Gu Chengyu sneered: "Anyone who dares to target Qianqian or give her a hard time, I will destroy the foundation of their family."

"Look at them now that they've lost their money and power, what do they have left to put on airs in front of Qianqian?"

Zhou Yu'an was completely speechless, looking at Gu Chengyu as if he were an incomprehensible madman.

For the sake of a girl, they actually have to suppress other families and even destroy their foundations?

Does he realize how many people he's hurting? How bad a reputation he'll leave in the industry?

Is lust blinding? Is a woman's beauty enough to make one lose all sense of reason?

Seeing his friend's unusually shocked expression, Gu Chengyu, unusually patient, leaned back on the sofa and softened his tone slightly:

"Yu'an, I know you helped me suppress the news last time because you meant well."

He swirled the liquid in his glass, his voice carrying a condescending indifference:

"But you're really overthinking it. I don't care who my wife is at all."

"As long as she can skillfully accompany my mother in social interactions, handle the tedious and outdated rules of the clan, and serve as a good public face for the Gu family, that's fine."

"There are so many powerful and influential families down there. There must be some smart people who know how to educate their daughters. Many people who meet the criteria will come knocking on their door."

He paused, then said matter-of-factly, "Anyway, I won't be living with my so-called wife in the future."

"I will live outside with Qianqian, just like we are now."

"She can't influence Qianqian."

Zhou Yu'an was momentarily at a loss for how to react.

He remained silent for a long time before asking the most crucial question:

"If that's the case, Chengyu, why don't you just marry Su Qianqian?"

Upon hearing this, Gu Chengyu immediately frowned; this suggestion was far too unreliable.

He put down his coffee cup and said decisively, "She won't do."

"Why?"

Gu Chengyu's gaze fell upon the azure sea outside the window, his voice lowering, tinged with complex emotions:

"She is an orphan, with no one to rely on."

"If we put her on the table and place her in the position of the young mistress of the Gu family, countless people will talk about her in private, look at her with all sorts of prejudiced eyes, investigate her past, and even maliciously slander her."

"And then there are those social circles of aristocratic ladies, where their words are sharp and witty, and they can't handle it. She's too naive to deal with them."

"She might not even be able to find fault with those ladies, and would only grieve silently to herself."

He paused, almost convinced:

“She’s not suitable to stand next to me at those events. She just needs to stay quietly in my apartment and watch over me.”

Looking at his friend's handsome yet obsessive face, Zhou Yu'an finally understood his logic.

He regarded Su Qianqian as a delicate bird that had to be carefully raised, showering her with love and protection, but never thought of letting her stand shoulder to shoulder with him.

Zhou Yu'an sighed silently and said no more.

She was just an ordinary girl, not worth his excessive attention.

He only asked a few more questions because he saw how deeply Cheng Yu had fallen for him.

Zhou Yu'an picked up the slightly cooled coffee and took a sip.

A bitter taste spread across the tip of the tongue.

Does Su Qianqian truly like Chengyu?

Does she deserve Cheng Yu's earnest protection?

I need to find an opportunity later to test her with Chengyu, lest he mistakenly give his heart to the wrong person. (This chapter has been read. Please click to continue reading the next chapter!)