Chapter 32: Younger Sister
The argument was thus lightly diffused.
Now that he knew the Bai family was in C City, Ji Linxue couldn't just stand by.
After setting a date with Bai Chutang, he bought some tonics and fruit milk, intending to visit Grandma Bai.
He was just about to leave when he ran into Gu Hengzhi, who had just returned. Gu Hengzhi was wearing formal attire, his bangs combed back and fixed with hair gel, making him look stern and proper, as if he had just returned from the company.
Lu Yu's father, who was Gu Hengzhi's uncle, had already made him start taking on company projects. Gu Hengzhi had been exceptionally busy lately, practically not sleeping at home for a week. He hadn't expected such a coincidence; he was just about to leave when he ran into him.
"Where are you going?" Gu Hengzhi asked casually, seeing him with a bag.
Ji Linxue thought for a moment and decided not to hide it from him: "I'm going to see Bai Chutang's grandmother."
He had told Gu Hengzhi about Grandma Bai's illness before. The latter nodded, took off his jacket, and casually draped it over the sofa: "Wait for me to change."
Ji Linxue: "Wait for you?"
Gu Hengzhi pointed to his suit: "Am I supposed to go dressed like this?"
"I didn't mean that," Ji Linxue was rarely a little embarrassed. He was wondering if it was too soon to meet the family elders.
Gu Hengzhi raised an eyebrow at him: "Then what? As your good friend, isn't it normal for me to accompany you to visit familiar elders?"
He couldn't possibly let Ji Linxue and Bai Chutang meet alone, at least not without him watching.
Seeing his insistence, Ji Linxue had no choice but to agree.
Gu Hengzhi changed into a light casual outfit and washed his hair again. When he came closer, Ji Linxue smelled his cologne—a cool, woody oriental scent, quiet and elegant.
It was just one meeting, yet he took it so seriously.
Ji Linxue had never seen him wear cologne before. That was something only a showy guy like Shen Shaoyan would do. He remembered hearing Gu Hengzhi complain, saying Shen Shaoyan's scent was too overpowering. He hadn't expected Gu Hengzhi himself to make an exception for this meeting.
He finally understood the feeling of being a supporting character in a CEO novel. He remembered always seeing a scene where the usually cold male lead would smile because of the female lead, and the butler would say, "Young Master finally smiled." Was his line going to be, "Young Master finally wore cologne?"
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but curve his lips.
Gu Hengzhi lightly coughed, his ears slightly warm: "You laugh at what?"
He felt that Ji Linxue must have smelled his cologne and was teasing him. But that day when he consulted Shen Shaoyan on how to pursue someone, the other party swore that it would make him look classy.
However, judging by Ji Linxue's expression, he didn't seem to like it.
Ji Linxue suppressed the curve of his lips and said seriously: "Nothing. Let's go."
The driver was still waiting downstairs. After Ji Linxue gave the destination, he leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes to rest.
Only after confirming that Ji Linxue had closed his eyes did Gu Hengzhi raise his arm to his nose and sniff carefully.
He didn't notice that the person beside him quietly opened his eyes. Ji Linxue secretly stifled a laugh, thinking to himself, 'even CEOs have a cute side'.
Their residence was very far from Bai Chutang's home, taking almost an hour to reach.
It was an old residential area. According to Bai Chutang, it was a property owned by her previous part-time boss. The previous tenant had returned to their hometown and moved out, so the boss asked her if she wanted to rent it.
They used to live in a crowded and chaotic urban village, but Grandma Bai's illness required quiet recuperation. This place had a serene environment and convenient transportation, making it most suitable for them. Moreover, the rent here was much cheaper than places with similar environments. They could say they found a great deal.
The car stopped at the entrance of the residential area. Ji Linxue didn't let the driver drive in. He bought a box of milk and several large bags of fruit from the supermarket at the entrance, then asked Gu Hengzhi to help him take out something from his bag—a massage device.
Gu Hengzhi sighed: "You're quite thoughtful towards her family."
Ji Linxue said: "Grandma Bai is a very good person, and Chutang and Chuyun are also very well-behaved. When we were neighbors before, our two families got along very well."
He had no experience with giving gifts. These were all chosen after consulting his father and mother.
Gu Hengzhi carried the heaviest items, the milk and fruit, for him. When they reached the entrance of the building, Bai Chutang was already waiting.
She was half surprised, half complaining: "Linxue Ge, it's fine for you to come, but why did you buy so many things?"
"It's a small token of my regard," Ji Linxue said. "Is Grandma still sleeping?"
"No, hearing you were coming, Grandma was so happy she couldn't sleep. She's been waiting for you at home," Bai Chutang looked at him beside him, curious, "Linxue Ge, you haven't introduced me yet. Who is this handsome guy?"
Ji Linxue hadn't spoken yet, but Gu Hengzhi had already spoken first: "My name is Gu Hengzhi, I'm your Linxue Ge's good friend. We met at the bar that day, did you forget?"
The young girl thought back for a moment, then realized: "Oh, it was you."
Seeing the two conversing smoothly, Ji Linxue felt relieved.
He had thought that with Gu Hengzhi's personality, he would be uncomfortable interacting with girls. He hadn't expected that after meeting the female lead, he would become self-taught.
They exchanged a few pleasantries. Bai Chutang tidied her pajamas, which she was wearing as an outer layer, and smiled: "Don't just stand here. Come up with me."
