Chapter 43: Gu Shiyan Says Being with Luo Xing Is Just for Fun

After Gu Shiyan left Luo Xing’s room and went downstairs, he was immediately summoned to the study by Assistant Song.

With one hand in his pocket, his hair was still in the messy state Luo Xing had left it, and he hadn’t bothered to tidy it. He didn’t seem to care at all about being seen in such a disheveled condition.

Gu Taihua grew even more irritated at the sight. “Can’t you pay a little attention to your appearance?”

Every time he saw this careless, unmotivated attitude, it just made his blood boil.

“I think I look just fine. Just like you,” Gu Shiyan replied, his last words drifting lazily into Gu Taihua’s ears.

“Sit down,” Gu Taihua ordered, ignoring his disrespectful demeanor, his gaze stern and unwavering.

“Now tell me honestly, what happened between you and Luo Xing? Why was she crying? How did you bully her? She’s a guest, and more than that, she’s practically your half-sister. How could you upset her so much?”

Gu Shiyan smirked. “I just kissed her a couple of times. What else could I possibly have done?”

Gu Taihua was caught off guard by this answer. He eyed Gu Shiyan suspiciously. “She cried like that just because you kissed her twice?”

He couldn’t make sense of it; young people nowadays were supposed to be much more open than his generation.

Gu Shiyan tilted his gaze. “Three times, actually.”

Gu Taihua was speechless.

“What else did you do to make her so upset?”

“Nothing at all,” Gu Shiyan shrugged.

Gu Taihua turned to Assistant Song. “Where did he take Luo Xing? Who was there?”

Gu Shiyan clicked his tongue; this was exactly what he hated about the old man—always needing to control everything. If he wanted to investigate something, nothing escaped him.

“Master Gu and Miss Luo went to TH. There were two members of the Lu family and the youngest from the Ji family.”

With that, Gu Taihua’s suspicion shifted to Lu Yuanyi. “What were you doing taking Luo Xing out with her?”

Lu Yuanyi, though a woman and only a few years older than Gu Shiyan, had inherited the family fortune early and was more capable than any of the Lu family’s sons. But her reputation was far from stellar in their circles.

“So what?” Gu Shiyan was utterly unconcerned.

“So what? You know what kind of reputation she has,” Gu Taihua retorted.

Gu Shiyan met his gaze. “Old man, if you’re going to talk about reputation, then mine and hers combined still don’t compare to yours back in the day. What, getting old now? Forgotten your own past?”

“You—!” Gu Taihua’s hand trembled with anger. This rascal was as sharp-tongued as ever, never giving an inch.

“Are you here to see me, or just to upset me?” Gu Taihua pinched the bridge of his nose.

“As long as you don’t meddle in my affairs, I won’t upset you,” Gu Shiyan said, turning to Assistant Song. “And you, stop snooping around the people in my life.”

Assistant Song, recalling a previous incident, dropped his gaze, somewhat intimidated.

Gu Taihua seemed to think of something as well; his voice grew deeper, carrying weight. “Let me make one thing clear: if you and Luo Xing can be together, it would only be to your advantage.”

Gu Shiyan’s dark eyes regarded him, as if he understood the implied benefit, or perhaps pretended not to.

“Don’t play dumb with me,” Gu Taihua said, putting on his reading glasses and focusing on the documents in his hand.

After a long silence, Gu Shiyan stood up. “You don’t really think everyone is after your so-called inheritance, do you?”

Assistant Song pushed up his glasses. That so-called inheritance? If Old Master Gu’s fortune was just “so-called,” then there wouldn’t be a single rich person left in the world.

“Hmph.” Gu Taihua snorted. “I don’t know what you’re after, but I know your father all too well.”

Gu Shiyan looked at Gu Taihua. “Have you ever spent time with Luo Xing? Are you so sure about her character already?”

He found it strange—Gu Taihua was not a man to judge someone just from a brief encounter. He was curious: what was it about Luo Xing that made him care so much?

Gu Taihua paused, glancing at Gu Shiyan. “I might not know her character in full, but I do know yours, and I know the kind of person my sister would have kept close. She can’t be too bad.”

Gu Shiyan sneered inwardly. “Then you’re mistaken. She’s quite the player herself.”

Gu Taihua frowned at him.

Gu Shiyan shook his head. “Don’t look at me like that. If you want to know something, ask her yourself. Stop sending people to spy all the time—have you no manners?”

Gu Taihua threw a book at him. “And now you want to lecture me about manners? What about your own rudeness to your elders?”

Gu Shiyan caught the book one-handed and tossed it onto the sofa, heading for the door. “Rest assured, there’s nothing serious between me and Luo Xing. We’re just having some fun. Marriage isn’t even on the table—I’ve never considered it.”

That set Gu Taihua off further. “If you don’t get married, what do you plan to do—ascend to heaven?”

Not a single one in this family ever let him rest easy.

Gu Shiyan lowered his head, his long lashes hiding all expression. “Even if I ascend, I won’t marry.”

Gu Taihua watched his desolate figure leave and sighed heavily.

This boy, growing up under the influence of that scoundrel, had long since become indifferent to family and love.

But he didn’t want him to spend his whole life alone.

Assistant Song picked up the discarded book and looked at the old master. “Didn’t you agree not to quarrel? Yet as soon as he comes back, you’re arguing again. You didn’t even properly discuss your health…”

Gu Taihua waved him off. “I’ll make arrangements soon.”

Assistant Song fell silent.

Ever since the old master declared in his will that his fortune would be donated to the public after his death, those heartless relatives had stopped visiting altogether. Some had even turned against him.

And now, it was this seemingly cold-hearted young master who came to keep the old man company.

“Keep Gu Shiyan’s return under wraps. Don’t let the others find out.”

Assistant Song nodded. “But I’m afraid that won’t last long. You know the young master’s ways—if it weren’t for TH, it would be elsewhere…”

Gu Taihua sighed again. “Keep it quiet as long as you can. And what about the hospital?”

Assistant Song nodded. “You were right. The young master returned late, claiming a flight delay as an excuse to avoid being picked up. He went straight from the airport to the hospital, but fortunately, you were prepared.”

“If only the young master knew your real condition, maybe he wouldn’t be so stubborn.”

He looked at the old man, whose eyes were still bright, unaware that it was all kept up by a daily regimen of medicine.

“Not a word of this outside. They’re all watching.”