E-Scum Gong Chapter 60 (Part 2)
Translated by Q the Panda (ko-fi)
Chapter 60 (2/2)
Lin Xu had always been unaware of where his family lived until he noticed that Lin Shen was driving farther and farther out of town. He sighed inwardly. Renting a place in such a remote area made him feel a bit guilty.
“Ge, I still have some money on my card…” he began, meaning to say there were several hundred thousand left.
Initially, Lin Xu had intended to use the money for his studies. However, with various scholarships and full tuition coverage, he wouldn’t need to spend much. He decided to use the funds to support his family instead.
“Hmm?” Lin Shen looked at him curiously. Not spent it all yet? He was thinking about getting a supplementary card for his younger brother after National Day. Of course, he also wanted to limit Ah Xu's spending a bit. He couldn't be too extravagant. Now it seemed that Ah Xu really didn't spend as much as before.
As they drove farther out of town, Lin Xu’s emotions became more complicated. Suddenly, the road ahead opened up to a breathtaking view. The colorful neon lights looked quite out of place against the mountainside, where a large area of luxurious hotels had been built. There were a few large, flying characters at the entrance.
“Jiashang Hotel.”
“This is our company’s most successful high-end resort,” Lin Shen explained. “The rooms are almost always fully booked.” In reality, securing a reservation for a mountain view or lake view room was an enormous challenge.
That must be quite expensive… Did internal staff get discounts?
“Ge, you really don’t have to go this far…” Lin Xu felt it was a bit excessive for a welcome gift from his family. He had expected a simple family dinner for his coming-of-age ceremony, not this grand gesture.
Lin Shen didn’t offer further explanation until they arrived at the hotel parking lot.
The resort seemed unusually empty today, though it was bustling with activity. The place was impeccably decorated, with staff moving about as if some event were taking place...
He followed into the largest lobby, where a lake view and an artificial beach lay outside, and the swimming pool was crystal clear.
Lin Xu had some recollection of this place. It seemed to be the same location Lin Shen had posted about in his Moments, where he had shared vacation photos. The real thing was even more incredible than the pictures.
Suddenly, Lin Xu saw his parents, whom he hadn’t seen in a long time. They were dressed simply and sitting on the sofa, chatting casually. Daddy Lin's habit of picking his feet hadn't changed.
Lin Xu felt somewhat awkward. After calling out to his parents, he didn’t know what else to say.
Daddy Lin and Mommy Lin, clearly unsure of how to comfort their child, stiffly said, “We’ll hold your coming-of-age ceremony here tonight. We’ll go and get things ready.”
Lin Xu sensed something was amiss, and Lin Shen soon clarified his doubts. Perhaps their parents didn’t quite know how to broach the subject.
“Our family does indeed sell houses, but… we're not the ones selling it,” Lin Shen said succinctly. He felt a bit embarrassed, as if he had deceived his younger brother.
Lin Xu was a bit confused, but being as smart as he was, he quickly understood the implication.
It just felt a bit surreal. While he wasn’t overjoyed — after all, he had been a genuine rich second-generation in his previous life, and his sense of worth wasn’t tied to wealth — he was nonetheless taken aback.
“Ah Xu, are you upset?” Lin Shen asked, noticing his younger brother’s change in expression.
Of course, he must be upset. After keeping it a secret for so long, giving those high-sounding excuses about keeping him safe probably wouldn't be convincing, even if they were true.
Lin Xu shook his head. He felt he had no right to be angry. Instead, he felt a twinge of guilt, as though he had taken away the affluent life that should have been the original Lin Xu's. But the past was irreversible, and reflecting on it was pointless.
Lin Shen asked him, “Ah Xu, would you like to gain some experience at the company?”
Lin Xu shook his head decisively. “No, ge. I’m not interested in that. I want to focus on my academic research.” Apart from not coveting the life of the original Lin Xu, he felt there was little else he could do.
“Alright, I respect your choice,” Lin Shen said, patting him on the shoulder.
“There will be many guests tonight. We need to introduce you to everyone. Why don’t you go get ready first?”
Given the importance of the occasion, Lin Xu couldn’t refuse, even though he wasn’t particularly fond of it. He figured he could spend a couple of days there and then return to school. He would just be a wooden man and attend.
By seven in the evening, the hotel entrance was bustling with activity. The entire hillside was lined with countless luxury cars, and the parking lot was overflowing.
After their initial surprise at learning that the Lin family had another child, everyone scrambled to obtain invitations. The Lin family wasn’t very active in social circles, but their influence in the real estate industry was well known, and having an eligible child was advantageous for future alliances.
Gu Jinzhi sat idly in the front passenger seat of Gu Qi’s car. His chestnut-colored hair was styled in a popular Korean male lead look. Exposing his smooth forehead and wearing an earring, he embodied a pure flower boy.
After his last scalp allergy, he had been reluctant to style his hair frequently.
“There are so many people...” Gu Jinzhi complained, resting his chin on his hand, frustrated with the difficulty of finding parking.
“Do you remember what I told you?” Gu Qi reiterated.
“Got it. First, greet General Manager Lin, Chairman Lin, and Vice Chairman Lin, and then discreetly find a corner to stay out of the way,” Gu Jinzhi replied lazily. He had planned to chat with his boyfriend to pass the time, but it seemed his boyfriend was also busy with family reunions and hadn’t had the chance to reply.
“Ge, do you think the second son of the Lin family will also be tall and strong?” Gu Jinzhi asked curiously.
