Reborn as Tycoon's Wife in the Countryside-Chapter 253 Hard to Say (First Update)

"Prime Minister Gu, long time no see." As soon as Sixth Master appeared, Elder Xu stepped forward and took his hand, "Prime Minister Gu, where have you been gallivanting these last three years? You found any nice places and you didn’t even tell your brother so I could go see how wonderful the world is."

Sixth Master patted the other’s shoulder, "How could you leave? There are still many matters at home that need your attention, unlike me, who plays the role of a hands-off manager. I’ve flung the family affairs aside to travel the world with my grandson."

Elder Xu held great authority, and to this day, he was reluctant to let his son Xu Hongtu take over. Therefore, all of the Xu Family’s power still lay in the hands of Elder Xu, while Xu Hongtu was only in charge of some minor matters.

"I’m not as fortunate as you," Elder Xu laughed heartily upon hearing his words, "If Hongtu had even half the capability of the Prime Minister, I wouldn’t need to worry so much."

Hongtu was slow and lax, always a beat behind in everything he did. Such a temperament was hardly suited to take charge of the house. If it weren’t for Hongtu’s unsuitability for his position, Elder Xu would not have continued to hold on to power without delegating.

Listening to his father’s words, Xu Hongtu smiled gently, "If I had half of my father’s boldness, he wouldn’t have to worry about me till now."

Ye Cheng came down from upstairs, and Xu Xuezi, who was sitting on the first floor listening to the adults chat, saw the young man coming down and stood up, sweetly calling out, "Acheng."

Although she and Acheng had grown up together, Acheng was cold by nature and kept his distance from everyone.

Her mother had also said, as one is cold by nature, there must be someone warm and passionate to accompany them—this was known as complementing temperaments.

It was alright for Acheng to be cold; she was willing to be the proactive one, to warm Acheng’s icy heart.

Ye Cheng nodded at her and walked up to Elder Xu and his son, "Greetings, Elder Xu, greetings Uncle Xu."

Elder Xu looked at Ye Cheng, who had grown even more refined in the past three years. The young man now resembled Prime Minister Gu in his youth.

The difference was, Ye Cheng was reserved with his words but decisive in his actions.

Prime Minister Gu, on the other hand, had a smile that concealed a knife, dealing with you before you even realized it.

"Acheng," Elder Xu patted Ye Cheng’s shoulder, "your grandfather too, hiding such an outstanding grandson away and not letting everyone see him. Where have you all been these years, without even a message to send back home?"

Ye Cheng sat on the sofa, "It’s my own ineptitude; I have not been well. Grandfather, wanting to treat my illness, took me around the world in search of famous doctors. If it wasn’t for my grandfather’s persistence, I might have died long ago."

Elder Xu had thought Ye Cheng would conceal his illness, but did not expect him to admit it so openly.

With such a frank admission, it felt inappropriate to ask what exactly the illness was.

However, Xu Xuezi, upon hearing about Ye Cheng’s poor health, reacted with urgent concern, "Acheng, what’s wrong with your health? Is it serious?"

Ye Cheng, upon hearing her concerned words, did not feel much and politely responded, "Thank you for your concern, Miss Xu, I am much better now."

Xu Xuezi, not taking Ye Cheng’s detached words to heart, was determined. Acheng was always like this—cold to everyone, keeping them at arm’s length.

As long as Acheng was back, she was confident that she could influence him.

"Look at you, it’s been three years and you’ve become so estranged," Xu Xuezi said with a shy smile, "In these three years that you were not in the Imperial Capital, you missed quite a few exciting events. Moreover, the development of the Imperial Capital has been quite rapid; let’s go for a walk outside later."

"Yes, the Imperial Capital has undergone great changes in the last few years. Acheng just returned; indeed, he needs to take a tour around," Elder Xu added, supporting his granddaughter’s suggestion.

Prime Minister Gu merely smiled, saying nothing.

Ye Cheng glanced at the clock, "I’m afraid I don’t have time for shopping or anything right now. Uncle Quan has asked me to look into the matter of Erbao and Sanbao’s disappearance. I need to leave now."

Saying that, he called out to Ye Fei behind him with a cool tone, "Let’s get in the car."

"Yes," Ye Fei, along with a group of guards in uniform, climbed into the car.

The car started and vanished in front of the Gu Family’s residence.

Xu Xuezi watched as Ye Cheng hadn’t glanced at her once from start to finish, couldn’t help but wonder if she had aged or become less attractive.

Or perhaps there was something wrong with her attire; otherwise, why wouldn’t Ye Cheng spare her a single glance?

"Prime Minister Gu, that boy Ye Cheng really has a sense of responsibility. He just got back and is already bustling around helping the Quan Family," Xu Hongtu said with emotion, seeing Ye Cheng’s dedication to the Quan Family’s affairs.

"He’s grown up. There are many times when I can’t control him anymore. Young people need to experience more, the more they go through, the more capable they become at handling anything."

