Boyfriend Always Thinks I’m a Little Pitiful Chapter 59

Xie Qian and Gu Yongnian chatted as they followed the crowd outside. Among the group of parents, these two handsome uncles seemed like they were on a different layer, completely out of place with their surroundings.

Some parents around them recognized Xie Qian as Xie Ci's dad and eagerly approached him to chat.

"You're Xie Ci's dad, right? So tall! Are you a model?"

"Xie Ci's grades improved so much all of a sudden, did he join some kind of master class?"

"My kid's grades are always unstable, do you have any tutoring classes to recommend?"

"If my son were half as smart as Xie Ci, I'd wake up laughing from my dreams."

"Is your kid planning to go to Tsinghua or Peking University, or study abroad?"

Gu Yongnian noticed that when there were fewer people, Xie Qian would respond a bit, but as the crowd grew, he simply stopped talking. His tall stature gave off an intimidating vibe, making him seem aloof and unapproachable. If Gu Yongnian hadn't seen Xie Qian looking lost in the auditorium because he couldn't find the parents' seats for Class One, he might have thought the same.

Seeing some parents who had approached looking awkward, Gu Yongnian smiled and said, "With so many people, even Little Xie's dad is getting nervous."

This comment eased the atmosphere.

Taking advantage of the moment when Gu Yongnian was chatting with others, Xie Qian nodded to him in thanks.

Gu Yongnian remained calm on the surface, but the thought of having the chance to visit Jianyan's studio and admire a room full of paintings made him unable to stop grinning.

When they reached Class One's classroom, all the parents sat at their child's desk according to the names on the desks.

After Xie Qian sat down, he soon received a message from Xie Ci.

Xie Ci: [How's it going, are you adapting?]

Xie Qian replied: [No problem, I'm already in your class's classroom, thanks to Gu Dad for helping along the way.]

In the park, Xie Ci saw the new message pop up in the chat window. Even though he wasn't there, he could imagine the situation.

Gu Yongnian had been looking forward to this parent-teacher meeting for a long time. To build a good relationship with his favorite artist, he would definitely help out if Xie Qian encountered any trouble.

"Your dad is quite proactive," Xie Ci said.

Gu Yufeng, resting his head on Xie Ci's lap, glanced at the flipped phone screen and then turned to send a message to his own dad.

[Heard that Uncle Xie really likes you.]

The reply came quickly, a grinning emoji.

A few minutes later, Xie Ci received another message from his dad.

Xie Qian: [I might have said something wrong, Little Gu Dad suddenly became very enthusiastic.]

Even through the screen, Xie Qian's anxiety was palpable.

Gu Yufeng laughed heartily, "That old man is really shameless."

"You're one to talk," Xie Ci chuckled, "You're leading him into crime."

In Class One's classroom, Xie Qian sat up straighter as Xiang Haibin finished his speech and began to focus on some students' issues, worried he might miss anything about Xie Ci.

Some parents of students whose grades had slipped were called out, but they didn't have to go on stage, just exchanged a few words with Xiang Haibin from their seats.

After finishing with the previous parent, Xiang Haibin looked at Gu Yongnian with a complicated expression, "Mr. Gu, you really need to supervise Gu Yufeng's grades more. This kid is very smart, but his attitude towards studying is extremely poor! He picks and chooses which questions to answer on exams, ignoring the ones he doesn't like or finds too easy, only doing the ones he wants. How can that work?!"

Some parents found it too absurd and laughed.

In a key high school, in a key class, and in the third year, there's actually such a willful student?

Xie Qian felt nervous for Gu Yongnian, wanting to help but not knowing what to say.

Being called out by Xiang Haibin, Gu Yongnian wasn't angry. He crossed his hands on the desk and said with a smile, "Teacher Xiang, I'm the lowest in the family hierarchy, Xiao Feng is my ancestor, I can't control him."

Xiang Haibin: "..."

How can you say that with a smile?

Xie Qian: "..."

That's one way to respond.

The classroom erupted in laughter, leaving Xiang Haibin momentarily speechless, forcing out a sentence, "Children need education and guidance, spoiling them mindlessly will ruin them."

Gu Yongnian nodded in agreement, "I'm already trying to change the situation."

