Chapter 121: You Alone Occupy My Heart

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Gu Shiyan finally understood why, standing beside the old master’s sickbed, his heart was always accompanied by unease and irritation.

Knowing that a loved one must inevitably leave, his heart was shrouded in helplessness, mingled with sudden pain, as if trapped in a damp place, where the sticky bonds of family felt like glue clinging to his skin, rendering him immobile.

Until just now, he had thought himself calm enough.

He had not wept, nor acted out.

It was like slow-cooked meat, simmering gently, as if he were in a dream, with sorrow and joy gradually fading, leaving only a lingering bitterness.

Gu Shiyan turned his head and saw her standing just behind him.

An indescribable emotion wildly grew in his heart.

He took a step forward and embraced her.

Luo Xing was momentarily stunned, her hand frozen mid-air, but she did not push him away. The scent at his nose was a crisp mixture of pine and tobacco, with an indescribable texture.

“Thank you,” he murmured softly, his voice a little unclear.

Luo Xing heard him clearly and responded with a soft “Mm.”

“Let’s go back,” Luo Xing said.

She gently patted him and stepped out of his embrace.

Raising her eyes, she was startled to see his eyes red and moist.

The wind on the rooftop howled fiercely, whipping their clothes sharply upward. Gu Shiyan lowered his eyelids.

Luo Xing stared intently at him, then suddenly turned her head, “The wind is so strong, it’s making tears come out.”

She raised a hand, pressing her palm against her eyes, while pulling Gu Shiyan down the steps. “Let’s go. If we stay here any longer, our eyes might get damaged.”

At first, Luo Xing had just lightly held his knuckles. After descending two steps, her palm was tightly grasped by the person behind her, their palms pressed together.

Perhaps from the cold wind, his hand felt cool and low in temperature.

They reached the corridor, where there was a water dispenser. Luo Xing looked back and asked, “Want some hot water?”

Gu Shiyan was almost pressed close behind her. Luo Xing looked up and saw his deep, close face.

His long, straight lashes drooped; his gaze was serious and profoundly affectionate. Luo Xing was momentarily taken aback.

She averted her eyes and grabbed some water, handing the cup into his hand.

“Drink,” Luo Xing urged as he remained still.

“Luo Xing…” Gu Shiyan cupped the paper cup in both hands; the warmth seeped through his palms into his limbs, warming his entire being.

Luo Xing quietly waited for him to continue.

The steam rising from the paper cup swirled between them, warm and misty, causing their translucent pupils to glisten with moisture.

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Gu Shiyan held the cup in one hand and took hold of one of Luo Xing’s hands. He parted his lips gently, “I don’t know why you misunderstood me and Su Mo. Aside from the matter where Gu Liang asked me to help her grandmother arrange a hospital transfer, I have no other connection with her. Because of the incident online, she moved out of the Gu family. In my heart, I only…”

“Gu Shiyan!”

A familiar, deep voice called out from behind him, cutting off Gu Shiyan’s words.

Luo Xing looked over his shoulder and saw Gu Liang standing not far away.

“What are you doing here? Everyone else is guarding there. Where have you been?” Gu Liang approached, frowning tightly at their intimate posture.

Luo Xing withdrew her hand and looked at Gu Shiyan, “You should go back.”

“Are you not even willing to do the superficial work, like handling the paperwork and medical fees? Everyone else is arranging everything else,” Gu Liang said, handing him the expense slip.

Gu Shiyan took the slip and left to handle the procedures.

Gu Liang stared at Luo Xing, the pressure in his eyes making her feel uneasy.

She walked past him.

“Miss Luo,” Gu Liang called after her.

“I know you had a relationship with Shiyan before…”

Luo Xing’s brow twitched slightly. “Uncle Gu, if you have something to say, just say it.”

“You’re both young, and the road ahead is long. I hope you don’t overthink things. Shiyan will not marry you,” Gu Liang said before Luo Xing could respond. “Regarding the online incident, you were both victims. I will handle Su Mo’s side. I can compensate you for the harm you suffered.”

Luo Xing was silent. The implication was clear: sever ties, accept the compensation, and never contact again.

“I thought you’d write me a sky-high check just to keep me away from your son,” Luo Xing joked. “You should say that to your son, not me.”

She spoke decisively and turned to leave.

After Gu Shiyan finished the procedures, he called Luo Xing, but she did not answer.

He stared at the phone screen, his eyes obscure.

...

The solemn and dignified hall had large mourning banners hanging vertically on both sides. Below the horizontal banner was a long table with the deceased’s portrait at the center. The casket was placed directly in front of the table, surrounded by flowers.

Luo Xing wore a black velvet dress, her long hair neatly pinned at the back, walking gently and gracefully behind Gu Yunzhi.

The master of ceremonies stood straight, reciting the eulogy in a steady voice.

Family members stood on the right side, company guests on the left.

Luo Xing initially stood at the back with her grandmother but was invited to the front by Assistant Song.

The Gu family was inevitably displeased.

But Gu Taihua had stipulated before his death that all affairs would be handled by Assistant Song. Since the assistant invited her to the front, it must have been the old master’s wish.

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“Everyone, please stand for a three-minute moment of silence for the deceased.”

All rituals were complete.

“Grandma,” Luo Xing saw her grandmother sobbing uncontrollably and took out some tissues from her pocket.

Gu Yunzhi took her hand. “Xingxing, come with me to the restroom.”

Luo Xing nodded and left with her grandmother.

Gu Yunzhi pulled Luo Xing out but did not go to the restroom. “Xingxing, you should leave now. You’ve already burned incense; that’s enough.”

Luo Xing asked, “Grandma, are you hiding something from me?”

Luo Xing had been here for some time, and her grandmother had urged her to leave no less than three times.

Gu Yunzhi held her hand, “Listen to Grandma. Stay out of the Gu family’s affairs. Go find your father.”

Luo Xing watched her grandmother’s retreating figure, silently mourning.

Just as she was about to leave,

Passing by the path outside the hall, she saw a girl in a white coat crouching on the ground, faint sobbing audible.

Luo Xing felt the girl looked somewhat familiar, but her hat and mask concealed all but her eyes, making recognition difficult.

“Are you okay?” Luo Xing asked.

She guessed the girl was also attending the memorial but wondered why she wasn’t inside.

No one inside was crying so sorrowfully.

“Thank you…” The girl looked up at Luo Xing.

Both were startled. “It’s you.”

Luo Xing nodded. “What a coincidence.”

This was the stranger she had met twice before.

The first time was in Jing City; she had knocked over Luo Xing’s phone and handed her a wet wipe. She had been masked then, and later they had coincidentally met again in a hotel restroom.

She had not expected to meet her a third time.

“Are you here for the memorial too?” Wen Nuan stood up and looked at the girl before her. She did not remember any such young woman in the Gu family.

The Gu family’s socialites were all proud and aloof; it was rare to see someone so gentle.

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