Chapter 76 Young Miss, Long Time No See
"Yes, this is where Dad stays when he comes back occasionally. It's quiet and not crowded."
Xia Zhiyun followed behind them, her gaze sweeping across the courtyard, secretly admiring the elegance of the villa estate.
Upon entering the villa, the living room was spacious and bright, with simple yet elegant furniture. It was clear that few people lived there, yet it was kept spotless.
Gu Zheng placed Yuanyuan on the soft carpet, then turned and handed Xia Zhiyun an unopened bottle of water.
"Please sit wherever you like, don't be shy, make yourself at home."
Xia Zhiyun took the water and thanked her softly, her gaze falling on Yuanyuan.
The little girl was curiously touching the sofa armrest and standing on tiptoe to look at the landscape painting hanging on the wall, her little face full of wonder.
"Let me tell you about tomorrow's arrangements."
Gu Zheng sat down on the sofa. "At nine o'clock this morning, I will take you to meet your old assistant, who used to be your father's assistant. He is already staying at the hotel that has been arranged and is waiting for you to meet and hand over the reins."
At 2 PM, we'll go to the transfer office to sign the contract. The meeting place is a law firm near the company; everything is arranged.
Xia Zhiyun nodded, her hand unconsciously tightening around the water bottle. A hint of unease flashed through her mind, but she quickly suppressed it.
She glanced at Yuanyuan, hesitated for a few seconds, and then said, "Professor Gu, I won't be taking Yuanyuan tomorrow."
Upon hearing this, Yuanyuan turned her head curiously, ran to her mother's side with her little feet, and tugged at her clothes: "Mom, can't I go with you?"
Xia Zhiyun squatted down and ruffled her daughter's hair. "Bringing your mother along will distract you. You must be very tired after training all day. Rest well and wait for your mother at the villa. Your mother will come back to be with you as soon as she's done, okay?"
Yuanyuan's little mouth drooped slightly, and a hint of disappointment flashed in her eyes. She wanted to stay with her mother forever, but looking into her mother's eyes, she nodded again.
"Okay, Mommy, go ahead and do your work. I won't make a fuss and I'll wait for you obediently."
Gu Zheng watched this scene with a warm feeling in his eyes. He patted Yuan Yuan's head and said, "Our Yuan Yuan is so good."
The villa has picture books, building blocks, and a little rocking horse for you. Daddy will come back to play with you when he's done with his work, okay?
"Okay!" Yuanyuan's eyes lit up immediately, her disappointment vanished, and she skipped off to explore the corners of the living room.
The little wolf followed her happily, while the little snake had already slithered into the garden to play.
Xia Zhiyun watched her daughter's retreating figure and whispered to Professor Gu, "Thank you, Professor Gu."
I should have arranged this myself; I've troubled you to go to so much trouble.
“Yuanyuan is also my daughter, why are you being so polite with me?” Gu Zheng waved his hand, his tone natural.
Hearing this, Xia Zhiyun's heart skipped a beat. She hurriedly looked away, not daring to look at him again.
"You can focus on handling company matters. You can rest assured with Yuanyuan here."
He took a key card out of his pocket and handed it to Xia Zhi, "This is the key card for the villa. You can just take a taxi back after you're done. You don't need to wait for me."
Call me anytime if you need anything.
Xia Zhiyun took the access card, a warm feeling welling up in her heart.
Gu Zheng's thoughtfulness eased her worries considerably, and her initial anxiety about tomorrow also subsided. "I understand. You don't need to worry about me; just focus on your work."
Gu Zheng nodded. "I'm taking Yuanyuan home to meet my family tomorrow night. Do you want to come along?"
Xia Zhiyun shook her head repeatedly, "No, no."
She still doesn't dare tell Gu Zheng that Yuanyuan is actually his child.
Gu Zheng looked at Xia Zhi's slightly pale face, his brows furrowed slightly, thinking she was uncomfortable, and softened his tone.
