Chapter 85: One Bite, and You'll Be Reborn on the Spot

The next day.

Bai Lu and her father sat cross-legged on the couch in the living room, playing video games, while Gu Pianran, their “nanny,” busied himself in the kitchen preparing dinner for them.

“Dad, run faster! Don’t worry about me—wait, Dad, aren’t you running a little too fast? Abandoning your teammate is one thing, but I’m your daughter!”

“Nonsense about abandoning teammates! If I die alongside you, that’s just throwing the game. I’ll avenge you, that’s what matters.”

“……”

“Quadra kill, quadra kill! Dad, I’ll tank the tower for you—go for the pentakill!”

Penta kill!!

“Dad, you’re amazing!”

“It’s all thanks to your great assists.”

“Hee hee hee~~”

Their raucous voices echoed through the house, repeatedly interrupting the vice president who was trying to report work matters to Gu Pianran with a folder in hand.

When the report concluded, Gu Pianran, expertly tossing the wok, asked, “What do you think?”

Vice President Chen had worked with Gu Pianran for over a decade, and their relationship was anything but ordinary.

So he dared to tease, “What else can I think? You’ve practically moved your office into their kitchen. Clearly, President Gu, you’re secretly in love with either the father or the daughter.”

Gu Pianran chuckled, “I must owe them from a past life, and now I’m repaying the debt by working like a horse for them.”

Chen grinned and returned to business, “The competitors bidding for the Qingshan development rights alongside us are all formidable. But our company’s advantages are obvious, so I believe we’re almost certain to win this bid.”

Gu Pianran cautioned, “Don’t get complacent.”

Chen nodded. “However, President Gu, there’s something I need to report. I’ve heard Gao Fanqin wants to get involved as well. I’m puzzled—he’s always been focused on the entertainment industry. Even when you personally tried to recruit him, he turned you down. Why would he suddenly be interested in the Qingshan project?”

Gu Pianran raised his eyebrows. “Say that again—who?”

“Gao Fanqin. Yesterday he spent the whole day meeting with those interested in competing for Qingshan’s development rights—”

“So that little fox told me not to bother with Gao Fanqin for a reason.”

“President Gu, what did you say?”

Gu Pianran plated the last dish. “Nothing. Ignore Gao Fanqin. Just stick to our plan. The Qingshan development rights are mine for the taking.”

Chen nodded and asked no further questions.

Gu Pianran carried the dish to the dining room, Chen quickly following with two more. The father and daughter of the Lu family were still huddled on the sofa, gaming away.

Though it seemed they’d switched to a different game.

“Dad, save some loot for me too!”

“If you’re slow, that’s your problem. The level three vest is mine. When the airdrop comes, I’ll help you chase your dreams.”

“Okay, okay, then the level three helmet is yours too.”

Gu Pianran interjected, “Lu Yiting, could you at least act like a father? Why do you always bully Little Lu?”

Bai Lu grinned, “It’s fine, it’s just a game. We’re having fun, that’s all that matters.”

Gu Pianran watched over their shoulders for a bit, but couldn’t make heads or tails of it.

Chen, on the other hand, understood and whispered, “Best Actor Lu is actually terrible at this. Little Lu gives him all the good gear and keeps assisting. Don’t be fooled by his stats—she’s the one doing all the work and letting him get the final blow.”

“Winner winner, chicken dinner!” Lu Yiting put down his phone triumphantly. “Lu Xiaolu, isn’t your dad awesome?”

Bai Lu nodded enthusiastically. “Mm-hmm, Dad is the best! With Dad, we always win!”

“……” Gu Pianran said, “Yiting, aren’t you ashamed? All your wins are—”

Bai Lu quickly shot Uncle Gu a look, signaling him to hush.

Gu Pianran sighed, “You just spoil him.”

Lu Yiting arched an eyebrow. “Gu, what are you getting at?”

At that moment, the doorbell rang.

Lu Yiting’s face soured instantly.

Gu Pianran moved to answer, but Bai Lu hurried over, eager to please. “Uncle Gu, let me, let me! You’ve worked hard cooking.”

“Grandpa, Grandma, come in!” Bai Lu greeted the two elders with a beaming smile. “Eh, how did you get in? Didn’t the security booth stop you?”

Gu Pianran, now wearing his trench coat, had come to the door and smiled. “I called ahead to let security know. Chairman Lu, Aunt Song, long time no see. How’s your health these days?”

Chen, standing behind him, nodded courteously to Lu Cheng and Song Jinse as well.

Even if Lu Cheng didn’t care for Gu Pianran, he had to admit there was nothing to fault in his conduct.

Song Jinse took one look and understood at once, “Ting’er roped you into being his chef again, didn’t he? That herbal remedy you gave me worked wonders. I feel much better now. Especially when I hear Little Lu call Lu Cheng ‘Grandpa’—I feel ten years younger.”

Bai Lu’s voice was sweet enough to melt sugar. “Grandpa, Grandpa, Grandpa! Grandma, you’re eighteen again!”

Song Jinse was utterly charmed.

Even Lu Cheng, usually so stern, couldn’t help but smile a little.

“With all that ‘Grandpa, Grandpa’—anyone would think the Calabash Brothers had arrived,” Lu Yiting grumbled with a scowl.

Bai Lu: “……”

Lu Yiting helped Song Jinse to the table. “Pianran made all your favorite dishes. Eat while they’re hot.”

Bai Lu supported Lu Cheng. “Grandpa, Dad and I made your meal ourselves!”

Lu Cheng’s mouth twitched.

“Grandpa, are you happy?”

“...Yes, I am.”

Gu Pianran struggled to keep a straight face. “Chairman Lu, Aunt Song, enjoy your family meal. I have work at the company, so I’ll take my leave.”

Song Jinse called after him, “Pianran, stay and eat with us. You’re not an outsider.”

Gu Pianran shook his head. “I have work.”

Bai Lu turned and called, “Uncle Gu, take care on your way back!”

As soon as they stepped outside, Chen asked worriedly, “President Gu, are you really okay leaving Best Actor Lu and Chairman Lu together? If the two of them start fighting, only you can keep the peace.”

Gu Pianran’s smile faded. “Don’t worry. With Little Lu there, there won’t be a fight. That little fox is clever. Didn’t you see how happy she made Lu Cheng? When have you ever seen him smile?”

Lu Cheng only ever smiled in the presence of Aunt Song. At all other times, he was stern and rigid, always frowning.

But just now, when he saw Little Lu, his brows relaxed.

Though his smile was faint, it was there, undeniably.

Chen said, “...All I saw was Little Lu finding new ways to torment Chairman Lu. Making him eat food she and her dad cooked—I think she’s trying to poison him.”

One bite of that food and you’d be ready for reincarnation.

Gu Pianran replied, “Only if Chairman Lu is willing to let her.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, all the affection and family warmth Lu Cheng never had from his own children, he’s finally getting from Little Lu.” Gu Pianran gave a contemptuous, mocking smile.

“He spent the first half of his life chasing his career, neglecting his family. He was so focused on business, he didn’t even see his wife one last time before she died. He was harsh and demanding with his children to the extreme. Now that he’s old, he longs for family affection. Life doesn’t work that way.”

Chen dared not respond.

Gu Pianran said, “Still, Lu Cheng is lucky. In his twilight years, he found a clever and adorable granddaughter like Little Lu.”