Chapter 100 - 96: Waiting for Me?

The day before Old Sir Gu’s birthday. In the morning, Qiao Yuxian went to get her nails done with her roommate. In the afternoon, she bought a set of manicure tools and went to the Sixth Hospital. Not only did she bring manicure tools, but before going, she returned to Fenglin Villa to make lunch and took an insulated lunch box to Shen Wenyan. Since Shen Wenyan had to see patients in the afternoon, she didn’t stay long and left after having a meal with him. Then she went to Aunt Yan’s little courtyard. Aunt Yan’s courtyard wasn’t very large, with small courtyards in both the front and back, and the house was just one story. The courtyard had a wall, about chest-high. The wall was made of stone and decorated with bamboo on the outside. The house was vintage, also decorated with bamboo on the outside, resembling a small bamboo courtyard. Above the gate, there were four words written: "Bamboo Forest Residence." The words were in a flowing, elegant calligraphic style. The artist’s name inscribed was... Gu Yanjing. Qiao Yuxian smiled a little upon seeing those four words. She greeted the person at the door and, while waiting for them to report to Gu Yanjing, she glanced around the courtyard. A path made of cobblestones. To the east was a lotus pond, but at this time of the year, only lotus leaves and pods remained. To the west was a small pavilion, with a bit of bamboo near the wall. The westward sun cast sparse shadows of bamboo leaves on the stone bench. It had a unique charm. The person at the door took a photo of Qiao Yuxian and sent it to Su Qi. While waiting for a response, they checked Qiao Yuxian’s tool bag. The nail file, pointy tweezers, steel pusher, dotting pen, and cuticle fork were all taken out. None of these were allowed to be taken inside. Qiao Yuxian watched as they took the items out. She didn’t say a word, just stared at him. It wasn’t until Su Qi sent back a message that the man’s attitude improved a bit, and he explained, "These things are too dangerous for Aunt Yan. If she accidentally hides one..." "Then I’ll just take this one," Qiao Yuxian said as she picked up a nail file, "I’ll be careful." She picked out a few more items and then said, "Take a photo. When I come out later, I’ll check to make sure nothing’s missing inside." "Alright," the man said, "Thank you for your understanding, ma’am." Qiao Yuxian smiled, "You all work hard, next time I’ll bring you something delicious." "Thank you, ma’am," the man replied with a smile. Qiao Yuxian took the toolbox into the yard, leaving the insulated box outside, took a few steps inside and called out, "Auntie, I’m here! I’m here!" Like a cheerful little fox. At the Gu Group, Gu Yanjing was working in the office. Su Qi came in with some documents and casually mentioned that Qiao Yuxian had gone to the Sixth Hospital. Then... Mr. Gu set aside his work and opened the surveillance of Bamboo Forest Residence. He watched as Qiao Yuxian picked out items at the door, talked with the person at the entrance, skipped into the yard, and greeted the people inside. Finally, when his mother came out, she rushed up to her and hugged her. His mother remembered Qiao Yuxian and genuinely liked her, feeling heartfelt happiness upon seeing her. There seemed to be a kind of magic power about Qiao Yuxian. Wherever she went, life seemed to flourish. Watching her, a faint smile touched Gu Yanjing’s eyes. Then he replayed the footage, looking at the lunch box left outside, a mysterious coldness tinting his eyes. ... All afternoon, Qiao Yuxian not only did Aunt Yan’s nails but also those of the caretaker auntie. Afterward, they took some pictures together, all sent to Gu Yanjing. Gu Yanjing looked through each photo before replying with a single "Hm." Because of that "Hm," Qiao Yuxian left half an hour later than expected, spending half an hour venting about him with Aunt Yan. After leaving the Sixth Hospital, Qiao Yuxian took a cab to Zhouhui Bank. She had reserved to pick something up from a safe deposit box, and this was the ideal time to go, just on time. At the bank, she took out an antique painting from the safe deposit box and left. The painting was in a box, with a long cloth bag on the outside. Qiao Yuxian held the toolbox and the insulated box in one hand, and clutched the box in the middle with the other hand. Standing by the roadside, she tucked the painting under her arm and took out her phone to hail a car. Just as she had called a car and was about to put her phone away, a Rolls Royce stopped in front of her. She lifted her eyes to look at the car. The car window slowly rolled down, and Gu Yicheng’s face appeared. Qiao Yuxian put her phone in her pocket and picked up the painting again. "Miss Qiao, we meet again. Isn’t that a sign we’re meant to meet," Gu Yicheng said with a smile. Qiao Yuxian looked at him without saying anything. "Curious how I know your name?" Gu Yicheng raised an eyebrow, "After I saw you that day, I specifically looked into it." Qiao Yuxian gave a polite smile but remained silent. "Where are you headed? I’ll give you a ride," Gu Yicheng said, unfazed by her distance. "No thank you," Qiao Yuxian replied politely yet distantly. "It’s no trouble. I don’t have anything particular to do anyway. You’re classmates with Xiao Xiao," Gu Yicheng said, "Anywhere you go will be on my way, it’s no bother at all." "Driving me wouldn’t be a problem, but Mr. Gu might face some trouble," Qiao Yuxian chuckled wryly, "My husband’s got quite a temper, and if he sees a stranger giving me a ride... I’m afraid Mr. Gu might have to spend the night in the hospital." "You’re married?" Gu Yicheng asked, surprised. Qiao Yuxian caught sight of the car she called arriving. She offered another courteous smile before heading over to it. Gu Yicheng watched the departing car, a subtle, enigmatic gleam flickering through his eyes. ... Back at Fenglin Villa. Gu Yanjing had already finished work and was home. When Qiao Yuxian entered the yard, he was standing under the veranda. The sun had already set, and the sky was dim. Gu Yanjing stood under the veranda, dressed in a white shirt and black trousers. Tall and upright, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist. His profile was bathed in the lights cascading from the veranda. His expression was stern, eyes carrying a chill. Like a piece of clear, cold jade. Qiao Yuxian paused to admire him for a few seconds, then ran over to him. Standing before him, she looked up and asked, "Were you waiting for me?" Gu Yanjing looked at her smiling eyes, took all the things from her hands, and said nothing. He didn’t say "no," which meant he was waiting for her. The smile on Qiao Yuxian’s face deepened: "I left Auntie’s place and went to Zhouhui Bank." Gu Yanjing glanced at the lunch box in his hands, then at the long box inside the cloth bag. Seeing him looking, Qiao Yuxian thought for a moment and said, "It’s a gift I prepared for Grandpa." Gu Yanjing looked at her. Qiao Yuxian pulled him by the arm into the living room: "You still don’t want to take me to attend Grandpa’s birthday banquet?" "Hm," Gu Yanjing handed the items over to Shang Chen in the living room. Qiao Yuxian took the painting, placing it on the coffee table. "I want to go," Qiao Yuxian said. Gu Yanjing sat on the sofa looking at her. Qiao Yuxian sat on the carpet beside him, leaning against his leg, and looked up at him: "If you don’t let me go, I’ll go by myself. I can’t believe they wouldn’t let me in if I showed up at Gu Mansion’s doors." "You wouldn’t dare," Gu Yanjing lowered his eyes and said coldly. "I would," Qiao Yuxian avoided his gaze, bent her arm to rest it on his leg, rested her head on her arm, and murmured at the painting on the coffee table. Gu Yanjing looked at her profile: "......"