Chapter 365: What Did You Do Behind My Back?

Jiang Ruan knew Gu Heng was spending the New Year alone. Although she had asked why, Gu Heng remained silent on the matter, his expression turning somewhat sad and lonely.

“It’s rare for you to be home, so spend more time with your family.”

“Don’t worry about me. I won’t be bored tonight.”

Gu Heng thought of Lin Qingge’s impending arrival, and the corners of his lips couldn’t help but curl up slightly.

‘Bored?’

‘Not a chance!’

“Hm?”

“I feel like your expression is a little off.”

Among his many women, Jiang Ruan was probably the one who understood Gu Heng best. After all, the two lived under the same roof, spending their days and nights together, plumbing the depths of philosophy. Moreover, Gu Heng rarely hid his true nature from her.

Now, seeing the subtle shift in Gu Heng’s micro-expression, she immediately sensed that something was off, though she couldn’t quite put her finger on what it was.

“Ooh!”

“Is that my brother-in-law?”

“So you weren’t just bragging, Sis! Your brother-in-law is for real handsome!”

Just as a suspicious look appeared on Jiang Ruan’s face, her cousin, Jiang Xinjie, who had snuck up behind her at some point, suddenly peeked his head over her shoulder.

“You little brat!”

“Where did you pop out from?!”

Jiang Ruan jumped in surprise, and her fair face instantly flushed red. “Go on, get out of here!”

“Aw, come on, let me see my brother-in-law…”

Jiang Xinjie grinned, refusing to leave.

“Fine.”

“If you won’t go, then don’t go.”

“I’ll just go have a chat with Third Aunt about you dating someone last year.”

As she spoke, Jiang Ruan made a move to walk out.

THUMP…

Hearing this, Jiang Xinjie instantly dropped to his knees before Jiang Ruan.

“Big Sis!”

“I didn’t do well on my finals this year, and my mom still hasn’t completely cooled down about it.”

“If you tell her about this now, I’ll be toast right in front of you tonight.”

As he spoke, Jiang Xinjie slid on his knees toward the exit. Once he reached the door, he shot Jiang Ruan an appeasing smile, then shouted, “Brother-in-law, I’m Jiang Xinjie! Happy New Year! I hope you and my sis stay sweet together~”

After saying his piece, Jiang Xinjie didn’t give Jiang Ruan a chance to reply, quickly shutting the door and making a hasty retreat.

With Jiang Xinjie calling Gu Heng “brother-in-law” repeatedly in front of her, Jiang Ruan’s face was about to turn completely crimson. Just as Jiang Xinjie closed the door, an adult’s voice came from outside.

“Xinjie, what’s with that posture? Why are you on your knees?”

“Hahahaha, First Uncle, I saw the floor was a bit dirty, so I’m wiping it with my knees.”

“I just heard you yelling ‘brother-in-law’? Your brother-in-law is right here, isn’t he? Who were you shouting to in there?”

“The other brother-in-law, of course~”

“Your big sister’s boyfriend? You just saw him? Quick, tell us what he looks like! Are he and your sister a good match?”

“They’re not just a good match, they’re a perfect match, a match made in heaven!”

…

Listening to the voices from outside, Jiang Ruan’s fair face was now completely flushed.

“That little brat!”

“Just you wait and see how I deal with you later!”

Jiang Ruan lightly bit her pearly teeth, her expression a mixture of shy and annoyed.

“Was that your younger brother?”

Gu Heng had heard the entire exchange, and seeing Jiang Ruan’s flustered expression, he couldn’t help but smile faintly.

“My cousin. My third uncle’s son.”

Jiang Ruan nodded.

“He’s interesting.”

Gu Heng saw a bit of Wan Jiakai in him; he used to be just as wildly playful. It made him feel a sense of familiarity. “Did you mention me to your family just now?”

“You had me bring back way too many New Year’s gifts.”

Jiang Ruan said in a low voice, “And it was Maotai and other expensive liquor and cigarettes… I could never afford those things, so I had no choice but to bring you up.”

At this point, her expression grew a little anxious.

“Gu Heng…”

“You don’t mind that I mentioned you, do you?”

“Don’t worry, I didn’t reveal your identity to them, and I’ll make sure they never disturb your normal life.”

Jiang Ruan knew very well that she was Gu Heng’s woman in practice but not in name. She was afraid that by exposing him to her family today, he would feel his boundaries had been crossed or misunderstand her intentions.

