It took exactly twenty-three minutes and fifty-six seconds to traverse from the primary entrance to the primary home, a deliberate transfer on Ji Ruan’s half. 

Enthralling sights alongside the best way captivated his consideration. Despite the fact that they’d initially come for a meal, he discovered himself hand in hand with Gu Xiuyi, leisurely strolling via the park, his tiredness merging with starvation. 

Observing Ji Ruan on this state, Gu Xiuyi discovered himself momentarily confused earlier than lastly sighing, “By no means thoughts, let’s take the automobile instantly on our method again.” 

Ji Ruan out of the blue raised his head, “You possibly can nonetheless take the automobile?” 

“We now have an open-air storage via the aspect door. As soon as there, you may drive straight onto the expressway via the again highway,” Gu Xiuyi calmly defined. 

“In that case, why undergo the entrance entrance!” Ji Ruan could not assist however frown. “I believed your Gu household purposely turned the home right into a labyrinth to discourage thieves!” 

Gu Xiuyi could not assist however chortle, patting Ji Ruan on the again. “There isn’t any hurt in getting a bit extra train. Aunt Zhao talked about that you just hadn’t left the home as soon as previously two weeks?” 

“I…” Ji Ruan hesitated, not anticipating the dialog to take this flip. 

After all, he would not admit that he was merely being lazy for not going out. 

“I, I, I am unwell!” Ji Ruan emphasised. “Very unwell! It is scorching exterior, and the warmth makes me fall unwell repeatedly. And why ought to I am going out? Am I supposed to examine the guards at your organization? -cough, cough, cough…” 

As he spoke, he clutched his chest and coughed, showing very similar to Lin Daiyu, fragile and vulnerable to coughing up blood every time provoked. 

Gu Xiuyi had no alternative however to mimic Aunt Zhao’s approach, patting Ji Ruan on the again. 

Nonetheless, he nonetheless did not let go. “You possibly can verify the mail. Xiaoya and the others talked about that they missed you. You possibly can schedule a gathering everytime you need.” 

“Hmph,” Ji Ruan sneered. “What sort of home requires appointments for checks? Simply wait and see, I am going to conduct a shock inspection.” 

Gu Xiuyi smiled uneasily, his tone involved. “Nicely, there is no rush. We will talk about it when you get better out of your sickness. Do not overexert your self.” 

Ji Ruan discovered himself a lot funnier than earlier than. 

“Gu Xiuyi, you!” Ji Ruan was on the verge of spitting blood from being choked with frustration. 

By no means had he realized that this particular person had such a unusual and visceral aspect to him! 

“Xiuyi, you are again.” A feminine voice interrupted their bickering. 

Ji Ruan regarded over to see a middle-aged lady in a purple cheongsam, well-maintained with an air of a typical mild and virtuous spouse. She hurriedly trotted over from the distant hallway, her eyes brimming with tenderness. 

“Xiuyi, you are lastly again. You don’t have any concept how your dad misses you!” 

Her eyes had been purple with pleasure, as if Gu Xiuyi had been absent from work and fought on the entrance traces for many years earlier than returning house. 

Behind her stood a younger man of about twenty, bearing a putting resemblance to Gu Xiuyi and exuding an identical aura. They had been certainly carved from the identical mildew. Upon seeing Gu Xiuyi, he grew visibly animated, “Brother!” 

Gu Xiuyi calmly acknowledged, “Aunt Fang, it has been some time.” 

With that mentioned, he positioned his hand on Ji Ruan’s shoulder and launched, “Fang Lan, my stepmother. You possibly can name her Aunt Fang. Gu Chuli, my youthful brother.” 

Ji Ruan prolonged a good smile, “Whats up, my identify is Ji Ruan.” 

The lackluster response from the 2 did nothing to dampen Fang Lan’s enthusiasm. She beamed at Ji Ruan with an air of affection. “Oh my, little Ruan, you are so lovely.” 

“Oh, by the best way, Xiaoli, the place’s your brother? Why hasn’t he come out?” Fang Lan out of the blue posed the query to Gu Chuli. “It is his first time bringing house a accomplice, he ought to have come out to greet them!” 

Gu Chuli displayed a slight embarrassment. “Mother, you recognize his temperament. He is with Dad proper now.” 

“That youngster!” Fang Lan smiled and checked out Gu Xiuyi. “Oh, Xiuyi, I am so sorry about this. I am going to undoubtedly give Qiming a stern lesson later.” 

