Chapter 54: Elder Gu

Ji Duo paused in front of the car door, and Lin Qiao thought he had remembered something else.

When the man’s deep eyes looked over, she was even ready to ask if there was anything else he needed her to do. She didn’t expect him to pull her along.

The autumn night cooled quickly, and a few stars had already appeared in the sky. Despite the darkening night, it was dinner time in the military compound. With people coming and going and Xiao Fang still in the car, this old cadre, who would even help her adjust her skirt at home, actually pulled her along!

By the time Lin Qiao realized what was happening, the man had already pushed her into the car. She turned back to block the car door, saying, “Why are you suddenly taking me along? I haven’t locked the door yet.”

Xiao Fang was even more surprised, wondering if he had seen it wrong.

Their cold-faced commander, whom female comrades didn’t dare approach, actually held his wife’s hand outside.

However, from the moment Ji Duo pulled her, all his surprise and agitation settled into calmness. He turned back, “I’ll do it.” He locked the door efficiently and got into the car.

“I wanted to introduce you last time but didn’t get the chance.” Ji Duo said, stopping by a store to buy some bread, “We might not have time for dinner tonight, so let’s have a snack.”

For a moment, Lin Qiao thought of their trip back to their hometown, where he had similarly stopped halfway to buy snacks from Daoxiang Village. But unlike then, their relationship had evolved from strangers who had only met a few times to husband and wife, and their positions had changed from one in front and one behind to side by side.

Lin Qiao opened a paper bag, but Ji Duo didn’t rush to eat. Instead, he looked at her, “This Elder Gu has a somewhat special status.”

He was actually explaining things to Lin Qiao, which was the second surprise of the day after suddenly pulling her into the car.

But with the surname Gu and a special status…

Lin Qiao thought for a moment and softly mentioned a name, “Is it this person?”

Ji Duo nodded.

That was indeed special. In terms of seniority, it was even higher than the person she met during the public lecture, though they hadn’t appeared in public much in recent years.

Although Lin Qiao didn’t understand why the man wanted to bring her along, she softly said, “Got it, I’ll be mindful.”

“You don’t need to be mindful,” the man unexpectedly said. “Gu Shaoping and I grew up together. His grandfather is like my grandfather.”

Gu Shaoping was another name Lin Qiao hadn’t heard before. None of Ji Duo’s social circles had ever mentioned him in front of her.

Talking about this person, Ji Duo fell silent for a moment, his dark eyes shifting to the car window. “Shaoping was half a year older than me, a year younger than Su Zheng, but had a better personality than us. Whenever someone bullied Shaozhen, Shaoping’s younger sister, Su Zheng and I would beat them up, and Shaoping would always take the blame. One year, I had chickenpox and a high fever, and he was the first to notice.”

Some things had been buried for too long, making them increasingly reluctant to touch. That’s why he hadn’t decided whether to tell Lin Qiao when he was about to leave that day. Even when he returned and met her at the hospital, he didn’t mention Shaoping’s name while explaining. But at that moment, seeing Lin Qiao standing there quietly as if she were outside his world, he suddenly wanted to pull her in.

Ji Duo turned his gaze back, his deep eyes falling on Lin Qiao’s face. “It’s been thirteen years since Shaoping passed away. Elder Gu has no relatives left. Usually, the nanny informs Su Zheng and me if anything happens.”

Indeed, with Shaoping gone, it made sense that Ji Duo and Su Zheng would handle matters, whether finding his sister or his grandfather being hospitalized.

Lin Qiao didn’t know how he felt talking about these things, but she imagined it wasn’t easy. She gently placed her hand on his. Her fingertips were soft and delicate, slightly cooler than his, yet conveying warmth.

Lin Qiao appeared strong, intelligent, calm, and a bit prickly, but she had a soft heart, which Ji Duo had long noticed. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have asked about Elder Gu when he mentioned Shaoping’s sister, Shaozhen. This gradually calmed the ripple of emotions stirred by the past, making him more certain about pulling her into the car earlier. He glanced at their intertwined hands, about to speak, when Lin Qiao seemed to realize something and quickly withdrew her hand.