If he resembled his older brother, he might be quite handsome, though a bit intimidating. If he took after their parents... he might be more rugged.
“None of your concern... Why, are you interested?” Gu Qi raised an eyebrow in disbelief.
“Don’t be ridiculous! I’m devoted to our Ah Xu and wouldn’t be swayed by other factors,” Gu Jinzhi quickly retorted. He wasn’t concerned about social status.
Gu Qi didn’t respond. While he had agreed to their relationship, he wasn’t optimistic. Eventually, one of them would change. As an older brother, he hoped it would be Gu Jinzhi who changed first, even though it would be a bit unfair to the other child.
They finally parked and went to register at the entrance.
Suddenly, Gu Qi spotted a familiar figure. The person, wearing a fawning smile, looked over, causing Gu Qi to frown.
“Do you know him, ge?” Gu Jinzhi asked, intrigued.
“He tried to proposition your boyfriend,” Gu Qi said coldly.
Gu Jinzhi’s smile vanished, replaced by a furious expression. He was about to go over and confront the man, but Gu Qi stopped him.
“F*ck, just wait,” Gu Jinzhi muttered angrily. Once the formalities were over, he would drag the sleazy man out and give him a good beating.
“Don’t cause trouble at someone else’s event. Besides, nothing happened to your boyfriend anyway.”
“Are you even my big brother?!” Gu Jinzhi bumped him hard and stormed inside. What kind of older brother wouldn't want the best for his younger brother?
Gu Qi awkwardly rubbed his nose and smiled politely at familiar faces nearby. He couldn't help but feel a bit embarrassed by his younger brother’s behavior.
Gu Jinzhi found a corner to sit and didn't bother with greetings. He decided to let his older brother handle things as he wished.
Gu Qi didn’t insist on anything. Their presence here was already enough.
Suddenly, Gu Qi noticed Lin Shen, who was smiling brightly. It was the first time he had seen the other party smile so genuinely.
“Mr. Gu, nice to see you again,” Lin Shen greeted him.
Gu Qi took the opportunity to make the best of the situation. “Yes, it’s nice to meet your younger brother at last. My Jinzhi said he’s sure your younger brother must be as outstanding as you are.” Gu Qi took the opportunity to restore his younger brother's image.
Lin Shen appeared pleased, thinking that Gu Qi’s younger brother had finally said something good.
“He’s much more sensible and accomplished than I am. He prefers academics,” Lin Shen bragged.
Indeed, the Lin family was known for its rough manners, so discovering such a refined individual in their midst was a pleasant surprise.
“Ah, really? Hahahaha.” Gu Qi listened with mild interest. Lin Shen was either a year or two younger than him. Back then, he had attended a 985 university, which was considered pretty good in a family like the Lins, but it wasn't worth bragging about. Genetics spoke volumes, and just by looking at Chairman Lin and his wife, one could make a fair guess about their appearance.
“Mm, he’ll be out soon,” Lin Shen said with a smile, glancing toward the hotel.
His younger brother had inherited the family’s height, with long limbs and a slender, refined appearance. He was the epitome of grace. Lin Shen was already dreading how to fend off the inevitable matchmaking proposals, as his younger brother was sure to be highly sought after.
Lin Xu emerged in a black tailcoat. His appearance was meticulously styled from head to toe, and the silver cufflinks at his wrists added a touch of elegance.
In that moment, the hotel’s exterior lights seemed almost garish.
The first few people who saw him were momentarily stunned, their mouths agape. Their expectations of the Lin family's second son had not prepared them for such an ethereal appearance. Despite this, no one wanted to miss the chance to talk to him, especially the older ladies. They all had daughters, or even nieces.
Lin Xu felt intensely uncomfortable, until his older brother waved him over to meet some people.
Gu Qi spilled his drink. The wine splashed onto his clothes, and without pausing to address the stain, he immediately apologized to Lin Shen. “Sorry, I need to handle something.”
He quickly stepped away, his mind racing as he dialed Gu Jinzhi’s number.
“What’s up, ge? Where are you? I’ll come over now and say hello,” Gu Jinzhi’s voice came through, his irritation fading.
“Whatever you do, don’t come over! Don’t show up in front of Lin Shen and... his younger brother,” Gu Qi said urgently, unable to provide a full explanation.
He was worried that if his younger brother appeared, Gu Jinzhi might end up single by the next day.
“Ah? Why?”
“Don’t ask questions! If you don’t want to break up with your boyfriend, keep your face covered. Where are you? I’ll come find you,” Gu Qi said, taking a deep breath.
He was also a sinner for letting his younger brother actually climb so high. Before, he could have easily covered for Gu Jinzhi. But if he were to fight with Lin Shen now, it was uncertain who would win or lose. Besides, even a blind person could see that Lin Shen looked down on his unlucky younger brother.
Even he had to admit that his younger brother didn’t quite match up to Lin Xu. They might be from similar social circles, but they were not really a match in terms of personality.
Yet, for Gu Jinzhi’s happiness, Gu Qi had no choice but to take the risk. After all, this deal was too good to be true. He wouldn’t have to worry about his younger brother being targeted by small-time thugs. In this relationship, Lin Xu was definitely the absolute sucker.
Meanwhile, Gu Jinzhi, seeing the call end, instinctively used his sleeve to cover his face. Then he realized he looked like a thief. What was there to hide? He cleared his throat and sat up straight.
Huddled in his corner, he didn’t dare move. Matters concerning his boyfriend were not to be taken lightly.