Gu Xiuyi remained silent. “He is your youngster, it is naturally your duty to self-discipline him. No must contain me.” 

“Oh, you are proper.” 

The smile by no means dimmed on her face, and delicate creases had shaped on the corners of her eyes, accentuating her picture because the caring stepmother. 

Ji Ruan could not assist however really feel that the mom and son had been placing on a considerably exaggerated show. Would not they be exhausted from continually smiling… 

It appeared that Gu Xiuyi had no intention of partaking in additional dialog with them. He merely nodded and said, “I am going to take Ji Ruan to see Grandpa first.” 

“Hey, Xiuyi—!” 

Fang Lan blurted out, and when Gu Xiuyi circled, she prolonged her hand and chuckled as soon as once more, “Nicely, you have to be in a rush to see Grandpa. Why do not you’ve some water first? You have not had any because you entered.” 

“That is proper, that is proper,” Gu Chuli chimed in, “Brother, let me pour you some water!” 

“No want,” Gu Xiuyi replied calmly. 

“However—” Fang Lan tried to say one thing else. 

Gu Xiuyi’s face turned ice-cold, his darkish eyes devoid of heat as he spoke every phrase: 

“No.” 

The 2 instantly fell silent. 

As Gu Xiuyi carried Ji Ruan in his arms and disappeared across the nook of the hallway, the pressured smile on Fang Lan’s face crumbled, and she or he stared on the darkish hall. 

Initially, her lips had been downturned. 

“Mother, did you actually let him go upstairs like that?” Gu Chuli whispered in Fang Lan’s ear, his voice tinged with concern. “Is that factor he is holding in his hand…” 

Fang Lan shot him a pointy look. 

The second half of Gu Chuli’s sentence bought caught in his throat. 

“In any other case?” Fang Lan mentioned solemnly. “He is married, and everybody is aware of it. What can we do?” 

“However Grandpa is not useless but! Is he that impatient?” 

“Shut up!” Fang Lan scolded, then sneered. “How for much longer can the previous man dwell? He is virtually buried midway into the bottom… Anyway, it can finally belong to Gu Xiuyi… I hope he dies sooner so we are able to get began sooner…” 

“However even when Grandpa is gone, Gu Xiuyi will nonetheless be there!” 

Fang Lan harshly poked her son’s head. 

“Regardless of how weak you might be, you are still the second younger grasp of the Gu household. Can Gu Xiuyi oppress you for the remainder of your life? Can he make you endure perpetually?! Even when he needed to, your father would by no means permit it…” 

Ji Ruan was carried upstairs by Gu Xiuyi, suppressing all of the questions swirling in his thoughts. 

“What do you need to ask?” 

Gu Xiuyi did not take a look at him, but it surely appeared as if he had learn Ji Ruan’s ideas. 

Ji Ruan did not shrink back from it and regarded up at Gu Xiuyi. “Why does Gu Chuli name you massive brother? Does not he have an older brother?” 

Gu Xiuyi fastidiously guided Ji Ruan up the steps, his tone calm. “Fang Qiming was born to Fang Lan and her ex-husband, so he is not thought of a part of the Gu household.” 

Ji Ruan nodded thoughtfully. “However it’s uncommon to listen to about you having a youthful brother.” 

Gu Xiuyi glanced at Ji Ruan. “As a result of he was the product of an affair between my father and Fang Lan. The matter is disgraceful, so Grandpa suppressed the information and handled it coldly.” 

“Ah, I see…” 

Ji Ruan was bowled over. No surprise the mom and son acted like two timid quails in entrance of Gu Xiuyi. 

Though scandals are widespread in rich households like this, it’s exactly these sorts of households that worth their repute essentially the most. Despite the fact that Gu Chuli clearly carries the blood of the Gu household and has lived for twenty years, he’s pressured to maintain half of his id hidden within the shadows. 

Gu Xiuyi waited for a second, however earlier than Ji Ruan might communicate once more, he raised an eyebrow. “Are you going to cease asking?” 

The seemingly chaotic disputes inside this household, in essence, revolve round energy and household wealth. The present subject had touched upon the darkish secrets and techniques of Gu Xiuyi’s household, and Ji Ruan did not need to delve too deep into it. 

He shook his head. “I’ve no curiosity.” 

Gu Xiuyi stared at him for some time, then regarded away. “Good.” 

