Chapter 8 features somewhat exaggerated performances
After several days of drifting snow, it finally stopped. Gu Jiusi had been busy at the company for half the morning, and as he sat down in his seat feeling warm and cozy, he tilted his head and saw the sunlight streaming in just right outside the window
Although she later spent a long time by his side, perhaps learning to conceal her feelings, or perhaps compelled by circumstances to compromise, the disdain in her eyes was almost imperceptible. However, every time Chen Mubai thought of it, it felt as if a thorn had grown in his heart, causing an unbearable pain and itch.
Uncle, Aunt.
Chen Mubai traced the patterns on the porcelain cup and said, "You know, when others call me 'Young Master Mu', I can sense the respect in their tone, but when you call me 'Young Master Mu', it always feels like a provocation to me"
Chen Mubai means that she is not unaware, but rather... she does not dare to take the risk, as she cannot afford to lose
Gu Jiu Si's smile remained undiminished, "Why do you say such a thing?"
Chen Mubai glanced at her and said, "This move has been used too frequently, just moments ago it was employed."
... ...
Chen Mubai spoke casually, yet he finished his meal completely. Gu Jiu thought about clearing the dishes, but he stopped her and looked at her leisurely for a long time before speaking, "Sit down, shall we have a chat?"
Chen Mubai let out a cold snort, yet there was no disdain or mockery on his face. "Is this your first day getting to know her? Even if she is hot, she wouldn't utter a word; she is just a block of wood"
Chen Mubai looked at her expressionlessly and summarized his remarks, "The acting is somewhat exaggerated"
Her tone was light and breezy, with the corners of her lips slightly raised, her smile shallow yet lonely
Moreover... Gu Jiu Si paused for a moment, raised her gaze to meet his openly, "Moreover, I am Chen Mingmo's person."
Gu Jiu Si was well aware of his own situation and saw no need to conceal it, "I am certain that I am not. But I am equally certain that I am not one of your 'own people'."
Chen Mubai took a few bites, raised an eyebrow at Gu Jiusi, displaying the demeanor of a debauched young master who had eaten but did not wish to pay. "I must say, Gu Jiusi, what you have made is truly... increasingly unpalatable..."
Chen Mubai later thought that it didn't seem right; she couldn't possibly be the legendary Nine, Gu. How could someone like that be content to do these things by his side
Jiang Shengzhuo: "Get lost!"
Indeed, just two minutes after Jiang Shengzhuo entered Chen Mubai's office, Gu Jiusi heard a commotion coming from inside.
Gu Jiu Si composed herself and called out, "Young Master Mu, shall we do it again?"
From this point onward, the following scenes have been continuously enacted
He only felt that the scene before him was very familiar, yet he could not recall where he had seen it. The answer was right in his mind, but he just could not grasp it.
In recent years, her path has become increasingly difficult to navigate, requiring her to tread carefully with each step. She finds herself contemplating three steps ahead for every single step she takes, and she has grown increasingly hesitant to move forward, settling instead for maintaining the status quo
Gu Jiu Si squinted his slightly painful eyes, trying to look at the sun. The sun, warm and radiant, passed through the glass, dancing lightly as it intertwined. He slowly reached out his hand, wanting to grasp the golden rays of light. Chen Mu Bai had just stepped out of the office and was about to say something, but he was stunned by the scene before him, forcibly swallowing the words he was about to utter.
Gu Jiu Si was awakened by the sound of footsteps. As she regained her senses, she saw Jiang Shengzhuo leisurely walking in. Just as she was about to stand up, she noticed Jiang Shengzhuo waving at her with a mischievous expression, then pointing to Chen Mubai's office and saying, "You carry on with your work, I am looking for Chen San'er"
Gu Jiu Si put away her acting skills and lazily leaned back in her chair, "With so many people afraid of you, having one more or one less makes no difference. If I were to be afraid of you like they are, wouldn't that be rather dull?"
In fact, he has heard even harsher words, but he never expected Gu Jiusi to take it so lightly
Chen Mubai only glanced for a few seconds before quickly returning to the office
Chen Mubai watched as the water droplets slowly slid down, the once clearly visible name gradually becoming blurred. He sighed, his beautiful brows furrowing, murmuring softly, "Gu Jiu Si, who exactly are you..."
