CHAPTER 109: CHAPTER 105 PEACE PENDANT...

Evening.

Gu Yanjing and Qiao Yuxian both stayed at the Gu Mansion, not returning to Fenglin Villa.

After a bustling day, the old man was a bit tired and went to his room earlier than usual.

However, before going back, he called Qiao Yuxian alone into the study.

The study had many ancient paintings and books, and the tables and chairs were all antiques.

Qiao Yuxian entered the study and briefly admired the surroundings.

The old man carefully placed the gift she brought on the shelf to the left of the desk, then sat on the chair with the help of his cane: "Yu Xian, sit."

Qiao Yuxian sat across from him and directly asked, "Grandpa, is there something you want to discuss?"

The old man was always gentle and kind when facing her, not daring to show any authority, fearing he might scare her: "Did Yanjing bully you?"

"Hmm..." Qiao Yuxian thought for a moment and said, "With Grandpa supporting me, he wouldn’t dare."

The old man chuckled, "If he makes you angry, Grandpa will give him a beating."

"Thank you, Grandpa," Qiao Yuxian said.

They both laughed, and after a while, the old man asked, "Yu Xian, did your grandma... ever mention me?"

Qiao Yuxian paused slightly, blinked, and said, "Yes, she did."

She noticed the old man’s grip on the cane tightening.

The old man clutched the cane tightly, his throat moved, his mouth opened slightly, and his lips trembled almost imperceptibly, unable to speak for a moment.

Seeing his reaction, Qiao Yuxian paused and said, "The night before she left, she told me... if I ever encountered anything I couldn’t resolve, I should come to the Gu Mansion to find you. She said, upon seeing me, you would surely help me."

The light in the study was somewhat dim, giving the already antique study an additional sense of timelessness.

Time seemed to freeze at a moment in the past. The old man stared at Qiao Yuxian, lost in thought, and after a while, he lowered his gaze and sighed lightly, "I’m really getting old; memories are becoming blurry."

Qiao Yuxian watched him without speaking.

The old man said, "You look so much like your grandma, so much alike."

Qiao Yuxian smiled slightly, lowering her gaze, "My grandpa says the same thing."

Mentioning her grandpa, the old man smiled lightly, then said, "Yu Xian, if you can, try not to wear the Peace Pendant anymore in the future."

Qiao Yuxian looked up at him.

"Your grandparents surely wish for your safety and health," the old man gently said, "Some things, once past, let them stay in the past. Why involve yourself and take risks?"

Qiao Yuxian rubbed the armrest of the chair but said nothing.

"For anything, it’s we who trap ourselves," the old man said, "Some things, if you pay no mind, can’t stir up any trouble."

"If it stirs no trouble, will there be peace and calm?" Qiao Yuxian gently questioned, "Even if it’s peaceful for a time, it will eventually face a storm."

The old man looked at her.

Qiao Yuxian lowered her gaze again and said, "Grandpa, I know you mean well for me. But... there are people whom I must meet."

Seeing that she wouldn’t back down at all, the old man sighed lightly after a long while, "You and Wanqing were made from the same mold back in the day, same temperament, no one could persuade either of you."

Qiao Yuxian smiled, "She raised me, naturally I resemble her."

Afterward, they chatted casually for a few more moments before Qiao Yuxian left.

Once she left, the old man looked in the direction of the door, sighed once more after a while, and murmured, "The storm is coming..."

When Qiao Yuxian came out of the study, she saw Gu Yanjing standing at the stair corner.

Hearing a sound, he looked over.

Qiao Yuxian stood in place and watched him for two seconds, then walked towards him while chuckling, "Were you waiting for me?"

Gu Yanjing didn’t speak, noticing a subtle change in her emotions.

Qiao Yuxian walked up to him, hands behind her back, looked up, and smiled, "Do you think I’m prettier now than I was just a moment ago?"

Gu Yanjing touched the top of her head and led her downstairs.

"Aren’t you going to ask what Grandpa said to me?" Qiao Yuxian followed him down the stairs.

"Would you tell me if I asked?" Gu Yanjing countered.

"No," Qiao Yuxian said, "Grandpa and I have little secrets, I won’t tell you."

Gu Yanjing glanced at her.

Qiao Yuxian raised her eyebrows at him.

Gu Yanjing stepped off the last stair, while Qiao Yuxian was two steps behind. Seeing him steady, she suddenly jumped onto his back, hugging him tightly around the neck.

The sudden action caught Gu Yanjing off guard, but he still securely supported her knees, tilting his head to look at her.

Qiao Yuxian giggled, "Carry me back to your place. I’m too tired. I’ve been following you around all day, then talked an ocean of words tonight."

As she spoke, she gestured with her hands. After gesturing, her hands dropped softly, swaying in front of Gu Yanjing: "So tired, I don’t want to move anymore."

Gu Yanjing carried her back to his courtyard.

The courtyard wasn’t far, but walking still took some time.

Gu Yanjing securely carried her.

Qiao Yuxian reached to grasp the bell under the eaves as they walked.

With a slight touch, the copper bell jingled.

Seeing she liked it, Gu Yanjing walked closer to the eaves.

Qiao Yuxian only needed to raise her hand, and with Gu Yanjing’s forward movement, the row of bells under the eaves jingled one after another.

Qiao Yuxian started to laugh along.

Su Qi and Shang Chen followed behind, watching them.

A smile unconsciously appeared on Su Qi’s face.

This smile was different from his usual formulaic one, flowing from a soft spot inside his heart.

Shang Chen seemed a bit stunned, then said, "Don’t you think Mr. Gu seems different from before?"

"You noticed?"

Shang Chen looked at him.

Su Qi said, "By the time you noticed, the whole nation had already noticed."

Shang Chen: "......"

...

Returning to the courtyard, Gu Yanjing directly carried Qiao Yuxian back to the bedroom.

It was only when they entered that Qiao Yuxian realized, "Are we going to sleep in the same room again?"

"Yes," Gu Yanjing placed her on the sofa.

Qiao Yuxian patted the sofa, thought for a moment, then very earnestly said, "This time, I’ll sleep on the sofa."

Gu Yanjing loosened his necktie with one hand, looking down at her.

Seeing him look at her, Qiao Yuxian blinked, "What’s wrong?"

"Get to the bed," Gu Yanjing said blandly.

"Last time, you slept on the sofa. How can I let you sleep there every time, I..."

"I’ll sleep on the bed too," Gu Yanjing interrupted her.

Qiao Yuxian seemed to freeze for a moment, "Huh?"

Gu Yanjing took off his jacket, draping it over his arm, "There are clothes in the dressing room, go wash up. I’ll wash in the next room."

He finished speaking, grabbed some clothes from the dressing room, and left the room.

Qiao Yuxian sat dumbfounded on the sofa, and even after Gu Yanjing left, she remained in a daze for a while.

Suddenly, the words "having children" inexplicably popped into her head.

She startled herself, quickly fanning away the scenes from before her eyes.

She muttered to herself, "What nonsense, it’s all Ji Xiaoxiao’s fault..."