Chapter 457: He Finds It Sweet Indeed

Gu Zhihang: Aaaah, believe in science? Your brother’s locked up—that’s a pirated version! Snap out of it!

Seeing even the most cautious and careful Zhiqian had been fooled, he pouted.

Knowing any movement would bring pain, he stayed silent.

The ‘Gu Zhihang’ in this world sensed his own awakening, expressionless.

After seeing his grown younger brother, his heart gradually calmed.

Later, under the pretense of returning to Haicheng to handle business, ‘Gu Zhihang’ visited the grandparents of this world.

“Hengbao’s here!” Gu Mu beamed upon seeing her grandson. “When did you arrive? Hungry? I’ll make you a bowl of noodles—freshly made meat sauce, so fragrant.”

“Hungry,” said ‘Gu Zhihang’.

“Wait, Grandma’s going to make it.” Gu Mu hurried to the kitchen, not even letting the maid lift a finger—she made it herself for her grandson.

‘Gu Zhihang’ saw his grandfather—the old man had not endured the agony of outliving a child (though the news had been false, by then the grandparents had been dead for years; whether true or not, what difference did it make?), yet now he still radiated vigor.

“Grandpa.”

Gu Fu waved his grandson over. “Hengbao, come see my precious parrot.”

“Xiao Wu, say something.”

The small emerald parrot named Xiao Wu looked at ‘Gu Zhihang’ and chirped sweetly: “Good health, all wishes fulfilled.”

“Hahaha, so smart!” Gu Fu tapped the little creature’s head with his finger, praising it immediately.

He turned to his grandson. “This is my new little friend—your aunt’s husband gave him to me. Isn’t he clever?”

The old man’s face glowed red, dressed neatly in clean clothes, his voice strong and full of energy—he looked like he could live another ten years easily.

‘Gu Zhihang’ smiled. “Clever. Grandpa raised him well.”

Gu Fu beamed. “Just learned by trial and error. Come on, you feed him too—watching these little guys lifts your spirits.”

He handed his grandson the small food pouch.

‘Gu Zhihang’ took it, lowered his eyes to feed the old man’s pet, his cold features softening.

Gu Fu sensed his grandson’s low mood and said: “If you’re under too much pressure, rest. Come home. Let your grandma cook you something delicious. If you think she’s nagging too much, we can go fishing with our rods—or even watch the shows the young folks like… People can’t stay tense forever. Like a spring—if you keep pulling it, it’ll snap. Money’s good, everyone knows that, but how much is enough? What matters most is your own happiness.”

His calloused hand brushed over ‘Gu Zhihang’s’ head.

“Our Ercai is already amazing—more than most peers. Who in the family isn’t proud of you? Don’t push yourself too hard. Take time off, go out and play. Young people should enjoy themselves.”

The two sat together, speaking tender words—Gu Fu unconsciously used an old nickname.

Violation.

‘Gu Zhihang’s’ eyes grew warm.

Suddenly he embraced Gu Fu, like a lonely child clinging to his only pillar of support.

“Grandpa, I’ve surely disappointed you.” He spoke of his past life.

The fate he ended up with—if the grandparents knew, they’d probably… wish they’d never given birth to a grandson like him.

Gu Fu froze, then raised his voice. “Nonsense! When have you ever disappointed me?”

He gently patted his precious grandson’s shoulder, voice firm and strong: “Zhihang is the grandson I and your grandma are most proud of. You and your brother have always been easy to raise—good kids both.”

“Are you too tired? If you are, take a few days off. Just stay here. Rest up.”

‘Gu Zhihang’ nodded. “I’ll stay.”

Gu Fu hadn’t seen such vulnerability in Zhihang in years—he assumed it was just too much work, the child worn out. The old man felt deep pity, and was overjoyed to hear his grandson would stay.

“Good. Stay. Tell your grandma what you want to eat—she’ll make it. If you don’t feel like home food, I’ll take you out. There are several new restaurants just down the road.”

‘Gu Zhihang’ nodded. “Alright.”

Gu Mu’s voice rang from nearby. “Zhihang, dinner’s ready. Come eat.”

“Coming.”

While ‘Gu Zhihang’ ate, Gu Fu told Gu Mu: “Wife, get Zhihang’s room ready—he’s staying a few days.”

Gu Mu didn’t even ask why—she beamed. “Really? Great! I’ll go right away. Zhihang hasn’t been here in a while—I noticed he’s lost weight. I’ll make sure to feed him well while he’s home. I’ll head to the market later—buy a hen, stew him some soup.”

“I’ll go with you. If there’s pork ribs, get some too—Zhihang likes sweet-and-sour ribs,” Gu Fu said.

“Whatever you say.” Gu Mu hurried upstairs. Before leaving, she called to ‘Gu Zhihang’, who was wolfing down noodles: “Zhihang, leave your bowl—I’ll wash it later.”

