Chapter 16

Chapter 16

It was summer break, and nearly all high schools in Ming City were on holiday.

Yet, today, two lines of people stood at the entrance of Ming City Private High School. The school gate was adorned with festive red banners, uniformly proclaiming congratulations to "XXX for being admitted to XXX University." The largest and widest banner, draped right above the main gate, instinctively drew the eye of every passerby.

It read:

"Congratulations to our school's outstanding student, Gu Yubai, for triumphantly clinching the top honor, making our school the provincial champion in the joint examination for three consecutive years!"

As was widely known, to promote students' mental well-being, the education bureau no longer permitted schools to overtly print the phrase "top scorer in the college entrance examination."

This, however, did not deter the school from subtly flaunting its students' exceptional achievements.

Beneath the main banner, a smaller line of text, with the last four characters in uppercase pinyin, declared:

"—Ming City's top science scorer, ranked third nationally, this year's 'LI KE ZHUANG YUAN'."

A dozen teachers, summoned early by the principal to welcome officials from the education bureau and media reporters, stood in two rows. Each time their gaze fell upon the banner, a spontaneous smile touched their lips.

Undoubtedly, Gu Yubai was the indisputable science champion of this graduating class.

His results were a solid third nationwide. The moment Gu Yubai's scores were announced, the entire Ming City education system erupted in joyous celebration.

It had been many years since the provincial top scorer hailed from Ming City.

The education bureau promptly contacted Ming City Private High School, inviting outstanding graduates from other schools to join a grand celebration held on the school's sports field.

Gu Yubai had arrived early.

As this year's top scorer and undeniably the most celebrated student of the day, Gu Yubai had a demanding schedule.

At 7 a.m., a reporter from the provincial television station joined him in a quiet classroom.

Under the camera's gaze, Gu Yubai sat upright, a gentle smile gracing his face. Following the pre-arranged script, he filmed an interview video for later broadcast, in which he shared his study methods, experiences, and daily routines.

By 8:30 a.m., the interview concluded. Gu Yubai was then escorted by his homeroom teacher, who had been waiting outside the classroom, to the sports stadium across from the school.

Not only Ming City Private High School but also other high schools from Ming City had gathered. Students, clad in different colored uniforms, stood in separate groups, looking up at the stage where over a dozen leaders in black suits delivered speeches.

Backstage, Gu Yubai was handed a giant, oversized ceremonial check, clearly stating: "Reward of 100,000 RMB to Gu Yubai, this year’s Science Top Scorer from Ming City Private High School."

Gu Yubai was not the only one holding a mock check. Other students from various schools, who had achieved outstanding results and secured early admission to prestigious universities like Tsinghua and Peking University, were also on the reward list.

----------

A girl with a ponytail, wearing the same blue-and-white striped school uniform as Gu Yubai, stealthily squeezed herself between him and the second-place student.

"Class President Gu, why isn't Gu Yihong here? Even though he's not eligible for the education bureau and school awards, his overall grades are quite good. I saw online that his scores are high enough to apply to most universities nationwide. Why didn't he come to accompany you? Doesn't he love you anymore?"

Gu Yubai smirked, turning his head slightly to whisper back.

"Looking for Gu Yihong? He went traveling."

Song Yao clicked her tongue. "No wonder that brother-loving guy isn't here. I thought he'd stick by you for every highlight moment."

Her tone carried a hint of sarcasm, and Gu Yubai couldn't help but chuckle softly.

Song Yao was the class representative from the neighboring class. She and Gu Yubai often met in the teachers' office, and over time, they naturally became friends.

Gu Yihong often clung to Gu Yubai during school and was quite displeased with this "study buddy" whom Gu Yubai acknowledged. The two occasionally bickered.

"By the way, our two classes are planning a group outing after we fill out our college applications. We've already discussed it in the group chat—we'll rent a bus and go hiking in the next city over. Since they couldn't reach you or Gu Yihong, they asked me to notify you today. Make sure you both come! I'll send you the specific time and location later."

"Got it," Gu Yubai replied with a smile.

