"So, find a time to return it to him. I just sensed your stone, and thereâs no danger at all. Even if itâs placed with Uncle Fang, it will only benefit his health, but I canât explain why his leg hurts when wearing it."
Gu Qiaoqiao instinctively felt that the stone had already forged a bond with Fang Liang, so taking it back wouldnât be wise.
Thatâs why she advised Xiao Wen in this way.
Xiao Wen thought about it and readily agreed, "Alright, Iâll send it to him in a couple of days. Besides, I can also feel that this stone doesnât want to come back with me."
Such matters can only be sensed by the stone and Xiao Wen. After all, the two were once closely connected!
It turned out to be much as Gu Qiaoqiao expected.
Since there was no way to reach a conclusion, the two stopped discussing it because, by this time, the courtyard gate had already been opened, and the shy Gu Xueling came to call Gu Qiaoqiao for dinner.
This is a middle school student.
Not very tall, rather thin, and looking somewhat malnourished.
However, her complexion is quite good.
Her eyes are big and bright, filled with admiration when looking at Gu Qiaoqiao.
She knows this person is the successor of the Gu Family.
In the future, she will be the head of their Gu family branch.
And her life has undergone drastic changes.
Now, she has meat and eggs to eat every day, no longer having to subsist on cornmeal buns.
Though her mother is still frugal, their life is completely different from before.
She no longer has to hide when eating in the school cafeteria.
Strangely, it seems that overnight, those who used to bully her now hurriedly avoid her.
She knows that the one who brought all these changes is respected by everyone as the Old Patriarch of the Gu Family, the Great Grandpa.
And Gu Qiaoqiao is the successor of Great Grandpa, the Young Master.
She has an inexplicable admiration for the word âmaster.â
Itâs like the sun, giving her warmth and strength.
Last time when Gu Qiaoqiao came, because she was at school and Gu Qiaoqiao and Qin Yize were often out, they didnât talk much, which felt a bit unfamiliar.
But this time, it was different. They quickly became familiar with Gu Qianqian.
They are relatives as well as friends.
Still, she doesnât dare to get too close to Gu Qiaoqiao, finding her mysterious and dignified.
As dinner time approached, she volunteered, mustering up the courage to push open the Great Grandpaâs house door.
However, when she saw Gu Qiaoqiao also coming out, she didnât know how to start a conversation.
A twenty-year-old woman, even if already married, still exudes youth. And since Gu Qiaoqiao interacts with people and things different from them, she naturally carries an unwitting air of authority with a hint of confidence.
Moreover, Gu Qiaoqiao is so beautiful.
Plus, due to spiritual energy, she looks like a little fairy under the glow of the sunset.
Seeing Gu Xueling, Gu Qiaoqiao quickly smiled, and it was an exceedingly gentle smile. She had to smile, as this was a very timid little girl.
She always looks at you with timid big eyes, a bit flattering, and a bit nervous, making one feel heartache.
Entirely different from her third sister, Gu Xuerou, who is bold and forthright.
Gu Qiaoqiao had heard from Gu Muran that the youngest sister, though actually the most pampered at home, once got cornered in an alley by a group of children ordered by Old Man Fang and got beaten.
Not until a classmate told him, did he rush over and rescue his sister.
But just that one time shattered the childâs courage.
Since then, she dared not speak loudly.
Nor dared to look people straight in the eye.
Lingling was only seven that year, hadnât even started school, and later, more than half of those childrenâs parents came to apologize. Still, the shadow in her heart remained.
Even now, Lingling is still afraid of strangers.
But compared to when she was little, itâs improved a lot, as she can at least live in the school dormitory now.
Compared to other girls her age, sheâs still lagging behind.
This made Gu Muran tear up when talking about it, with an indescribable sense of hatred.
Therefore, Gu Qiaoqiao said Gu Zhixing is too naive. The grievances between the Fang and Gu families, after so many years, cannot be resolved.
And listening to this, Gu Qiaoqiao also felt heartache. It reminded her of her past life, as an eighteen-year-old, though having spoken only a few words with Lingling, she already felt affectionate toward her as a sister.
This time, she came from the Imperial Capital, bringing her many new clothes. When she sent them over yesterday, Lingling looked at her with such eyes.
And when Gu Qiaoqiao looked at her, sheâd be so scared she would quickly lower her head, not daring to meet her gaze.
Gu Qiaoqiao smiled broadly, but inside she sighed softly; if this continues, it wonât be good. Such a character will make her easy prey in both work and life in the future.
And now, as Gu Qiaoqiao was looking at her, she was again too frightened to maintain eye contact and quickly averted her gaze.
At this moment, Gu Qiaoqiao had already walked up to her. As if she didnât notice Linglingâs evasive gaze, she asked with a smile, "Lingling, has Aunt already prepared the meal?"
Xiao Wen also knew about Gu Xuelingâs situation, she reached out, affectionately pinched Gu Xuelingâs cheek, and gigglingly said, "Not bad, youâre a bit chubbier than last time. Lingling, you should eat some more, so you can grow tall and fair, just like me, a beauty."
Gu Qiaoqiao nodded in agreement, "Lingling, though your Sister Xiao Wen isnât modest at all, sheâs right..."
Then, looking at Gu Xueling, she put her hand on her shoulder, silently channeling the spiritual energy from her fingers toward her heart.
Because, at this moment, Gu Qiaoqiao already sensed Gu Xuelingâs heartbeat was erratic and panicked.
Though not frightened, she was still very nervous.
This made Gu Qiaoqiao feel both compassion and helplessness.
The spiritual energy on Gu Qiaoqiaoâs fingers could indeed encompass everything, quietly soothing Gu Xuelingâs emotions.
Once her emotions stabilized and her heart calmed down, she was almost back to normal. Although she still didnât dare make eye contact with Gu Qiaoqiao, she was much better than before.
At least she dared to lift her head and give Gu Qiaoqiao a shy smile.
Gu Qiaoqiao looked at her encouragingly and gently asked, "What did Aunt cook tonight? I can smell something delicious from your courtyard..."
Finally, Gu Xueling spoke, albeit nervously swallowing first, "...Sister Qiao...Qiao, my mom made the dishes you love, quite a lot..."
Then, she bit her lip and didnât speak anymore.
Her cheeks were reddened.
Xiao Wen gave a hearty laugh, tugged at Gu Xuelingâs little pigtails, and giggled, "This little girl is too timid. Alright, letâs go eat together, Iâm already hungry."