Chapter 19: Warmth (Part 1)

  "Have those two people been visiting you all this time?" Gu Tianxi seemed to have seen through Gu Huan's concerns, and smiled slightly with the corner of his mouth raised. The women who occasionally passed by, regardless of age, were immediately captivated by this enigmatic smile and lost their minds, even if Gu Tianxi pushed Gu Huan past them, they still stood in place for a long time, gazing after him.

  "Hmm." Gu Huan Lian replied softly, her two hands alternately gently clasping each other's fingers.

  "Too much trouble for others." Gu Tianxi slightly furrowed his brow, sternly scolding Gu Huanlin, "Did you thank them?"

  "Yes."

  "When doing things, you must go all out...” Gu Tianxi looked at the shrinking Gu Huanli and his tone slightly softened, “However, before accepting someone else's invitation, it's best to weigh whether it has already exceeded your own bearable range.”

  "Sorry." Gu Huanli's face smiled stiffly, she lowered her head to look at her slightly trembling fingers, feeling guilty in her heart because of her brother's criticism.

  "I've noticed that you like to say these three words a lot lately." Gu Tianxi's eyes showed a hint of displeasure, and he criticized mercilessly, "Making amends after the fact has at most a 50% success rate. Why not directly admit your mistake instead of easily saying sorry? Why not avoid all possible misfortunes before they happen?"

  "I just wanted to prove to Dr. Su that I wasn't afraid of playing the piano." The string in Gu Huan's heart was tightening, making her feel like she couldn't breathe, almost suffocating. In fact, she had been overconfident, and greatly so. Because only after finishing the D major double piano concerto did she remember that this piece was actually quite difficult for her current state, especially for her fingers which were still recovering.

  "Although she is your psychotherapist, this kind of proof is meaningless." Gu Tianxi let out a cold hum, with a piercing light in her eyes.

  Gu Huanli raised her head to look at him, and a hint of unhidden apology flashed across her starry black eyes. "Just like brother said, I really took this piano performance as the last performance in my life. From now on, although I won't completely give up piano, it will never be the entirety of my dreams again."

  Gu Tianxi looked at her with a serious face, saying slowly, "Such an easy abandonment is not the character that a Gu family member should have." Although he had already guessed it, but for his sister's such frankness, his heart was still shocked and angry.

  Because such a surrender is always better than the reluctant surrender that will come someday. Gu Huanli unconsciously clenched her sore fingers, still immersed in her own troubles.

  "Did anything strange happen when you were staying at your aunt and uncle's house?" Gu Tianxi stopped her wheelchair beside the bench, then sat down and gently grasped Gu Huanlin's trembling fingers. "You know, in front of me, it's not allowed for you to have any secrets."

  Something strange?

  Is there no room for secrecy?

  Gu Huanli used all her strength to suppress the wave of sourness, but her heart felt like it was being pricked by tens of millions of needles. What could she say? Could she talk about what happened before her rebirth? But she had no evidence, no witnesses, no physical proof. The only thing that could prove those things was time. So, she couldn't say anything.

  No!

  There must be something within her power! Because, the small butterfly's wings have already flapped, and in the future, some changes will inevitably occur. Gu Huanli lowered her head, biting her lower lip, "One midnight, I couldn't sleep, so I decided to go to the kitchen to make some milk to drink, but when I went downstairs, I heard my aunt and uncle arguing."

  "Quarrel?" A faintly ridiculing voice sounded, Gu Tianxi used his thumb and index finger to pinch and massage Gu Huanli's fingers, from the root of the finger to the tip, he slowly said, "Reason."

  Gu Huanli hesitated for a moment, but the fact was that the incident didn't erupt until seven years later. Now, her aunt was simply furious because she couldn't bear her uncle's infidelity.

  However, she clearly knew that Chu Lianyou had a younger sister, a half-sister who was only eight months younger than Chu Lianyou. And as for Gu Wenjuan, regarding the fact that Chu Lintao had a mistress outside, she wasn't always in the dark about it; what she didn't know was that this woman also gave birth to a daughter with Chu Lintao.

