Chapter 69

You two both care about each other, you just don't say it; Dad only forbids you from getting close to other girls because he's afraid you'll get hurt emotionally.

Liuli continued speaking.

He doesn't want you to walk the same path he walked; regarding Siyun's matter, he also doesn't want it to be like this—it's just an accident.

You actually know all along, you've already forgiven him, right?

But why won't he tell me anything at all.....

The more Gu Die thought, the more he felt guilty; he couldn't imagine how Gu Qing, alone with cancer, managed to hold on.

Don't blame yourself; Dad also doesn't want to see you like this......

Liuli hugged him, and he hugged her tightly.

Although the meal downstairs was ready, Yu Ke and Zi Han didn't go up to call Liuli and Gu Die, wanting to give them more time together.

If Liuli were really Siyun, that would be great.

Zi Han sighed.

Exactly, Liuli has suffered so much; if she were Siyun, the Chu family would surely treat her well, she could live a good life—she ought to be the young lady.

You don't know, my cousin was also sincere toward Siyun; he searched for her for many years, and because of Siyun's matter, he fell out badly with his uncle-in-law.

Zi Han knew that Gu Die and Gu Qing's relationship had been very good; after Siyun, it became like strangers.

It's just because of that Liuli bracelet; my cousin snapped at me for the first time—though he's usually aloof and doesn't get angry easily, you can see how important that bracelet is to him.

But the bracelet is with Liuli, right? Logically, if Gu Die gave it to Liuli, you wouldn't see this bracelet.

Yu Ke asked.

There's another possibility: the bracelet is a pair—you saw it, right? It's engraved with Siyun's name; maybe the cousin's one is engraved with his own name.

Zi Han answered.

There's also this possibility; now nothing can be said clearly—after so many years, even if Mrs. Chu and Mr. Chu really saw Siyun, they might not recognize her.

Siyun was only six when the incident happened; now she should be about our age.

Zi Han propped up their forehead, thinking.

How are you and Cheng Li doing?

Yu Ke's curiosity flared up again; she just couldn't shake her gossipy nature.

What do you mean, how are he and I doing?

Upon hearing Cheng Li, Zi Han's face flushed.

You think I don't know? I, Su Yu Ke, am Baishitong—there's nothing I don't know.

Then tell me, what do you know?

I know plenty—for example, you and Cheng Li went to the amusement park together, just the two of you.

Yu Ke raised an eyebrow and said.

How do you know?

I just said I know!

Then why are you still asking?!

I just wanted to ask—what's going on? Is this a date for you two?

I don't even know if it counts..

Zi Han's face flushed even more.

Luo Zi Han, you're so thin‑skinned—how could I not know? You're never like this when you retort me.

I don't even like you, of course! Don't just talk about me—how are you and Bai Xu doing?

Me and Bai Xu…… nothing happened!

Upon hearing Bai Xu, Yu Ke's face also turned red.

You still have the nerve to talk about me? Look at yourself—you turn red at the mere mention of Bai Xu.

I don't.

Yu Ke retorted.

How can you say that? How about I get you a mirror to have a look?

I don't want that!

As Liuli and Gu Die came downstairs, they heard Yu Ke and Zi Han arguing.

Is the meal not ready yet?

Liuli asked.

Upon seeing Gu Die's figure, Yu Ke and Zi Han fell silent.

All right, we've been waiting for you! Lín āyí, let's eat!

Zi Han shouted.

Most of the dishes on the table were what Yu Ke liked; she helped herself without hesitation, asking the kitchen to make whatever she wanted, just like at home.

Let's eat.

Liuli said to Gu Die.

Okay.

Eat a bit more.

Liuli picked some vegetables for Gu Die.

Zi Han and Yu Ke stared at each other; they had been at odds this morning, but now they're fine again.

Liuli was still telling Yu Ke they should divorce, but Yu Ke felt that looking at it now, they wouldn't divorce.

Yu Ke, you should eat a bit more as well.

Zihan also gave Yu Ke some vegetables, leaving Yu Ke bewildered—was she trying to get her to eat more? And she kept serving her vegetables.

"You're the one who needs to eat more, look how thin you are."

Yu Ke also gave Zihan some vegetables.

Liuli watched the two, wondering why they were acting so strange today—just a moment ago they were still arguing when they came down, and now they're suddenly fine?!

"Does your head still hurt?"

Gu Die touched Liuli's head and asked.

"It doesn't hurt anymore."

Liuli smiled.

Liuli had originally been determined to divorce him today, but seeing his devastated state, she only wanted to stay by his side.

She had threatened to die if he didn't divorce her, but he said he would stay with her, which frightened her—she feared he might actually follow through.

Liuli now understands less and less—she doesn't know what Gu Die's feelings toward her are, whether love or not, and she's completely clueless.

