Chapter 394 - Big Brother’s Discovery
In just two days, Gongyi Tianheng already had a thorough understanding of his present situation as well as the basic common sense and information of this continent.
If it was said that this place’s ambient qi was close to zero, that there weren’t any real wild beasts, that there were all kinds of mechanisms and machines explained as “science and technology”, and that there was a completely different knowledge system, one could believe that this continent was too desolate and remote. It was to the extent that he developed another type of possibility.
In fact, the continent under their feet wasn’t flat and level. Rather, it was a spherical ball, and people walked on it by relying on a kind of power that emanated from the ground. It was enough to prove one thing.
This place wasn’t another continent as he mistakenly thought. It was another world!
What that mysterious artifact pa.s.sed through wasn’t the ordinary s.p.a.ce between continents. Instead, it was the even stranger…s.p.a.cetime?
With Tianheng’s current insight, it still wasn’t enough to recognize the secrets hidden within this subject. However, he only needed to be aware of these things to speculate on many matters.
Yet, being in another world wasn’t enough to upset Tianheng. What truly made his mood gloomy was that he suddenly discovered one fact.
His little pharmacist deceived him.
His Ah Zuo was never the former Qi Tianyou. Instead, he originated from this world.
In the depths of Tianheng’s eyes, a deep and dark flame danced.
At this moment, the many details that he deliberately ignored in the past poured into his mind.
Qi Tianyou of the Cangyun Empire’s Qi Family really was someone who existed. His appearance and age were exactly the same as that of Gu Zuo, and his experiences were likewise real. As a result, when Tianheng investigated at the very beginning, he was convinced of Gu Zuo’s ident.i.ty. Later on, Tianheng punished the Qi Family on Gu Zuo’s behalf, so that all those who committed wrongs would receive the retribution they deserved. After that, Tianheng no longer placed this matter in his heart. Moreover, he once considered Gu Zuo, who was getting closer and closer to him, as his most prized possession.
But, Gu Zuo’s cover also wasn’t without flaws.
There were many times when Gu Zuo’s speech patterns were different from that of the continent’s population. However, there were no barriers to communication, and there were many people with special habits in the world. Thus, this didn’t arouse Tianheng’s attentions. On the contrary, he felt that this way of talking was very cute. Therefore, he indulged Gu Zuo.
Now that he thought about it carefully, it wasn’t just the way of speaking. There were some words that he grasped intuitively once in a while, but in actuality, Gu Zuo’s phrases and expressions, which weren’t spoken on those continents, could be seen in this world…
On top of that, there was also Gu Zuo’s character, his lack of general knowledge, the worries he faintly revealed from time to time, and the fact that the way he conducted himself was completely different from the Qi Tianyou mentioned in the investigation — This actually indicated that he wasn’t Qi Tianyou. He was someone else.
In the deepest parts of Tianheng’s heart, it wasn’t like there weren’t any doubts about Gu Zuo’s real ident.i.ty. However, these kinds of doubts had never taken shape. They were always washed away and repressed to almost nothing because of Gu Zuo’s unreserved concern for him.
Tianheng had long sensed that Gu Zuo had some extremely deep secrets. However, he restrained his own desire for control, and patiently waited for Gu Zuo to be completely at ease before confiding in him. But now, after finding out by accident, what bloomed from the bottom of his heart wasn’t the happiness of learning that secret. Instead, it was a type of intense mood that vacillated between unspeakable anger and gut-wrenching disappointment.
With Tianheng’s intelligence, how couldn’t it have occurred to him?
He always thought that this little pharmacist would always be together with him. Yet, not only wasn’t Gu Zuo prepared to stay with him forever, he single-mindedly wanted to return to this world!
If it wasn’t for that last shred of rationality allowing Tianheng to constrain his own pessimistic thought process, he would’ve almost suspected that —
Gu Zuo treated him wholeheartedly with kindness. Was it because he would be returning to this world sooner or later that he didn’t care so much about everything on the continents? Because he would return, did Gu Zuo listen to him and never go against his intentions? Because he would return, was Gu Zuo willing to hide himself? Was the kindness toward him not out of sincerity at all, but to take advantage of his protection and curry favor —
One had to wonder if Gu Zuo really was as simple and innocent as he appeared. Was Gu Zuo really taught and guided by him little by little until he gradually matured? Whenever Gu Zuo looked at Tianheng like he was the most important person in the world, were the emotions in his little pharmacist’s eyes real or fake? Was it true that Gu Zuo’s feelings of him changed from reverence to closeness to dependence? Had everything Gu Zuo done for him genuinely come from the heart?!
