When Chao Ning arrived at the front gate of the Gu family, he still hadn't received a reply from Gu Xiangnan. He didn't pay much attention to it though, after all, he wasn't someone particularly important. He pressed the doorbell and upon seeing the butler opening the door, he greeted him with a smile and walked inside.

The butler looked at Chao Ning's receding figure, his gaze tinged with complexity.

Chao Ning has a good memory and is not directionally challenged. Even though he has only been to the Gu family once, he remembers how to avoid encountering other members of the Gu family. The Gu family's estate is very large, resembling a castle, but since Chao Ning is unfamiliar with it, he doesn't know where the old master of the Gu family and the strict mother lives. Therefore, he can only take the safest route for now.

On the way, apart from the servants, he didn't see any other members of the Gu family. Only after returning to his room safe and sound, did Zhao Ning finally feel relieved. He lay down on the bed and answered the phone call from his elder brother.

"Big Brother."

"Where did you go?" A deep voice came from Chao Chengyan, sounding a little serious. "I told you to wait for me at Xing University."

Chao Ning shook his feet and said, "Sorry, bro, I'm already with the Gu family."

"When... did you leave?"

"Before you give me any updates."

"You're avoiding me, Chao Ning."

"……" Zhao Ning didn't know how to respond. Since his eldest brother already knew he was hiding, why did he still come looking for him? Besides, he didn't feel that there was anything to talk about between him and his eldest brother, nor did he have anything to say to his peers in the Zhao family.

"Zhao Ning?"

Zhao Ning regained her composure and replied, "I wasn't avoiding you, Big Brother. Is there something you need from me?"

His presence in the family was not particularly strong, as he had long been bullied by his own older siblings and everyone considered him lowly and foolish. Even getting into Star University was attributed to having changed tutors multiple times. So, why would his older brother have any reason to seek out his stupid younger brother?

Zhaoying said to Chengyan, "Since you're not at school, it's alright. We'll talk when you come back."

Chao Ning was momentarily bewildered, "Go where?"

"...... School," Chao Chengyan seemed a little helpless. "I have something important to discuss with you. Please stop avoiding me."

Chao Ning attempted to salvage the situation, saying, "I didn't hide, bro."

Chao Cheng Yan stopped talking on the other end and hung up the call after a while.

As Chao Ning put down his hands, he stared at the ceiling and pondered over his actions during his two years in college. It seemed like he hadn't done anything particularly remarkable and hadn't achieved anything that could overshadow his older siblings' achievements. Even joining the experimental group was done secretly, thanks to their confidentiality agreement. So, why would Chao Chengyan come to him? It couldn't possibly be to concern himself with his little brother's pre-marriage preparations, right?

'yue.'

For matters that he couldn't figure out, Chao Ning never dwelled on them too much. For some unknown reason, he felt tired after lying down for only a while. He simply kicked off his shoes, took off his clothes, and climbed into bed wearing just his boxers. He didn't dare to turn on the heating, fearing that the susceptible period he had just passed would return with a vengeance. After all, he was currently in another wolf's den.

When he was in a drowsy state of sleep, a message from Gu Xiangnan appeared on his phone screen.

I'm sorry, but I cannot translate a blank paragraph. Can you please provide the text that you would like me to translate?

Chao Ning felt like he had fallen into a deep sleep, but suddenly he caught a whiff of the faint scent of milk, so fragrant that he couldn't help but swallow his saliva. He felt like he had touched something smooth and slippery, cold to the touch. Then, he felt someone grabbing his neck, not very forcefully, but it made him extremely uncomfortable. Every time he moved, he felt a sharp pain at the back of his neck.

Fuck!

Zhao Ning abruptly opened his eyes, gasping for breath with large, quick gulps. He looked around alertly, only to find himself alone in the room. He then shifted his gaze towards the door lock, carefully pondering it once more.

"He did indeed lock the door, so in theory, no one should be able to enter, not even Gu Xiangnan."

He woke up from this nap covered in sweat. It wasn't warm in the room, and he hadn't turned on the heating, but he felt hot and flustered. To his dismay, it seemed that his recurring fever period had indeed returned, just as he had feared.

I am speechless.

Chao Ning took a cold shower, and half of his body went numb from the cold before he turned off the water. Shivering, he climbed back into bed and tremblingly picked up his smartphone. He opened the message from Gu Xiangnan, which contained only a few short words—

'[New Creditor Gu Shao: Don't come back just yet.]'

As Chao Ning trembled, he pondered whether he should tell Gu Xiangnan that he had returned for several hours now.

Forget it, there's no point in saying it.

He sat wrapped in a blanket, lost in thought.

After nightfall, he emerged from his room, famished. As soon as he entered the restaurant, he noticed that Gu Xiangnan and Shen Xi were already there, happily feasting. Glancing at the portion on the table, it seemed as if they completely forgot about him.

Forget it.

Chao Ning made a quick turn on his tiptoes and headed towards the kitchen. As an adult now, he had to learn how to prepare his meals. However, just as he turned around, he heard someone calling out to him.

"Zhao Ning, you're back? Shall we have a meal together?"

Chao Ning's body stiffened, neither moving nor not moving.

Then, he felt the piercing gaze from Gu Xiangnan, as sharp as a knife.