"Brother, what are you talking about..." Gu Yaolin looked at Gu Yaoyang incredulously, "Are you angry?"
"No, I am very calm now," Gu Yaoyang said, looking at Gu Yaolin, "The Gu family head knows this matter better than I do."
As Gu Yaoyang finished speaking, everyone's gaze fell upon the Gu family head.
"Grandfather..." Gu Yaolin looked at the Gu family head in disbelief, "Brother said..."
Hearing Gu Yaoyang's address to him, the Gu family head felt a pang in his heart.
It had to be said that Gu Yaoyang's talent and ability surpassed that of all the Gu family members combined.
If Gu Yaoyang were a descendant of the Gu family, even from a collateral branch, he would have unhesitatingly handed over the entire Gu family to him. He knew that the Gu family would surely flourish under Gu Yaoyang's stewardship.
But unfortunately...
Xia Qingtian looked up at Gu Yaoyang, a hint of heartache in her eyes. She held Gu Yaoyang's slightly cool hand and gave him a gentle and radiant smile.
For Gu Yaoyang to reveal this matter in such a public setting, he must have undergone intense internal struggle.
He was not an unfeeling person. Despite being repeatedly disappointed by the Gu family, he had never neglected them.
He had strived to help the Gu family, considering everyone's fate, and had steered them away from numerous dangers.
Yet, for the Gu family, he was ultimately an outsider.
Gu Yaoyang had no regrets about what he had done. Even if he had to repeat it countless times, even if he had known from the start that he was not a Gu family member, he would still have acted the same way.
However, let this be the end of it.
Everyone present knew that it was Gu Yaoqing who was causing trouble, and even the Lei family was trying to expel Gu Yaoqing. Didn't the Gu family head know this?
Yet, just now, the Gu family head had given Gu Yaoyang such a deep look.
That single glance instantly pulled Gu Yaoyang back to the moment he survived the fire.
An expression of "blame" far exceeding "sympathy."
The Gu family head knew that Gu Yaoyang was innocent; he had always known Gu Yaoyang was the victim.
But, in the Gu family head's eyes, Gu Yaoyang was still at fault.
Because Gu Yaoyang had "embarrassed" Gu Yaoqing.
With just that glance, Gu Yaoyang's heart turned to ice, and he finally came to his senses.
He no longer possessed the ability of infinite rebirth. Every second and every moment was precious to him. Only those who loved him were truly worth cherishing.
Coincidentally, the Gu family members were not among them.
Therefore, Gu Yaoyang decided to draw a complete line between himself and the Gu family.
From this day forward, he, Gu Yaoyang, would no longer be a member of the Gu family. He was…
Tired.
The Gu family's affairs were no longer his concern.
"You have thought it through." The Gu family head met Gu Yaoyang's gaze, feeling a flicker of unease, though he didn't show it.
Although Gu Yaoyang was a capable person, he was still on his own. With the Gu family as his backing, it was always better than drifting alone in this world.
"Yes, I've thought it through," Gu Yaoyang nodded, looking at the Gu family head.
"Then so be it," the Gu family head turned and walked away.
Gu Yaoyang was too young after all. When he faced setbacks in the future, he would still return to the Gu family. At that time, he would be able to completely control this "all-knowing" Mr. Gu and make him willingly serve as the next Gu family head, working diligently.
Before Gu Yaolin could react, Gu Yaoqing was already beaming.
With Gu Yaoyang gone, the position of the next Gu family head would surely be his!
"Gu..." Xia Qingtian paused, her beautiful eyes darting, and deliberately said, "Oh dear, Yaoyang, you don't have the Gu surname anymore. How about... I lend you my surname? How about you take the surname Xia?
Our Xia family treats our own very well, and we would never gaslight you!
We appreciate your abilities and acknowledge your strengths, but we would always suppress you.
In our Xia family, you would be the most favored son-in-law. I guarantee my father will treat you like his own son.
We will never say you are family while simultaneously belittling you to an outsider."
Xia Qingtian was furious at the Gu family's reaction. Must they be so bullying!
Did the Gu family truly not take her man seriously at all!
What did all the things Gu Yaoyang had done for the Gu family count for!
Hearing this, the Gu family head's footsteps faltered, his face alternating between shades of green and white.
"Alright," Gu Yaoyang responded with a shallow smile.
Gu Yaoyang's agreement made the Gu family head look back in disbelief.
"No, no!" Bai Yuqi immediately jumped out and said, "You take her surname! Doesn't that mean you're marrying into her family! No, no! You're my brother! My old man treats you better than he treats me, his own flesh and blood. If you're changing your surname, you should at least choose our Bai family first!
I, Bai Yuqi, guarantee you that if you're willing to take the surname Bai, my Bai family will hold a three-day feast with endless food and drinks! We'll welcome you with gongs and drums!
Our Bai family, if nothing else, is united in heart!
From now on, if anyone dares to say anything bad about you, I'll be the first to confront them!
As long as you take the surname Bai! You'll be my destined partner! Bah! My brother!"
"Go, go!" Xia Qingtian hugged Gu Yaoyang's right arm and said, "He'll be on the same household registration as me from now on. It's so much simpler to take the surname Xia! What marrying into a family or not, what era is this? My man will definitely be with me!"
"No, no!" Bai Yuqi hugged Gu Yaoyang's left arm and said, "You must be on our Bai family's household registration first! If my destined partner is on our Bai family's registration, you'll have to come along too!"
"Why bother with so much trouble! Listen to me!" Xia Qingtian said.
"No trouble, no trouble, listen to me!" Bai Yuqi also immediately said.
Gu Yaoyang, caught between the two, wore a smile of helplessness and relief, "Stop fooling around, why are you all acting like children."
"Yaoyang~" Xia Qingtian blinked her eyes at Gu Yaoyang, "He's bullying me..."
"Beauty trap! Is it a beauty trap! You're the only one who knows how to do that, huh~" Bai Yuqi also pinched his fingers in a delicate gesture, "My dear~"
"Don't disgust me!" Gu Yaoyang finally couldn't help but burst into laughter.
Looking at Gu Yaoyang, the Gu family head inexplicably felt a surge of panic, as if… the Gu family was about to lose Gu Yaoyang forever.
"That ungrateful wretch, keeping him in the Gu family is like nurturing a tiger that will bring disaster!" Gu Yaoqing's eyes were filled with joy, and he sternly admonished Gu Yaolin, "Hold back your tears! You useless good-for-nothing!"
Hearing this, the Gu family head turned to glance at Gu Yaoqing, then vaguely realized.
He had actually forced Gu Yaoyang away for such a useless person…
Regret consumed him!