Tianheng closed his eyes.
He was brought into the world twenty-two years ago. Even though his body was frail and weak in the beginning, and it was reported that he would die once he reached twenty years old, never once had his mood boiled like right now. He seemed to have an innate understanding of how to take control of his own life, what he needed to do, and what he wanted to obtain.
But…
At this moment of realization, the many doubts on the brink of bursting out from under his tenacious suppression nearly made him lose control!
When all was said and done, Tianheng was Tianheng. As a result, while the drinking gla.s.s in his hand was squeezed into a fine powder, he still managed to restrain the rage that narrowly flooded out.
No. Whether that friendship was real or fake, even if his understanding of Gu Zo was proved…partial, he was still capable of telling the difference.
Gu Zuo was definitely sincere. Although, the concealed secret had been well outside his expectations.
There was a hint of coldness at the edge of Tianheng’s lips.
Fifteen-year-old Gu Zuo was basically incapable of going to the Peripheral Continents on his own. Displayed through the numerous details later on was the desire to return. One could see that he hadn’t voluntarily come to that world. As such, the only thing that could’ve sent Gu Zuo over was the system he carried.
Therefore, finding Gongyi Tianheng, and making their contract for cooperation, was something that couldn’t have been done without the system’s influence.
— In the end, what was the goal of the so-called system?
Currently, Gu Zuo accidentally returned due to the mysterious artifact…
Tianheng became much more calm.
He had to trust in the friendship between himself and Gu Zuo. If it wasn’t for this accident, Gu Zuo ought to have said goodbye to him before leaving.
It might’ve been fine like this.
But the color of Tianheng’s eyes darkened even more.
If this was really Gu Zuo’s initial way of thinking, he was afraid that he wouldn’t have permitted this at all. Perhaps, because of this matter, he would’ve placed Gu Zuo into captivity.
Now that he accidentally travelled to this world with Gu Zuo, this wasn’t necessarily without an opportunity.
With Gu Zuo’s character, he would be eager to return here. He ought to have been worried about something. Thus, Tianheng only needed to resolve this worry. If he wanted to take Gu Zuo away, it wouldn’t be a problem. However, if he conceded like this, Gu Zuo also wouldn’t be willing to leave with him…
Tianheng’s gaze cooled.
Indeed, he was still willing to restrain his own desire for control, but this was on the premise that…his little pharmacist would always be his.
Because the qi emissions surrounding Gongyi Tianheng were undulating intermittently, and were even overflowing with some terrifying imposing auras, Zhang Bohan, as a person whose perception of danger was rather sharp, already moved far away the instant he discovered this.
At this time, he received a phone call. After that, when he turned to look Tianheng with a complicated frame of mind, he discovered that the calamity’s mood had already been restored to its previous deep and immeasurable state. His heart didn’t know whether to relax somewhat or become even more vigilant.
Tianheng raised his eyes: “Eldest Young Master Zhang.”
Zhang Bohan promptly said: “It’s fine for this sir to directly call me by name.”
Tianheng faintly nodded his head: “Mister Zhang.”
Zhang Bohan waited a moment before finding that Tianheng said nothing else. It seemed that this calamity only greeted him because he happened to walk over.
However, while Tianheng had nothing to say, he actually had some matters to discuss.
After hesitating for a little bit, Zhang Bohan said: “Mister Gongyi, for the past two days, I have already gotten in touch with some people, and told them about the recent situation. Because I’m still alive, the matter has basically been resolved.” He paused, and proceeded to say, “Thus, I’m afraid that I have to leave immediately to deal with the newly caught traitors and any remaining affairs.”
Tianheng’s expression was tranquil: “I suppose that you won’t mind providing me a place to stay for a few more days?”
Because of the two days of learning, through his intentional imitations, there already weren’t any differences between his speech patterns and that of this world’s people. And under his imperceptible influences, Zhang Bohan didn’t meticulously pay attention to this either. The transition appeared natural and automatic, which caused him to become used to it.
Zhang Bohan’s heart trembled, and swiftly came up with many thoughts.
