Gu Zheng put down his phone. "It's nothing. It's just that a business deal he was trying to negotiate didn't go smoothly. Go to sleep, it's getting late."
Xia Ran certainly didn't doubt Gu Zheng's words, so after listening to Gu Zheng's words, she nodded and lay down to sleep.
Gu Zheng also turned off the lights. Everyone in the Gu family was asleep. When Qin Hao returned and found that no one was waiting for him, he had no choice but to go back to his room feeling wronged.
He really wasn't his parents' biological son; maybe his brother was.
Because of the vomiting incident, Xia Ran actually ate plain porridge for three or four meals, to the point that she was afraid of it.
Moreover, Gu Zheng stayed at home for two days instead of going to the company. Although he didn't say it outright, Xia Ran knew that Gu Zheng didn't go to the company because of him, and their relationship seemed to have undergone a subtle change because of these two days.
Chapter 82 The Childlike Side
After eating several bowls of plain porridge, Xia Ran finally got to eat her favorite food on the second day at noon, and felt like she had come back to life.
Moreover, after taking a bite of the sweet and sour pork ribs, he couldn't help but let out a satisfied sigh.
His appearance made Aunt Gu and the others sitting opposite him chuckle softly.
"This is the first time I've seen Xiaoran act so childish."
Aunt Gu said with a smile.
Gu Zheng, who was standing next to her, paused and glanced at Xia Ran. The emotion in his eyes was unreadable.
Xia Ran didn't notice Gu Zheng's gaze. Faced with his aunt's teasing, he pursed his lips and smiled shyly before speaking.
"Before, I didn't dare to be too childish because I wanted to be a good father to Xiao Chen. Today, I just couldn't help myself."
Having spent time with Aunt Gu and the others, Xia Ran had come to understand their character, so he was no longer as nervous or apprehensive as before, and he felt much more comfortable and at ease around them.
After listening to Xia Ran's words, Aunt Gu gave Gu Zheng a meaningful look, but unfortunately Gu Zheng didn't notice at all.
Aunt Gu sighed and said with a smile,
“You are a good father now, and you will always be a good father. It is the happiest thing for Xiao Chen to have you as his father.”
Xia Ran smiled, patted Gu Chen's head beside her, and said,
"Being able to become Xiao Chen's father and be part of the family with my aunts is the happiest thing for me."
After he finished speaking, he glanced at Gu Zheng next to him. What he really wanted to say was that marrying Gu Zheng was the happiest thing in his life.
However, even though Xia Ran didn't say it, Gu Zheng seemed to understand what she meant, and for a moment his eyes even looked away.
Ever since the durian incident a couple of days ago, Gu Zheng has had a very indescribable feeling in his heart when facing Xia Ran's feelings.
If I had to pinpoint one thing, it would be guilt and... fear.
Watching the two exchanging glances, Qin Hao suddenly felt a sour toothache and couldn't help but speak up.
"Can you two stop showing off your love all the time? Have you ever thought about how I, a single person, feel?"
Ever since Qin Hao returned from his failed attempt to discuss cooperation with Lin Yi, he has insisted that he was emotionally traumatized and needed to rest at home for two days. As a result, he hasn't been to the company.
Hearing Qin Hao's words, Xia Ran inevitably blushed again.
Seeing Xia Ran's embarrassment, Aunt Gu glared at Qin Hao and said in an annoyed tone,
"Can't you be a little more capable? If you're so capable, go find me a daughter-in-law instead of spouting sarcastic remarks here!"
Qin Hao: "..."
He really isn't their biological son!
Gu Zheng glanced at Qin Hao, who was biting into a chicken leg, before speaking calmly.
"Go to Lin Yi's company again later and continue the cooperation with him. Last time he was indeed busy and neglected you, but that won't happen today. Remember not to act impulsively. We must continue this cooperation with him."
Qin Hao, who was already feeling incredibly jealous, was even more shocked and his eyes widened when he heard these words.
"You...cough...brother...what did you just say? You want me to go find Lin Yi? Couldn't you have sent someone else? And since when has our company ever needed to cooperate with others?"
Gu Zheng remained calm, his face devoid of any extra emotion.
"There are many things you don't know. If you can't handle things well this time, you'll have to bear the consequences. I heard that the project in F continent needs someone."
"Holy crap!" Qin Hao couldn't help but swear. "A threat! This is a blatant threat!!"
What kind of place is F Continent? If he goes there, will he still be able to maintain his handsome appearance when he comes back?
Gu Zheng: "You can think of it that way, or you can think that I just want to train you. If you don't want to go there, you only have one choice, which is to go and talk to Lin Yi about cooperation."
Qin Hao gritted his teeth, his face instantly filled with grievance, and turned to look at his parents.
But before he could even speak, his parents had already expressed their opinions.
Aunt Gu: "You should learn more from your brother. He's always right. He's always doing this for your own good."
