After Time Traveling, I was Forced to Marry a Wealthy Family

The Jing family’s history might not be as lengthy as that of the Gu family, having only developed in recent decades, but it had gained significant momentum. With the support of the Gu family and other family friends, it was now nearly on par with the Gu family.

The one notable difference was that the Jing family was still partially involved in the underworld, while the Gu family had completely distanced itself from such activities.

Jing Zheng was the eldest son of the Jing family, and on the surface, he still appeared as the heir. In reality, it was well-known to anyone with discernment that he now managed most of the family’s affairs.

Mr. Jing, Jing Zheng’s father, had stepped back into a secondary role, focusing on other aspects. Jing Zheng held significant power and could be considered the true leader behind the family.

When Gu Huai joined Jing Zheng in the living room, he found Jing Zheng sitting on the sofa, engrossed in a Renaissance painting album he had seemingly retrieved from the bookshelf. Standing next to him was a young man wearing a well-fitted white suit, his eyes modestly downcast.

The Gu family and the Jing family have been longstanding business allies with a history of mutual cooperation. However, the relationship between Gu Huai and Jing Zheng runs much deeper.

Eight years ago, when Gu Huai was twenty years old, he and Jing Zheng were both studying in France. That year, they found themselves in the middle of a shooting incident in the countryside. The situation had been perilous, with a rival family sending an assassin to eliminate them. The encounter had been a fierce battle, ending with Gu Huai sustaining a broken arm, Jing Zheng getting shot in the abdomen, and the assassin, who was both a hated enemy and a pitiful victim, suffering a shattered spine and being kicked into the moat.

Looking back on that incident, Gu Huai always felt a sense of regret. With his current skills, he wouldn’t have allowed a broken arm and an embarrassing struggle. Regardless, the mastermind behind the scenes was eventually brought to justice by the collaborative efforts of the Jing family and the Gu family.

This experience deepened Gu Huai and Jing Zheng’s bond, transitioning them from a solely interest-based relationship. Consequently, they grew closer and warmer towards each other, no longer maintaining a strictly cold and businesslike interaction.

Because of this history, Gu Huai maintained an informal demeanor with Jing Zheng. He sprawled on the sofa opposite him, running a hand through his hair irritably and grumbling, “You had to come back to the country now and ruin everything.”

Jing Zheng moved his gaze from the picture album to Gu Huai’s face, offering a subtle smile as he inquired, “What good deed have I ruined for you?”

Gu Huai crossed his long legs, nonchalantly lit a cigarette, rested his left arm on the armrest, and inquired casually, “Why are you back so soon? Have you finished your business in the United States?”

Jing Zheng replied with his typical cool demeanor, “I’ve nearly completed my work; I came here after a few days back home to see you.”

Jing Zheng always spoke in a measured manner, and the smile on his lips remained constant. Consequently, it was challenging to discern whether he was pleased or displeased.

This kind of person could be quite intimidating, for you never knew if he would suddenly draw a knife and stab you while maintaining that unfaltering smile. You might find yourself bleeding while watching him continue to smile without any change in expression.

How unnerving would that be?

Gu Huai smoked his cigarette while studying Jing Zheng. Jing Zheng had a somewhat Westernized appearance. His facial features were strikingly three-dimensional, giving him an exceptionally photogenic look. He had slightly brown hair, but his pupils were a typical blue, as Jing Zheng was of mixed race, and his mother happened to be a well-known French actress.

Gu Huai recalled their time studying together in France when gifts and flowers sent by admiring girls would amass outside their room daily, leaving the boys in their circle green with envy.

As the conversation with Jing Zheng continued, Gu Huai couldn’t help but think about Mu Ci, and a hint of resentment welled up inside him. He mused to himself, ‘You don’t appreciate handsome, wealthy, and powerful men like me, what more could you be looking for?!’

Jing Zheng studied Gu Huai with narrowed eyes for a moment, then flashed a sly smile and asked, “I heard you have a new love interest now?”

Gu Huai furrowed his brow and responded, “News travels fast, doesn’t it?”

