Chapter 4

Chapter 4

The voice was as cold as frost, making Chi Ya's heart skip a beat.

Instinctively, he looked up, joining the others in glancing towards the second floor, where they saw a man standing by the railing – a tall figure dressed in black, his eyes lowered impassively.

Chi Ya's breath hitched, feeling the man's icy gaze slide over his face, involuntarily fluttering his eyelashes, his palms beginning to sweat.

The feeling this man gave him... so, so cold!

Beneath his pure black shirt, pale skin peeked through, with light brown, inorganic eyes, nearly invisible thin lips, and sharp, profound facial lines... Standing tall behind the second-floor carved railing, the sight of him inexplicably conjured images of a vampire trapped in a medieval castle.

Table of Contents | Previous | Next | Last Page

The same gloomy paleness, unseen by the sun.

The living room fell into silence, as if all the living beings inside had suddenly lost their breath, the air itself seemingly growing chillier, until the man upstairs finally withdrew his gaze and descended the stairs at a leisurely pace.

"A sudden sound of a knee hitting the coffee table was heard. Chi Ya tilted his head and saw Gu Huai’an hastily standing up, his mouth slightly tense, as he called out, 'Big brother.'"

"The man responded softly, his eyes briefly shifting towards Chi Ya at the side of the living room."

"If not for his lame leg, Chi Ya would have stood too. Being the only one still seated in front of the man, he felt uncomfortably on edge. He quickly wheeled himself forward, awkwardly and nervously greeting, 'Hello… Uncle!'"

"The man: '……'"

"Gu Huai’an: '……'"

Gu Huai'an abruptly turned around, throwing him a "you're seeking death" glare, and explained to the man in a somewhat flustered manner, "Big brother, he is—"

"The cup," Gu Huai Zhang interrupted coldly, "clean it up yourself."

Mrs. Zhang, taken aback, immediately placed the glass shards she held back onto the floor. Gu Huai'an glanced between his older brother and Chi Ya, ultimately not daring to defy Gu Huai Zhang's order, and walked away to clean up the cup he had shattered.

"Maid Zhang cautiously asked the man, 'Shall I serve dinner now, young master…?'"

Gu Huai Zhang gave a slight nod, and Mrs. Zhang, after glancing at Chi Ya, hurriedly left as well.

In the small space beside the sofa, only Chi Ya was left facing Gu Huai Zhang alone.

Chi Ya swallowed nervously, trying to feign calmness, and slowly lifted his eyelashes.

It was only upon getting closer that Chi Ya realized Gu Huai Zhang was not just tall; he was extraordinarily tall! Chi Ya's view was almost filled with the man's long legs, forcing him to tilt his head further back to barely meet Gu Huai Zhang's eyes.

...He must be at least 1.9 meters tall!

Gu Huai Zhang's gaze was downcast, cool and indifferent without any intentional intimidation, yet it still made Chi Ya feel an oppressive weight.

Clenching his fingers, Chi Ya, recalling this man's previous judgment of him, suddenly didn't want to show weakness in front of him. He met Gu Huai Zhang's gaze, calmly locking eyes with those ice-like, light brown eyes.

As if centuries had passed, Gu Huai Zhang finally spoke, "Chi..."

"Chi Ya," Chi Ya said.

Gu Huai Zhang uttered indifferently, "You're very bold."

Chi Ya guessed he was referring to his audacity in coming to Nanhu despite knowing Gu Huai Zhang's dislike for him.

He replied neither humbly nor arrogantly, "Thank you." Then, remembering his "cheap recipient" persona, he added, "After all, I love... Huai'an."

"Clang!" A sound rang out as the glass in Gu Huai'an's hand suffered a second blow.

Gu Huai Zhang's expression unchanged, he commented lightly, "Is that so."

Chi Ya slightly lowered his head, revealing a shy expression, "And, and Huai'an brought me to Nanhu... to take care of me... don't blame him..."

He concluded his speech, "He loves me too!"

Gu Huai Zhang's eyes darkened.

Suddenly, a cacophony of clinking and clattering erupted from not far behind. Gu Huai'an sprang to his feet, teeth clenched in fury, "Chi, Ya!"

Without turning back, Chi Ya cheerfully said to Gu Huai Zhang, "Your brother, he's just... tsundere."

Gu Huai Zhang: "......"

Gu Huai'an: "......"

It seemed both Gu brothers were somewhat disgusted by him. Gu Huai Zhang's gaze turned even colder, scrutinizing his face without revealing his thoughts.

After a long while, Gu Huai Zhang finally averted his gaze, glanced at Gu Huai'an nearby, and said indifferently, "Enough, let's eat."

Watching him walk away, Chi Ya's tense shoulders imperceptibly relaxed, only then realizing his back was drenched in cold sweat.

Arguing with Gu Huai'an for half an hour was far more relaxing than locking eyes with Gu Huai Zhang for three seconds.

This older cousin was simply... terrifying!

Gu Huai'an approached from behind, leaning close to his ear, his voice low and grinding, "...Dare to call him 'older cousin' again, and you can forget about your other leg!"

