Chapter 127: The Former Fiancé, Warm and Gentle as Jade

Meng Shutang never expected she would see Gu Jin Xing again.

Or rather, it would be on a night like this, in the rain.

In an instant, she froze there.

The man stood there, silently watching her, a pair of rimless glasses perched on his high, straight nose.

His black coat was as dark as ink, his whole demeanor cold and solitary.

Unchanged from before, still that gentle, jade‑like warmth,

Meng Shutang's face suddenly went pale.

"Jin Xing? When did you return to the country?"

The 28‑year‑old Gu Jin Xing and the 18‑year‑old sunny youth overlapped and then drifted apart; once the unattainable flower of Jiangchengdaxue, a famous second‑generation rich kid.

Yet he fell in love with a plain little girl like her.

"I'm Jin Xing, just got off the plane. I heard you live here, so I came by to see you."

Gu Jin Xing stepped closer; Meng Shutang looked at him, his faint, icy aura and the dimpled smile making him seem both familiar and strange.

She stared at him, emotions swirling.

If Gu Yunci hadn't snatched her away from the engagement banquet back then, they should have been the ones to become a married couple.

Meng Shutang tightened her coat and asked, "Where have you been all these years?"

"Britain."

"Britain?"

In fact, she had also been in Britain for those four years.

"I thought you had been in Africa all along."

"I stayed there for a year or two, then have been in Britain ever since."

He stood there quietly, gazing at her, his eyes soft as if it were the month they were courting.

Meng Shutang also knew that, despite seven years apart, he had never let go of her, still thinking of her the same way.

"All these years, have you been well?"

His voice was very soft, as if afraid to startle her,

"I didn't dare to disturb you, fearing... that you'd see me and recall those unhappy moments."

Meng Shutang pressed her lips together, "I'm fine, and you?"

Gu Jin Xing nodded, "If you're doing well, then I'm doing well too."

Meng Shutang's heart gave a sudden thump.

The night rain drizzled on, after seven years apart, she looked at him, a thousand words in her mind, full of bitterness and heartbreak.

"Jin Xing, about the past, I am..."

She tried to apologize, but Gu Jin Xing cut her off, glancing toward the pharmacy, "Tang Tang, you're buying medicine, right?"

Meng Shutang nodded, "My grandmother's hypertension medicine is out of stock."

"I'll go in with you."

Gu Jin Xing accompanied her inside, chose the medicine Li Xiuyun often takes, and when it came time to pay, Gu Jin Xing rushed to pay.

When they came out, he didn't enter the complex and said, "Do you have time tomorrow? I'd like to treat you to a meal."

Meng Shutang didn't want to agree, but recalling that she had been at fault back then, she said, "Fine."

Meng Shutang returned home, gave the medicine to her grandmother, who said Xin Xin couldn't wait to sleep; she glanced at the children's room once more before returning to the master bedroom.

Sitting on the bed, she told Chen Man about what had just happened with Gu Jin Xing.

"What, Gu Jin Xing is back?"

"I thought my address was what you said."

"Seven years ago, after you two confirmed your relationship, I cut off contact with him.

By the way, Tang Tang, he said he'd come over as soon as the plane landed; could it be that he learned you divorced Gu Yunci and returned to snatch you from him?"

Four years ago, he lost so badly; this time, with love and hate intertwined, he is determined to keep you tightly by his side."

"What are you saying?"

"I was just rambling; we'll meet again later, see you."

……

Gu Jin Xing left Qinglu Residence and drove back to the old house.

The old lady, upon hearing he had returned, lay down and got up again.

In the living room she hugged him, joyfully alternating between crying and laughing, "It's good you're back, it's good you're back, have you met your father?"

Gu Jin Xing gave a faint smile, "Not yet, I haven't had the chance."

"What about your brother?"

"I... haven't gone to Qian Shui Wan yet."

The old lady clasped his hand, "In a moment I'll have Aunt Song call, and have the two of them come to the old house for breakfast tomorrow morning."

The next morning.

Early in the morning, Gu Yeheng and Gu Yunci arrived at the old house one after another.

On the phone, Aunt Song only said to have them return to the old house, without revealing the exact reason.

When they saw Gu Jin Xing in the living room,

the two were so shocked they could not speak.