  The reason why the matter only broke out seven years later was because that woman's belly was very competitive. Yes, at this time next year, she would give birth to a son for Chu Lintao, giving birth to the heir of the Chu family. In order to give the illegitimate child a name, in order to let the illegitimate child enter school and surname Chu smoothly. Chu Lintao ruthlessly clarified the matter, and also took that woman and her children together to the Chu family, under the guise of mutual support and common life.

  The most interesting thing is that Chu Lianyou's half-sister, who is now in the second grade at Cijiyu Primary School, is a girl named Shen Muran. She attends the same school as Chu Lianyou and enjoys the same treatment. Moreover, Shen Muran's academic performance is not bad, at least better than Chu Lianyou's.

  Before the incident broke out, how many people envied Chu's couple for their loving relationship. When Chu Lintao had both his wife and mistress living together in harmony, how many people envied his good fortune and luck?

  Looking back, Chu Lianyu's selfless love for Luo Yichen was indeed influenced by her family. Unfortunately, although she bears the surname Gu, she doesn't possess Gu Wenjuan's exceptional patience. Otherwise, even if Luo Yichen wasn't worthy, he could have enjoyed a life with the woman he loved, the woman who brought peace to his household, and shared a beautiful life together.

  This is what they call husband and wife, this is what they call marriage.

  Too absurd!

  Gu Huanli's heart sneered coldly, but she tilted her head, revealing a look of childish worry, innocently looking at Gu Tianxi, "It seems that Uncle did something to anger Auntie, I didn't hear it very clearly, I only heard Auntie shouting a name."

  Gu Tianxi narrowed his eyes and asked with a calm and pleasant tone, "What's your name?"

  "Shen Yanran." Gu Huanli meekly lowered her head, repeating slowly and clearly, "The name that Auntie has been calling out all along is indeed... Shen Yanran."

  Gu Tianxi's deep eyes flashed, and he said slowly, "I remember."

  She must have done something not so good, right?

  Gu Huanli could imagine the outcome if her brother found out and investigated. However, she was more curious about whether the acquisition case that led to the crisis of Gu's enterprise in the future had anything to do with the Chu family. Because a private detective had told her that someone had secretly sold out Gu's enterprise and sold part of the company's shares. These shares did not come from her aunt and uncle, but a large portion of them made people suspicious, and the only suspect was Chu Liuyao, who was then the deputy director of the market department of Gu's enterprise. Of course, Shen Yanran, who obtained shares through Chu Lintao, and her children could not escape suspicion either.

  Everything that threatens Brother must be eliminated in advance, and everyone who threatens Brother must be controlled or even expelled. Compared to Ruo Yichen, who is too lazy to divorce but cannot bear to part with his lover, Gu Huanli despises the internal enemy more. Moreover, don't Chu Liangyou and Ruo Yichen love each other? Good, this time she will definitely have a keen sense of smell to avoid it, far, far away from it.

  It's just...

  Gu Huanli found it strange that, according to Ruo Yichen and Ye Qinglan's friendship, why in the past days, she had never seen Ye Qinglan, nor had she ever heard Ruo Yichen mention Ye Qinglan. Although Pu Shi Medical Group was extremely famous internationally, there wasn't a single media outlet or person who reported on its future leader - Ye Qinglan.

  This is against common sense!

  "Are you Gu Huanlin's brother?" The voice that broke through Gu Huanlin's memories came from Su Jinghua, who walked up to the siblings with a light step. "Just in time, I have some things I'd like to discuss with you."

  "Before that, could you get some ice packs?"

  Although Gu Tianxi's amber-colored eyes flashed a hint of "as expected", his elegant and steady tone, as well as the faint smile that never left his lips, made Su Jinghua smile slightly, "Wait a moment."