"What's wrong? Is there something else?"
Xia Zhiyun unconsciously clutched the hem of her dress, lowered her head to avoid Gu Zheng's gaze, and whispered, "No, no, it's just that I feel... it's too... too abrupt."
Going there rashly might disturb the elders.
This was just an excuse, and Gu Zheng naturally realized it.
She dared not look into Gu Zheng's eyes, and even less dared to imagine what kind of expression the Gu family would show if they saw Yuan Yuan's little face, which resembled his by seven parts.
Now she is covered in scars and her heart is riddled with holes. She is no longer the innocent and pure girl she once was. How could she be worthy of standing next to him who is so radiant?
Not to mention telling her that Yuanyuan was actually her daughter whom she had secretly given birth to.
Gu Zheng noticed her resistance and stopped insisting. "Alright, no rush."
"I'll take you and Yuanyuan back together when you've figured things out."
With Yuanyuan around, their two families will inevitably have contact; she can't keep hiding forever.
He turned around, picked up Yuanyuan who rushed towards him, and pinched her soft cheeks. "Yuanyuan, how about you go with Daddy to see Grandpa, Grandma, and Great-Grandpa?"
“Okay!” Yuanyuan was completely unaware of her mother’s unusual behavior. She hugged Gu Zheng’s neck and smiled, her eyes crinkling. She rubbed her little head against his neck.
Should I bring gifts for my grandparents?
Gu Zheng was amused by her, "No need, Yuanyuan going is the best gift."
"Oh well!"
………
Morning light streamed through the villa's floor-to-ceiling windows, casting warm, dappled patterns on the floor.
When Xia Zhiyun woke up, Yuanyuan was still curled up in bed, her little brows slightly furrowed, and she didn't know what she was dreaming about.
She quietly got up to wash and change into a simple and appropriate off-white suit skirt.
These clothes were prepared by Gu Zheng.
I had just straightened my collar when I heard a soft knock at the door.
"Are you ready?" Gu Zheng's voice came through the door.
Xia Zhiyun took a deep breath, put the documents she had prepared the night before into her handbag, and turned to look at her sleeping daughter.
He leaned down and placed a light kiss on her forehead before quietly closing the door.
The driver was already waiting in the living room downstairs.
Gu Zheng handed her a glass of warm milk and a sandwich, "Have something to eat, it'll take forty minutes to get here."
Xia Zhiyun took the drink, took a sip, and the anxiety that had just subsided returned. She sipped slowly, her voice slightly hoarse: "Uncle Zhang, is he really willing to help me?"
“He followed your father for twenty years and is a loyal and devoted man. Although I took the initiative to contact him this time, he took the initiative to say that he wanted to come back.”
He turned to look at her. "Your father treated her well back then, she won't make things difficult for you."
He also found out a bit about this matter: after Xia Zhiyun's father passed away, Gu Shi'an tricked her into handing over the company to him to manage.
She agreed to be a full-time housewife and left the company. Assistant Zhang asked her to return to the company many times, but she refused on the grounds that Yuanyuan was still young. Later, she could no longer be contacted at all.
In a fit of anger, he left the company, taking several core employees he had personally trained with him.
It was only after his departure that Gu was able to act tyrannically and replace key positions with his own people.
...
The car drove smoothly through the streets in the early morning. Xia Zhi looked at the street scene passing by outside the window, and the image of her father unconsciously surfaced in her mind. Those vague fragments of memory became clear at this moment.
She's really lost her mind these past few years.
...
At 8:50, the car stopped in front of a hotel with a quaint and antique style.
Assistant Zhang was already waiting in the lobby. Although his temples were streaked with gray, his eyes were still bright. The moment he saw Xia Zhiyun, his eyes reddened slightly, and he quickly walked forward.
"Young Miss, it's been a long time."
The word "young lady" brought a lump to Xia Zhiyun's throat.
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