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

"Be happy you're home now, let's go eat first! Your mom made your favorite braised pork!"

Gu Jianguo said this and then pulled Gu Heng by the shoulder, heading inside...

Seeing his father's limping steps, Gu Heng's nose couldn't help but feel sour again...

Ever since Gu Heng could remember, Gu Jianguo's foot had always been like this, hobbling around doing carpentry work in the neighboring villages to raise him and support the family...

Thinking of this, Gu Heng quickly stepped forward to support Gu Jianguo's arm, using his body strength to help him walk more steadily.

Gu Jianguo couldn't help but look back, his eyes filled with relief...

The son had finally grown up...

.....

.....

Before long, everyone had gathered around the dining table.

This time, Gu Heng didn't sit down with a grand gesture like he would in a fancy restaurant outside, but instead, humbly followed Xu Hong, serving dishes at the table.

"Oh dear, just sit with your dad and the others. It's just a few dishes, I can serve them. You must be tired from driving all day, right?"

Xu Hong couldn't bear to see her son tired, her tone full of indulgence...

Hearing his mom's words, Gu Heng tugged at the corner of his mouth, "I haven't driven long, not tired."

This kind of treatment was only to be enjoyed when he had just come home; in three days, any slight laziness on his part would surely meet a tough love strike from his mother...

He might as well get used to the sudden drop in family status that was bound to come sooner or later...

Being commendable outside was possible.

No matter how great an almighty tycoon outside, back home, family status remained unchanged...

It took a few minutes for the mother and son to get all the dishes on the table, and Gu Heng naturally took a seat next to Gu Jianguo.

As soon as he sat down, Gu Heng saw his mother, disregarding his uncle's twitching eyelids, move the braised pork from in front of him to herself...

She was just a simple rural woman.

One to hold grudges, one to dote on her son.

Part of her action was to spite Gu Jiandang who had slandered her son just before, but more so because this dish was Gu Heng's favorite from childhood.

Watching his mother's move, Gu Heng couldn't help but grin widely, inheriting much of his vindictive nature from her.

According to rural seating customs, the eldest person at the table must start eating before others could.

In other situations, Gu Heng would willingly follow this tradition.

But who was the eldest person at the table today?

It was his despised uncle, whom Gu Heng couldn't stand—would he indulge him?

He simply grabbed his chopsticks and picked up a trembling piece of braised pork and brought it to his mouth, savoring it carefully.

"Is it tasty? I stewed it in a clay pot all afternoon; the fat has almost melted."

Xu Hong eagerly asked.

"Delicious! Tastier than what any chef at a five-star hotel could make!"

Truth be told, the flavor of the pork couldn't compare to any high-end restaurant Gu Heng had dined at, nor to an ordinary eatery, but it was made special by motherly love, so he spoke genuinely...

Seeing Gu Heng enjoying it, Xu Hong quickly picked up her chopsticks, selecting several well-cooked pieces of meat to put into Gu Heng's bowl, "If you like it, eat more, I'll make it for you every day!"

This affectionate mother-son scene left the families of Gu Jiandang and Gu Jianjun with stiff faces, saying nothing.

Not to mention the carefree Gu Xinran, who also shouted, "Second mom! You can't be biased, give me a piece too, I love it as well!"

"Alright, alright, Second Mom will get you some."

Gu Heng jokingly guarded the plate, pretending to be stern, "What does a girl need with braised pork? Eat more vegetables! What if you get fat?"

"Second Mom, look at my brother!!"

"I'll take care of him!"

As Xu Hong spoke, her hand reached out and tugged at Gu Heng's ear.

Gu Heng thought it would take a few days before he'd feel this strike of motherly love, but just because he had gotten cheeky, he got to enjoy it early. He hurriedly pretended to be in pain and pleaded, "Ow ow ow, I was wrong..."

Even though Xu Hong knew she hadn't exerted much force, seeing Gu Heng like this, she quickly let go, gently massaged his ear, and then glared at this impish son.

"Haha~ That'll teach you to bully me! Back home I'm the favorite! See your place now?"

Seeing Gu Heng beaten down, Gu Xinran also burst into joyful laughter.

Gu Jianguo, who always emphasized family harmony, knew they were intentionally irritating Gu Jiandang; he then stood up holding a bottle of Hui'an's famous liquor, Dream Blue, and said, "Big brother, how about a drink?"

Saying so, he bent over to pour some for Gu Jiandang.

With these words, Gu Jiandang's expression eased a bit, and he resumed his village officer demeanor.

"This bottle of Dream Blue was meant to be opened by you, it's just one bottle, a few hundred bucks' worth, not something to be stingy about! When do I not have this kind of liquor when I go out to eat?"

Gu Jianguo smiled and didn't argue back.

Seeing this, Gu Heng quickly took the bottle from his hands, saying, "Oh, how can you pour the drinks? It should be me, the younger one."

As he said this, he poured drinks for Gu Jiandang and Gu Jianjun.

Seeing Gu Heng unexpectedly pouring the drinks for them, the brothers exchanged glances, thinking Gu Heng was softening up. Just as they were about to adopt a senior's demeanor, they saw Gu Heng put down the bottle and suddenly picked up the happily eating Gu Xinran.

"Come on, help me grab some stuff from the car."

"I haven't finished eating yet!"

"You can eat when we get back!"

Having said that, he ignored her struggles and directly pulled her out by the collar...