Liu Guochuan's voice was robust, neither too loud nor too soft, ensuring everyone inside and outside the room heard him clearly.
Jiang Mo nearly stumbled upon hearing Liu Guochuan's words, her eyes widening at the scene inside. What on earth was going on here?
"Old Liu, what nonsense are you spouting now?"
Zhong Xiaoqin turned and snapped at the sound of his voice. His words were downright embarrassing, especially with a child present.
Jiang Mo—the so-called "child"—blinked, thoroughly enjoying the drama unfolding before her.
Spotting the two entering the sunroom, Gu Baotian coughed awkwardly and forced a smile. "Old Liu, you do love your jokes. Have you and Xiao Mo had breakfast? Would you like to join us?"
"We have, Grandpa Gu," Jiang Mo replied.
Gu Baotian nodded. "Ah, what brings you two here together?"
"If we hadn't come, we wouldn’t have caught you..." Under their intense stares, Liu Guochuan rephrased, "Caught you two sneaking a meal without us."
"I haven't eaten yet. Xiao Mo, come join the three of us for breakfast."
His sharp eyes didn’t miss a thing—something was definitely up between these two.
Jiang Mo thought to herself, Didn’t you just eat at your place? But she didn’t dare say it aloud, obediently taking a seat at the table instead.
Her gaze wandered over the group before naturally settling on Gu Baotian.
Meeting her eyes, Gu Baotian chuckled. "Finished all the chores at home?"
Jiang Mo hesitated. Was she supposed to say yes or no? Judging by Grandpa Gu’s tone, it almost sounded like he wanted her to go back and work.
"Honestly, let the child eat first. The chores can wait," Zhong Xiaoqin interjected. "Lately, your Grandpa Gu and I have been walking the dogs together. Since Chef Li is on leave, he’s been joining me for breakfast."
She shot Liu Guochuan a glance. "And you—stop with the wild accusations."
Jiang Mo was puzzled. Huh? Chef Li is on leave? Since when?
Then, piecing together the earlier remarks, she realized the implications.
Aha! Mystery solved. So, Gu Baotian’s recent early departures and late returns were all about walking the dogs with Zhong Xiaoqin.
Liu Guochuan smirked. "Right, right. You’re just ‘dog-walking buddies.’ Nothing unusual about strolling together, sharing tea, or admiring the moon."
As if anyone would buy that.
Zhong Xiaoqin seemed unfazed, but Old Gu? Now, he was acting suspicious.
Unwarranted enthusiasm? Big red flag.
Despite the teasing, Gu Baotian remained composed, shedding his earlier unease. "Mock me all you want, but leave Xiaoqin out of it. She’s not as thick-skinned as I am."
"We’re just walking the dogs. Must you twist everything?"
"Xiaoqin~" Liu Guochuan mimicked, shuddering dramatically. "So affectionate."
Jiang Mo pressed her lips together, stifling a laugh. Liu Guochuan was fearless—didn’t he fear retaliation?
Sure enough, the scolding came instantly.
"Liu, you’re deliberately trying to disgust me, aren’t you? Fine, go home and eat there," Zhong Xiaoqin declared, slamming her chopsticks down in dismissal.
If she didn’t put her foot down, this old man would keep pushing his luck.
Realizing he’d crossed a line, Liu Guochuan wisely shut his mouth.
Jiang Mo seized the moment to defuse the tension. "Liu Guochuan’s autobiography is underway. Maybe you could invite Grandma Zhong and Grandpa Gu to write forewords for it?"
"Ah! Good idea!" Liu Guochuan slapped his thigh. This was important. "Well? Care to lend your esteemed words to my memoir?"
Gu Baotian raised an eyebrow. "Oh-ho! Old Liu, you’re really going through with this?"
"Don’t underestimate me. Writing a memoir’s a breeze," Liu Guochuan boasted. "When it’s published, I’ll gift each of you two copies—free of charge!"
"Liu Guochuan’s made great progress—tens of thousands of words already," Jiang Mo added.
Zhong Xiaoqin’s expression softened slightly. "And how many copies do you expect to sell?"
Liu Guochuan waved it off. "Sales don’t matter. I’ll give them all away. It’s about leaving a legacy for future generations."
"Just make sure you two write those forewords."
"Deal. I’ll pen something memorable," Gu Baotian agreed.
Zhong Xiaoqin nodded, sealing the arrangement.
After two breakfasts in quick succession, Jiang Mo’s stomach was visibly rounder. She waited for Gu Baotian to finish before bidding farewell and stepping out of the sunroom.
"Da Huang, Fu Gui, let’s go home," she called, tugging the leashes.
Once they reached the villa district, Gu Baotian slowed his pace and rubbed his nose. "Old Liu loves running his mouth. Don’t read too much into whatever he said about me and Grandma Zhong."
