Chu Chu's face was filled with helplessness and earnestness. Her bright eyes seemed to hold a thousand words. "Dad Gu, you're already sixty years old, yet you still want to work hard for the company. Now you're going overseas again. We really can't find anyone at home who can take on the responsibilities, so we have no choice but to ask you, a busy man, to step out and take the helm temporarily. It'll only be for a month. Your parents know all your hobbies very well, and we've never thought of stopping you."
Chu Lei frowned upon hearing this, looking reluctant. "It's not like there are no one in the Gu family. Zheng Tao from my aunt's family keeps clamoring to take over. Why not just give it to him and save me, an outsider, from getting involved?"
Chu Chu shook her head after hearing this, feeling anxious. "Zheng Tao, with that kind of personality, he's not cut out for business. Besides, you know what Father Gu is thinking of you. He's counting on you from the bottom of his heart, and now you're a full-fledged member of the Gu family. The name Gu Lei is much more famous than Chu Lei."
Chu Lei was still unwilling to give in: "What about you? Your last name is Gu too, so why can't you take over? Why does it have to be me?"
Chu Chu sighed, her tone filled with helplessness: "My freshman year is about to start. I have a new environment and a lot of new challenges. How can I have the energy to manage the company? Besides, you're just going back to deal with an emergency. In a month, you can do whatever you want."
Seeing Chu Chu's persistence, Chu Lei stopped trying and let out a bitter smile, "Okay, I admit defeat and will go back with you. But I have to make it clear, I really don't plan to take over long-term. I can't take his share of the family business."
Chu Chu finally breathed a sigh of relief, the corners of her mouth slightly raised, and she opened the car door: "Then it's settled. Let's go back and have a good talk. The old man is also very thoughtful. When the time comes, we'll see how you deal with the heavy weight of your father's love."
Chu Lei sat in the passenger seat, fastened his seatbelt, and couldn't help but ask, "How long will he live? When he really dies... let's pick a suitable successor from among those capable people."
Chuchu turned around and gave him a meaningful smile, her voice tinged with playfulness, "Ah, well, the secrets of heaven can't be leaked easily. Anyway, there are still decades of good times ahead. Second brother, you should put aside those wild ideas for now and be down-to-earth."
…
Chu Lei gently pushed open the door, and the moment he stepped inside, even the air seemed to tremble slightly at his return. Gu Yechen's eyes instantly lit up, a light interwoven with an indescribable sense of relief and joy. Time had carved its mark on Gu Yechen's face, but it hadn't diminished his deep affection for this family, especially for the son, Chu Lei, who had joined them midway through their life and whom he treated like his own.
"Dad, I'm back." Chu Lei's voice was gentle but firm, and every word revealed his deep respect and love for Gu Yechen. He knew that no matter how busy he was outside, this place would always be his warmest harbor.
Gu Yechen's mouth corners unconsciously rose, and his weathered eyes sparkled with pride and kindness.
He reached out his hand and gently patted Chu Lei's shoulder, then cast an approving look at Chu Chu, "My daughter is really resourceful. She managed to catch you, the 'runaway' cat, back home." His words were full of love for Chu Chu and joy for Chu Lei's return.
Upon hearing this, Chu Lei's cheeks flushed, and he felt a bit embarrassed with shyness: "I'm preparing to start my own studio, and I'm also preparing to continue my studies and prepare for postgraduate entrance exams, so... I haven't been able to spare much time to go home." As he explained, his eyes inadvertently fell on Gu Yechen's slightly tired face, and an indescribable emotion surged in his heart.
Gu Yechen seemed to see through Chu Lei's thoughts. He coughed twice, his voice carrying a deliberately created sense of vicissitudes: "Alas, as people get older, their bodies are naturally not as good as before. The old ailments accumulated over the years come out to cause trouble from time to time. But don't worry, I'm fine. You pursue your dreams and do what you want to do. This is the most important thing." He
Chuchu observed all this quietly from the side, secretly admiring her father's wisdom and depth.
She muttered to herself, "Dad Gu's tactic of 'retreating to advance' is truly masterful. He not only expresses his own physical condition, but also subtly puts pressure on my second brother, making it impossible for him to evade his family responsibilities."
Chu Lei's heart was deeply touched. He lowered his head, his eyes slightly red. "Dad, I...I'd better take you to the hospital for a thorough checkup. No matter how busy I am at work, your health is more important."
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