Chapter 290: Chapter 263: Only Yourself Will Not Betray You
Gu Mansion.
Old Sir Gu came downstairs after taking his medicine.
Gu Yicheng and Ji Xiaoxiao told him about their plans to get their marriage certificate.
Old Sir Gu advised the two to live a good life together in the future.
He particularly addressed Gu Yicheng.
He told him to behave and stop being so reckless and causing trouble everywhere.
Afterward, the old man asked Qiao Yuxian and Ji Xiaoxiao to play in the front hall.
He took Gu Yanjing and Gu Yicheng to the courtyard.
As they walked, he talked to Gu Yicheng.
Gu Yicheng is very smart, and he has always excelled academically, learning everything quickly.
But since he was young, apart from excelling in studies and various skills, he seemed to have done nothing commendable.
He was always causing trouble.
As a child, he fought, skipped classes, and had a new girlfriend every week—typical early romantic behavior.
Growing up, he became more of a rascal, neglecting proper work, with countless tabloid stories to his name, just spending his family’s money and relying on their influence without having a job.
He wouldn’t join the Gu Group, nor would he work at Gu Linhai’s company in Jin City.
Every day, he just took the money, made some investments, and spent it lavishly.
In the whole family, including his parents, he only fears Gu Yanjing.
It’s unknown what he went through as a child, but he feared Gu Yanjing from a very young age.
Especially when he cut classes in his sophomore year and went to the M Continent, staying at a club for a week, he later got into trouble and almost lost his life there.
Gu Yanjing personally went to the M Continent to resolve the issue and brought him back.
Upon returning home, he also personally gave him a beating.
At that time, only the two of them were in the room.
No one knows if Gu Yicheng fought back.
Anyway, when Gu Yanjing opened the door and came out, Gu Yicheng had a broken leg, five fractured ribs, and both arms dislocated.
Gu Yanjing beat him to within an inch of his life.
Gu Linhai and his wife felt sorry for their son but said nothing.
Since then, Gu Yicheng behaved well for a long time, and it took him a long time to recover.
Even when he played around, he wouldn’t dare go too far.
Until he started dating Ji Xiaoxiao, he only then stabilized a bit.
As he’s getting married, naturally, the old man had to give some extra advice.
"I am quite satisfied with Xiaoxiao," Old Sir Gu said. "A bit proud, smart, polite, and also pretty. Treat her well."
Gu Yicheng replied, "Okay. I will."
"Hmm," Old Sir Gu said, "Once you’re married, you truly start a family. You need to be a responsible husband and later a responsible father. You both need to keep this in mind."
Gu Yanjing didn’t say anything.
Gu Yicheng said, "Grandpa, I’ve taken note."
"Don’t just take note," Old Sir Gu said. "Act that way."
"Okay."
The old man gave a few more reminders then let Gu Yicheng leave first. He then spoke privately with Gu Yanjing for a couple of sentences.
With Meng Yan and the old man’s personal butler following behind, they always paid attention to the surroundings of the path.
Shang Chen stayed in the front hall, keeping an eye on Qiao Yuxian.
This Gu Mansion is too large.
And there are too many people, posing no threat to Old Sir Gu.
But there are quite a few who are "interested" in Gu Yanjing.
Every time they return, Meng Yan and others are extra cautious, just in case.
Old Sir Gu asked, "What do you think of Zhao Shimeng and their intention to come to the Capital City?"
Gu Yanjing didn’t respond.
The old man chuckled, glanced at him, and said, "Whatever you’re thinking, Yu Xian must have thought of it too. But after all, that’s her biological mother. Regardless of the bond, whether Yu Xian acknowledges her or not. If what we’re worried about really happens, the one hurt will only be Yu Xian."
Gu Yanjing frowned slightly.
The old man continued, "I hope you’ll have some mental preparation, and let Yu Xian be prepared too. Let her not set her expectations too high. Sometimes, even knowing there’s a vortex ahead, people still get sucked in and end up battered and bruised."
What Old Sir Gu said was not new to Gu Yanjing.
But Zhao Shimeng’s presence is undeniable.
No matter the path, it’s a dead end.
Unless they’ve overthought, or Zhao Shimeng decides to back off.
But they have no idea what Zhao Shimeng is coming for, or what she intends to do.
Trying to solve an issue without knowing the problem, or merely suspecting there is one, seems to leave this matter unsolvable for now.
After a moment of silence, Gu Yanjing asked, "Why did she come here?"
"Zhao Shimeng?" asked Old Sir Gu.
"Yes."
"She is the daughter of an old friend of mine in Ji City," Old Sir Gu replied. "I heard Qiao Yu was still unmarried at such an age. I got someone to find a matchmaker, introducing Qiao Yu and Zhao Shimeng."
Gu Yanjing glanced at Old Sir Gu.
"It was expected to be a happy event," Old Sir Gu sighed. "Unexpectedly, in such a short time, things developed as they did. When Zhao Shimeng and Sheng Chendong eloped, her father died of anger. Her mother fell seriously ill, and after recovering, started wandering around, seeing everywhere domestically and then abroad. She’s been out of touch for many years."
