Chapter 1109: Like Strangers
Editor:
EndlessFantasy Translation
Su Bing had just reached the staircase when a beautifully dressed society lady came gliding toward him. Instinctively, he stepped aside to let her pass first.
Yet, strangely, the woman didnāt move. She simply stood there, her gaze fixed on his face, her expression layered with something Su Bing couldnāt immediately decipher.
There was something oddly familiar about her, and the way she looked at him ā a peculiar mixture of longing and sorrow ā made him feel inexplicably unsettled.
Just as Su Bing was about to sidestep her and continue on his way, a cheerful voice called out from behind him.
"Su Bing! What a coincidence, youāre here reading too? Want to join me?" It was Xu Sheng, trotting over energetically, waving a book in one hand. Then, noticing the frozen figure of the woman, he added, "Grandma, whatās wrong?"
In that instant, Su Bing remembered. He had seen this woman once before ā on the first day of the semester, when Xu Sheng introduced her as his grandmother. She had worn that exact same peculiar expression back then too, as though she were seeing a ghost.
Shaking his head, Su Bing said quickly, "No, thank you. I need to go find my mother." He gave a polite nod to the elegant lady, hugged his books tightly against his chest, and practically dashed down the stairs.
Only when Xu Sheng called out to her did Yu Fang finally snap out of her daze. Staring at Su Bingās retreating figure, her heart twisted painfully. He wasnāt her eldest son, no, but he looked heartbreakingly similar to how her son had looked at that age. And worse ā he was her eldest sonās child, the rightful eldest grandson of the illustrious Xu family.
Yet because of their own terrible mistakes, this was how they met ā strangers passing like ships in the night. She didnāt even know what the other two grandchildren looked like.
The memory of her deceased son slammed into Yu Fang like a punch to the chest. Blinking back tears, she said to Xu Sheng, her voice a little strained, "Grandmaās not feeling well. Letās just borrow the books you need and go home."
Xu Sheng, though young, could sense the unspoken weight in the air. He didnāt fully understand why his father and grandmother insisted on keeping their distance from Su Bing and his siblings, but he could guess. Seeing Su Bing must have brought back memories of his late uncle. Obediently, he held Yu Fangās arm and helped her down the stairs, his own mood sinking.
Su Bingās indifference stung more than he expected. After all, they were cousins ā blood relatives! Yet Su Bing had looked at him like he was a stranger. Xu Sheng couldnāt help but feel a little heartbroken.
When Yu Fang returned home, she immediately picked up the phone and dialed her second son, Xu Fan.
"I ran into Su Bing at the library today," she said urgently. "Son, Xu Sheng and those three kids... theyāre good friends, arenāt they?"
Xu Fanās voice turned guarded at once. "Mom, havenāt I told you before? We mustnāt interfere with their lives. Absolutely not."
Yu Fangās tone softened, almost pleading. "Donāt misunderstand. I have no intention of disrupting their lives. Xu Fan, I just... I can see it ā Xu Sheng really wants to be close to Su Bing. Is there any way we could encourage them to spend more time together? Let them build a bond as cousins? After all, itās our fault everything turned out this way. Xu Sheng has done nothing wrong."
Hearing the sincerity in her voice, Xu Fan finally relaxed a little. "What exactly do you have in mind?"
Yu Fang suggested gently, "Look, Xu Sheng spends all his time with me. Iām old. He must be bored out of his mind. Tomorrowās the weekend. Why donāt you let him go over to Su familyās house to play? We can pick him up in the afternoon. It would give him some real companionship."
After hanging up, Xu Fan sat quietly for a long time, pondering her words. It was true ā Xu Sheng missed those three siblings dearly. After all, blood was thicker than water. He had deprived Xu Sheng of so much already. In the end, he decided to follow his motherās suggestion.
Turning to his secretary, he instructed, "Find out exactly where President Su of Yushen Investment lives. I want a detailed address."
Meanwhile, back at home, Gu Zi had just settled into the couch when her phone buzzed. Glancing at the screen, she was surprised to see Xu Fanās name flashing.
Upon answering, she heard his courteous voice. "Good evening, Miss Gu. I hope Iām not disturbing you. I just wanted to ask... how is young Xu Sheng doing lately?"
"Heās doing well," Gu Zi replied warmly. "Though I imagine he misses his old friends."
There was a pause, then Xu Fan continued, "He mentioned he bumped into Su Bing today at the Imperial University library. Honestly, Xu Sheng is very lonely ā heās never really had any close friends. Would it be possible for him to visit your home tomorrow and spend some time with the children?"
"Of course!" Gu Zi agreed without hesitation. "Su Li just mentioned the other day that he misses Xu Sheng too. But... Mr. Xu, if you donāt mind my asking, how did you get my number?"
Xu Fan chuckled a little awkwardly. "Well, Su Shen and Chen Yu registered their investment company with the commerce bureau. All their information is on file. I recently transferred back to the capital and now oversee that department. Iām sorry ā I know this might seem intrusiveā"
Gu Zi cut him off smoothly. "Thank you for being upfront, Mr. Xu. In the future, though, Iād appreciate a more proper approach. But itās fine. Please do send Xu Sheng over tomorrow."
The next day, it wasnāt Xu Fan who brought Xu Sheng over, but Yu Fang herself.
When Su Li opened the door and saw a gleaming luxury car parked outside, he gasped audibly. His eyes widened even further when he noticed the tiny national flag fluttering proudly at the front of the vehicle, giving it an even more majestic, official air.
He dashed out eagerly to greet Xu Sheng, practically bouncing on his heels.
"Xu Sheng! Your car is so cool!"
If you find any errors ( Ads popup, ads redirect, broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.