After Su Yunjin finished her massage, Gu Ye eagerly handed her a glass of water. "Look at you talking like that—you used to say I was the most considerate and caring person."
Su Yunjin smiled but didn’t argue.
Of her two grown sons, the elder was somewhat aloof and had already moved out, making him a rare sight at home.
The younger one, however, was warm, talkative, and sweet-tongued.
Seeing her son finally showing some thoughtfulness, Su Yunjin felt a sense of comfort. "Well, it’s the thought that counts. I’ve already bought plenty of health supplements, so you don’t need to get me any."
"And another thing, son—if you’re going to give gifts in the future, you can’t just ask the person directly. You should buy them first to make it a surprise."
"I know, I’m not that clueless," Gu Ye sighed. In hindsight, he should’ve just sneaked into his mother’s room to check instead of asking.
No sooner had the thought crossed his mind than he sprang into action, dashing upstairs.
He went to the master bedroom on the third floor, found the health supplements Su Yunjin was taking on the dresser, and snapped a photo.
Then he hurried back down and sidled up to Wang Xia. "Auntie Wang, if there’s any heavy lifting to be done around the house, just let me know."
Wang Xia quickly replied, "There’s nothing like that to do here."
The whole scene made Su Yunjin shake her head in amusement. Youth truly was a boundless well of energy.
Later, when no one else was around, Wang Xia sorted through some newly delivered items and whispered to Jiang Mo, "You and Xiao Ye usually get along well—has he been acting strange lately? Like something’s bothering him?"
Jiang Mo shook her head. "Not that I know of."
Wang Xia sucked in a breath. "Then why is he acting so odd today?"
Jiang Mo shrugged. "Who knows?"
Having failed to make an impression during the day, Gu Ye found another opportunity that evening.
Gu Guofeng had a business dinner and didn’t return until past ten.
Seeing Gu Baotian and Gu Ye still in the living room, he asked, "Dad, why aren’t you in bed yet at this hour? Xiao Ye, have you been keeping your grandfather up again?"
Gu Baotian glanced at Gu Guofeng before turning back to scrolling through Douyin with his reading glasses on.
"Grandpa’s not being kept up by me—it’s his phone," Gu Ye said, catching a whiff of alcohol. "Dad, you’ve been drinking again."
Gu Guofeng replied, "It’s a business dinner—how could I not drink? You think I enjoy it, you brat?"
"Dad, I know it’s tough. I just meant you should try to drink less—it’s not good for your health," Gu Ye said. "I’ll go get you some sobering tea from the kitchen."
Once in the kitchen, he saw Wang Xia about to bring out some soup and quickly intercepted her. "Auntie Wang, let me handle it."
He then peeked into the small side room next to the kitchen and greeted the person inside. "Uncle Li, having a late-night snack?"
Li Daming looked up and replied, "Yeah, just grabbing a bite."
Gu Ye nodded. "Enjoy your meal. I’ll head out now—gotta bring Dad his sobering soup."
Gu Guofeng took a few sips of the soup his son handed him and was about to seize the moment for some father-son bonding when Gu Ye abruptly turned and went back to the kitchen.
Li Daming, comfortably settled in the side room, was enjoying his meal. Working for the boss meant unpredictable hours, but at least his wife worked at the Gu household, so he could always grab a bite when hungry.
Mid-bite, he looked up to see Gu Ye return and sit down across from him.
"Uncle Li, just having dumplings? Want me to whip up something else to go with them?"
"No, no, dumplings are perfect. I love dumplings," Li Daming said, slowing his chewing in mild confusion at Gu Ye’s sudden presence.
Gu Ye smiled. "Really? I love dumplings too."
Li Daming tentatively offered, "You want some?"
"I’m not hungry. Don’t mind me—just couldn’t sleep and thought I’d chat with you," Gu Ye said, rubbing his hands along his jeans.
Li Daming nodded, assuming it was just a case of youthful insomnia.
Gu Ye got up to pour himself a glass of water and took a sip. "Uncle Li, what do you think of my career?"
"You’re a big star—glamorous and dazzling," Li Daming chuckled. "Your ads are plastered all over the shopping malls."
"Ah, you’re exaggerating," Gu Ye said, pressing further. "Have you ever watched any of the dramas I’ve been in?"
That stumped Li Daming.
He knew Gu Ye was an actor, but he couldn’t recall actually watching any of his shows.
Not wanting to sound rude, he hedged, "You’re very handsome in them!"
Father and daughter truly were alike—Gu Ye immediately recognized that Li Daming hadn’t watched them either.
Then again, the dramas he starred in weren’t exactly Li Daming’s demographic.
"Something wrong with your career?" Li Daming asked. Surely not—the Gu family had investments in it.
Gu Ye shook his head. "No, just making conversation."
"With looks like yours, you must have tons of girls swooning over you. Your shows must be popular," Li Daming said, polishing off the last of his dumplings.
His phone screen lit up with a Taobao link for fishing rods.
Gu Ye glanced over. "Uncle Li, you into fishing?"
Li Daming replied, "Oh, just browsing. Saw some videos online and thought it looked fun."
"How about we go fishing together sometime?"
Li Daming’s eyes widened. After a pause, he said, "Uh… sure, why not?"
Meanwhile, Gu Guofeng, noticing his son had been in the kitchen for ages, went to investigate what he was up to.
To his surprise, he found Gu Ye and Old Li chatting away like old friends.
Since when were they this close?
Without a word, Gu Guofeng quietly retreated.
Having made his presence known to Li Daming, Gu Ye stood up once the older man finished eating. "Well, Uncle Li, I’ll head upstairs now. You should rest soon too."
After Gu Ye left, Li Daming replayed the odd encounter in his mind.
Once he’d washed the dishes, he went to his room and asked Jiang Mo, "Did anyone upset the young master today?"
Jiang Mo didn’t look up. "Dad, have you been watching short dramas too?"
"Not my thing," Li Daming said. "But haven’t you noticed? Xiao Ye’s been acting strange today."
Wang Xia, overhearing, wholeheartedly agreed. "Old Li, you feel it too? The boy’s been acting downright peculiar."
"Yeah, way too enthusiastic," Li Daming said, lowering his voice. "Guess what he told me?"
Wang Xia glared. "Spit it out—no need for suspense."
Li Daming coughed. "He said he wants to go fishing with me."
Jiang Mo frowned. Since when were Gu Ye and her dad on such friendly terms?
Him gaming with her brother made sense, but fishing with her dad? What was that about?
Poor Gu Ye, just trying to make a good impression and get closer to Jiang Mo’s family, only to be written off as "acting weird" by Wang Xia and her husband.