"Are you actually... more upset about this?" Chi Ya's cat-like eyes brimmed with innocence, "I thought you'd be angrier about me saying... you love me."

Gu Huai'an: "............"

"His handsome face flushed with mixed emotions, he suddenly roared, 'If you don’t speak, no one will take you for a mute!!!'"

Gu Huai Zhang, coming out of the bathroom washing his hands, paused, along with Mrs. Zhang holding a serving dish, both looking over.

Gu Huai'an, red-faced and neck bulging in fury, contrasted sharply with the pretty young man in the wheelchair, who appeared especially fragile and thin. Seemingly frightened by the shouting, his upturned eyes reddened slightly, his delicate lips bit, head lowered in a pose of immense grievance swallowed silently.

It was utterly pitiable.

"'Oh dear…' Maid Zhang's maternal instincts overflowed. She wanted to say something but held back, giving Gu Huai’an a slightly reproachful look. Seeing no reaction from Gu Huai Zhang, she smiled at Chi Ya, 'Mr. Chi, please wash your hands and come to eat.'"

"Okay." Chi Ya obediently responded, his eyes red as he forced a smile at her, then lowered his head and wheeled himself past Gu Huai Zhang, towards the bathroom.

As the bathroom door gently closed, Gu Huai Zhang turned to his brother, an annoyed expression in his eyes, and said coolly, "No shouting in the house. Have you forgotten the rules?"

"Gu Huai’an opened his mouth, at a loss for words."

Gu Huai Zhang walked into the dining room, while Gu Huai'an, standing in place, kicked the air in frustration and then glared at the closed bathroom door.

He suddenly began to wonder, was bringing the Chi family to Nanhu really a good idea?

Could he catch this stutterer's weakness before he got infuriated to death?

After washing his hands, Chi Ya and Gu Huai'an sat on either side of Gu Huai Zhang at the table. The dishes were simple and light. Mrs. Zhang, clutching her apron, smiled apologetically, "These are our usual meals... I didn't know the second young master would bring you today, or I would have prepared some more elaborate dishes."

[Navigation: Previous Page | Next Page | Last Page]

Chi Ya looked at the dishes on the table and earnestly replied, "It's okay, I actually like these, they are very nice."

Mrs. Zhang smiled, gave him another affectionate look, and then left the room.

She had watched the brothers grow up and knew her place well, never joining the employers at the table, especially when there were guests.

As soon as Mrs. Zhang left, the large dining room was left with just the three of them.

Gu Huai Zhang hadn’t started eating, so Gu Huai'an didn't either, and Chi Ya, observing quietly, also refrained.

"You’ll be staying here from now on?" Gu Huai Zhang lifted his gaze to him.

Chi Ya was startled, hesitantly glanced at Gu Huai'an across the table, "Temporarily, I suppose..."

"Of course temporarily," Gu Huai'an scoffed, "How long do you plan to stay?"

"...I know you despise me," Chi Ya said hurtfully, glancing at him, "Once my injury heals, I’ll leave immediately, alright?"

Gu Huai'an looked at him with a shiver of disgust: "You—"

"The first room on the east side of the first floor," Gu Huai Zhang spoke indifferently, "you’ll stay there."

"Okay." Chi Ya obediently nodded, then added after a pause, "Big brother."

Gu Huai Zhang continued, "Since you’re here, you must follow the Gu family’s rules."

Chi Ya responded smoothly this time, "Understood, big brother."

Gu Huai Zhang glanced at him, his lips moved as if he wanted to say something, but then he remained silent.

There was an inexplicable few seconds of silence at the dining table before Gu Huai Zhang spoke again, "Let's eat."

The Gu family's dining table was indeed very quiet. Gu Huai Zhang, adhering to the 'no talking while eating' rule, picked up his chopsticks and didn’t utter a single word thereafter, leaving the dining room in utter silence, save for the faint clinking of bowls and utensils.

Chi Ya picked up a piece of white tofu with his chopsticks, and inexplicably thought of Lin Daiyu entering the Jia Mansion, couldn't help but lower his head and silently chuckle.

When he looked up, he found the other two men at the table were staring at him.

Chi Ya: "......"

What kind of eerie, suspense-filled scenario had he walked into? Laughing at the dining table triggered such strange stares?

He hadn't even laughed out loud!

Gu Huai Zhang glanced at him, his eyebrows imperceptibly furrowing; Gu Huai'an stared at him, apparently eager to seize the opportunity for sarcasm, but restrained himself due to the 'no talking while eating' rule, leaving his words unspoken.

Chi Ya, clueless, widened his eyes in confusion at Gu Huai Zhang. His innocent cat-like eyes conveyed bewilderment. Gu Huai Zhang held his gaze for two seconds before silently looking away.

Chi Ya lowered his eyelashes, poking at the tofu in his bowl, silently critiquing.

Such a feudal patriarch, terrifying indeed!

Author's Note:

Ding-dong~ Little green tea Chi Ya is online! Dear readers, if you're happy, how about a comment, QWQ?