Gu Qiwu considered Mu Lingshi’s pregnancy and did not order coffee. He asked for a pot of grapefruit tea and some snacks instead.
“How was the result of the examination? Are you alright?” Gu Qiwu greeted though it was rare for him to show concern.
“It’s okay. Everything is fine,” Mu Lingshi responded weakly. Her tone was somewhat robotic as she looked down at the cup in front of her. She did not intend to waste any time and wanted to be straightforward, so she continued, ” Now that the cat’s out of the bag and everything has become clear now, do you have anything to say?”
Upon hearing this, Gu Qiwu paused and his pale face was a little stiff. He stayed silent for a long time before he mumbled, “What else can I say when all the truth is laid out right in front of me?”
Mu Lingshi sneered, “Yes, a heartless person like you wouldn’t be able to feel empathy. Nevertheless, you’re responsible for my mother and my brother’s death, even Grandmother’s misfortune. I cannot fathom how you can still sit here with peace of mind.”
“I should’ve resented Doris, but then I realized I couldn’t bring myself to begrudge her. My mother and I weren’t close, and neither was Lingtian…What made me sad were Big Brother and Grandmother… So, you’re the one I should hate the most.”
“I understand your hatred towards me, and I’m not going to ask for forgiveness. I made an agreement with Mu Yuchen which I think he should have told you about.”
“I won’t let my child grow up with the surname’Gu’. I wish that he’ll still have the surname’Mu’ when he grows up. In my eyes, this surname represents happiness and unity. On the other hand …you should know that going back to the Gu family with you is something I’m strongly opposed to, but if this allows me to take some weight off my elder brother’s shoulders and to protect the people that I care about, then I ‘m willing to accept it. Anyway, it’s still better than allowing Gu Lingsha or Qi Feng to benefit from this,” Mu Lingshi did not conceal her intentions at all.
Gu Qiwu looked at her silently for a long time and smiled. “It’s okay. Actually, from a long time ago, I never planned to hand the Hui Gu Corporation to Shasha. She’s not fit to be in charge of Hui Gu, let alone with Qi Feng alongside her.”
“Do you think I’d believe you? You didn’t even want to admit to us in the beginning!” Mu Lingshi said in disdain and her voice became cold.
Gu Qiwu listened as his eyes darkened. Mu Lingshi’s prejudice towards him was too deep. Nothing he said would be able to change her mind about him as a father, especially in such a short time.
“It doesn’t matter whether you believe it or not. What’s important is that you can consider it, and that’s all I ask for. I haven’t been able to find the best solution for everyone. Instead of letting Doris humiliate or hurt you, staying here with the Mu family will be better than staying with the Gu family.” Gu Qiwu sounded depressed, and Mu Lingshi also felt a little down for no reason after hearing that.
“I’ve been thinking a lot recently, and I’ve finally sorted out whatever happened in the past. I’m determined not to let you and Shasha go down that road like the others. After Lingtian passed away, I’ve always been in favor of you being the successor of the Hui Gu Corporation, but I can’t let you return to the Gu family right away. You know Doris very well and what she was capable of. If it weren’t for Mu Yuchen, she probably wouldn’t have fallen as quickly as she did…I’ve always thought that your brother, Lingtian, died because of him. So, emotionally, I’m also very conflicted.
“With all these conflicts, I have to be cautious dealing with Mu Yuchen. On the other hand, I had to be wary of Doris as well. Nonetheless, it’s a good thing that you could stay out of it.
“Stay out of it? Do you think I can? Even if I wanted to, your woman and your daughter probably wouldn’t have let me go! Do you resent your eldest brother for all these things and causing Doris’s death?” Mu Lingshi asked as her gaze sharpened and she gripped the cup tightly.
“Don’t think of me like that. No matter what, Doris was indeed my lawful wife, but you and Lingtian are both my children. You’re both innocent, and I care about both of you. After the incident, I hope everything can be peaceful again. I will hand the Hui Gu Corporation over to you and leave a sum of money for your sister, Shasha. I hope that you sisters can live together peacefully and not hurt each other.”
Gu Qiwu’s tone became calmer. “When my matters are done and over with, I’ll go right back to City B. I probably won’t come around much, and since Shasha has married into the Qi family, she belongs to them now Meanwhile, I hope you and Ah Mo can go back to City B with me. All the projects in City Z will be handed over to the regional manager, so you guys don’t have to get too involved with Shasha, Qi Feng, and the others. I mentioned these conditions to Mu Yuchen, and he did say he’d like to know your thoughts about it…”
When Gu Qiwu said that, his deep eyes were gleaming faintly with hope.
“If you’re willing to take this opportunity, I’ll try my best to make up for all the responsibilities I haven’t carried out as a father. In the past few decades, I don’t really know what I was looking for. If I had this opportunity, I wouldn’t have let myself get so busy and lose sight of what’s important. I can never abandon any of you sisters. I’ll be content as long as both of you live a good life. There’s only so much I can do, and the decision is up to you, Lingshi…”
“You can think about it. You can take Ah Mo and leave here with me to return to City B, or stay here. It’s up to you to decide. You’re smart, much smarter than your mother, and I believe you’ll know what’s best for you and make the right decision.”
It was Mu Lingshi who turned quiet this time. She lowered her head and took a sip of tea before inhaling a deep breath. She turned her head and looked out of the window, not answering Gu Qiwu for a long time.
“One of these days, I’m going to meet Mr. Mu and ask him for forgiveness. I’ll also tell him about this matter and ask for his consent. You don’t have to worry…”
“You don’t need to ask him. I’m willing to leave here and return to City B with you, but I want you to promise that from now on, you will stay out of all the grievances between the Mu family and the Qi family!”