A word of comfort, like a small flatboat floating toward her in the vast ocean.
"Grandfather..." She paused, shaking her head, "May I hug you, Grandfather Gu?"
Old Master Gu was startled for a moment, then smiled, "Fine, come here! Let me give you a hug!"
Although he was just a few steps away, each step weighed heavily upon her. Until she stopped in front of the old man, staring through tear-filled eyes at his loving, smiling face.
He Zhilan reached out her arms to embrace Old Master Gu softly, whispering, "Grandfather Gu, you have to live a long and healthy life! I’m sorry! I’ll never be back. Also, I got married last year, he is very good, I love him."
Tears fell like a torrential rain, soaking the clothes on the old man’s chest.
This home ceased to be hers, He Zhilan’s, thirteen years ago, and she would never set foot in this place again.
Her family did not miss her, and in their eyes, she was nothing but a wild little girl who couldn’t show her face. They didn’t like her, so what good would it do for her to call out to them as her parents and declare her lineage?
Wouldn’t she just receive their condemnation? Would they blame her for leaving thirteen years ago and for suddenly reappearing now to interrupt their peaceful lives? To suddenly appear as a disappointing country woman who would embarrass them?
How could the daughter of the Gu Family be a country girl who lacked in everything like playing the piano and the zither, calligraphy and painting, someone who disgraces herself in every way possible, even to the point of holding champagne like a corn cob?
However, the grandfather whose loving face remained unchanged despite his aging features was the one she found the hardest to leave yet also the one she worried about the most.
All she could do was to wish him a long and healthy life and tell her grandfather that she was now married. Once she had said these words, there would be nothing else she needed to explain to the Gu Family.
He Zhilan lifted her eyes, taking a deep look at the gray-haired old man, then decisively turned and walked away.
"Wait for us!" Zhou Chenyue came to her senses and hurriedly chased after her. Without even having time to say goodbye, she chased after He Zhilan who was already far away.
"Grandfather Gu, Grandmother Gu, Mr. Gu, I’m sorry for bringing He to this gathering and causing you trouble. But I trust He wouldn’t do anything wrong. I need to drive her home as I can’t let her go by herself." Without waiting for the elders to respond, Zhou Hongjin quickly ran off to his car, hoping that Zhou Chenyue could catch up with He Zhilan.
"Dad, what did she say to you just now?" Gu En assumed that he He Teng’s wife sought out old Master Gu because he was the most approachable and was likely to complain about Gu En.
Old Master Gu came back to his senses, looking a bit confused, "She told me that I must live a long and healthy life. She also said ’I’m sorry’ and that she will never come back. She also told me that she got married last year and that her husband is very good, she loves him very much."
"She did attend Dad’s birthday party today, and even if she had to leave, since she’s come, she should’ve wished him a happy birthday. Her apology probably came with the guilt of disrupting the banquet today. After messing things up , she will undoubtedly never come back to the Gu family home." Gu En explained a sentence but he was puzzled by the last sentence from He Teng’s wife. He didn’t quite understand why she would inform the old man that she’s already married in a tone like an announcement.
But Gu En also reflected a bit in his heart, realizing that he might have misjudged. He Teng’s wife didn’t complain about anything. Even under these circumstances, she still remembered to wish the old man a happy birthday and apologize, which made Gu En realized that he had misunderstood her.