Chapter 7#

Chapter 7 Change (1)

It was only a few steps from the dining room to the main door. Both of them had finished eating, so Wei Xiangjin simply went with Gu Chenzhou to open the door.

Outside the small building, Gu Zhengjia was holding a jar and was about to shout for the second time. Seeing the door suddenly open, he muttered a bit dumbly: “Really here…”

Gu Chenzhou stepped aside to let him in, and Wei Xiangjin said jokingly: “I gave you the address yesterday, of course he’s here today.”

For people like them, there were plenty of ways to refuse. Since the address had been given, it was tacitly agreed that the other party could visit.

Gu Zhengjia was also a little embarrassed, mainly because the relationship between him and his brother was really too cold. In addition, Young Master Gu Chenzhou in the capital had never been famous for his modesty, which caused some inexplicable worry. He scratched his cheek and said: “This is the radish that Auntie pickles when she has nothing to do. She asked me to bring it over for Big Brother to taste.”

“Thank Auntie for me.” Gu Chenzhou took it and said politely, asking the two to sit by the sofa while he went to clear the dining table.

Gu Zhengjia was a little flattered. He looked at Gu Chenzhou’s back several times, then turned his head and looked at Wei Xiangjin questioningly.

Wei Xiangjin spread his hands to show that he didn’t understand either.

Before the two could exchange anything, Gu Chenzhou had already turned back. He sat on a separate sofa and casually started a few topics, all about Gu Zhengjia’s life and studies.

This didn’t lead to an awkward silence, but when did Gu Chenzhou usually pay attention to this? Not only Gu Zhengjia, but even Wei Xiangjin felt something was wrong.

“Sixteen is coming soon, right? What date is your birthday?” Gu Chenzhou didn’t chat for long and quickly got to the point. The relationship between the two had been very weak since childhood, so there was no need to suddenly become affectionate.

“In more than a month.” Gu Zhengjia said.

“Does Dad plan to organize it for you?” Gu Chenzhou asked, “What about Auntie?”

Having not heard “Auntie” from Gu Chenzhou’s mouth a few times in more than ten years, Gu Zhengjia looked at Gu Chenzhou almost like looking at Ultraman: “No, no plan,” he stammered before speaking smoothly, “It’s just sixteen… Dad and Auntie mean to wait until eighteen.”

“Too late,” Gu Chenzhou frowned, “If you don’t mind, I’ll do it.”

“Eh!?” Two voices sounded in unison. Gu Zhengjia and Wei Xiangjin stared at Gu Chenzhou intently, their eyes as strange as if they were studying some alien species.

Gu Chenzhou glared at Wei Xiangjin who was jeering, and said to Gu Zhengjia: “On your sixteenth birthday, your Third Brother Wei and I will organize a birthday party for you. You invite your classmates and friends, and we will invite the other part.”

Hearing this, Wei Xiangjin understood Gu Chenzhou’s meaning, although he didn’t know why the other party suddenly decided this. But firstly, there was no difficulty in this matter, and secondly, the relationship between the two brothers could be deepened. He was quite happy to see it happen, so he turned his head and said to Gu Zhengjia with a smile: “Xiao Jia, think about what friends to bring over. Your Big Brother and I will definitely make it beautiful for you.”

This is to bring him into the top circle! Gu Zhengjia was a little happy and a little surprised. Just like Wei Xiangjin, he didn’t understand why Gu Chenzhou suddenly made this decision: “Big Brother…”

“You called me Big Brother, so let me arrange it.” Gu Chenzhou explained indirectly, “Remember to tell Dad and Auntie when you go back.” After calling this title a few more times, he himself got used to it somewhat, “Are you going straight home or somewhere else later? I’ll send you.”

“I’m going home, I can go back by myself, there are buses here.” Gu Zhengjia said hurriedly.

“I happen to be going to Zhengde Garden, it’s on the way.” Gu Chenzhou looked at Wei Xiangjin again.

Wei Xiangjin thought for a while: “I still have something to do, I’ll visit Grandpa Gu later.”

Gu Chenzhou said “En”, picked up the car keys and walked out. A silver-gray mid-range Audi was parked outside. He picked it up on the way back last night. The style and price were very low-key.

