Chapter 152: President Gu Is My Brother

Hou Jianming turned his gaze to Gu Zhiyu, who was standing beside An Nan. “Looks like Brother Youcai is in a good mood today too?”

He thought to himself, Fine, you didn’t come up to present your gift, but you keep sticking close to my woman down there—what’s that supposed to mean?

Gu Zhiyu replied calmly, “I’ll give my gift to the boss after the birthday banquet.”

Hou Jianming was once again left feeling stifled.

Does the boss here look like someone who’s greedy for your gift? I just don’t want you hanging around my woman!

Besides, Miss Meili came here to spend the night with me. What are you doing butting in?

Hou Jianming’s expression darkened again.

But since today was his birthday banquet, he couldn’t make a fuss over something so trivial—it would make him look petty. So he just shot Gu Zhiyu a glare, then stood up with his wine glass.

“Thank you, brothers, for coming to celebrate my birthday! I’m truly happy today…”

He then launched into a three-minute-long speech, just like a leader.

By the time Hou Jianming finally finished, An Nan was so bored she was about to fall asleep.

“Come! Let’s toast to the bright future of our base!” Hou Jianming called out.

Everyone raised their glasses in unison. “Happy birthday, Boss!”

Hou Jianming laughed heartily and downed his wine in one gulp. His men followed suit, finishing their drinks.

In the crowd, Gu Zhiyu pretended to raise his glass, but in reality, he poured all the wine under the table.

An Nan sat up straight, not touching her glass.

She’d always claimed to be allergic to alcohol, so she didn’t even have to pretend. Instead, she quietly observed Zhu Dazhuang, the second-in-command.

Seeing him take a big swig of wine, she was secretly delighted.

It worked.

Now, as long as they eat more of the food…

After the toast, everyone, led by Hou Jianming, started eating. Their movements were surprisingly synchronized—everyone’s first chopsticks reached for the plate of greens.

Those sitting farther away even stood up to get some.

On the other side, music started playing, and a troupe of dancers led by Susu entered, gracefully beginning their performance.

The crowd enjoyed the dance while feasting.

An Nan didn’t pick up her chopsticks. Instead, she took out a plastic bag she’d prepared earlier.

With a swift motion, she scooped the last two bites of greens into the bag, then grabbed the nearest braised meat dish and dumped half the plate in as well.

The others at the table immediately looked at her.

Why is she packing up food before we’ve even started eating?

But everyone knew she was the boss’s favorite, so no one dared say anything.

Someone even tried to flatter her: “Sister Meili, there’s some sweet and sour pork over here—want some?”

An Nan shook her head. “No, thanks.”

Then, as if no one else was there, she picked up her own and Gu Zhiyu’s wine glasses and filled them both.

Finally, she grabbed two pairs of unused chopsticks and got up to leave.

The two bodyguards at the door saw her and greeted her immediately, “Miss Meili!”

An Nan nodded at them and handed over the food. “Thanks for your hard work! You two should eat something too.”

The bodyguards were stunned. “But we’re still on duty…”

An Nan smiled, her eyes flicking to the guns at their waists.

“It’s fine, go ahead and eat. This isn’t just from me—the boss was thinking of you guys.”

She waved the plastic bag. “There are even some greens in here!”

Hearing that it was from the boss, the two immediately glanced over at Hou Jianming in the distance.

At that moment, Hou Jianming was watching them too.

He’d been keeping an eye on An Meili. The moment she stood up, he noticed.

Seeing her bring food to his two trusted men, Hou Jianming couldn’t hide his smile.

Looks like this girl is really ready to be my woman—she even knows how to win over my people!

The two bodyguards saw the boss smiling at them and relaxed.

The chubbier one hurriedly took the wine glass, raised it in Hou Jianming’s direction, and downed it in one gulp.

The other followed suit.

An Nan smiled in satisfaction, handing over the bag and chopsticks.

“Don’t just drink—eat something too!”

The chubby guard immediately dug in.

Once she saw both men eating, An Nan cheerfully returned to her seat.

Up at the head table, Hou Jianming was still annoyed at Gu Zhiyu. Noticing he hadn’t touched his food, he leaned over and asked,

“What’s wrong, Brother Youcai? Don’t like the food? I haven’t seen you eat anything.”

Gu Zhiyu glanced at him. “No appetite.”

Hou Jianming kept his face neutral, but inside he was fuming.

This guy really doesn’t give me any face. First, he didn’t bring a gift or say any birthday wishes, and now he says he has no appetite at my birthday banquet.

Just because he’s got resources, he thinks he can look down on me.

Determined to put Gu Zhiyu in his place, Hou Jianming said,

“Brother Youcai, if there’s anything you want to eat, just say the word. I’ve got everything here.

After all, I have the Gu Group behind me—their president, Gu Zhiyu, is my sworn brother. When it comes to supplies, I have an endless supply…”

The implication: What are you showing off for? I have the top group, Gu Group, backing me up. I’m no less wealthy than you.

But as soon as he finished, An Nan almost burst out laughing.

Gu Zhiyu is your sworn brother?

Are you serious??

But she knew she couldn’t laugh now, so she forced herself to hold it in.

In doing so, she accidentally choked on her own saliva and started coughing.

Hou Jianming looked at her with concern. “What’s wrong, Meili? You didn’t even drink—how did you choke?”

Gu Zhiyu curled his lips into a smile and glanced at her, amusement in his eyes.

Then he said, “The boss knows President Gu? Funny, I know him too, but I’ve never heard him mention you.”

At this moment, the dance ended and the dancers exited. With the music gone, Hou Jianming’s startled voice rang out clearly.

“You… know President Gu?”

He looked around, then corrected himself, “You know my brother Gu?”

Gu Zhiyu replied, “We’ve had a few meals together.”

Hou Jianming breathed a sigh of relief. “So you’re just casual acquaintances. Why would he mention me to you? The bond between us is special.”

Gu Zhiyu smiled. “My relationship with President Gu certainly can’t compare to yours, Boss.”

An Nan on the side: Please, I’m begging you, stop talking! I’m about to burst from holding in my laughter!

Hou Jianming didn’t want to dwell on the topic, so he quickly changed the subject.

He pulled Susu, who had just finished dancing, over. “These two dishes on my table were made by the second-in-command himself. Let’s try them!”

Zhu Dazhuang immediately chimed in, “It’s been a while since I cooked—hope you don’t mind if my skills are a bit rusty, Boss!”

Susu, draped softly in Hou Jianming’s arms, tasted both dishes, then picked up his wine glass and took a drink, shooting a provocative look at An Nan.

An Nan: …

Here we go again with the girl drama!

Just then, a young subordinate suddenly rushed in from outside, heading straight for Zhu Dazhuang.

Zhu Dazhuang looked up and saw it was the man he’d sent earlier to fetch Er Kui for the banquet."