Chapter 216: Thank You, Aunt

Xia Yangyang remained silent, though her heart was upset. Gu Qichen’s decision to move out clearly indicated he suspected a relationship between her and Gu Zhaohan.

After dinner, feeling suffocated in her room, Xia Yangyang went to the yard and sat on a marble bench, gazing at the night sky. Oscar, her dog, came and rubbed against her ankle. She stroked his head.

After an unspecified time, Gu Zhaohan’s cold voice startled her. Turning, she saw him and felt inexplicably nervous, likely because of Gu Qichen’s misunderstanding. She smiled faintly. "Nothing. Just playing with Oscar."

Gu Zhaohan knelt, petting Oscar. "What's wrong between you and Uncle?"

Xia Yangyang, surprised by the question, replied casually, "We're fine. Why do you ask?"

"I can tell Uncle is upset." Xia Yangyang wondered how he noticed, as Gu Qichen's behavior seemed normal. She wouldn't tell Gu Zhaohan about Gu Qichen's misunderstanding; it was too awkward. She changed the subject: "You seem to know your uncle very well."

Gu Zhaohan paused. "Since childhood, he's been my role model. He's incredibly successful, running Shengyuan Group at seventeen. He's a genius, and I'm not. No matter how hard I try, I can't match him. Grandfather and Mother only notice him."

Xia Yangyang was taken aback. Gu Zhaohan, considered a genius at A University, felt this way? She realized he'd lived in Gu Qichen's shadow, bearing considerable psychological pressure.

"You don't need to compare yourself to your uncle," she said. "You are you."

"It's because Mother only ever says goodnight to Uncle, reminds him to eat, packs his bags, and brings him gifts. She only ever sees him," he replied, his voice filled not with jealousy, but profound sadness and helplessness.

Silence fell, broken only by Oscar's sniffing. Then, Gu Qichen's cold voice cut through the air. Both turned to see him approaching with a gift box for Gu Zhaohan.

"This is for you," Gu Qichen said. He always brought back gifts from business trips.

The box contained car keys. "You're about to graduate," Gu Qichen explained. "This is a Volkswagen, ordered from overseas. It's for commuting during your internship. I hope your first nice car will be one you buy yourself." The Gu family owned many luxury cars, but this was different.

"Thank you, Uncle," Gu Zhaohan said.

Gu Qichen added, "Your aunt chose this gift. I wouldn't have thought of it without her. Thank her too."