Mr. Gu’s room was situated on the finish of the hall, a spacious and sunny room. Nonetheless, upon coming into, Ji Ruan observed that the curtains inside had been tightly drawn, blocking out any hint of sunshine. 

The previous man, who had held energy within the Gu household for many years, sat in a wheelchair, silently gazing on the window hid by the curtains. Two sturdy nurses stood beside him. 

He turned his head on the sound, his total physique seemingly decayed, and his actions had been stiff and lifeless. 

Ji Ruan noticed a haggard face, with the previous man emitting a dying, corpse-like aura. 

“You will have arrived?” The voice was hoarse and intermittent. 

“Sure.” Gu Xiuyi wore an impassive smile. “I introduced Ji Ruan to see you. We’re married now.” 

Gu Changyun slowly turned his cloudy eyes in direction of Ji Ruan, quietly analyzing him for a second earlier than elevating a finger. “Sit down.” 

There have been a row of rattan and wood benches within the room. Gu Xiuyi guided Ji Ruan to take a seat down. In entrance of them, a wood desk stood, its floor adorned with a purple clay tea set. The teapot was already boiling, sending wisps of steam curling into the air like tendrils of smoke. The cups had been heat to the contact, and the air was full of the aroma of freshly brewed tea. 

One of many nurses pushed Gu Changyun nearer, whereas the opposite bowed to Gu Xiuyi earlier than positioning themselves by the door. 

Gu Xiuyi retrieved the wedding certificates, positioned it on the wood desk, and pushed it in entrance of Gu Changyun, utilizing two fingers to carry it down. 

“That is the wedding certificates. Have a look.” 

The nurse picked up the 2 small purple books, opened them, and tried handy them to Gu Changyun, solely to have the previous man brush them away. 

“Is that this Ji Ruan?” 

Ji Ruan sat subsequent to Gu Xiuyi and nodded barely upon listening to his identify. “Sure, Grandpa.” 

Gu Changyun raised his head, his eyes unfocused and seemingly not conscious of his environment. “You are so younger…” 

Ji Ruan did not know the right way to reply, so he instinctively checked out Gu Xiuyi. 

Gu Xiuyi squeezed his hand reassuringly earlier than opening the kraft paper bag he all the time carried with him. 

Inside was a doc, which Ji Ruan might clearly see when it was positioned on the desk. It was an fairness switch settlement. 

Gu Xiuyi did not waste time with pleasantries, diving straight into the subject. “The day my mom died in entrance of you, you made a promise and said it in your will. After I get married, you’ll switch all of the remaining shares below your identify to me and my accomplice, with joint possession. Do you bear in mind?” 

Gu Changyun remained silent. 

Gu Xiuyi prolonged his palms. “As you may see, I’m married. Let’s signal it.” 

Seeing that the previous man remained immobile, Gu Xiuyi was in no rush. He poured a cup of tea and handed it to Ji Ruan. “Watch out, it is sizzling.” 

Ji Ruan accepted the cup, taking a small sip whereas observing the state of affairs intently. 

He was conscious of the inventory rights. Gu Xiuyi had been clear with him. The settlement clearly said that after marriage, all of the shares Gu Changyun handed over can be transferred to Gu Xiuyi alone. In return, Gu Xiuyi would periodically present him with a major quantity of property. 

After a chronic stare-down, Gu Changyun lastly spoke, his phrases delivered slowly. “You understand it is a will. Aren’t you even prepared to attend till I die, my youngster? As soon as I’ve handed, it can all be yours—” 

“Grandpa,” Gu Xiuyi interjected, gazing on the previous man with chilly respect in his eyes. “You’ll dwell a protracted life.” 

Gu Changyun paused for a second, earlier than bursting into laughter. His previous face, wrinkled and missing flesh, contorted. “Stay a protracted life? Lock me up right here and anticipate me to dwell a protracted life?” 

Gu Xiuyi remained composed. “Your well being is deteriorating, and you need to have been admitted to the hospital for therapy. Nonetheless, you insisted on staying house… Sure, I perceive your want to return to your roots, and I respect your resolution. That’s the reason I’ve organized for somebody to handle you.” 

“Does taking care imply even my son cannot go to me?” 

“After all not,” Gu Xiuyi defined impassively. “My father has a risky mood, and there’s a tendency for arguments to come up when he speaks to you. It would not be good for those who had been to get upset.” 

“You…” Gu Changyun opened his eyes barely, his facial muscular tissues twitching with anger. “You need to be the one in command of every part!” 