  Ten minutes later, Gu Huanli carefully applied an ice pack to her fingers. Although she couldn't hear what Su Jinghua was discussing with her brother, from the slightly serious expression on their faces before they left, Gu Huanli could almost guess that she would soon be facing a not-so-easy life.

  The lazy sunlight of the afternoon spills into the floor-to-ceiling windows, with a clear sky above. The dust floating slowly in the light in front of me is pushed out a short distance with each breath, and then returns again.

  "Gu Huanli's mental state is not good." Su Jinghua picked up the red tea and took a sip, the rich aroma of the red tea spread in the air, with a hint of sweetness from the milk. "The kidnapping case did indeed leave her traumatized, but in this matter, she is stronger than we can imagine."

  Gu Tian Xi's lips curled up into a smile with ambiguous meaning, "So?"

  "So, this strength becomes the biggest obstacle to psychotherapy." Su Jinghua said while carefully examining the young man in front of her. His slender figure was paired with a well-tailored black single-breasted suit, exuding an elegant and charming aura that captivated people's hearts, combining character, temperament, knowledge, and appearance into one, although he was young, he was absolutely a gentleman. Under his soft and jet-black hair were his slightly narrowed amber-colored eyes, and under his straight nose was his slightly upturned thin lips, such a young man even if he smiled faintly, but hidden beneath this appearance might be a devil. "By the way, does the Chu family have many professional books on psychology?"

  Her hands crossed over her knees, Gu Tian Xi's eyes sparkled with a deeper smile, "None."

  "Gu Huanli has seen too many psychologists." Su Jinghua raised her eyes to look at him, still using those slightly icy pupils to examine him in the manner of a psychologist. "She has mastered too many techniques, so ordinary psychological analysis can't reach any conclusions. However, from actual observation, it's clear that if her family members can't spend time accompanying her, no matter how much psychological treatment she receives, it will all be in vain."

  Gu Tianxi slightly curled up the corners of his lips, and a smile flashed in his amber-colored eyes, which were hazy as if shrouded in a layer of fog, making it seem so unreal. "Your meaning is that her problem stems from a lack of familial affection?"

  "Yes. Also, I suggest moving Gu Huanli away from the Chu residence." Su Jinghua had observed carefully that every time the Chu couple brought Chu Lianyou to visit Gu Huanli, the smile on Gu Huanli's face never reached her eyes. It wasn't envy or jealousy; in Su Jinghua's view, Gu Huanli was like a spectator watching a play called "Harmonious Family". However, every time those people left, a bitter smile slowly crept onto Gu Huanli's pale little face, filled with sorrow and helplessness.

  And today, Su Jinghua saw Gu Huanli smile the most since she knew her, and those smiles changed from perfunctory to real so clearly. "Because what she really needs is a relative connected by blood, like... you."

  "I know." As the sun shifted slightly to the west, its rays fell on Gu Tianxi's handsome face. His amber eyes narrowed as he looked at Su Jinghua, his thin lips opening slightly. "But just this is not enough." After finishing speaking, he slowly stood up and walked to the door.

  "As an elder brother, it's your duty and responsibility to protect her!" Su Jinghua couldn't help but say loudly, "Are you going to send her back to that cold and icy place again?"

  "Once a week." Gu Tianxi opened the door and said lightly, "It can be considered as chatting, it can be considered as treatment, it can also satisfy your curiosity. I will send a driver to pick you up."

  Su Jinghua was taken aback, "Why?"

  Gu Tianxi suddenly turned around, his eyes sharp and piercing, mixed with a fierce momentum rushing towards Su Jinghua, "Xiao Li thinks you're very interesting. And hiring someone who can make her happy isn't difficult for me."

  Su Jing smiled lightly, "What if I refuse?"

  "This question is meaningless." Gu Tianxi replied before closing the door.

  "Just like Gu Huanli, you're a detestable kid!" Su Jinghua pouted in dissatisfaction, turning her chair to face the floor-to-ceiling window and muttering to herself, "Do they think I'm a clown? Entertaining people for fun! At least I'm a professional psychologist!"