Jiang Shengzhuo and Chen Mubai have been playfully fighting since childhood. The two boys, with their exquisitely beautiful features that evoke jealousy, look remarkably pleasing even when they are bickering, so no one takes it seriously. The ultimate conflict between Jiang and Chen was ignited by the fact that Chen Mubai's distant cousin married Jiang Shengzhuo's distant uncle. I still vividly remember the situation that day:
Gu Jiu Si suddenly smiled, her voice becoming much lighter, and she half-jokingly asked, "Is Master Mu trying to persuade us to surrender and seek peace?"
"Gu Jiu Si, if you do not even regard yourself as a person, then truly no one will regard you as one either." His tone was also casual, devoid of any discernible emotion. "In fact, you have been trained very well by Chen Mingmo, but you lack your own thoughts. A person without their own thoughts will ultimately only be a pawn, destined to be abandoned one day. After all these years in the Chen family, you should know how tragic the fate of Chen Mingmo's discarded pawns can be."
Chen Mubai smiled and retorted, "How can you be so sure?"
Chen Mubai stared at her for a long time, squinting his eyes as he asked, "Gu Jiusi, do you particularly dislike me?"
One of my cousins' uncle was smiling and responding, but who would have thought that in the next second it would turn out like this
The winter sunlight is gentle and brilliant, casting down a golden glow, generous and dazzling, making it impossible to feel the biting cold wind outside, and bringing a warm feeling to the heart as well
She has been by his side for several years, silently playing the role of an inconspicuous assistant. Although she is called an assistant, she neither flatters nor fawns over him, and rarely speaks more than a few words. When pressed, she would force a smile and engage in idle chatter with him, as if those glorious days had nothing to do with her. What exactly happened? How did she end up reduced to being a pawn in Chen Mingmo's game?
Chen Mubai was kicked and, in a fit of anger and humiliation, exclaimed, "Jiang Shengzhuo, you old man!"
"And books are not..." Chen Mubai detected the sarcasm in Gu Jiusi's words and realized that the topic had reached its conclusion. Not wishing to continue the conversation, she pointed to the bowl and chopsticks in front of her, accompanying her self-deprecation with, "I am just... overindulging after a full meal"
Not long ago, Jiang Shengzhuo's beloved Qiao Lexi was driven away by his "ex-girlfriend" Meng Lai's manipulations, and Meng Lai immediately turned to Chen Mingmo's bed. Jiang Shengzhuo felt angry but was unable to confront Chen Mingmo. As the saying goes, debts incurred by the father must be repaid by the son, so he often went to Chen Mubai to annoy him and vent his frustrations.
Did it burn her?
Jiang Shengzhuo immediately lifted his foot to kick him, "Get lost!"
Chen Mubai curled his lips into a mischievous smile, "Do I still need to teach you what to do?"
Two individuals, who used to playfully bicker and fight, have grown up and learned to restrain themselves. Although they no longer pinch each other upon meeting as they did in their childhood, they still glare at each other with disdain. It is well known to outsiders that the third young master of the Chen family and the fourth young master of the Jiang family cannot sit at the same table for a meal.
Jiang Shengzhuo: "Get lost!"
"You seem to be quite unconvinced? Are you really not afraid of me at all?" Chen Mubai suddenly became interested
Call uncle
I dare not. The voice was flat and unperturbed, as if it were merely a mechanical response to a standard answer. How could Mu Shao think this way?
Chen Mubai quickly regained his composure and turned to leave the study, where Chen Jingkang was standing upright at the door.
"Because we are of the same kind, people can always sense their kind at the first moment." Chen Mubai squinted his eyes and began to reminisce, "When I first entered the Chen family, I was just like you, not fond of speaking, wearing a cold expression towards everyone. But later, I learned to smile at them, no matter how much I despised them inside, I would not show a hint of it on my face, still able to smile at them, because I knew that only by smiling at them could I protect myself and survive. Therefore, I also know how to distinguish whether a person's smile is genuine or fake. Therefore, I also know how to distinguish whether a person's smile is genuine or fake.
Gu Jiu Si nodded
Gu Jiu Si, in fact, you do not want to smile at me, do you?" Chen Mu Bai looked at Gu Jiu Si for a while, changed his posture, and said, "Oh, no, it's not just me; it's everyone. You just know that you need to use a smile to protect yourself. Am I wrong in saying this?
