Chapter 80: "Gu Shiyan, Luo Xing no longer loves you."

Luo Xing, like Yun Cai, was filled with excitement. Yet, unlike Yun Cai, she harbored a trace of doubt. Gu Shiyan had clearly said before that it would be difficult for Qi Zhi to escape, so why was it that so suddenly, Qi Zhi was about to terminate his contract? Luo Xing couldn't help but feel uneasy; after all, nothing had been finalized yet—they were merely beginning to handle matters related to the termination.

Was Lu Yuan really letting Qi Zhi off so easily?

Images from her time at TH flashed through Luo Xing’s mind—the way Lu Yuan sat loftily, cigarette between her fingers, with Qi Zhi crouched by her side like a kept pet, ever at her beck and call, waiting to be teased.

Had Gu Shiyan really been in the capital all this while?

Luo Xing suppressed the wild, impossible suspicion stirring within her. There was no reason for him to do such a thing, and nothing to gain from it. She shook her head, trying to rid her mind of such outrageous thoughts, and pulled out her tablet from her bag, turning it on.

She wanted to fill her mind with more knowledge, to crowd out the space Gu Shiyan had come to occupy.

She kept her eyes on the tablet as she entered the elevator.

Inside, there were two other women. One wore a loose silk dress, impeccably clean and neat, appearing to be in her forties. The other, holding her hand, was dressed in what looked like a caregiver’s uniform.

Their hands were tightly clasped, and it was obvious that the woman who seemed normal was anything but; otherwise, the caregiver wouldn’t be watching her so closely, ever vigilant for any mishap.

Luo Xing glanced at them briefly, then lowered her gaze.

Yet the woman noticed her and suddenly burst out laughing.

The sound startled Luo Xing, making her shrink back against the wall.

Though the woman seemed harmless, Luo Xing’s recent experiences with Ke Yu and the repairman had taught her not to underestimate anyone who appeared ordinary.

The caregiver immediately apologized, her face full of embarrassment. "I'm so sorry, so sorry."

The elevator doors opened.

Luo Xing darted out without a word, ignoring the apologies behind her.

She opened and closed her door in one smooth, practiced motion.

...

"What did you go to the capital for?" Gu Liang sat on the sofa, eyeing Gu Shiyan, who had just walked in.

Gu Shiyan glanced at him without answering. He’d been so busy lately, running around endlessly, and had only just returned in a rush; tomorrow, the five of them had to go register for the physics competition together.

He carried a stack of documents and a large brown paper bag in his other hand.

Seeing that he wouldn’t answer, Gu Liang’s eyes narrowed as he took in the rarely worn suit. "What are you carrying?"

Gu Shiyan had no desire to talk, brushing him off. "Materials for the school physics competition."

From the kitchen, Su Wan emerged holding a bowl of noodles. "Shiyan, you’re back? Why didn’t you let us know? I just made some noodles; I’ll make a bowl for you too."

She smiled at him. "Are you hungry? Should I make more?"

As usual, Gu Shiyan ignored her. But just as he was about to head upstairs, Su Mo stepped into his path.

Gu Liang had mentioned Su Mo would be moving in.

But Gu Shiyan rarely stayed at home, so their encounters were few.

From behind, Gu Liang spoke up. "I told you before not to choose physics, but you wouldn’t listen. Now you’re just coasting, and suddenly you want to compete? I’ve already put in your application for studying abroad..."

Before Gu Liang could finish, Gu Shiyan turned to look at him. "If you want to go abroad, I have no objection."

"You!" Gu Liang snapped, "I’m doing this for your own good! Do you think it’s so easy to compete with the old man?"

Gu Shiyan glanced at the things in his arms.

He lowered his lashes, concealing his thoughts. He didn’t tell Gu Liang he was now helping the old man with his affairs.

"I’m not going abroad. You can cancel the application yourself." Gu Shiyan sidestepped Su Mo and headed upstairs.

Gu Liang called after him. "I've returned your card and car."

After Gu Liang spoke, Su Mo followed up, "Thank you for taking care of my grandmother in the capital."