She went on chattering: “Travel’s tiring. After eating, take a bath, go to your room, sleep. A good nap will refresh you.”

Gu Mu’s nagging was precious to ‘Gu Zhihang’.

He finished the noodles, carried his empty bowl to the kitchen, washed it skillfully, and put it away in the cabinet.

Gu Fu turned around and saw him done washing. “Why’d you wash it? Now your grandma’s going to scold me…”

‘Gu Zhihang’ looked serious. “I washed it myself. I’ll explain to Grandma—I won’t let her nag you.”

“Nagging’s fine. I’m used to it. I’d miss it if I didn’t hear her voice every day,” Gu Fu laughed.

“Go rest upstairs.”

‘Gu Zhihang’ nodded and climbed the stairs, following memory to his old room.

He walked to the balcony, stood high, looked far.

He could see the grandparents’ intertwined backs as they stepped out, spot the tiny figures of passersby, the occasional bicycle gliding by…

This ordinary, warm life eased much of the gloom in ‘Gu Zhihang’s’ heart.

He stayed at the Gu family’s villa for a week—fishing with Grandpa, watching performances, helping Grandma cook, the three of them binge-watching dramas together. He met his gentle, soft-spoken eldest cousin and lively, cheerful cousin Gu Yu, among others.

The Gu family was thriving—everything was perfect.

In his spare time, ‘Gu Zhihang’ still handled work matters—he’d been through the business world before, had experience, and the body’s former career was easy for him.

With Second Uncle and the Lin family’s help, this lifetime’s Gu Zhihang’s career was clearly larger and far smoother.

‘Gu Zhihang’ expected to feel envy—but found he didn’t.

He knew: this was the life he was always meant to have.

After a week, ‘Gu Zhihang’ bade farewell to his grandparents and set off on his return journey.

Before leaving, he hugged Gu Fu and Gu Mu.

“Grandpa, Grandma, take care of yourselves. I’ll miss you.”

The old couple froze, their hearts filled with warmth.

“If you miss us, come back. We’ll be just like these past few days,” Gu Fu patted his grandson’s back. “Take care of yourself. If work tires you, rest. Don’t ignore your health, okay?”

‘Gu Zhihang’ listened carefully, solemnly replied: “...I understand. I will.”

He released them, turned, and walked away—in that instant, a glimmer of moisture flashed in his eyes.

He knew: this departure was final—for him.

‘Gu Zhihang’ dared not look back. He walked fast, boarded the car, and finally exhaled deeply.

A night-long train ride.

He arrived home by noon.

Just as he put down his luggage, a clear, jade-like voice rang out.

“You’re back.”

‘Gu Zhihang’ looked up and saw Gu Zhiyu leaning against the bookshelf, arms crossed, eyes smiling at him.

“...Big, big brother.” His voice held surprise and joy.

Gu Zhiyu wore his unit’s uniform—broad shoulders, small head, clean white face, bright, sharp eyes, an aura of purity, like a campus god.

This was the spirit and demeanor ‘Gu Zhihang’ had stubbornly believed his brother should embody.

Gu Zhiyu walked to his brother and hugged him. “Mom said you missed me, told me to come home if I had time. When the head of the household gives orders, I can’t refuse—I took leave right away.”

He’d earned several commendations, been promoted a few times—leave was easier now.

‘Gu Zhihang’ was startled. “Mom asked you to come back?”

Gu Zhiyu looked at him in surprise. “Why are you suddenly calling her ‘Mom’? Didn’t you say ‘Mom’ was what villagers called her, and we should say ‘Mama’?”

“I just felt like calling her that,” ‘Gu Zhihang’ replied calmly.

The twin brother always had such a free-spirited nature.

Gu Zhiyu accepted it easily, his expression indulgent. “Fine. Whatever you like.”

The brothers sat on the sofa, Da Huang and Hu Po, the two dogs, sat on either side just like when they were children.

Both dogs ate the premium dog food Lin Zhao won in a lottery—they still looked young, larger than their breed standard, excellent guard dogs.

Once they walked four kids to school; now they escort Yaobao to and from work.

The two dogs had once been targeted by dog traffickers, escaped through cleverness, and even saved many of their kind.

Some dog owners who’d lost pets heard of this and specially commissioned wooden plaques to gift them—those plaques still hung around their necks.

‘Gu Zhihang’ stroked Da Huang’s head, eyes bright.

Da Huang is still alive. Good.

Back then, when he and his brother were starving, the emaciated Da Huang had given them the sparrow it had barely caught to eat. After he became successful, he went back to find Da Huang—only to learn… it had been killed and eaten.

This was one of ‘Gu Zhihang’s’ deepest regrets.

