Chapter 6: Han Mo

Gu Jinghan's heart skipped a beat as he quickly denied it: "Don't talk nonsense! I did not!"

He Huanhuan immediately mimicked his eye-roll from earlier: "You just did it like that. I saw it."

Gu Jinghan was speechless. She really nailed the imitation!

"Jinghan?"

Old Mr. Gu looked at his second son: "Why are you rolling your eyes at your sister?"

Gu Jinghan pursed his lips at Gu Chacha: "She's been saying the same stuff for days, hasn't she? I'm sick of hearing it, Dad. Aren't you?"

"Jinghan."

Old Mr. Gu called his name in a warning tone.

Gu Jinghan couldn't help rolling his eyes again: "If you're really sorry, do something about it!"

"Right!"

He Huanhuan chimed in loudly.

Gu Jinghan felt emboldened: "What's the point of just saying you're sorry without actually doing anything?"

He Huanhuan nodded again: "Right!"

Tears streamed down her face as Gu Chacha said pitifully: "I don't know what I can do... I'm too young. I have nothing..."

Hearing that, Old Mr. Gu's heart ached for her. Chacha was only twenty; what could she possibly do?

Gu Jinghan shot her a glance: "Why don't you let her have the third floor?"

"Second Brother!"

Gu Chacha shrieked. How could she possibly stay in a guest room? It was so small! So shabby!

"No way!! Are you letting me stay on the third floor? That's way too luxurious!"

He Huanhuan's voice boomed out like a megaphone, drowning out Gu Chacha's screams.

She rushed over to Gu Jinghan and asked: "Oh my god! Are you a genius? How did you come up with that?"

The corners of Gu Jinghan's mouth lifted: "Our house has always had one person per floor!"

He Huanhuan turned to Old Mr. Gu: "Dad, can I stay there?"

She didn't ask Gu Chacha; she only looked at Old Mr. Gu.

Of course, she wasn't stupid. She could clearly see that Gu Chacha was trying to butter up their father.

So naturally, she'd direct the question to the person who actually had the say!

Her eyes were bright and full of anticipation as she looked at Old Mr. Gu.

For some reason, Old Mr. Gu nodded: "Of course you can. You're a child of the Gu family. You can stay wherever you want."

Gu Chacha panicked. If He Huanhuan was on the third floor, where would she go?

She looked at Old Mr. Gu with tear-filled eyes: "Dad, do you not like me anymore?"

Old Mr. Gu patted her hand: "How could I? You're my good daughter."

"Then..."

"So you'll definitely understand your father!"

Gu Jinghan cut her off abruptly: "Our house is only so big, and we can't just build another floor overnight. Chacha, you're so filial. You wouldn't make things hard for Dad, would you?"

If it's about playing innocent, who can't do that!

"Of course not! It's just..."

Her mind racing, Gu Chacha scrambled to save face: "It's just that I have so many things. I'm worried the guest room won't fit everything."

Yes! That was it!

The guest room was so small, and she had so much stuff. How could it possibly all fit?

She blinked, letting out a deliberately troubled sigh: "I have way too much stuff..."

Gu Jinghan barely held back another eye-roll: "You just don't want to move. You're faking it!"

He Huanhuan agreed: "Because she's a green tea [a dramatic, manipulative type]. They're all like that."

The two high-fived in sync, making Gu Chacha so furious that tears streamed down her face again.

"I'm not! I'm willing! It's just that I have too much stuff..."

"Put your things you don't need on the fifth floor. I still have plenty of space there."

Gu Jingchen suddenly spoke up, offering a solution.

"Big Brother?"

Gu Chacha couldn't believe that her eldest brother would side with He Huanhuan against her.

She looked at him with reddened eyes: "Big Brother, how can you..."

He was always so cold and rarely played around with her.

But ever since she was little, whenever she asked for something, he would give it to her.

That third floor was hers!

She had designed every detail with care. How could her big brother just make her move out?

Her heart was filled with grievance, and this time, she was genuinely about to cry.

But Gu Jingchen looked straight at her: "Since you said you wanted to make up for it, you have to follow through. You have to take responsibility for your words."

He wasn't a fool. He could see through Gu Chacha's hypocrisy.

Over the past two years, he had been busy with the company and had spent less time with her.

He didn't realize when she had picked up this manipulative act.

And then there was that fake fall to frame Huanhuan.

In that case, let her give up the third floor.

He had to make sure she faced the consequences of her mistakes so she would learn her lesson and correct her bad habits.

Gu Jingchen's ambiguous words made Gu Chacha feel a pang of guilt.

She didn't dare say another word and could only agree reluctantly: "Alright, I'll stay in the guest room. As long as Dad is happy, I'm happy."

But inside, her anger boiled uncontrollably. He Huanhuan! I'll make her pay!

Seeing her agree to give up the room, Old Mr. Gu beamed with approval and patted her affectionately: "Chacha has always been the most understanding one."

Gu Chacha nearly choked on her words. She didn't want to be understanding! She wanted the third floor!

She...

She nodded through her tears: "As long as my sister and Dad are happy, Chacha is happy..."

"Happy, very happy!"

Old Mr. Gu smiled and pressed the service bell: "Waiter, the bill, please!"

The door opened, and the server said politely: "Mr. Gu, the bill for this room has already been settled."

Old Mr. Gu turned around in surprise: "Settled?"

The server nodded: "Mr. Han Mo is in the room next door. He took care of it."

Old Mr. Gu raised an eyebrow: "Han Mo is here too?"

As if hearing Old Mr. Gu's voice, footsteps echoed in the hallway.

A young man appeared at the door, looking to be in his twenties.

He was tall, with long legs, and a tailored black suit made his figure look even more striking.

His sharply defined eyebrows gave him a serious demeanor. Standing at the door, he greeted Old Mr. Gu respectfully:

"Uncle Gu, what a coincidence. I didn't want to interrupt your family reunion, so I didn't come over earlier. As an apology, I took the liberty of settling your bill. I hope you don't find my manners lacking."

His humble attitude pleased Old Mr. Gu, who smiled and pulled him inside: "You young man, always so polite."

Leading him over to He Huanhuan, Old Mr. Gu introduced her: "This is my daughter, Huanhuan."

Han Mo offered a polite smile: "Hello."

He Huanhuan nodded: "And hello to you."

She thought the pleasantries would stop there.

But Han Mo followed up: "Are you settling into Jiangcheng okay?"

He Huanhuan just nodded without a word.

She didn't even know this Han Mo. What was there to say?

She didn't have anything to say, but Han Mo had plenty to ask.

He looked at her and asked: "Sorry I missed the family dinner today. Are you free tomorrow? I'd like to take you out to eat."

He Huanhuan's eyes went wide: "Do we even know each other? Why would you want to take me out to eat?"

Before Han Mo could answer, Old Mr. Gu chuckled and accepted on her behalf:

"Huanhuan just arrived in Jiangcheng and doesn't have many friends yet. Xiao Han, if you have time, after the meal, why not show her around town a bit?"

Han Mo nodded: "Sure. I'll pick you up at the Gu residence at ten tomorrow morning."