Chapter 23: Not Allowed
When Li Ye invited Gu Yu to discuss countermeasures, Gu Yu refused directly before Li Ye could finish speaking. Then, under Li Ye’s regretful expression, Gu Yu got up and left the private room.
He originally wanted to turn around and leave the restaurant immediately, but the Chubby Chef had been lying in wait at the door for a long time. In the end, Gu Yu didn’t manage to leave and was dragged to the back kitchen by the Chubby Chef to help taste the sweet dishes.
Finally, it wasn’t until close to lunchtime that Gu Yu reluctantly returned home, managing to catch lunch with them.
Although the Chubby Chef had been hoping Gu Yu would eat more at the restaurant, Gu Yu only took a few light tastes.
After pointing out a few areas that needed improvement, he didn’t eat too many dishes.
So, when eating lunch at home, Gu Yu was the same as usual, with nothing different.
How could anyone else’s cooking compare to his wife’s!
“Yu, the village said this afternoon… they’re going to search for the missing person again. I want to go too.”
At the dinner table, just as Gu Yu was reaching for a dish with his chopsticks, Gu Mengyao suddenly spoke, a little embarrassed and hesitant to meet Gu Yu’s eyes.
She had said yesterday that she would stay at home, but upon hearing that the village was organizing a new search effort, Gu Mengyao couldn’t stay still at home any longer.
After all, Liu Juan was one of her best friends, and when Gu Mengyao’s father had an accident on the mountain, her little sister friends had helped her a lot.
If Gu Mengyao hadn’t been too stubborn to continue accepting others’ help for a living and instead went up the mountain to hunt for money… she wouldn’t have had so little time to spend with them, leading to infrequent contact later on.
Now that she finally had time, her former friend was no longer around, which left Gu Mengyao feeling a little empty inside and lacking motivation in her actions.
“No need to go. I’ve already made all the arrangements for the disappearance.”
“???”
However, what Gu Yu said next greatly surprised Gu Mengyao.
Even with so many people in the village searching, they were helpless regarding the missing woman, so how could Gu Yu have found a clue after just one trip to town this morning?
It wasn’t that Gu Mengyao didn’t believe in Gu Yu’s abilities. After going through so many things, Gu Mengyao naturally knew how strong her husband was.
However, the disappearance case was simply too thorny, and even the government office was at a loss…
Under such circumstances, Gu Yu directly finding something and having made arrangements was an unexpectedly developing situation that couldn’t help but surprise Gu Mengyao.
In fact, Gu Yu hadn’t intended to reveal it at this time.
But upon hearing that Gu Mengyao was going out to search for people again this afternoon, Gu Yu knew he had to say something.
Because Gu Yu didn’t want to see his little wife too tired and get sick!
Besides, it wasn’t something that needed to be concealed!
Saying it now could also reassure Gu Mengyao, preventing her from overthinking and becoming distressed.
Gu Qingheng, who was listening to their conversation,’s eyes lit up immediately upon hearing Gu Yu say he had made arrangements.
He didn’t say anything further but appeared spirited, waiting for Gu Yu to continue.
Gu Mengyao was the same. The synchronized expressions of the two showed that they were indeed siblings, exhibiting great tacit understanding.
Seeing this, Gu Yu couldn’t help but smile slightly. He then recounted how he overheard Wang Hu and his subordinates talking, as well as his encounter with the Imperial Envoy in town that morning, all of which filled Gu Mengyao and Gu Qingheng with astonishment.
Gu Mengyao’s wide-eyed, adorable expression particularly made one want to reach out and touch her.
However, considering they were still discussing serious matters, Gu Yu didn’t touch her directly and continued to finish telling the story.
“Brother-in-law, that Wang Changfang is too despicable! It’s one thing that he’s so wealthy, but to also engage in the human trafficking business for personal gain, he’s truly black-hearted! This kind of person should be dragged out and fed to dogs, so they don’t harm others anymore.”
“Yu, did that Imperial Envoy give you any trouble! After all, he’s a big shot from the Capital. If he bullied you… I’ll definitely deal with them properly and get revenge for you.”
After listening to Gu Yu’s story, Gu Mengyao and Gu Qingheng had different reactions.
Gu Qingheng’s focus was on Wang Changfang’s human trafficking, while Gu Mengyao was worried… if Gu Yu had suffered any losses while interacting with the Imperial Envoy.
Her adorable appearance, ready to get revenge for him, made Gu Yu unable to resist. He leaned over to Gu Mengyao and gave her a big kiss on her cheek.
His own wife is the best, always caring about him the most!
[Gu Mengyao’s favorability +20, Space is upgrading…]
Gu Mengyao hadn’t expected Gu Yu to suddenly kiss her, and after realizing what happened, she immediately became shy again.
However, compared to her tendency to lower her head frequently before, Gu Mengyao seemed to have adapted now.
Her cheeks were only slightly flushed, and there was a faint smile on her lips. Given the modesty expected of women, despite being overjoyed in her heart, she didn’t show it too obviously.
