Chapter 12: Gu Qichen's Secret

Two in the morning. In the platinum suite of the “Night Emperor” Bar, three men—Mu Liancheng, Ah K, and Xue Shaotang—sat with arms linked, staring intently at Gu Qichen, who sat alone on a sofa.

Mu Liancheng yawned. “What’s with Young Master Gu today? He dragged us out this early morning, not drinking, not talking. Seems like he just wanted to mess with us.”

Ah K rubbed his chin. “Second Brother’s acting unusual. He seems heartbroken.”

Xue Shaotang slapped Ah K’s head. “Kid, get your nose out of those numbers and look at the news once in a while! Didn’t you see Manbing publicly proposed to him? After all these years, he finally gets the girl. I bet he called us to show off.”

Ah K rubbed his head. “But Second Brother doesn’t seem happy.”

Their attention returned to Gu Qichen. They scrutinized his face, like studying a rare artifact, finally concluding he was suffering from pre-wedding jitters.

Just then, the door opened. Shen Shichuan entered.

Xue Shaotang called out, “Chuan, look! Your brother-in-law’s being a bully. He’s about to get married and he called us single guys here to show off his pre-marital jitters. It’s unbearable!”

Shen Shichuan smoothly walked over and dropped a bombshell. “He got married three months ago.”

The group stared, dumbfounded. “If he’s already married, why the proposal? Your circle sure knows how to party.”

Shen Shichuan dropped another bombshell. “He married a 20-year-old, not Manbing.”

Watching their shocked faces, Shen Shichuan felt strangely satisfied. They couldn't believe the famously single Young Master Gu had married so quietly, and to such a young woman.

Mu Liancheng teased, “An old cow eating young grass, eh?”

Xue Shaotang retorted, “Liancheng, you’re no better. Your child bride just turned 20 today.”

Mu Liancheng’s face soured. “Don’t mention that annoying girl. My mother’s been pressuring me to consummate the marriage now that she’s on summer vacation. It makes me want to leave home.”

The others sympathized; they’d heard Mu Liancheng’s child wife was unattractive and unsophisticated. While another wife is usually welcome, this one was less than ideal.

Gu Qichen muttered, “How could she do this to me, that heartless woman!”

His outburst stunned them. All eyes turned to Shen Shichuan.

Shen Shichuan explained, “His wife went abroad with another man for a half-month vacation. When she returned, she gave him divorce papers.”

Gasps filled the room.

“That’s cold-blooded!” exclaimed Xue Shaotang.

Ah K fumed, “Who is she? I’ll hack her computer, find her nudes, and post them online. Second Brother, I’ll get revenge for you!”

Xue Shaotang warned, “You dare expose your Second Brother’s wife’s nudes? Aren’t you afraid he’ll kill you?”

Mu Liancheng stood, sat beside Gu Qichen, put an arm around him, and comforted him. “Brother, sometimes life requires wearing the metaphorical green hat. Take it easy; it’s not the end of the world.”