Chapter 43: Unexpected Encounters and Lingering Bitterness

Hiss—

It was only after Gu Jiachen truly stepped into Gu Xue’s hospital room that Zhou Ruoyu suddenly reacted. ‘Right… that’s right!’

‘How could I have forgotten? Gu Xue, that girl, is also one of Gu Jiachen’s kept women!’

She was the canary, her dignity bought with money by that perverted CEO, held in his palm, toying with her at his whim. She was one of his rival’s playthings for his desires!

‘Eh? No… why did I say also…’

‘Cough, cough, I don’t count! I’m a commercial spy, a spy among spies, enduring humiliation by his side to bring him down!’

‘Argh, in any case, that perverted CEO definitely has more kept women than just me and Gu Xue! It’s just that Gu Xue is the only one I know about…’

Moreover, Gu Xue’s relationship with Gu Jiachen seemed to be unexpectedly intimate. She even directly called Gu Jiachen “Daddy.” Gu Jiachen had never asked him to call him that. For a ‘sugar daddy’ arrangement, he truly didn’t know if his ‘level’ wasn’t high enough, or if Gu Jiachen simply favored Gu Xue more.

In short…

‘This seems to be me walking into a cheating scene 2.0! Damn it!’

Huff… huff…

After a long moment, Zhou Ruoyu took two deep breaths, gradually calming himself. He repeatedly convinced himself in his heart that Gu Xue was no longer his girlfriend, so she could do whatever she wanted. After all… this wasn’t the first time he’d learned about their relationship, was it?

Conversely, Zhou Ruoyu even found it a little ironic. She claimed she didn’t want to break up with him, yet here she was, entangled with Gu Jiachen.

Mmm…

A little while later, Zhou Ruoyu still felt a surge of indignation. Without quite knowing why, the young man suddenly tiptoed closer, slowly making his way to Gu Xue’s hospital room door. He quietly pressed himself against the doorframe, then began to peek inside.

****

Inside the ward, Gu Xue hung her head, tears continuously welling from her eyes. After a long moment, she suddenly heard the sound of leather shoes at the door. Startled, she abruptly looked up, her gaze falling upon the man who had appeared in the doorway. She was momentarily stunned.

After a pause, she softly spoke, “Dad… Daddy? You… you’re here…”

The girl’s tone was initially filled with surprise. Her emotions had been at an absolute low, and the sudden appearance of her adoptive father was undoubtedly someone she could lean on and confide in.

However… this surprise didn’t last long. The sweet image of that black-haired, straight-haired ‘little green tea’ girl nestled in her adoptive father’s arms yesterday flashed through her mind. A wave of bitterness rose in Gu Xue’s heart, and her tone unconsciously fell, even tinged with awkwardness.

Gu Jiachen also felt a touch of awkwardness, though his stemmed from a sense of failing in his duties as an adoptive father. He cleared his throat softly twice, then nodded.

He sat down by Gu Xue’s bed and asked with concern, “Mm… Xue’er, I’m here. Why didn’t you tell me what happened yesterday? Xiao Lin only found out when he asked you today. How are you feeling? Are you hurt anywhere?”

“No… no, just a few superficial scratches. I was afraid you’d worry, so I didn’t tell you…”

Gu Xue quietly lowered her head, explaining this. She had always been this way with her adoptive father, never daring to cause him extra trouble.

Gu Jiachen was perpetually busy, and his endeavors were always meaningful. Thus, from the moment he brought her home as a child until now, Gu Xue had never disturbed him, only watching silently, observing.

Perhaps this was the difference between her father and Ruoyu. For her adoptive father, Gu Xue had always felt only admiration, a reverence that even made her keep a respectful distance.

Neither of them seemed particularly adept at communicating their feelings. Although years of living together had fostered a sense of family, they both struggled to express it. Gu Xue would seek her adoptive father for comfort, but often, it wouldn’t alleviate her emotions.

He would only calmly analyze the pros and cons for her with a business-like mindset, which wasn’t what Gu Xue, seeking emotional validation, desired. Gu Jiachen had little emotion to speak of; his heart was as cold as his outward demeanor.

Therefore, holding a place of concern in his heart had always been a source of immense pride for Gu Xue. Was it truly like that?

Until she witnessed that scene yesterday, Gu Xue had always believed it. But now… her heart was truly in turmoil.

Ruoyu, Daddy—the two most important men in her life—why were both entangled with that black-haired, straight-haired ‘little green tea’ girl?

Gu Xue silently lowered her head. The air seemed to solidify. After a long silence, Gu Jiachen awkwardly cleared his throat twice, then asked in a low voice, “Xue’er, where did this happen? Did the person who hit you apologize and compensate you?”

‘Where did this happen…’

Upon hearing the question, Gu Xue instantly clenched her fists, feeling an overwhelming urge to retort, ‘Right in front of you and that black-haired, straight-haired little green tea!’

Her emotions threatened to spiral out of control again. She abruptly lifted her head, words poised to escape her lips. Yet, seeing that stern, cold face, after a long moment, the decade-long awe she held for Gu Jiachen ultimately took hold.

Her accusatory tone instantly softened into a quiet inquiry. The girl softly mumbled, “It’s nothing, Daddy… Daddy, where did you go yesterday? Why weren’t you home early in the morning?”

“Ah, about that…”

Gu Jiachen fell silent for a moment. ‘Of course… I went to deal with that little rabbit who claimed to have a blood feud with me. While it wasn’t for any personal feelings, it probably wouldn’t be good to tell Xue’er about it…’

“My apologies, I had some private matters, leaving you here alone… Hmm, there’s a fruit basket here? Do you want some fruit? I’ll peel an apple for you.”

Gu Jiachen quickly changed the subject. Gu Xue, having failed to extract any information, felt her spirits sink even lower. However, she didn’t dare to say more, merely nodding silently, her gaze gradually dimming.

‘Daddy… truly won’t tell me the truth…’

****

As it turned out, Gu Xue was probably not the only one whose defenses had shattered.

Damn, damn, damn, damn!

Listening to the intimate conversation between the two inside the ward, a certain black-haired, straight-haired little loli clinging to the doorframe, peeking in, stared intently at the scene. Watching Gu Jiachen carefully hand the peeled apple to Gu Xue, Zhou Ruoyu felt an inexplicable sourness well up in her heart.

‘It’s… it’s just as I suspected. Their relationship is exactly what I thought it was!’

Gu Xue calling him “Daddy” was one thing, but Gu Jiachen calling her “Xue’er” over and over again… If not for the obvious age difference, the girl might actually have believed it!

‘This is truly… a bit too nauseating, too devoid of ethics and shame!’

Gulp…

But why? Why did her heart ache as she watched this scene?

‘Could it be that I still can’t let go of Gu Xue?’

‘Or is it… someone else who’s making the girl angry?’