How can I justify myself as a Magnate if I don't indulge myself?

Gu Heng didn't press the matter; there were certain things that didn't need to be said out loud—he would just handle them when the time came.

He was well versed in the tactic of acting first and reporting later.

At the moment when the father and son were heart-to-heart, as the host of the day, Xu Hong had been moving amongst the dining tables with Lin Jiayun and He Jing on her heels, bathing in everyone's envy. Now, however, she suddenly appeared at the doorway…

"Hey, look at you two, finding joy in your own company. Not welcoming guests now, and sneaking off here to loaf around?"

Upon hearing this, Gu Jianguo hurriedly stamped out the cigarette in his hand like a worker caught slacking off by his boss and chuckled awkwardly, "Well, we've been standing all afternoon; our legs are sore. Just taking a break with my son."

Xu Hong was just teasing and didn't really take it to heart, instead, she even stepped forward to wipe off the sweat from both father and son…

"Mom, weren't you inside? What brings you out here?"

At those words, Xu Hong rolled her eyes at Gu Heng and said discontentedly, "Why? Can't I come out?"

Looking at his mother's dissatisfied expression, Gu Heng was utterly puzzled…

Was his mom experiencing menopausal mood swings?

Today, of all days, he had been the most obedient son, hadn't he? Why was she still not happy?

The next second, when Xu Hong spoke again, Gu Heng understood why…

"For my birthday, you could organize a thousand-table banquet and invite thousands of people from villages far and wide, but how come you didn't think to inform the one person who should have been informed?"

The person Xu Hong referred to as the one who should have been informed was surely none other than Lin Ran, with whom they hadn't been in contact for several months…

Suddenly remembering, the image of a burgundy figure flashed across Gu Heng's mind…

To be honest…

About Lin Ran…

To say that he had deep feelings for her was a bit of a stretch.

But unspoken truths aside, she had indeed given him a distinct feeling, unlike Lin Jiayun and He Jing, who understood their place and were sensible. His feelings toward Lin Ran bordered on the romantic...

Although their beginning was somewhat hasty, having spent a night together just a few days after meeting…

The journey had its satisfying moments…

Whether it was pretending to be his girlfriend, listening to his childhood miseries, the Vlog featuring grand fireworks that remained pinned to the top of Lin Ran's social media account, dormant for months, or his treasured collection of the complete set of Ultraman toys...

However, Gu Heng's feelings for her were conflicted…

On one hand, he wasn't exactly a decent guy, and a strong independent woman like Lin Ran probably wouldn't accept someone like him...

On the other hand, Gu Heng felt he couldn't control Lin Ran as he did Lin Jiayun and He Jing, which is why he had not reached out to her all this time...

With these thoughts, Gu Heng shook his head and without batting an eye lied, "Aiyah, didn't I say? She's busy with work, how could she spare the time for your birthday? When she has time later, I'll bring her over to see you—it's the same thing."

However, this time, Xu Hong wasn't fooled; she just sneered coldly, "Keep on making up stories."

Gu Heng: "???"

Just then…

A red BMW pulled into the temporary parking spot next to the village committee's courtyard…

A woman in a burgundy loose tee and sunglasses stepped out from the driver's side…

Her hot pants revealed legs longer than life itself, drawing every eye around…

Taking off her sunglasses, the contrast between her youthful face and mature aura swept over the onlookers…

Gu Heng, looking at Xu Hong whose face was brimming with a smile, then at Lin Jiayun and He Jing standing aside, was rooted to the spot in shock…

Was this…

Could this be…

A... battlefield of the gods?