This kid, suddenly being so proactive and asking if I want to go escape the heat—definitely up to something.
"I'm not going anywhere. I’m perfectly fine staying home," Gu Baotian said lazily, reclining on his rocking chair.
"Grandpa, didn’t you just complain about the heat the other day?" Gu Ye leaned over the chair, oozing enthusiasm. "I know a super cool spot with great scenery. You could take Grandma Zhong along—it’d be nice for the two of you to travel together."
Too much flattery out of nowhere—either a scheme or a scam.
Gu Baotian narrowed his eyes. "Weren’t you the one who disapproved of me and Grandma Zhong before?"
Gu Ye quickly shook his head. "Grandpa, that was my older brother’s doing. Don’t pin that on me!"
He muttered under his breath: Not like you ever listened anyway.
"Don’t think I don’t know you’ve been gossiping behind my back. And why the sudden urge to play the filial grandson?"
"How can you say that? I’ve always been filial!" Gu Ye pouted. "Grandpa, just give me a straight answer—are you going or not?"
Gu Baotian glared. "Is this how you ask for a favor, boy?"
"Grandpa!" Gu Ye immediately switched to a fawning smile. "So, will you agree? I’ll come along and take care of everything for you."
"I’m still hale and hearty—don’t need your coddling," Gu Baotian huffed, then finally relented. "When are we going, and where?"
Seeing his grandfather soften, Gu Ye eagerly laid out the plan. "The forests of western Hubei. It’s close, so no exhausting travel, and the weather there is perfect right now—great outdoor scenery too."
Sounded decent. Gu Baotian nodded. "Fine, we’ll go. You handle the rest—I won’t lift a finger."
Gu Ye thumped his chest. "Don’t worry, leave it all to me."
After setting the stage, he casually added, "Oh, Grandpa… for this trip, could you invite Jiang Xiaomo too?"
If he suggested it, she might refuse. But if Gu Baotian extended the invitation, it’d be harder to turn down.
The old man abruptly sat up from his rocking chair. "Well, well! Here I thought you were being dutiful, but you’re just using me as cover for your little romance, huh?"
"Grandpa, keep your voice down!" Gu Ye hissed. "Can’t we kill two birds with one stone?"
"Besides, you know the situation—that senior of hers keeps asking her out. I can’t just stand by and watch."
Gu Baotian lightly tapped Gu Ye’s head with his folding fan. "Didn’t think you had it in you to scheme. Not bad—separating her from that senior for a while."
"Meanwhile, you two get to bond in a new place. Who knows? Sparks might fly. Heh."
Why did Grandpa’s laugh sound a little creepy? Still, Gu Ye felt relieved—the plan was practically set.
Or so he thought.
Gu Baotian, watching his grandson spring into action, was already rubbing his hands in anticipation. This was going to be fun.
He practically skipped to the kitchen, beaming at Jiang Mo, who was making iced drinks.
Unsure what the old man wanted, Jiang Mo slowed her movements. "Grandpa, would you like some?"
"Nah," Gu Baotian said. "Xiaomo, I’m going on a summer getaway in a couple of days. You’re coming with me."
"Me too?" Jiang Mo’s legs went weak at the memory of their last trip—climbing Mount Tai. "But Grandpa, there’s still so much work at home..."
"Plenty of people here can handle it. You’re coming along—think of it as a vacation."
"Where are we going, and for how long?"
"Western Hubei forests. Probably ten days to two weeks."
Not too far, and the summer weather there was pleasant. Sounded comfortable enough.
Jiang Mo nodded. "Alright. Is everyone going?"
"Nope. Just you, Gu Ye, me, and Grandma Zhong. The four of us."
Mission accomplished, Gu Baotian strolled off, hands behind his back.
Gu Xuan darted out from the side room near the kitchen. "Sis Mo, you’re going on a trip without me?"
Jiang Mo shrugged. It wasn’t like she’d planned this—she’d assumed the others weren’t interested.
At dinner that night, Gu Xuan spilled the beans about the grandfather-grandson getaway.
"I’m going too! Grandpa’s playing favorites, leaving me behind!" Gu Xuan whined.
It was summer break, after all.
"Didn’t you just get back from studying abroad?" Gu Ye frowned. "How’d you even find out?"
"Secrets don’t stay secret for long," Gu Xuan said smugly. "You’re not ditching me at home."
Su Yunjin looked puzzled. "Dad, where are you all going? When was this planned? I hadn’t heard."
Gu Baotian waved it off. "Oh, just a spur-of-the-moment thing. We decided today—just escaping the heat for a bit."
"Sounds nice. I’m free too—why don’t we all go?" Su Yunjin suggested.
Gu Ye shot his grandfather a look. Too many people would complicate things.
Catching the hint, Gu Baotian cleared his throat. "Yunjin, the household needs overseeing. As the lady of the house, you should stay."
"But Gu Xuan can come with us."
A kid… harmless. No big deal.
Su Yunjin muttered, "There’s not much to oversee. Aunt Wang can handle it."
Gu Ye chimed in, "Mom, Dad’s still on his business trip. When he gets back, he’ll want to see you. What if you’re not here?"
"Old married couple—he’s probably sick of me by now," Su Yunjin said. "Fine, but Gu Ye, you’re in charge of keeping an eye on your grandfather and brother."
Gu Ye nodded, relieved. "Don’t worry, Mom."
But when he woke up the next morning, the plan had changed.
"Grandpa!" Gu Ye forced a smile. "We agreed it’d just be the four of us! How’d you manage to recruit extra people overnight? And now I’m stuck playing tour guide?"
Gu Baotian avoided eye contact, looking anywhere but at him. "It’s not that many more—just a couple of my old pals. Jiang Mo knows them too."
He’d only mentioned it in passing, but those two had latched on, insisting on joining. Too awkward to refuse, he’d vaguely agreed.
Jiang Mo, passing by the living room, peeked in curiously.
Gu Baotian called her over. "Xiaomo, come here. Grandpa’s got something to tell you."
"What is it?"
"About the trip—Grandfather Liu and Grandpa Pan are coming too."
Jiang Mo blinked, confused, but nodded. "Alright."
