Chapter 35: Chapter Thirty-Five: Not Parting

Girl, come, sit.

Gu Qing patted the spot beside him and said to Liuli.

Zihan was stunned; he had never let her sit in all these years.

Could it be that Zihan always sits down on his own without being told?

Zihan glanced at Gu Die, then sat down beside him.

"Did you go to the company today?"

Gu Qing looked at Liuli with a kind expression.

"Yes."

"How do you feel?"

"Not bad."

"What's up, something on your mind?"

He can even see that?

Zihan widened his eyes at Gu Die, his expression saying how Gu Qing could still show concern for others.

Gu Die just looked at her without speaking; he also couldn't understand why Gu Qing treated Liuli differently.

"There's something I'd like to trouble you with."

"If there's anything, just say it."

"Cousin, I have something I want to say to you alone."

Liuli glanced at Zihan, and Zihan tried to get Gu Die to leave.

"Is there something I shouldn't know?"

Gu Die looked at Liuli, with no intention of leaving.

"Since you want to listen, then listen."

Liuli replied.

Seeing Gu Die unwilling to leave and unable to pull him away, Zihan also wanted to join in the fun, listening to how Liuli would speak to Gu Qing.

"Uncle, can I divorce Gu Die?"

As soon as Liuli spoke, it was hurtful words.

Upon hearing that, Gu Die couldn't stay seated and went straight upstairs.

The one who wanted to stay and listen was him, and the one who didn't want to listen was also him.

Zihan hurriedly followed him upstairs.

"Why do you want a divorce?"

Gu Qing was still quite patient with her.

"He only married me to anger you; if you don't force him to marry someone else, he'll naturally divorce me."

"He won't divorce you."

Gu Qing's words left her confused; he doesn't love her, so why won't he divorce her?

"I owe the Gu Family, and I will repay them in the future."

"You don't owe the Gu Family; you only owe Gu Die."

"What do I owe him?"

Liuli was even more confused.

"You owe him your heart; he gave his heart to you, and now you want to leave?"

"He gave his heart to me? Uncle, don't joke—he doesn't have me in his heart."

"Are you that sure?"

"Of course."

"Girl, then tell the truth—do you have him in your heart?"

Liuli fell silent; she didn't know how to answer, she had him in her heart but didn't want to say it.

"This is our secret; I won't tell him."

Gu Qing laughed.

"Yes, but he doesn't love me."

"He loves you, but he dares not love you."

"Why?"

From childhood, I never let him interact with girls; any girl who got close to him, no matter who, I would send away from Luohai City, never to return. To avoid implicating others, he disguised himself as a playboy, but the reason our relationship became like this is because of one incident.

As Gu Qing spoke, his brows were tightly furrowed.

"What happened?"

"When he was little, he was talkative and would tell me everything." Gu Qing said this, smiling slightly, his brows relaxing.

"When he was seven, he made a new friend named Si Yun."

"Chu Si Yun?"

"Have you heard him mention her?"

"No, I only heard him shout that name when drunk; this person must be very important to him."

"This person has always been an obstacle he couldn't get past, and also an obstacle I couldn't get past."

Gu Qing sighed and continued.

He got too close to her, and I warned him, but he said she was his most important friend and refused to listen, so I had people take Si Yun away in front of him.

I originally thought sending her abroad would be enough, but I didn't expect the two people I hired to be greedy; they split the money meant for her settlement and casually discarded Si Yun. Over the years I've had people look for her, but found no trace.

So, he hates you because of this?

Yes.

Then why don't you let him get close to girls?

Love is what I hate most; I also don't want him to be hurt by feelings.

Liuli didn't ask him why he hated love; she knew Gu Qing must have been deeply hurt by someone else, so she didn't want her son to repeat the same mistake.

Then why won't you let me divorce him?

From the Si Yun incident, I was wrong; I don't want to keep making mistakes, he should have the right to pursue his own happiness." Gu Qing replied, "He has already given his heart to you, and you have given yours to him; I hope you two will be happy together.

I still don't quite understand.

Liuli still wanted to ask something.

Go ahead.

Why do you want him to marry Feng Wei?

Feng Wei's family background is significant; marrying her would be helpful to Gu Die.

But I could never bring him any help.

Just being by his side is the best help.

Gu Qing said while stroking her head; he had always wanted a daughter, and for some reason he genuinely liked Liuli.

Zihan and Gu Die saw Gu Qing stroking her head upstairs and thought it was unbelievable—was he still Gu Qing?

Gu Die originally wanted to go back to his room, but Zihan insisted on pulling him upstairs to watch them talk; being far away, they couldn't hear anything.

But Zihan could also see the kind, old-fatherly look in Gu Qing's eyes when he looked at Liuli.