Song Yao paused, then suddenly frowned.

"Oh, and isn't today Gu Yihong's deadline for the Su family? I don't think those Su folks have any intention of apologizing to Gu Yihong. I couldn't reach him, so remember to comfort him. Not all parents are as biased as the Su parents. If Gu Yihong is still upset, tell him that I, Song Yao, am willing to be his mom! His real mom!"

She pounded her chest, her eyes blazing with determination.

Then, the next second, she couldn't help but burst into giggles.

"That... won't be necessary."

Gu Yubai's brow furrowed. He and Gu Yihong were brothers. If Song Yao became Gu Yihong's "mom pain-free," wouldn't he have to change his address for her too?

It was too awkward.

Even in his previous life, Gu Yubai never understood what these students found so amusing about such abstract jokes. This time around, he had no intention of delving deeper.

As the two whispered, their homeroom teacher circled around and placed a flower crown on Gu Yubai's head.

The moment Gu Yubai reached up to touch it, the teacher playfully swatted his hand.

"Don't take it off! The leaders specifically instructed that the top scorer wear this 'zan hua' (flower adornment)! But since a single flower wouldn't stay on your short hair, the principal had a florist weave you a flower crown."

"How handsome—a young man adorned with flowers."

The homeroom teacher chuckled mischievously, then sternly reminded Gu Yubai.

"Don't remove the flower crown until the event concludes."

Gu Yubai was torn between laughter and exasperation.

Everyone knew the historical tradition of "zan hua" for top scholars. Gu Yubai understood the education bureau leaders' excitement and appreciated their gesture. But the principal was too literal—couldn't they have just tied a plastic stem to a single flower and pinned it to his head? Now, Gu Yubai felt like a girl who loved to dress up and be flamboyant.

If he had a say, that flower should have been placed on Song Yao's head.

Song Yao was pretty and had long hair; the flower crown wouldn't look out of place on her. But on him, a boy, wearing such a thing seemed utterly incongruous.

"Doesn't it look strange?"

"Not at all, haha! I already took a photo and sent it to the class group. Everyone says you look very handsome. Many people regret not coming to see the excitement today."

Gu Yubai: "..."

Soon, it was time for the students to make their appearance.

With the flower crown on his head and the giant ceremonial check in hand, Gu Yubai stood at the very center. Reporters' cameras clicked away relentlessly, and Gu Yubai felt his smile stiffen considerably.

After the photo session, Gu Yubai followed the protocol, shaking hands with each education bureau leader on stage.

Finally, the group stood together on stage, collectively shouting "Cheese!" towards the green field below.

*Click*—the moment was preserved.

In the photograph, the handsome young man, encircled by others, wore the flower crown. His posture was tall and slender, his features clear and fair. The golden midday sun bathed his blue-and-white striped school uniform, as if draping him in a golden veil, imbuing him with an inexplicable, sacred divinity.

-----

After leaving school, he didn't go home. Instead, he went straight to Ming City Public Hospital to arrange the discharge of his comatose adoptive father, Gu Mingliang, who was still asleep.

The paperwork had just been completed, and before he could even leave the hospital, he stepped out of the elevator and came face-to-face with a vaguely familiar man.

The man had not yet met Gu Yubai in this lifetime, but Gu Yubai had seen him before—by Su Wanlin's side in his previous life.

This man was the distant cousin of Su Wanlin's assistant. Uneducated and without connections, he primarily worked as a driver and rarely appeared in public, privately assisting Su Wanlin with illicit activities.

Gu Yubai slowed his pace. The man, busy on a phone call, accidentally brushed against Gu Yubai's shoulder as they passed each other. Both stopped simultaneously.

Gu Yubai waved his hand, signaling he was fine. The man nodded in acknowledgment but remained focused on his call.

"Understood, Chairman Su. I'll make sure to surround Gu Mingliang's hospital room; no one will take him away. But don't worry, Chairman Su, my team is professional. The hospital won't suspect a thing."

"Rest assured, Chairman Su. If anyone comes to visit Gu Mingliang, we'll detain them."

