Chapter 24: Time to Settle Down

When Zhou Ci heard this, his expression turned blank, a thin layer of coldness settling in his eyes.
“What did you say?” That barely restrained violence began to stir.
Gu Shen instinctively took a step back. “Mr. Zhou, I’m sorry. What I meant was, it’s very late now, and I need to go home, so I don’t encounter any unforeseen dangers.”
Zhou Ci watched her, noting her fearful demeanor, a faint irritation flickering within him.
She spared no effort in distancing herself as quickly as possible.
Having to follow him during work hours was unavoidable, but as soon as the day ended, she seemed desperate to vanish. Did she truly loathe and fear him that much?
“It’s only a contract I might not even fulfill, and you’re in such a hurry to leave?” Zhou Ci’s words carried a hint of mockery, lacking seriousness.
Standing there, Gu Shen felt every muscle in her body stiffen.
She was trapped in a helpless situation.
“I’ll go cook it right away,” she said, as if conceding, then turned toward the kitchen.
Zhou Ci’s gaze followed her retreating figure, his eyes full of conflicting emotions.
In the kitchen, Gu Shen could hear the sound of Zhou Ci answering a call from the living room.
She had no idea what the conversation entailed, only that Zhou Ci, who was usually severe toward her, suddenly sounded tense and worried.
She found herself listening intently, almost involuntarily.
“Come with me to Haizhou Hospital now,” Zhou Ci’s voice suddenly rang out, and Gu Shen turned to see him standing at the doorway, his face etched with anxiety.

She paused briefly, quickly turned off the stove, and left the kitchen.
The drunken haze that lingered around Zhou Ci earlier seemed to vanish, his eyes clear and focused now.
On the way to the hospital, he said nothing.
After dropping Zhou Ci off at the hospital, Gu Shen glanced at the time—past midnight once again.
Her workload was almost always excessive.
“Let’s go,” Zhou Ci ordered coldly when he saw her hesitate.
“I’m coming too?” she asked, confused.
Zhou Ci replied, “I’ve had a drink. You might need to help me.”
Gu Shen parted her lips, but offered no retort. She unfastened her seatbelt and got out, following Zhou Ci into the elevator from the parking garage.
The elevator went straight to the VIP floor.
Gu Shen trailed behind him. When they reached the door, she sensibly waited outside as Zhou Ci entered.
Though her presence was slight, someone inside noticed her.
Gu Shen’s expression shifted, and she quietly moved aside, her brief glance exchanged with someone inside leaving her uneasy.
“Mom, what’s wrong with her?” Zhou Ci asked Qin Ying in a low voice.
Qin Ying, though middle-aged, was well-preserved. Her naturally cool demeanor and reluctance to smile made her appear quite young; at a glance, few would guess she was Zhou Ci’s birth mother.

Qin Ying slowly withdrew her gaze from the doorway. “The doctor said it’s food poisoning. She’ll need careful attention tonight.”
Zhou Ci stared at the pale, slender girl on the hospital bed, pursing his lips in silence.
Qin Ying caught the scent of alcohol on him and paused, lowering her voice. “Since you’ve been drinking, you shouldn’t have come.”
“As long as she’s alright,” he said.
“It’s late, and the driver’s off duty. Who brought you here?” Qin Ying suddenly asked in a stern tone.
Zhou Ci looked at Qin Ying. “You saw correctly—it was a woman.”
Qin Ying was about to speak, but Zhou Ci lifted his hand, signaling her to stop.
“Who I choose as my driver is my business. You have no right to interfere.”
Over the last two years, he had quietly replaced almost everyone Qin Ying had planted in the Zhou Corporation.
This was the mark of absolute authority.
“Don’t forget your engagement to Wanwan. It’s time to settle down,” Qin Ying reminded him, a touch of unease crossing her mind at the mention of that name.