If the upper class of S City was to be divided into categories, the Gu family would undoubtedly be the most powerful, and no other family could compare.
In the Gu Financial Group, only a few people had the power to make decisions. The most prominent one was the Gu Cheng, who had made a name for himself in just five years.
Thus, when Qiao Lin received the invitation from Gu Cheng, she was both excited and nervous. She did not know why Gu Cheng wanted to meet her.
However, Qiao Lin never expected that Gu Cheng would actually come to him to find out about what happened when Qiao Nuan gave birth to her child.
Qiao Lin was a little confused for a moment. "Mr. Gu, why are you so concerned about Qiao Nuan and her child?"
"That's not for you to know. Don't be too curious." Gu Cheng's eyes were cold. He did not show much respect to Qiao Lin, who was dozens of years older than him. "Mr. Qiao, you just have to answer my questions honestly."
"But, I..."
Seeing that Qiao Lin seemed a little reluctant, Gu Cheng lightly promised, "The next project of the Gu family will prioritize cooperating with Mr. Qiao."
Qiao Lin's face immediately showed an irrepressible joy. "What questions do you want to ask, Mr. Gu? I'll definitely tell you everything I know..."
What a sellout. Gu Cheng suppressed the disgust in his heart and asked the question that had been bugging him for a long time.
"Is the boy by Miss Qiao's side her biological child?"
Hearing this question, cold sweat instantly broke out on Qiao Lin's forehead. His eyes were filled with hesitation, and he did not dare to meet Gu Cheng's gaze at all.
Seeing Qiao Lin's reaction, Gu Cheng understood. "It seems that there's a big problem with this child's identity. Mr. Qiao, please don't hide anything."
Qiao Lin took a long time to mentally prepare himself before he finally spoke slowly, "Mr. Gu, although I don't know why you care about Qiao Nuan and her child, you're right. That child is indeed not Qiao Nuan's biological child."
"Tell me in detail what happened."
"Five years ago, Qiao Nuan gave birth in the hospital in the neighboring city. She happened to be caught in a heavy rainstorm, and much of the hospital's equipment couldn't be used. The child was never fated to survive the night, and it died not long after it was born."
"Then where did Qiao Nuan's child come from?"
"Qiao Nuan's personality is sensitive and fragile. I was worried that she would not be able to bear the news of her child's death. Coincidentally, a single girl had just given birth in the hospital, and she wanted to throw the child away. So, I carried the child back and told Qiao Nuan that it was her child."
As he spoke, Qiao Lin's expression changed slightly. "Mr. Gu, although what I did was not lawful, I still love my child with all my heart. I believe that you will definitely understand."
Gu Cheng did not believe that Qiao Lin was a good father who would think so much for his daughter, but he also did not think that Qiao Lin would make up such a story to deceive him.
"Thank you for your answer, Mr. Qiao. That's all for today. My assistant will send you the relevant information about our next project later. I hope we can work well together."
Qiao Lin was ecstatic. He tried his best to keep his composure and said, "Thank you, Mr. Gu..."
Gu Cheng ignored Qiao Lin's flattery and left immediately.
By piecing together the information he got from Qiao Lin and the situation he knew, he could easily figure out what happened five years ago.
Gu Cheng's assistant, He Qing, was his old classmate and good friend. When he drove Gu Cheng back to the hotel, he could not help but sigh. "What a strange story. I thought it was amazing enough that you suddenly had a son five years ago. I didn't expect there to be a follow-up."
"Qing, do you think Qiao Nuan's child was bought by chance by the Qiao family or did someone deliberately put it by Qiao Nuan's side?"
He Qing looked at Gu Cheng in surprise. "You suspect that there's a conspiracy?"
"I have to." Gu Cheng's expression was cold. "Five years ago, we found out that the woman who gave birth to the child had something to do with my second uncle. The child in Qiao Nuan's hands is very likely to be my second uncle's backup plan."
He Qing's expression immediately became serious. "What about Miss Qiao? Is she also a pawn against you?"
Gu Cheng's expression became even gloomier when he returned to the few meetings with Qiao Nuan in the past few days.
He closed his eyes slightly, nodded, and said, "It's very likely, so I won't take the child back directly. I want to see what they're up to."
"I'll send people to keep an eye on Qiao Nuan and the child and protect the child in secret."
"Okay, let's do it this way."
.....
In the hotel, Qiao Nuan was very surprised to see Gu An and Qiao Ning playing crazily.
Although Qiao Ning was mischievous, he never liked childish games. Gu An, on the other hand, looked like a grown-up, so he didn't expect the two of them to play together so happily.
"Stop playing, you two!" Qiao Nuan stood outside the fence of the small castle and shouted with her hands on her hips. "It's time to eat. Come out now!"
After a while, Gu An and Qiao Ning climbed out hand in hand.
Gu An's eyes sparkled. "Ma'am, will you stay in my hotel forever? Can I go and play with Qiao Ning in the future?"
Qiao Ning looked at Qiao Nuan with anticipation.
How could Qiao Nuan refuse such an adorable child? She agreed immediately.