"Indeed, you were always smarter than all the Gu family peers combined from a young age," the Gu family patriarch chuckled twice before slowly opening his eyes to look at Gu Yaoyang. "Do you resent Grandpa for showing favoritism?"
"I used to," Gu Yaoyang answered truthfully.
"Then you no longer resent him." The Gu family patriarch discerned the underlying meaning in Gu Yaoyang's words.
"Grandpa, the surgery date has been scheduled, hasn't it?" Gu Yaoyang shifted the topic, looking at the patriarch.
"Yes. I haven't thanked you yet. If it weren't for your early preparations, I fear I would have breathed my last before the year even ended," the Gu family patriarch said, taking a deep breath. "There are still many matters concerning the Gu family. I don't feel at ease leaving them to Yaohong at this time."
"Indeed," Gu Yaoyang agreed with a nod. "The Gu family still needs you."
"Yaoyang, I know Yaohong has always been jealous of your intelligence. His entanglement with Yu Linwan also created quite an unpleasant scene." The Gu family patriarch had many things he wanted to say, yet he felt that Gu Yaoyang would understand them even if he didn't voice them.
"However, he is your cousin after all. You are both members of the Gu family, brothers of the same lineage. He is foolish and incompetent, while you are magnanimous and wise. It's an unfair situation from the start, so don't blame him."
The Gu family patriarch felt embarrassed even saying this, but if he didn't, he truly feared that the moment he drew his last breath, Gu Yaohong would ruin himself and the Gu family. Having lived so many years and having fought his way through his youth, the patriarch now, in his old age with limited time left, only wished for peace and harmony among his descendants, for brothers to treat each other with affection.
"Consider it a favor for a dying old man."
This wasn't the first time Gu Yaoyang had heard these words. In previous instances, he had felt confused, upset, and helpless. Hearing them so often had numbed him. Yet, recalling the look in Xia Qingtian's eyes when she asked him, "Does it hurt?" at the Yue family's earlier, a flicker of pain touched his otherwise numb heart.
"Grandpa," this was the first time Gu Yaoyang had directly responded to the Gu family patriarch, and the only time he voiced a question that had tormented him for years, "Do you also think it would have been better if I had died in that fire back then?"
Hearing Gu Yaoyang's question, the Gu family patriarch's heart skipped a beat. He met Gu Yaoyang's gaze, and after a moment of stunned silence, he sighed, "Yaoyang, the fact that you are alive now is more important than anything else."
Gu Yaoyang understood the patriarch's meaning. He stood up and said, "Grandpa, I have established my own household. I will not be returning to the Gu family."
"One last reminder," Gu Yaoyang looked at the Gu family patriarch, his eyes as calm as still water. "Those who provided Yu Linwan with those things have been targeting Gu Yaohong for more than just a day or two. They can gather all the evidence of Gu Yaohong's crimes, and they can find leverage against every member of the Gu family."
"Finally, I wish you a successful surgery." Gu Yaoyang leaned forward, bowed to the Gu family patriarch, and turned to leave.
The Gu family patriarch wanted to call Gu Yaoyang back, but he knew he no longer had any leverage over him. He felt an emptiness in his heart, a hollow discomfort. He knew that Gu Yaoyang's departure from the Gu family today marked a complete severance of ties. The Gu family was destined to lose this talented individual. But what could he do? It could only be attributed to the twists of fate.
Gu Yaoyang exited the Gu family residence and got into the black Maybach.
"Mr. Gu, shall we head to the airport?" the driver asked as he started the car.
"Yes." Gu Yaoyang's original plan was to return to City Z immediately after leaving the Gu family, but now he hesitated. "First, let's go to the Yue family."
"Understood." The driver acknowledged and drove towards the Yue family's direction.
After the banquet, the Yue family saw off their guests, leaving only some disgruntled collateral branches and relatives who were there for the spectacle. The Yue family patriarch had the collateral branches called into the lounge, and he spoke with them about something. Xia Qingtian only knew that after these individuals emerged from the lounge, they left the Yue family's old manor with crestfallen faces, like chickens that had lost a fight. The relatives, seeing that there was no more entertainment, also quickly departed.
With the outsiders gone, the entire Yue family fell into silence. Yu Zixuan was personally escorted back to the Yu family by Yue Chengfeng. Before leaving, Yu Zixuan had wanted to see Xia Qingtian and speak a few words with her. However, Xia Qingtian was still unable to get past her emotional block and declined Yu Zixuan's invitation, claiming she wasn't feeling well. Yu Zixuan didn't think much of it, believing there would be plenty of time in the future, and that she would never fail in her attempts to win over anyone she wished to.
After Yu Zixuan left, Xia Qingtian recalled Gu Yaoyang's earlier words, her mood growing more complex. She had planned to meet with Xia Shang and Erya that evening to discuss the arrangements for visiting Xia Shang's relatives the next day. Unexpectedly, a servant informed her that Mr. Gu was visiting. Xia Qingtian, feeling puzzled, went to the front hall to see if Gu Yaoyang had something important.
"Mr. Gu?" Xia Qingtian asked, blinking. "I thought you said you'd contact me after returning to City Z..."
Before Xia Qingtian could finish her sentence, Gu Yaoyang, walking directly towards her, reached out and embraced her. Xia Qingtian was enveloped by Gu Yaoyang's presence, her heart skipping half a beat. *What is this?*
"It hurts," Gu Yaoyang said, holding Xia Qingtian tightly, his eyes closed, burying his face in her neck. He muffled the two words: "It hurts."
Xia Qingtian didn't understand what Gu Yaoyang meant. She stiffly raised her hand and gently patted Gu Yaoyang's back, offering silent comfort. Gu Yaoyang had thought he could remain indifferent, that he was already indifferent. But hearing the Gu family patriarch's words, he still felt a dull ache in his heart. It was as if, in a daze, he had returned to the moment he struggled to wake up after falling unconscious, where the eyes of every relative seemed to question him: Why did you wake up? Wouldn't it have been better to just die? He had become numb, long since numb. It was Xia Qingtian who had restored sensation to his numb heart, allowing him to feel pain again. Therefore, she should take responsibility for him.
Feeling Xia Qingtian's hand absentmindedly patting his back, Gu Yaoyang felt a slight urge to laugh. He had been immersed in the ocean of time, struggling and tossed about for so long. He had long since forged a heart of steel, cold and indifferent. When did he become so fragile that he needed comfort from a young woman?
"I crossed the ocean of time searching for your traces," Gu Yaoyang said mournfully. "Now that I've found you, I won't let go."
"Hmm?" A large question mark appeared in Xia Qingtian's mind. Before she could ask Gu Yaoyang what he meant, he released her, taking half a step back. "I'm returning to City Z. Tonight's flight."
"So suddenly?" Xia Qingtian asked, surprised. "Then please take care."
"Yes," Gu Yaoyang replied. "If you have any problems, you can contact me."
"Okay, bye." Xia Qingtian didn't think she had anything she needed to contact Gu Yaoyang about, so she waved her hand. Gu Yaoyang clenched his fist at his side and then turned to leave.
"Strange man." Watching Gu Yaoyang's retreating back, Xia Qingtian scratched the back of her head. Just as she was about to turn around, she heard Erya's teasing voice from behind her. "Is that your man? He's quite handsome! His backside is so perky, he looks like he'd be a good father!"
"Where did you learn all this?" Xia Qingtian felt a headache coming on hearing Erya's words.
"That's what they say in the village," Erya shrugged nonchalantly, her bright eyes twinkling. Hearing this, Xia Qingtian's mouth twitched.