In the evening, Gu Jingchen took Li Xue to Yuqing Pavilion for dinner. He was thoughtful, having prepared Li Xue's favorite dishes in advance and reserved a private room. Li Xue didn’t hold back; she enjoyed her meal and drinks without hesitation.
After dinner, Gu Jingchen asked her if she wanted to go shopping for a beautiful dress. "Didn't you say you wanted to cultivate our relationship?" he said with a raised eyebrow and a smile. "Perfect timing; we still have some time today, so let's take a stroll."
Li Xue had planned to buy clothes anyway, so since Gu Jingchen brought it up, she gladly accepted. She had intended to let Gu Jingchen experience the "wonderful" feeling of accompanying a woman shopping, and now the opportunity had presented itself.
She smiled slightly, "Sure."
Gu Jingchen looked at her, grinned, and wrapped his arm around her waist. "Let's go."
---
The mall Gu Jingchen took Li Xue to was an upscale luxury shopping center, frequented by the wealthy elite. They entered a top-tier luxury clothing store. The sales assistant Wang immediately greeted Gu Jingchen with a respectful smile. "Mr. Gu, welcome."
Gu Jingchen nodded slightly and turned to Li Xue. "Take a look and see if you like anything."
Li Xue glanced around but didn’t find anything appealing. "I..." she was about to speak when suddenly, Gu Jingchen's phone rang.
He pulled out his phone to check and frowned slightly. After glancing at Li Xue, he stepped aside to take the call.
Feeling bored, Li Xue picked up a piece of clothing nearby to examine it. The sales assistant Wang approached her with a smile. "Miss, this is our store's new arrival; it would suit your skin tone and temperament perfectly. Would you like to try it on?"
Li Xue shook her head. "No, thank you."
The sales assistant Wang nodded and stepped back.
Li Xue walked behind Gu Jingchen and saw him on the phone. "…I understand; I’ll be there shortly," he said before hanging up. He turned around and saw Li Xue, his expression softening slightly.
"I have something to do, so I have to leave first." He looked at her, "You can take your time to shop. Buy whatever you like and put it on my account." As he said that, he took out a card from his wallet and handed it to her. Li Xue looked at the card, her eyes flashed. It was a black card. "Here." Gu Jingchen put the card in her hand, "The password is 666888." Li Xue looked at the card, struggling in her heart. Although she was not short of money, who would complain about having too much money? Besides, Gu Jingchen's money would be wasted if not spent. But... If she took this card, then her relationship with Gu Jingchen would really be unclear. She lowered her eyes, thought for a few seconds, and finally made a decision. She raised her head and returned the card to Gu Jingchen. "No, I still have money." She said lightly. Gu Jingchen looked at her with a deep gaze. "Why? Are you afraid of owing me a favor?" He said slowly. "..."Li Xue looked at him, "I just don't want to owe you too much." "..."Gu Jingchen looked at her, his eyes getting deeper. "Go quickly." Li Xue said lightly, "Don't delay your business." "..."Gu Jingchen looked at her, without saying a word. "I'm leaving." Li Xue said, turned around and walked out. Gu Jingchen looked at her back as she left, his eyes slightly condensed. —— Li Xue walked out of the mall and hailed a taxi. She gave the driver an address, then leaned back in the chair and closed her eyes to rest. Suddenly, the car stopped.
Li Xue opened her eyes and looked ahead, noticing two cars blocking the way. She frowned and turned to look out the window. Outside, a man dressed in a black suit stood there. He appeared to be around thirty, handsome, tall, and exuding a cold demeanor.
Upon seeing Li Xue, he immediately knocked on the car window.
Li Xue rolled down the window and asked, "Is there something you need?"
"Miss Li, please step out of the car," the man replied, his expression stern.
Li Xue regarded him with suspicion. "Who are you?"
"I am Xu Zhiyuan, the eldest son of the the Xu Family," he answered.
Li Xue stared at him blankly. "I don't know you."
"Miss Li, my grandfather is seriously ill and needs you to come immediately," Xu Zhiyuan said in a low voice.
"And what does your grandfather's illness have to do with me?" Li Xue replied coolly. "Why are you looking for me?"
"Miss Li, our grandfather is your maternal grandfather," Xu Zhiyuan stated.
Li Xue was taken aback. Her maternal grandfather? She had no idea she even had one.
"Miss Li, please hurry," Xu Zhiyuan urged.
Li Xue looked at him defiantly. "Why should I believe you?"
Xu Zhiyuan frowned. "If you don't trust me, you should at least trust Mr. Gu."
Gu Jingchen? Li Xue was momentarily stunned.
"Mr. Gu just called me and asked me to pick you up," Xu Zhiyuan continued. "If you don't believe me, you can call him."
Li Xue considered this for a moment before pulling out her phone and dialing Gu Jingchen's number. The call connected quickly.
"Hello," Gu Jingchen's deep voice came through the line.
"Gu Jingchen, it's me," Li Xue said.
"Mm," Gu Jingchen replied.
"Xu Zhiyuan said you wanted me to go to the the Xu Family?" Li Xue asked.
"Mm," Gu Jingchen responded again.
"Why?" Li Xue inquired, puzzled.
"..." Gu Jingchen was silent for a moment. "You'll know once you go."