"Read into what?" Jiang Mo feigned ignorance. "You’re just walking the dogs together."
Gu Baotian paused. "Right, exactly. We’re dog-walking buddies."
Jiang Mo shook her head. Sometimes, it was better to play dumb.
Haven’t seen pigs run, but I’ve eaten pork. The signs were obvious.
Grandpa Gu had a crush, but the lady seemed oblivious.
While the young masters of the household remained single, the elder might just beat them to romance.
What a world—where the young were outmatched by their elders in health, income, and even dating skills.
Back at the Gu residence, Wang Xia asked, "Why’d you return with the old master?"
Jiang Mo shrugged. "Ran into him on the way."
"Since you’re here, take the car to the airport later. Fetch the second young master," Wang Xia instructed. "He didn’t sound well on the phone—might be coming down with something."
"Got it."
Thinking of Gu Ye, Jiang Mo recalled the photos he’d sent her lately—beaches, deserts, all over the place.
Armed with the flight details from Wang Xia and a thermos she’d handed her, Jiang Mo set off for the airport, arriving half an hour early.
Confirming the flight was on time, she texted Gu Ye: "You out yet?"
Gu Ye, bundled up despite the weather and wheeling his luggage, read her message and smirked. "Since when do you care? This is new."
"Be out in ten. Home in an hour."
He’d volunteered his ETA unprompted.
Jiang Mo replied with an "OK" sticker and went silent.
Gu Ye sniffled, his throat scratchy. A few hard coughs later, he felt marginally better.
After calling the driver, he spotted the familiar car within minutes.
Yanking the door open, he grinned. "Jiang Xiao Mo! You came?"
Jiang Mo deadpanned, "...Should I leave?"
"Where do you think you're going?" Gu Ye got into the car, removed his disguise, and started coughing again.
"Caught a cold?" Jiang Mo had noticed his hoarse voice earlier. She pulled out the thermos Wang Xia had handed her before leaving and offered it to him. "Here, my mom made some soup. Drink a little to soothe your throat."
Gu Ye took it and gulped down a few mouthfuls. "Ah, nothing beats Mom Wang’s care. She always looks out for me."
Jiang Mo studied his face and realized he looked noticeably more worn out after being away for over ten days.
"You should rest and sleep in the car."
"Nah, I’m fine," Gu Ye said, his serious tone lasting all of half a minute. "Don’t you think I’ve gotten more manly this time?"
Jiang Mo sighed. "Big bro, just because you’re exhausted and scruffy doesn’t automatically make you more rugged, okay?"
Gu Ye coughed. "You really know how to knock a guy down. Judging by how you look, you’ve had a much easier time than me lately."
"Could be worse," Jiang Mo replied. "How did you end up like this, anyway? And how’d you catch a cold?"
"My schedule’s been packed—I’ve been running all over the place," Gu Ye explained. "I already told Sister Huang I’m taking the next few days off to rest."
"Stop talking and just close your eyes for a bit," Jiang Mo urged, hearing his voice rasp like a duck’s.
Gu Ye finally settled down and soon dozed off quietly.
Seeing his state, Su Yunjin felt a pang of concern. "I’ll call the private doctor to come check on you."
"No need, Mom. I’ll recover after resting at home for a couple of days," Gu Ye insisted.
Gu Baotian glanced at him. "This kid’s tough. He’ll be fine."
After dinner, Jiang Mo went upstairs to help Gu Ye unpack his suitcase. He pulled out a small box from his bag and handed it to her.
"A little gift I picked up for you. It’s cute—I saw it while walking along the beach. Doesn’t cost much."
Meaning she shouldn’t feel obligated.
Jiang Mo opened it to find a decorative piece made of seashells and conch. It shimmered beautifully and was quite eye-catching.
"The seller said it was handmade."
"It’s lovely," Jiang Mo admired it for a moment before carefully placing it back in the box. "Thanks~"
Gu Ye waved it off, rubbing the back of his neck. "We’re old classmates—no need to be so formal."
After helping him unpack, Jiang Mo left the room and ran into Su Yunjin.
The woman beckoned her over. "Jiang Mo, come here for a second."
Jiang Mo hurried over. "Yes, ma’am."
She followed her into the walk-in closet.
"Could you iron this dress for me? I’d like to wear it when I go out later," Su Yunjin instructed. "Oh, and have you noticed what the old man’s been up to lately?"
"Oh, Grandpa Gu? He’s been walking dogs with his friends in the neighborhood. They seem to get along well—after the walks, they just chat."
Hearing it was just dog-walking, Su Yunjin relaxed slightly.
The old man had a knack for stirring up trouble, and his past antics were far from ordinary.
Jiang Mo pressed her lips together. Some things were better left unsaid—and for now, it wasn’t her place to speculate.
Sooner or later, the Gu family would probably figure it out on their own.
