CHAPTER 128: CHAPTER 128: FOR HIM

Seeing Gu Ningyue like this, Chi Xingtong cast a pleading look at Ling Tianyou.

"Brother Tianyou..."

She rarely called him that in recent years, and Ling Tianyou got goosebumps all over.

Just now, he saw Chi Xingtong whispering with Gu Ningyue.

He thought it was just between the two women, but unexpectedly the attention shifted to him so quickly.

"Xing Tong, just go back with Aunt Chi! It’s not easy to come home once, spend more time with your aunt!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the last bit of light in Chi Xingtong’s eyes dimmed.

"Tianyou is still so considerate." Mrs. Chi sighed with relief and praised with a smile: "Unlike our Xing Tong, who has been elusive since she returned. It’s harder to see her than to reach the sky. If she could be half as considerate as you, Tianyou, I would be satisfied."

Ling Tianyou smiled slightly, his stern face suddenly seemed to light up: "Xing Tong has grown up now too. Although not saying it, she must also be thinking of you both in her heart."

Mrs. Chi glanced at Chi Xingtong: "As long as she doesn’t get into any trouble! I heard that the second daughter of the Cheng family got infatuated with a C-list celebrity and spent several million from her family to support him. She found out after a few dates that he was already married, and not only wasted money but also got herself into trouble. I just saw Mrs. Cheng with such a displeased look!"

Gu Ningyue subtly glanced at Chi Xingtong, seeing a flash of panic in Chi Xingtong’s eyes, she then defended: "Mom. That’s just a C-list celebrity, they’ll do anything for fame. It’s not like everyone’s like that, if you don’t know, don’t just say things!"

"How do I not know?" Mrs. Chi assumed a serious expression: "The entertainment industry is not a place you should mingle with. If your dad knows, married or not, you won’t be allowed to leave City A again."

Chi Xingtong said nothing, only nodding sulkily after a long pause.

After an unknown length of time, Gu Zheng walked over.

Being considerate, Mrs. Chi found an excuse and took Chi Xingtong back to her seat.

"President Ling, it’s rare to see you at occasions like this."

Ling Tianyou watched as Gu Zheng pulled out a chair to sit, saying, "Ning Yue wanted to come, so I came to accompany her. After all, she has injuries, and there are many inconveniences."

Hearing this, Gu Ningyue recalled her time in the hospital. Even Li Yulan knew about her fracture, how could Gu Zheng not know?

Yet, half a month passed without even a phone call from Gu Zheng.

Her fate mirrored that of her deceased original mother; in Gu Zheng’s heart, it was just as irrelevant.

If Ling Tianyou weren’t present today, maybe her presence would be as transparent as air?

Or perhaps, she would be monitored as if she were a lunatic, for fear she would disrupt the event?

"Ning Yue has a temper sometimes, please bear with her, President Ling." Gu Zheng’s eyes were weary, but his words seemed genuinely concerned for the daughter he hadn’t asked about in a long time: "If there’s anything wrong, please don’t hold it against Ning Yue, President Ling."

Gu Ningyue sneered inwardly, why pretend to be a caring father now?

"Chairman Gu, you’re joking. Ning Yue has always been good, there’s nothing I need to overlook."

This time, Ling Tianyou unexpectedly spoke in defense of Gu Ningyue.

Gu Ningyue gratefully glanced at Ling Tianyou, feeling dignified in front of Gu Zheng.

Gu Zheng laughed awkwardly, "That’s good, that’s good."

Gu Ningyue thought for a moment, looking at Gu Zheng: "After the banquet, I want to go home to see my mom, I haven’t paid respects to her in a long time."

With Li Yulan in the ICU, how could she not share such good news with her original mother?

With Ling Tianyou present, how could Gu Zheng dare not let Gu Ningyue go home: "Yes, go back and take a look! What I said before were just angry words, how could I truly disown you as my daughter!"

Gu Ningyue sneered, what’s the use of you acknowledging me as your daughter, it depends if I acknowledge you as my dad!

During this period, Gu Zheng gave the Ye Family fifty million as a dowry, and the company had started a new project.

If, at this time, he could win over Ling Tianyou as a ’son-in-law’, it would certainly be nothing but beneficial.

Is he really trying to acknowledge her? Clearly, he’s trying to recognize Ling Tianyou as his son-in-law!

With this in mind, Gu Ningyue’s words were sharp: "Dad, I heard Aunt Li was admitted to the hospital, is she better now? It’s Wanwan’s engagement today, what a pity!"

After trying so hard for so long, on the day of her daughter’s engagement, she didn’t get to see it.

Gu Zheng paused, then said: "The doctor said there’s improvement, after a week’s observation she can be transferred to a regular ward."

Gu Ningyue glanced regretfully at Ling Tianyou, the implied meaning in her eyes clear: I thought she’d be confined to the hospital bed for life!

Gu Zheng didn’t stay long before turning to mingle with others.

Gu Ningyue watched him leave, suddenly smiling: "You know, when my mom was at her worst, he never cared. Thinking about it now, I feel my mom was wronged."

All her youth devoted to this man, yet not even a comforting word, how cruel is that?

Ling Tianyou quietly took a sip of his drink, momentarily at a loss for words.

In large families, such situations aren’t uncommon; it’s become an unremarkable phenomenon.

He’s witnessed many such marriages, but this time, it inexplicably suffocated his heart.

Amid the noise, he waited until the banquet ended, then drove Gu Ningyue back to the Gu Family home.

Being away for so long, everything felt somewhat unfamiliar.

Gu Ningyue looked at Ling Tianyou: "If you’re in a hurry, you can go back first. I need to stay here for a while."

Ling Tianyou shook his head, "No problem, I’ll keep you company."

Gu Ningyue smiled slightly: "Are you afraid I’ll be bullied?"

Although Gu Wanwan and Ye Mingchen were still at the hotel seeing off guests, they left early, but they should be back in about an hour.

Ling Tianyou didn’t answer Gu Ningyue’s question, simply taking her hand naturally: "Let’s go! I haven’t met your mother yet."

Gu Ningyue inexplicably felt a sting in her nose, responding softly: "Okay..."

The two stepped into the villa, where the servants’ reactions varied upon seeing her return.

Surprise, fear, avoidance, and an indescribable coldness.

"Miss, you’ve returned." The butler noticed her and Ling Tianyou entering and quickly greeted them: "President Ling is here too!"

Gu Ningyue nodded slightly, "The key to my mom’s room, give it to me."

The original owner had always left that room’s key with the butler, she wondered if he still had it?