Chapter 35

So Gu Chi is the third clue to the rift between Gu Ting and Grandpa Gu?
Qiao An realized it in that instant.
Gu Ting nestled behind her, head bowed. His hair, which had grown out lately and hadn’t been trimmed, fell over his forehead, partially obscuring his eyes and brows. Only his sharp, delicate chin and tightly pressed lips, betraying the turbulent emotions surging within him, were visible.
She instinctively felt a bit flustered, as if she had stumbled upon some unspeakable secret. Pretending to turn her head, she stole a glance at Gu Chi’s expression.
He didn’t show much emotion, but seeing Gu Ting in such a state, he furrowed his brows slightly. It was hard to discern exactly what he was feeling, though he smiled regretfully and said, “Seems like you’re still not familiar with me. Never mind, I’ll go upstairs first to find my dad.”
“Mm.” Qiao An nodded, watching him leave before turning back to Gu Ting, whose hand was icy cold. She gently suggested, “How about we take breakfast to your room to eat?”
“…” It was as if they had returned to square one. Gu Ting didn’t respond. His expression, which had briefly returned to normal after Gu Chi left, once again became blank and unreadable. Still, he didn’t resist her closeness.
Qiao An simply took charge. She picked up a tray, loaded it with an assortment of breakfast dishes the kitchen had prepared for the Gu family’s return, along with some freshly cut and chilled fruit, and made to leave.
Gu Ting blinked and voluntarily took the heavy tray from her hands.
Qiao An smiled, and the two of them headed upstairs together.
Among the Gu family members returning this time, only Gu Chi had arrived early. Usually, everyone else would show up around nine o’clock.
Once they reached Gu Ting’s room, Qiao An locked the door, drew the curtains, turned on the light, and played a cheerful children’s song.
After ensuring that their voices wouldn’t be heard as long as they didn’t speak too loudly, she turned to Gu Ting and asked, “Is there something wrong with Gu Chi?”
Gu Ting remained expressionless and silent.
Of course, the task wouldn’t be completed so quickly.
Qiao An picked up a small steamed bun with her chopsticks and brought it to Gu Ting’s lips, smiling brightly. “Who am I?”
Gu Ting blinked, opening his mouth to take a bite.
Qiao An quickly pulled back, shaking her head disapprovingly. “You have to say who I am before you can eat.”
Gu Ting pouted pitifully, his clear eyes glistening with unshed tears, and the bridge of his tall nose turning slightly red. He looked utterly miserable.
But Qiao An was unyielding. If he wouldn’t speak, she wouldn’t let him eat.
After a tense standoff, unable to resist the tempting aroma any longer, Gu Ting finally mumbled in a small, aggrieved voice, “An An”
“That’s more like it.” Qiao An smiled in satisfaction and rewarded him with the bun.
The young boy ate with his eyes slightly narrowed, clearly pleased. Only then did Qiao An ask again, “Did he hurt you? Or did he hurt your parents?”
As she spoke, Qiao An watched Gu Ting closely. He showed no reaction to the first question, but at the second, his eyes flickered, and he paused mid-chew before continuing.
Qiao An frowned deeply, trying hard to recall the information she had gathered recently and piece it all together.
Initially, everyone’s attention had been on Gu Xun because he was the ultimate beneficiary.
But then she remembered what Qiao Yi had recently hinted to her: perhaps it wouldn’t take three years for the Gu Group, under Gu Xun’s leadership, to face a major crisis. After this crisis, there would inevitably be a reshuffling of power, and even Grandpa Gu wouldn’t be able to stop it.
So, who would be the next person in charge?
At the time, she had only thought how difficult it was to be a boss, the greatest pain was having something and then losing it.
But now, considering it again, if the next person in charge were Gu Chi, then maybe…it all made sense?
Although he wasn’t the primary beneficiary, if he was willing to spend over a decade laying the groundwork for this, he would ultimately be the one to gain from it.