The elevator doors closed completely behind him. Only then did Gu Yubai finally stop walking.

A cold smirk touched his lips. He lifted his foot again and headed toward the large rental van in the parking lot.

Sitting in the passenger seat, he tilted his head slightly toward the waiting driver.

"Let's go."

The hospital was unusually crowded at the moment, so the van slowly crept toward the exit.

Gu Yubai turned his head and looked through the transparent glass separating the driver's seat from the back compartment. Inside, a soft bed had been set up—and lying on it was none other than Gu Mingliang, the comatose patient, the very man the caller had been tasked to find.

The van turned onto the main road from a side exit. Just then, a man rushed out of the hospital entrance in a panic.

His face was frantic as he scanned the surroundings, but finding nothing, he reluctantly pulled out his phone again.

"Chairman... Chairman Su, something's gone wrong. We were too late—someone took Mr. Gu Mingliang away before we arrived."

"Yes, yes, I'll check all hospitals and rehabilitation centers in Ming City immediately. I'll contact you as soon as I have any leads."

------------

This had been an unusually long stretch of overtime.

After nearly 36 hours of continuous work at the company, Yu Li and Assistant Jin finally felt the first real signs of fatigue.

Assistant Jin handed Yu Li a cup of coffee and, noticing the dark circles under his eyes, couldn't resist suggesting,

"President Yu, we've booked a room for you at the hotel nearby. Perhaps you should rest there for a while."

Yu Li glanced down at the stack of documents on his desk—all processed—then took a sip of coffee. Leaning back, he closed his eyes as if dozing.

Just as Assistant Jin was about to leave, Yu Li suddenly spoke, his tone thoughtful.

"Today is the deadline Gu Yihong gave the Su family, isn't it? Has Su Group responded yet?"

Assistant Jin checked his phone and shook his head.

"No. The Su family still seems to think Young Master Gu Yihong is just being difficult. But I just received word that Mr. Gu Mingliang, the comatose foster father from the Gu family, has been transferred out of Ming City Public Hospital. His whereabouts are unknown—the Su family hasn't found him yet."

"However, I believe Mr. Gu Mingliang's discharge proves Young Master Gu Yihong's resolute stance against the Su family. I wonder how the Su family will respond to Gu Yihong's counterattack tomorrow."

Assistant Jin instinctively looked at Yu Li, only to find a strange, faint smile on the man's face.

He froze momentarily, confused, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his expression.

"Did I say something... wrong?"

Gu Yihong's decision to go on a trip at this time clearly showed his intention to abandon the Su family. No matter how the Su family responded, Gu Yihong would not compromise. He wouldn't even acknowledge their reply, and his silence alone would push the Su family, already under public scrutiny, back into the spotlight.

"You're absolutely right."

Yu Li let out a low chuckle, standing up and grabbing his blazer before walking out of the office.

Before stepping into the elevator, Yu Li turned to Assistant Jin and said, "You can call it a day and head home on your own. I'll drive back myself."

Running his thumb over the antique-bronze house key beside his car key, a flicker of amusement and something softer gradually surfaced in his eyes.

Did Gu Yihong arrange Gu Mingliang's transfer?

No, this was unmistakably someone else's handiwork.

-----

By the time Yu Li returned to Gu Yubai's home, it was still noon.

Gu Yubai, who had taken the day off work, wasn't home. The sun was still blazing outside, but Yu Li was exhausted. After a quick shower, he yanked the curtains shut and closed his eyes under the cool breeze of the air conditioner.

He was out cold.

At some point, Yu Li faintly heard his phone ringing.

Still with his eyes closed, he dug his phone out from under his pillow and rasped out a low "Speak."

Amidst the sound of a gentle breeze and flowing water, Yu Li heard Gu Yubai's voice, hesitant and a little embarrassed.

"Uh... President Yu, do you have a moment? C-Can you come pick me up? My ride ditched me on the highway."

Still drowsy, Yu Li's eyes snapped open. A sliver of moonlight cut through the curtains.

Suddenly, he realized one thing.

It was already dark.