“Making just one wrong decision in life can cost you so dearly. If I weren’t so stubborn back then, there might’ve been a good chance that I could be your uncle.” Gu Qiwu did not deny the possibility.
“But you said you had no feelings for her,” Mu Yuchen said.
Gu Qiwu nodded and sighed. “While it’s true that I can’t say we were in love, I never meant to take her feelings lightly. We were more like friends when we were together. I might not be able to tell Doris about the things I can talk to your aunt about. It sure was relaxing and comfortable to be by her side.”
Mu Yuchen could not understand Gu Qiwu. If they had been friends, then why…?
“I didn’t want to make any excuses. In fact, I’ve pondered between whether to regret it or not over the years. However, not knowing how to appreciate things during my earlier years was one of the reasons this happened today.” Gu Qiwu paused here and drank some water. He lowered his head and seemed to be reminiscing the past.
“No matter what you say, you let her down and pushed her into the deep, dark abyss,” Mu Yuchen reminded him of the cold, hard truth.
“That’s true, and I’ve never denied that. Your aunt’s misfortune happened because of me. I don’t expect much from my relationships. It’s not like I never hesitated when I married Doris back then, but it was a hard time for Hui Gu, so…” Gu Qiwu put on a bitter smile. “If we have a chance to go back in time, your aunt might not want to meet me again, and I don’t want things to be so complicated. The current matters wouldn’t happen if there was nothing, to begin with.”
“You shouldn’t have gotten involved with her if you never planned to be with her. Although my father mentioned she was rebellious, she was soft-hearted and she didn’t deserve to be trampled over by you. You caused her, Lingtian, and Lingshi pain, don’t you understand? You’re Lingtian and Lingshi’s father, yet you’ve never fulfilled a father’s responsibility to them.”
“I’m not going to make excuses for my mistake. I don’t mind bearing all the burden if it helps everyone feel better. I thought Lingtian’s sudden death was caused by you, but who would’ve thought that I was the main cause instead?” Gu Qiwu opened his palms and looked at them as if he had something dirty on them. “My hands are filled with my son’s blood. I suppose I’ll go to hell after I die…”
“Do you think that you deserve to die because of the sins you’ve committed?” Mu Yuchen had a tiny little grin on his face.
Gu Qiwu took a deep breath and looked at him as his eyes darkened. “Yes.”
Mu Yuchen glanced at him for a moment before averting his gaze towards the window frame. “I can’t make any decision regarding Lingshi. Grandfather said he’d like to meet you though,” he finally told him the purpose of his visit.
Mu Yinan?
Gu Qiwu’s eyes shrunk slightly as he looked at Mu Yuchen who stood up and casually adjusted his buttons. “Doris is gone now, and the truth of what happened six years ago was revealed. I shouldn’t really have grudges any longer since I’ve proven my innocence now. However, I’m not as happy as I thought. I’m sure you know the reason why.”
“Did you know that Doris was behind it from the beginning?” Gu Qiwu asked.
Mu Yuchen smiled. “I might have thought of that if it weren’t for Gu Lingsha and Qi Feng’s involvement in the accident too, but the truth couldn’t stay hidden forever. What do you think?”
Although Gu Qiwu posed a question, he already knew the answer. “So, you’ve been plotting how to go against us from the beginning? Starting from Qi Feng and Lingsha’s wedding?”
Mu Yuchen looked at him. “My intention back then was just to try to help Lingshi. I didn’t think that my friend in New York would’ve sent me news about Doris. From the file that I saved, I found that the person who handled this case years ago was someone she knew well. This made me more alert, and of course, there was also that pen that was auctioned. You should remember that, don’t you?”
“Doris was an extremely proud person. Why would she turn up at the auction with Lingsha for Lingtian’s sake unless she had some other thoughts? So, I sent someone to look into her. She’s quite good. I spent a lot of time before I finally found some traces from years ago. It was only recently when the DNA test for you and Lingtian from seven years ago landed in my hands did everything come to light.”
Upon hearing Mu Yuchen say that, Gu Qiwu smiled defeatedly. “It’s also because of that that Doris and I are where we are now, including how I found out her infidelity and the truth about Lingtian’s death! Ah Chen, you stabbed all of these right into my heart, and truly, I couldn’t hit back. However, I still have to thank you for letting me know all of this even if I didn’t want to.”
“Please arrange for the meeting with Elder Mu. I think we do indeed have to meet.”
“Doris’s funeral won’t be held so soon, but you can take one last look at her,” Mu Yuchen also said.
Gu Qiwu shook his head and said in a low, raspy voice, “No need. Some things have been worn down in between conflicts, so it’s best not to.”
“Are your feelings for her stronger than for Aunt?” Mu Yuchen asked.
Gu Qiwu slowly closed his eyes and said calmly, “Even if I didn’t love her as much as I think I did, I still did care for her. Zixi’s different. With her, it was more suitable for us to be intimate friends. Even if I married her back then, I’m afraid I’d…If back then, we could’ve all been more rational and clear these things up, we wouldn’t be where we are today.”
“You mean you’d make the mistake of being rash too?” Mu Yuchen laughed coldly.
“If you want to laugh at me, then go ahead,” Gu Qiwu said with a lowered voice.