From the chatter of a female student nearby, Jiang Mo learned a few things about Huo Nanyin.
No wonder they say you can't judge a book by its cover.
After the lecture ended and the students had left, Jiang Mo approached the podium to help pack up.
"Nanyin-jie, how come you never mentioned that you got into A University at just 16?"
Huo Nanyin seemed accustomed to such questions and smiled. "It's really nothing. I was just young and started school a bit earlier, that's all."
Jiang Mo knew this was modesty speaking—was it really just a matter of starting school early?
Huo Nanyin suggested, "The campus food isn't bad. How about we have dinner here?"
Jiang Mo agreed. She'd heard the food was not only delicious but also cheap.
Later that night, after freshening up, Huo Nanyin found Jiang Mo. "Xiao Mo, you've worked hard these past few days. You should go home tomorrow. I’ll be fine—my sister is coming to see me."
Jiang Mo scratched her head. "I’ll let Young Master Gu know then."
Only then did she realize that Young Master Gu hadn’t messaged her in the last couple of days.
Had their conversation that night not gone well?
She sent a message explaining the situation and soon received a reply.
Gu Xun responded with a single word: "Fine."
While Jiang Mo was pondering Young Master Gu’s love life, Gu Ye rushed home under the moonlight.
Hearing the commotion, Wang Xia came out with a smile. "You're back! Rest a bit. Have you eaten? Want me to fix you something?"
"I ate, but I’m hungry again. Got anything tasty but not fattening?" Gu Ye dropped his luggage and sprawled on the sofa.
"Of course! Just wait—I’ll whip something up." Wang Xia cheerfully returned to the kitchen to work her culinary magic.
Gu Baotian emerged from his bedroom for some water and only then noticed his grandson in the living room.
"When did you get back?"
"Just now, Grandpa," Gu Ye adjusted his lounging posture. "It’s almost 10 PM—why aren’t you asleep yet?"
"What, you think old folks don’t know how to use phones? With smartphones around, who goes to bed at 10?"
Gu Ye muttered, "Isn’t the saying ‘early to bed, early to rise’ for seniors?"
Gu Baotian retorted, "That’s because the old-timers back then didn’t have smartphones to keep them up!"
He sat beside Gu Ye with his teacup, watching his grandson scroll through his phone before glancing at the screen.
"Why does this video look like it’s about you? Quite vain, searching for yourself online."
"Grandpa, listen carefully—is this video praising me?" Gu Ye felt unfairly accused.
Frowning and squinting, Gu Baotian said, "Then what’s it saying? Turn up the volume—let me hear."
Ordinary people couldn’t escape criticism, let alone celebrities. Where there were fans, there were detractors.
Gu Ye often stumbled upon posts about himself while browsing social media.
This time, he’d come across a video roasting him—no surprise there.
Just as he was about to listen, Gu Baotian’s curiosity got the better of him.
The more the narrator spoke, the more irritated the old man became. "This guy’s just spouting nonsense!"
"He’s slandering you!"
Seeing his grandfather genuinely upset, Gu Ye patted his back. "Grandpa, in this industry, no one escapes criticism."
"If they said your acting needs work, fine, but questioning your sexuality? That’s just throwing mud!"
Gu Ye didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
Grandpa was brutally honest.
Gu Baotian continued his rant: "And what’s this about ‘having connections’? Does he think I didn’t work hard? Don’t they know I’m the biggest ‘connection’ here?"
"I’ve already told Huang Ling—"
Gu Ye’s ears perked up. "Grandpa, you know my agent, Huang-jie?"
Caught, Gu Baotian sighed. "Fine, no more hiding. I admit it."
"Of course! How could I let you dive into the entertainment industry without keeping an eye out? If I couldn’t stop you, at least I’d make sure people knew you weren’t to be messed with."
"Did you… invest behind the scenes too?"
Gu Baotian coughed. "Just a little. Supporting your career."
Gu Ye was stunned. He knew his grandfather meant well, but why had Huang-jie never mentioned it?
He’d thought his identity as a wealthy second-generation heir was still under wraps.
"Thanks, Grandpa. I’m touched," Gu Ye said. "But you could’ve told me."
"I was against it at first—had to save face," Gu Baotian grumbled. "Don’t get too emotional. It was just a small investment."
The tsundere old man. Gu Ye smirked.
Still bothered, Gu Baotian asked, "Can’t we report that video?"
"You even know about reporting? So modern," Gu Ye replied. "Yeah, we can report blatantly false rumors."
Wang Xia brought out the late-night snack and asked Gu Baotian, "Want some, Old Master?"
"No, my appetite’s not what it used to be," he waved off.
Gu Ye took a bite of the beef with silky eggs and gave a thumbs-up. "Delicious, Wang Ma!"
"Glad you like it," she beamed.
Between bites, he asked, "Where’s Jiang Xiao Mo in Jiangcheng?"
Gu Baotian answered, "She’s accompanying your brother on a business trip."
"With my brother? Out of town?" Gu Ye paused. "That’s not what she told me—she said she was in Jiangcheng."
"No way. Impossible. I couldn’t have misheard." Gu Baotian looked to Wang Xia for backup.
Quick on her feet, Wang Xia said, "Maybe she was away earlier but came back recently. She’ll probably return to work after resting."
She then took Gu Ye’s luggage upstairs to unpack.
After finishing his snack, Gu Baotian stood. "I’m heading to bed."
It was 11 PM—if even the elderly weren’t sleeping early, why would the young?
Gu Ye messaged Jiang Mo and, as expected, caught her awake.
Gu Ye: "I’m back. When are you returning?"
Jiang Mo: "What a coincidence—my job’s done. Coming back tomorrow."
Gu Ye propped his chin on his hand, staring at his phone. "Then I’ll play chauffeur and pick you up."
Jiang Mo sent a "Thank you, kind sir" meme: "Much obliged, our benevolent Gu Ye."
He cheered softly, then cleared his throat. "Don’t stay up late. Get some rest."
At breakfast the next morning, Su Yunjin watched her son come downstairs. "Thought you’d skip breakfast again to sleep in."
Gu Ye pulled out a chair. "Got things to do today. Heading out."
Su Yunjin casually asked, "What’s so urgent? You just got back—can’t you stay home and rest?"
"I haven't seen my friend in a while—just catching up," Gu Ye offered as an excuse.
