Chapter 22: Has Mr. Gu’s Brain Gone Haywire?

Whenever Gu Qichen was mentioned, Xia Yangyang’s eyes dulled.

Wen Xiaochu asked, “Why did you two argue? Was there a misunderstanding?”

Xia Yangyang, full of grievances, explained the situation.

After hearing Xia Yangyang’s account, Wen Xiaochu found it hard to believe. “He actually suspected you and Gu Zhaohan? That’s far-fetched! Has Mr. Gu’s brain gone haywire?”

After venting, Xia Yangyang felt better. However, she slumped onto the sofa, deflated, and unwilling to move. “Men,” she sighed, “not a single good one.”

Wen Xiaochu agreed, “Men are all jerks.”

“Yes, all jerks,” Xia Yangyang echoed.

Mu Liancheng, having just changed clothes, passed the slightly ajar guest room door and overheard their conversation. A smile played on his lips, barely suppressed laughter. He then took his car keys and went to the garage.

On the 99th floor of the Shengyuan Group’s office, Mu Liancheng found Gu Qichen standing forlornly before the floor-to-ceiling window. Mu Liancheng walked over, sat in Gu Qichen’s office chair, tossed his car keys onto the desk, spun the chair around, and sighed. “It’s not easy being the emperor,” he said. “So busy with state affairs, still reviewing reports in the middle of the night. Better to be like me, a carefree king.”

Gu Qichen finally turned. He glanced at Mu Liancheng and said flatly, “Your good days are numbered. I hear your brother is making waves in the Mu family. The old lady won't tolerate it. Just wait; you'll soon be summoned to take up a post.”

The Mu family, though with few descendants, had complex relationships. The old lady, widowed early, single-handedly ran the vast Mu family business. She had only one son, Mu Huaijin, who, in his youth, insisted on marrying He Yun, a divorced woman with a child. Despite the old lady’s objections, he married He Yun, and her son, Mu Lianjue, was adopted into the family. Mu Lianjue, Mu Liancheng’s half-brother (from the same mother but different fathers), had no blood ties to the main Mu family line and was five years older.

Mu Liancheng and Mu Lianjue didn’t have a good relationship, and the old lady didn't particularly favor her “grandson.” However, after a family tragedy—Mu Huaijin and his wife died in a plane crash—the old lady, deeply affected, put Mu Lianjue in charge of company matters and began training him. Mu Liancheng was young at the time, and the old lady had limited energy. Her intention was to have a handyman for Mu Liancheng, but within a few years, Mu Lianjue gained significant influence and formed his own faction.

This alarmed the old lady. Even as a half-member of the family, she wouldn't allow the Mu family business to fall into the hands of someone without blood ties. Therefore, she’d been urging Mu Liancheng to take up a position in the company.

Mu Liancheng was extremely annoyed.

Gu Qichen’s accurate observation made Mu Liancheng sullen. “Actually, I think it’s fine leaving the company to him. He’s willing to work hard. I just want my shares and dividends. I’d rather live comfortably. The old lady doesn’t understand my dreams.”

“And what are your dreams?” Gu Qichen asked.

“To be a complete loaf,” Mu Liancheng replied.

Gu Qichen: […presumably a reaction is implied here.]