Chapter 17: The One Closest to the Heart

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Her fleeting panic quickly settled as she steadied herself. "At a time like this, aren’t you afraid that Gu Yao might come up and catch you here, leaving you unable to explain?"

Gu Hanchen sneered softly, clearly unimpressed by her act.

The man gently pushed the door open and stepped inside.

"Why did you go to the hospital?" His gaze was sharp and piercing as he stared intently at her.

For a moment, Gu Fangyu felt as if he had seen straight through her.

She forced herself to remain calm; no matter how formidable Gu Hanchen was, it was impossible for him to know everything.

"I already told you, I went for a medical checkup."

"Do you think I wouldn’t know whether you’re sick or not?" The man was clearly skeptical.

"If you don’t believe me, feel free to investigate. You have all the means," she said, turning her face aside with a careless attitude.

In moments like this, the more flustered she felt, the more she dared not show weakness.

Gu Fangyu knew this man’s methods all too well.

If he really checked now, it would be hard to hide anything.

Gu Hanchen narrowed his eyes and stared at her for a long while.

Just when she thought he would drop it, he surprisingly took out his phone. "Lin Mu, check Jiang’s Hospital for Fangyu’s medical records."

Her eyes widened in disbelief.

This man actually went through with it.

She swallowed hard and could only hope Jiang Qi was quick enough to have already taken care of it.

The man ended the call but didn’t rush to speak. His gaze remained on her face, as if trying to see through her completely.

"What’s the matter, feeling guilty?" Gu Hanchen suddenly said.

Biting her lip, Gu Fangyu met his gaze. "If it were Gu Yao, would you do the same?"

The man frowned.

She smiled faintly. "You wouldn’t."

Gu Hanchen’s brows furrowed tighter, his dark eyes glinting with an unreadable, sinister light.

Gu Fangyu continued, "Just because she spent the first twenty years of her life wandering and struggling outside, your Gu family now treats her like a treasure, showering everything upon her. But what does that have to do with me? Why must you take away what’s mine to make up for her? What wrong have I done? Did I steal her status as the young lady? Did I take her things? Or did I kidnap her, causing her to be lost and abandoned?"

"Why should I atone for you all because you lost her?"

A crack appeared on the man’s cold face. He pressed his thin lips tightly, a faint anger shining through.

But in the end, he said nothing and turned to leave.

As he exited, he happened to run into Gu Yao coming upstairs.

"Brother, what are you doing in her room?"

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Only the sound of his footsteps fading away greeted her—no explanation followed.

Gu Yao frowned, watching Gu Hanchen leave, then pounded on the door forcefully. "Gu Fangyu, come out now! You come out!"

Inside the room, Gu Fangyu’s brows knitted tightly as she listened.

She didn’t open the door. Gu Yao’s knocking grew louder.

"Come out! Tell me, why was my brother in your room?"

Gu Fangyu paused a moment before opening the door.

"Do you want everyone to hear this?" she said coldly, staring at the shouting Gu Yao outside.

Gu Yao kept knocking and, as Gu Fangyu quickly opened the door, she stumbled forward, almost falling.

"Gu Fangyu, my brother hates you so much—how could he be in your room?"

Gu Yao scrutinized her from head to toe, as if trying to uncover some earth-shattering secret.

Gu Fangyu stood still, letting her look her over. "You should ask your brother that."

She said this and tried to close the door.

Gu Yao blocked it again. "Don’t think that just because you’ve fooled my brother, he’ll side with you. Gu Fangyu, you better know your place."

Gu Fangyu, tired of her nonsense, slammed the door shut with force.

Gu Yao stepped back, and if Gu Fangyu hadn’t reacted quickly, the door would have hit her in the face.

"Gu Fangyu, you freeloader, what are you so proud of!" she shouted angrily at the door.

Finally, she left in frustration.

…

Gu Hanchen strode quickly out of the old mansion.

Lin Mu was already waiting by the car and hurriedly opened the rear door when he came out.

"President Gu, as you instructed, all the foreign experts have arrived at the Gu Group’s hospital and are waiting for you."

The man responded faintly and bent down to sit inside.

Leaning against the back seat, Gu Hanchen closed his eyes to rest.

Lin Mu glanced repeatedly in the rearview mirror as he drove, watching the man’s expression.

Half an hour later, the car arrived at the hospital.

The man got out and went straight to the obstetrics and gynecology conference room.

"President Gu."

"President Gu..." The lead expert immediately stood to greet him.

The rest of the team also rose promptly.

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The man’s expression was calm. After nodding, he gestured for them to sit.

Elder Lu spoke first: "President Gu, we have reviewed and discussed the previous annual medical reports you gave us. The situation is more complicated than we expected. Further examinations will be necessary to determine specifics."

Gu Hanchen pressed a hand to his forehead, silent for a long moment before asking, "Are you confident?"

"This..." Elder Lu hesitated, exchanging looks with the other doctors.

The man looked up sharply. "I didn’t call you here just to hear that it’s complicated."

"President Gu, this young lady’s condition isn’t just simple cold uterus syndrome. Even the position of the uterus itself is a key factor causing difficulty in conceiving."

Gu Hanchen’s face darkened. His stern features showed faint traces of anger.

For a moment, the atmosphere in the room grew heavy and stifling.

The experts sat formally, silent and cautious.

"The physical exam is scheduled for three days from now. Prepare plans for any necessary tests in advance," the man stood. "But one thing: all examinations and treatments must not harm her body."

As Gu Hanchen headed for the door, he suddenly stopped and turned his head slightly.

"Also, she’s afraid of pain."

A chill ran through the room.

There’s no treatment without pain.

Was this a deliberate challenge or a difficulty they were meant to endure?

Someone lost patience. "Elder Lu, isn’t President Gu being too harsh?"

Elder Lu glanced at him and smiled lightly. "This young lady is probably the one President Gu cares most about. You all better take good care."

The other experts looked puzzled.

"I heard she was switched at birth in the Gu family, her status now awkward, unwelcome, and that President Gu has been famously resentful toward her for years. How could she be his favorite?"

Elder Lu gave a meaningful smile. "Truth and lies are often mixed. Some things aren’t what they seem."

The others shook their heads, still confused.

"Tell me, do you think the Gu Group would spend so much just to have you examine an unimportant person for infertility?"

Everyone suddenly understood.

"Do your job well. Remember, not a word about this to anyone outside," Elder Lu reminded them again.

The group was grateful. Without Elder Lu’s warning, their careers might have been ruined.

Gu Hanchen came out, and Lin Mu was waiting.

"President Gu, Jiang’s Hospital sent over the medical records. Miss Gu did indeed go for a checkup," Lin Mu handed him the newly received documents.