After the sun set, darkness fell quickly, especially now that it was winter.
By the ti the group returned to the hotel, night had completely fallen. No activities were planned for the evening, so everyone retreated to their own rooms upon arrival.
Thanks to the absence of his eldest son, Gu Junxing slept soundly that night. Following his usual routine, he woke up early, had breakfast alone, and then went to find Liu Jian.
"Zhijing and I are heading back this afternoon, but Sui'an wants to stay here for a few more days." With the year-end approaching, the company was busy and he couldn't be away. It was too far to commute from here to the office, so he had to return ho first.
"Sister-in-law wants to stay longer? That's great! You can rest assured, she'll have everything she needs here. If there's anything we don't have, I'll go down the mountain to buy it! Just tell her not to be too polite with ."
"Mm, I'm not worried about that." Gu Junxing knew Liu Jian's character and was sure he wouldn't neglect Sui'an.
"So what did you want to say?" Liu Jian knew Gu Junxing didn't ntion this without reason; he must have so instructions.
Gu Junxing glanced at him and said calmly, "Nothing much, really. It's just that she likes to be alone, so don't go bothering her unnecessarily. And definitely don't go chattering about this and that."
Liu Jian understood. It seed Gu Junxing was worried he might be a nuisance. Talking about this and that? What did he take him for...
"Tsk tsk tsk, who would have thought? Old Gu, you're actually putting your woman before your friend. Don't worry, unless sister-in-law summons , I won't go near her. Are you satisfied now?"
Gu Junxing raised an eyebrow but didn't refute the accusation.
"In a couple of days, a friend of hers might co with a child. Please make arrangents for them."
"Sure, you're a major shareholder too. Whatever you say goes." They all had investnts in this hotel, the four of them, just differing in amounts. Liu Jian was nominally the boss and managed the hotel affairs, but that was only because he was the least busy. After all, his previous job had only been collecting rent.
After chatting for a while, Qin Wei and Xu Jiasong ca to say goodbye. They were leaving for the airport from here to pick up Xu Jiasong's mother.
Liu Jian called out to Qin Wei, "Co back again in a while, and bring your mother-in-law too."
Xu Jiasong also smiled and said, "Thanks for your hospitality. Don't worry, we'll definitely be back."
"Don't ntion it, treat this place like ho. Co whenever you want."
They accompanied them to the hotel entrance and watched until their car disappeared into the distance before turning back.
Shortly after, Chen Shu arrived, looking unwell. Gu Junxing and Liu Jian exchanged glances, sensing that sothing might have happened.
As he ca closer, they saw his eyes were bloodshot, as if he hadn't slept all night.
"What happened?"
They knew it must be sothing serious for Chen Shu to be in this state, and their hearts tightened.
"It's my mom. Last night, my dad suddenly contacted saying she had fallen into a coma."
"How sudden. How is she now?"
Chen Shu's parents had been living in Switzerland, and it was difficult to rush over imdiately when sothing happened, which explained his distress.
"She regained consciousness after ergency treatnt. But she keeps telling my dad she wants to co ho."
Due to what happened to his sister years ago, Chen Shu's mother's health had never been good. After Chen Shu started university, his father accompanied his wife to Switzerland, partly for her health and partly to get away from their old environnt, hoping it might ease the pain of losing their daughter. Now, perhaps due to age, she wanted to return ho.
"When are you going?"
"I've been in contact with the doctors and friends there all night. My mom is too weak for a long flight right now. I'll go first, and when she's better, we'll return together. I ca to let you know. I've booked a flight for 3 PM, so I need to go ho now to pack."
Gu Junxing imdiately said, "You didn't sleep at all last night, did you? You can't drive in this state. I'll take you ho."
Chen Shu didn't object, knowing he really couldn't drive now. Drowsy driving was no joke.
After a mont's thought, Gu Junxing outlined his plan:
"How about this: you eat breakfast first. I'll go tell Zhijing to pack up, and we'll leave as soon as I get back. There's no rush since you've already booked the flight. Eat sothing first. I was planning to go back today anyway, so it's just leaving a bit earlier."
Liu Jian nodded imdiately, agreeing with Gu Junxing's reasoning, and led Chen Shu to the dining room.
Gu Junxing first went to Gu Zhijing's room, knocking to wake him up.
"Go wash up and pack now. Uncle Chen's mother is sick, and Dad is taking Uncle Chen ho. You're coming back with us."
Gu Zhijing, initially groggy, snapped awake at this news and obediently went to wash his face, brush his teeth, and change clothes.
After returning to his room, Gu Junxing quickly packed his own things. After a mont's thought, he went to knock on Nian Suian's door.
"Sorry to wake you, but I need to tell you sothing." Gu Junxing explained the situation, then added, "Feel free to stay here. I've already told Liu Jian about Sheng Xia coming, and he'll arrange the rooms. If you need to go ho or anything cos up, just contact . If you need anything while you're here, you can ask Liu Jian."
"I understand, don't worry," Nian Suian nodded. "Drive carefully."
"I will." Gu Junxing patted Nian Suian's head, then took his things and left the room.
Gu Zhijing had already packed and was crouching by the door, waiting.
"Let's go."
Chen Shu, preoccupied, couldn't eat much. He had barely finished half a bowl of noodles and was waiting for Gu Junxing.
"Zhijing, take these buns and milk to eat in the car." Gu Junxing had risen early and already eaten breakfast, but Liu Jian, worried Gu Zhijing might go hungry, had prepared breakfast for him to take along.
"Thank you, Uncle Liu."
"You'd better get going now. Chen, don't worry too much. Didn't they say your mother has regained consciousness? Seeing you might cheer her up, and everything might turn out fine," Liu Jian comforted Chen Shu.
In the car, Gu Zhijing said to his father, "Dad, you can drop off in the city center later. I'll take a taxi ho, and you can take Uncle Chen ho."
The Gu family ho and Chen Shu's house were in different directions and quite far apart.
Hearing this, Chen Shu said to Gu Junxing, "No need. Junxing, you can drop off in the city center, and I'll take a taxi ho."
"No, I'll take you ho to pack, then drive you to the airport," Gu Junxing agreed with Gu Zhijing's idea.
anwhile, Nian Suian, having woken up, no longer felt sleepy. She decided to get up, wash, and change clothes. She went to the dining room for breakfast, then took a stroll around the hotel grounds.
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