Chapter 1386: Soon to Take Root and Sprout

Lian Yuhong and Gu Qiaoqiao are different. In her memory, Gu Kun passed away just over three years ago, while in Gu Qiaoqiao’s memory, her grandfather had been gone for more than ten years.

The face naturally has become somewhat blurred.

Lian Yuhong’s reaction further confirmed Gu Qiaoqiao’s words, and Lady Yu, who had been calm for a long time, was very emotional.

However, being emotionally agitated didn’t affect her health, but the Old Patriarch was still worried and stayed at home to accompany her. For some reason, no matter where they went, they would take Gu Zhixing with them.

At this moment, standing at the entrance of Yubao Square, Gu Qiaoqiao thought to herself, it seems that good looks are indeed a kind of capital, isn’t Gu Zhixing proof of that?

Time flew by, and a week had passed. Qin Yize still hadn’t returned. Apparently, he had left the Imperial Capital for another place again. However, Gu Qiaoqiao was used to it, though the longing was particularly strong at night when everything was silent.

Having someone to accompany, people who have been lonely for a long time are actually most afraid of being alone.

There’s only a few days left before school starts. This time Gu Qiaoqiao planned to attend classes properly, as there were indeed some things that needed systematic learning. Many initial plans hadn’t materialized because her time never seemed sufficient, and it’s still the case now.

Nie Luan was still missing, but Dongfang Yu was recovering well. It was expected to take about another week for him to recover completely.

Shang Qing also hadn’t slipped up, and the Shang Family had no suspicion about Shang Qing’s trip to the Great Northwest, as she did indeed bring back some unique treasures from the Northwestern region that had never been unveiled before.

These two treasures, Old Master Shang was utterly enamored with them. Coincidentally, he was also researching the culture along the Silk Road. He had a keen interest in the commercial exchanges a thousand years ago, what was traded, and what cultural products emerged from the exchange between the Central Plains and the West.

And it happened that at this time, his most cherished granddaughter brought him back two such things.

Both fell within the scope of his research.

They were treasures incredibly precious, though perhaps not priceless, but amazingly they were bought for just one thousand yuan. The old master was overjoyed, believing such good fortune had befallen his granddaughter.

So naturally, he was utterly convinced of Shang Qing’s trip to the Northwest.

Thus, Shang Qing passed the test successfully.

Gu Qiaoqiao was also relieved. In this world, everyone can have love, but not everyone’s love receives a corresponding return. Fortunately, Shang Qing is a blessed girl.

Her love has finally landed where she wanted it to.

She believes it will soon take root and sprout, blossoming into splendid flowers.

Gu Qiaoqiao was genuinely happy for Shang Qing.

...

That day, Gu Qiaoqiao went to Gu Garden because her father Gu Tianfeng had returned.

It was Gu Tianfeng who called Gu Qiaoqiao to go to Gu Garden.

It was also the first time for Gu Tianfeng to see Gu Zhixing, whom he should call "big brother" according to age, yet for some reason, he just couldn’t bring himself to say it, though they were only a few years apart. But at a glance, they looked like father and son, which filled his heart with mixed feelings, prompting him to call his eldest daughter back.

Among these people, Gu Tianfeng was undoubtedly the most shocked. When Gu Qiaoqiao arrived at Gu Garden, what she saw was a tense and uneasy Gu Tianfeng sitting on the sofa, and opposite him was the equally uneasy Gu Zhixing.

Gu Tianfeng had just returned.

Gu Qiaoqiao hadn’t seen her father for a long time. She quickly sat down beside him, scrutinizing him for a moment, and with a furrowed brow, she said, "Dad, why have you lost weight?"

Only then did Gu Tianfeng return to his senses and looked at Gu Qiaoqiao with a complex expression, saying, "Qiaoqiao, why do I always feel like I’m dreaming?"

"That’s because you’ve been writing so much that your thoughts have become complex. There’s no such thing as a dreaming feeling. This is real. He’s your elder brother, my uncle. Besides, this is normal; it’s just generational inheritance. After all, the genes are there. I look almost exactly like Great Grandma did when she was young."

Beside them, Gu Qingfeng quickly nodded and said, "Yes, Qiaoqiao is right."

Gu Tianfeng remained silent for a while and didn’t look up at Gu Zhixing because that would give him an illusion that his father was still alive.

He pondered for a long time before taking a deep breath, finally raising his head to smile at Gu Zhixing, hesitated for a moment, and spoke, "Big brother."

Gu Zhixing quickly nodded, "Second brother, we finally meet."

"Indeed, we used to just communicate over the phone, always hearing from the children. I was really curious about you. I lost my composure just now, please don’t take it to heart." Gu Tianfeng regained his normal composure, speaking with elegance.

Gu Zhixing waved his hand, "It’s nothing, nothing, we’re all family..."

At this moment, the atmosphere in the room finally shed its tension and unease and returned to its usual harmonious warmth.

Before having the chance to ask how her father’s trip was, Gu Qingfeng beckoned Gu Qiaoqiao over, saying, "Come over to Great Grandfather, I have something to say to you."

Gu Qiaoqiao quickly stood up and sat next to Gu Qingfeng, turning her head to ask, "Great Grandfather, is there something you want to talk about?"

"Have you heard any rumors in the Imperial Capital these days?" Gu Qingfeng asked calmly.

"No..." Gu Qiaoqiao looked at Gu Qingfeng in astonishment, "Great Grandfather, have you heard anything?"

Gu Qingfeng hesitated for a moment and then looked around the room. These were all family, nothing to hide, so he spoke, "There’s a rumor going around in the Imperial Capital right now, saying that you all aren’t actually Gu Kun’s descendants, but imposters, aiming for the Gu Family’s wealth."

Gu Qiaoqiao widened her eyes in surprise, "Great Grandfather, who told you that?"

"An old friend of mine told me; he heard it from someone else."

"And who was that someone? There must be a source. Someone must have said the first word." Gu Qiaoqiao asked, with the smile fading from her face.

"It’s still under investigation, but rumors spread quickly; it’s hard to trace back."

Gu Muran, sitting on the other side, laughed and said, "Such an obvious truth is laid out in front of them, how can anyone spout such lies?"

"People say it’s merely a coincidence."

Gu Qingfeng said indifferently.

Gu Qiaoqiao’s expression gradually became more serious. She pondered for a moment, looked at Gu Qingfeng, and asked earnestly, "Great Grandfather, what do you think?"

At this moment, Great Grandfather’s opinion was very important.

Gu Qingfeng gave Gu Qiaoqiao a sideways glance and asked back, "Little girl, what do you think I think?"

Gu Qiaoqiao hesitated for a moment before speaking, "Actually, these people are saying this because we haven’t done a paternity test, right?"