Listening to the old man’s melancholic tone, Gu Yanjing said, "Didn’t you ask earlier?"
"I did ask," replied Old Sir Gu. "Zhao Shimeng herself doesn’t know. The last time they met was five years ago, and they haven’t stayed in contact since."
Gu Yanjing didn’t say anything else.
The old man, accustomed to his silence, continued, "I always felt that my handling of this matter wasn’t really adequate. It led to Qiao Yu’s marriage ending in divorce soon after, leaving him to raise a child alone."
Gu Yanjing didn’t comment on this matter.
What was a single action at the time led to a series of chain reactions many years later.
And amid this chain reaction, he also found his own wife.
These events are too complex to be summed up simply as good or bad.
"What’s going on with you and Grandma Xi?" Gu Yanjing quietly asked after a while.
Old Sir Gu paused, looked at him.
Gu Yanjing halted too, meeting his gaze.
After a moment of staring, Old Sir Gu cleared his throat and continued walking, saying, "You should mind less about adult affairs. Especially the affairs of old folks."
Gu Yanjing kept pace, watching beside him, ensuring he didn’t stumble on a stone and fall: "Fine. I won’t ask about emotional matters. But as for other matters, shouldn’t you tell me?"
"What do you mean by emotional matters?" exclaimed Old Sir Gu. "What nonsense are you spouting!"
Gu Yanjing: "......"
"You’re doing this on purpose! You’re getting back at me!" Old Sir Gu accused. "You’re getting back at me for just complaining to Yu Xian."
"Yes." Gu Yanjing admitted readily.
Old Sir Gu clutched his chest, about to stagger to one side.
But Gu Yanjing held his arm in advance, saying very coldly, "Go ahead and fall."
Old Sir Gu, halfway into his stagger, ended up letting go of his hand and continued walking: "Hmph."
Gu Yanjing followed.
The two walked to the end of the path and then turned back the same way.
After a while, Gu Yanjing said, "Grandpa, there are some things I need to know."
Old Sir Gu stroked his walking stick and said, "I’ll find a time to tell you. But I know very little. At that time, I was the only son in the Gu Family. I wasn’t outside for long before I was forcibly brought back. I learned about many things only through hearsay."
Gu Yanjing listened quietly to what he said.
Old Sir Gu said, "Many things I heard may not even be true. After all, when things are relayed by word of mouth, they’re not always accurate. I was compelled to return home, and later settled down and gave up on Grandma Xi."
Gu Yanjing understood what he meant.
He was forced back home, married, and gave up on Grandma Xi.
"Yu Xian probably knows," Old Sir Gu said, "but she might not say anything."
Gu Yanjing looked at him without speaking.
Old Sir Gu continued, "I’ve always felt I didn’t handle the matter well. I let Qiao Yu get married and then divorced shortly after, raising a child alone."
Gu Yanjing remained silent.
A single action long ago led to a chain of other reactions through the years.
In the middle of which, he found his own wife.
These things can’t be simply classified as right or wrong.
"What’s with you and Grandma Xi?" Gu Yanjing suddenly asked after a moment’s silence.
Old Sir Gu paused his steps, looking at him.
Gu Yanjing stopped alongside him, looking on.
After a moment of mutual silence, the old man finally said, "This is something less for you to meddle in, especially in an elder’s affairs."
Gu Yanjing followed him, watching by his side, "Alright. I won’t talk about emotional matters. But shouldn’t you tell me about other issues?"
"What do you mean by emotional matters?" Old Sir Gu shouted, "You’re just talking nonsense!"
Gu Yanjing calmly confirmed, "Yes, I am."
"You’re just getting back at me for complaining to Yu Xian just now." Old Sir Gu said.
"Yes," Gu Yanjing admitted readily.
Gu Yanjing held his arm firmly, and with cold detachment, said two words, "Go ahead."
Old Sir Gu snorted and continued walking.
Gu Yanjing followed him.
They reached the end of the path and then turned back the way they came.
After a while, Old Sir Gu rubbed his walking stick and said, "At some point, I’ll tell you what I know. But I only know a little. Back then, I was the only son in the Gu Family. My return home then meant giving up on Grandma Xi."
Gu Yanjing listened quietly.
Old Sir Gu continued, "A lot of what I heard may not even be true. You know how things get told over time. People tend to withhold parts."
Gu Yanjing understood his point.
He was forced to give up Grandma Xi after going home and starting a family.
"Yu Xian probably knows," Old Sir Gu said, "but she might not say anything."
*"She may have been taught during her upbringing to be wary of trusting those around her."*
Gu Yanjing watched him silently, then asked, "Is there anything else?"
Old Sir Gu, now used to the few words Gu Yanjing spoke, replied, "That’s all for now. Just know that often, people with great kindness, who want to help others, even strangers, they trust the most in the end. But ultimately, they are the ones who get hurt."
Upon hearing Old Sir Gu’s words, Gu Yanjing frowned slightly...