When Chu Ge finished speaking, Chu Chengrui paused for a few seconds, then a playful smile appeared on his lips. Looking directly into Chu Ge's eyes, he asked, "So, Mr. Chu, do you know what my granddaughter wants?"
Chu Ge gave a faint smile and shook his head.
The two of them just stared at each other for a few seconds before Chu Chengrui suddenly burst into hearty laughter, "Haha, young Chu, you're indeed very interesting. No wonder Yaoyao treats you differently. After chatting with you for just a bit, I have to look at you in a new light."
Just a mont ago, Chu Chengrui changed his address from young Chu to Mr. Chu and now from Mr. Chu back to young Chu. His originally scrutinizing gaze turned into one of appreciation and admiration.
Chu Ge maintained his composed deanor, "Old Mr. Chu, you're too kind."
"Hehe, at my age, with one foot in the grave already, to be given a lesson by a youngster like you... well, never mind. Wisdom knows no age, and I actually have to thank you. If there's anything else you want to ask about my family, feel free to do so."
Chu Chengrui raised a hand to point at Chu Ge, showing a hint of helplessness in his expression but more so a smile that indicated "youth is to be feared."
Chu Ge shook his head, "Old Mr. Chu, there's nothing more I want to ask."
In fact, it wasn't that Chu Ge had nothing to ask; he just felt there was no need to continue asking for now.
In Chu Ge's view, with Chu Chengrui talking, it was hard to distinguish truth from falsehood. Rather than listening to these potentially unreliable statents, he'd prefer that Chu Chengrui clarify what exactly he wanted him to do.
"Haha, fine, since you're not asking, then I shall?" Chu Chengrui chuckled, leisurely taking a sip of tea.
"As I ntioned earlier, I did a little investigation on you. Although it may seem intrusive, it's because of my concern for my granddaughter. I hope you don't mind. From what I know, you're already married, right? Your wife is Miss Qin Ruojing, the chairwoman of the Tianjiao Group?"
"Yes."
"Then what about you and our Yaoyao... what's going on there?"
Even though Chu Ge could easily guess that Chu Chengrui would ask this question, and he had been pondering what kind of answer to give, hearing the words co from his mouth was still quite awkward.
Saying that he had an affair with Chu Shiyao? What nonsense is that? He's about to hold a wedding with Qin Ruojing in Beijing at the end of the month. If he really said that, wouldn't he just be making trouble for himself?
But if he told the truth, explaining to Chu Chengrui that he and Chu Shiyao were just neighbors and good friends, wouldn't that be selling out Chu Shiyao? The fact that Chu Shiyao fabricated this lie obviously ant that it was a temporary asure to get away from the Chu Family, using him as a shield.
Though speechless at her actions, Chu Ge also felt sowhat gratified; at least this showed that Chu Shiyao saw him as a truly trustworthy friend.
Caught in a dilemma, Chu Ge gave a sowhat middle-ground answer.
"Chu Shiyao and I... are very good friends, or maybe a little more than friends."
Having said that, Chu Ge picked up his teacup and took a sip. Such matters were indeed a bit awkward; even if he wasn't guilty, he still felt sowhat uneasy.
After all, he had seen Chu Shiyao sleeping naked, and she had helped him when it was inconvenient for him to go to the bathroom. Moreover, to say that he had no thoughts at all about such a young, busty girl would be fooling oneself, wouldn't it?
"Oh, is that so..." Chu Chengrui nodded slightly, "Have you slept together?"
"Pffft!"
Chu Ge spat out his tea, staring in shock at Chu Chengrui, whose expression remained calm. He even casually took out a tissue and handed it to Chu Ge with a smile.
"Your reaction... seems like you have?"
Chu Ge didn't even bother to take the tissue and shook his head vigorously, "No, no, really, no."
"Really no?" Chu Chengrui placed the tissue on the table in front of Chu Ge, his eyes filled with doubt.
"Really no!" Chu Ge replied firmly.
"Hehe, it's really sothing that you can hold back, huh?" Chu Chengrui teased with a slight smile, "Young man, no need to be so tense. Though I'm of age, I'm not so rigid traditionalist. It's the modern era; this kind of thing is perfectly normal."
Seeing Chu Chengrui's nonchalant expression, Chu Ge dared not lower his guard. Who knew if Chu Chengrui was just probing his words, ready to suddenly bang on the table, glare and dash to the kitchen to grab a knife?
He picked up a tissue to wipe his lips, remaining noncommittal, as such matters are easier to embellish the more they're explained.
"Alright, since you don't want to say more on the topic, I won't force you. But seeing as we're getting along so well, I'll share sothing frank with you."
