Chapter 52: Luo Xing Clarifies Her Relationship with Gu Shiyan

Gu Shiyan’s gaze grew cold. “Everything Gu Liang said has nothing to do with me. If you want to get engaged, go ask Gu Liang.” He waved his hand, and the manager hurried over at once.

“What is it?” Liu Mingyue was still infuriated that Gu Shiyan had suggested she arrange her engagement with Gu Liang instead.

Gu Shiyan looked at the manager. “Anyone without an invitation, please see her out, will you?” Though his final words sounded gentle, the manager broke into a cold sweat.

“Do you understand?” Gu Shiyan’s eyes were icy as he looked at the manager.

The manager nodded immediately. Even if Liu Mingyue was not someone to offend, the young heir was someone he absolutely could not cross.

The manager looked at Liu Mingyue helplessly, clearly caught in a dilemma.

Liu Mingyue, seeing his expression, was so angry her chest heaved. “Gu Shiyan, I’ll tell Uncle Gu everything that happened today.”

Gu Shiyan suddenly strode toward her, catching her off guard. His steps pressed closer and closer, forcing her back until she nearly lost her balance from fear.

He sneered coldly, glancing at her sideways. “So timid. Even if you dragged Gu Liang here, my answer would be the same. Are you leaving or not?”

Tears welled up in Liu Mingyue’s eyes. She knew Gu Shiyan was not to be trifled with, and his temper was infamous, but never had he told her to leave so directly.

She threw her purse down, glared at the manager, and declared, “Fine, I’m leaving!”

The manager’s shirt was soaked with sweat, torn between the two, but in the end, he sided with Gu Shiyan.

“Young Master Gu, it was my mistake today, to inconvenience Miss Luo and—”

“You can leave too.”

“……”

Gu Shiyan turned and entered the auction hall, which had already concluded. Still, he hadn’t completed the task the old master had entrusted to him.

After leaving the auction, Luo Xing took a cab home. She had only attended because she’d promised Grandpa Gu, and now she’d gone back on her word. Worse, she’d even burned the shoes.

She went straight to Gu Taihua’s study. Knocking on the door, she waited.

A cough sounded from inside, followed by a heavy voice telling her to come in.

Luo Xing entered, head bowed, glancing at Gu Taihua only to drop her gaze again. He set aside his pen. “Luo Xing?” he asked. “You’re back early? Did that brat Gu Shiyan bully you?”

He seemed quite upset. “Don’t worry, when he gets back, I’ll put him in his place. If he ever lets you come home alone again, I’ll strip him of all his privileges—he won’t last a day in Jing City.”

Hearing him defend her, Luo Xing wasn’t sure if he meant it, but she was still touched.

Gu Taihua gestured for her to sit. She took the leather chair across the large desk from him, its surface stacked with documents she couldn’t understand.

“It’s normal for young people to quarrel. Do you want to tell me what happened?” he asked.

Luo Xing nodded. “I’m sorry, Grandpa Gu.”

His gaze grew serious. “Why the sudden apology?”

She took a deep breath, her throat tight as she looked at the frail, weary old man before her. “Grandpa Gu, how is your health?”

Her question clearly overstepped, since by rights, she had nothing to do with Gu Taihua—she was an outsider. It was almost impolite to ask, especially given his status.

She shook her head. “I didn’t mean anything else. It’s just that what I’m about to say may be hard for you to accept. I’m afraid if I say it, your health might worsen.”

Gu Taihua removed his reading glasses and sighed. “Go on.”

She looked at him, hesitated, then said, “Grandpa Gu, actually, about me and Gu Shiyan…”

She faltered. Should she say they had never dated, or that they used to but had already broken up?

“What happened between you two?”

Luo Xing closed her eyes for a moment. “We did date, but it didn’t last two months. Our personalities clashed, so we broke up long ago. The other day, he only said those things to make you feel better. I kept it from you because I didn’t want you to worry. I’m sorry, Grandpa Gu, I shouldn’t have lied to you. Also, the card you gave me—I gave it back to Gu Shiyan. I figured you meant it for him anyway.”

She confessed everything in one breath, feeling much lighter. She watched the old master carefully, her phone clutched tightly in case something happened and she needed to call for help.

But Gu Taihua just smiled. “Don’t worry so much. My health isn’t that fragile.”

Luo Xing lowered her head, embarrassed. “Sorry, Grandpa Gu. And the shoes I wore out today are gone too. If you want, I’ll compensate you.”

Gu Taihua shook his head with a sigh. “You’re too kindhearted. I can guess—it must’ve been that brat’s fault.”

Thinking back over her time with Gu Shiyan, Luo Xing shook her head. “He’s not so bad. We just weren’t right for each other. Grandpa Gu, don’t think too highly of me. I’m not as good as you believe. I just have a softer nature, so the elders think I’m well-behaved and sensible.”

In truth, she was hardly a model daughter.

Gu Taihua pressed a button on the armrest of his wheelchair, and it glided forward on its own.

Luo Xing looked around. The study was spacious, with a wall of bookshelves behind the desk, filled with treasured classics. Beside them stood a glass display case holding various awards—a testament to the old master’s youthful glory.

The wheelchair stopped before the display case. He entered a password, and it opened.

Luo Xing quickly averted her eyes, not wanting to intrude on any private keepsakes. She stared at her phone, nerves strung tight.

“Here, take this.” Gu Taihua held out a box.

She hesitated. “Grandpa Gu, what is it?”

He placed it in her hands. “Open it, you’ll see.”

She studied the antique wooden box—its very appearance marked it as extraordinary, reminiscent of an ancient chest, with gold and jade inlaid at the clasp.

Carefully, she opened it.

Inside lay a perfect jade bracelet.

Even without expertise, Luo Xing could feel its value.

She looked at the old master in confusion. “This?”

She feared it was meant for her—it was far too precious. If she brought it home, her parents would make her return it.

“That belonged to your grandmother,” he said.

Luo Xing was surprised. “How did my grandmother’s things end up with you, Grandpa Gu?”

She looked down again—the bracelet truly matched her grandmother’s elegance.

“It was the Gu family’s fault. When she left, she had nothing. She hated the Gu family,” the old master said quietly, his eyes deep-set but shining with spirit.

“Take this bracelet to her for me. And as for the card—I won’t give it to you, nor will I give it to that boy.”