GSCCO Chapter 23

Mu Huai blocked the camera with one finger, expressionlessly pulling out a cigarette before stubbing it out against the edge of the balcony, and casually tossed it into the balcony trash can. After a brief moment of surprise, Yu Yi seemed to smell the smoke through the internet and asked Mu Huai if he was smoking.

“…Why are you smoking and hiding from me?” Yu Yi asked, puzzled.

Mu Huai wouldn’t openly tell him it was because he subconsciously still considered him a clueless little kid, and he didn’t want to set a bad example.

“Can’t sleep? Why are you calling all of a sudden?” Mu Huai adjusted the angle, finally pointing the camera at his face.

“Can’t sleep,” Yu Yi replied, then asked. “Did you take the day off? Do you have work?”

Although it was dark on Mu Huai’s side, with only the phone screen illuminating his face, Yu Yi could tell from the potted plants and the obvious absence of sounds that Mu Huai was outside.

Mu Huai exclaimed, then chuckled, “Just taking one day off. Is Yu-ge a kid? Do you need your ‘Master Huai’ to lull you to sleep? My appearance fee is very high…”

“How high?”

Mu Huai: “Most people can’t afford this, but I’ll give you a discount because you’re handsome…”

Yu Yi instinctively knew Mu Huai’s next sentence wasn’t serious, so he quickly coughed and changed the subject: “Why are you smoking on the balcony so late…”

Yu Yi paused, suddenly realizing something: “Is someone in your room?”

Mu Huai: “…”

Yu Yi was being a little too sensitive. Mu Huai noticed the sudden shift in tone at the end of his sentence and couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Mu Xi is asleep,” Mu Huai said. “Should I broadcast this live to Yu-ge?”

Mu Xi, the assistant relative of Master Huai.

Yu Yi instantly calmed down: “No need.”

They chatted about all sorts of things for half an hour. After hanging up, Mu Huai was so sleepy that he fell asleep immediately and slept soundly all night.

The next day, the temperature dropped a bit, and the air was cool.

The rich family banquet was held in a villa in the compound, surrounded by cars priced at least seven figures.

Mu Xi was a little nervous, clutching several tissues to wipe his sweaty hands. Lan Sha was slightly calmer, but from her frequent checks of her phone, it was clear that Lan Sha wasn’t exactly relaxed either.

In truth, the banquet wasn’t particularly large. Since Mu Huai entered the elite circle, Lan Sha and Mu Xi had taken him to countless events of far greater prestige. His nervousness this time was entirely due to the legendary Mrs. Yin.

Mu Xi had never been this nervous even when meeting his own parents.

His uncle used to say, after being driven half-mad by his clumsiness, that if Mu Huai weren’t his only family, he would have slammed him against the wall long ago.

Mu Xi understood that Mu Huai didn’t consider his cousin and his wife’s family as relatives, but he was also deeply moved that Mu Huai treated him as family. The word “only” gave him an immense sense of responsibility.

When he was little, he occasionally heard stories about Mu Huai, the version he heard being that his father was a good-for-nothing and his mother had long since run off with another man. Anyway, it was true that his mother hadn’t appeared in their Mu family village for many years, whether she was alive or dead. Mu Xi subconsciously always assumed she was dead.

It turned out that his mother was still alive and close to them.

Mu Xi was frantically agonizing over whether to call Chen Hui, Mrs. Yin or Auntie.

“Call her Mrs. Yin.” Mu Huai glanced at his nephew. “They divorced a long time ago.”

The silly nephew muttered it aloud without even realizing it.

“Oh.” Mu Xi was mortified.

The most relaxed person in the car was Mu Huai, fiddling with his bankbook.

Mu Xi watched for a long time, thinking enviously, “Do all rich people like to play with their bankbooks when they have nothing to do?”

After the car entered the villa grounds, someone came to guide them to the parking space, where servants waited respectfully outside. The brightly lit mansion was both restrained and opulent, its decor subtly incorporating elements of contemporary trends favored by younger generations, suggesting the different generations involved in the banquet.

“Xiao Huai,” Lan Sha took a deep breath and turned to Mu Huai in the back seat. “Can you tell me what your plans are?”

Mu Huai’s attendance at this rich family banquet was somewhat illegitimate. Chen Hui, perhaps feeling guilty towards her eldest son, wanted to give Mu Huai special treatment so he could network with more prominent families. Compared to many superficially wealthy families, these are all established clans that have grown strong and deeply rooted since ancient times, with intricate and complex relationships. Each and every one of them wants to acquire a layer or two of ancient aristocratic air.

If that were all, Lan Sha would be fine, but she was worried that the Yin family was intentionally bringing Mu Huai in. After all, he’s the matriarch’s son, and everyone knows that. Leaving Mu Huai out would make them seem petty.