Yu Ke and Zihan, upon seeing Liuli and Gu Die, both felt they'd been fed another mouthful of dog food.

"Can I stay here tonight? Liuli, you didn't say I could stay at your place for a week? I'm scared being alone at night."

Yu Ke asked.

"What are you afraid of? The Su family has so many servants—how can you be the only one?"

Zihan interrupted.

"I'm just scared—is that not allowed?"

"Being scared won't help, just stay scared!"

"You!"

Yu Ke was so angry she wanted to drag Zihan out and beat him up.

"Then you can stay here for tonight, and we'll talk after your parents come back."

Liuli replied.

"Okay, Liuli, you're still the best to me!"

Yu Ke smiled smugly at Zihan.

Liuli thought that she was originally supposed to accompany Yu Ke at the Su family for a week, and since Yu Ke wanted to stay, it was only natural to let her stay.

"Then you can sleep with Zihan tonight."

Liuli smiled.

"Why would I sleep with her?"

Before Zihan could speak, Yu Ke asked the question she wanted to ask.

"But letting you sleep alone, you'd be scared."

Liuli teased.

"Who said I'm scared? I'm bold—I'll sleep alone, I definitely don't want to sleep with her!"

"Su Yu Ke, you're being picky—I haven't even said anything yet! Do you think I want to sleep with you? If you're not scared, go home and sleep!"

"Scared? How could I not be? I was just joking—don't get angry!"

Upon hearing Zihan say she'd go home to sleep if she wasn't scared, Yu Ke instantly wilted and hurriedly coaxed Zihan.

"Eat some meat—look how thin you are, eat more!"

Yu Ke served meat into Zihan's bowl.

"Forget it, I won't argue with you—sleep or not, it's up to you."

"Sleep? How could I not? I just want to sleep with you—I'm just too embarrassed to say it."

"Get lost."

Zihan thought Yu Ke's words were totally fake and rolled her eyes at her.

While eating, Gu Die said nothing except asking Liuli if her head still hurt.

After finishing the meal, Liuli pulled Gu Die upstairs to rest.

Liuli merely silently stayed by his side.

What he wanted was also just her being by his side—no need to speak or act, just staying with him was enough.

"You should rest for a few days first; I'll handle the funeral arrangements."

Liuli lay beside Gu Die; his grandmother's funeral had been arranged by him, and she also wanted to share the burden.

"I want to give him a proper send-off."

"Okay, then we'll send him off together."

"Mm."

Gu Die buried his head in her chest.

"You're not divorcing me?"

"I do want to divorce you—I really do."

"What about now?"

"Now…… I don't know, you didn't back then……"

"I didn't choose you back then for a reason."

"What reason? You didn't even want to save me?"

"I want to, how could I not? But it was Shen Zeyan……"

"What happened with Shen Zeyan? Can you explain clearly?"

"Shen Zeyan was just testing me on purpose—actually the bombs were fake; he just wanted to know who I really love."

He already figured it out; you don't have me in your heart at all.

It's not like that. Shen Zeyan wanted to know who I love, and also wanted me to feel what it's like to lose the person I love, so I had no choice but to pick Feng Wei, so that Shen Zeyan wouldn't do anything to you.

Gu Die also realized for the first time that he had actually said so much.

I just want to protect you.

But if the bomb is real, I might really be gone.

I said it before, I will be with you, I'm not joking.

Gu Die looked at her, with a very serious gaze.

So you want me to tell you everything I do, right? Explain anything that might cause misunderstanding, and I'll explain it to you.

Okay, can you stop mentioning divorce from now on?

You promised me you'd tell me about anything, and inform me of any decisions, otherwise I'll keep misunderstanding you.

Okay, I promise you.

Then I also promise you.

No changing.

Hmm.

Liuli lay in his arms, feeling the warmth coming from his embrace, a comforting feeling.

Soon, the funeral began, and Cheng Li, Bai Xu, Zi Han, Yu Ke, and several senior shareholders of the Gu Clan also came.

Even Zi Han's father came back from abroad.

Although Zi Han's father and Gu Qing have always had a distant relationship, if there's anything needing help, they will still turn to each other first.

They are each other's only relatives.

Zi Han's father stood silently before Gu Qing's portrait, quietly gazing.

Since childhood, people have said he and Gu Qing look like a pair of twins.

He also knows they really are alike, and they both have the same bad temper.

Zi Han also stood silently beside his father.

His father also bears the surname Gu, named Gu Li, while Zi Han follows her mother's surname, Luo.

Gu Li loved Zi Han's mother deeply, but she died in difficult childbirth giving birth to Zi Han, thus leaving this world.

Gu Li felt Zi Han's mother was great; thanks to her, he had such a fine daughter.