Chen Mubai: "Jiang Xiaosi, your uncle has married my cousin, shouldn't you call me uncle?"
Because of this address "Young Master Mu," Chen Mubai suddenly became angry. He had a feeling that her lowered head was not a sign of respect towards him, but rather a means to conceal the disdain in her eyes. Although she repeatedly called him "Young Master Mu," appearing to be very respectful, in reality, she looked down on him from the bottom of her heart
Sister, Brother-in-law
People in this industry are all gamblers, and those who excel do so with a nonchalant attitude, attributing their success to good luck. However, where is there so much good fortune? It is merely the result of careful consideration and deliberation before making decisions. Yet, people never inquire about the process; they only focus on the outcome. How many are aware of the hardships involved
In fact, when he asked Gu Jiusi just now, he did not intend to hear her answer. She has always been meticulous in her thoughts and leaves no room for error in her actions, even maintaining her cup of tea at a temperature that is neither too hot nor too cold, ready to be sipped at any moment. If she did not want him to know about her past, she would not reveal any flaws. However, today she took the initiative to expose this vulnerability. In the past, countless people sought his guidance, so he understands how rare the content behind Gu Jiusi's words "feeling" truly is. If she did not want him to know about her past, she would not reveal any flaws. However, today she took the initiative to expose this vulnerability. In the past, countless people sought his guidance, so he understands how rare the content behind Gu Jiusi's words "feeling" truly is.
Chen Mubai : `` ... ... ''
After Chen Mubai finished speaking, he stood up and walked downstairs, while Chen Jingkang, who had received tacit approval, smiled as if the peach blossoms were blooming in March
Gu Jiu Si's originally upturned lips slowly retracted as she coldly looked at him, "On what basis do you say that I am afraid"
It's just acting, who can't do that
"Provocative and beautiful!" Chen Mubai was not angry; instead, he smiled and asked, "But are you sure that Chen Mingmo considers you one of his own?"
Gu Jiu Si immediately wore a face of exaggerated fear towards Zhang, the librarian, while continuing to provoke, "Young Master Mu, I hold you in great respect as well"
Chen Jingkang was taken aback, "Uh... I didn't notice, but judging by Sister Gu's reaction, it shouldn't be hot"
The feeling of being seen through is quite complex. Gu Jiu Si tried hard for half a day but could no longer manage to force a smile, and could only respond stiffly, "I have learned my lesson."
Gu Jiu Si immediately turned pale, "How could this be?!"
Chen Mubai did not answer her, "Are you afraid? The more afraid you are inside, the happier you smile on the outside."
Chen Mubai arrived downstairs and happened to see Gu Jiusi carrying a bowl of noodles out of the kitchen
Chen Mubai: "Jiang Xiaosi, call uncle!"
Jiang Shengzhuo laughed, "Hehe, our old man is the eldest son, I don't have an elder uncle!"
"Indeed, that makes sense," Chen Mubai nodded in agreement and said, "Please continue."
After speaking, he pushed open the door to Chen Mubai's office and swaggered in
Chen Jingkang did not pay attention to Chen Mubai's words, and with some excitement, he rubbed his fists together, "How should we deal with that woman? How dare she bully Sister Gu!"
Others say that I am merely a dog raised by Chen Mingmo. If having milk means one is a mother, then if I were to be betrayed, I would truly be worse than a dog
"Speak," Chen Mubai said as he walked. It was only after he settled onto the sofa outside the study that Chen Jingkang began to speak, slowly recounting the events of the day. When he mentioned that Gu Jiusi had been splashed with water, Chen Mubai gestured to interrupt him.
Gu Jiu Si stood quietly with her head lowered, knowing that he was not nitpicking; it was indeed her fault. The weather had been overcast for several days, and her right hand was hurting quite a bit. Given the circumstances, the noodles she made tonight were already quite good.
Chen Mubai remained relaxed in demeanor, but upon hearing these words, his index finger twitched slightly. He closed his eyes, and when his thin eyelids opened again, nothing could be discerned.
Gu Jiu Si stood up again to clear the dishes and returned to the kitchen. In the moment she turned around, her smile vanished, and the expression on her face became serious