Grandpa Xia looked at Xia Ran and immediately understood what was going on.
"There's no need to be so careful. Grandpa is just getting old and hasn't been feeling well lately. As for traveling, I won't go. You young people should go out and explore more."
"Grandpa." Xia Ran knew that her grandfather had seen through her little thoughts. "Grandpa, can you cheer up? The past is the past. Let's live a good life together, okay? I will always be with you."
Grandpa Xia smiled and said, "Okay, don't worry. I've lived to be this old, what haven't I seen? Don't worry, I'm fine."
Since Grandpa Xia had said so, Xia Ran could only put the topic aside for the time being.
However, after the conversation in the private room, Grandpa Xia seemed to be in a much better mood after returning home; at least, Xia Ran and the others appeared to be in a much better mood than before.
Yu Chao, who had mentioned wanting to meet with Xia Ran, came to her door the next day.
Xia Ran originally thought Yu Chao was going to invite him out, but he didn't expect him to come directly to their house.
When Yu Chao arrived, Grandpa Xia had gone out, while Da Zhuang was sleeping, having played games all night.
"Senior, it's good that you came, but why did you bring so much stuff? I feel so bad about it."
Xia Ran looked at the pile of things Yu Chao had brought and couldn't help but laugh and cry.
They brought not only a large fruit basket, but also several boxes of tea, and even a box of Korean ginseng suitable for the elderly.
Yu Chao: "These are all things we have at home. Grandpa really likes drinking tea, right? These teas are all quite good."
Since Yu Chao had already brought it, Xia Ran had no choice but to accept it. He invited Yu Chao to sit down and then went to the kitchen to make tea for him.
When he came out again, he found Yu Chao standing in the living room looking at the photos on the wall. They were photos of him from childhood to adulthood, which his grandfather insisted on putting up.
"Senior, stop looking. I wasn't good-looking when I was little."
He was telling the truth. He was skinny and dark-skinned when he was a child, but he grew up and became good-looking after he entered junior high school.
Yu Chao: "No, it looks great. By the way, Xiao Ran, I'd like to invite you to work for me, is that okay?"
Chapter 201 Gu Zheng ordered an investigation into Xia Ran
Yu Chao appeared calm on the surface, but he was actually a little nervous inside. However, he couldn't think of a better opportunity for the two of them to spend more time together.
Xia Ran has just gotten divorced. If he suddenly tells her that he likes her, she will definitely refuse.
Therefore, the best approach is to create an opportunity for the two of them to spend a significant amount of time together, and then gradually cultivate their relationship.
Xia Ran had no idea what Yu Chao was thinking; he was simply stunned after hearing Yu Chao's words.
Seeing that Xia Ran didn't speak, Yu Chao assumed she was worried about something else, so he quickly said...
"Don't worry, although the company is just starting out, the salary will definitely not be low, and if you work here, you can go home and see your grandfather every day."
"Actually, I originally wanted to collaborate with you, since our expertise is relevant, but then I thought about your situation at the time, so I didn't want to cause you any trouble."
Of course, this was just an excuse for Yu Chao. In fact, he chose to come back here to develop his career because of Xia Ran. When he learned that Xia Ran was already married, he had already decided to let go of Xia Ran, so he thought of using work to numb himself.
As for why he chose this hometown, it was because of Xia Ran. He thought that maybe when Xia Ran came back in the future, he could see her occasionally, which would be very satisfying for him.
However, he did not expect that Xia Ran would get divorced. He felt that this was an opportunity given to him by God, and he would not give it up.
Xia Ran immediately snapped out of her daze after hearing Gu Yuchao's words.
"No, senior, it's not about the salary." Xia Ran hesitated for a moment, but finally said, "It's just that I haven't worked for a long time, and I'm quite surprised that I'm suddenly told I need to work now."
“But my grandfather hasn’t been feeling well lately, so I want to spend some time with him first.”
Xia Ran originally came back just to spend time with his grandfather, but now that he knows about his grandfather's past, he wants to spend even more time with him.
Yu Chao didn't force Xia Ran, because he knew that the more he forced her, the further she might drift away from him.
"Okay, whatever you say. If you want to come to work anytime, just come find me. There's always a place for you there."
Yu Chao's words were a double-edged sword, but Xia Ran didn't understand them. She just smiled and said thank you.
"By the way, senior, what about your doctor friend?"
Yu Chao immediately knew who Xia Ran was talking about.
"Of course, he continued to practice his psychiatric role in the same place."
"Huh?" Xia Ran was a little surprised. "He didn't say anything to you? What's your relationship now?"
Xia Ran winked at Yu Chao, the teasing look in her eyes making Yu Chao feel a little confused.
"What could he possibly say to me? What else could our relationship be like? Of course, it's still the same friendship we had before."
"Hmm?" Xia Ran was even more confused now. He had clearly noticed that Dr. Lin was interested in his senior, so why hadn't things progressed after all this time?
Besides, since the senior has come back to develop his career, how can the doctor win his heart if he doesn't come along?
"What's wrong? Why do you look so confused?" Yu Chao couldn't help but ask, his face showing increasing confusion.
Xia Ran smiled and decided it was best not to say anything for now, lest he make things worse for her later.
"Nothing, nothing, I was just asking out of curiosity."
Although Yu Chao sensed something was amiss, he didn't ask anything. Since Xia Ran didn't want to talk about it, he wouldn't ask, lest Xia Ran get angry.
Yu Chao originally wanted to have dinner with Xia Ran, but unexpectedly, he received another call from his company, so he could only say goodbye to Xia Ran with a headache and helplessness.
"Xiao Ran, I'll be going now. I'll come find you when I have time. You can also text or call me if you need anything."