Of course, the plot only briefly mentioned the Gu family. After Gu Ting rose to power, he swiftly took control of the Gu family with his terrifying talent, becoming the sole authority in charge.
He accomplished all of this in just two years.
The female lead was reborn on the day of the Mid-Autumn Festival. It seemed there was some kind of banquet at the Gu family that day. Gu Ze had locked Gu Ting in a dark room as punishment, but Gu Ting managed to escape. He was bullied again and hid outside, where he happened to run into the female lead, who had just been reborn and was filled with resentment.
Though the female lead was resentful, it was directed at those who had caused her death. Seeing Gu Ting, a pitiful, withdrawn figure on a stormy night, she couldn't help but lend a hand and brought him back with her.
That night, the female lead poured out her grievances to Gu Ting, thinking he was too simple-minded to understand. She even shared her plans with him, which inadvertently sparked something in Gu Ting.
Both were from wealthy families, so with a little inquiry, they could easily learn about each other's circumstances. The next day, after discovering Gu Ting's identity, the female lead had someone send him back and didn't think much more of it.
Who would have thought that in just two years, the once pitiful boy would become the head of a major financial group?
It was precisely because of those two years that the three-year crisis mentioned by Qiao Yi was resolved by Gu Ting before it even arrived.
Thus, all of Gu Chi's ambitions came to nothing.
Thinking it through, everything made sense.
Qiao An looked at Gu Ting, who was now eating on his own, and whispered, "Was it him who caused your parents' deaths and then abandoned you? You suffered a lot, and only the little white cat that stayed with you protected you. But later, the cat died, and you wandered alone for a long time until Grandpa Gu found you. Is that right?"
After voicing her speculation, Qiao An watched as the person in front of her gradually stopped eating. His calm eyes filled with tears.
His expression remained unchanged, but tears began to flow uncontrollably from his eyes.
Then, he shook his head.
Qiao An, who had been feeling heartbroken for him, was stunned by his reaction. The tears she was about to shed froze in her eyes. Was she still wrong?
The system's long-awaited voice finally sounded: [Task completed. Points have been distributed.]
Qiao An was surprised: "Not yet, right?"
Didn't it say to resolve the misunderstanding with Grandpa Gu? They hadn't even confronted him directly yet.
The system replied: [Once the truth is uncovered, the misunderstanding naturally disappears. Additionally, a friendly reminder: the system store has been refreshed. Please check it out.]
Qiao An blinked and quickly opened the system store. At the very top, as if afraid she wouldn't see it, was an item, [Listening Card: After use, you will immediately learn the thing you most want to know (Please use it at an appropriate time)].
Price: 500,000.
Qiao An: "???"
"Did you add an extra zero by mistake?"
System: [No, I didn't.]
Qiao An could no longer feel joy. The happiness she had just felt from completing the task vanished without a trace. She watched as the little cutie, having recovered and now confused about why he had been crying, wiped away his tears and continued eating.
His cheeks were puffed up like a little hamster's, his eyes rimmed red, making him all the more endearing.
Qiao An blinked, looking at him, then at the painfully expensive system shop. Her heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys all ached, she couldn't bear to part with the points.
But as she gazed at that handsome face, her heart ached even more.
Gritting her teeth, Qiao An made the purchase. In her hand appeared a crystal-clear card, about the size of a bank card.
As for when to use it?
She knew.

After the meal, Gu Ting seemed listless, lying lazily on the bed with his eyes half-closed.
He barely responded when Qiao An tried to talk to him.
Given the circumstances, neither of them got out of bed. Qiao An lay on the other side, quietly playing on her phone.
But as she played, she suddenly felt a warm, damp breath near her ear. Startled, she turned her head to find Gu Ting, who had somehow crept close to her, resting his head on his arm and blinking his big eyes as he stared at her.
Qiao An felt a pang of guilt. She hadn't managed to fatten Gu Ting up much during this time, whereas she herself, if not for that so-called pill, would have easily reached 110 pounds. Her oval face, perfectly proportioned and still carrying a hint of baby fat, was often pinched by Xu Hui.