That’s the problem. These aristocratic families have many relatives and extended families, long-lived ancestors, and rigid ancestral precepts. Each circle had its own culture. The more ostentatious an idol star was outside, the less welcome they were here. Otherwise, why would Yin En have returned so early to take over the family business after the disbandment?

“No plans.” Mu Huai put the bankbook into the inner pocket of his suit jacket, a slight smile playing on his lips. “I’m just going to say a few words to Chen Hui and then I’ll leave.”

He had already told Lan Sha he wouldn’t be staying long, so there was no need to prepare so much. Lan Sha had even prepared a gift for him: a seat. He’d also changed his usual style of suit to a more formal and serious one, only making minor adjustments to the collar and cuffs, allowing him to maintain a balance of fashion and seriousness.

Mu Huai thought it was unnecessary.

Lan Sha only found out after arriving that reporters weren’t allowed in, but she was still worried.

“My dear Huai, you don’t really think there aren’t any kids in the family? They don’t prohibit cell phones inside. What if some clueless person takes a picture of you and posts it online? There’ll be plenty of gossip.”

Mu Huai responded lazily.

After parking, a servant came to open the car door for him, and they didn’t continue their conversation.

Latecomers passing by Mu Huai would give him curious glances. Mu Huai, who was used to being stared at and even by cameras, was led into the inner hall and was very comfortable. Anyway, being photographed once or twice wouldn’t cost him his job. Master Huai was handsome and had no bad angles, so he was super confident.

The inner and outer halls were filled with tables and chairs.

It was a bit hot outside the garden, with a lot of tables, lots of balloons and wine, like a small party. It could be expected that after the start of the party with elderly taking the lead, the younger people would go play with other young people.

What a large family dinner. Mu Huai thought to himself. Will they really be able to tell which ones are real relatives and which ones are fake?

Quite a few people had already arrived. The younger ones ran around everywhere, while those seated included some unmistakably elderly guests, each with a small name placard placed in front of their table.

The placards were initially intended to help elderly people to find their place, and to help the younger generation locate people to greet. Eventually, everyone got their own name placard, engraved with their family’s emblem beside the name. Whenever they attended banquets like this, they would bring these little plaques, which came in all sorts of styles. The children were threaded with a cord, so they could hang them around their necks.

Mu Huai didn’t have an elder to pay respects to and no friend to say hello to. He was, after all, merely a guest here. Being in this place only made his loneliness more pronounced. Mu Huai looked around and didn’t see Chen Hui, but he saw his name on a table.

Lan Sha also saw it: “Xiao Huai…”

That table was one of the Yin family’s. Mu Huai’s placard was gold-inlaid and hollow-carved, with the Yin family’s symbol following his name, signifying that this person belonged to the Yin family. The one on the left of Mu Huai was Yin En, the one on the right was Chen Hui. Next to Chen Hui was Mr. Yin, and then down the line was the uncle’s generation who were very close to their family.

“Stop looking. Let’s go to the side. Lots of people are noticing you,” Lan Sha whispered.

Mu Xi stepped in front of Mu Huai, blocking his way.

The sign was so unusual. Mu Huai smiled, but his eyes held a strange look. After being reminded by Lan Sha and Mu Xi, he left the table without looking back.

Many seats had no placards at all, reserved for friends or other companions they brought back, offering more freedom. Mu Huai, Lan Sha, and Mu Xi were tired and found a place to rest, ignoring the various emotions swirling in their backs.

This area was shielded by a curtain; anyone who hadn’t noticed Mu Huai from the start and came in later generally couldn’t see them.

Mu Huai lowered his eyes and amused himself. He only received a call from Chen Hui just before the banquet started.

The number was Chen Hui’s, but the voice was Yin En’s.

Yin En asked, “Huai-ge, have you arrived?”

It sounded quite obedient, but after seeing the placards on the table, Mu Huai disliked the way he addressed him even more.

Mu Huai: “Has your mom arrived yet?”

“She’s your mom too!” Yin En couldn’t help but emphasize.

Mu Huai’s voice wasn’t loud, but Lan Sha, though seemingly unconcerned, was practically glued to his ear.

Mu Huai, too lazy to argue, asked, “Have you arrived yet?”

On the other end, the footsteps and voices were a bit chaotic. Mu Huai faintly caught some music, which happened to overlap with the music on his side. So, without waiting for Yin En’s reply, he added, “Alright, I know now.”

He hung up the phone without further ado, giving Yin En no chance to ask again.

Peeking out slightly, he saw the servants leading the Yin family to their seats. The family found their places and sat down, and the young man escorted the woman he was with to her seat.

Chen Hui, having maintained her appearance well over the years, looked like she was in her early thirties despite being over forty, possessing a refined and elegant demeanor. She and Yin En were separated by a seat. Mu Huai watched as they exchanged a few words, and then Yin En got up and started looking around.

