novelraw Chapter 464 "I Don't Like Things That Change"
Chapter 464 "I Don't Like Things That Change"
Chapter 464 "I Don't Like Things That Change"
Lin Zhao saw Gu Zhiheng's expression change and followed his gaze.
Yao Bao was walking side by side with a man, and they seemed to be having a very pleasant conversation.
She was about to speak when she saw Gu Zhiheng stride forward with a cold face, as if he was about to rush over.
Lin Zhao quickly grabbed his arm, "What are you doing? What do you want to do?!"
"Mom, it's Yaobao."
“I saw it. Yao Bao was talking about business with her colleagues. What do you want to say if you go after her?” Lin Zhao held his arm tightly, afraid that her son would act impulsively.
Gu Zhiheng couldn't bring himself to abandon his mother, so he could only watch helplessly as his sister and that blond-haired man walked further and further away.
"The military parade is over, what business is there to discuss! Mom, did you see that smile on that boy's face? He's clearly up to no good, like a weasel offering New Year's greetings to a chicken. I have to chase after him and check on him. What if my sister gets scammed out of money and her virtue!"
"How old is your sister?" Lin Zhao asked.
Gu Zhiheng understood the implication and said matter-of-factly, "No matter how old she is, she's still my sister, and I have to help her make the best choice. Yaobao is naive and thinks there are no bad people in this world. It's one thing if she gets scammed out of money, but what if she gets hurt? I promised my older brother and Qianbao that I would take good care of Mom and Dad and my sister, including their share."
Lin Zhao knew her son's feelings and looked at him with relief, "It's okay, Yao Bao knows what she's doing. She's not a child anymore. You can't keep treating her like a ten-year-old girl. She's working now. Whether she's dating or getting married, it's her freedom. You can't restrict her freedom; that's wrong."
“Mom…” A rare look of confusion appeared in Gu Zhiheng’s shrewd black eyes. “I’m afraid Yaobao will be hurt.”
Lin Zhao pulled his wrist and walked forward until they reached a wide open space, then said, "That was the path Yao Bao chose herself. You can't deprive her of the opportunity to enjoy the world just because you're afraid she'll get hurt. That's not fair to her."
"She is your sister, but more importantly, she is an independent individual, a living, breathing person. She has the right to choose, and no one can interfere with her, do you understand?"
Gu Zhiheng nodded with difficulty.
“I will try my best,” he said. “Mom, if I do anything wrong, please remind me in time. I don’t want Yaobao to hate me.”
“No, that won’t happen,” Lin Zhao said. “Yao Bao loves us. She would rather suffer herself than let any of us be in need.”
Gu Zhiheng knew all this, and it was precisely because he knew how good his sister was that he couldn't imagine her being hurt.
Although he didn't intend to interfere, he still planned to investigate that kid.
Gu Zhiheng dared not tell Lin Zhao this, for fear of being slapped.
He investigated her character and family background... just like he did before a blind date. He was afraid that Lin Zhao would say he was lawless and increasingly "criminal".
"Anyway, you have to remind me," Gu Zhiheng emphasized.
He was worried that he had done something annoying without realizing it.
"Okay, let's go shopping quickly. I want to buy a pair of boots. Can you help me choose?" Lin Zhao changed the subject.
"Sure, I saw a pair that would suit you perfectly. They'll look amazing with a coat." Gu Zhiheng shook off his worries and changed his mood.
Lin Zhao admired this emotional management... No wonder he could make a lot of money and succeed in the business world.
"Why are you looking at me like that? Do I have sleep in my eyes?" Gu Zhiheng touched the corner of his eye.
Lin Zhao: "..."
That's a good guess. Don't guess next time.
The mother and son went shopping at the mall, their hands full of things. Only then did Gu Zhiheng feel relieved, and most of the bitterness and resentment on his face disappeared.
Lin Zhao suppressed a laugh.
No wonder Zhiheng keeps bringing things home; it turns out... shopping is his secret weapon for adjusting his mood.
So cute.
"Have you bought enough? If not, continue."
Gu Zhiheng said, somewhat reluctantly, "That's enough for now, we can't take any more."
“I can bring it,” Lin Zhao said.
"I'm very happy with the length of my legs and don't want them to suddenly become shorter," Gu Zhiheng said earnestly.
Lin Zhao looked puzzled.
Gu Zhiheng explained calmly, "My dad would break my legs if he saw this. I'm only half a head shorter."
Upon hearing this, Lin Zhao burst out laughing, her voice as clear as a silver bell, until her cheeks ached.
"You're such a funny kid."
Gu Zhiheng smiled and took it all as a way to amuse his parents.
After leaving the mall, he hailed a taxi, and the two got in and went home.
When I got home, Gu Chenghuai was already back and sitting on the sofa reading the newspaper.
"Honey, you're back!" Lin Zhao stepped forward lightly, snuggled into her husband's arms, hugged his strong waist, kissed his chin, and exclaimed, "Honey, you look so handsome today! You're the center of attention, even more handsome than my favorite Hong Kong male celebrities! I have so much to share with you, but you're busy. Luckily, my husband is so resourceful, arranging for Zhiheng to keep me company beforehand, otherwise I would have been lonely and bored..."