Gu Yu, on the other hand, looked like a cat that had stolen fish, smiling slyly. Gu Mengyao couldn’t help but roll her eyes, thinking how sickeningly sweet the two of them were!
If they were this sweet now, what would happen when they grew up!
Gu Qingheng felt that he had to plan for the future.
At the very least, as his sister and brother-in-law’s public displays of affection increased, he would have to stay far away. Otherwise, being blinded by their affectionate glances every day was unbearable.
“Don’t worry! I won’t let myself suffer any grievances. On the contrary, anyone who encounters me will have to fend for themselves.”
“Brother-in-law, saying that makes you sound like a big bad wolf!”
“Compared to Wang Changfang’s human trafficking, mine is nothing. Besides, if others don’t offend me, I won’t offend them. Your brother-in-law isn’t someone who likes to stir up trouble aimlessly.”
After Gu Yu kissed his little wife, he didn’t let Gu Mengyao worry and spoke reassuring words.
However, Gu Qingheng immediately asked with confusion upon hearing this.
Gu Yu smiled and shook his head at Gu Qingheng, then said something that revealed his current attitude towards handling matters.
Gu Yu wasn’t afraid of trouble, but he also didn’t want to actively create it.
It was like a fierce wild cat, which never approached people proactively, but when kind people came closer and interacted patiently for a while, it would put away its sharp claws and meow.
This way of interacting was most similar to Gu Yu… It was precisely because of this that after Gu Mengyao and Gu Qingheng showed their sincerity, Gu Yu treated them as true family.
To put it further, it was protectiveness.
If it were the first day after transmigrating, Gu Yu wouldn’t have reacted significantly even if Gu Mengyao and Gu Qingheng had an accident in front of him.
But now, if anyone dared to touch them, they would be severely dealt with. Anyone who dared to lay a hand would have their hand broken.
“Yu, hearing you say that, I can finally rest assured. For the next few days, I’ll stay at home and wait for the Imperial Envoy to resolve the matter. Then we can go out.”
“Sister! Aren’t we going to the Lantern Festival?”
“Go where? You going would just cause trouble. What if a stranger really kidnaps you!”
“Brother-in-law!!! Look at Sister, she won’t let me go!”
Then, upon hearing Gu Mengyao say she wasn’t allowed to go out during this period, Gu Qingheng immediately became anxious.
He was already bored staying at home and studying. It was difficult enough, but now he was being restricted from going out for a lively festival like the Lantern Festival… this outcome was completely unacceptable!
Last year, it was due to the family’s financial constraints, but this year was vastly different. Yet, because of despicable fellows like the kidnappers, he still had to be confined at home…
“Begging me is useless. You should try asking your sister. Although I think a lively festival like the Lantern Festival should include taking you out to play, the issue of the kidnappers hasn’t been resolved, and there’s a hidden danger to safety. Your sister is also worried about you getting hurt.”
“Brother-in-law, I’m already eight years old! I’m a grown man. Sister worries too much. At worst… I’ll just find a rope and tie myself to Sister, so she won’t be afraid of me being kidnapped.”
Faced with Gu Qingheng’s pleading look, Gu Yu didn’t agree immediately this time.
He also shared Gu Mengyao’s concerns.
Compared to himself and Gu Mengyao, Gu Qingheng had no means of self-protection when encountering danger.
Even though Gu Yu possessed the space and Gu Mengyao had divine powers, anything could happen on the crowded streets during the Lantern Festival.
Although Gu Yu felt that Gu Qingheng shouldn’t be confined at home just because of these reasons… and Gu Yu also wanted to go out and have fun that night!
Staying at home and missing out on the lively festival would leave significant regrets.
However, Gu Mengyao was Gu Qingheng’s sister! Gu Yu couldn’t interfere and could only follow Gu Mengyao’s arrangements.
“Even if you look at me like that, it’s no good. It’s too dangerous.”
“Sister, don’t treat me like a child! A fledgling bird needs to be let out to train so it can soar in the sky in the future. If you refuse to let me go out because of this kidnapping incident, then what about in the future? If another kidnapper appears, will I still be locked up at home?”
“…”
Seeing that Gu Yu wasn’t budging, Gu Qingheng quickly looked at his sister pitifully, but Gu Mengyao appeared unmoved and continued eating the rice in her bowl.
However, upon closer inspection, one could see that Gu Mengyao was only eating rice and hadn’t picked any dishes.
Actually, Gu Mengyao also knew that she was overly concerned about her brother. After all, a boy couldn’t always be kept at home.
But if her brother were to get lost on the street, Gu Mengyao felt she would collapse.
Since their parents passed away, Gu Mengyao had not only been responsible for earning money to support the family but was also a half-mother and half-sister to Gu Qingheng, toiling to raise her younger brother.
Now, she couldn’t imagine a scenario where Gu Qingheng would get into trouble.
Gu Yu, noticing Gu Mengyao’s dilemma at this moment, picked up a chopstick of food and placed it in her bowl. He said nothing, letting Gu Mengyao decide for herself.
No matter what, he was her backing, silently supporting and protecting her.