Located on the central axis of the capital, Zhengde Garden, which is close to the most central location, is the same as Tianrui Garden. It was built by the government and then allocated to government personnel of a certain level. If everyone living in Tianrui Garden had powerful connections, then those living in Zhengde Garden were truly powerful figures: apart from national-level leaders and deputy leaders, those qualified to live here were a few old people who had accompanied the founding head of state to conquer the world, already had a high status at that time, made great contributions, and then retired. For example, Gu Chenzhou’s grandfather, Wei Xiangjin’s grandfather, and the highest generation of the Chen, Wen, and He families, whose names were well-known in the capital.

Previously in National Beauty and Heavenly Fragrance, Wei Xiangjin had said that Sun Peiming’s family was still short of one thing, and this was it: no matter how developed and glorious the Sun family was now, there was no older generation who could live in Zhengde Garden. This meant that once something happened, no one could protect the Sun family at the critical moment.

It was rush hour, and the traffic conditions were not very good. Gu Chenzhou made a big detour from Tianrui Garden to Zhengde Garden. He got out of the car at the foot of the mountain for inspection for about ten minutes. After being reported and allowed, he could truly drive up the mountain.

Although the security department had notified in advance, it was Old Master Gu who received the news. Therefore, when Grandma Gu, who was watering flowers in the garden with a kettle, suddenly saw Gu Chenzhou walking in, her face immediately showed strong surprise and joy: “Xiao Zhou is back?”

The old woman’s body seemed much more hunched than in memory.

Feeling a slight prick in his heart, Gu Chenzhou called out “Grandma” and hurriedly stepped forward to take the kettle from her hand: “Grandma, let me do it!”

From the moment she saw Gu Chenzhou, the smile on Grandma Gu’s face bloomed, and her hands kept holding Gu Chenzhou’s arm: “When did you come back?”

“Just yesterday.” Gu Chenzhou said, “The plane arrived yesterday afternoon. I went to Tianrui Garden first in the evening, and it was too late so I didn’t come over.”

“You should rest well just after getting off the plane, why run around everywhere.” Grandma Gu scolded lovingly, and took back the kettle from Gu Chenzhou’s hand, “Don’t water it, this flower won’t die if it’s watered one or two days less. Go inside and sit down quickly, Grandma will make you something good to eat! Will you eat here at noon?”

“Of course,” Gu Chenzhou smiled and acted coquettishly, “I haven’t seen Grandma for three years!”

Facts proved that the old people really fell for this. Grandma Gu smiled until her eyes narrowed. Ignoring the flowers and fish that her old man treasured very much, she pulled Gu Chenzhou and walked inside.

Gu Chenzhou followed all the way into the room and then into the kitchen. Before being driven out, he rolled up his sleeves and said: “Grandma, I’ll help you.”

“No need, no need, go watch TV, or talk to your grandpa.” Grandma Gu said.

“Grandpa can wait, I haven’t talked to Grandma for a long time either.” Gu Chenzhou had already started working, “How about making some flaky pastries? Haven’t eaten them for a long time and miss them a bit. The ones sold outside are either too crispy or too soft, and the filling doesn’t taste right.”

Led by the topic, Grandma Gu naturally forgot to drive Gu Chenzhou away: “That’s right, this is a family craft, it was very precious back then. Originally it was not passed on to daughters, but later everyone came out with the reform and opening up, so Grandma could learn this craft without peeking through the crack of the door every time…” The old woman chattered about the past. Whether it was because of memories or because her relative was by her side, her face was somewhat glowing.

Gu Chenzhou smiled and agreed, while taking over all the physical work.

In a blink of an eye, half an hour passed. Old Master Gu, who had received the news but hadn’t seen anyone, walked down from upstairs: “Where is Chenzhou?” After a while, he walked to the garden and looked, “Why are the flowers in the garden only half watered?” The old man looked up again and saw Gu Chenzhou standing by the kitchen window, saying, “Chenzhou is here, come and water the flowers with Grandpa.”

Grandma Gu next to him had already started preparing lunch and was talking to Gu Chenzhou about the past. Hearing this, she immediately threw down the green onion and said angrily: “Flowers, flowers, you only know flowers! Your grandson hasn’t been seen for three years and rarely comes over, yet you still talk about flowers! In the future, you just live with your precious flowers! Xiao Zhou, ignore that old man, cook with Grandma!”

Old Master Gu was stunned by the scolding, thinking what’s wrong, isn’t it just watering flowers? I just wanted to talk to him, is it worth being so distressed? You even let him help you cook, which is much more complicated, and I didn’t feel distressed.

Gu Chenzhou quickly changed the topic, chatted with the old woman for a few sentences, and coaxed her to smile again. Seeing that things were almost done, he washed his hands and walked out of the kitchen.