The two "husband"s softened the look in Chief Gu's eyes, who was sulking.
"Have you got a meal yet?"
Lin Zhao shook her head, "No, I wanted to eat with you."
Gu Chenghuai was in an even better mood, a slight smile playing on his lips. "The restaurant reservation is ready. Shall we go now?"
Gu Zhiheng shook his head helplessly as he watched his father being appeased.
He's too easy to fool. It's a good thing he didn't agree to the bet, otherwise he would have definitely lost.
Just then, the phone rang at home.
Gu Zhiheng, his stomach pressed against the back of the sofa, answered the phone.
They were looking for him.
It came from Haicheng, it was urgent, he had to go there immediately.
Gu Zhiheng tugged at his collar, somewhat annoyed.
He was planning to ask Yao Bao about that male colleague tonight, but his plans were ruined!
"Are you busy?" Lin Zhao asked softly.
Gu Zhiheng lowered his head. "Yes, something happened in Haicheng."
"Is it serious?" Lin Zhao asked with concern.
"It's alright, I just have to go there in person."
Gu Chenghuai said, "Call me if you have any trouble."
"Thank you, Dad." Gu Zhiheng stood up straight, said no more, took his ID, slung his backpack over his shoulder, and left.
After walking a few meters, he stopped and turned back.
He looked at Lin Zhao, "Mom, can't you pay a little more attention to Yaobao's matter?"
"I know, don't worry. I'll call you and let you know once I've found out, okay?"
Gu Zhiheng's brow relaxed. "That's great."
After saying that, he waved and left.
Gu Chenghuai looked at Lin Zhao, "What happened to Yaobao? What's wrong with her?"
Lin Zhao said in a nonchalant tone, "It's nothing. It's just that when we left the viewing platform, we saw Yao Bao walking with a male colleague. Zhi Heng has been sensitive to the presence of male colleagues in front of his sister since he was little."
"Are you sure, sir? Not some suitor?" Gu Chenghuai's sharp eyes narrowed.
"How would I know? I didn't chase after her to ask. If you want to know, you can ask her when Yaobao comes back," Lin Zhao said with a mischievous smile.
Gu Chenghuai crumpled the newspaper in his hand. "Go ahead and ask. You two can talk about anything when you're together. I don't feel comfortable asking."
“I knew you’d say that, but I’ll still ask,” Lin Zhao said.
Gu Chenghuai put down the newspaper, placed his hand on Lin Zhao's shoulder, and massaged her shoulder. "Then I'll have to trouble you, my wife."
Lin Zhao had walked too much today and was indeed tired, so she simply closed her eyes and relaxed. Only after the fatigue subsided a bit did she get up and go out to eat with her husband.
That night.
Gu Zhiyao returned home smelling of alcohol.
This is the first time she's come home this late; it's almost 10 p.m.
"Have you been drinking?" Lin Zhao smelled the alcohol and turned around to look. He saw that Yao Bao's face was flushed, but her eyes were clear.
"I didn't drink it, but my colleague did." Yao Bao took off her shoes, put on slippers, and slumped onto the sofa.
"Are you full?" Lin Zhao asked again. "Yes, I'm full." Yao Bao, afraid that the smell of alcohol would bother her parents, kept her distance from Gu Chenghuai and Lin Zhao. "I will never let my stomach suffer. I ate a lot. I'm a little tired. I'll rest for a while and then take a shower."
"Whatever you say," Lin Zhao said.
Gu Chenghuai winked at her, signaling her to ask.
Lin Zhao was somewhat speechless. She was too embarrassed to ask, but she was being bossed around.
"Yaobao, do you have any male colleagues you get along with well at the TV station?" Lin Zhao asked curiously, not keeping her in suspense and knowing to ask the key question.
"Did Mom see me walking with a male colleague?" Gu Zhiyao wasn't stupid; as soon as her mother asked this question, she realized that she might have been exposed.
"Yes, I ran into your second brother," Lin Zhao said directly.
"...Second Brother must have been talking about me! No wonder I sneezed so many times along the way." Yao Bao suddenly realized.
"Mom, you all saw me, why didn't you call me?"
Lin Zhao smiled faintly, "Your second brother wanted to, but I saw that you and that young man were chatting happily, so I didn't let him disturb you."
Gu Zhiyao's cheeks flushed red, as if she was quite embarrassed.
This is really promising.
The surrounding air suddenly turned cold.
Lin Zhao turned her head, and Chief Gu's eyes darkened, his gaze turning cold, his expression chilling.
A slender, white hand rested on the man's arm and gently twisted it.
Gu Chenghuai came to his senses, and his expression improved.
Lin Zhao was satisfied.
Great, why turn on the air conditioning anytime, anywhere? It scared Yao Bao so much that she stopped saying anything. She'll definitely regret it later.
"Where are we at?"
Gu Zhiyao blinked and said softly, "We're in contact. So far, it seems alright, but we'll continue to observe."
