Qin He's hand reached out.
As soon as it touched the soft fabric, Madam Gu raised her hand and covered Qin He's.
"He'er, Grandma is fine."
Qin He's heart gave a jolt, and she turned to look at the butler beside them.
"What happened to Grandma's leg?"
The butler looked at Madam Gu with concern and said in a low voice.
"The old lady is getting on in years. She fell while walking in the garden. Her leg is badly injured and needs to be recuperated for half a year."
Tears immediately fell from Qin He's eyes.
"Such a big thing – I, I had no idea."
Not only did she not know, but she had deliberately avoided everything related to Gu Qichen.
Yet Grandma Gu had been so good to her!
Qin He gritted her teeth, suppressing her sobs. "Grandma Gu, I'm sorry."
"You silly child, I fell by accident. What does it have to do with you? Why are you apologizing?" Madam Gu said with a gentle smile.
She reached out and stroked Qin He's hair, which was falling down her back.
"It's alright, it's just a period of recuperation. It doesn't hurt anymore."
Qin He forced herself to stop crying. It was the New Year, and she couldn't cry in front of Grandma Gu.
"Grandma Gu, I'll come to see you every weekend from now on."
After regaining her memory, she remembered how kind Madam Gu had been to her.
She had always treated Madam Gu as her own grandmother, and her feelings for her had deepened.
Madam Gu patted Qin He's back. "You don't need to come over so often if you're busy. Just come when you have time. Grandma is always at home."
"Mm." Qin He pouted, forcing a smile.
Madam Gu glared at the butler. "Look, I just fell, and you made it sound so serious that you scared He'er. Go get some snacks."
The butler responded and went into the kitchen.
In the kitchen, a maid brought a freshly baked cake. "Butler Wang, the old lady fell a few days ago when she was waiting for Miss Qin to come, as she had heard Miss Qin might visit. Why didn't you tell Miss Qin?"
The butler sighed softly. "The old lady was afraid Miss Qin would worry."
She stayed with Madam Gu until noon.
At lunchtime, Qin He and a maid helped lift Madam Gu into a wheelchair.
Madam Gu smiled. "A walking stick is enough. There's no need to be so troublesome."
Qin He pushed the wheelchair towards the dining room.
"You still need to rest carefully. You just fell not long ago, right? You can use a walking stick later."
As they were talking and walking towards the dining room, the front door suddenly opened, and Gu Qichen entered with a gust of cold wind.
Their eyes met.
Qin He was startled. She hadn't expected Gu Qichen to come today, and she hadn't informed him beforehand.
When Gu Qichen saw Qin He in the house, his steps also paused.
After a few seconds of hesitation.
He looked at the butler beside him. "I'm back to get something."
The butler was a little confused. "Young Master, didn't you say yesterday that you were coming back to eat and accompany the old lady?"
Qin He, who was pushing the wheelchair, lowered her gaze.
Gu Qichen was afraid she would leave, so he chose to leave himself.
"Go get the documents from my drawer upstairs," Gu Qichen said coldly.
The butler realized he had spoken out of turn and hurried upstairs.
Only the three of them remained in the living room. Madam Gu beckoned to Gu Qichen and smiled. "What, leaving without eating today?"
Gu Qichen gazed deeply at Qin He, then turned to Madam Gu, a hint of a smile appearing on his cold face.
"Grandma, you rest well at home. I still have some matters to attend to."
"The twenty-ninth of the lunar month is so desolate," Madam Gu sighed. "Your mother is visiting her family, Ran Ran is going to a party with her classmates today, and you've finally come back only to leave immediately."
Gu Qichen walked to Madam Gu's wheelchair and crouched down to pull the thin blanket over her legs.
"I'll come back tonight to listen to opera with you."
Madam Gu looked displeased and didn't respond to Gu Qichen.
Qin He pursed her lips and said softly, "Is it urgent? If not, why don't you eat first and then leave?"
Gu Qichen looked at Qin He, paused for three seconds, and then smiled. "Alright."
The three of them ate lunch in the dining room. During the meal, Madam Gu often chatted with Qin He.
Gu Qichen ate quietly, his gaze constantly on Qin He.
After lunch, it was time for Madam Gu's nap.
Qin He first sent Madam Gu back to her room. She returned to the living room after Madam Gu had fallen asleep. Gu Qichen was standing in the living room, holding a document that was of little consequence, about to leave.
"Thank you for coming to see Grandma today."
Qin He smiled faintly. "Grandma Gu has always treated me well. It's only right that I visit her; there's no need to thank me."
"Besides, I should be thanking you. I know you've been sending people to protect Ming Xue at Qing Da." Qin He said hesitantly. This should have been her responsibility.
Gu Qichen's dark eyes reflected Qin He's figure, a warmth flowing in their depths.
But when his gaze fell on her tightly clenched hands beside her, his lips tightened slightly.
"He'er, I have company matters to attend to, so I'll be leaving now. You stay with Grandma."
He took the document and turned towards the door.
Qin He watched Gu Qichen's retreating back, wanting to speak but hesitating.
"Gu Qichen—"
The man, who had already reached the door, turned back and looked at her.
Qin He smiled faintly. "Happy New Year in advance."
Gu Qichen's eyes were distant. "Happy New Year."
He walked out of the villa, and the whistling cold wind outside immediately seeped into his skin from his collar.
Gu Qichen stood on the steps, looking up at the overcast sky.
Down the steps, Yu Jing's car had already left.
Gu Qichen had originally planned to stay overnight at the old house today, so he had sent Yu Jing back after dropping him off.
It was almost New Year.
Tomorrow was Yu Jing's holiday, and he was probably home by now.
Gu Qichen walked down the steps with a cold expression.
He took out his phone and made a call.
"Yan Chen, where are you?"
A noisy sound came from the other end of the phone. Yan Chen's voice was filled with sorrow and complaint.
"I'm in Haicheng. My grandfather dragged me back to celebrate the New Year!"
Gu Qichen grunted. "It's alright, have a good New Year."
After hanging up, Gu Qichen called Xiao Liyan.
"Where are you?"
"Where else could I be at this time?" Xiao Liyan laughed from the other end. "On a day like this, when families are reunited and everyone is celebrating, I, who have no home, am naturally at the bar."
"Come pick me up at the Gu family's old house," Gu Qichen said.
"I'm miserable enough as it is. Do you still want me to be your chauffeur?" Xiao Liyan's voice sounded.
But he could also hear him standing up and reaching for his car keys.
Gu Qichen turned to look at the villa. "Hurry up and come."