After Gou Yu and his father were sternly reprimanded by that imposing noblewoman, the two finally began to treat Zhu Niao as the guest, starting a proper reception routine.
“So big…” Zhu Niao said, seeing such a large living room for the first time.
To put it another way, calling it a manor rather than just a residence was already beyond Zhu Niao’s understanding.
As hosts, Gou Yu’s parents naturally greeted Zhu Niao warmly, inviting her to sit on the sofa.
The little bird, stunned, hugged the cat tightly once seated, afraid that if she didn’t hold the little orange furball firmly, its claws might accidentally leave two scratches on the sofa.
If that happened, even sacrificing herself wouldn’t be enough compensation; this sofa probably cost more than her life.
The little orange cat in her arms was unusually well-behaved, seeming to realize this was no place to romp around.
As if it hadn’t thrown many fits before anyway.
“Don’t be so reserved. Just treat this place like your own home.”
After being directly defeated by Gou Yu at the doorstep, his father looked burnt out, sitting silently on the sofa, only white ashes remaining.
Probably the ash from his cigarette fell on him.
So it was the noblewoman in charge who spoke these words.
But Zhu Niao had heard this phrase countless times before.
When she was young, visiting relatives during the New Year, countless aunts would always say this to her, who was wrapped in an aura of awkwardness.
All she could do was give an embarrassed laugh.
In situations like this, she felt like a prisoner being interrogated, and maybe some prisoners could stand firm.
She couldn’t say a word.
Then Gou Yu sat down beside her, naturally draping an arm over the little bird’s shoulder.
In an instant, most of the tension and unease dissolved, and for a moment, it felt like returning to their own little nest—the space only the two of them shared.
“Those two are really your parents?” Zhu Niao took a deep breath, seeming much more relaxed. “Your parents really are rich people?”
“Yes.” Gou Yu nodded.
“Then…” Zhu Niao pondered for a moment, “when you said before that you met Musk, was that true? And that photo you showed me?”
“That one was Photoshopped,” Gou Yu gave her a look like she was crazy. “Why would you think it was real?”
“That’s what novels say. Rich people have their own exclusive circles.” Zhu Niao once again realized the gap between literary works and reality.
“Sigh, actually…”
Gou Yu sighed, took out his phone, and scrolled through his album before pulling out another photo—this one with the world’s richest man.
Zhu Niao’s beautiful eyes widened a little upon seeing it. “I didn’t expect you really…”
“That one’s fake too. I made it with AI before,” Gou Yu smirked mischievously. “Haha, it’s fun to fool fools.”
Zhu Niao took a deep breath, just about to ask about Gou Yu’s mother when she turned her head and realized the very person she wanted to ‘hunt’ was sitting right across from her on the sofa.
That was close.
Then, Zhu Niao seemed to realize something.
That meant she couldn’t even use her signature ‘Mom’s first move’ killing technique on Gou Yu during her stay at his place?
For her, that was undoubtedly a significant setback.
“No, wait.” Zhu Niao belatedly realized. “If those two are really your parents, then who was the uncle driving just now?”
“That’s the driver,” Gou Yu answered calmly. “I’ve told you many times, he’s not my dad.”
“What?” Zhu Niao was stunned. “Shouldn’t it be: You’re the illegitimate child of a wealthy family, born but unable to be recognized by your father because of family conflict and your status, so you have to accept an unrelated humble driver as your father just to not be separated from your real family?”
“What a long, complicated sentence.” Gou Yu sighed. “What you need to do now is open your phone and uninstall your novel app.”
Of course, all these conversations were whispered quietly between them.
“No way, man, you really are rich?” Zhu Niao grabbed Gou Yu’s shoulder tightly. “Why didn’t you ever tell me before?”
“Actually, I did at first, but you didn’t believe me.” Gou Yu raised a finger.
“How could I believe my good brother, who survives in the wilderness with me, is secretly rich? That’s the kind of dream I don’t have.” Zhu Niao rubbed her forehead.
Gou Yu waved that finger back and forth: “Wrong, it’s not a dream.”
Zhu Niao reached out to touch the genuine leather sofa she was sitting on, then, when Gou Yu’s parents weren’t looking, grabbed Gou Yu’s arm and twisted hard.
“Ouch!” Gou Yu let out a Tom Cat-like cry and jumped up.
“Looks like it’s real, not a dream.” Zhu Niao started to think deeply.
“Don’t you know to pinch yourself?”
“It really hurts,” Zhu Niao replied matter-of-factly.
“You know it hurts?”
Zhu Niao ignored Gou Yu’s pained cries, instead grabbing the back of his neck and moving her face closer.
Her warm breath brushed directly against his face.
That exquisitely perfect face wore a slight smile, step by step closing in on the increasingly flustered Gou Yu.
“You old dog…”
Hearing this low whisper like a demon from hell, Gou Yu’s face immediately broke into an awkward smile.
“Haha, I’m here, servant at your service, my lord. What orders do you have?” Even the pain from Zhu Niao’s pinch seemed to vanish momentarily.
“Tell me, if your family is so rich, why do you keep using my hairdryer?” Zhu Niao’s face pressed against Gou Yu’s side, her beautiful eyes brimming with warning.
“The tissues too. Even when you sneak out to eat late at night without any tissues, you have to come to my room to get some.”
“Actually, I can explain that…” Gou Yu said weakly.
“Oh right.” Zhu Niao’s eyes curved into crescent moons, her smile growing wider and more sinister. “What about your shower gel and shampoo? How long has it been since you bought your own? Are you even comfortable using the women’s stuff?”
“And the laundry detergent too. Got no explanation for that?”
Gou Yu shrugged his neck. “Actually, I’ve always followed one principle.”
“What?”
“Other people’s stuff is always the best.”
Zhu Niao raised an eyebrow, but out of the corner of her eye, she spotted Gou Yu’s parents on the opposite sofa.
“Just you wait, I’ll teach you a lesson when we get home.”
Then she put on a fierce, adorable expression.
“Ahem.” Seeing the two finish their playful banter, Gou Yu’s parents finally spoke.
Zhu Niao listened attentively, ready to respond positively and affirmatively to whatever they said.
“You must have been tricked here by my son, right? You and my son shouldn’t be in a real romantic relationship, right?”
“Oh yes, that’s right.” Zhu Niao nodded with a smile in agreement.
Then she saw the ghost-like expression on Gou Yu’s face beside her.
Suddenly, she remembered her previous answer might have been a little off.
“Ah no no no no.” She panicked, standing up and waving her hands quickly.
Gou Yu facepalmed beside her, smiling wryly.
“You’re still laughing!” Zhu Niao glared at him again.
All four couples are really a perfect match, beautiful.