86. Visiting Gaotang

Early Saturday morning, the Chen family at 88 Qingshui Riverside received an unexpected visitor.

At the time, Chen Liwan was having breakfast with Yang Anxin in the dining room. When the butler announced that a certain “Young Master Gao from the Universal Group” had arrived, Chen Liwan assumed Gao Tang was coming to discuss last year’s proposal about integrating the entertainment industry with real estate. He wondered, bemused, how Gao Tang had managed to locate his home so directly.

But when Gao Tang entered bearing gifts—a world-class golf club signed by the legendary Old Wood and a limited-edition silk scarf Yang Anxin had coveted for ages but failed to acquire—and declared he was there to see Chen Ruowen, Chen Liwan’s smile faltered.

“You say you’re here for Ruowen?” Chen Liwan was bewildered.

Gao Tang nodded. “Yesterday, I mentioned to Ruowen that there’s a themed art exhibition. I thought I’d check how she feels today, and see if she’d be willing to accompany me.”

Chen Liwan was even more surprised.

“Is it convenient to go see her now?” Seeing Chen Liwan’s momentary confusion, Gao Tang patiently repeated his question.

“She’s still resting—likely won’t wake for another couple of hours,” Chen Liwan replied apologetically, explaining the inconvenience of rousing her. “That girl’s got a bad case of morning grumpiness.”

“Your name is Gao Tang?” While Gao Tang and Chen Liwan conversed, Yang Anxin quietly sized him up. The young man was handsome enough, but her ideal son-in-law was Bai Jinyan—someone she’d watched grow up. Everyone said good-looking men were the most fickle, and with Gao Tang’s looks and background, she worried about an endless parade of mistresses. Bai Jinyan, whom she trusted deeply, seemed far more reliable.

Gao Tang smiled and nodded. “Good morning, Auntie. Yes, I am Gao Tang.”

“How did you and Ruowen meet?”

“That’s quite a long story.” Gao Tang recollected briefly, then described his first encounter with Chen Ruowen and their later reunion in Northern City. Even Chen Liwan was unfamiliar with that episode at First High School. Gao Tang’s engaging manner made the narrative unexpectedly fascinating for the two elders.

As their conversation unfolded, time slipped by unnoticed. Yang Anxin’s initial impression of Gao Tang—“he’s so handsome, he must be a heartbreaker”—gradually transformed into “what a fine young man!”

“Gao, Ruowen rarely gets to sleep in on weekends. When she finally gets up and gets ready, it’ll probably be late. Why don’t you stay for lunch?” Yang Anxin suggested warmly.

Gao Tang agreed without hesitation. “It would be my honor.”

When Chen Ruowen finally awoke, it was already past eleven. After her bath, she wandered downstairs, still groggy, and didn’t notice the visitor in her home.

“So hungry,” Chen Ruowen muttered, collapsing onto the sofa and clinging to Yang Anxin’s arm, still half-asleep. “What’s for breakfast?”

“This girl…” Yang Anxin cast an apologetic glance at Gao Tang, then affectionately stroked her daughter’s hair and smiled. “At this hour, are you after breakfast or lunch?”

“Either. I’m just hungry.”

“Then I’ll have Madam Zhang bring you a bowl of fruit, oatmeal, and milk. Eat a little now, and later join our guest for lunch.”

Chen Ruowen nodded sleepily against her mother’s shoulder, then lifted her head and looked at her, still confused.

“Guest?”

Yang Anxin gestured toward Gao Tang, seated on the guest chair. “Your schoolmate, Gao!”

“Gao?” Chen Ruowen followed her mother’s finger, still muddled. “Why are you here?”

Gao Tang suppressed a laugh. “We agreed yesterday to visit the animation exhibition together—did you forget?”

Animation exhibition… It took Chen Ruowen a moment to recall. Last night, it was all Jiang Jiao’s fault—terrified after watching horror movies alone, she’d called Ruowen in tears, forcing her to stay up until two in the morning over a video call.

“Oh,” Chen Ruowen said, “I’m not in the mood. Not going.”

This lack of “mood” was rather arbitrary…

Just then, Madam Zhang brought in the breakfast she’d prepared. Chen Ruowen ate a few bites, then abandoned her guest and retreated to her room. Gao Tang’s gaze followed her up the stairs, then, catching Chen Liwan’s inquisitive look, he smiled graciously.

“I’d like to speak with Ruowen privately, if that’s all right?”

It was their own home, both parents and the staff were present—there was nothing improper. Chen Liwan nodded. “As long as Ruowen agrees.”

Gao Tang excused himself and followed her upstairs.

Chen Ruowen was seated at her desk, absorbed in something. Gao Tang lingered at the doorway for a moment, and when she didn’t react, he tiptoed inside.

“What are you reading?”

Chen Ruowen turned and saw a man suddenly beside her, one hand resting on the chair, the other on the desk. Though he asked about the book, his gaze never left her.

“Guo Jingyuan’s life story,” Chen Ruowen replied coolly, snapping her notebook shut as Gao Tang leaned closer.

She wasn’t in the habit of exposing others’ privacy.

“You seem quite interested in her?”

In his heart, Gao Tang lit a candle for himself. Bai Jinyan was competition enough, but now, with his own charms on display, Chen Ruowen remained unmoved, preferring to read about another woman’s life? Competing with a man was one thing; must he also vie for attention with a stuttering girl who couldn’t even speak fluently?

He felt a little pitiful.

Gao Tang sighed, somewhat aggrieved. “I have plenty of stories myself—why aren’t you as interested in me?”

“You?” Chen Ruowen gave him a bemused look and replied seriously, “You’re not as good-looking as Jingyuan.”

Gao Tang felt utterly defeated.

Me—Gao, devastatingly handsome Tang—criticized for my looks, today of all days? Surely I’m at least better looking than Bai Jinyan?

Out in the upstairs corridor, Yang Anxin and Chen Liwan stood at a distance, observing every move in Chen Ruowen’s room.

“Why is Gao so close to Ruowen? He’s not trying anything untoward, is he?” Yang Anxin anxiously clutched her husband’s sleeve.

Chen Liwan sighed. “Gao Tang hasn’t even touched Ruowen, and the door’s open. You’re overthinking.”

“What are we going to do…” Yang Anxin sighed, worried. “Gao is a fine lad, but I really like Jinyan too. I only have one daughter—I can’t let her marry both!”

Chen Liwan’s expression darkened.

“Neither of them is even close to being her match yet. Why worry so much? Ruowen’s still young, and you’re already thinking about marriage? Aren’t you getting ahead of yourself?”

“Getting ahead? You fathers never care enough. Ruowen’s resting comfortably at home, but you insist she go out for an internship. Now you say I’m overthinking!”

“Internships are for her own good. All you do is worry about these trivial matters!”

…

“You’re so noisy!” Chen Ruowen poked her head out from her room, looking at her parents with undisguised annoyance, unable to fathom what they were arguing about now.

Chen Liwan and Yang Anxin fell silent.

“Where are you going?” Noticing their daughter suddenly dressed formally, they asked in unison.

“To the animation exhibition.”

“Didn’t you just say you weren’t in the mood?”

“I’m in the mood now.” Chen Ruowen answered matter-of-factly, as if there was nothing odd about her change of heart.

Chen Liwan glanced at Gao Tang, who stood beside his daughter, smiling and carrying her bag.

That boy—he’s impressive.