Chapter 168: Side Story - The Most Important Thing Is You, Only You

After Christmas, the two returned to Beijing to pack their things in preparation for their trip to Helsinki.

Luo Xing lay on the bed with her phone, playing a game. "Hey, I really must bring that lamp!"

Gu Shiyan packed the items Luo Xing had specified into the suitcase, only to realize afterwards that there was no space left for his own belongings.

"...Babe, do you really have to bring this lamp?"

"Mhm!"

"Mommy!" Their daughter's voice suddenly came from outside.

Luo Xing got up. "I'm going outside to play with our daughter."

Gu Shiyan nodded and turned his attention to figuring out how to squeeze a little room for himself.

Zhaozhao held Luo Xing's hand all the way out of the main building and toward a small two-story attic.

"Is this baby's new secret base?"

"This is the place where I found a treasure." Luo Xing was led inside by her daughter.

Once inside, however, Luo Xing's gaze froze.

The walls were pockmarked with numerous bullet holes.

This place had once been used for shooting practice.

Zhaozhao pulled Luo Xing up to the second floor. "Mommy, look! This is Zhaozhao's treasure map!"

In the corner sat a wooden box about the height of Zhaozhao's waist, covered in a thick layer of dust.

Zhaozhao opened the box and pointed inside for Luo Xing to see. "Mommy, when Zhaozhao grows up, I'll be able to use these to find the treasure."

Luo Xing lowered her gaze. The box was crammed with envelopes.

She picked up the topmost one and looked at it.

There was no signature, no recipient, only a single line written on it: — The Two Thousand Five Hundred and Sixty-Seventh Day

Luo Xing pulled out the letter inside. The slightly childish handwriting already possessed a sharp edge—it was Gu Shiyan's handwriting.

— Second Uncle said Mommy is going to divorce Daddy. I want to go outside and see, but Grandfather won't let me. I must go out, even if I have to smash everything to pieces.

Luo Xing frowned, thinking of Gu Shiyan's bedroom door. Unlike the locks on all the other doors in the house, it had been replaced later with a separate lock.

So, that day was the day he smashed the lock. Why did he smash it?

"Mommy, do you know where the treasure is?" Zhaozhao hugged her, leaning forward to look at the letter. "Sec... Mommy, Daddy..."

Luo Xing put down the letter in her hand and picked up another.

By the time the pile of letters outside the box grew higher and higher, Zhaozhao had fallen asleep leaning against the envelopes, the flesh of her cheek squished softly against them as she breathed lightly.

The Eighth Day.

— Grandfather said that in the future, everything in the Gu family will belong to me, which is why I have to work so hard. Actually, I really want to say that I don't want any of it. I want to go out, I want my Mommy. Why won't she come to see me?

...The First Day.

Daddy sent me to Grandfather's place. Grandfather taught me so many things I don't understand at all. I want to sleep so badly, but Grandfather said I have to practice martial arts and shooting in the afternoon, and there is too much to learn. Only by learning all of it can I become an outstanding and qualified heir. What on earth is the use of being an heir? You old bastard, I want to sleep.

"Mhm... treasure..."

Luo Xing raised her head and looked at her sleeping, murmuring daughter beside her.

So when Gu Shiyan was that young, he had nothing.

When Luo Xing gave birth to Zhaozhao, she suffered a severe hemorrhage and almost lost her life.

During that time, Gu Shiyan never left her side. Every time she woke up, he would tightly grip her hand.

As if the moment he let go for even a single second, Luo Xing would leave him.

Luo Xing had also dealt with those wealthy socialites, all of whom, without exception, advised her to take advantage of her youth to bear a couple more sons so she could secure her position.

When Gu Shiyan found out, he never allowed Luo Xing to interact with those women again.

He held her in his arms and said, "The most important thing is you. Only you."

Their daughter woke up. Luo Xing put the things back in their original place and led her daughter out of the attic.

Upon returning to Gu Shiyan's side, she was pulled into his embrace. "Where did you go, babe? I've been looking for you for ages."

Zhaozhao was still drowsy and muttered dreamily, "Mommy and I went to find the treasure."

Gu Shiyan wrapped his limbs securely around Luo Xing, nuzzling the tip of his nose against the center of her forehead. "Treasure? Did you find it?"

Luo Xing looked up and kissed him on the lips. "Right in front of me."

— End of Side Story