Jing Zheng retorted, “That’s not the case. Bai Ling just mentioned it.”

Gu Huai rolled his eyes, criticizing, “He can’t keep his mouth shut; sooner or later, he’ll let something slip.”

Despite his words, Gu Huai was aware that Bai Ling probably didn’t reveal it intentionally. He knew Jing Zheng was adept at extracting information. It was likely that Bai Ling casually shared information while conversing, and Jing Zheng caught on.

“Is that so?” Jing Zheng displayed a keen interest in the topic, hinting that he wanted to delve into it. He made a subtle gesture, and the young man who had been standing silently by his side immediately presented a cigarette. Jing Zheng produced a lighter and lit it with a sense of reverence.

Gu Huai glanced at the young man idly. While lighting the cigarette, the man unintentionally covered the flame with his left hand. It was then that Gu Huai noticed a red mark on the man’s palm, as if he had been struck with a stick.

Casually brushing off some cigarette ash, Gu Huai gestured towards Jing Zheng, “Zheng Xuran, did he hit you again?”

Zheng Xuran took back the lighter quietly and mumbled, “It’s my own fault, Young Master Gu. Don’t worry.”

Gu Huai sighed and remarked, “You’ve been with Jing Zheng for several years, Zheng Xuran. Why do you let him hit you when you make a mistake?”

Jing Zheng responded impassively, “It’s not as if you don’t know, a knife must be sharpened to be effective. I have no use for a worthless person.”

“You really….” Gu Huai was at a loss for words. He’d witnessed the complex dynamics between these two individuals for years. Zheng Xuran was infatuated with Jing Zheng and had done everything for him, including sleeping, kissing and everything. Even if he wasn’t a man, he might have given birth to a child.

Why did Jing Zheng see Zheng Xuran as a mere tool? Aren’t you raising him like a dog?

To outsiders, Jing Zheng wasn’t an ideal partner. He was fine during ordinary times, but when Zheng Xuran made a mistake, his cruel and severe punishments were hard for others to bear.

Zheng Xuran had left for a few years, but Jing Zheng didn’t seek him out. Zheng Xuran eventually returned on his own, and, of course, he couldn’t avoid a brutal beating. Nevertheless, Zheng Xuran persisted in staying by Jing Zheng’s side.

Gu Huai sighed inwardly. One of them was a scoundrel, while the other behaved like a bitch. It was as if they were the perfect match, like two peas in a pod. He couldn’t help but feel somewhat self-satisfied, thinking about how he treated Mu Ci.

Even when Mu Ci threw the engagement letter at him, tore it up, and threw it in his face, he couldn’t bring himself to lay a finger on him. What a model husband he was!

After that, Gu Huai chatted with him some more, and finally made an appointment to get together later. After seeing them off, the sky outside had turned orange and it was dusk.

Gu Huai first ordered the kitchen to prepare dinner, and then returned to the study eagerly.

Mu Ci barely moved, still in the same position as when he left, slightly curled up. But when Gu Huai came closer, he saw many small scratches on his white and tender wrists, which must have been from struggling hard.

Mu Ci was probably tired from struggling, so he actually fell asleep with his eyes closed, his pink lips slightly opened, and he breathed evenly.

Perhaps it was because of the setting sun outside, but Mu Ci’s white body was covered with a layer of light pink, like an alluring rose.

Gu Huai couldn’t help but notice. He knelt down and carefully looked at Mu Ci’s sleeping face. At this moment, he even forgot that he had come back to deal with his cruel words before leaving. Now Gu Huai didn’t want to disturb his sleep at all, he just wanted to watch quietly.

The study was very quiet for a moment, the setting sun reflected on the floor without any scruples, and the tiny shiny dust slowly rose.

Gu Huai couldn’t help but lowered his head and kissed Mu Ci’s cheek, and then felt that his skin was hot. Gu Huai was stunned and quickly touched his forehead. It was hot.

The long period of confinement and nakedness made Mu Ci had a fever, and the fever was so severe that he even began to breathe rapidly and fell into a coma with confusion.