Volume One, Chapter Nine: My Daughter, Gu Cha

"Sir, the Pei family and the extended family members are coming tonight. The Old Master wants us to return to the family estate," Secretary Li, who was sitting in the passenger seat, said as he turned around.

Cha Cha, drinking water fed to her by Gu Yan, said with bright eyes, "Is it Grandpa?"

"Yes." Gu Yan casually pulled out a tissue and wiped Cha Cha's mouth. Without looking up, he said, "Then let's head over. Bring the household registration book and the contract for the partnership with the Pei family."

"Understood."

The family estate was quite far, and winter days grow dark quickly. By the time they arrived, the lanterns at the entrance of the estate were already lit.

Cha Cha was fast asleep on the seat. The car was well-heated, and her little face was flushed from sleep.

Gu Yan picked her up gently. Secretary Li stared straight ahead, keeping his eyes on the floor. Since the passing of the Old Madam, he had not seen such a tender side to his boss in a long time.

Cha Cha smacked her lips, as if eating something delicious in her dream. Suddenly, she let out a giggle, and a suspicious drop of saliva landed on Gu Yan's hand.

Gu Yan: "..."

What a little foodie.

Gu Yan stepped into the courtyard, about to tell the staff to find a room for Cha Cha, when a hearty laugh approached from afar.

"Hahahaha! Oh, my little granddaughter, you’ve finally come to visit Grandpa."

Cha Cha woke up in Gu Yan's arms, dazed and sleepy. She rubbed her eyes and smacked her lips again, still seemingly lost in her dream, unable to fully regain her senses for a moment.

Gu Yan’s gaze remained calm and wave-less, but his face darkened as he looked at the old man, who was moving briskly despite leaning on a cane.

"Uh, the child is sleeping?" Gu Chiyi rubbed his nose, feeling a bit guilty. Under his son’s icy, blade-like glare, he muttered, "Why so fierce? I didn't do it on purpose."

"Grandpa~" Cha Cha called out softly, her voice still husky from sleep.

"Yes! Are you hungry, Cha Cha? I heard from your big brother that you love to eat, so Grandpa has prepared a lot of food for you." Gu Chiyi smiled with great affection.

This little lucky charm—ever since she returned from the hospital, he felt his health had improved significantly, so much so that he didn't even need his cane. However, with so many eyes watching him, he decided it was safer to keep up the act for her sake.

Cha Cha smiled, revealing shallow dimples. "Mm-hmm, Daddy, I'm hungry."

Gu Yan composed his expression, walked straight past the old man, and carried Cha Cha toward the dining room.

"Daddy, walk slower. Grandpa can't keep up with us."

Gu Yan paused. Under Cha Cha's expectant gaze, he slowed his pace. Gu Chiyi, who had initially felt a flash of disappointment, was surprised to see his son slow down and hurried to catch up.

"Coming, Grandpa is coming right now."

...

In the dining room, the extended Gu family filled three round tables. A single glance revealed the scale of the massive clan. As Gu Yan entered, everyone stood up in unison.

Gu Yan nodded for them to sit and instructed a servant to bring a high chair, placing Cha Cha into it.

Cha Cha stared at Gu Yan with eyes full of admiration. Her daddy was so impressive! She had only seen a scene like this when the village chief held a big meeting. Her daddy was just as impressive as the village chief!

Gu Yan expressionlessly flicked her forehead. Seeing that Cha Cha, bundled up in thick clothes, couldn't even reach her own forehead with her outstretched arms, he smiled imperceptibly.

"Uncle Yan, who is this little girl?" asked Gu Yue, a member of the extended family, out of curiosity.

Gu Yan signaled for Secretary Li to bring the household registration book. He leaned over to pick food for Cha Cha and said calmly, "I had intended to tell you all in a few days, but since everyone is here today, it saves time."

"This is my daughter, Gu Cha."

The dining room erupted into a buzz of discussion. Cha Cha looked up from her bowl, confused. What was happening? She was about to ask, but Gu Yan put ear muffs on her, picked up a piece of fish, carefully removed the bones, and fed it to her.

In the face of delicious food, Cha Cha chose to bury her head and keep eating.

Gu Wu said indignantly, "Brother Yan, how can a girl of unknown origin become a young lady of the main Gu family? You would rather find a wild girl than adopt from within the clan?!"

"That's right, Brother Yan. This is too impulsive. If you like a little girl, just keep her; why put her on the family registry?"

"Second Grandpa, are you just going to watch Brother Yan act so recklessly?"

Gu Chiyi was not angered by the juniors' confrontation. He continued to smile and said, "I know about this. It was I who told Gu Yan to register her."

"What?! Second Grandpa, why would you do that? There are so many girls in the extended branches; why choose a wild girl of unknown origin?"

"Gu Wu," Gu Yan narrowed his cold eyes. "What are you? If you dare call Cha Cha a 'wild girl' one more time, your family can get out of here."

Everyone fell silent. Being kicked out meant being expelled from the Gu family, and from that moment on, none of the family's wealth would have anything to do with them.

The atmosphere turned frigid, with only the sound of Cha Cha, wearing her ear muffs, focusing on her meal.

"Well, now that we're finally gathered, aren't you here to visit me?" Gu Chiyi tapped his cane and stopped smiling. "The head of the Gu family is now Gu Yan, and I support whatever he wants to do."

Gu Yan glanced at the old man, stood up, and raised his glass. "Internally, I don't care how you squabble, but if anyone dares to work with outsiders to harm the interests of the Gu family, don't blame me for being ruthless."

With that, he downed the wine in his glass, his cold gaze sweeping over everyone present. No one could take someone away from him so easily; the disappearance of that family of three must have been connected to the extended branch. In recent years, their businesses had grown, and so had their ambitions. It was time for a cleanup.

Cha Cha patted her round belly with satisfaction, took off her ear muffs, and was drawn to the wintersweet flowers in the courtyard.

"Daddy, I'm full."

Gu Yan wiped her mouth and hands, set her down, and said gently, "Go play."

Gu Chiyi beckoned for Meixiang to follow the little girl and said kindly, "Your third brother has some pets in the backyard. Go take a look."

Gu Yan glanced at the old man, whose eyes glinted with mischief, then at his excited and naive daughter, but he kept his mouth shut. Those things Gu Xiaoxun kept—he had ruthlessly refused to let him keep them at home, so he had dumped them on the old man instead. The whole backyard was in constant chaos because of them.

Did this little simpleton think they were just kittens or puppies? Gu Yan shook his head helplessly.

Gu Chiyi, having dismissed Cha Cha, felt a twinge of guilt as he saw Gu Yan shake his head. It wasn't his fault; the little one looked so cute, he just wanted to tease her. Besides, that creature's skin color was quite nice, and maybe Cha Cha would like it. Plus, it was caged, so it couldn't hurt her.

Cha Cha excitedly followed Meixiang to the backyard. No wonder she hadn't seen her third brother’s pets at home; they were at Grandpa's place. When she lived in the village, no one would play with her—only stray cats and dogs would keep her company.

Thinking of the cute animals she remembered, Cha Cha pulled Meixiang along, urging her to walk faster.

Meixiang looked at the excitement on Cha Cha's face with a complex expression, silently hoping the young lady wouldn't cry in a moment.