Not only did she pull back, but she also looked at him apologetically, “Sorry, I didn’t notice.” She shifted her body, moving a bit further away.

Ji Duo’s words got stuck in his throat. He felt frustrated and helpless, but he couldn’t entirely blame her. He had treated her like a subordinate, finding it convenient and comfortable. Now that he wanted to change things, she had gotten used to cooperating…

With Xiao Fang driving in the front, Ji Duo couldn’t touch her, so he continued, “Shaoping’s situation is a bit complicated. I’ll tell you more later. I just got a call from the nanny; Elder Gu had another heart attack and was just taken to the hospital. I might need your help to look after him.”

Lin Qiao was familiar with this way of giving instructions and immediately nodded, “Okay.” She picked up the paper bag and continued eating the bread, feeling calmer than when she first got in the car.

Ji Duo noticed this and felt a pang of something in his heart. Changing this situation wouldn’t be simple or quick. Many factors shape a person’s character, which can’t be changed just by talking.

When they arrived at the hospital and went upstairs, they ran into Elder Gu’s nanny, who was carrying a thermos to get hot water.

Ji Duo asked about the situation and, hearing that it had stabilized, inquired about the cause of Elder Gu’s attack, “Wasn’t he fine when he was discharged?”

The nanny wasn’t sure, “It might be related to the people who visited this afternoon. Some people came, saying they were Elder Gu’s nephew, niece-in-law, and grandnephew. They didn’t stay long. I went to buy groceries, and they left before I got back. When I finished cooking and went to call Elder Gu for dinner, I found him looking unwell.”

Clearly, something the visitors said or did upset the elderly man, causing his condition to relapse after more than half a month of recovery.

Lin Qiao looked at Ji Duo and saw his furrowed brow. When he noticed her gaze, he paused before saying, “Elder Gu hasn’t been in contact with his family for a long time.”

“Can you tell me why?” Lin Qiao couldn’t believe anyone would willingly cut ties with a relative like Elder Gu.

Ji Duo explained, “During the years Elder Gu was sent down, his family distanced themselves from him and even issued a document expelling him from the clan.”

Some people could really do anything. When Elder Gu was reinstated, they must have regretted it deeply. Given this history, the visitors were likely to come with a reason, and Elder Gu’s attack was probably due to anger.

They spoke softly outside the ward, confirming that Elder Gu was awake before knocking and entering.

Lin Qiao remembered that this elder wasn’t much older than Old Master Ji. However, compared to Old Master Ji’s vigorous and energetic demeanor, who his granddaughter could still tease, the person in the hospital bed was wrinkled and worn, lying there as if barely holding on to life.

When Ji Duo arrived, Elder Gu turned his gaze towards him, “Xiao Duo is here.” There was a hint of a smile in his eyes, and he seemed to be revitalized.

Ji Duo nodded and greeted him, introducing Lin Qiao beside him, “This is my wife, Lin Qiao. I mentioned her to you last time.”

Hearing him seriously refer to her as his wife felt strange to Lin Qiao, and she was surprised that he had mentioned her to Elder Gu. She hadn’t expected it, but she smiled and confidently greeted him: “Hello, Elder Gu. I hope I’m not disturbing your rest.”

“Not at all,” the elderly man replied weakly. However, he looked at her seriously and said to Ji Duo, “She’s quite pretty.”

Only a close elder would say this. Ji Duo’s expression didn’t change much. “She’s alright.”

Elder Gu looked at Lin Qiao again, “It’s a pity I wasn’t at home today and didn’t know you were coming, so I didn’t bring a gift.”

Saying he didn’t bring a gift implied he had prepared something beforehand, which surprised Lin Qiao.