Chu Chengrui showed a knowing expression on his face and chuckled, "Young man, you really don't need to worry about what I said earlier about you being married. For n, especially accomplished ones, having a few close female friends is really not a big deal. It's sothing that many people can only envy or be jealous of, right?"
Chu Ge still didn't take the bait, and his smile beca more awkward. What exactly was Chu Chengrui trying to do? Even if he was trying to lighten the mood, wasn't it a bit unconventional for soone of his grandfather's generation to bring this up?
As Chu Ge was pondering, Chu Chengrui cheerfully asked, "Little Chu, do you think I'm being a bit disrespectful for my age?"
Chu Ge thought to himself, you actually know? But on the surface, he shook his head. "No, I just think Mr. Chu is very open-minded."
"Haha, you sure know how to talk. Actually, I'm telling you all this to let you know I'm not a narrow-minded person. No matter what's going on between you and our Yaoyao, whether you're purely friends, have a little ambiguity, or are lovers, I won't mind."
Chu Chengrui paused, and his expression beca more earnest.
"Little Chu, I did co on too strong just now. I only determined that you're a good person from my observations. We've talked quite a bit, and I believe you have so understanding of now. I sincerely hope you can consider my request seriously, ask Chu Shiyao to accept , and accept our Chu Family. Can you do that?"
So, this was Chu Chengrui's true intention all along.
Being t with Chu Chengrui's sincere gaze, Chu Ge fell into silence again. A few seconds passed, and Chu Chengrui's voice reached his ears once more.
"If you have any difficulties, requests, or thoughts, feel free to bring them up. As long as I can agree to them, I'll try my best to satisfy you."
Chu Ge grinned, "Then let be straightforward, if I help you get this done, how much money can you give ?"
Chu Chengrui was stunned, clearly not expecting Chu Ge to say that. He stared closely at Chu Ge, his eyebrows gradually furrowing, and his face turned uglier. Suddenly, he slapped the table, standing up from his chair.
"Chu Ge, I originally thought I was still clear-eyed, but it turns out I was wrong this ti. Not only did I misjudge you, but Yaoyao also misjudged you! What was supposed to be a sincere request from an elder turned into a naked transaction with you!"
Chu Ge's smile didn't change as he nonchalantly played with the lid of his teacup and even crossed his leg.
"Mr. Chu, isn't it unreasonable to say that? Didn't you just rely on the wealth of Tiancheng Pharmaceutical to be so sure you could give Chu Shiyao a happy family?"
Chu Chengrui snorted coldly, "At least everything was based on my care for Yaoyao! Chu Ge, I don't think we have anything more to say. You simply disgust ! Now, please get out of here!"
Chu Ge scratched his head and shrugged helplessly, standing up from his chair. "Are you sure you don't want to think about it? After all, I am the ace that'll make Chu Shiyao change her mind. Just letting go like this, won't you regret it?"
Chu Chengrui raised his hand abruptly, his finger trembling as he pointed towards the door, "Out!"
Chu Ge rolled his eyes and turned to walk towards the door.
One step, two steps, three steps... Until Chu Ge reached the door and pushed it open, there was no sound of Chu Chengrui calling him back.
The corners of Chu Ge's mouth lifted slightly as he gently closed the door, turning around with an apologetic smile on his face.
"What are you trying to do?" Chu Chengrui asked with a frown, his voice cold.
"Haha, Mr. Chu, I think I'm willing to seriously consider it now." Chu Ge walked back step by step towards the small round table, wearing his signature smile.
"I warn you, if you don't get out now, I'll have soone co up."
"Mr. Chu, calm down, I was just joking with you. You really do have quite a temper. Rest assured, I won't take a penny from you, I agree to your request."
Chu Ge spread his hands and sat back down next to the small round table. Chu Chengrui was taken aback, looking at Chu Ge with so skepticism, "What do you an by that?"
Chu Ge smiled and scratched his head, "It was just a joke, haha, although not a very funny one."
Chu Ge had deliberately said that earlier to observe Chu Chengrui's reaction, to see if this Supre Emperor of the Tiancheng Pharmaceutical Empire also believed money could solve everything.
Of course, being in Chu Chengrui's position, it would be understandable even if he thought so, but Chu Ge still hoped to see so qualities in Chu Chengrui that differed from most wealthy people.
"Mr. Chu, please give Chu Shiyao a call, I'll speak to her."
As Chu Chengrui remained in a daze, Chu Ge smiled again, "Don't worry, just like you said earlier, this isn't a transaction, I was just moved by an elder's profound love for a junior, that's all."
After a few seconds of being stunned, a hint of joy finally flashed in Chu Chengrui's old eyes. He couldn't help but laugh while giving Chu Ge a pat on the shoulder.
"You little rascal! So you were just playing , huh? Alright, alright, I'll contact Yaoyao now!"
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