Chapter 87: One Must Not Err Again and Again

For the next two days, Wen Jiu went home for meals and stayed with her family. Gu Zehuai, living alone, also returned to the old family residence. It was already the weekend, but with the year drawing to a close, neither of them could enjoy a proper two-day break. Immersed in her work, Wen Jiu barely had time to reply to messages, anxious that any distraction would break her concentration.

At last, when she finally finished the major project at hand, Wen Jiu allowed herself a leisurely afternoon. After shuttling back and forth between her family home for several days, she felt weary. Thinking her apartment was closer and realizing she hadn’t seen Gu Zehuai for days, she decided to return there instead.

As she arrived downstairs, she had just sent Gu Zehuai a message when she heard someone calling her from nearby. Looking up, she saw Gu Zehuai approaching, holding the hand of Gu Yulin.

Gu Yulin was delighted to see Wen Jiu and ran up to her, calling out sweetly, “Auntie.” The sudden address caught Wen Jiu off guard, and she took a moment to adjust. Noting the amused look in Gu Zehuai’s eyes, she accepted the new title without protest.

The three of them entered the elevator together. Gu Yulin, clearly fond of Wen Jiu, clung to her hand all the way. Wen Jiu, as always, couldn’t resist pinching Gu Yulin’s chubby cheeks. Together, they returned to Gu Zehuai’s apartment.

With no school on weekends, Gu Yulin was in high spirits, but his face fell at the thought of Monday looming near. Watching the vivid play of emotions on his face, Wen Jiu couldn’t help but laugh. She asked curiously, “Yuyu, what’s wrong? Why the long face?”

Gu Yulin poured out his woes, making Wen Jiu want to laugh even more. She empathized deeply, assuring him she understood, and tried to comfort him as gently as possible.

Gu Yulin nodded sensibly. “Auntie, I understand. That’s exactly what Uncle told me too.” Wen Jiu smiled in relief.

After lunch, Gu Yulin and Wen Jiu chatted in the living room. Shielding his mouth with one hand to keep Gu Zehuai from hearing, Gu Yulin whispered to Wen Jiu, “Auntie, let me tell you—last time when I told Great-Grandma about you and Uncle, Uncle was so happy! He didn’t say anything, but the corners of his mouth were about to reach the sky. Of course, I only told Great-Grandma because Uncle said I could.”

Wen Jiu ruffled his hair with a smile. “Thank you for telling me, Yuyu. I know your uncle likes me very much, and I like him too.”

As she finished speaking, she glanced surreptitiously at the man tidying up the dining table. Sensing her gaze, Gu Zehuai looked up and their eyes met.

Wen Jiu’s cheeks grew hot. She pretended not to notice him and continued chatting with Gu Yulin. Gu Zehuai raised an eyebrow. Their conversation was certainly not as innocent as it seemed.

When Gu Zehuai finished cleaning up, he ordered Gu Yulin to take a nap. Wen Jiu and Gu Yulin had just been about to play a game together and went to the guest room reluctantly. Wen Jiu was also pulled into the master bedroom by Gu Zehuai for a nap.

———

Lu Group, Chairman’s Office.

Lu Qingli stood in front of the desk, looking at the man in the executive chair opposite him and called out, devoid of emotion, “Dad.”

The head of the Lu Group, Lu Qingli’s father, Lu Shi, lifted his eyes indifferently, offering no response.

Lu Qingli said nothing more, showing no interest in the reason Lu Shi had summoned him. The truth was, he genuinely did not care.

A misstep seven years ago had left him mired in regret ever since. The torment and pain had worn him down, and he no longer coveted hollow fame or fortune.

Yet though he no longer wished to fight for it, others still did.

Lu Shi grew furious at Lu Qingli’s colder-than-ice demeanor. He grabbed a pen from the desk and hurled it at his son’s head.

Lu Qingli didn’t dodge, letting the pointed tip jab into his forehead. A tiny dot of ink appeared instantly, just above his eye.

Lu Shi shouted in anger, “What do you want from me now? Can’t I control you anymore?”

Lu Qingli remained unmoved, but finally spoke. “Don’t you have plenty of sons? You won’t miss me. I’ll never want anything to do with Lu Group—because I find it filthy.”

Lu Shi was rendered speechless by the remark.

“You… you…” For a long moment, no complete sentence came out.

Finally, after a deep breath, he managed a firm, “Get out.”

Lu Qingli turned on his heel and left the office without hesitation.

He had made his mistake seven years ago. Now, he knew better than to repeat it.