Saying this, Gu Yongnian gestured to the seat next to him and said to Xiang Haibin, "Xiao Feng and Xiao Xie get along well, and he's willing to listen to him. I'm planning to have Xiao Xie do some ideological work and help me manage Xiao Feng."

"Isn't your effort in the wrong direction?" Xiang Haibin felt overwhelmed.

No wonder the students in this class are so infuriating, their parents are just as exasperating.

Gu Yongnian smiled, "How about this, at the end of the year, I'll donate another experimental building, and I'll leave it to Teacher Xiang to continue taking care of Xiao Feng, Xiao Xie, and all the kids in Class One."

All the parents widened their eyes.

What kind of family is this?! Just like that, donating an experimental building?!

Xiang Haibin knew Gu Yongnian's status and didn't quite approve of his money-throwing tactics. Just as he was about to speak, he caught sight of the principal outside the window in the corridor, hiding in a corner where Gu Yongnian couldn't see, frantically signaling him to stop, blinking, gesturing, and clasping his hands in a pleading gesture.

Xiang Haibin: "..."

Xie Qian was still processing what Gu Yongnian had said when he suddenly saw Xiang Haibin looking at him, his scalp tingling, and he quickly said, "My family's situation is the same as his, I can't control it either."

Xiang Haibin: "..."

I can see that.

"Xie Ci's grades are very stable, there's nothing much to say about that."

Xiang Haibin said to Xie Qian, "Apart from the final exam, the competition finals are coming up soon. I hope nothing will affect his mindset."

Xie Qian agreed to everything.

Other parents raised their hands, expressing curiosity about Xie Ci's family education and wanting to learn from Xie Qian.

As parents, even if they aren't fully aware of every little thing happening at school, they definitely discuss who got first place in the grade or in competitions.

There are very few cases like Xie Ci, who wasted two years and then managed to pull his grades back up and stabilize at a high level.

The entire class of parents expressed their interest in hearing from him, and Xiang Haibin looked at Xie Qian with some difficulty, "How about, Mr. Xie, you come up and say a few words?"

Xie Qian: "..."

His suspended heart finally died.

Gu Yongnian watched him go on stage, feeling like he might shatter at any moment.

In the park, Xie Ci, feeling drowsy from the sun, suggested they take a walk to the nearby science museum, tossing the ridiculous itinerary into the trash.

Gu Yufeng picked up the jacket from the ground, dusting off the dirt, "Going to such crowded places, even kissing is a hassle."

"..."

Xie Ci put on his jacket, helping him remove the dried grass from his hair, "High school students dating, kissing isn't necessary, not even holding hands."

Gu Yufeng: "...Does that make it easier for you?"

Xie Ci: "Learn from Old Zhang, just smelling the air is satisfying."

Gu Yufeng: "..."

At four in the afternoon, Gu Yufeng received a call from Gu Yongnian, saying the parent-teacher meeting was over and suggesting the four of them have a meal together.

After hanging up, Gu Yufeng turned to Xie Ci and mentioned it, "We just started dating and we're already meeting the parents."

Xie Ci: "If they knew we were together, would they still sit down for a peaceful meal?"

"What do you mean by 'together'?"

Gu Yufeng disagreed, "We haven't done anything yet."

Xie Ci: "..."

At five, in a private room of a high-end restaurant.

Xie Ci looked at the two dads chatting and laughing at the table, feeling complicated.

In his past life, when he married Gu Yufeng, his dad Xie Qian had already passed away, leaving him alone. Meanwhile, Gu Yufeng had taken over his grandfather's Qingfeng Group, wielding significant influence both within the group and in the Gu family, leaving no one to oppose their marriage. The resistance mainly came from external public opinion.

But now, the situation was different. He and Gu Yufeng were still just kids, minors who could be called to the principal's office for any little thing. Their once legitimate marriage had turned into a "secret affair."

Feeling a nudge on his calf, Xie Ci glanced at Gu Yufeng across the table, who was eating with perfect table manners, giving no hint of the mischief he was up to under the table.

"Xiao Xie, is it not to your taste?" Gu Yongnian asked.

Xie Ci: "No, the food here is quite good."

Gu Yongnian was in a good mood, "Xiao Feng is lazy, and I'm usually busy, so I don't have time to watch over him. Please help me take care of him."

