Chapter 111 — Something Seems a Bit Off [Begging for Monthly Tickets, Third Bonus Update]
The Blossom Guardian · Page 2 of 2
"Since you don't, then you two should get along well. You're all of the same generation, and it sets Daddy's mind at ease to see you have company..." Hearing his daughter's answer, Gu Pengzhan nodded in satisfaction.
Gu Mengyao sighed. This was practically inviting a wolf into the house -- an innocent young girl like her, living under the same roof as some foul man... Of course, that was not the most infuriating part. The most infuriating part was that Wei Zhao seemed to have no interest in her at all.
The dishes were soon brought out one after another. It was clear the chefs here had put great care into preparing this family dinner. The dishes were nothing extravagant -- all very ordinary home-style cooking -- but both their color and their presentation were meticulously arranged.
At Gu Pengzhan's station in life, he no longer had any interest in rare delicacies; what he needed was food that was flavorful and healthy.
Since Gu Pengzhan had told Wei Zhao not to stand on ceremony, Wei Zhao obliged—who would quarrel with his own stomach? There was no point in putting on airs anyway; his relationship with Gu Pengzhan was purely employer and employee, so excessive politeness was uncalled for. And so, beneath Gu Mengyao's look of contempt and Shen Yushu's astonished gaze, Wei Zhao ate with gusto...
Gu Mengyao felt a wave of revulsion. Brother, could you not embarrass me... You're supposed to be my follower, after all... She stole a glance at Shen Yushu and, finding no particular surprise on her face, breathed a small sigh of relief...
Hmph, just a follower, that's all. Why should I care about him so much? Whether he eats himself to death is none of my concern. Thus did Gu Mengyao console herself.
By the end of the meal, Wei Zhao had eaten the most of anyone. Gu Mengyao's patience finally ran out: "Wei Zhao, are you planning to ask for a doggy bag too?"
"Uh... that was indeed my plan." Wei Zhao nodded.
Gu Mengyao was speechless; Shen Yushu smothered a giggle; but Gu Pengzhan still wore a smiling expression as he watched Wei Zhao. Ever since the business at the bank last time, Gu Pengzhan's impression of Wei Zhao could not have been better. He had heard the old man of the family grumble about it before, but Gu Pengzhan had never taken it seriously. Now it seemed his father's judgment of people was still quite accurate.
"Yaoyao, you and Xiaoshu go down with Uncle Qing first. Xiaoyi and I will take care of the leftovers." Gu Pengzhan rose to look for takeout boxes. Gu Mengyao was somewhat dumbstruck—her father was hardly a lavish man, but he had never asked for a doggy bag before, had he?
Shen Yushu, however, was watching Gu Pengzhan thoughtfully, a flicker of something inscrutable passing through her eyes before she quickly composed herself and took Gu Mengyao's hand. "Yaoyao, let's go on ahead..."
"Oh..." Gu Mengyao was baffled by her daddy's behavior but did not feel it proper to ask. In any case, she was certain that Daddy's attitude toward Wei Zhao seemed better than toward herself. What was that about? He was just a hired follower...
Uncle Qing walked ahead to fetch the car, while Gu Mengyao and Shen Yushu followed behind. Gu Mengyao felt Shen Yushu tug at her hand.
"Hm? Is something the matter, Xiaoshu?" Gu Mengyao looked at Shen Yushu, who was walking rather slowly, with some puzzlement.
"Yaoyao... I have a feeling..." Shen Yushu hesitated a moment, then voiced her thoughts after all, though the bewilderment of that brief instant earlier she buried deep in her heart.
"A feeling? What feeling?" Gu Mengyao stared at her, even more at a loss, having no idea what she was talking about.
"Yaoyao, haven't you noticed? Uncle Chu's attitude toward Wei Zhao... doesn't it seem a little off?" Shen Yushu said in a lowered voice.
"Yes... Xiaoshu, you noticed it too?" Gu Mengyao had been puzzling over precisely this question a moment ago, and now that Shen Yushu had voiced it, she nodded again and again.