In the garden, Old Master Gu had already watered the flowers again with the kettle. Seeing Gu Chenzhou come out, he tapped the floor lightly with the cane in his hand, and asked while walking towards the living room: “Why did you come back suddenly?”

“I came back privately…”

Before Gu Chenzhou could finish, Old Master Gu waved his hand: “Alright, no need to mention such small things. Your dad has that stubborn temper, he actually remembers you too.”

“En,” Gu Chenzhou said, “Grandpa, I have considered the matter you asked me before, but there are still some things I don’t quite understand.”

“Hmm?”

“I plan to enter the government.”

This answer obviously refreshed Old Master Gu’s spirit. He tapped the floor hard with his cane: “Very good, you young people should think about serving the motherland if you have the ability! Sit down,” he said with a gentle expression, “Let’s talk, what do you want to ask?”

What to ask?

Want to ask why the Gu family stood on the wrong side twice in a row, want to ask why the Wei family never recovered.

Want to ask whether the power reshuffle jointly carried out by the Chen, Wen, and He families was guided by the situation, or did they start planning from the very beginning? The Sun family rose, the He family reached the top… In the beginning, was Wei Xiangjin’s car accident an accident or man-made?

Are these things in the dream just a long absurd imagination, or a possible future?

Gu Chenzhou was not sure, but he knew he must take precautions early.

“Grandpa, have you seen Grandpa Shen recently?” Gu Chenzhou asked. The Grandpa Shen in his words was Shen Dongping, whose current position was Vice Chairman of the Military Commission and President of the Central Party School. Being born in their family was like this. No matter how high the position of the person they met, before they were young and entered the system, they could always call the other party Uncle, Auntie, Grandma, Grandpa. Even if they couldn’t establish a friendship, they could at least get familiar.

“Aiming too high is not good.” Old Master Gu reproached.

Gu Chenzhou smiled: “Grandpa, I’m just asking. Grandpa Shen’s proposition is very similar to our family’s political inclination.”

“Oh? Then tell me what our family’s political inclination is?” Old Master Gu asked.

“Grandpa, you should test Zhengjia on these.” Gu Chenzhou said, then organized his thoughts, “Development, but stable development. Our annual GPI index looks like flowers in full bloom, extremely beautiful. But in fact, contradictions are still contradictions, and they are intensifying year by year. Why haven’t they been solved? Because economic development takes a short time, has quick results, and is bright and eye-catching; while social contradictions take a long time, have slow results, many difficulties, and are not easy to write on the official performance table. Over time, everyone naturally chooses the former.”

These words did not move Old Master Gu, but the first sentence made him raise his eyes: “Chenzhou, this is the first time you mentioned Zhengjia’s name in front of me.”

Gu Chenzhou remained silent.

No one knows the changes happening to oneself better than the person himself. The education he received since childhood allowed him to see the road ahead more clearly than most people, and also more clearly about his responsibilities. He could detest change, but for the road under his feet, he would not refuse necessary changes.

Gu Chenzhou’s silence made Old Master Gu see something. He said in a deep voice: “Chenzhou, you are a good child, and so is Zhengjia. You are both my grandsons. I hope you two can get along well.”

“I know. I will, Grandpa.” Gu Chenzhou said.

Some words are too much if said once. Old Master Gu rubbed his cane and went back to the previous topic: “If you were in this position, what would you choose?”

“I would also choose the former.” Gu Chenzhou answered.

This answer made the old man’s half-white eyebrows fly up, sharp as a knife: “You say you would also choose the former?”

“This is a defect of the system. Individual power is like an ant trying to shake a tree in front of it, destined to be useless.” Gu Chenzhou said calmly.

“You are not alone, the entire Gu family stands behind you.” Old Master Gu said.

“The Gu family is not enough either,” Gu Chenzhou was unmoved, “And because the entire Gu family stands behind me, I will not rashly touch these.”

“Then what do you plan to do?” Old Master Gu was faintly angry.

“Seek governance in one’s position. To solve these problems, I can only consider them when I truly stand in that position.” Gu Chenzhou answered.

The living room fell into a brief silence. The sizzling sound of cooking came from a distance, highlighting the silence at this moment.

“Why do you want to stand in that position?”

“To solve problems.”

“Don’t put the cart before the horse,” Old Master Gu leaned on his cane and tapped the floor hard, “Remember what you said to me today!”