Chapter 27 Part 1

In the living room, the doctors and adults bustled around Gu Feng, tending to his wounds. Gu Feng had already finished his CT scan, and they were now confirming whether his bones or internal organs had been injured.

Gu Ming saw the shocking bruises on his son’s back and turned a cold gaze toward Gu Yuan in his wheelchair.

Zhou Chiyu was frightened by that look and clung tightly to Gu Yuan’s arm, like a child who had done something wrong. Tears welled up in his eyes, but he didn’t dare cry out loud.

His subconscious told him that this time, he and Gu Yuan were in the wrong.

They had caused a big disaster.

“Gu Cheng.” Gu Ming suppressed his surging anger, enunciating each word: “You need to discipline Little Yuan properly.”

Gu Lao felt heartbroken seeing Gu Feng cry in pain and tried to comfort him: “Be brave, Little Feng. Once you’re better, Grandpa will give you a small yacht, how about that?”

Gu Feng pouted aggrievedly: “Grandpa, scold my cousin quickly. He almost killed me just now.”

“How could Little Yuan kill you?” Gu Lao glanced at Zhou Chiyu, who was trembling like a sieve, then fixed his gaze on Gu Yuan’s calm face. “Little Yuan, next time, play nicely with your little brother.”

“Dad, aren’t you being too biased?” Gu Ming stepped forward, meeting Gu Lao’s eyes. “The checkup results aren’t fully out yet. Regardless, Little Yuan should at least apologize to Little Feng first.”

Bai Wenran frowned slightly and was about to explain when Gu Yuan interrupted her.

“Why should I apologize?” Gu Yuan’s eyes, dulled by illness, shone with determination. He gripped Zhou Chiyu’s cold little hand and patted his back reassuringly before looking up directly at Gu Ming. “He took my little brother’s car and deliberately caused trouble. Was he not wrong?”

Gu Ming laughed angrily: “Even if that’s the case, you can’t beat Little Feng like this, right?” He glanced at Gu Cheng mockingly. “Such strength—who knows if my nephew’s body is actually good or bad.”

Gu Cheng’s face darkened: “Gu Ming, what do you mean by that?”

“If he had only taken my little brother’s car, I wouldn’t have hit him.” Gu Yuan spoke logically and methodically, explaining unhurriedly: “But he used Little Fish’s—”

At this point, he paused for a long time, pulled Zhou Chiyu into his arms, and gently covered his ears: “deceased family as a joke. That was truly malicious.”

Zhou Chiyu’s little mouth twitched, and the grievances in his heart burst forth instantly.

“The books say that human nature is inherently good.” Gu Yuan stared intently at Gu Ming, his childish voice full of doubt: “Little Brother is so malicious—did you teach him to say those things?”

“You—” Gu Ming narrowed his eyes in fury. “Dad, Little Yuan is really something. I didn’t expect him to be so eloquent, turning black into white.”

Gu Lao’s expression turned serious, and the pity in his eyes toward Gu Feng diminished: “Little Feng, did you really say that?”

This simple question made Gu Feng and everyone around him tense up. Gu Feng stared into Gu Lao’s deep, sharp eyes and began to feel guilty: “I said it, but I was just joking with Little Fish.”

“How can such words be used as a joke?” Gu Lao’s expression remained stern. He couldn’t believe his once obedient little grandson had changed so much in just a few short years.

“He also said that you’re not Little Fish’s real grandpa.” Gu Yuan knew exactly what Gu Lao cared about most, his words landing with weight: “Little Fish is a filial child who has always treated us as family. What Gu Feng said was trying to drive a wedge between you and Little Fish.”

“You—” Gu Feng grew more and more afraid the more he heard, unable to think of any rebuttal. He could only cling to Gu Ming and wail loudly.

All the Gu Family brothers and sisters present held their breath.

Although Old Master Gu had adopted Zhou Chiyu without expecting repayment, he truly raised him as his own grandson. If an adult had spoken to Zhou Chiyu like that, the consequences would likely have been even worse.

“Dad, Little Feng is injured like this.” Gu Ming held Gu Feng, his low voice choked with emotion: “He’s just a child. Little Yuan is too good at convicting him.”

Zhou Chiyu couldn’t hold back anymore and sobbed softly in Gu Yuan’s arms.

The more Gu Yuan coaxed him, the louder his cries became. His little body trembled with each breath as he sobbed: “Grandpa is my real grandpa, and Brother is my real brother.”

Hearing this, Gu Lao’s pupils trembled slightly. He slowly raised his hand toward Zhou Chiyu: “Come to Grandpa.”

Zhou Chiyu, crying so hard he could barely catch his breath, toddled into Gu Lao’s arms on his little feet. Gu Lao’s straight back relaxed imperceptibly, warmth flooding his eyes: “It was Little Feng who was wrong. Don’t cry, Little Fish.”

The aggrieved sobs echoed in the air. Zhou Chiyu blocked his mouth with his sleeve, but his bean-sized tears kept dripping onto Gu Lao’s sweater. Gu Lao rubbed his eyes and gently coaxed Zhou Chiyu.

The farce finally ended with Gu Feng’s apology.

After the memorial service, Gu Cheng and Bai Wenran discussed the matter in the car. Bai Wenran said: “I didn’t expect Little Yuan to say those things. He understands everything after all.”

“He’s almost nine years old now.” Gu Cheng took Bai Wenran’s hand. “The doctors said that once Little Yuan recovers a bit more, he’ll go to the USA.”

Bai Wenran sighed: “Without Little Fish, Little Yuan will probably be very sad.”

“We could actually take Little Fish to the USA.” Gu Cheng shared the conclusion from their father-son discussion in the study room that night. “Dad said that even if Little Fish agrees, we can’t. The USA is across the ocean, after all. Little Fish was entrusted to him by Uncle Zhou. It would be irresponsible not to personally care for him.”

Bai Wenran nodded in understanding and patted Gu Cheng’s hand: “Don’t worry. Little Yuan’s illness can be cured in a few years. Then we can come back, and the two little ones can reunite.”

…

In late December, the morning light filtered through the swaying branches and scattered into the bedroom via the window. Gu Yuan and Zhou Chiyu slept soundly. The doctor entered several times but couldn’t bear to wake them and waited until lunchtime.

Gu Yuan had been ill for two months. Friday—yesterday—was his first PE class since returning to school, and he was clearly exhausted, falling asleep the moment he got home.

According to the head chef on kitchen duty, in the early hours of the morning around two o’clock, Gu Yuan had ordered a plate of Italian pasta with extra sweet tomato sauce.

“Brother, winter vacation is coming soon. How do you plan to spend it?”

Zhou Chiyu held his rice bowl, struck by a new idea: “Let’s go to the island this winter. I want to take you to see my Underwater Labyrinth.”