The group chat for the four brothers in the Gu family was named [Gu Family Four Bachelors].
Later, when Gu Jinmian fell in love, things started to feel a bit off. Even more so when Gu Jinmian got married.
Gu Qingyang suggested kicking Gu Jinmian out of the group chat, yet he was the one that was kicked out instead.
Gu Qingyang: “?”
Gu Xijun held him accountable. If being in a relationship meant getting kicked out for a month, he probably wouldn’t be able to return to the group for a year.
Gu Qingyang: “???”
Feeling uncomfortable being out of the group, Gu Qingyang complained to himself during dinner at home. “I’m a bachelor now, and I have the right to stay in the Bachelor group. Gu Jinmian, who brings his partner home to eat and stimulate the bachelors is in the group. Why was I kicked out? The bachelor in me refuses to accept it!”
Then he got a slap from Gu Shen. “You’re flaunting being a bachelor? Is this something worth flaunting?”
“…”
Among the Gu family, Gu Shen was the most traditional and the one who thought most about the children getting married and starting their own families. Shi Yi, on the other hand, didn’t seem to care much.
Gu Shen continued scolding, “Dated one friend, had seven boyfriends, and couldn’t keep a single one. How useless can you be?”
The strict Gu Xijun corrected him, “It was two friends and ten boyfriends.”
“……”
Gu Shen, not knowing where his thoughts were going, started talking about Gu Xijun again. “Someone almost forty, how can he dare to say that?”
“…”
Originally, when Gu Shen started talking, Gu Xijun didn’t mind much. Unexpectedly, Shi Yi also began to talk about him.
Shi Yi didn’t care when they got married, but she felt that the eldest son had been without a partner for more than ten years, which could lead to problems.
“This won’t do. Regardless of marriage, at least he should have a relationship, right?”
Gu Xijun had no choice but to divert the trouble. “Don’t worry, I am physically and mentally healthy. Having experienced love is normal. You should be concerned about Gu Lifan.”
Gu Lixuan, who became the focus: “?”
Shi Yi and Gu Shen looked confused. “Isn’t he currently dating Secretary Gu?”
Gu Lixuan: “???”
“No! We’re innocent!”
Why did it feel like the whole world thought he was dating Secretary Gu?
Gu Shen gave him another slap. “Feeling proud of your innocence, huh?”
Gu Lifan: “Being innocent is still better than Gu Qingyang, that scumbag.”
Gu Qingyang: “???”
Amidst the exchanges at the dining table and the mutual teasing among the brothers, only Gu Jinmian and Yin Moshu ate with ease.
Gu Jinmian minded his own business, happily enjoying the meal while watching the drama unfold. Under the table, both of his feet swayed joyfully.
Perhaps due to the excitement of his marriage, this topic had come up for the umpteenth time within the past six months. Every time it did, he found it amusing.
After a while, Gu Jinmian leaned in and whispered to Yin Moshu, “Are the three brothers really single?”
Yin Moshu found it hard to say.
Gu Jinmian also understood that, after being married for six months, he increasingly felt that the world couldn’t be entirely deduced from the content of the book. It evolved, and if it had been written by He Bujin in the outline, it probably wouldn’t deviate too far.
Yin Moshu thought for a moment and said, “The eldest brother probably has a friend who took the ball with her.” (TL: a girl is pregnant but does not choose to stay and give birth to a child. And instead, ran away with the little life in her belly.)
Gu Jinmian: “???”
His eldest brother had a brief relationship in college, who ran with a ball. That ball should be fifteen years old now.
Gu Jinmian was stunned.
“Could it be a genius youth coming back for revenge?”
He hadn’t read many stories about the domineering CEO’s wife taking the ball and running away, but someone had mentioned something like that once.
After four years, the wife returned to the country with their baby. The three-year-old genius spoke multiple languages, had various artistic talents, and might be a hacker!
Yin Moshu: “…”
He turned his head in silence and continued eating.
Gu Jinmian’s eyes lit up, while Gu Xijun’s gaze seemed off. Then Shi Yi and Gu Shen, both had a strange look.
After marriage, Gu Jinmian’s status at home had risen instead of falling. Shi Yi and Gu Shen felt the same way. Gu Jinmian had always been the most obedient and considerate son in their eyes, and now that he had grown up, he proved to be the most reassuring and considerate one.
Shi Yi asked him, “Jinmian, what’s going on?”
Gu Jinmian said, “There’s an auspicious light on Mom’s face.”
Gu Shen believed in this. He considered Yin Moshu as a mascot, and it had a filtering effect on Gu Jinmian. He quickly asked, “What auspicious light? Tell us.”
Gu Jinmian: “The auspicious light of having a house full of descendants. Mom and Dad are going to have a grandson or granddaughter.”
The other three brothers of the Gu family: “…”
Being unable to give their parents a grandchild was one thing, but helping others with matchmaking was another. Gu Shen was ecstatic and asked Yin Mosu, who nodded.