During the past two days, because he wanted to think of safe and secure ways to contact the deployment of backup, he had been staying with this dangerous personage. Although the other party was indeed dangerous, he had also accepted the other’s protection. But now, while he was basically safe, this calamity didn’t have any intentions of leaving… He couldn’t help but hesitate.
Tianheng’s gaze was indifferent: “What’s wrong? Is Mister Zhang unwilling to receive me as a guest?”
Zhang Bohan only felt a powerful aura slamming into his face. Although it didn’t seem to be oppressing him, it still caused a type of suffocating feeling to emerge.
Following this, he forced himself to smile and say: “How can that be? This Bohan naturally welcomes this sir. If mister wants to stay for a few more days, it will be this Bohan’s honor.”
The corner of Tianheng’s mouth curled up: “Mister Zhang doesn’t need to worry. While I do have my own goals, there can be more collaborations between us, too.”
Zhang Bohan took a deep breath. After that, he barely revealed a smiling expression: “To work together with this sir leaves this Bohan overwhelmed by the favor. As such, shall mister and I proceed to my ancestral residence together?”
Tianheng nodded: “Then, sorry for the trouble.”
Zhang Bohan restrained all of his emotions, and also nodded: “Mister Gongyi, right this way.”
The two people went out.
From the garage, Zhang Bohan drove out in a low-profile, bulletproof car. He opened the car door, and let Tianheng sit in the front pa.s.senger seat.
Tianheng had only seen these things on the television, but this didn’t affect his ability to use it — Under Zhang Bohan’s indications, he unhurriedly sat in the car without the least bit of unfamiliarity. It was no different from the people who originally lived in this world.
The car drove away. Amid Tianheng’s occasional inquiries, Zhang Bohan gradually talked about his family’s circ.u.mstances, whether he wanted to or not.
Based on the number of years, the Zhang Family was considered an aristocratic family.
Several hundreds of years ago, their family made their fortunes from the leader of mountain bandits. That old ancestor of the Zhang Family was very bold. After dredging up enough, he bought some ships to travel overseas. After making a few trips, the family completely prospered. However, in the end, the old Ancestor Zhang was once a bandit. Even though the family was rich, he couldn’t shed the airs of a bandit when handling matters. After the whole country was torn apart by civil unrest, the new ruler sealed off the nation from foreign influences. The old ancestor couldn’t get through this way, so he spent a high price to collude with the officials of that time, and started selling smuggled salt. Returning to his old business, he became a big salt merchant, and secretly raised a faction.
Perhaps, it was that their luck was good. And maybe, it was because every generation of the Zhang Family inherited the airs of those bandits. As a result, even though the country was subsequently torn apart again, they still persevered. Granted that the industries on the surface were bankrupted, those businesses hidden in private allowed them to take a new lease on life as the rich and powerful after the next country’s founding.
It was just that, over the course of multiple dynasties, the Zhang Family had always maintained underground forces. Within the family, its descendants were like a tree with numerous branches and luxuriant leaves. Although the family properties were ma.s.sive, if they were to be preserved, the descendants needed to go through a blood-soaked compet.i.tion. Ultimately, the strongest and most discerning individual would be able to succeed as the family head.
Unfortunately, the ways of the present world were becoming more and more peaceful, and the country’s policies were gradually suppressing these underground forces. The Zhang Family on the government’s watchlist. Granted that there was a tacit understanding for the time being, who knew if their accounts would be exposed in the future?
As the saying went, in times of dest.i.tution, one would think of ways to change the current situation. Since the Zhang Family’s development no longer suited the current trends of the country, then naturally, they also needed to adapt.
As a result, the last generation’s family head quickly chose a preferred candidate among the younger generation. That is, Zhang Bohan, who proposed to whitewash the family.
While it was true that the family head was optimistic about Zhang Bohan, this individual also possessed the ident.i.ties of an eldest son and rightful descendent. He was capable, but he wasn’t someone who had the power to suppress others vying for supremacy by himself. Behind him, there were also some people who were unwilling — Those folks would rather conduct the same b.l.o.o.d.y compet.i.tion as they did in the beginning than accept Zhang Bohan’s trouble-free promotion.
The outcome was obvious.
When Zhang Bohan was wholeheartedly whitewashing the Zhang Family’s enterprises, the weak points of some of his subordinates were captured, and these traitors betrayed him. This caused him to fall into a trap during an ordinary business deal. He had almost lost his life by that riverbank.