Su Wan’s brow furrowed slightly at this. That old woman had nothing to do with her, and Su Mo’s insistence on getting involved with someone who was dying annoyed her.

Gu Shiyan said nothing, his wrist dropping, the bag in his hand slack.

"No need to thank me. We each got what we wanted." His tone was cold, which only further irritated Gu Liang.

But there was nothing Gu Liang could do. The three of them watched Gu Shiyan ascend the stairs.

Gu Liang then pulled out his phone and called his personal assistant.

"Find out exactly what Gu Shiyan was doing in the capital for me."

Su Wan soothed him, rubbing his back. "Enough, don’t be angry. Eat your noodles."

Su Mo lowered her head. "I’m going upstairs."

Su Wan glanced at her. "Wait a moment."

She went into the kitchen and came out holding a glass of milk.

Su Mo’s eyes flickered toward it, but Su Wan said, "Take this up to Shiyan."

When she didn’t move, Su Wan urged impatiently, "Hurry up, before it gets cold. It’s just the right temperature now."

Su Mo took the warm milk and, without a word, carried it upstairs.

Standing at Gu Shiyan’s door, she gazed at the glass, the rich scent of milk wafting up.

Su Wan had never personally made milk for her.

She had even once deluded herself into thinking that perhaps Su Wan had finally remembered she was her daughter.

How ironic. She was merely being sent as a servant to deliver something to Gu Shiyan.

Su Mo knocked on the door.

A tired, hoarse voice came from inside. "Who is it?"

Gu Shiyan was ever vigilant, even at home.

"Mom asked me to bring you some hot milk." At home, she was always the obedient daughter, never addressing Su Wan by name.

But there was no response.

After a while, just as Su Mo was about to knock again, the door swung open.

He had already changed out of his suit and was back in casual clothes.

"Tell Su Wan I won’t accept anything delivered by Gu Liang’s mistress," Gu Shiyan said impatiently, his tone icy.

For the first time, Su Mo felt humiliated before him.

Yes, her mother had become the mistress who climbed to her position.

And the cup of warm milk she’d hoped for was something Gu Shiyan wouldn’t even spare a glance.

What right did he have to be so superior?

"It was Mom who told me to bring it. I’m just doing as she asked," she said, thrusting the milk toward him.

A bit of the white liquid sloshed out, splattering onto Gu Shiyan’s black T-shirt.

His annoyance deepened. He’d spent all day being ordered around by the old man, dealing with endless tedious affairs, skipped dinner to fly back, and still had to prepare for tomorrow’s competition registration.

Thinking of it all made his head pound.

And now she was here to bother him.

Su Mo tried to push the glass towards him again, but Gu Shiyan blocked it with the back of his hand.

The glass fell to the floor and shattered, milk and shards spraying over both of them.

He had just washed up, and now, thanks to her, it was all for nothing.

"You’re even more annoying than your mother," Gu Shiyan said, stepping forward, striding over the mess of broken glass.

Su Mo was forced to retreat. "What did I do? Mom told me to bring it."

"Can you be consistent for once? Not calling her Su Wan now? Stop pretending to be good. Ever since that time at the hospital, how many times have you shown up before me? You think I don’t know? Don’t use your tricks on me, and don’t take others for fools."

With each word, Su Mo’s heart tightened. She looked up at him.

He seemed to know everything.

"You and Luo Xing aren’t really friends, are you?" Gu Shiyan sneered. "Someone like you would never be counted as her friend."

That was the greatest insult he could give her tonight.

Tears welled in her eyes. "How can you say that about me? Are you really so much better? If not for luck, would you still be so high and mighty? You’re just a disgrace too!"

Gu Shiyan let out a cold laugh. "The difference between us is that I admit I’m a disgrace, while you go to all lengths to prove to everyone that you’re not."

He looked down at the glass shards underfoot. "If you want to act like the family maid, then do your job and clean this up."

He turned to go back into his room, ready to close the door behind him.

But Su Mo, standing outside, suddenly called out.

"Gu Shiyan, Luo Xing doesn’t like you anymore."