Chapter 35: Gu Shiyan Lies to Appease the Old Master

Seeing how resistant Luo Xing was, he changed his tack. "Yes, we've known each other for four years."

Luo Xing clenched the handle of her spoon. "Grandpa Gu—"

She wanted to explain that there was nothing between the two of them anymore.

But Old Master Gu suddenly burst into laughter.

That wrinkled, sallow face, marked by illness, and those sunken sockets—his eyes still shone brightly beneath them. His laughter was brief and heavy, punctuated by difficult breaths from his throat.

It was the first time Luo Xing had ever seen him so genuinely happy.

She looked at Gu Shiyan, confusion in her eyes, wondering why Grandpa Gu would laugh all of a sudden.

Gu Shiyan gave her a slight nod.

Only then did Luo Xing understand a little—Old Master Gu was frail.

Perhaps all elders were like this: they loved to see their children and grandchildren happy and complete.

After laughing his fill, Old Master Gu looked at Luo Xing. "You're a good girl. Shiyan, that rascal, he’s been through a lot—you don’t know how much he’s suffered."

Luo Xing pursed her lips and nodded. She couldn’t bring herself to tell a lie, but she also couldn’t bear to shatter the old man’s hope.

"If you ever feel wronged, come tell me. I’ll make sure to set him straight for you."

Luo Xing thought to herself, there’s no need for that—they’ve already broken up anyway.

She also noticed that Old Master Gu seemed even kinder to her since learning she was Gu Shiyan’s girlfriend.

He must really care about Gu Shiyan.

Luo Xing lowered her head and ate in silence.

Gu Yunzhi, however, frowned at Gu Shiyan. "Are you really dating Xingxing?"

Gu Shiyan knew she was Luo Xing’s grandmother and nodded.

"Xingxing, do your parents know?" Gu Yunzhi was clearly concerned about Luo Xing.

Luo Xing swallowed her food. "Grandma, I... I haven’t told them yet."

It was all Gu Shiyan’s fault, lying to Grandpa Gu!

She shot Gu Shiyan a glare.

"Yunzhi, matters between the youngsters are best left to them. We elders shouldn’t meddle," Old Master Gu interjected, holding back Grandma Gu.

"You’re not worried, but you just admitted your grandson’s a rascal. Xingxing has always been obedient—what if she gets hurt?"

Luo Xing bit her porcelain spoon, her gaze darting about, not knowing whom to look at.

She thought perhaps she should tell Old Master Gu the truth, lest he be disappointed later.

"Grandpa Gu, actually, Gu Shiyan and I—"

"I’ll take good care of Xingxing," Gu Shiyan cut in before she could finish.

Luo Xing was still stunned by the way he called her Xingxing.

It was the first time he’d ever called her that.

And now, when everything between them was already over.

Luo Xing realized then, those two syllables weren’t awkward at all coming from his lips.

For the sake of pleasing Old Master Gu with a lie, he could say it so casually.

But when they were together, even if she begged him with a pout, he’d never say it.

He said it was childish.

Luo Xing dropped her eyes, no longer wanting to say anything.

Old Master Gu was clearly delighted. He looked at Gu Shiyan with a touch of fatherly advice in his gaze. "She put up with you for four years—that’s some strong nerves. Don’t be foolish."

Gu Shiyan nodded.

—Too late, he’d already been foolish.

Luo Xing knew the old man misunderstood again, thinking she and Gu Shiyan had been together for four years.

"You don’t come to Jing City often, do you?" Old Master Gu turned to Luo Xing, making conversation.

She nodded.

"Perfect. Let Shiyan show you around," Old Master Gu added, glancing at Gu Shiyan. "Did your father freeze all your cards?"

Gu Shiyan grunted, bracing himself for another lecture, already preparing to tune out.

"Song, bring me my card."

Gu Shiyan looked at him, surprised.

Old Master Gu shot him a glance. "Don’t overthink it—it’s for your girlfriend."

Gu Shiyan: ...

Luo Xing: ?

Gu Yunzhi immediately protested, "Brother, what are you doing?"

Luo Xing was flustered by the unexpected favor and stood up in a panic. "Grandpa Gu, that’s not necessary. I have money."

Even as she said it, she realized how odd it sounded to claim she had money in front of a billionaire.

So she quickly added, "I have enough, really. My parents wouldn’t let me accept it anyway."