One could well imagine that, if Tianheng hadn’t appeared at the time, Zhang Bohan’s ending would’ve been to sink to the bottom of the river as a corpse and disappear forever.
Zhang Bohan was undoubtedly grateful to Tianheng, but this kind of grat.i.tude couldn’t dispel the fear and suspicion he had of Tianheng.
However, although he was filled with unease when Tianheng initially mentioned that he would be staying for a few more days, now that he realized that he had no way to stop this and that he could get his paternal grandfather to pay attention to his plight after bringing Tianheng to the ancestral residence, his heart felt a little more smooth and steady.
Tianheng naturally sensed the change in Zhang Bohan’s mentality.
In his opinion, these things were within his expectations. On the contrary, he also wanted to meet the grandfather Zhang Bohan talked about. He wanted to see whether this person was good enough for any cooperation.
Gu Zuo was lying flat on his back while on the bed. His arms and legs were stretched out like the points of a star, and his posture was natural and relaxed.
However, at this moment, his eyes were looking straight at the ceiling. They appeared dull and dispirited.
The door was pushed open. Gu Qi knocked on the door’s paneling, raised an eyebrow, and asked: “Son, why are you so sullen? You just came back. Are you not used to it yet?”
Gu Zuo used an arm to prop himself up. He shook his head: “Ah, no. I’ve already gotten used to it.”
Gu Qi walked to the bedside. He suddenly sat down, and hooked an arm over Gu Zuo’s neck: “Then, why don’t you tell your pitiful old man what’s making you so unhappy?”
Gu Zuo shook his head again: “…There’s nothing making me unhappy.”
Gu Qi bent a finger, and flicked Gu Zuo’s forehead: “You still dare to tell lies to your old man?”
After that, he watched Gu Zuo distractedly cover his forehead. It wasn’t known what this son was thinking about.
Gu Qi: “…”
This wasn’t bewitchment or possession, right?
Gu Qi’s brows furrowed.
Originally, he was brokenhearted because his son had died. Thus, he tormented and starved himself. But now that his son returned, his appet.i.te recovered and his mood became much better. His slightly sallow complexion also greatly improved. However, it was like his son’s energies had been transferred to him instead. Gu Zuo was becoming haggard.
With regards to this son, whom he hadn’t seen in five years, Gu Qi still had an impression of him at that time. Even though Gu Zuo must have matured quite a bit after going through things in the other world, he still cared a lot.
After thinking it over, he messed with Gu Zuo’s hair: “Son, if it’s a matter of the heart, can you tell your old man about it?”
Gu Zuo spoke with a m.u.f.fled voice: “It’s nothing…”
Gu Qi tugged on his hair again: “Is it really nothing?” He suddenly had a flash of inspiration, and swiftly asked, “Do you miss that adoptive big brother from the other world?”
Gu Zuo’s body stiffened.
Gu Qi immediately understood. He moved closer, and pinched Gu Zuo’s cheek: “Son, you were with your adoptive brother for that long, so thinking about him is very normal. It’s not necessary to hide it. Could it be that there’s something you can’t talk to your old man about? You know I have to take double the care of you on behalf of your father, right?”
Gu Zuo grimaced, but still answered evasively: “Dad, don’t pinch me.”
Gu Qi was caught off guard as his fingers slipped off. In his heart, he felt even more strange: “After not seeing you for these couple of years, even your cheeks aren’t willing to be pinched by me? My son has grown up, but he has also grown apart from his old man…”
Gu Zuo shook his head: “It’s not that I’ve grown apart. It’s just…”
Speaking up to here, he became reticent, and didn’t continue to talk.
Gu Qi couldn’t do anything about his lost and newly-regained son, but he wasn’t willing to give up. It had to be known that he already lived five years without his son. Now that this son had returned, being unable to tell each other everything like before made him feel depressed, too.
Apart from an extremely small number of things, Gu Qi had always been a person who wouldn’t allow himself to feel wronged by his own emotions. Since he felt that his son was becoming estranged from him, he wouldn’t let this type of situation continue.
Hence, Gu Qi carefully gathered Gu Zuo into his arms, gently rubbed a hand on his head, and immediately ruffled his entire head of hair into a complete mess. Regardless of his son’s refusals, Gu Qi also kneaded Gu Zuo’s cheeks until they were flushed and rosy.
He panted, and said: “Are you going to talk? Son, are you going to talk or not?”