“He’ll definitely find you,” Lan Sha said, increasingly exasperated, unable to fathom Mu Huai’s thoughts.

Mu Xi brought over two cakes from the dessert section, and Mu Huai helped push them towards Lan Sha, smiling but saying nothing.

Mu Huai was listening to the conversation of young people at another table near the curtain. That table was filled with young ladies from wealthy families. Some were still in university, others had just started working.

“I came with Lin Jing. She should be here soon…”

“He said the family dinner was boring. We can just eat something later and then go to the garden for drinks.”

“Actually, my parents are here too. They’re friends of President Chen.”

“Do you know why they always hold their family dinners here?”

“Is this the Yu family’s real estate? I heard the Yu family’s eldest daughter is incredibly beautiful!”

He only started listening after hearing that word.

Yu Yi had just sent him a message asking if he had finished work and when he would be resting. Mu Huai felt that it was because Yu Yi had been sending messages so frequently lately that he couldn’t help but listen to a few more sentences whenever he heard related words.

Mu Mu: Why are you so concerned about me?

The people at the next table were still chatting, and the rich friends they were talking about pulled up chairs.

“The Yu family is certainly powerful. My dad said he has two sons, but it seems only one came this time?” The speaker was a girl.

“What do you mean ‘just now’? They’ve never come before!”

“If they did come, would you dare to flirt with them? After marriage, you’ll have a doting older sister watching you every step of the way. You can’t afford to mess with her!”

Lan Sha was also whispering to Mu Xi, “Don’t laugh. Isn’t she much more innocent than those in the industry? Isn’t she adorable?”

Mu Huai glanced at Lan Sha, then lowered his eyes again.

Yu Yi: They’re very concerned. Li Mao asked in the group chat if Manager Mu would abandon us for other jobs.

Mu Mu: ??

Mu Mu: After the lemon water I poured him, how dare he ask that?

Yu Yi: He said Manager Lin comes knocking on the door every day while you’re not there.

Both of them were in the team’s group chat. Mu Huai quickly switched to it for a glance and replied.

Mu Mu: They also asked when the captain planned to go back. Why didn’t you say anything?

Mu Mu: Captain, come back to the base soon.

Mu Mu: Li Mao and the others miss you.

By the time Mu Huai finished sending the message, he overheard Lan Sha explaining the concept of a brother complex to Mu Xi. Mu Huai told Mu Xi, “When you’re dating, just don’t find a girlfriend with a sister-obsessed brother.”

“I know, I know,” Mu Xi said. “Then I also hope my future aunt doesn’t have a sister-obsessed brother.”

Mu Xi seemed to have high hopes for his future aunt. Mu Huai and Lan Sha exchanged a glance, then both looked away and sighed. “Brother complex is hard to define. Just don’t be a brother complex or sister complex.”

Mu Huai suddenly remembered the woman who picked up Yu Yi that day. He couldn’t see her clearly from inside the car, but she had long hair and was probably very pretty. After all, Yu Yi was so handsome. He wondered if she was a brother-obsessed one.

His phone vibrated.

Yu Yi: And what about you? Li Mao and the others miss you.

And what about you?

Mu Huai’s throat tightened. Inexplicably, he turned off the screen and casually turned to watch Lan Sha and Mu Xi talk. His phone was in his hand. Every now and then, he would furtively turn the screen back on to glance at it, but he didn’t reply.

“Yin En is coming over,” Lan Sha said, frowning.

As soon as she finished speaking, Lan Sha stood up, and Mu Xi, bewildered, followed suit. Mu Huai looked up and saw a woman in high heels with curly hair walking towards them, accompanied by Yin En. The woman’s eyes were like the moon, her appearance striking yet her demeanor gentle, possessing a quiet beauty.

Most of the people’s eyes turned to them.

Mu Huai’s face was prominently displayed on the billboards—hardly anyone wouldn’t recognize him. Some had seen the placards on the Yin family’s table, while others vaguely knew a bit of Yin family gossip; all whispered among themselves.

Mu Huai and Chen Hui exchanged a glance across the room, a habitual smile playing on their lips. He lowered his gaze and tapped the screen.

He wanted to do something else, but he didn’t know exactly what. The screen opened to his chat with Yu Yi, and Mu Huai replied hastily.

Mu Mu: I’m sleepy. I want to sleep.

Yu Yi quickly replied with six dots. Mu Huai glanced around again, letting out a sigh.

Mu Mu: I mean, I miss you.

At the same time, Yu Yi replied below the six dots as well.

Yu Yi: Oh, sleep well.

I mean, I miss you too.

Anyways. Sleep well.

Mu Huai: “…”

Damn it!