"Mom! Are you even my real mother?!" Gu Qingyan looked at her with some annoyance. "These children are the flesh and blood of our Gu family! How could you agree to such an unreasonable request?"
"You promised it." Mu Ziqi bluntly exposed Gu Qingyan's statement.
“Back then, let alone abandoning your children for Xiao Wanqing, I think you might have agreed even if Xiao Wanqing asked you to throw your own children into the sea in exchange for being with you,” Mu Ziqi continued. “Qingyan, you are not a qualified father, so don’t say anything more. I’m already in the wrong on your behalf.”
Gu Qingyan's face was ashen. He couldn't refute his mother's words, for they were like sharp arrows, piercing his Achilles' heel. He had indeed given up a lot for Xiao Wanqing, including time and love for his children. At that time, he was blind and impulsive, failing to consider his responsibilities and obligations as a father.
He sighed deeply, his heart filled with self-blame and regret.
"Mom, I know I was wrong." Gu Qingyan's voice was a little hoarse. "I shouldn't have neglected the children because of Xiao Wanqing. I will correct my mistakes and do my best to make up for them."
“But I don’t need it.” Shen Zhi Qiu shook her head firmly. “Gu Qing Yan, not every apology can be met with an apology.”
“Qingyan, people always have to pay for their mistakes.” Mu Ziqi sighed. “The family is in a mess right now. Your father just passed away, and there are still many things to deal with. I hope you will take responsibility as a son and stop doing things that make things difficult for everyone.”
"Okay, Mom," Gu Qingyan replied, her eyes lowered.
Mu Ziqi breathed a sigh of relief. To be honest, she didn't expect Gu Qingyan to agree so readily this time, but the thought of him causing Gu Sui'an to have a heart attack and die brought back the pain in her heart.
After coaxing Mu Ziqi to sleep, Shen Zhi Qiu came downstairs and saw Rong Mo standing at the top of the stairs waiting for her.
Because of an important meeting, Rong Mo had to return to the capital first, but worried about Shen Zhi Qiu's safety, he left Wei Qiao behind to protect her.
"I'll be back soon, don't worry, brother." Shen Zhi Qiu glanced upstairs.
"Okay, I'll come pick you up then." Rong Mo gently stroked her hair and said affectionately.
Three days later.
Shen Zhi Qiu sat in the living room, typing on her laptop. She picked up her glass and took a sip of tea.
Her thoughts have been too chaotic lately, and her writing has become increasingly sad. Sometimes she can't help but shed tears herself.
Gu Qingyan came over and said that Grandpa had suddenly fallen seriously ill.
Shen Zhi Qiu's heart suddenly raced, and her laptop slipped from her hands onto the carpet. She didn't have time to care, hurriedly following Mu Zi Qi and Gu Qing Yan towards the old house. Her mind was in turmoil the entire way.
As they entered the old house, a somber atmosphere enveloped them. The butler, with a stern expression, invited them inside, offering no further words, but simply gesturing for them to follow with his eyes.
Shen Zhi Qiu's steps were a little unsteady. She tightly gripped Mu Zi Qi's arm, only to find that Mu Zi Qi's hand was also ice cold.
They walked down the long corridor and arrived at the door of Grandpa's bedroom. The door was ajar, letting in a faint sliver of light.
"Have my second uncle and the others come?" Gu Qingyan suddenly asked.
"Not yet, I've already notified them." The butler said gravely.
Shen Zhi Qiu gently pushed open the door and pulled Mu Zi Qi inside.
A faint scent of medicine and the smell of illness filled the room, creating a somewhat oppressive atmosphere. Grandpa lay on the bed, his face pale, his eyes closed, seemingly asleep. His breathing was weak and rapid, a sound that tugged at the heartstrings.
The attending doctor looked anxious. Upon seeing Gu Qingyan approach, he immediately stepped forward to report that the situation was not optimistic and to tell them to be prepared at any time.
Shen Zhi Qiu walked to the bedside and gently took her grandfather's hand. His hand was cold, as if it had lost all life. Looking at her grandfather's pale face, her nose stung, and tears welled up in her eyes, dripping onto the back of his hand.
Grandpa slowly opened his eyes and saw Shen Zhi Qiu. A smile slowly appeared on his face as he looked at her lovingly and said softly, "Child, don't cry. Grandpa is alright, I won't die."
Shen Zhi Qiu's tears fell even harder. She began to regret why she hadn't come to see her grandfather sooner. Her grandfather had always doted on her, even more than he doted on his own granddaughter.
"Grandpa, I'm sorry, I'm unfilial for not coming to see you sooner."
"Nonsense, Grandpa knows you too well. If you could come to see me, would I not come?" As he spoke, Grandpa propped himself up a little, and Gu Qingyan quickly stepped forward and placed a pillow under him.
Grandpa glared at him and scolded, "It's all because of you, you unfilial son! Otherwise, would Zhi Qiu not have come to see me?"
"Yes, it's all my fault, Grandpa." Gu Qingyan lowered his eyes and stepped aside.
"Grandpa," Shen Zhi Qiu choked up, tears streaming down her face.
Grandpa reached out his hand, still connected to an IV drip, and gently patted her shoulder. "Child, don't cry. It's just that Grandpa is getting old and can't protect you anymore. Child, you must take good care of yourself and not let anyone bully you."
"No, Grandpa, you will definitely live to be a hundred!" Shen Zhi Qiu couldn't accept reality and burst into tears.
"Ziqi, come here." Grandpa beckoned, signaling Mu Ziqi, who was wiping away tears, to come over. She quickly came over, sobbing as she called out "Dad," before she could say nothing more.
"I'm entrusting Zhi Qiu to you as well. You all must take good care of yourselves." Grandpa said with difficulty, his head held high, his eyes full of worry.
"Grandpa, you haven't seen your great-grandchildren yet. Don't worry, things will definitely get better!" Shen Zhi Qiu cried uncontrollably.
"It's too late," Grandpa breathed a sigh of relief. "I'm relieved that you're taking care of the children." As he spoke, Grandpa moved his eyes and looked at Gu Qingyan, instructing her, "Qingyan, live your life properly and stop fooling around."
Shen Zhi Qiu's mood grew heavier and heavier. She felt her heart slowly sinking, as if she were falling into an endless abyss.
When the doctor announced the time of death, Shen Zhi Qiu felt heartbroken.
There were not many people in this world who loved her to begin with, and she has recently lost three of them.
Mu Ziqi turned her back, tears streaming down her face.
Gu Qingyan stood silently in front of the hospital bed, looking at her emaciated grandfather.
Within a week, he lost two of his closest relatives.
Just as everyone was overcome with grief, Gu Suiping arrived at the scene with Gu Ningning. Upon hearing that her grandfather had passed away, Gu Ningning rushed inside, crying and shouting.
Gu Suiping's reaction was indifferent. Seeing everyone crying, he didn't even bother to pretend.
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