Gu Zuo: “…”
Gu Qi exhausted himself half to death, but realized that his family’s son didn’t react whatsoever. Besides a tangle of messy hair on the top of his head and a reddened face, there wasn’t a drop of sweat… Gu Qi’s mood suddenly became a little complicated.
He forgot that this son completely turned into a superhuman after going to another world. This little bit of roughhousing naturally couldn’t make him cry uncle like in the past.
However, it also wasn’t totally useless. At the very least, Gu Zuo realized from Gu Qi’s att.i.tude that his dad really wanted to know what was bothering him.
After hesitating for a while, Gu Zuo rubbed his neck. Following Gu Qi’s posture as he patted his lap, Gu Zuo went to recline on his dear dad’s thigh.
Gu Qi sighed: “Son, do you really not want to talk about it?”
Gu Zuo felt awkward: “It isn’t that either…”
Gu Qi rubbed his face: “Then, just say it. Maybe this old man can give you an idea? Even if you don’t get any ideas, won’t you feel a little better after letting it all out?”
Gu Zuo considered this, and felt that it made sense.
Thereupon, his face blushed slightly as he spoke exasperatingly slowly: “Dad, actually, I… I like big brother.”
Gu Qi was startled, and almost jumped up: “You’re saying that you l-like your big brother? That Gongyi Tianheng?” His face suddenly scrunched up, “Brat, how old are you?!”
Gu Zuo made a helpless expression: “I’m not a minor anymore… Besides, this isn’t something that can be determined by age. For a guy like big brother, I’ve been with him for so long, and it’s easy to like him.”
Gu Qi was conflicted: “But, Gongyi Tianheng is a man.”
Gu Zuo: “…But father is a man, too.”
Gu Qi: “And in the end, your old man has been so unlucky. Up until now, I haven’t been able to find anyone else.”
Gu Zuo: “…”
It was obvious that dad still hadn’t forgotten about father. He never went looking for someone else the whole time.
After the father and son pair finished criticizing each other, Gu Qi’s mood calmed down.
Gu Qi sighed once more: “Son, you haven’t been influenced by me and your father, right? In this world, there are still many who like women. Do you really not view yourself as a straight man any longer?”
Gu Zuo said with a m.u.f.fled voice: “I can’t say that I haven’t been completely free of any influences, but it has made me realize that the one I love could be a man or a woman. En, right now, the one I really like is big brother, so I shouldn’t be considered a straight man. Dad, maybe you feel that I’m not old enough, but when dad and father started dating, neither of you were adults. You guys started much earlier than me, but would the feelings have changed even after a lifetime?”
His voice was slow, but there was no need to doubt the emotions contained within: “After meeting someone like big brother and feeling how much big brother cared about me, there was no way I could like anyone else in the future… Dad, you haven’t met big brother. If you did, you would understand how I feel. As far as I’m concerned, there’s no one else in the world like big brother. There’s no one I’ll be able to like wholeheartedly…like him.”
Gu Qi finished listening to Gu Zuo’s words, and couldn’t help revealing a concerned expression: “But right now, you and…that big brother of yours are separated in two different worlds. Your feelings haven’t born any fruit. My silly son, do you want to be alone your whole life? It’s not worth it. You’re still young, and you still have plenty of time to meet many more people. Maybe, when the time comes, you will find someone you can grow old together with?”
Gu Zuo forced a smile: “Father was forced to leave us many years ago. Hasn’t dad been waiting for him the entire time? Aren’t you convinced that he’ll be able to come see us sooner or later?”
Gu Qi’s face flickered with a hint of reminiscence. After that, he earnestly said: “But I know that your father will come back sooner or later, so I can certainly wait for an outcome. Your case is different. That big brother of yours basically doesn’t know about your feelings. Also, you and he are separated by two worlds. Maybe, one day in the future, he’ll get married and have kids… You can’t wait for him.”
One side was the harmony of a couple, and the other side was unrequited longing. The differences were huge.
The former left one worried, but despite all the hardships, there was always hope. However, the latter held hopes and expectations amid the hopelessness. As time pa.s.sed, those positive emotions would be whittled away until only hopelessness was all that remained.
Gu Zuo was silent.
After that, he opened his mouth and said: “Dad, even if waiting is meaningless, there won’t be anyone else.”
T/N: Thanks for the corrections, Charysa.
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