Chapter 605: If You Don’t Want to Get Married, You Can Still Change Your Mind Now
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
Gu Hongkang sensed something was amiss and immediately felt a strong sense of unease.
In Gu Qingluan’s eyes, a hint of severity flashed, and she spoke each word slowly, “She helped someone kidnap my son!”
“What?” Gu Hongkang’s body swayed dramatically, and a look of profound astonishment appeared on his face.
Nowadays, in Tianjing City, almost everyone knew that Gu Qingluan’s son was her Achilles’ heel!
Has Gu Qin’er gone mad?
She actually kidnapped Gu Qingluan’s son!
Gu Hongkang hadn’t antic.i.p.ated that Gu Qin’er would be so audacious as to commit such a grave mistake.
In an instant, a cold sweat covered Gu Hongkang’s back.
He had initially thought that Gu Qin’er had just made a minor mistake. Now, reflecting on it, he had been summoned to this place for such a long time, and something seemed amiss.
During this period, Gu Qingluan was likely out rescuing her son!
And now her son had been found?
Gu Hongkang’s pupils quivered slightly. “Is the child unharmed?”
“How could he be unharmed?” Gu Qingluan’s face darkened instantly. “They tied Xiaonan to the mountainside and surrounded him with a swarm of snakes! Do you think he’s alright?”
Gu Hongkang was taken aback by the sudden change in her tone, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead. “I… I’ll go check on the child. I don’t know which child it is, Xiaonan… or… Yuanxi?”
“There’s no need to check right now. Xiaonan has just returned and has been traumatized. It’s not advisable for him to see anyone,” Gu Qingluan rejected Gu Hongkang’s suggestion.
Gu Hongkang furrowed his brows in contemplation.
He couldn’t see anyone, and he wasn’t certain how much of what Gu Qingluan said was true.
The authenticity of the child’s disappearance was beyond his doubt, but as for the severity of the consequences, he remained skeptical.
After all, he had already experienced Gu Qingluan’s cunning.
“Regardless, 1 am the child’s grandfather, and I should visit him.”
Gu Qingluan looked at him mockingly. “Xiaonan currently doesn’t want to see other members of the Gu family, including you, of course.”
Gu Hongkang’s breath hitched.
That was his grandson!
However, considering the current relationship between the two sides.
He could only swallow his bitterness.
After a long pause, he spoke slowly, “Tell me, what will it take for you to calm down?”
He wasn’t a fool. She had said so much; it was clear she wanted to negotiate terms.
Gu Qingluan spoke calmly, “That depends on Old Master Gu’s sincerity.”
Gu Hongkang’s heart sank.
Her sincerity?
It was clear that she had the final say!
Now, with the Gu family in financial straits, he had to use his personal wealth to subsidize the family’s expenses.
And now she wanted him to pay again.
Gu Hongkang felt like his heart was being twisted and squeezed, causing him both pain and anguish, making him extremely uncomfortable.
But what could he do?
He was the one who had made the mistake of bringing Gu Qin’er to the celebration in a moment of confusion.
Gu Qin’er made a mistake, and Gu Hongkang could only be implicated.
In the end, Gu Hongkang reluctantly handed over one-third of his private treasury to satisfy Gu Qingluan.
Gu Hongkang felt utterly disgusted.
He had come to enjoy a banquet, but not only had he failed to improve his relationship with Gu Qingluan, but he also hadn’t earned a single point of respect from the world. Instead, he lost so many years’ worth of savings. Could it get any worse?
After handing over the items to Gu Qingluan, Gu Hongkang walked away with a stern face. His dark, wide robe rustled as he walked as if he could take flight at any moment.
He didn’t even bother asking about Gu Qin’er, showing a complete disregard for her well-being.
At this moment, the front courtyard banquet had also dispersed.
When people saw him pa.s.sing by with a grim expression, they couldn’t help but feel curious.
“Wasn’t Old Master Gu just called to the back earlier? What did they talk about? It doesn’t look very pleasant!”
“Haha, how could it be pleasant? It’s surprising they didn’t come to blows!”
“I suppose Old Master Gu from the Gu family tried to establish a connection, but isn’t it a bit too late for that?”
“Indeed, it’s easy to provide extra help in good times, but it’s much more challenging to offer a.s.sistance when it’s truly needed. Blame it on the Gu family for being cold-hearted. If they hadn’t acted so decisively in the past, they wouldn’t have become a laughingstock now, and even Guardian Princess would have paid attention.”
The people chatted in groups of threes and fours as they walked.
With Gu Hongkang’s sharp hearing, he naturally couldn’t ignore those unpleasant remarks.
He noted down all the offensive comments.
Having just been mercilessly fleeced by Gu Qingluan, he had no intention of causing trouble here. If he did, he would have to face Gu Qingluan again later… Seeing Gu Qingluan now gave him a headache!
On the other hand, Gu Qingluan, having taken the advantage, was in a better mood as she went to find her sons.
Upon learning that Han Xiao was dining with them, she went straight to their location.
When she entered the room, Xiaonan and Yuanxi were already stuffing their mouths with food.
“Mother, come and eat! It’s delicious!”
Gu Xiaonan, upon hearing footsteps, raised his head and saw her. He waved the braised pork knuckles in his hand.
Seeing her energetic son, Gu Qingluan smiled and responded as she approached the table and took a seat.
Han Xiao sat on a stool, significantly taller than everyone else. He held a wine gla.s.s in one hand, and his smile was wild and unrestrained. “Little Qingluan, if you don’t want to get married, you can still change your mind now.. Why not come stay at Uncle Han’s place for a while?”