220: Chapter 220: Coming for Nostalgia 220: Chapter 220: Coming for Nostalgia Early in the morning, a knocking at the door disrupted Gu Fan’s sleep.
Yawning, he got up and headed downstairs, wondering who on earth would visit this early and disturb his dreams.
When Gu Fan opened the door, he was surprised to find Luo Jingrong standing outside, who gave him a smile.
“I’m sorry, it seems like I’ve interrupted your sleeping in,” he said.
“I was passing by and wanted to see the old house where I once lived.
You don’t mind, do you?”
“Not at all, not at all.
It’s not like looking around will cost anything,” Gu Fan replied quickly and gestured for Luo Jingrong to co in.
Once inside, Luo Jingrong looked around.
Nostalgia sparkled in his eyes as he took in the familiar surroundings.
“It hasn’t changed much since my childhood, even the furniture.
You’ve done your best to preserve its original state.
Although it’s aged, the feeling of warmth is still there,” he couldn’t help but comnt.
Gu Fan nodded, “I did want to replace the tables and chairs at a point, but my father objected.
He said that although the furniture is old, it can never be bought again.
So things hold far more aning than their original value.”
“Yes, once so things are lost, all that’s left is their mory,” Luo Jingrong sighed, continuing, “I only lived here a few years when I was young before I moved away with my family.
You know, your father was younger than I was at that ti.
We all used to run and tumble about in this house.
Despite it being cramped with so many of us, we were incredibly happy and it was always full of life.”
“I didn’t get to experience that, but every ti my father talks about the past, he never stops.
It seems like those days were the best monts of his childhood,” remarked Gu Fan.
He felt sothing was off – Luo Jingrong seed to be looking for sothing in the room rather than reminiscing about the past.
Eventually, Luo Jingrong revealed his real reason for coming, “Yes, mories are precious, especially those from childhood.
And that’s exactly why I had to see this old house again.
My hope is that the house, having held so many people’s mories, can continue standing and hold many more.
But Gu Fan, you are holding on to sothing that you really shouldn’t, which could potentially bring you trouble.
Aren’t you worried about others showing up at your doorstep?”
“What do you an?” Gu Fan was on guard now; it seed that Luo Jingrong’s visit wasn’t as simple as it appeared.
Luo Jingrong looked gravely at Gu Fan and emphasized, “Yesterday, Lin Xi told that a certain item is stored with you.
If it’s hidden in this house, I have to tell you this is not an appropriate hiding place.
If you don’t want people to try to steal it and end up destroying this house, I suggest you consider moving it.”
“Thank you for your kind warning, Mr.
Luo.
I’ll think about it.
But I wonder if you’re worried about potential conflicts damaging this house, or this thing being stolen?,” replied Gu Fan, while giving Luo Jingrong a aningful look.
He was curious about Luo Jingrong’s underlying motive.
Luo Jingrong continued, “I initially arranged with Lin Xi to exchange blueprints.
However, after verifying that my blueprint was genuine, she told that hers was with you and asked to co see you.
So, besides visiting the house, I also wanted to see her blueprint.”
Upon hearing this, Gu Fan’s brows furrowed.
He now realized why Luo Jingrong had shown up today; it certainly wasn’t to reminisce, but to see the blueprint.
Gu Fan nodded, “Yes, Lin Xi trusted the blueprint to for safekeeping.
Even though I was unwilling, helping others is my principle.
If you’d like to see it, you need her permission.
If she agrees, I have no reason to object.”
Luo Jingrong laughed, “Well, she’s the one who told about this and asked to co.”
“Fine, let double-check.” After saying this, Gu Fan dialed a number.
When the call connected, he said bluntly, “Hey, what are you up to, my scheming ex-girlfriend?
If I’m supposed to secretively store sothing, why are you letting people co here for verification, making things complicated?
You should just take it back.”
Lin Xi replied irritably, “Oh co on, you’re a grown man, why are you so petty?
If I had left it with just anyone, would Luo Jingrong have trusted them or gone to see?
You once saved Luo Jingrong; that’s why he trusts you alone, and that’s also one of the reasons I chose you for safekeeping.”
Gu Fan retorted, even more irritated, “What do you an?
So I’m supposed to keep it safe and also host others without getting a di?”
Lin Xi countered, “Who said anything about paying?
Back then, you took advantage of plenty of tis, did I ever ask for anything?”
“Just so hugs and kisses – we never slept together.
You didn’t lose out that much,” replied Gu Fan.
