Chapter 27
"How can a secretary be enough? At the very least, he should be a special assistant," Wei Xiangqin chimed in with a grin. Then she winked at her daughter and added, "What do you think of your parents' suggestion, sweetheart?"
"Not great," Gu Xi replied, visibly embarrassed. "Other special assistants are tall, handsome, and highly educated. But you…"
"Wife, did you hear that?" Gu Changan gasped in mock horror. "Our daughter looks down on the man who raised her with his own two hands!"
"You raised her, sure, but I gave birth to her," Wei Xiangqin retorted, claiming her maternal credit.
"Would you have been able to give birth without me?" Gu Changan shot back indignantly.
Gu Xi, sitting on her hospital bed, flushed with embarrassment. Seriously, Dad, Mom… isn't this topic a little inappropriate for a child to hear?
And yet, in that lighthearted moment filled with love and laughter, the tension that had weighed down the room lifted. The warmth of family flowed through Gu Changan like medicine. Encouraged by his wife and daughter, President Gu puffed out his chest and strode out of the room like a rooster ready for battle.
Gu Xi watched him go, a quiet smile curving her lips. A flicker of relief crossed her eyes. No matter what happened next, she had already changed the course of the past. In her previous life, her father had been thrown into chaos, helplessly caught in a web he couldn't see. But this time—this time he knew where the threat was coming from. That alone was a victory.
The greatest tragedy in life isn't failure—it's being used by others and helping them count the money afterward.
She had suffered more than she could describe in her past life. But this time, she would protect her family's happiness at all costs.
As for the Gu family in Beijing—they were an obstacle she couldn't avoid. Right now, even her father and uncle combined weren't strong enough to take them on. But she wouldn't stay weak forever.
For now, she would lie low, gather her strength, and wait for the next round.
As her thoughts raced, Gu Xi picked up a pen and began scribbling on a sheet of paper.
"Xixi, you're still recovering. What are you writing?" Wei Xiangqin asked, frowning at her daughter's restlessness.
"I'm just bored," Gu Xi said, without looking up.
"Then why don't you watch a little TV?" Wei Xiangqin offered, passing her the remote.
"No."
"Want to take a walk with me?"
"No." Gu Xi shook her head firmly.
"You child…" Wei Xiangqin sighed, helpless. "Shall I peel an apple for you?"
"Mom, I'm fine now. Can't I be discharged yet?" Gu Xi asked, a hint of impatience in her voice. There was so much she needed to do—so many things that couldn't wait. Time spent in the hospital felt like a luxury she couldn't afford.
"No!" Wei Xiangqin refused immediately.
Just then, a gentle male voice sounded from the doorway. "Who's talking about being discharged?"
"Second Brother!" Gu Xi's eyes lit up. She waved excitedly. "You're here!"
"Mingyuan?" Wei Xiangqin turned around and smiled. "You're just in time. What did you bring?"
"I heard Xixi wasn't feeling well, so I brought her favorite red bean cakes," Zhan Mingyuan said, lifting a paper bag. "I lined up for them early this morning—just came out of the oven. They're still warm."
"Thank you, Second Brother," Gu Xi said as she took the bag, her hands trembling slightly.
The moment she touched the paper, memories surged up like waves. Her second brother's scolding voice… his disappointed tears… the time he angrily swore to cut ties, only to secretly send her warm clothes in the dead of winter…
They were her family. Her second brother, who had always loved her in his own way.
Her eyes filled with tears as she clutched the bag tightly, her hands shaking too much to even open it.