TLDMDTBS Chapter 10

Chapter 10

It took twenty-three minutes and fifty-six seconds from the main entrance to the main house, and Ji Ruan specifically timed it.

Throughout the journey, he was dazzled by the scenery along the way. Clearly, he had come to eat, yet he felt as though he had inexplicably took a walk through a park hand in hand with Gu Xiuyi, feeling both tired and hungry, he sighed heavily.

Seeing Ji Ruan like this, Gu Xiuyi was momentarily at a loss for words, and finally sighed, “Forget it, let’s just take the car back later.”

Ji Ruan suddenly looked up, “We can still take the car?”

“There’s an open-air garage at the side door. If we go out there, we can access the main road and get directly on the highway,” Gu Xiuyi explained calmly.

“Then why bother with the main entrance!” Ji Ruan was a bit unable to hold back, his face scrunching up: “I thought your Gu family specially built the house like a maze to prevent theft!”

Gu Xiuyi couldn’t help but chuckle, patting Ji Ruan on the back: “It’s not bad to walk a little, you lack exercise. Zhao Ayi said you haven’t been out once in the last half month?”

“I…” Ji Ruan choked up, surprised that this person would shift the attention onto himself so swiftly.

Of course, he wouldn’t admit that not going out was due to laziness.

“I was sick!” Ji Ruan emphasized: “Really sick! It’s so hot outside, my condition would just flare up again. Besides, why would I go out? To check in at your company? — cough cough cough…”

As he spoke, he covered his chest and began to cough, looking just like a frail Lin Daiyu, about to faint from anger, as if anyone dared to anger him again, he’d dramatically produce a bloody handkerchief.

Gu Xiuyi was completely helpless, mimicking Zhao Ayi’s technique to pat Ji Ruan’s back, yet still refused to relent: “You can check in anytime, Xiao Ya and the others said they miss you. Just let me know when you want to come.”

“Hmph,” Ji Ruan scoffed, “who checks in by appointment? Just wait, I’ll ambush you.”

Gu Xiuyi forced a smile, saying thoughtfully, “No rush, let’s wait until you’re better to talk about it. We don’t want any relapses.”

He never realized Ji Ruan could be so amusing.

“Gu Xiuyi, you!” Ji Ruan felt like he was about to choke up in frustration.

He had also never realized this person could be so sarcastic!

“—Xiuyi, you’re back!” A woman’s voice interrupted their banter.

Ji Ruan looked over to see a middle-aged woman in a purple qipao, well-maintained, exuding a typical gentle and virtuous aura, rushing towards them down the distant corridor, her eyes sparkling with exaggerated affection.

“Xiuyi, you finally returned. You have no idea how much your dad has missed you!”

The woman’s eager eyes were reddening, as if Gu Xiuyi hadn’t just been at work, but had returned from battling in the frontier for decades.

Behind her stood a young man of about twenty, who looked remarkably similar to Gu Xiuyi, with nearly identical expressions; he was overly excited to see Gu Xiuyi: “Big Brother!”

But Gu Xiuyi merely said coolly, “Aunt Fang, it’s been a while.”

He then embraced Ji Ruan’s shoulders, introducing him: “Fang Lan, my stepmother, just call her Aunt Fang. Gu Xiuli, my brother.”

Ji Ruan smiled politely: “Hello, I’m Ji Ruan.”

The two’s indifferent reactions didn’t diminish Fang Lan’s enthusiasm as she looked at Ji Ruan with an almost motherly affection, saying, “Ah, you must be Xiao Ruan. You look really handsome.”

“By the way, Xiao Li, where’s your brother? Why hasn’t he come out yet?” Fang Lan suddenly asked Gu Xiuli, “This is the first time Xiuyi has brought someone home. Why isn’t he coming out to welcome you?”

Gu Xiuli showed a difficult expression: “Mom, you know my brother’s temper. He’s with Dad right now.”