A quarrel between him and Lin Xi imdiately ensued, leaving Luo Jingrong feeling awkward and ignored on the side.
After a long quarrel, Gu Fan ca to the realisation he had made a mistake by arguing with a woman – how could he possibly win?
Eventually, he surrendered, and Lin Xi, self-satisfied with her victory, said, “Alright, you should be treating Boss Luo properly.
Make sure he doesn’t leave empty-handed.”
“Alright, alright, whatever you say,” Gu Fan grumbled, hanging up the call.
Then he turned to Luo Jingrong and smiled apologetically, “Sorry for that.
Lin Xi and I aren’t usually like this.
We’re more civilized.”
Luo Jingrong nodded in understanding, “Alright, alright, I don’t care about your lover’s quarrels.
I just want to finish up and leave quickly.
The longer I stay, the more suspicious it looks.”
Gu Fan nonchalantly replied, “If you’re really worried about drawing suspicion, you should’ve brought lots of gifts.
People would think you’re here to return the favor for when I tried saving soone last ti.”
“Good idea, I’ll keep that in mind next ti,” Luo Jingrong responded decisively, hinting through his gaze that he didn’t want to linger any longer.
“Wait for a mont, I’ll be right back,” said Gu Fan as he dashed upstairs, leaving Luo Jingrong waiting patiently.
Then, for a long while, there was no sign of Gu Fan.
Just as Luo Jingrong was losing his patience and about to go find Gu Fan, he saw Gu Fan return, grinning as he carried a blueprint.
“Sorry to keep you waiting.
I had hidden it too well,” Gu Fan apologized as he spread the blueprint out on the table for Luo Jingrong to see.
This was the item Luo Jingrong had long sought after, a thod for eternal life.
He examined every single character ticulously, as if enchanted, his entire focus on the blueprint.
Seeing Luo Jingrong’s intense scrutiny as though ready to devour the blueprint, Gu Fan looked puzzled, “Is this blueprint really that remarkable?”
It took a long while for Luo Jingrong to reply, his face filled with excitent, “Of course!
It’s an invaluable treasure that money can’t buy.
Do you know how many ancient emperors longed for eternal life?
Even they were no exception, not to ntion commoners like us.”
To this, Gu Fan shrugged, “Mind you, look closely.
It requires you to sacrifice twelve people born on the sa day, month, and year as you.
In order to achieve eternal life, you have to obliterate your humanity.
I’m sorry, I can’t do that.”
“Gu Fan, you’re still too young.
When you have years of worldly struggle, scratching and clawing for every advantage in survival, you’ll realize it isn’t so difficult to sacrifice others for your own benefit,” Luo Jingrong said, casting a knowing look at Gu Fan, while Gu Fan remained silent, deep in thought.
Then Luo Jingrong carefully touched the blueprint and muttered, “From the looks of it, this blueprint combined with mine might provide the complete picture.”
Gu Fan looked puzzled, “Then why didn’t you bring yours?
We could’ve completed the puzzle today.”
Luo Jingrong shook his head, “According to Lin Xi, the ti is not right.
We shouldn’t piece the blueprints together prematurely, to avoid giving soone the opportunity to strike all at once.”
“Makes sense,” agreed Gu Fan after a brief thought, then couldn’t help asking, “I wonder what’s on Mr.
Luo’s blueprint and, if I’m not mistaken, it must be related to the life-prolonging prescription passed down in your family.”
“Correct, Gu Fan.
You’re really smart, guessing it correctly without any hints.
But your intelligence might also put you in danger,” Luo Jingrong stated, standing with his hands behind his back, looking sincerely at Gu Fan before continuing.
“Do you want to know the origin of this blueprint, the story behind it, as well as the demonic entity you and Lin Xi encountered?
I could tell you everything.”
“This…” Gu Fan hesitated.
He was curious, dying to know, but he understood the more he learned the harder it would be for him to disengage.
Seeing Gu Fan’s hesitation filled with a bit of fear, Luo Jingrong chuckled, his eyes filled with hidden anings and a touch of disdain, which irritated Gu Fan.
He didn’t understand what Luo Jingrong’s smile ant.
Then Luo Jingrong said, “Gu Fan, I know what you’re worried about.
However, since you’ve chosen to help Lin Xi keep this blueprint, you have to be determined and see things through.
Your indecisiveness, not wanting to back down or move forward, will put you in a difficult position.”
Gu Fan calmly responded, “I have my own plans, and I’m not sure if learning whatever you’re eager to tell would disrupt them.”
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