Gu Shiyan scoffed from the side, "How old are you? Still listening to your parents about taking money?"

Old Master Gu shot him a glare. "You think everyone’s family is as broken as yours?"

Gu Shiyan: ...Didn’t that sting?

Luo Xing: ...The old man is certainly blunt.

Gu Yunzhi, standing by, didn’t protest anymore. This wasn’t the time for her to speak.

Assistant Song placed a black card in front of Luo Xing.

She didn’t even dare touch it.

Old Master Gu looked at Gu Shiyan. "Take Luo Xing out today and make sure she’s well looked after."

Gu Shiyan glanced at Luo Xing. "You’re sure you’re not his real granddaughter?"

Luo Xing understood that the card was given to her, but it was really intended for Gu Shiyan.

She couldn’t understand why he didn’t just give it to Gu Shiyan directly.

After breakfast, under Old Master Gu’s watchful gaze, the two of them went out together.

"Wait, Xingxing, take your water with you." Gu Yunzhi handed her water bottle to Luo Xing. "It’s hot outside—drink plenty of water, and don’t buy cold drinks."

Luo Xing took the bottle reluctantly. "There’ll be water wherever we go."

"Shiyan, you carry it for her," Old Master Gu said, seeing Gu Shiyan frozen in place.

"I’m not a kid..." He took the bottle, wrapping the soft pink strap around his hand a few times.

Before Luo Xing could react, he was already on his way out with it.

"Xingxing, do you need a sun shirt?" Gu Yunzhi asked, eyeing her white t-shirt.

"No need, Grandma. I’m off now." Luo Xing dashed out, afraid if she lingered another moment she’d be loaded down with even more things.

Gu Shiyan walked to the garage, twirling the black card between his fingers. "Where do you want to go?"

He was clearly asking Luo Xing.

She wasn’t having it. "Why did you have to lie to Grandpa? If he finds out the truth, you’ll only hurt him!"

"How did I lie? Haven’t we known each other for four years? Was I wrong?"

He lifted his hand, the black card between two fingers gleaming.

"I’ll go by myself. You don’t have to bother."

"Don’t you want to visit TH?" Gu Shiyan’s voice was laced with a subtle allure.

The black card shimmered softly in the sunlight.

Luo Xing had heard of TH, one of the most prestigious and exclusive private clubs, notoriously difficult to get into. It boasted indoor and outdoor pools, polo fields, tennis courts, bars, countless terraces with art exhibitions, even a cinema and private dining rooms—everything one could imagine.

There weren’t even photos of the interior online, as TH was completely closed to outsiders.

Luo Xing’s family was well-off, but not nearly enough for her to qualify for entry.

"This card is your ticket in—and Old Master Gu gave it to you himself. It’d be a waste not to use it."

"I don’t know anyone there, and I wouldn’t feel comfortable." Luo Xing was tempted, but she knew what kind of people frequented that place.

If she accidentally offended anyone, she’d probably be carried out on a stretcher.

"I know everyone. Come on." Gu Shiyan waved the black card before her eyes.

A faint smile played at his lips, his gaze dark and unfathomable, like an invisible vortex drawing one in.

Luo Xing snatched the card from his hand. "Grandpa Gu said this was for me."

She couldn’t stand his attitude. Lifting her chin, she let her pride ride atop Old Master Gu’s card. "If we go, it’ll be as my treat, understand?"

"Oh..." Gu Shiyan tilted his head with a lazy, mischievous glint in his eyes.

Light danced in his gaze, making it hard to look away.

Luo Xing tucked the card into her bag, pulled open the passenger door, and got in.

Gu Shiyan was still driving the same car as last night.

...

"Who’s that?" Two people in the stands looked down at the polo field.

On the field, the carefully manicured turf lay like a swath of emerald silk.

Luo Xing sat astride a Welsh pony, clinging to its neck. "I’m done. I’m not trying anymore."

Beside her, Gu Shiyan held the reins in one hand and steadied Luo Xing’s horse with the other. "You’re giving up already? It’s just the beginning."

Luo Xing shook her head. "I give up, I give up, I’m done."

Gu Shiyan shook his head, dismounted, and went over to help her down.

The grandstand was tall and spacious; a group of people sat there watching the two below. "Brother Yan hasn’t come back in years, and now that he’s here, he ignores us and takes a girl off on his own?"