She reached out, wanting to take the things from their hands, but both of them simultaneously evaded her. Gu Hengzhi said: "The things are too heavy. We'll carry them."
Ji Linxue's gaze darted back and forth between the two of them, thinking that Gu Hengzhi was making surprisingly fast progress; he even knew how to be considerate towards girls now.
The very next second after he thought this, Gu Hengzhi suddenly looked over, his gaze falling on the item he was holding: "Shall I carry that for you?"
Ji Linxue only had a massage device in his hand, which wasn't heavy. The heavy items had all been taken by Gu Hengzhi. He shrank his hand back: "No need, I can manage myself."
Bai Chutang led the way, with the two following behind her.
This building had a total of six floors. The apartment they rented was on the third floor, neither too high nor too low, making it very convenient for travel.
"Grandma, Linxue Ge is here!" Bai Chutang pushed open the door, greeting Ji Linxue and Gu Hengzhi, "Just come right in, no need to change your shoes."
"Linxue is here," an old but very kind voice sounded. Grandma Bai's figure was very thin, and she walked unsteadily.
Seeing them, a benevolent smile appeared on her face.
Ji Linxue almost didn't recognize her. Grandma Bai used to be quite plump, but now she was skin and bones, and her voice was somewhat weak.
"Grandma Bai, this is a small token of our regard," Ji Linxue placed the items on the nearby table. Seeing the old lady trying to stand up by leaning on the table, he quickly said, "Please sit. No need to be polite."
"Good, good, good child," Grandma Bai's eyes welled up with tears. "Our family had such a big problem, and other relatives avoided us. In these past few years, you are the first to visit."
Bai Chutang, beside them, was a little helpless: "Grandma, why are you saying all this? Linxue Ge won't know how to respond."
Ji Linxue smiled: "It's alright, Grandma. How do you feel now?"
Grandma Bai wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes. Hearing him ask this, her expression suddenly became very strange: "I'm fine now. I don't know what happened, but after moving from A City, I feel much better, and the doctors also said my illness is improving. It's simply a miracle."
Bai Chutang came over with a hot water kettle, poured a cup of water for Ji Linxue and Gu Hengzhi, and smiled: "It means you're blessed with a long life, and the King of Hell won't take you. Good days are still ahead!"
The smile on Ji Linxue's lips suddenly froze.
In the original novel, after Bai Chutang graduated from high school, she met Gu Hengzhi while working part-time at a bar. The two accidentally had a one-night stand, and afterwards, Bai Chutang ran away in a panic.
However, on the third day after she fled, Grandma Bai's condition took a sharp turn for the worse. It had been recovering well, but suddenly it reverted to its previous state, requiring extensive medical treatment.
This plot was merely a setup for the male and female leads' love story. If Bai Chutang hadn't been short on money, she wouldn't have sought out Gu Hengzhi. If Grandma hadn't been sick, she wouldn't have been repeatedly threatened by Gu Hengzhi.
"Linxue Ge, what's wrong?" The little girl in front of him tilted her head, her eyes clear and innocent.
Ji Linxue snapped back to reality, noticing Gu Hengzhi was also looking at him. He adjusted his expression: "Nothing. Where's your younger sister?"
Bai Chutang pointed to the calendar: "Today is Saturday. Chuyun should still be in class, right?"
"Hmm," Ji Linxue just asked casually. He had little impression of Bai Chuyun, only remembering her as a thin, small girl. When the incident happened, she had just entered sixth grade. Although she was only one year apart from Bai Chutang, as the older sister, Bai Chutang bore the entire burden of the family, working hard every day, naturally having no time to care for this younger sister.
Gu Hengzhi suddenly spoke: "To my knowledge, junior high schools in C City don't have classes on weekends."
"Ah?" Bai Chutang's face changed. "But Grandma said Chuyun wouldn't come back every Saturday."
Grandma Bai was also very anxious: "Chutang, quickly call Chuyun's teacher and ask."
Bai Chutang made a call and quickly received a reply from the teacher, saying that the school did not have classes on weekends and had never offered makeup classes.
"Then if she's not home, where else could she go?" Grandma Bai was very anxious, wanting to stand up, but her legs had little strength.
Ji Linxue quickly stepped forward to support her: "Grandma, please sit down first. We'll figure out Chuyun's matter."
After comforting Grandma Bai, he pulled the other two to the balcony and asked Bai Chutang: "Do you have Chuyun's contact information?"
Bai Chutang looked embarrassed: "Only Grandma and I have phones at home. Chuyun said she wanted one last year, but I didn't agree."
She often worked part-time outside, so a phone was naturally essential. Grandma also needed a phone at home in case she wanted to call someone. As for Bai Chuyun, she spent most of her time at school, and the school prohibited electronic products. Plus, to save money, Bai Chutang didn't agree to it.
Just as the two didn't know what to do, Gu Hengzhi said: "I can have someone help look for her."
Although he had little say in the Gu family, he could ask the Lu family for help. With the Lu family's capabilities, finding an ordinary high school girl wouldn't be a problem.
"Really?" Bai Chutang said in surprise: "Thank you, Hengzhi Ge. That's truly too kind of you."
Gu Hengzhi also smiled at her: "It's nothing. No need to thank me."
Watching the two of them smiling at each other, Ji Linxue inexplicably felt a bit out of place.
He suppressed the dull ache in his heart, thinking, 'perhaps this is what it feels like to be force-fed dog food.'
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