Ji Duo was stunned, and Elder Gu smiled at him, “You and Su Zheng are like my own grandsons. Even if I’m not well enough to attend when my grandson gets married, I must give a gift. I’ve had it ready, just waiting for you to bring her to see me.”

This made Ji Duo feel a bit uncomfortable.

Gu Shaoping was a scar in his heart, rarely mentioned to others. Initially, he hadn’t planned to bring Lin Qiao, but recently, he had the thought.

The elderly man’s eyes were somewhat cloudy, but his vision was still sharp. Seeing Ji Duo’s expression, he seemed to understand something and turned his smiling gaze back to Lin Qiao, “It’s late, and you’ve come all this way. You two haven’t eaten yet, have you?”

“We’ve already eaten,” Lin Qiao naturally wouldn’t say they hadn’t.

As they were chatting, a nurse entered, “Who’s the family member of bed 12? The doctor wants to see you in the office.”

“I am,” Ji Duo said, stepping out. At the door, he glanced back at the two of them.

Lin Qiao guessed he was worried, as the nanny hadn’t returned yet. She moved a chair to the bedside, “Go ahead, I’ll stay here.”

Ji Duo didn’t say anything more and closed the door behind him.

“Xiao Duo seems cold like no one can get into his heart, but he’s more affectionate than anyone. You’ll see over time,” Elder Gu suddenly said after Ji Duo left.

Lin Qiao didn’t know if he was sighing or just wanted to chat, so she smiled and replied, “He’s also very responsible.”

Elder Gu looked at her, his eyes showing understanding, “Yes, it’s been many years since Shaoping passed, and only he and Su Zheng still remember me. They visit me every holiday, and now that he has a wife, he knows to bring her to see me.”

Being close and having a senior’s attitude towards a junior, Lin Qiao felt that Elder Gu didn’t quite resemble the black-and-white photos in textbooks but seemed more familiar.

Lin Qiao couldn’t recall ever meeting Elder Gu despite feeling a sense of familiarity. She had never left the countryside before adulthood, while he was a high-ranking elder, making it unlikely they had crossed paths.

As she pondered this, hurried footsteps echoed in the hallway, followed by a few questions in a local dialect, “Is it this ward? Thank you, thank you.”

The previously kind and amiable expression on Elder Gu’s face vanished instantly. Remembering what the nanny had mentioned earlier, Lin Qiao immediately stood up from her chair.

Before Lin Qiao could reach the door, three strangers—two men and a woman—pushed it open.

Leading the group was a middle-aged couple, both short and plainly dressed, with overly shifty eyes. They affectionately called out “Second Dad” from the doorway, saying they were worried about his illness and had brought their son, A Wang, to see him. The young man’s eyes roved around the room, finally settling on Lin Qiao.

After being glared at by his father, he remembered to greet, “Second Grandpa, my parents and I were worried about you. As soon as we heard you were ill, we came to take care of you.”

In some dialects, “Second Dad” is used for an uncle, and “Third Dad” is used for a third uncle, confirming they were indeed Elder Gu’s nephew and grandnephew.

Elder Gu’s face, already pale, turned worse when he saw them staring at Lin Qiao. “I was expelled from the Gu family long ago. I’m not your Second Dad.”

“How could that be? You and my father are from the same root. Even if the bones are broken, the tendons are still connected. How could it truly be severed? You don’t know, my father was always thinking of you, saying you had a hard life, losing your son and grandson, and being all alone. He couldn’t rest in peace when he died.” The woman started crying as she spoke, each word more hurtful than the last, making even Lin Qiao uncomfortable.

She blocked them from entering, and Elder Gu’s nephew glared at her, “What’s wrong with you, little nanny? No sense at all!”

Lin Qiao didn’t know what made her look like a nanny, but she stood firm, “Elder Gu has a heart condition and needs rest. Please don’t disturb him.”

“I’m talking to my uncle. Who do you think you are?” The man didn’t care if she was a woman and tried to push her aside.