“This child!” Fang Lan smiled at Gu Xiuyi, “Oh Xiuyi, I’m really sorry. I’ll definitely scold Qiming later.”

Gu Xiuyi remained indifferent: “Your child, of course, you should educate him, no need to tell me.”

“Ah yes, you’re right.”

The smile on her face seemed permanently affixed, creating lines at the corners of her eyes, depicting the image of a stepmother who was overly submissive.

Ji Ruan felt that this mother-son duo was somewhat exaggerated. Doesn’t smiling all the time fatigue them?

It seemed Gu Xiuyi also didn’t plan to talk to them any further, as he nodded slightly: “I’ll take Ji Ruan to see Grandpa first.”

“Ah, Xiuyi—!”

Fang Lan blurted out. When Gu Xiuyi turned back, she held her hands and smiled again: “You’re in such a hurry to see Grandpa. Why not drink some water first? You haven’t had anything since you came in.”

“Right, right, right,” Gu Xiuli chimed in, “Brother, I’ll go get you guys some water!”

“No need,” Gu Xiuyi said calmly.

“But—” Fang Lan wanted to say something.

Gu Xiuyi’s expression had completely turned cold, his deep black pupils devoid of warmth, stating each word clearly:

“No need.”

The two immediately fell silent.

As Gu Xiuyi wrapped his arm around Ji Ruan and disappeared around the corner of the corridor, Fang Lan’s forced smile instantly fell, her gaze hauntingly fixed on the dim hallway.

Her originally downward-turned lips.

“Mom, are we really going to let him go upstairs like this?” Gu Xiuli whispered next to Fang Lan: “Isn’t what he’s holding…?”

Fang Lan shot him a sharp glare.

Gu Xiuli’s second half of the sentence stuck in his throat.

“What else can we do?” Fang Lan said heavily, “He’s already married. It’s a well-known fact. What can we do about it?”

“But Grandpa isn’t dead yet! Is he that impatient?”

“Shut up!” Fang Lan reprimanded, then laughed coldly: “How long can that old man live? Half of him is already in the ground… Sooner or later, he’s Gu Xiuyi’s anyway… I actually hope he dies sooner so you can rise faster…”

“But even if Grandpa dies, there’s still Gu Xiuyi!”

Fang Lan stabbed a finger into her son’s forehead:

“You’re still the second young master of the Gu family. Can Gu Xiuyi keep you under his thumb forever? Can he make sure you never see the light of day?! Even if he wanted to, your dad wouldn’t agree…”

·

Ji Ruan was led upstairs by Gu Xiuyi, filled with a stomach of questions.

“What do you want to ask?”

Gu Xiuyi didn’t look at him, yet seemed to perceive his thoughts.

Ji Ruan didn’t hide it, looking up at Gu Xiuyi: “Why does Gu Xiuli call you Big Brother? Don’t you have an older brother?”

Gu Xiuyi carefully guided Ji Ruan up the stairs, calmly replying: “Fang Qiming is Fang Lan’s child with her ex-husband, he doesn’t count as part of the Gu family.”

Ji Ruan nodded in thought: “But we rarely hear about you having a brother outside?”

Gu Xiuyi looked at Ji Ruan: “Because he was born from my father’s affair with Fang Lan, it’s not a proud matter. Grandpa buried the news and handled it quietly.”

“Ah, I see…”

Ji Ruan was taken aback, no wonder that mother-son pair acted so timidly in front of Gu Xiuyi.

Although wealthy families have their share of scandals, they value reputation above all. It was ironic that Gu Xiuli, even having the blood of the Gu family, had to conceal his existence while reaching twenty years of age.

After waiting for a while, and not receiving further questions from Ji Ruan, Gu Xiuyi raised an eyebrow: “Not asking anymore?”

In families that appear chaotic, the conflicts usually boil down to power struggles and inheritance. But now, the topic had touched on Gu Xiuyi’s family’s sensitive issues, so Ji Ruan prepared not to pry too much.