“How might I?” Gu Xiuyi sighed softly, showing considerably helpless. 

“That’s the way you protected my mom previously. I’ve remembered all of it. Now, I’m merely defending you in the identical method.” 

“You, you!” 

Ji Ruan quietly sipped his tea, piecing collectively the intricate household grudges inside just a few phrases. 

Infidelity, the unique partner, the mistress, the illegitimate youngster, and the patriarch subjecting the unique partner to cruel torment. 

It turned out that the 2 guards, who had been as robust as bodyguards, weren’t solely liable for taking good care of the previous man, but additionally for stopping others from coming into. 

Ji Ruan vaguely recalled that Music Ling had praised Gu Xiuyi’s “filial piety” in entrance of him. This was true “filial piety”. The individuals round Gu Xiuyi had been certainly the type who talked about others and had affect. 

Ji Ruan watched this intriguing spectacle with nice curiosity, absentmindedly consuming a cup of tea. 

Gu Xiuyi refilled Ji Ruan’s tea, leaned again in his chair, gently touching the ring on his finger, and spoke in a mild tone. “Let’s signal, Grandpa.” 

The room was full of the aromatic aroma of tea, whereas the air carried a way of coldness and pressure. On one finish of the confrontation stood an ageing determine, whereas on the opposite finish stood somebody stuffed with vigor and spirit. 

It appeared like a contest with no suspense. 

Nonetheless, this seemingly easy contest could not stand up to Gu Changyun’s cussed resistance for lengthy. 

Half an hour handed… 

“Grrrrrrrrrrr—” 

A string of strange sounds reduce via the air and reached the ears of everybody current. 

Ji Ruan’s abdomen growled… 

His starvation pangs loudly and pitifully broke the tense silence within the room. 

Ji Ruan was so startled that he choked on his tea. He lined his mouth with a chunk of paper, widened his eyes, and checked out Gu Xiuyi, then on the bewildered previous man. 

Gu Xiuyi: “…” 

Even the strict nurse standing close by was momentarily bewildered. He stared at Gu Xiuyi with vast eyes, as if asking what to do on this state of affairs. 

Time stood nonetheless for just a few seconds, however Gu Xiuyi rapidly regained his composure. 

He coughed, took the teacup from Ji Ruan’s hand, calmly positioned it again on the desk, and turned his gaze to the previous man. 

“Grandpa, I perceive that it’s going to take a while so that you can settle for the rapid switch of fairness. So, how about this—” 

He stood up. “I am going to come again for the paperwork in half an hour. You have to be hungry too, let’s have a meal first.” 

As he spoke, he pulled Ji Ruan out of the room and instructed the nurse, “Grandpa’s well being is just not in good situation. You need to take excellent care of him and stop him from getting agitated.” 

The nurse instantly nodded. “Sure.” 

Within the hall, Ji Ruan adopted behind Gu Xiuyi, tugging at his sleeves and playfully calling out to him. Nonetheless, Gu Xiuyi ignored him when he referred to as him by identify and ignored his makes an attempt to behave coquettish. 

As they walked, Gu Xiuyi out of the blue circled, seeming out of breath, and pointed an index finger at Ji Ruan, struggling to talk. 

Ji Ruan blinked awkwardly. “I am hungry…” 

He clutched his abdomen. “I used to be hungry, however you stored giving me water, after which my abdomen growled…” 

Gu Xiuyi glanced at Ji Ruan’s growling stomach, opened and closed his mouth a number of occasions, however ultimately, he could not utter a phrase. He turned again round and continued strolling. 

“I am dropping my momentum…” Gu Xiuyi took a deep breath and mentioned with a sullen face. “When your abdomen growled, it practically ruined my momentum.” 

Ji Ruan diligently chased after him, boasting, “You had been nonetheless so spectacular! The nurse’s elder brother was scared to loss of life, and your grandfather was so offended that he could not communicate!” 

Gu Xiuyi’s face softened barely. 

Ji Ruan made one other effort. “I believed you had been so good-looking simply now~” 

Gu Xiuyi turned his head to have a look at the sky. 

Ji Ruan tugged at his sleeves. “Actually~~” 

“Shut up!” Gu Xiuyi’s lips twitched. 

—– 

Creator’s Word: 

Ruan Ruan: Rattling! Good transfer, previous man~ 

Mr. Gu: Rattling, what a spoiled brat…