10 Chapter 10: Young Master Gu

Lunch was served outdoors overlooking the Gu estate's expansive garden. There were at least 7 different dishes on the table: braised pork belly, mapo tofu, shredded pork with garlic sauce, stirred egg and tomato, vegetable stir fry, and beef bone soup. Mother Qin also prepared Old Madam Gu's favorite snow fungus dessert soup as well as mung bean cake for the children.

Gu Han, his second wife Song Rui and daughter Gu Lan are currently on a two week overseas family trip in Italy. So only Gu YuChen and Old Madam Gu joined from the Gu Family and overall it was a pleasant meal. Father Su and Mother Qin would exchange lighthearted stories with the old madam while both Su Ning and Gu YuChen focused on eating. Su Ning could tell that Young Master Gu really enjoyed Mother Qin's cooking. In contrast to Su Ning who eats like a rabbit, her cheeks bulging with food, Gu YuChen eats his meal elegantly at a steady pace.

At around 1pm the Su Family bid farewell to Old Madam Gu. While waiting for the chauffeur to bring Father Su's car into the driveway, Gu YuChen stood with Su Ning by the entrance. "That...uhm Young Master Gu, you don't have to see us off."said Su Ning in a small voice. She felt it a bit difficult to communicate with this stone faced boy. There must be some nerve damage on his face from when he was born otherwise how can a person only have one expression. "It's common courtesy." Gu YuChen responds blandly. "Ah, I see." After a few seconds of awkward silence Gu YuChen spoke again, "Su Ning, you don't have to address me as Young Master Gu. Just call me by my name." Su Ning's eyes slightly widened with surprise before she responded, "Then, Gu YuChen?" "Good." Su Ning did not notice the young lad's lips unconsciously raised as he nodded.

After seeing off the family of three, Gu YuChen walked back to his room to complete the readings for his supplementary lessons. His mood was noticeably brighter than usual that Butler Wang cannot help but take a second look at the young master as the latter passed by. 'It looks like the Su Family should visit more often.' the old man thought as he began to oversee the cleanup in the patio.

In his room, Gu YuChen could not help but think about the young girl who had just come over for lunch. Su Ning was only 12 years old this year and still had some baby fat on her face but one can already tell that she will be extremely attractive when she grows up. She always used to look like an overdone princess when she visited the Gu Mansion. So, when she came today wearing a simple white dress with her hair tied in a yellow ribbon, she looked so innocently pretty that Gu YuChen felt a slight ripple in his heart. 'Could I be having Arrhythmia?' thought Gu YuChen as he made a mental note to mention this at his next physical exam. Although he thought Su Ning was not as annoying and superficial as she was before, he still ordered one of his men observe her for the time being to determine if she has other motives. His father has been out of the country for a week now having fun with his mistress and Gu YuChen's half-sister. Before their return next week, Gu YuChen has discussed with several advisors regarding major decisions in the company. These will be fully implemented as soon as the CEO returns from his trip. A few years back, Old Madam Gu had discovered that Gu YuChen was an exceptionally gifted child with a 200 IQ. She personally took the boy under her wing and began to train him as the successor of the Gu Family. On the outside, he is just a wealthy and bright 14 year old in junior high school. Only a handful of trusted individuals know that Gu YuChen has become a key player in managing Gu Co Ltd.

By Sunday, Su Ning has already established a routine for her studies - that is daily review lectures, completion of homework, and supplementary lessons in math and programming. Though she was an accountant in previous life, her math skills were only average. Coding is something completely new to her as well so she will need to focus her efforts. The good thing is Father Su and Mother Qin are very supportive of her new interests and willingly try to find instructors or after school programs she can attend. Su Ning cannot help but feel that deep inside her 'parents' are happy that she has outgrown her love for dolls and frilly dresses.