Gu Zhiyu sat relaxed, propped up on his arm, looking at his brother. “Trouble with your business?”

‘Gu Zhihang’ looked up. “No. Business matters? Nothing to me.”

“Then you missed your brother?” Gu Zhiyu’s lips curled slightly.

‘Gu Zhihang’ didn’t deny it. He nodded, voice low. “Yes. I missed you. Every day without you was agony.”

If his brother hadn’t spent years doing good deeds, accumulating virtue, he wouldn’t have had the chance to see them again.

Gu Zhiyu’s gaze paused, then he reached out and ruffled his brother’s hair. “Why so suddenly serious? It worries me. Something upsetting happen? Tell me—I’ll help you figure it out.”

“Nothing. Just… thinking about how we grew up together, took different paths.” ‘Gu Zhihang’ smiled. Before his brother could speak again, he asked: “Brother, how many days can you stay home? I want you to keep me company.”

After graduating and going their separate ways, Gu Zhiyu hadn’t heard those words again—now hearing them once more, his heart swelled with mixed emotions.

“If you can stay a week, whatever you want to do, Brother will go with you.”

“Gu Zhihang” brightened before his brother, “I want you to take me skiing—that’s what I want most. I also want to climb mountains, and see the sea…”

“Arranged.” Gu Zhiyu pulled open a drawer, took out a hardcover notebook, and began sketching out a plan. “I have limited time—I need to plan ahead. Since skiing is your top wish, we’ll start there, then…”

“Gu Zhihang” stared at his brother’s calm, composed demeanor, momentarily stunned.

This lifetime, Brother finally walked the path he wanted—how wonderful.

The two brothers spent a week together before returning.

Lin Zhao noticed the cold hostility in Erzai’s eyes had melted away like snow; his expression was light, his lips curved in a smile—as if he had become the Gu Zhihang Lin Zhao once envied.

“Back already? Smell like sweat—disgusting. Go wash up.”

Gu Zhiyu smiled patiently. “I came in a rush—I’m going now.”

“Gu Zhihang” opened his arms as if to hug Lin Zhao. “Disgusted? Then let’s stink together.”

Lin Zhao didn’t pull away—she hugged her son back, her eyes glistening.

She could feel Erzai was about to leave…

“You’re such a grown man—why still act like a child?”

The young man’s voice was low and hoarse. “Even at eighty, I’m still Mother’s child. Having a mother is good. Being a mother’s child is good.”

Lin Zhao’s tears burst forth.

“Gu Zhihang” felt the warmth against his chest—his heart burned as if plunged into boiling water, his flesh and blood curling inward.

Mother, you pity Erzai, alone and covered in wounds, don’t you?

Erzai has seen you again, seen Father, seen Brother and the younger siblings, seen Grandpa and Grandma… his wish is fulfilled.

Mother, where I am doesn’t matter—just be well. No matter where I am, family will always be what I hold dear.

That night.

“Gu Zhihang” lay flat on his bed, quietly waiting for the moment of his departure, disturbing no one, just as he had come.

Lin Zhao grew deeply uneasy and went to her son’s room, knocking on the door.

“Gu Zhihang” opened his eyes—dead still eyes lit with brightness.

He rose, walked to the door, and opened it.

“Mother?”

Lin Zhao waved the storybook in her hand, smiling. “Want me to read you a story to help you sleep?”

“Yes!” “Gu Zhihang” grabbed Lin Zhao’s sleeve, his expression stubborn. “Mother must wait until I’m asleep before leaving.”

“Alright.” Lin Zhao’s voice was soft, her heart full of love and sorrow.

“Mother is so good.” “Gu Zhihang” said contentedly.

Lin Zhao’s eyes burned—she blinked hard, forcing back the tears.

She couldn’t let Erzai leave unsettled.

“Gu Zhihang” lay on the bed, unwilling to close his eyes—he watched his mother, a genuine smile on his face.

“Mother…”

Lin Zhao paused, whispering, “What is it?”

“Being your son is so good.”

Hearing this, Lin Zhao lowered her head—large tears fell. She hastily wiped them away, pretending to scold as she lightly slapped his arm.

“Brat, why suddenly get so sentimental? You nearly broke me—I’m getting old, my tears are running thin. You won’t laugh at me, right?” She glared at Erzai as if daring him to nod.

“No.” “Gu Zhihang” laughed lightly.

The heavy atmosphere melted like cream.

“I want to hear more.” He urged.

Lin Zhao squeezed Erzai’s hand, giving him a playful scowl. “Who interrupted me just now?”

“Me. I’m wrong.” The moment the words left his mouth, “Gu Zhihang” flickered with surprise—his world was one of survival of the fittest, where power decided speech, where apologies and admissions of fault never existed. Had he always had this side in him?

He cherished it deeply.