The Pei family was small, and it was quite deserted during the day. In the past, when Cui Xueheng was around, taking care of her required great care, and there were always servants walking around under the corridor.
Now that Cui Xueheng has been sent abroad, Pei Yu and Pei Huan are not home during the day. Although the house is still majestic and elegant, it is quiet and feels somewhat lifeless.
When Gu Ci arrived at the Pei family's house, the old lady had just woken up from her afternoon nap.
When the maid came to report, she was leaning back in her chair drinking the ginseng chicken soup that the nanny had brought her. She was getting old and didn't have as much energy as before. She woke up early in the morning, had to take a nap at noon, and then went back to sleep around eight or nine o'clock in the evening.
As people age, most of the day becomes dull and tedious.
Her children and grandchildren each have their own things to do, but fortunately her daughter comes back to visit her every now and then, and occasionally goes to the temple for a short stay, copying Buddhist scriptures or something, so that her later years are not too lonely and desolate.
"A-Ci is here?" She paused, somewhat surprised, as she drank the chicken soup.
"Yes, Miss Gu said she came to say goodbye."
The old lady put down her spoon. "Quickly, welcome them to the flower hall. I'll be right there."
The maid acknowledged and quickly left.
The nanny, Asu, who was in charge of taking care of her, took the bowl of chicken soup and put it down. She quickly helped the old lady up, saying, "Madam, please take your time, there's no rush."
After saying that, he went to get a light jacket for her to put on, and then helped her slowly walk outside.
The old lady is getting on in years, and even in the height of summer, she always wears a light jacket indoors to prevent her joints and bones from getting chilled, which could easily cause backaches and bone pain.
When the old lady arrived at the flower hall, the servants had already served tea, but Gu Ci, wearing a mask, sat there obediently without drinking tea or eating snacks.
Hearing footsteps, she turned her head and looked over, her eyes crinkling with laughter. "Grandma, it's been so long since I've come to see you. How have you been feeling lately?"
The old lady looked at her and nodded with a smile, "Okay, everything is fine, thank you for remembering me."
"You're being too polite. I've called you Grandma for decades, you're like my own grandma."
Gu Ci walked over and took the old lady's arm, sat down with her, and asked the nanny, "Grandma, how have you been eating these days?"
The nanny also had a good impression of Gu Ci, after all, she had watched her grow up. With a smile on her face and a gentle voice, she said, "Everything is fine, Miss Gu. It seems that the eldest young master's marriage is about to be settled. These days, the old lady has been eating half a bowl more at every meal."
"Oh, Brother Yu is getting married? When? Which family's sister is he getting engaged to?" Gu Ci asked in surprise, her slightly red eyes wide open, looking clean and clear, and very endearing.
This topic made the old lady's smile deepen. "The wedding is still a long way off, probably after the New Year. But the engagement is set for September 17th, it's for that girl from the Cen family, Ah Jin."
"Sister Cen?" Gu Ci was taken aback, then smiled in realization, "I've read about Sister Cen. She's amazing and very beautiful. She and Brother Yu are a perfect match. Grandma, you have such good taste."
The old lady's smile didn't fade at all. "The main thing is that the two of them feel it's right for them and they're willing. As long as I see the two brothers get married and have children, I'll have no regrets in this life."
Gu Ci gave a disgruntled snort and hugged the old lady's arm. "Grandma, don't talk nonsense. You will definitely live to be a hundred years old, and you will be able to hold your great-grandchild then."
"Haha, you little rascal, you're so sweet-talking."
The old lady was overjoyed, "Ayu hasn't chosen a place for the engagement yet, but once it's settled, you must come and visit."
Gu Ci lowered her eyelashes, a fleeting sadness passing through her eyes. "I...don't worry, if I can find the time, I will definitely go."
The old lady noticed the worry and melancholy in her eyes and quickly asked with concern, "What's wrong, Aci? Did something happen? The maid just said you came to say goodbye. Where are you going? Or are you feeling unwell? Why are you still wearing a mask today?"
"I'm planning to go back to Italy. I'm not sure if I'll be back this year, but I should be back for Chinese New Year. When I come back, I'll wish you a Happy New Year, so please prepare a red envelope for me!" She smiled somewhat reluctantly, as if trying to liven up the atmosphere, and her voice was also trying to be relaxed and cheerful.
"You'll definitely get a red envelope." The old lady noticed this too. She held Gu Ci's hand and asked worriedly, "Don't beat around the bush. Tell Grandma quickly, what happened? Are you feeling unwell again? Weren't you getting better at Deqing Hospital? Why are you going to Italy again?"
Gu Ci hesitated for a moment, then shook her head with a smile. "It's okay. I'm not going back to Italy for medical treatment, but to visit friends. I plan to stay there for a while. Don't worry, I will definitely come back on the day of Brother Yu and Sister Cen's wedding."
"You child, are you trying to make me anxious?" The old lady glared at her irritably.
Gu Ci shook her head, and after hesitating for a while, she still raised her hand and took off her mask, revealing her red and swollen face covered with handprints.
The old lady and the nanny both looked surprised when they saw her face.
"Ah Ci... what happened to your face? Who hit you?"
"Oh dear, it's so swollen. I'll go get an ice pack and put it on quickly."
Seeing that the nanny was about to turn around and get an ice pack, Gu Ci quickly stood up and stopped her, "Aunt Juan, don't bother, I've already applied ice twice today, I'll just apply it again tonight."
The nanny looked at her with pity, "A young lady's face is the most important thing. You have to make sure the swelling goes down properly. Be a good girl and follow the doctor's advice."
"Yes, I know." Gu Ci smiled sweetly at her.
The old lady asked again, "A-Ci, tell me quickly, what exactly happened?"
Gu Ci sat down again, her eyelids lowered, and hesitated for a moment, looking somewhat embarrassed. "It was... Director Meng who called. My brother's company ran into some trouble, so I asked about the situation with Asui on his behalf. Apparently, I talked to Asui on the phone for a while, and she was a bit bothered by my past relationship with Asui. Yesterday, she stormed into the ward and hit me without saying a word, telling me to stay away from Asui. I had no way to explain myself..."
She bit her lip, her thin figure looking particularly aggrieved and pitiful. "Yesterday, many medical staff were watching, and they all thought I was a homewrecker. I was too ashamed to stay in the hospital any longer, so I was discharged this morning. I plan to go to Italy in a couple of days..."
As she spoke, she seemed to remember something, and nervously and fearfully raised her clear and gentle eyes. Because she was so anxious, tears immediately filled her eyes.
"Grandma...you have to believe me. I know that Ah Sui is deeply in love with Director Meng. He and I are a thing of the past. I would never do anything to ruin their relationship..."
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