CHAPTER 234: CHAPTER 234: NOT SOMETHING YOU SHOULD TOUCH

Tong Keke froze for a moment, and then became even more aggrieved. "Uncle, have you ever seen me greet any other man like this? But you’re not just anyone, you’re my uncle!"

"Keke, don’t you understand something yet? You’ve grown up, and I... I am now a mature man. We can’t have such close interactions anymore." Gu Qianxi felt he couldn’t explain this topic clearly to her, and it left him somewhat helpless.

Tong Keke stared at him blankly, as if all the strength in her body had suddenly drained away. She stiffly sat down on the couch beside her, lowering her head, as though a flood of thoughts had suddenly taken over her mind.

"Keke, have you truly understood what your uncle is saying?"

"I understand!" The girl didn’t lift her head, but her reply was resolute.

"Then tell me, what have you understood?" Gu Qianxi was still skeptical, afraid that she might twist the meaning of his words again.

Tong Keke suddenly bit her lower lip, sharply lifting her delicate little face as her beautiful eyes stared directly at Gu Qianxi. "I understand that my uncle and I can never hug again. We’re both grown-ups now, and in the future, only people in relationships like boyfriend and girlfriend, husband and wife, couples can have that kind of closeness. Uncle, you didn’t have to say it—I already knew. But I... I just don’t want to understand it."

Gu Qianxi was stunned. He looked at the girl whose eyes had unknowingly filled with tears, and his heart suddenly ached.

Tong Keke sniffled hard, her voice carrying a sobbing tone as she said, "I might not be that emotionally immature—I know as people grow older, my uncle will drift further and further away from me. But I don’t want to accept this reality, and I can’t. In fact, I..."

"Enough, Keke, don’t say anything more." A deep male voice suddenly interrupted her words.

The courage Tong Keke had built up dissipated in an instant. She glanced at the tall and handsome man in front of her in a daze, her heart sinking to rock bottom.

Gu Qianxi found himself at a loss as well. His deep, narrow eyes glanced around the room, which was filled with an atmosphere of sweetness and girlish charm—it made him suddenly feel somewhat stifled.

The room carried a faint fragrance, not the synthetic scent of perfume, but a soft, gentle aroma, as pure and youthful as a girl’s essence.

"Keke, I’ll be going abroad for a while soon. If you need any help, you can contact my assistant—he can arrange anything for you. Also..." Gu Qianxi’s dark eyes swept towards her, his tone severe: "I’ve looked through that novel you wrote. I’m forbidding you from writing it any further. Right now, your focus should be on your studies—stop thinking about all these nonsensical things."

"Uncle, you’ve read my novel? Was it not good?" Tong Keke’s beautiful eyes widened in disbelief.

Gu Qianxi furrowed his brows, his voice tinged with a hint of helplessness. "It’s not about whether it’s good or not. You’re still a student—you should be prioritizing your education right now."

"But I think I have potential for writing novels, and I could develop well in this direction too."

"Then wait until you graduate from university to pursue it. If you’re truly interested in writing, I’ll support you wholeheartedly, but not now..."

"Why not now? Uncle, do you dislike the things I write? If so, I’ll delete this novel and start writing a new one." Tong Keke’s tone was equally unwavering, her eyes reddened, yet she stood her ground without retreating an inch.

Looking at this stubborn girl, as determined as a little calf, Gu Qianxi sighed and rubbed his forehead in exasperation. "Keke, you’ve really grown up. Fine, you can choose to pursue what you love. However... I still think you shouldn’t dabble in matters of romance so early—that’s not something appropriate for your age. You’ll end up hurting yourself."