Chapter 14: The Little Crybaby

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It’s said online that after the college entrance exam, you hand your brain back to the teacher. Although Uncle Gu is invincible in the business world, it’s been nearly ten years since he graduated; his knowledge has probably long been returned to the teachers. Gu Jinnian glanced at the test paper and then bent over his tablet to calculate.

Three minutes later, seeing that his final answer exactly matched the official solution, Qiao Weiwei was dumbfounded. “Uncle, are you some kind of fake person?” Who still knows how to solve college entrance exam questions after more than a decade?

Gu Jinnian gave her a faint look. “Is it that difficult?” His calm tone made it sound like one plus one equals two. People really make others furious by comparison!

Qiao Weiwei stared at Gu Jinnian, or more precisely, at the man’s brain. She earnestly said, “Uncle, can you give me half of your brain?”

Hearing this, Gu Jinnian’s mouth twitched slightly. Are kids’ thought processes really this peculiar nowadays? He shook his head helplessly. “Study well. Don’t waste your time thinking about nonsense.”

As he spoke, they arrived at the old Gu family mansion.

Qiao Weiwei got out of the car with Gu Jinnian, wondering what she should say to Grandma Gu. Although her parents were old acquaintances of Gu Jinnian’s, the last time she saw Grandma Gu was five years ago at Grandpa Gu’s funeral.

“You little brat! If I hadn’t given you an ultimatum, would you have come back to see this old lady?” Grandma Gu truly adored Gu Jinnian and had been waiting at the door. Seeing him, she hurried over, pretending to be angry.

“Wasn’t Chen, the butler, saying you were so sick you couldn’t even get out of bed?” Gu Jinnian helped Grandma Gu, his face cold.

“You little brat!” Grandma Gu slapped his back playfully.

Witnessing this lively scene and Grandma Gu’s animated expression, Qiao Weiwei’s nose tingled and tears fell.

“Call someone,” a man’s voice rang out, pulling her back to reality.

Qiao Weiwei stepped forward slowly, drawing closer to the elderly lady, her voice trembling. “Grandma Gu…”

“Is this the young girl from the Qiao family?” For some unknown reason, Grandma Gu immediately took a liking to the girl. At her age, she couldn’t bear to see a young girl cry. Every tear broke her heart.

“Why are you crying?” Grandma Gu quickly hugged the girl and wiped her tears. “Grandma’s here to comfort you…”

As she was embraced, warmth spread over Qiao Weiwei, along with the familiar scent of toasted bread.

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At last, it felt real.

Qiao Weiwei lay in Grandma Gu’s arms, her voice muffled. “Grandma, I’m fine.”

She took out the snacks she had prepared. “Grandma, these are homemade treats just for you. They’re low in sugar.”

“Such a thoughtful girl,” Grandma Gu said, liking her even more.

She shot a disdainful glance at Gu Jinnian beside her. “Today, you must stay here properly. Even company employees deserve weekends.”

At first, Qiao Weiwei was puzzled, but upon entering the main hall, where several wealthy heiresses were seated, she finally understood.

It was a matchmaking banquet.

Even someone like Gu Jinnian couldn’t escape the elders’ pressure to marry.

Considering Gu Jinnian’s previous attitude, Grandma Gu gave him a low warning, “I’ve carefully selected these girls. If you run off again, you’ll regret it!”

The usually arrogant Gu Jinnian had no temper in front of Grandma Gu and obediently sat down, though with little enthusiasm.

Rarely seeing Uncle defeated, a smile flickered in Qiao Weiwei’s eyes.

The next moment, she caught Gu Jinnian's icy warning glance and quickly wiped the smile off her face.

This was no place to linger—time to slip away.

Qiao Weiwei whispered to Grandma Gu, “Grandma, my stomach hurts a bit.”

After greeting everyone, she slipped out to the backyard.

Grandma Gu loved flowers and had planted many varieties there, especially peonies, roses, and climbing wall roses.

When Qiao Weiwei first lived in the old mansion, she couldn’t escape the shadow of her parents’ death. Though willing to leave her room, she still disliked talking with others and often sat in the backyard lost in thought.

Knowing this, Grandma Gu had installed a swing there for her.

When she was lost in thought, Grandma Gu would water the flowers nearby, occasionally sharing tips on flower care.

Under the sunlight, water sprayed from the watering can, forming a rainbow.

Qiao Weiwei stood where she had once swung, touching the pink climbing rose vines.

There was no swing now, but there was Grandma…

Suddenly, a familiar figure appeared before her.

“Weiwei, so you really are here.”

Gu Zhiyuan had appeared without her noticing, his gaze dark and unreadable.

Qiao Weiwei didn’t want to share the same space with him and turned to leave, but he grabbed her.

Frowning, Gu Zhiyuan’s voice was heavy. “Are you still blaming me?”

Qiao Weiwei disdainfully shook off his hand, refusing to look at him.

“Mr. Gu, you misunderstand. I don’t know you, so why would I blame you?”

Gu Zhiyuan lowered his eyes. “I know. You’re still blaming me.”

He looked up again and touched the flower petals Qiao Weiwei had just brushed. “There should have been a swing here.”

“A swing just for you.”

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Repeating those words, Gu Zhiyuan’s eyes fixed on her face. “I was too cowardly before. Give me another chance, please?”

“Weiwei, I truly love you!”

His words struck Qiao Weiwei’s heart.

So Gu Zhiyuan had also been reborn.

But can rebirth make someone lose their mind?

He actually said he liked her!

Looking at the man who spoke so earnestly, and recalling his cold gaze before dying, Qiao Weiwei found it laughable.

“Mr. Gu, I don’t understand what you’re saying.”

Her eyes, devoid of any affection, drove Gu Zhiyuan mad.

He grabbed her shoulder. “Heaven has given us a second chance. I don’t want to miss it again!”

“Weiwei, be with me. This time, I won’t let you down!”

After speaking, he firmly held her chin, leaving no room for resistance.

Faced with his looming face, Qiao Weiwei raised her foot and kicked his shin hard.

Gu Zhiyuan loosened his grip in pain.

Breaking free, Qiao Weiwei slapped him. “Mr. Gu, this is sexual harassment—assaulting a minor!”

“If you try this again, I’ll call the police.”

Turning around, she saw Gu Jinnian standing not far away.

“Uncle…”

She wondered if he had witnessed what just happened.

If Uncle knew she had hit Gu Zhiyuan, would he blame her?

Would he think she was deliberately provoking him?

Would he kick her out?

Anxiety and grievance welled up inside her.

If only her parents were still alive.

At that moment, Gu Zhiyuan chased after her. “Weiwei, don’t go.”

Qiao Weiwei couldn’t help but frown in disgust.

Gu Jinnian noticed her rejection and stepped in front of her.

He gave Gu Zhiyuan a cold glance. “Gu Zhiyuan, watch yourself.”

Then, taking Qiao Weiwei’s wrist, he led her to a quiet corridor.

“You really are a little crybaby.”

His tone was unusually gentle, without blame.