Remembering her earlier speculation about Gu Ting's parents during breakfast, her heart softened. She leaned back slightly, reached out to stroke his soft hair, and asked gently, "What's wrong?"
"Hungry, " Gu Ting said, finally showing a bit of energy.
Qiao An pointed to the unfinished food on the tray. "If you're hungry, go eat by yourself."
"Okay." Gu Ting nodded and cheerfully ran over.
There was no trace of the expressionless, tearful version of him from before. Back then, his demeanor had shattered Qiao An's heart, the more emotionless he appeared, the more it conveyed the weight in his heart.
But now, he had reverted to his usual self.
She suddenly wondered, perhaps this version of him was the happiest?
Ignorance is bliss.
But these matters weren't for her to decide.
Qiao An sighed, watching as Gu Ting finished eating and crawled back over to her. She smiled and asked, "What is it now?"
Unconsciously, the corners of her lips lifted as he snuggled close. Her eyes were filled with indulgence, her voice tender. She couldn't see it herself, but Gu Ting noticed clearly, growing even more delighted. Without saying a word, he nestled against her.
Qiao An didn't push him away. Setting her phone aside, she took his beautiful hand and studied it, feeling a mix of envy and resentment.

Xu Hui had advised her to stay upstairs for the entire day, but that was impossible.
Few members of the Gu family stayed for long; most left after lunch.
Gu Xun remained with the Gu Corporation but seldom visited. Qiao An suspected he was too ashamed to face Grandpa Gu. Such an impressive company had repeatedly faced development constraints and setbacks under his leadership, how could he dare to face the company's founder, Grandpa Gu?
Thus, this lunch was taken very seriously.
As the young woman favored by Grandpa Gu, Qiao An went downstairs.
The large dining table was set for Grandpa Gu's two sons and some of their wives and children.
The table was spacious enough to seat everyone comfortably.
Qiao An brought Gu Ting downstairs, immediately drawing everyone's attention. They all smiled warmly, saying, "An An is here. You've worked hard taking care of the eldest lately."
Gu Ting was the eldest grandson of the Gu family.
Qiao An smiled shyly, not saying much, only offering a few modest words before taking a seat at the far end of the table, where she caught Gu Ze giving her a strange look.
Grandpa Gu was in a good mood today, his broad smile deepening the wrinkles on his face.
With everyone present, it was time to eat.
Qiao An ate quietly, occasionally serving Gu Ting some dishes while keeping her ears perked up, listening to their conversations.
Having just returned, there was plenty to talk about. Gu Chi did most of the talking, seemingly complaining but actually boasting about his important position and how he had managed his business so efficiently that it had even expanded compared to before.
The more Gu Chi spoke, the lower Gu Xun hung his head.
It wasn't until Grandpa Gu noticed and couldn't stand it any longer that he cleared his throat lightly, putting an end to the topic.
The dining table fell silent for a moment.
Only the soft murmurs of conversation remained.
Qiao An continued eating quietly. Soon, a big scene would unfold, and once it started, there would be no more eating. But with so many delicious dishes, she didn't want to waste them, she had to eat her fill!
She turned to Gu Ting and whispered, "Eat your fill, understand?"
"Mm!" Gu Ting didn't quite understand but obediently nodded, taking it seriously.
It wasn't until she felt that everyone had almost finished eating and seemed about to leave the table that Qiao An suddenly spoke up, "Grandpa Gu, Second Uncle Gu, Third Uncle Gu." Gu Chi, who had been about to speak, frowned.
Facing the clearly displeased gazes of everyone, Qiao An looked directly at Grandpa Gu. Seeing his furrowed brow, she didn't flinch and said clearly, "Gu Ting just told me something, and I think you all should hear it too. Sorry for the interruption."
After saying this, she silently recited in her heart: Use Listening Card.