His wife wasn’t any cleaner with her words, “What’s wrong with you, girl? Blocking us from seeing Second Dad. Do you have some improper relationship with him?”

In the past decade, improper relationships were the most taboo. Any leader involved with a woman would lose their position immediately.

Moreover, Elder Gu was in his seventies, and Lin Qiao was only nineteen, younger than his granddaughter. This was an insult.

Lin Qiao’s eyes turned cold, and Elder Gu, already furious, slapped the bed, his voice trembling with anger, “Get out! All of you, get out!”

Perhaps due to the force, the elderly man’s already thin hand showed bulging veins. “Don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to. When I die, I’ll have my body cremated and the ashes scattered at sea. You won’t get a penny from me; I’ve donated all my salary!”

“How is that possible?” his nephew blurted out. You didn’t save anything for Shaozhen or arrange a position for A Wang?”

They were clearly hoping to benefit from Elder Gu’s impending death and inherit his assets.

Even Lin Qiao, who rarely got angry, was disgusted. She stepped back and slammed the door hard, hitting the nephew’s hand as he tried to push it open.

The nephew winced in pain and got angry. Seeing that Elder Gu wasn’t swayed, his wife started speaking even more harshly. “If you don’t use our A Wang, are you using this little vixen? Who wants to be your child or grandchild? Your son died because of you, your grandson died because of you, and I bet Shaozhen is long gone too…”

“Slap!” A slap interrupted her words.

Not only the visitors but also Elder Gu in the hospital bed, Ji Duo, and Su Zheng, who had rushed over, were stunned.

Su Zheng had met Ji Duo at the doctor’s office. They had just exchanged a few words when they heard a commotion from the ward.

Elder Gu’s nanny, Sister Du, had just returned with hot water and exclaimed, “Oh no,” recognizing the nephew, niece-in-law, and grandnephew. These people had angered Elder Gu into the hospital; clearly, they were not good people. With only Elder Gu and Lin Qiao in the ward, they worried she might be disadvantaged.

Su Zheng instinctively quickened his pace, but Ji Duo was even faster, leaving him behind in a few strides.

Usually composed, Ji Duo’s urgency was rare. Su Zheng had to jog to catch up with his long-legged friend.

They worried about Elder Gu’s condition and Lin Qiao, a young woman, being disadvantaged. But Lin Qiao had already slapped the woman hard. She didn’t even withdraw her hand, ready to strike again. “If you don’t know how to speak properly, I can teach you.”

Telling an elderly man, who had lost his children and was bedridden, that his descendants died because of him—how cruel could one be?

Elder Gu had been alone for years, always searching for his granddaughter. Hadn’t he blamed himself? Hadn’t he thought about it? This was pushing him to the brink.

Moreover, Lin Qiao heard similar words from Sun Xiuzhi, directed at the late Mrs. Lin. Saying Mrs. Lin caused the deaths of Mr. Lin, Lin Shouren, and her youngest son, whom she didn’t raise. Whenever she remembered, she would curse, and Lin Qiao knew how hurtful those words were.

Lin Qiao’s imposing manner left the visitors momentarily speechless. She didn’t give them time to react, calling the nurse directly, “Can’t you see there’s trouble here?”

Her cold voice and stern gaze snapped the nearest nurses to attention, and they hurried to intervene.

The woman finally reacted, “You dare hit me!” She lunged to scratch Lin Qiao’s face.

Her son spat on the ground, calling her a “stinking woman,” and tried to rush over, but someone grabbed his arm from behind, twisting it and pinning his hands against the wall.

Lin Qiao reacted quickly, ready to close and lock the door to keep them out, but Ji Duo returned just in time, his gaze meeting hers.

His eyes were deep, first sweeping over her still-cold face, then landing on her hand that had just slapped someone.

Lin Qiao’s hand was already red and starting to feel numb, but she didn’t show it, meeting his gaze head-on. This made Ji Duo’s eyes flicker, but before he could say anything, the nephew, whom he had pinned, finally came to his senses and started cursing and struggling.

