Gu Fan was somewhat surprised to receive Bai Lingyu's call, but after thinking about it, he answered it anyway.
"Lingyu, what's wrong?"
On the other end of the phone, Bai Lingyu's clear voice came through: "Cousin, you haven't contacted me in so long, have you forgotten about me?"
Even through the screen, Gu Fan could hear the resentment in her voice.
Gu Fan gave a wry smile and explained, "How could that be? It's just that my cousin has been too busy lately and hasn't had much free time."
Bai Lingyu clearly didn't believe her, saying, "I don't believe it! Everyone says college is the freest time of your life, what have you been busy with? Busy dating, haven't you?"
Gu Fan calmly said, "You guessed that?"
"Pfft! No, you're really busy dating?"
Bai Lingyu's shocked voice rang out.
Gu Fan didn't hide anything and admitted, "Of course, didn't you know?"
"Tch! Cousin, you're so unfair! What do you think of that girl? Is she pretty? You didn't even introduce her to me!" Bai Lingyu said resentfully.
Gu Fan raised an eyebrow: "You want to meet your cousin's wife?"
He had also considered letting Mengmeng meet her cousin, since Gu Fan had been troubled after discovering the girl's feelings last time.
"Oh! Is your cousin-in-law at your place? I can come to your house!"
Bai Lingyu's tone was somewhat agitated, as if she were in a hurry.
Gu Fan said, "Don't worry, she's gone back to the capital and won't be back anytime soon. Let's find another time."
"Is that so? Then I'll come find you to play!"
Gu Fan raised an eyebrow: "You've finished your exams?"
"Yes! I'll be starting high school in September!"
On another note, Gu Fan couldn't help but sigh; before he knew it, this girl was almost all grown up.
"Alright, let's talk about meeting up later. I'm busy with things these days and don't have time to go out."
He was naturally free, but he didn't want to get entangled with Bai Lingyu alone.
"Alright then~ But you have to promise me, you have to let me know when your boyfriend comes!"
"Okay, okay, okay!"
Gu Fan hung up the phone immediately.
"Ugh! This is just so frustrating!"
On the third day of his holiday, Gu Fan went out with his father again.
These past few days have been quite busy. Every time Gu Fan comes back, he looks tired, with sore shoulders, back, and waist.
Even with his good physique, he was finding it difficult to keep up.
This made him admire his own father.
Workers are the greatest!
"Your second uncle is coming over tonight, along with that girl Lingyu."
Mrs. Gu suddenly announced this news.
Upon hearing this, Old Gu seemed unfazed, but Gu Fan was taken aback: "Coming only tonight?"
Mrs. Gu nodded: "Yes, your second uncle also gets off work in the evening, so he eats later."
Is something the matter?
Mrs. Gu hesitated for a moment, then looked at Mr. Gu.
The latter's expression was somewhat complicated, as if he knew something.
Gu Fan frowned: "Is there anything I can't know?"
Mrs. Gu looked at her husband and said, "The child is grown up now and has the right to know."
Old Gu sighed, then said, "Your second uncle was diagnosed with cancer some time ago, in the middle to late stages, and he's been getting checkups lately."
Gu Fan's face immediately turned to shock: "Why so suddenly?"
His mind involuntarily conjured up the image of his second uncle's robust physique; it was hard to imagine that illness would actually strike him!
Mrs. Gu's eyes welled up with tears: "It's all because of his stubborn personality! We told him not to do those dangerous jobs, but he wouldn't listen and got infected by the chemicals!"
Gu Fan remained silent for a moment, then asked, "Does Ling Yu know about this?"
Old Gu shook his head: "I don't know. Her family didn't tell her, afraid it would affect her studies."
Gu Fan nodded.
He had spoken to Bai Lingyu on the phone just a few days ago, and he couldn't discern anything from her tone.
"What does Second Uncle think?"
Mrs. Gu's brows were full of worry: "What else can we do? While the condition hasn't worsened, we can only seek treatment. The examinations and medications alone have cost a lot of money. If we need surgery, it will probably cost at least a million."
Gu Fan took a deep breath: "My second uncle's family probably can't afford it."
He was somewhat aware of his second uncle's family situation.
Old Gu nodded: "Their family has raised several hundred thousand yuan, but it's still far from enough to cover the surgery costs. He came here this time to borrow money."
I need to borrow money!
Ordinary people might avoid this word like the plague, regardless of whether you are a friend or a relative.
However, Gu Fan didn't feel anything.
Because their two families have always had a good relationship, the kind that helps each other.
“Son, your dad and I didn’t tell you about these things because we didn’t want you to worry about them. Now that you know, we’d like to hear your opinion.”
Gu's mother looked at Gu Fan sincerely.
The latter shrugged: "What can I say? Mom and Dad, you decide."
Mrs. Gu asked in surprise, "Son, aren't you angry?"
Gu Fan waved his hand: "I'm not angry. I admire my second uncle's character in every way. I've said it before, if we don't help him, who else can he turn to?"
Old Gu and his mother exchanged a glance and both smiled.
Old Gu cleared his throat and said, "We had saved up money for your wedding, but it looks like we'll have to wait a while."
Gu Fan was both amused and exasperated: "There's no need for that. I'll save up the money for the wedding myself. You two can just save it as your retirement funds."
"That brat's really something!"
Old Gu laughed and scolded.
However, he was quite gratified; with his child growing up, he, as a parent, felt much more at ease.
Around dusk, there was a knock on the door.
Gu's mother and father were busy in the kitchen, so Gu Fan went to open the door.
The door opened, and he saw his second uncle. He smiled and said, "Second Uncle, how have you been lately?"
Second Uncle was also taken aback when he saw Gu Fan, then smiled and nodded: "Little Fan, you're doing well, you're on vacation?"
Gu Fan nodded: "Yes, Second Uncle, please come in."
My second uncle was still carrying gifts in his hands, nodding with a simple, honest smile.
Suddenly, a beautiful figure popped out from behind him, rushing straight at Gu Fan: "Hehe! Cousin, are you surprised to see me?"
Gu Fan was suddenly embraced tightly, and he could only instinctively hold the girl to prevent her from falling.
The little girl is developing well!
His face remained calm as he said, "What kind of sudden fright do you have? This is called being startled, isn't it?"
Bai Lingyu playfully stuck out her tongue.
They welcomed the two into the house, and Mr. and Mrs. Gu came out to greet them.
"Xiao Fan, show Ling Yu around. I have something to discuss with your second uncle."
Old Gu said to Gu Fan.
Gu Fan knew perfectly well what was going on, and glanced at Bai Lingyu: "Let's go."
Bai Lingyu excitedly raised her hand: "I want to see your room!"
"No way! Keep up. Or I'm not taking you!"
"Okay! Cousin, wait for me!"
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