Volume One, Chapter 19: The Final Time

A deathly silence permeated the air.

Gu Xinyue was gnashing her teeth in fury. Just as she was about to win the old man’s forgiveness, this wretched girl had to stick her nose in. Lowering her head to compose herself, she pinched her arm hard, forcing tears to well up instantly.

"Dad, please listen to me. I only went to find Brother to apologize, but he wouldn't let me go up. I felt so hurt, and then Chacha suddenly tugged at me, nearly making me fall. I was so startled that I accidentally pushed her."

Gu Xinyue looked at the old man with a pitiful expression. Seeing his resolve waver, she added more fuel to the fire. "I know I’ve done many wrong things in the past, but I am truly repentant."

With that, she took out a large sea pearl. Gritting her teeth internally, she smiled magnanimously at Chacha. "Chacha, it was Auntie’s fault last time. I’m apologizing to you. You’re such a good girl, you’ll forgive me, won’t you?"

Three years in Dashitou Village had made Chacha highly sensitive to others' emotions. She could sense that her aunt didn't actually like her, nor was she apologizing in earnest.

"Auntie is lying."

Chacha turned and buried her face in Gu Chiyi’s embrace, refusing to look at her again.

Gu Xinyue: "..."

Clutching the large pearl, she nearly shattered her teeth in frustration. This wretched girl—even if she wasn't Gu Yan’s biological daughter, she was just as annoying!

Gu Chiyi’s heart softened in the end. Before his wife passed away, her greatest worry was this daughter who had been found later in life, so no matter how many absurd things she did, she remained his daughter.

"I know why you're here. I’ll hand the jewelry business in the south of the city over to you. As for anything else, don't bring it up again."

The jewelry business in the south of the city was a fat piece of meat that the collateral branches of the family had been eyeing for a long time. Yet, Gu Xinyue sneered to herself; so much for a wealthy, prestigious family—they were nothing but stingy.

"Thank you, Dad. I’ll be going then." Her goal had been achieved, so there was no need to waste more breath.

Gu Muyan watched his aunt leave in silence, but he couldn't help but remind the old man. "Grandfather, Aunt’s promises have no credibility. When Nansu was kidnapped years ago, he was left with severe psychological trauma. Aunt, she..."

Gu Muyan whispered, "If every mistake committed can be solved with a mere apology, wouldn't that be too unfair to all the victims?"

When they finally found Gu Nansu, he had been covered in blood, locked in a pitch-black, cramped space, clutching a small knife with a kidnapper lying on the floor in nothing but his underwear. He couldn't bear to imagine what would have happened if they had arrived even a moment later.

Chacha’s tears fell in rapid succession as she sobbed, "Grandfather, was Second Brother hurt because of Auntie? He... he has so many, many scars on his body."

Gu Chiyi’s aged face was etched with wrinkles, and unshed tears glistened in his deep eyes. He had failed his children. If only Xinyue were still like she used to be—clinging to his arm, acting spoiled, thoughtful, and sensible.

"One last time... this is the last time..."

...

"Ding." A notification pinged.

Gu Xinyue pulled out her phone, her expression shifting instantly. She hurled the phone away, and the screen shattered.

"Meow..." A thin, white stray cat scurried out from the bushes, brushing against Gu Xinyue’s leg with a plaintive, high-pitched mew.

The next second, it was kicked away violently. "Where did this wild cat come from? So filthy."

Gu Xinyue brushed off her pant leg with disgust and drove away, leaving behind the small white cat, bleeding from its nose and mouth, gasping for breath from the strike of her high heel.

Chacha sat by the chessboard, clutching a small hand warmer, staring intently at the black and white pieces. As she watched, her eyelids grew heavy. These black and white pieces running around in a mess made no sense to her.

Seeing Old Master Gu cough, she reached out her little paw to pour a cup of tea. She secretly dropped two tiny specks of light into it and carefully served it to him.

"Hahaha, thank you, Chacha."

Gu Chiyi took a sip and instantly felt refreshed, his chest clearing. "This tea is brewed quite well today, butler. Muyan, you should have a taste."

Gu Muyan poured himself a cup. It tasted quite ordinary, but seeing his grandfather happy, he went along with it.

Seeing that Chacha was bored, Gu Chiyi called Meixiang to take her for a walk. Once the little one was gone, Gu Chiyi and his eldest grandson returned to their game.

"The recent performance of the Mingtai Auction House has improved quite a bit. Those old guys aren't easy to deal with, are they?"

Gu Muyan placed a stone on the board. "They aren't easy, but with my father backing me, I’m not afraid."

Mingtai was not just an auction house; it was a medium for communicating with those in power. To maintain the Gu family at its current scale, support from the higher-ups was essential. Consequently, certain collateral branches with ulterior motives couldn't help but try to sabotage it.

"Young President Gu, heh, the people downstairs aren't wrong in their address. Though you have a gentle temperament, deep down you are just like your father—decisive in your decision-making."

"Good, good. I was worried you wouldn't be able to handle it, but it seems your father knows you best."

Gu Chiyi placed his final stone. "Hahaha, I won! I’ve finally beaten you once."

Gu Muyan curled his lips. The old man was a terrible player, but he loved the game, so he had let him win.

"Grandfather is impressive. You must have been practicing in secret behind my back."

Gu Chiyi waved his hand triumphantly, only to see Chacha run in, eyes brimming with tears, clutching something in her arms.

"My treasure, where did you find that cat?"

The story began when Chacha went out for a stroll with Meixiang.

"Miss, I’m sorry. Last time, I didn't look after you well, which is why you had to spend three days in the hospital," Meixiang said, hanging her head in guilt.

Chacha comforted her thoughtfully, "Sister Meixiang, it’s not your fault. I was the one who hid away with Huahua. I won't run around recklessly again."

The old Gu residence was vast and intricately designed. As Chacha walked, she grew tired. She cradled her head in her small, fleshy hands and asked, "Sister Meixiang, why is the relationship between Dad and Grandfather so strange?"

Every time her father saw her grandfather, he was unwilling to speak much to him, and her grandfather was equally awkward.

Meixiang pondered for a moment. "When the old madam passed away, I hadn't been at the residence for long. I only heard that because the old master’s methods were too aggressive, a business rival went bankrupt and had the master kidnapped. Unexpectedly, they kidnapped the four-year-old Miss instead. Although the culprits were caught later, no one knew where the Miss had gone."

"From then on, the master and mistress fought frequently. The master was only in his teens then, so he moved out to live on his own. Almost everything regarding school was handled by the butler. It was as if the family didn't have a son at all."

Chacha plucked at the grass on the ground, feeling downcast.

"No wonder Dad doesn't smile much."

"I heard the master used to smile a lot, but after one particular argument with the old madam, he became the cold person he is today."

Chacha tilted her head. "Did Grandma not love Dad?"

Third Brother said that Grandma used to be very mean to Dad, but didn't a mother love her own child? Her aunt loved Jinbao very much. She didn't have a mother, but Grandma had said that every mother loved her own children.