With a forceful grip, the struggle turned into cries of pain.

Su Zheng, who was holding Elder Gu’s nephew, asked Ji Duo, “What should we do? Hand them over to the hospital security?”

Ji Duo glanced at the person under his control, remembering how he had been staring at Lin Qiao earlier. He turned to ask Elder Gu’s nanny, Sister Du, “Has Elder Gu’s security guard arrived yet?”

“Almost,” Sister Du replied. “Elder Gu’s condition was urgent, so I prioritized getting him to the hospital and notified the security guard.”

“Then hand them over to Elder Gu’s security guard and say…” Ji Duo’s voice was emotionless, “These people had malicious intentions and attempted to assault Elder Gu.”

This accusation was serious, and Elder Gu’s nephew immediately protested his innocence. His niece-in-law, blocked by the hospital security called by the nurse, also shouted desperately into the ward.

By this time, Lin Qiao had closed the door and re-entered the ward, her cold demeanor replaced by concern for Elder Gu’s well-being.

Elder Gu was still upset, especially after hearing his niece-in-law’s words. However, Lin Qiao’s swift action interrupted his rising emotions, leaving him somewhat surprised at how decisively she had acted.

Seeing the elderly man looking at her, Lin Qiao remembered the thermos Sister Du had brought, “Would you like some water? Should I call Sister Du in?”

“No need,” Elder Gu shook his head slowly, ignoring the commotion outside the ward. “If Shaozhen were like you, I wouldn’t be so worried even if we couldn’t find her.”

This girl was clearly a rose with thorns. Anyone who tried to pick or step on her must consider if they could handle her sting. She was resilient, facing three people alone without panic or loss. If Shaozhen were like her, she could live well anywhere. Even if we can’t find her, as long as she can live well…

Ji Duo, that boy, didn’t look here or there but ended up marrying such a fiery girl. These two living together, who knows if the east wind will overpower the west wind or vice versa.

Meanwhile, Ji Duo and Su Zheng handed the people over to the hospital security and took them to the security office. They waited for Elder Gu’s security guard to arrive and then transferred them.

“I’ll watch over here. You go back to the ward first,” Su Zheng said as he walked out, speaking to the tall man standing under the streetlight.

Seeing Ji Duo nod and start to walk away, Su Zheng couldn’t help but ask from behind, “Did you know your wife has such a temper?”

Unexpectedly, Ji Duo stopped and turned back, frowning, “She doesn’t have a big temper.”

“That slap just now, you call that not having a big temper?” Su Zheng was shocked. “Even my strong-willed mother doesn’t hit people like that.”

“Didn’t that person deserve to be hit?” Ji Duo countered.

Su Zheng had no response to that, but then he thought again, “I’m asking if she’s always this fierce at home?”

This time, Ji Duo’s frown deepened, “Why are you asking these things? Are you thinking about getting married?”

Su Zheng was speechless again and finally put on his police cap. “Alright, do whatever you want. Just pretend I didn’t say anything.” Turning around, he saw Lin Qiao standing not far behind him. Instinctively, he glanced at her hand.

She had become quite famous, and many people had watched her along the way. Lin Qiao simply raised her hand and waved, “What? Talking bad about me?”

Lin Qiao was joking, but Su Zheng actually rubbed his nose, “No, saying you’re impressive. Ji Duo walked so fast, yet he didn’t catch up.”

Ji Duo, however, remained calm and asked Lin Qiao, “Is there something wrong?”

With only Elder Gu and the nanny upstairs, Lin Qiao wouldn’t have come down without a reason.

Sure enough, Lin Qiao’s expression turned serious. “I just asked Elder Gu, and he hasn’t been in contact with his family. I don’t know if I’m overthinking it, but these people haven’t come for so many years. Why did they show up right after Elder Gu was hospitalized?”