pressed tightly together without a word.

Clearly, she was starting to regret it.

She regretted breaking up with Lin Shen.

He had been so good to her, and now he was handsome and rich.

’If I hadn’t broken up with him, would I be happier now?’

Gu Wanting couldn’t stop herself from fantasizing about it, waves of regret washing over her.

Seeing her expression, Cheng Yue immediately asked with concern.

"What’s wrong? Are you upset seeing Lin Shen? Seriously! The guy has nothing to do with you anymore, but he still shows up. He must have nothing better to do!"

"Also, how did he know Qingqing was starting school today?"

’That’s right!’

Cheng Yue’s words jolted Gu Wanting out of her daze, and a deep suspicion formed in her mind.

’He’s not in contact with Mom, Dad, or me, so how did he find out the date Qingqing starts school?’

’Don’t tell me Qingqing told him...’

’Does that mean the two of them are in contact privately?’

’?!’

As if she had just uncovered some major gossip, Gu Wanting immediately hurried after them, pulling Qingqing aside to question her curiously.