He shook his head: “Nothing else to be curious about.”

Gu Xiuyi observed him for a moment before averting his gaze: “Mm.”

Old Master Gu’s room was at the end of the corridor, a spacious sunlit room, but when Ji Ruan entered, the curtains were tightly drawn, blocking out all light.

The elder, who had presided over the Gu family for decades, was sitting in a wheelchair, silently staring at the shuttered windows, with two strong caregivers standing nearby.

Hearing the sound, he turned his head, his body seeming to creak with age, movements stiff and devoid of vitality.

Ji Ruan saw a gaunt face, the old man radiating a lifelessness akin to a corpse about to perish.

“Here?” His voice came out hoarse and intermittent.

“Yes,” Gu Xiuyi wore an emotionless smile: “I brought Ji Ruan to see you; we got married.”

Only then did the murky eyes of Gu Changyun slowly turn to Ji Ruan, silently observing him for a moment before raising a hand slightly: “Sit.”

There was a row of rattan benches in the room, and Gu Xiuyi helped Ji Ruan sit down. On the wooden table before them sat a set of purple clay teapots, brewing tea, swirling tendrils of smoke rising into the air.

One of the caregivers pushed Gu Changyun closer, and the other bowed to Gu Xiuyi before stepping outside to keep watch.

Gu Xiuyi took out the marriage certificate, placed it on the wooden table, and pressed it toward Gu Changyun with two fingers.

“This is the marriage certificate; please have a look.”

The caregiver picked up the two small red books, opened them, and presented them to Gu Changyun, but the old man waved them away with his hand.

“Called Ji Ruan?”

Ji Ruan, sitting closely next to Gu Xiuyi, nodded gently in response: “Yes, Grandpa.”

Gu Changyun looked up, his eyes unfocused, unsure of where he was gazing: “So young…”

Ji Ruan didn’t know how to reply and subconsciously looked at Gu Xiuyi.

Gu Xiuyi reassuredly squeezed Ji Ruan’s palm, then opened the cowhide bag he had been carrying.

Inside was a document, and when placed on the table, Ji Ruan could clearly see it was a share transfer agreement.

Gu Xiuyi didn’t waste time, heading straight to the point: “The day my mother died in front of you, you promised and wrote in your will that once I got married, you would transfer all remaining shares under your name to me, to be held jointly with my partner. You remember, right?”

Gu Changyun sat quietly without moving.

Gu Xiuyi spread his hands: “As you can see, I’m married now. Please sign.”

Seeing the old man still unmoving, Gu Xiuyi didn’t rush him. He poured a cup of tea and handed it to Ji Ruan: “Be careful, it’s hot.”

Ji Ruan took it, observing with focused intent as he carefully sipped.

He was aware of the shares, as Gu Xiuyi hadn’t hidden it from him; the agreement clearly stated that after marriage, all shares would be transferred to Gu Xiuyi’s personal holdings, and in return, Gu Xiuyi would pay him a considerable fortune once the agreement concluded.

After a long silence in the standoff, Gu Changyun slowly spoke: “You know this is a will, and you aren’t even willing to wait for me to die, huh, kid? When I die, it’ll be directly yours—”

“Grandpa,” Gu Xiuyi interrupted, only cold reverence reflected in his eyes as he looked at the old man: “You will live a long life.”

Gu Changyun was momentarily taken aback, then smiled, his aged features contorting with difficulty, crumpling together: “Live a long life? Keeping me locked up here, you think I’ll live forever?”

Gu Xiuyi remained calm: “You aren’t in good health. You should be in the hospital for treatment, but you want to stay at home… Yes, I understand your wish to return to your roots, and I respect your choice, hence, I arranged for specialized care for you.”

“Caring means, even my son can’t come see me?”