Before Lin Zhao could speak, Gu Chenghuai couldn't help but say, "You're only a few years old, you're still young..."
"That's enough," Lin Zhao interrupted him. "Yaobao is already in her mid-twenties, not young anymore. I married you before I was even eighteen and have given birth to our first and second children! Little, little, little, how are you little!"
"You're not letting a girl in her twenties date? Are you going to wait until she's in her eighties or nineties?!"
Gu Chenghuai was speechless and heartbroken.
Afraid of angering his wife, he dared not express his opinion again.
Lin Zhao suppressed her anger, smiled again, and said to Yao Bao, "Don't listen to what your dad said. All fathers are like that. They can't stand seeing their little darling being coveted. Give him some time, and he'll accept it."
Gu Chenghuai: "..."
Yao Bao glanced at her father, walked over, took his arm, and said earnestly, "Dad, if you don't like it, I won't bring people to you. In my heart, your feelings are the most important."
Gu Chenghuai felt even more heartbroken.
What do you mean? You don't want to bring him in front of you, you want to talk to him secretly, right?
I feel even more heartbroken.
“…No need,” Gu Chenghuai said. “Listen to your mother, if you want to talk, then talk.”
It's heartbreaking to hear this.
Yao Bao smiled and said, "Dad is so nice. Once I'm sure, I'll bring the person back and let you guys help me make the selection."
Gu Chenghuai couldn't resist finding fault, "What if I'm not satisfied?"
“If it’s a matter of principle and not driven by emotion, I will take your opinion into consideration and reconsider.” Gu Zhiyao’s eyes were unusually serious.
Gu Chenghuai patted her head, unable to deny that Zhaozhao had taught the children very well.
They all have their own ideas, are not stubborn, nor are they subservient; they are the best kind of people.
"Go back inside, take a shower and get some sleep. You've been busy for so long, it's time to relax."
Gu Zhiyao stood up, picked up her bag, and prepared to go back inside.
After taking a few steps, she turned around and said, "Mom, I have a week off next week. If you want to go back to Haicheng, I'll go with you."
Lin Zhao's face lit up with joy, and she said, "How about we go hiking during our week-long vacation?"
She heard that there was a temple on a mountain that was very popular and efficacious, and she wanted to go and pray there.
Because of the second child.
If things have gone well for him, then that's fulfilling his vow; if he hasn't received the lucky charm, then he hopes the Bodhisattva will bless him with happiness and good health.
"Okay, let's go together, but shouldn't we buy some sportswear first?"
Lin Zhao smiled and said, "Your second brother and I went shopping this afternoon and bought everything. Yours is in your room."
Yao Bao said with delight, "Really? I'll go take a look."
Back inside, I saw several tote bags on the sofa, filled with clothes of various styles.
Her heart was instantly filled with happiness.
After her daughter returned, Lin Zhao turned off the TV and pulled Gu Chenghuai back to their room.
"I'll go hiking with you and Yaobao," Gu Chenghuai said.
"You have time?" Lin Zhao gave him a look.
"Have."
"Then let's go together." Lin Zhao had no objection; she was delighted. "If I can't climb anymore, you can carry me."
Otherwise, why would he have suggested going?
Gu Chenghuai smiled and replied, "Okay."
"Why do you suddenly want to go hiking? Don't you dislike this kind of tiring and troublesome exercise?" he asked again.
"People change, you know." Lin Zhao took off her hair tie, ran her fingers through her hair, and slowly lay down.
“I don’t like things that change,” Gu Chenghuai said.
“So you’re well-suited for military life.” Lin Zhao opened her eyes and looked at him.
This man is a born general.
Wearing that military uniform, he shone brightly and became the center of attention.
……
Lin Zhao didn't get any useful information from Gu Zhiyao, so she wasn't in a hurry to call Gu Zhiheng.
To everyone's surprise, he called back the very next afternoon.
"Zhiheng? Why are you calling back all of a sudden? Is something tricky?" Lin Zhao frowned slightly.
Gu Zhiheng was taken aback and quickly explained, "Everything has been taken care of. I'm on my way back. I called to ask about Yaobao."
A hint of helplessness flashed in his eyes. "Mom, did you forget to ask?"
"I haven't forgotten. I've asked clearly. Your sister is still under consideration; we haven't talked yet," Lin Zhao said.
"Inspection...?" Gu Zhiheng was still somewhat displeased. "The inspection has already been conducted, so it's almost over."
“Hmm, that’s possible,” Lin Zhao replied.
Gu Zhiheng: "..."
It hurts, and I don't want to accept this annoying fact.
Lin Zhao then said, "I want to go hiking. Your dad and Yaobao want to come with me. Are you coming?"
"Go ahead, you all go. What am I doing staying behind alone?" Gu Zhiheng muttered to himself. "Mom, which mountain are we going to? We need to prepare some things. I'll prepare them and bring them back on the way."
Lin Zhao told him the name of the mountain.
Gu Zhiheng was stunned.
(End of this chapter)