Qin Shi: "Don't look at me. Now your brother is in charge of the company. He makes all the decisions. Actually, what your mother said is right. Your brother is doing it all for your own good."
After they finished speaking, the couple tacitly lowered their heads to eat, completely appearing as if they didn't want to or couldn't control Qin Hao.
Qin Hao gritted his teeth, "Am I really your biological son?!"
But the two of them acted as if they hadn't heard him at all, not even lifting their eyelids.
Qin Hao was on the verge of tears; his parents' attitude clearly indicated they were no longer going to care about him.
Just as Qin Hao was filled with despair, Xia Ran's voice, as beautiful as heavenly music, rang out.
"Um, may I ask if there's anything difficult about collaborating with Lin Yi?"
Xia Ran glanced at Qin Hao before turning her gaze to Gu Zheng.
Although he's no longer working, this is what he studied, and he's also very curious listening to their conversation.
Qin Hao, who was on the verge of despair, suddenly brightened up when he saw Xia Ran.
Well, it was as if Liang had seen a savior!
Xia Ran felt a little uneasy under his gaze and couldn't help but turn her attention to Qin Hao.
"Um... Qin Hao, just say what's on your mind. Don't look at me like that. I... I'm a little flustered."
After Xia Ran finished speaking, Qin Hao felt a very dissatisfied gaze directed at him, cold and sharp, as if it wanted to pierce into his bones.
But now he has no interest in anyone else; all he can see is Xia Ran.
"Xia Ran, we're family, we're good friends, right?"
Xia Ran naturally nodded in agreement with Qin Hao's words.
"So, could you please ask my brother for me? Please beg him not to let me talk to that Lin Yi about cooperation? And please don't let me go to that damn island, okay?"
Xia Ran: "..." He was speechless for a moment, and even felt a little embarrassed.
However, before he could figure out how to answer, Gu Zheng spoke up for him.
"It's no use asking anyone. Either we go to Lin Yi, or that's the only option left."
Upon hearing Gu Zheng's words, Xia Ran quickly blinked innocently at Qin Hao and said,
"I'm sorry, Qin Hao, you heard me too, I'm powerless to help, so..."
He didn't finish his sentence, but the meaning was clear.
Chapter 839 A Strange Dream
Qin Hao had a long face, looking like he was about to cry but had no tears.
"Brother, is there really no room for negotiation? Can't we discuss it any further?"
Seeing that there was no way to persuade Xia Ran, Qin Hao could only look at Gu Zheng again, hoping that Gu Zheng could give him some room to persuade her to stay.
Gu Zheng remained expressionless. "No, there's a time limit anyway. Think carefully about what to do and give me an answer by this afternoon at the latest."
"..." Qin Hao was speechless for a moment, and his heart sank to the bottom.
It seems there's really no other way. Waaah, he's so unlucky!
Xia Ran glanced at Qin Hao, but in the end, she didn't say anything and just kept her head down eating.
He actually wanted to ask Qin Hao what exactly happened, but it was clearly impossible now.
Qin Hao ultimately chose to discuss cooperation with Lin Yi. This time, he also did not meet Lin Yi immediately and was still arranged to wait in the reception room.
Having learned from his previous experience, Qin Hao wasn't angry. He even took a nap on the large sofa in the reception room.
But during that sleep, he had a very frustrating, even terrifying, dream.
In his dream, he actually dreamed that he had become Lin Yi's assistant, and even... he even had a one-night stand with Lin Yi at nine o'clock...
In the dream, it seemed that he rejected Lin Yi's affections, and Lin Yi became angry and was about to fire him. So he began a journey to beg Lin Yi not to fire him.
Although Qin Hao had never officially met Lin Yi, he had seen Lin Yi's photos, so Lin Yi's image would appear in his dreams...
In the office.
Qin Hao greeted Lin Yi with feigned composure, but his heart was pounding like a rabbit, as if it were about to jump out of his chest.
Lin Yi sat in his office chair, looking expressionlessly at Qin Hao standing at the door.
Lin Yi raised his hand, took a sip of coffee, and then glanced coldly at Qin Hao again, saying in a low voice,
"What? Does Assistant Qin think the company is making too much money and that I, as the president, can't come to work early?"
Lin Yi knew he was taking his anger out on others, but Qin Hao's rejection yesterday was something he had never experienced before, and that was the reason he was upset.
That displeasure lingered in his mind, which became the reason he went to work early this morning.
"Come here." Before Qin Hao could answer, Lin Yi beckoned to him with his finger again.
Seeing Lin Yi's actions, Qin Hao hesitated a bit. Why did he feel that the president seemed different today?
Weren't CEOs usually very cold and aloof?
But if he doesn't go, he'll lose his job...
Qin Hao hesitated. Normally, he would have gone over there respectfully.
But now that he's gone, he might lose his chastity...
Qin Hao's hesitant action made Lin Yi's expression turn even colder.