“Of course not,” Gu Xiuyi explained without emotion: “My dad has a bad temper. It’s easy for him to start a quarrel with you, and if you get angered, it would be bad for your health.”

“You…” Gu Changyun’s eyes widened slightly, rage causing the muscles in his face to twitch: “You’re trying to dominate everything!”

“How could that be?” Gu Xiuyi sighed softly, seeming helpless.

“You also protected my mother this way back then; I remember it clearly. I’m only protecting you in the same manner now.”

“You… you!”

Ji Ruan silently sipped tea, piecing together the tangled grievances of a wealthy family.

Affairs, first wives, mistresses, illegitimate children, and a familial patriarch who mercilessly tormented the first wife.

No wonder those two caregivers who looked like bodyguards weren’t just there to take care of the old man; they were also there to keep others out.

Ji Ruan vaguely recalled Song Ling extolling Gu Xiuyi’s “filial piety” in front of him, this was real “filial piety.” Those around Gu Xiuyi were indeed skilled at adapting their words according to the audience.

Ji Ruan eagerly watched this unfolding drama, unintentionally finishing his cup of tea.

Gu Xiuyi poured more tea for Ji Ruan, leaning back against the chair, gently fiddling with the ring on his ring finger, his tone gentle: “Sign, Grandpa.”

The air in the room was thick with the aroma of tea, sharp yet thin, and the conflict felt like two opposing sides — one aging, their sun setting, while the other rose in full vigor.

It looked like an utterly predictable contest.

Yet this simple contest dragged on for quite some time due to Gu Changyun’s stubbornness.

After a long while—

“glglgl—”

A strange noise shattered the silence, reaching every person’s ears present.

Ji Ruan’s stomach growled…

In the tense silence, his hunger sounded particularly loud and pitiful.

Ji Ruan himself was startled, choking slightly on the tea, covering his mouth with a tissue, wide-eyed glancing at Gu Xiuyi, then at the stunned old man.

Gu Xiuyi: “…”

Even the caregivers, whose faces were serious, momentarily showed confusion, their pupils gazing at Gu Xiuyi as if asking what to do.

Time stopped for only a brief moment before Gu Xiuyi quickly composed himself.

He coughed lightly, maintaining a straight face, taking Ji Ruan’s teacup away and placing it back on the table, looking at the old man:

“Grandpa, I understand that you need some time to accept the share transfer. How about this—”

He stood up: “I’ll come back for the documents in half an hour; you’re probably hungry too, let’s eat first.”

As he spoke, he pulled Ji Ruan toward the door, advising the caregivers: “Take good care of Grandpa, don’t let him bump into anything.”

The caregivers nodded immediately: “Yes.”

In the corridor, Ji Ruan jogged to keep up with Gu Xiuyi, but he ignored him, even when Ji Ruan tugged at his sleeve playfully.

Gu Xiuyi walked a short distance, suddenly turning around as if unable to suppress his frustration, pointing a finger at Ji Ruan, wanting to speak but hesitating.

Ji Ruan awkwardly blinked: “I’m just hungry…”

He pressed a hand to his belly: “I was already hungry, and you kept making me drink water, so it made a sound…”

Gu Xiuyi glanced at Ji Ruan’s noticeably flat stomach, his lips opening and closing several times, but ultimately couldn’t find the words, turning back to continue walking.

“I was in the middle of an argument…” Gu Xiuyi took a deep breath, face stern: “Your stomach growling almost made me lose my composure.”

Ji Ruan, feeling a sudden burst of inspiration, caught up and exclaimed: “You wouldn’t call it losing your composure. That caregiver was scared to death, and your grandpa couldn’t even get a word out!”

Gu Xiuyi’s expression softened slightly.

Ji Ruan pressed on: “I think you were so cool and impressive just now~”

Gu Xiuyi turned his head toward the sky.

Ji Ruan shook his sleeve: “Really~~”

“Shut up!” Gu Xiuyi’s lips twitched.