Gu Yeheng's thin lips trembled slightly, and tears glimmered in his cloudy yet shrewd eyes, "Jin Xing, Jin Xing... you finally came back."

Gu Yunci was even more incredulous, shocked and excited, "Jin Xing?"

Gu Jin Xing looked at Gu Yeheng and Gu Yunci, stepped forward, and hugged them tightly, his voice choking, "Brother, Dad, it's me. I'm back."

Seven years of longing, worry, and guilt turned into a tight embrace in this moment.

The three men held each other tightly, as if that quarrel seven years ago—the one that nearly tore the old house apart—had never happened.

Seeing the three of them reconcile, the old lady took out her handkerchief and wiped her tears again.

"Alright, alright, come eat. We'll talk while we eat."

Just like when he saw Meng Shutang last night, Gu Yeheng peppered him with questions about this and that; Gu Jin Xing was courteous and unhurried, answering each one in turn.

The old lady observed this. "Haven't seen him in seven years, and Jin Xing has grown steady.

He used to be like a little sparrow, chattering away. Now he only speaks when asked."

Gu Jin Xing gave a faint smile and said nothing.

When Gu Jin Xing smiled, his eyes were clear and clean, and he spoke in a soft, gentle voice.

Gu Yunci watched him, his heart aching.

When Gu Jin Xing was young, Gu Yeheng had disliked him very much.

Because he liked children who were mature beyond their years, whereas Gu Jin Xing loved to smile, had no guile, and talked too much.

But Chu Fu adored Gu Jin Xing. He had once overheard with his own ears Chu Fu pleading desperately with Gu Yeheng, "You've already taken one son from me. Jin Xing—can you give him back to me, please?

I don't ask him to stand out above others, I don't ask him to hold his own. I only ask that he live happily. That's enough."

For him to be this steady and sensible now—if Chu Fu's spirit in heaven could see it, she would surely feel heartache too.

Gu Jin Xing noticed Gu Yunci looking at him and took the initiative to pick up some food for him. "Brother, have some ribs."

Gu Yunci gave a slight nod.

Gu Yeheng said, "That's more like it. Brothers should be respectful to each other. You can't let blood brothers grow distant over a woman."

In an instant, the lively dining room seemed to have been cursed, plunging into dead silence.

Gu Yeheng realized what he'd said. "Bah, bah, bah, I shouldn't say disheartening things or bring up disheartening people. My fault. I'll penalize myself with a cup."

With that, he picked up a cup of wine and drank it on his own. After finishing, he glanced at Gu Yunci. "Eat. We won't talk about anyone else."

Gu Yunci understood. He took a large shrimp, peeled it, and placed it on Gu Jin Xing's plate. "Jin Xing, eat."

"Thank you, Brother." After a pause, Gu Jin Xing continued to smile gently. "Tangtang is my sister-in-law. She's not a taboo in this family."

Gu Yeheng was taken aback. "What did you say? You... you've let go?"

Gu Jin Xing gave a slight nod. "She and my brother are truly in love. It was my fault for being young and foolish at the time.

If I'd helped bring them together earlier, it wouldn't have caused such turmoil in the family."

Gu Yeheng said, "Son, the fact that you can think this way makes Dad really happy."

Saying that, he sighed. "It's just a pity that woman was too restless. Four years ago, your brother divorced her."

Gu Jin Xing remained impassive, his eyes shifting slightly to glance at Gu Yunci.

Gu Yunci kept his eyes down and ate, not saying a word the entire time.

The old lady grew sorrowful. "Haven't seen her in four years. I wonder how that child is doing now?"

Gu Jin Xing saw that Gu Yunci still said nothing.

"Tangtang is doing well. She's living at Qingluju now. Last night at the pharmacy, I even ran into her and exchanged a few words."

We just didn't talk about my brother. I truly didn't know there'd been a change in their relationship."

Gu Yunci's slender fingers paused slightly.

"You saw her last night?"

The old lady was curious.

Gu Jin Xing nodded. "Yes, I went to buy cold medicine and bumped into her at the pharmacy.

She's been back in the country for about half a year now, and her studio even has a deep collaboration with the Gu Clan. Could it be that... Big Brother never mentioned any of this?"