"We're classmates, it's only natural," Xie Ci replied casually.

Gu Yufeng looked up, speaking slowly, "Then you really have to take good care of me."

Xie Ci: "..."

Everything you say gets twisted.

After the meal, the four of them left the private room, and Gu Yongnian couldn't help but bring up the topic of paintings, "Recently, I was fortunate enough to acquire one of your works, but before I could properly appreciate it, Xiao Feng gave it to his mom. Do you have any plans for an exhibition soon?"

"Not at the moment," Xie Qian replied without much thought, "But I do have some works in my studio. If you're interested, you can come and take a look."

"Wouldn't that be too much trouble?"

Though he said that, Gu Yongnian's face showed he couldn't wait to go.

Walking behind them, Xie Ci and Gu Yufeng exchanged a glance, thinking that the old man had finally gotten what he wanted. Out of all the topics discussed at the table, this was the main point.

As they exited the hall, Xie Cheng and a few people from the business circle came from the other side, and they crossed paths.

Seeing Xie Qian with Gu Yongnian, Xie Cheng walked straight over to them.

Xie Qian wanted to avoid him but was blocked.

"Brother," Xie Cheng greeted directly in front of Gu Yongnian.

Both Gu Yongnian and the business circle people were taken aback.

Xie Cheng and Xie Qian, who seemed like people from two different worlds, were actually brothers?!

Following behind, Xie Ci's expression darkened.

The technology park project had already been settled, and Xie Cheng's move was purely for revenge, trying to drive a wedge between them and Gu Yongnian, while also making their relationship with the Xie family clear. He was probably also unhappy about being tricked out of over twenty million by Xie Hongguang.

Seeing Xie Qian remain silent, Xie Cheng turned to Xie Ci, as if suddenly remembering, "Today is the parent-teacher meeting at Yi Zhong? It's rare for you to attend, but if you can't get along with your own family, how can you handle the relationship with your son?"

His seemingly casual words were like daggers aimed at Xie Qian's heart.

The atmosphere grew increasingly tense.

Gu Yongnian looked at Gu Yufeng in confusion, but saw that he remained indifferent, as if he had known about this all along.

Fearing his dad might lose control again, Xie Ci prepared to step in and help, but then he heard him speak in a relatively calm tone, "You can't even manage your own life, how can you teach your son?"

With Gu Yongnian and the business circle people present, Xie Cheng suppressed his anger, "After all these years, I thought your mental illness was cured."

Mocking Xie Qian in front of outsiders, implying he was talking nonsense.

"Wasn't my illness caused by your torment?"

Xie Qian pushed past Xie Cheng, heading outside, "When I have an episode, I hit people, so you'd better stay away from me."

Xie Ci followed, and as he passed Xie Cheng, he spoke in his usual cold tone, "Mr. Xie, my dad's attitude is my attitude. Please go back and tell Old Master Xie that my dad and I will have no familial ties with the Xie family, neither in the past nor in the future."

The business circle people watched the entire awkward scene unfold, also observing Gu Yongnian's reaction. But he remained silent throughout, only nodding slightly to them before leaving with his son.

Outside the door, Xie Ci noticed his dad's hand trembling slightly at his side, as if trying to hide it by clenching it tightly and shoving it into his coat pocket.

The old man seemed to be putting on a brave face, and those two retorts earlier probably took all his strength.

Xie Ci went over and patted his shoulder, and when the car was brought over, he turned to Gu Yufeng and his dad, "We'll head back first, you guys be safe on the road."

"Leave the car here and let Robertson drive you. I'll ride with my dad," Gu Yufeng said, waving to Robertson to arrange for them to be driven back.

Surprised that Gu Yufeng would notice such details, Xie Ci was a bit taken aback.

This person, usually frivolous and carefree, could mix up his socks, but sometimes he was so meticulous, making him feel truly seen and cared for.

Perhaps these subtle attentions were the source of his sense of security.

Knowing his emotions were unstable, Xie Qian still turned to nod goodbye to Gu Yufeng and his dad, then got into the Land Rover driven by Robertson with Xie Ci.

Sitting in the back seat, Xie Ci watched Gu Yongnian walk to the car behind them and waved to Gu Yufeng, "I forgot to tell you something."