Yu Chao is eager to hire two more people, but since the company is in its early stages, he has to do everything himself; otherwise, he won't have time to build a relationship with Xia Ran.
Xia Ran nodded. After Yu Chao left, he sat quietly by himself for a while before going out to find his grandfather.
When he arrived at the square, his grandfather was playing chess with someone, and he didn't want to disturb him, so he could only sit on a chair next to him.
After a while, two more girls came over, and Xia Ran was drawn to their conversation.
"Anyway, I'm not going to be a housewife. If marrying him means I have to become a housewife, then I'd rather not marry him."
"Exactly, look at them, is it worth it for those housewives to give up everything for their families? When he kicks you aside, you get nothing, while he loses nothing at all."
He stopped paying attention to what the two said next; he only heard the first two sentences.
He used to think that being a housewife was too stressful, but he never expected that he would end up being a so-called housewife. Now that he thinks about it, it's really ironic and he was really stupid.
At this point, Gu Zheng was eager to be discharged from the hospital, but the doctor said he needed to be observed for two more days, so Qin Hao was arguing with Gu Zheng.
"Brother, can't you stay a couple more days? You've already stayed so many days, what's a couple more? Xia Ran isn't going to run away!"
"He won't run away anymore, but he'll have all sorts of wild thoughts." Gu Zheng had already reached his limit after staying here for so many days.
"Thinking nonsense?" Qin Hao couldn't help but roll his eyes. "What else could he possibly be thinking nonsense about? I saw the information those people sent back; Xia Ran is doing incredibly well. Without you, he spends his days shopping and drinking tea with his grandfather. He's living a very comfortable life."
Normally, Qin Hao shouldn't have said those things to provoke Gu Zheng, given that Gu Zheng wasn't fully recovered yet, but he simply couldn't help himself.
Moreover, starting the day after Gu Zheng woke up, Gu Zheng asked him to inquire about Xia Ran's every move. So, although they had not yet met Xia Ran, they knew roughly what Xia Ran was doing every day.
Gu Zheng's expression stiffened for a moment, and a hint of disappointment appeared in his eyes.
Qin Hao felt a pang of pity as he watched; he had never seen his brother like this before.
But... but this is entirely his brother's own fault, he deserves it!
Although Qin Hao felt that Gu Zheng deserved it, he still had to offer some advice.
"Brother, I'm serious. Xia Ran is doing pretty well right now. Let him calm down first, and you should also get some rest for a couple of days. Getting Xia Ran to forgive you will definitely be a huge undertaking."
"What do you think would happen if you suddenly collapsed while asking Xia Ran to forgive you?"
After listening to Qin Hao's words, Gu Zheng didn't say anything more, but just looked at the stack of photos of Xia Ran sent back by the private investigator next to him.
Chapter 202 Meeting
It includes not only Xia Ran and Grandpa Xia's photos, but also Xia Ran and Da Zhuang's photos, and Xia Ran and Yu Chao's photos.
The smiles of Xia Ran, Da Zhuang, and Yu Chao when they were together were especially painful to him.
"I'm just scared." Gu Zheng's mouth was full of bitterness. "Do you think Xia Ran will really stop liking me? What if he's already with someone else when I get there? You don't know, Yu Chao has always had those kinds of feelings for Xia Ran."
Qin Hao was speechless in the face of Gu Zheng's words.
If he were Xia Ran, he might have chosen someone else as well. After all, no one could accept what Gu Zheng did back then.
"No way!" Gu Chen, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke up, his eyes red as he looked at Gu Zheng.
"No, Daddy won't abandon me, he will! Don't talk nonsense! Otherwise, I'll never speak to you again!"
While Gu Zheng was in the hospital, Gu Chen had been staying here as well.
Fortunately, they had a suite, and the bed for the caregiver was big enough. Qin Hao and Gu Chen stayed here with Gu Zheng, while Uncle Wang brought them meals every day.
As for the company, Qin Hao's father, who had already retired several years ago, had to go online again.
Aunt Gu never came to see Gu Zheng again after he woke up, as she still vividly remembered how Gu Zheng had complained about her meddling.
Looking at Gu Chen's expression, Qin Hao sighed helplessly and said with a headache,
"Can you two, father and son, just shut up for a bit? I have a headache. Don't worry, Xia Ran won't run away. But brother, you also need to be mentally prepared. Don't think that just because you ask Xia Ran to forgive you, he will forgive you."
Although it was a cruel statement, Qin Hao had to make it clear to Gu Zheng first, lest his expectations be too high and his disappointment too great.
Gu Zheng's face was already pale from the surgery, and it looked even worse after hearing Qin Hao's words.
"I see."
He closed his eyes, and no one knew what he was thinking.
It's impossible for him to release Xia Ran. No matter who it is, no one can take Xia Ran away from him. Xia Ran can only belong to him.
Xia Ran likes him so much, how could she possibly be with someone else, right?
Just as Gu Zheng was thinking about this, the bodyguards at the door came in.
"Mr. Gu, someone outside is looking for you."
Normally, bodyguards aren't needed in a hospital, but Gu Zheng was worried that news of his injury would leak out, attracting many reporters who would want to get firsthand information. So, to avoid unnecessary trouble, he had two bodyguards stand guard at the entrance.
"Who's here?" Qin Hao frowned. The bodyguards knew everyone in his family, and would have chased away anyone they didn't recognize. Why would they come in and ask questions like this? Could it be someone who was giving the bodyguards a hard time?
The bodyguard hesitated, glancing at Qin Hao, before finally speaking.
"It's Gu En. He's here and says he wants to see President Gu."
Upon hearing that it was Gu En, Gu Zheng immediately opened his eyes and spoke.