“…”
Being unable to give their parents a grandchild was one thing, but being adept at matchmaking for others was quite impressive.
They had just finished dinner and hadn’t left the dining table when the hardworking Secretary Gu arrived with documents and work.
Shi Yi pulled him over and asked directly, “Xiao Gu, are you dating Gu Lifan?”
Secretary Gu: “…”
Secretary Gu’s original surname was not Gu; it was Yang, and his name was Yang Qing. He was one of the children supported by the Gu family each year. Originally, it was challenging to notice him among the supported children. However, he became known when his foster grandmother passed away due to a car accident involving a rich second-generation individual, which went viral. Gu Shen only noticed him then.
After his only relative passed away, and given his exceptional intelligence, Gu Shen, who loved doing good deeds, decided to bring him here for schooling.
At that time, Secretary Gu was eight years old, the same age as Gu Lifan, so Gu Shen simply let him attend school with Gu Lifan.
They attended the same class from elementary school to high school, went to the same university, and even chose the same major.
After graduation, they entered the Gu Group together, advancing all the way to the present. Gu Lifan became the president, and Yang Qing became his secretary, managing the entire secretariat.
For more than twenty years, they had been inseparable, leading many people to believe they were a couple. Moreover, Gu Secretary was truly outstanding, even praised by Gu Jinning for contributing so much to the family.
For over twenty years, they have been inseparable, and many people think they were a pair.
And Secretary Gu was really good and great. Gu Jinmian once remarked that Gu Secretary had done a lot for the family.
Secretary Gu was involved in establishing the company, finding a house for rent, and even helping when Gu Jinmian wanted to become an agent—he provided materials and information for learning.
There were times when his elder brother and even his mother relied on Secretary Gu.
Secretary Gu was omnipotent.
For over two decades of being inseparable and contributing so much to the family, could it be that they were really not together?
Secretary Gu paused for a moment, remained silent for a few seconds, then shook his head and said, “No.”
The unanimous disapproving glances were directed at Gu Lifan.
Gu Lifan: “…”
Both Shi Yi and Gu Shen were disappointed. They knew how much Secretary Gu had contributed to the Gu Group over the years. They had hoped that when Secretary Gu and Gu Lifan got married, it would be a natural progression to allocate shares of the Gu Group to him.
However, unexpectedly, they did not have that kind of relationship.
Gu Shen’s expression grew heavy. He paced a few steps in the living room with his hands behind his back, saying, “Secretary Gu, take a three-month vacation abroad.”
Gu Lifan: “Huh? Three months!”
Secretary Gu was also surprised. Over the years, he had basically worked year-round, with very few complete days off. A sudden three-month vacation left him with an unreal and disoriented feeling, and he had no idea what to do with the time.
Gu Lifan saw Secretary Gu off. Although he hadn’t done anything wrong, he felt inexplicably guilty.
Having been together for over twenty years, Secretary Gu understood him too well. With just one expression, he could clearly discern what Gu Lifan was thinking. Before getting into the car, Secretary Gu said, “Working so hard, isn’t it for someone?”
Gu Lifan was taken aback for a moment. “Isn’t it for the Gu family?”
Secretary Gu nodded. “Yes, and I also enjoy the busy days of my career.”
Originally, he should have been a child of rural parents. It was the Gu family that allowed him to receive the best education from an early age, attend world-class institutions, and have such a significant platform. Grateful for this, he believed that the greatest goal in life was to give back.
He enjoyed being busy and managing things. Now, he couldn’t explain why, but he knew there were many complex emotions mixed in.
Secretary Gu ‘s clear eyes were hidden in the dim light, and he said to Gu Lifan, “Go back.”
Gu Lifan left. Just as he turned around, he said to Secretary Gu, “Come back soon.”
In the past, Secretary Gu responded promptly and efficiently to Gu Lifan’s requests. However, for some reason, this time there was no immediate response.
Gu Lifan returned with a troubled expression, exuding a hint of a bossy aura.
Coincidentally, Gu Jinmian and Yin Moshu happened to be on the way back to the small villa.
Gu Jinmian asked Yin Moshu, “Dad gave Secretary Gu such a long vacation, is it out of guilt?”
“Not entirely,” Yin Moshu replied. “For Second Brother, Secretary Gu is like air—indispensable but taken for granted. After some time, he should realize something.”
As Yin Moshu expected, Gu Jinmian noticed something abnormal about his second brother.
One night, he heard his usually good-tempered second brother’s yelling in the garden. “A million-dollar salary to support an assistant who can’t even format properly?”
Not long after, the assistant, sweating profusely, rushed out, leaving in a hurry.
During the first month of Secretary Gu’s departure, Gu Lifan was irritable, and nothing seemed to go smoothly at work.
During the second month of Secretary Gu’s absence, Gu Lifan’s work went smoothly, but he became silent and eccentric.
Secretary Gu went on a vacation to an island with sunshine, beaches, and handsome men.