She almost wanted to possess Liuli; Liuli, having married into the family for such a short time, actually managed to win over both Gu Die and Gu Qing.

I said he doesn't dare love you because he's afraid of what I might do to you.

But I feel he doesn't have me in his heart; I don't know who he loves.

Those involved are confused, while onlookers see clearly; even I can see it, and I won't lie to you.

Uncle, I can't figure him out.

You'll understand later.

There's something I need to tell you; it's also one of our previous secrets.

Okay, go ahead.

I don't have much time left; I have late-stage stomach cancer.

Liuli listened while smiling, but hearing the bad news, her smile vanished instantly.

How could this...

That's why I'm anxious to see him married; otherwise, I won't be able to worry about him anymore.

Gu Qing's eyes turned red.

Since you two truly love each other, you should live well from now on; this boy keeps everything bottled up, has a bad temper, and you'll need to be more tolerant—I'm sorry to put you through this.

Gu Qing said while secretly wiping his eyes; it was obvious he was wiping away tears.

Uncle, don't say that; since I'm his wife, these things are to be expected.

Good child...

Uncle, I have another matter I'd like to trouble you with.

Say whatever you need; just treat me as your own father.

Gu Qing said with a kind smile, knowing Liuli had no parents and her dearest grandmother had also passed away.

He also felt quite sorry for Liuli.

Feng Wei wants me to divorce Gu Die.

Do you want to divorce?

I don't want to, but she's forcing me; I have no power or influence, I can't fight her. If she only targeted me, that would be fine, but I don't want the people who love me to be implicated because of me.

Okay, I'll handle this; next time you can just tell Gu Die directly.

He wouldn't even dare say a word against Feng Wei!

Liuli said discontentedly.

What, do you think he has Feng Wei in his heart?

Isn't that so? He was even with Feng Wei in front of me... never mind, I won't say it.

Just thinking about Gu Die kissing Feng Wei makes her angry.

If he has her in his heart, wouldn't he have married her?

So I said I can't figure him out.

You need to believe in yourself, and believe in him.

Alright.

Our secret between us shouldn't be told to anyone, especially Gu Die.

But he ought to know...

Promise me.

Okay.

Gu Qing said all that, so Liuli had no choice but to agree.

It's not early either; I'll be leaving.

Gu Qing rose to his feet and said.

Please stay for a meal!

No.

Gu Qing waved his hand, watching Gu Qing's back, Liuli's nose felt a little sour for a moment.

Maybe one day, she won't be able to see him.

'Dad, come again another day!'

Liuli shouted.

How come you were calling 'uncle' just now when you came, and now you're calling 'dad'?!

Liuli's 'dad' was heard by Zihan and Gu Die upstairs.

Gu Die rarely calls him dad.

'Okay.'

Gu Qing nodded in agreement, and waved at Liuli again.

Liuli had never called him dad before.

With that call, her tears kept swirling in her eye sockets.

Gu Qing hadn't heard Gu Die call him dad for many years; now Liuli's 'dad' made him turn around and wipe away a tear.

Gu Qing was still wondering why he was so emotional today, crying in front of Liuli.

Seeing Gu Qing leave, Zihan hurriedly ran downstairs.

'What were you two talking about just now, for so long?'

'Nothing.'

'What about Feng Wei's matter—has it been settled?'

'Mm.'

'Awesome, Liuli!'

'I'm hungry, can I eat now?'

'I'll go ask Lín āyí.'

Zihan said that and went to check the kitchen.

Liuli sat at the table waiting, still thinking about Gu Qing.

Should she tell Gu Die or not?

But she had already agreed, and couldn't say it out.

'What did you two just say?'

Gu Die sat opposite him and asked.

'Nothing.'

'He agreed to the divorce?'

'What good is his agreement? The divorce is still up to you.'

'Then if I agree, will you divorce?'

'No divorce.'

Gu Die was surprised by her answer, also pleased, and the corners of his mouth unconsciously turned up.

'Why don't you want to divorce again?'

'Do you want me to divorce?'

'No.'

'Then from now on you must stay away from other women.'

'Okay.'

Liuli laughed happily, and Gu Die laughed too.

Zihan came over and saw the two laughing; he really couldn't figure them out—just a moment ago one said they wanted a divorce and the other was angry, yet now they're laughing so sweetly.

'The meal is ready!'

Zihan shouted, and both of them put away their smiles.

Soon the servants had all served the dishes.

'Time to eat! Happy!'

As soon as the dishes were served, Liuli started eating as if grabbing food.

'Eat slowly.'

Gu Die said.

'Mm.'

Liuli responded, but her mouth didn't slow down.

Zihan looked left at Gu Die, then right at Liuli, not knowing when he himself had become an electric bubble.

She saw Gu Die's gaze, which had never left Liuli.