"..." Li Xue frowned slightly.
"Go ahead," Gu Jingchen said softly. "I'll send someone to protect you."
Li Xue thought for a moment and nodded. "Okay."
She hung up the phone and opened the car door to get out.
Xu Zhiyuan looked at her. "Miss Li, please get in."
Li Xue walked to the front of the car, opened the door, and got in.
Xu Zhiyuan took the driver's seat and started the engine.
The car drove away.
---
Forty minutes later, they arrived at a manor.
The manor was large, with lush trees and blooming flowers, creating a beautiful scene.
The car stopped in front of a European-style villa.
Xu Zhiyuan got out and helped Li Xue open the door. "Miss Li, please."
Li Xue stepped out and followed Xu Zhiyuan into the villa.
The villa was luxuriously decorated and exceptionally grand.
Xu Zhiyuan led Li Xue to a room on the second floor.
He knocked on the door. "Grandpa, Miss Li is here."
"Come in," an elderly voice called from inside.
Xu Zhiyuan pushed the door open and walked in with Li Xue.
In the room, an elderly man with white hair lay on the bed. He appeared to be very old, his face lined with wrinkles, eyes tightly shut, and his breathing faint.
Beside the bed stood a middle-aged man, covering the old man with a blanket.
"Grandpa, Miss Li is here," Xu Zhiyuan said softly as he approached the old man.
The elderly man slowly opened his eyes and glanced at Li Xue.
"You... are Li Xue?" he asked weakly.
"Yes," Li Xue nodded.
"Come here..." The old man beckoned her over.
Li Xue walked to the bedside and sat down. The old man took her hand and studied her closely.
"You look just like your mother," he murmured.
Li Xue looked at him in surprise. "You knew my mother?"
"Yes," the old man sighed. "Your mother was my most beloved daughter."
Li Xue stared at him, feeling a shock inside. She hadn't expected that her original mother's family was from the the Xu Family.
"Child," the old man said, looking at her, "I know it has been difficult for you all these years."
Li Xue gazed at him, unsure of what to say.
"We of the the Xu Family owe you an apology," he continued with regret. "I hope you can forgive us."
Li Xue looked at him, about to respond when suddenly the old man began to cough violently.
"Grandpa!" Xu Zhiyuan exclaimed in panic. "What's wrong?"
"Dad!" The middle-aged man rushed over anxiously.
The old man's coughing intensified, and his breathing became increasingly labored.
"Doctor! Call a doctor!" Xu Zhiyuan shouted.
The middle-aged man quickly took out his phone to make a call.
Li Xue stood aside and watched, frowning. A moment later, the doctor hurried in. He checked and shook his head: "The old man is dying, you should prepare for his funeral." "What?" Xu Zhiyuan was shocked. "Grandpa!" The middle-aged man threw himself on the bed and burst into tears. Xu Zhiyuan's eyes were also red. Li Xue stood aside, feeling a little uncomfortable. Although she had no feelings for this grandfather, blood is thicker than water after all. She sighed and quietly retreated. She walked out of the room and came to the stairs, just in time to meet Gu Jingchen. "Gu Jingchen." She looked at him, "You're here." Gu Jingchen looked at her, his eyes slightly fixed. He walked over and held her hand: "How is it?" Li Xue shook his head: "Grandpa is dying." "..." Gu Jingchen looked at her, his eyes deep. "Gu Jingchen." Li Xue looked at him, "Thank you." Gu Jingchen looked at her: "Thank me for what?" "Thank you for telling me about this." Li Xue whispered. Gu Jingchen looked at her, his eyes twinkling. "I just hope you can understand your family better." He said slowly. "..." Li Xue looked at him, feeling warm in her heart. She smiled, "I will." Gu Jingchen looked at her, his eyes soft. —— In the evening, Li Xue followed Gu Jingchen back to his villa.
Gu Jingchen emerged from the bathroom, wearing a bathrobe. The belt around his waist was tied snugly, revealing his strong and well-defined chest.
Li Xue was sitting on the bed, playing a game. When she saw him come out, she couldn't help but steal a few more glances at him.
He walked over to the edge of the bed and sat down, using a towel to dry his damp hair.
Li Xue watched him, unable to suppress a gulp.
After finishing with his hair, Gu Jingchen tossed the towel aside and lay back on the bed. He rested his head on his arm, staring at the ceiling, lost in thought.
Li Xue put her phone down and lay beside him. She turned to face him and said, "Gu Jingchen."
"Hmm?" He turned his head to look at her.
"I was wondering today... did I cause you any trouble?" Li Xue hesitated.
"..." Gu Jingchen looked at her, his gaze flickering slightly. After a few seconds of silence, he replied, "No."
Li Xue studied him closely. "Really?"
"Yeah." He nodded.
"..." She felt a twinge of guilt as she looked at him. She hadn't expected things to turn out this way.
"Don't overthink it," Gu Jingchen said softly, meeting her gaze. "Your grandfather is getting old; it's natural for life to have its ups and downs."
"Mm." Li Xue nodded in agreement.
She continued to look at Gu Jingchen and said, "I never realized that my mother was actually from the the Xu Family."
"..." Gu Jingchen raised an eyebrow, surprised. "You didn't know before?"
"No," Li Xue shook her head. "My parents never told me."
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