Gu Chao smiled. "What, is my brother-in-law not to your liking?"
"He's been eating pregnancy meals with me lately. Look how chubby he's gotten. If this keeps up, you won't even recognize him when he comes over."
Just as the saying goes, speak of the devil and he appears. Qin Yan pushed open the door and saw the three siblings. He froze for a moment, then immediately broke into a smile as he walked over.
"A Chao, Nanzhou, when did you get here? Why didn't you call?"
"Just arrived." Gu Chao stood up and gave him a slight smile. "My sister called and urged us, so we didn't dare not come."
Qin Yan chuckled. "It's the New Year, you should come by and sit, keep your sister company. I've been busy with business lately and haven't had time to spend with her."
Gu Chao watched him sit down beside Gu Nanxi, quietly asking if she was tired today and if there was anything she wanted to eat that the nanny could make.
They were supposed to be guests too, but they were left hanging while watching the couple shower each other with affection.
Qin Yan was a simple, honest man who ran a small business to support the family. Though he had no major virtues, he doted on Gu Nanxi enough. Over the years, Gu Chao and Sheng Nanzhou had seen it all and held great respect for their brother-in-law.
"A Chao, what do you two want to eat? I'll have Aunt Lin make it."
"I'm fine with anything, don't go to any trouble." Gu Chao glanced at Gu Nanxi and smiled lightly. "I just came to see you all."
Gu Chao was reserved by nature, but Sheng Nanzhou could always find topics to chat about with Qin Yan. At the dinner table, the two played drinking games.
Gu Nanxi urged Sheng Nanzhou to drink less and glared fiercely at Qin Yan. "He drove here. If you get him drunk, how's he supposed to get back?"
"It's rare for him to come home. Stay over, stay a couple of days before leaving."
Gu Chao swirled the cup in his hand, watching them interact like real brothers, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
Gu Nanxi noticed him from the side and let out a worried sigh.
Gu Chao turned to her. "Sis?"
"Your personality is just too reserved. You like to bottle things up. If you had half of Nanzhou's carefree attitude, I'd have less to worry about."
He and Sheng Nanzhou, as boys at an age meant for rebellion and defiance, were more sensible than their peers in listening to her.
Perhaps it was this kind of upbringing that made them mature and considerate, rarely causing her concern—except for major matters like starting a family.
No matter how much she nagged, they wouldn't listen.
Gu Chao rotated the cup with his long fingers and smiled at her. "Sis, I'm all grown up now. I'm not that little kid who depended on you anymore. You have your own family; don't always worry about us."
"What nonsense is that?" Gu Nanxi shot him a displeased look. "You two will always be my brothers, and we'll always be family. Whenever I call and tell you to come home for dinner, you better come running, got it?"
Gu Chao gave a helpless smile. "Got it."
...
After they finished eating, Sheng Nanzhou was dead drunk. Gu Nanxi, worried, wouldn't let them leave. Gu Chao hoisted his arm.
"It's fine, I'll take him home."
"Is that okay? Why don't you both just stay?"
"I didn't drink." Gu Chao easily controlled the drunk Sheng Nanzhou.
Gu Nanxi wasn't keen on letting them go, but Gu Chao insisted on taking Sheng Nanzhou away. He didn't want his drunk brother to trouble his pregnant sister, nor did he want her to have any worries at this critical time.
Watching them leave, the nanny reminded her it was cold outside and to go inside early.
Once in the car, Sheng Nanzhou sobered up quickly. Gu Chao fastened his seatbelt and gave him a faint glance, knowing the kid had been faking it.
"I didn't want to get nagged by sis all night. She and brother-in-law are so lovey-dovey; being a third wheel is too much." Sheng Nanzhou pulled a cigarette from his pocket and lit it, but just as he put it in his mouth, a hand shot over and tossed it out the window.
"Come on, what kind of fancy car is this that I can't even smoke in it?"
Gu Chao stared straight ahead. "No."
Sheng Nanzhou had no choice with his older brother. He pouted. "Take a detour and drop me off at the police station."
"What, trying to be a model citizen and sober up in jail?"
"..." Sheng Nanzhou rolled his eyes. "I need to find Tang Beiqiu. The boss has orders."
Hearing it was for Shen Xiaoxing, Gu Chao remembered that the couple had been on vacation in New Zealand. It was baffling that Shen Yu hadn't made a move, so he couldn't help but ask.
"What did he ask you to do?"
"They were attacked in New Zealand this time. The boss got shot in the arm, and the young missus got hit in the shoulder." Sheng Nanzhou sighed slightly. "Anyway, they're still recovering there. Ye Feng sent me the video of their injuries and told me to hand it over to Tang Beiqiu first."
Gu Chao turned the steering wheel with one hand, his gaze slowly turning cold. "Did they find out who did it?"
"Shen Tingfeng, that bastard."
"Did he say when he'd make a move?"
"He told us not to tip them off first. He'll deal with Shen Tingfeng when he gets back."
Gu Chao nodded. Since the man had his own plans, they wouldn't interfere, to avoid alerting the second branch and drawing suspicion to themselves.
With the topic over, Sheng Nanzhou found it too boring. He glanced at him. "Bro, sis said this year we need to find women and get married. Every time we come home for dinner, we get pressured. You can handle it, but I can't."
"Got any good ideas?"
"That's why I'm asking you." With that, Sheng Nanzhou suddenly had a brainstorm. He smiled mysteriously. "How about we hire a girlfriend every time we come back?"
"..."
Feeling creeped out by his stare, Sheng Nanzhou raised an eyebrow. "What? I just want to stop her from worrying about us."
"Good idea."
"You agree?" Sheng Nanzhou smirked triumphantly. "Then next time, I'll find a few girls. I guarantee they'll be good actors. She won't suspect a thing. I'll find them, you pay."
"..."
...
After several hours, their helicopter finally landed on the lawn behind the villa. The man was helped down by Han Chong and settled into a wheelchair.
Due to the temperature difference, An Ruo was wrapped in a wool coat. She walked over to push him, but Han Chong beat her to it.
"Madam, let me handle it."
She was pregnant, and Shen Xiaoxing had specifically instructed that she must not be put in any danger or strain. An Ruo was now fragile, and they dared not be careless.
Hearing from the servants that they were back, An Che was so excited he didn't even put on a coat. He sprinted to the yard, and seeing their familiar figures, he wanted to give them a bear hug.
Seeing him spread his arms to hug An Ruo, Han Chong immediately reached out to stop him. "Young master, take it easy."
An Ruo also realized she was pregnant. The impulsive force of An Che's charge could have endangered the baby.
She stood on tiptoe, patted An Che's head, and smiled. "Why are you running so fast? You didn't even put on a coat."
"Sis, didn't you say you'd be back in a few days on your business trip? Why were you gone so long? It's been a month!"
"Something came up." An Ruo didn't want to tell him about the attack, to keep him from overthinking.
The man reminded them from the side. "Let's talk inside."
"Sis, why are your hands so cold?" An Che held her hands and tried to take off his coat to put it on her.
An Ruo stopped him, preventing him from taking it off, and smiled lightly. "It's a bit cold after getting off the plane. It'll be fine once we're inside."
The siblings chatted and laughed as they walked ahead, while the man, with a faint expression, was pushed behind by Han Chong. During their time alone, An Ruo had been so clingy with him, but now that they were back, she had forgotten all about him.