Gu Yufeng gestured for Gu Yongnian to get in the car first, then walked over to the Land Rover's door, casually resting his hand on the roof, bending down to look at Xie Ci in the back seat, "What else—!"

Before he could finish, he was suddenly pulled in by Xie Ci, the rest of his words swallowed in a kiss.

Daring to kiss him in front of so many people?!

Xie Ci released him, calmly asking, "Did you understand?"

Gu Yufeng glanced around the car, seeing Robertson setting the navigation and Xie Qian lost in thought beside him.

After confirming the situation, he looked back at the composed Xie Ci, instantly understanding.

This guy had timed it perfectly, suddenly feeling like a fool for worrying about their "affair" being exposed, he laughed in exasperation, "Playing this game with me, just wait."

Xie Ci nodded nonchalantly, "I'll message you when I get home."

After watching Gu Yufeng get into the car behind them, Xie Ci signaled Robertson to start the car, turning to his dad, Xie Qian, "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." Xie Qian, mindful of Robertson's presence, didn't say much.

Once they reached the studio entrance and watched the car drive away, he spoke softly, "I hope your classmate's parents knowing about my illness won't affect your relationship with your classmates."

Xie Ci: "Is that what you're worried about?"

Xie Qian nodded, walking inside with him, "Some parents are particular about who their kids associate with. When I was in school, there were quite a few like that around me."

"It won't."

Xie Ci said casually, "Uncle Gu seems like a very open-minded parent, he won't care about such trivial matters."

Even if he did care, it wouldn't be about his dad's illness, but rather their identity as Xie family members.

But he had already made his stance clear, and he didn't think Gu Yongnian would be so petty.

In the other car, after getting in, Gu Yufeng saw his dad looking at his phone, his expression unreadable, unsure of his attitude.

The power struggle between his dad and his second uncle had never ceased, and the Xie family, being close to his second uncle, was naturally a thorn in his dad's side.

Hearing a light sigh, Gu Yufeng felt uncertain, "Why are you sighing in front of your son?"

"I'm just sighing."

Gu Yongnian turned his phone screen towards Gu Yufeng, "Jianyan is only two years younger than me, but why does he look so much more handsome?"

On the screen was a photo of Gu Yongnian and Xie Qian, taken in the corridor outside Class One's classroom. From their expressions, it was clear that Gu Yongnian was genuinely happy, while Xie Qian was forcing a business-like smile.

Gu Yufeng: "..."

So he was just looking at a photo all this time?

"Jealousy won't help," Gu Yufeng said leisurely, "His natural assets are there, just look at Xie Ci."

Gu Yongnian put away his phone, "Handsome and talented, with such an outstanding son."

After a pause, he added in a low voice, "It's just that some of his relatives are a bit embarrassing."

"Aren't they cut off? What kind of relatives are they?" Gu Yufeng chimed in.

Having been in the business circle for so many years, Gu Yongnian had seen it all. From the few words exchanged between the Xie brothers, he had already pieced together most of the story, including Xie Cheng's convoluted thoughts and the meaning behind Xie Ci's words.

With this in mind, Gu Yongnian instructed the assistant in the front seat, "Tell the restaurant manager to blacklist Xie Cheng, and ban any reservations related to him."

Assistant: "...Okay."

"Is that really necessary?" Gu Yufeng glanced over.

Such a method of revenge seemed really childish.

"He has his own club, let him stay on his own turf and stop bothering me," Gu Yongnian said, his tone turning sour.

Gu Yufeng: "..."

Now he's just being petulant.

His phone vibrated, and Gu Yufeng opened it to see a message from Xie Ci.

Xie Ci: [We're home.]

Gu Yufeng: [How's your dad?]

Xie Ci: [After a group outing, he's pretty drained, probably going to be reclusive for a few days.]

Gu Yufeng: "..."

Another message popped up in the chat window.

Xie Ci: [Actually, there was something I forgot to tell you.]

Gu Yufeng: [What is it?]

Thinking about that unexpected kiss at the restaurant entrance, Gu Yufeng propped his chin on his hand, looking out the window, feeling a moment of unease, his gaze wandering.

His phone vibrated again, and he looked down at the screen.

Xie Ci: [Today's date was well planned, I'll leave next week's to you too. The itinerary should be ready by Monday.]

Gu Yufeng: "..."

Damn.