Chapter 112 Day 3 of Transmigrating into a Vintage CEO Novel

Chapter 112: The Third Day of Being Transmigrated into a Classic CEO Novel

The banquet lasted late into the night. When the various branches of the Gu family had dispersed and the clamor subsided, the Gu family’s old mansion quieted down, revealing the inherent stillness and emptiness of the grand old mansion.

Apart from the servants silently cleaning up, only the core members of the Gu family remained in the vast living room: Old Master Gu, still imposing; Gu Xinghui and his parents—the eldest son Gu Chengsi and his wife Zhao Manyin; An Yi, whose presence was so faint he was nearly lost in the shadows; and Gu Mingzhi, who had drawn countless gazes and suspicions since his return.

Gu Chengzai sat on the main sofa, rubbing his brow, revealing a barely perceptible trace of fatigue.

His gaze swept over everyone, and finally, as if just noticing An Yi in the corner, he casually gestured and said simply to Gu Mingzhi, "That's An Yi, your Uncle An's grandson. He's staying in our home now."

His tone was as flat as if he were introducing an old item left untouched for years, lacking warmth yet not intentionally harsh.

He then pointed at Gu Mingzhi and said to An Yi, "You haven't met him yet. This is my youngest son, your uncle."

An Yi, upon hearing this, stepped slowly out of the shadows and stood where the light was a bit brighter.

He truly did not mind being treated as invisible by the Gu family.

This adoption was a turning point for the original host, but for the Gu family, it might have been merely a responsibility based on old ties—affection was plenty, but kinship was lacking.

Raising him to this age was a favor, not an obligation.

The original host had seen this clearly, so his heart was undisturbed, let alone himself.

Gu Mingzhi's gaze followed the old master's direction and truly landed on An Yi. The fleeting glimpse from the banquet now came into focus.

In the light, An Yi's figure appeared even more slender and tall. He wore a simple cream-colored cashmere sweater, its soft, form-fitting fabric outlining smooth shoulders and a flat abdomen.

His skin was a cool, pale complexion, as if rarely seeing sunlight, so delicate that the faint blue veins underneath were nearly visible.

Especially striking were his hands—long fingers, well-defined knuckles without being bony, with healthy pink tips, casually hanging by his sides. There was a strange beauty that intertwined fragile vulnerability with serene strength.

When he slightly raised a hand, the sweater's cuff slipped down a bit, revealing the pale blue veins beneath the cold white skin near his slender wrist, like hidden rivers under ice, exuding an ascetic, intriguing fragility.

"Uncle," An Yi began, his voice clear, warm, and steady, with just the right tone, devoid of flattery or fear, like a stream flowing over smooth pebbles, crisp and melodious: "Welcome back."

Gu Mingzhi's deep eyes lingered on his face and hands for a moment. He nodded slightly in response, his voice seeming slightly slower than when speaking to the old master, low and magnetic: "Mm, hello."

Just a brief encounter, a simple greeting, but it inexplicably drew his attention.

Not just the extraordinarily handsome appearance, but also the quiet, detached temperament that seemed out of place here, and... that beautiful voice.

Uncle? He silently repeated the address in his mind.

He wondered how An Yi had grown up, speaking differently from everyone else, with an indescribable, refined and classical elegance. Hearing it gave him a faint, unfamiliar tingle down his spine.

Gu Xinghui, watching this brief exchange from the side, inexplicably felt a surge of inexplicable anger.

Because of Meng Nianwei, he had long seen An Yi's "feigned gentleness" as hypocritical, convinced it was a pretense.

And as for this young but powerful, imposing uncle Gu Mingzhi, due to his father’s frequent complaints and warnings, and his own deep-seated fear of family power, he harbored deep resentment.

Now seeing these two standing together, though with little exchange, there was an indescribable magnetism that made him extremely uncomfortable.

Gu Xinghui's father, Gu Chengsi, standing beside the old master, also looked displeased.

He was mediocre in ability, barely managing to maintain the status quo. Facing this younger brother, who was exceptionally capable and sharp, and who had long controlled the Gu family's overseas lifelines, he always felt a kind of invisible pressure and humiliation.

Being completely overshadowed by a brother much younger than him was an unspoken pain.

Obviously, his younger brother wasn't much older than his own son!!

As for An Yi, the couple had always been indifferent—an insignificant foster child, not worth any attention.

Gu Chengzai ignored the undercurrents among the younger generation. He took a sip of hot tea and said in a deep voice, "Mingzhi, you've come at the right time. Xinghui's company just took on a few new projects. The young man still lacks experience. You should help him out and keep an eye on him."

These words seemed like advice but implied that Gu Mingzhi should assist the future heir.

Zhao Manyin immediately chimed in with a smile, "Yes, Mingzhi. Xinghui is young. Having an experienced uncle like you to guide him would put our minds at ease."

She then added, seemingly casually, "By the way, Xinghui, Miss Lin of the Lin Group will be visiting next week. Make sure to entertain her well and get along."

She stressed the words "get along."

Gu Xinghui's face instantly tightened, and his fingers curled involuntarily.

He wanted to retort, to protest this blatant arranged marriage, but catching his father's warning look and his grandfather's stern gaze, he took a deep breath and swallowed the words that had sprung to his lips.

For... to ultimately control his own fate, to gain enough power to protect Nianwei in the future, he had to endure for now.

Comments section:

"Honestly, I'm so done with this male lead..."

"When will the author stop writing this kind of plot?!"

"How long is this frustrating story going to go on?! Has the author run out of ideas?!"

"Doesn't this idiot of a male lead have anger issues? Does he only throw tantrums in front of the female lead?"

"Not just that—he also loses it in front of his subordinates. He picks his targets! Bullying the weak, right?"

"He can't even act tough at home!"

"He's just a coward!"

"He doesn't think he's being 'patient and bearing humiliation,' does he? (Rolls eyes)"

"Puke..."

"Gross..."

"..."

After a few more forced exchanges of trivial talk—all Gu Chengzai's inquiries to Gu Mingzhi and the cautious, agreeable murmurs of Gu Chengsi and his wife—the atmosphere remained subtly strained.

Gu Chengzai finally showed signs of fatigue and waved his hand dismissively. "Alright, everyone's tired. Go rest."

The old master stood up first, supported by the butler, and left.

Gu Chengsi and his wife immediately followed, bringing Gu Xinghui, each lost in his own thoughts, with them. Soon, only Gu Mingzhi and An Yi remained in the living room.