“It’s fine.”

“It wouldn’t matter even if you told them my identity.”

Gu Heng knew what Jiang Ruan was worried about, so he said gently, “If your aunts, uncles, or cousins have time to visit Beichun, I’ll host them.”

Hearing Gu Heng’s sincere words, Jiang Ruan’s heart warmed, and her eyes filled with tender affection.

“Alright now~”

“You’re home, so go spend time with your family~”

“I’m about to have dinner over here, too~”

Behind Gu Heng’s seemingly caring urgency was the fact that he was calculating the time, guessing that Lin Qingge should be arriving any moment.

“Okay~”

“You eat well, then~”

“Love you~”

After she said this, she glanced behind her furtively, then, with a rosy face, blew a kiss at the phone screen.

Having done all this, she shyly ended the video call.

Seeing the video call disconnect, Gu Heng stood up from the sofa, stretched, and then took a walk around the dining area.

Although it was just Gu Heng and Lin Qingge tonight, the two chefs from Banquet Fusion had prepared enough food to fill the entire round table.

From things that fly in the sky, swim in the sea, and run on the ground—they had truly prepared everything imaginable.

Gu Heng picked up his chopsticks and casually tried a couple of dishes, and each one was a pleasant surprise.

At the same time, two short honks from a car horn sounded from the courtyard.

Gu Heng looked up and saw the Lorinser that he had sent to pick up Lin Qingge pulling up to the villa’s entrance.

“Hurry and come in.”

Gu Heng strode over to open the door, welcoming the travel-worn Lin Qingge inside.

“Gu Heng~”

“Happy New Year~”

Lin Qingge, still carrying a chill from outside, threw herself into Gu Heng’s arms, bringing with her a refreshing, subtle fragrance.

“Qingge, Happy New Year~”

Gu Heng gently stroked Lin Qingge’s soft, long hair as he returned her greeting.

Even though it had been over half a month since they last met, thanks to that one night’s “deep throat” experience, there was naturally no strangeness between them now.

“Wow!”

“Your place is huge!”

After they separated, Lin Qingge looked at the magnificent yet understatedly luxurious interior and couldn’t help but exclaim in amazement.

“It’s alright.”

Gu Heng watched Lin Qingge take off her down jacket, revealing her slender and delicate figure underneath. He smiled and said, “You were live for four hours straight. Want to go upstairs and take a shower before dinner? The New Year’s Eve feast isn’t quite finished yet anyway.”

“A shower…”

Lin Qingge blinked. “Is that… convenient?”

“What do you think?”

Gu Heng gave her a half-smile. “Don’t tell me you’re planning to leave after dinner?”

“If Chairman Gu is willing to have me, I certainly won’t want to leave.”

Lin Qingge said, feigning a pitiful look, “But if Chairman Gu isn’t willing, then I’ll have no choice but to go home all by my lonesome.”

“Stop being a drama queen.”

“Hurry up and go take your shower.”

“There’s a pajama set for you in the master bedroom. Come down for dinner after you’re done.”

Gu Heng knew Lin Qingge was just putting on an act. The two had already talked each other through self-pleasure sessions before. When Gu Heng called her today and asked her to come over for New Year’s, she probably already understood what would happen tonight.

The unfinished business from that other night would most likely be continued tonight.

“Hehe…”

“Alright, I’ll go upstairs and wash up. I did get a little sweaty.”

Lin Qingge smiled at Gu Heng. “I’ll be down soon. Fifteen minutes!”

“Go on.”

“Second floor, to the left.”

Gu Heng pointed the way for her.

“Okay~”

Lin Qingge didn’t dally, walking briskly toward the elevator, while Gu Heng returned to the dining room.

While they were talking, the two chefs from Banquet Fusion began the finishing touches. Seeing this, Gu Heng handed them the red envelopes he had prepared. Although each only contained two thousand yuan, it was more than enough to make the two chefs feel deeply grateful.

After all, it was their job to come and cook for Gu Heng. It would have been perfectly reasonable even if he hadn’t given them a single cent. Receiving a two-thousand-yuan tip now was a complete and unexpected windfall.

After sending the two chefs off, only he and Lin Qingge remained in the house. He adjusted the living room TV, then sat down at the round table, waiting for Lin Qingge to finish her shower so they could begin their meal…