Wearing a floral short-sleeved shirt and cropped pants, Secretary Gu played beach volleyball with a group of enthusiastic young people. After that, he took intimate photos and posted them on social media.
In the photos, Secretary Gu seemed to have liberated his wild side, completely different from his usual self, with a dazzling and radiant smile.
Members of the Gu family rushed to give likes.
Only Gu Lifan left a cryptic comment, “Don’t people in that country have any personal space?”
In the third month of Secretary Gu’s absence, Gu Lifan… went to find him.
One day, a month later, while Gu Jinmian and Gu Qingyang were secretly investigating their eldest brother’s university days, Gu Lifan voluntarily left the [Gu Family Four Bachelors] group chat.
Gu Jinmian: “…”
Now, only he and the eldest brother remained in the group chat.
At that time, he and Gu Qingyang were investigating their eldest brother’s first love, trying to find the lost grandson or granddaughter of the Gu family.
Actually, such matters didn’t require them to personally investigate; they could just hire someone. But when Gu Qingyang found out, he insisted on dragging him along, saying that it would show more sincerity this way.
Gu Jinmian couldn’t understand this sincerity.
Was it sincerity for the future sister-in-law and little nephew?
It wasn’t until he saw Gu Qingyang trailing behind a young teacher, smiling ambiguously, that Gu Jinmian finally understood.
Gu Jinmian: “…”
The teacher was wearing black trousers, a white shirt, and a gray cashmere vest. He didn’t possess the kind of striking looks at first glance, but had a unique charm.
With a copy of Nietzsche’s “The Birth of Tragedy” in hand, he casually pressed a corner of the book against Gu Qingyang’s chest, blocking any further approach with a nonchalant attitude. “Sorry, I do like men, but I have a serious virgin complex.”
Gu Jinmian: “…”
He bit down on his index finger joint with force, afraid that he might burst into laughter.
They had discovered something during their investigation. Their eldest brother’s university sweetheart was named Qin Xu, a campus celebrity known for her high intelligence and beauty. She was the one who pursued their eldest brother at the time, and they were the most famous couple in university. They were fine in their senior year, but for some reason, they broke up right after graduation.
One went into politics, and the other went abroad for further studies and scientific research.
Three years ago, Qin Xu came back once, but didn’t stay for long before going abroad again.
As to whether they had a child, it couldn’t be determined solely by them. Gu Jinmian was contemplating whether to tell his parents and elder brother about it because he wasn’t entirely sure.
Unexpectedly, three months later, while accompanying Yin Moshu for a roadshow at a well-known university, he made an unexpected discovery.
There were many fans present, and Gu Jinmian noticed someone peculiar.
Because she was very distinctive.
Compared to the surrounding university students, she was small, not someone from a university, but rather a junior high school graduate.
Her facial expression was very shallow, appearing a bit dull, yet she seemed to exude an age-inappropriate indifference and disdain.
What made it even more peculiar was that she was holding a support sign for Yin Moshu.
Even more noteworthy was the fact that this girl, with her messy, crooked ponytail, looked a lot like his eldest brother.
Gu Jinmian walked up to her in astonishment.
Most of Yin Moshu’s fans knew Gu Jinmian, but despite that, she still maintained a cold, proud, and somewhat indifferent demeanor, along with a touch of naivety, which made her stand out from the surrounding people.
Gu Jinmian asked, “Are you a fan of Yin Moshu?”
“Yeah.” She casually responded with a slightly husky voice, appearing particularly arrogant, “People of this age should pursue stars.”
“…” Gu Jinmian fell silent for a moment and then asked, “At this age? How old are you?”
“Sixteen.”
The age matched.
Gu Jinmian asked again, “Then why are you here? Is this university?”
She shrugged, “It’s a youth program. I’m about to graduate from university soon.”
Gu Jinmian: “…”
“Why do you like Yin Moshu?”
She replied, “I listed and observed all the celebrities in the entertainment industry for half a year. Among those with high education, high intelligence, and strong business abilities, Yin Moshu is the only one.”
Gu Jinmian: “…”
“Is your Mom Qin Xu?”
Out of love and trust for Yin Moshu, he hesitated and nodded.
“One last question.” Gu Jinmian cleared his throat, straightened up, and blinked at her, “Does my education and intelligence qualify me to be your little uncle?”
She: “…”
Six months later, Gu Xijun voluntarily left the “[Gu Family Four Bachelors]” group chat.
Gu Jinmian: “…”
Now, this “Bachelors” group only had Gu Jinmian left.
He thought for a moment, and added Yin Moshu to the group, turning the single-member group into a duo. The group name changed from [Gu Family Four Bachelors] to [A Pair of Little Single Men].
Yin Moshu: “?”
Gu Jinmian: “Big Brother, let’s be a pair of little single men together. No one is allowed to leave the group or get out of single status for a lifetime.”
Yin Moshu: “.”
The two, both married and displaying couple avatars, formed a pair of single men. They chatted in the single men group, saying some inappropriate and flirtatious things everyday.