"Prime Minister Gu really has a way with raising children," Xu Family’s elder said with a light smile, "Prime Minister, what exactly is wrong with Ye Cheng’s health that required you to take him outside for three years of treatment?"

Speaking of Ye Cheng’s health, Prime Minister Gu’s face showed difficulty as he waved his hand and said, "It’s embarrassing, truly embarrassing."

"Grandfather Gu." Xu Xuezi sat down in front of Prime Minister Gu, her smile proper, "The way you said it, I’m even more worried now. What kind of illness does Acheng have? It’s not serious, is it?"

"It’s not serious," Prime Minister Gu sighed again, "he just doesn’t like women. Can you imagine my worry?"

Xu Xuezi was stunned. Doesn’t like women? What kind of illness is that?

"Grandfather Gu, please don’t scare me. Acheng is a man, if he doesn’t like women, could it be he likes men?" Xu Xuezi, of course, didn’t believe it.

What should she do if Acheng liked men?

"Yes, Prime Minister Gu, this matter isn’t something to joke about. Acheng is so handsome, elegant and noble, how could he possibly like men?" Xu Hongtu also didn’t believe a word of it.

They had inquired for so long and had not figured out what illness Ye Cheng had. It was definitely not likely that Prime Minister Gu would casually tell them.

"I know you don’t believe it, but the fact is as it stands," Prime Minister Gu said gravely, "ever since that incident a few years ago, Ye Cheng has had an instinctual aversion to women. I took him away these past few years to keep this matter hidden and find a doctor to treat him discreetly. But now that Acheng is back, some things naturally can’t stay hidden."

Xu Xuezi stood up, "Grandfather Gu, I don’t believe it. Does he have another woman outside, and doesn’t want to marry me, so you fabricated this excuse to deceive me?"

Prime Minister Gu was taken aback, somewhat surprised, "Did Acheng make any promise to you before he left Imperial Capital?"

Xu Xuezi’s face turned red. Of course, he hadn’t.

The night before Acheng left, she had someone send a letter to Ye Cheng. Acheng had not replied, so she took it as an implicit acceptance of her feelings for him.

"Prime Minister Gu, you might not be aware, but throughout the entire Imperial Capital, my Xuezi hasn’t favored anyone else but your Acheng. To wait for Acheng’s return, she turned down countless men who came to propose, and offended many in the process. This child is just like her father—stubborn." It would, of course, be a great boon if the Xu Family could be united in marriage with the Gu Family.

Xu Xuezi hung her head shyly.

"Xuezi," Prime Minister Gu looked at Xu Xuezi, "you mustn’t fall for that rascal. That rascal has a worse temper than I do; he’s not a good person."

Xu Xuezi’s expression changed. What did Prime Minister Gu mean by this? Was he disagreeing with her entering their family by marrying Acheng? Her eyes turned to the elder of the Xu Family.

"Prime Minister Gu, let’s not meddle in the young people’s affairs. If they are destined, they will come together on their own. If not, it’s simply that Xuezi and Acheng are not meant to be." He had thought that Prime Minister Gu’s time away from Imperial Capital with Ye Cheng for three years would give a fresh perspective on the capital’s situation.

It seemed now, the other party hadn’t realized anything at all, still truly believing they could act as they pleased as if they were still the leading family of the four major families.

They hadn’t been in Imperial Capital for three years, and it was no longer what it had been back then.

However, some things are always more interesting when they find them out for themselves. Once they realize something is amiss, they would naturally lower their stance and properly discuss the marriage between Xuezi and Acheng with the Xu Family.

Is it true that Acheng doesn’t like women but men? Of course, this needed to be investigated.

If it turned out to be true, then Xuezi wouldn’t need to waste her efforts on such a man.

After seeing off the three members of the Xu Family, Prime Minister Gu looked at his father somewhat puzzled, "Dad, didn’t you say that Acheng was already married? Why didn’t you just tell them outright?"

"You don’t understand women. If Xu Xuezi were to find out that Acheng is already married, her first thought would be to target Acheng’s wife, not Acheng himself. Xiaofeng, that girl, is no match for these ruthless people. Xiaofeng will just have to put up with it for a while until Acheng takes over Gu Family’s affairs, and then we’ll naturally bring her over."

"Dad, it’s just that from what the Xu Family said, they seem very keen on joining with us through marriage. If they find out Acheng is already married, I’m afraid..."

"That’s why we need to make them take a step back," Prime Minister Gu chuckled, "You’re still not shrewd enough. Acheng is already married; whether he likes men or women, does it affect him? It will only scare off a bunch of women who admire him, which might actually be a good thing for Acheng."

Besides, except for the part about liking men, which is pure fabrication, it’s true that Acheng doesn’t prefer being too close to women; he wasn’t lying about that.

As for what others think, does it matter?"

Prime Minister Gu: ... Is this considered setting up a trap for my grandson?