Volume 1, Chapter 153: Planting the Child Gu

The sound of the door opening came from outside, and Pan Shuyun only then snapped back to her senses, realizing she had been standing blankly in the kitchen for a long time. She took a deep breath and walked out toward the living room.

"Zhenghua, why are you here?" Seeing Chi Zhenghua, Pan Shuyun put on an expression of pleasant surprise.

Her reaction successfully pleased Chi Zhenghua. Taking off his coat, Chi Zhenghua said, "Yueyao told me you haven't been in a very good mood lately."

The mother and daughter had already coordinated their stories beforehand, so Pan Shuyun knew the reason Chi Yueyao had used to trick Chi Zhenghua into coming. She gave a bitter smile and said, "There are indeed a few things not going my way, but it's fine, I can digest it on my own."

Chi Zhenghua felt an even deeper pang of heartache. "Yueyao said a friend of yours abroad passed away unexpectedly?"

Pan Shuyun squeezed out a few tears and deliberately averted her face. "Such is the impermanence of the world; I truly never expected this to happen. Back when I first went abroad, raising Yueyao alone, helpless and desolate, she was the one who helped me so much. I only sent her a gift not long ago, and to think..."

She choked up and could not continue.

Chi Zhenghua gently pulled her into an embrace. "It's all my fault. Back then, it was me who made the two of you suffer so much hardship."

Pan Shuyun hastily shook her head. "Zhenghua, you are not allowed to blame yourself. I know you had no other choice. Besides, so many years have passed, what is the use of bringing up these old matters now? Now that both of us—mother and daughter—are living happily, that is enough."

Hearing her say this, the guilt in Chi Zhenghua's heart grew even heavier. Pan Shuyun was different from Yang Jing; Yang Jing always liked to throw tantrums, but even when Pan Shuyun was sad, she would only bear it silently on her own.

He felt that a woman like Pan Shuyun was the kind who should be by his side—such a gentle and magnanimous woman was the only one truly suited to manage a household for him.

It was a pity that, back then, Pan Shuyun had not been able to bear him a son.

Seeing that it was time to stop while she was ahead, Pan Shuyun stood up and said, "As it happens, I've brewed some coffee. Let me pour you a cup."

"Alright." Chi Zhenghua leaned back against the sofa and closed his eyes to rest. There had simply been too many things on his mind lately; every day he was as busy as a spinning top, and it was a rare luxury to be able to sit down and rest properly.

Pan Shuyun returned carrying the coffee. With Chi Zhenghua's eyes closed, he failed to notice that her hands were trembling slightly. She placed the coffee cup on the coffee table and said to him, "Zhenghua, have a taste."

Chi Zhenghua opened his eyes, picked up the coffee, and took a sip, then paused momentarily.

Pan Shuyun's heart instantly tightened into a knot. Fighting down her nervousness and fear, she asked, "What is it?"

Chi Zhenghua took another sip. "Nothing. It's just that the coffee you brewed today tastes much better than usual."

Pan Shuyun's heart relaxed, and she smiled. "If you like it, I'll brew it for you often from now on."

"Alright." Chi Zhenghua found the coffee exceptionally fragrant, finishing it all in two or three gulps. He set the cup down and suddenly felt a wave of drowsiness wash over him.

"Shuyun, I must really be too tired lately. I'm feeling a bit sleepy now, so I'll go back to the bedroom to sleep for a while."

Pan Shuyun was inwardly thrilled. "Alright, go get some rest."

Once the sub-gu worm was planted, if the host began to feel drowsy, it proved that the sub-gu had successfully entered their body. Next, she only needed to wait seven days for the sub-gu to thoroughly take root, and Chi Zhenghua would never be able to escape the palm of her hand.

Watching Chi Zhenghua enter the bedroom, Pan Shuyun immediately sent a message to Chi Yueyao.

Chi Yueyao was currently at the hospital accompanying Chi Qianyu and Yang Jing.

Yang Hui looked as though he had aged decades overnight. His hair had been completely shaved off, and he wore a fisherman's hat. His complexion was pale, and his cheeks were sunken.

Lying on the hospital bed, he groaned in agony, "Sister, save me! I don't want to die. There are still so many blessings I haven't enjoyed yet; I can't die like this."

Yang Jing fought back her tears. "What kind of silly things are you saying? You're going to be fine. The doctors will cure your illness; you just need to be a good patient and listen to the doctors."

Gasping for breath, Yang Hui said, "Sister, don't lie to me. I overheard the nurses talking. They said I only have a few days left. Is it true?"

"No, it's not true! You must have heard wrong. They weren't talking about you, they were talking about someone else."

"So I still have a chance, right?" Yang Hui clutched at it like a drowning man grasping a straw. "But why do I feel so miserable?"

Yang Jing said, "Of course you'll feel somewhat uncomfortable when you're sick, but once you recover, you'll be fine. That's why you have to listen to the doctors."

"Okay, I understand." Yang Hui nodded dully. "Sister, once I recover, the brother-in-law won't try to drag me back in there again, will he? I don't want to go in. It's so terrifying inside, I don't want to go in!"

Yang Jing immediately comforted him, "He won't. Your brother-in-law was just out of his mind with anger before; he has calmed down now. He won't treat you badly again, so don't worry."

In the restroom, Chi Qianyu listened to everything while tears streamed down her face. She splashed some water on her face to wash away the traces, put on a forced smile, and walked out. "Uncle, do you like the gift I bought for you?"

Yang Hui picked up the newly unwrapped delivery package, which contained a speaker.

"I like it. Uncle likes listening to music, and since staying in the hospital is a bit boring, it'll be just right for Uncle to listen to music using the speaker you gave me."

Chi Qianyu choked out, "As long as Uncle likes it, I'll buy even more gifts for you."

"Qianyu has grown so much more sensible."

Chi Qianyu finally completely broke down. Fearing that she would give away their secret, Yang Jing immediately said, "Qianyu, your brother went out to buy some fruit; why hasn't he returned after so long? Go outside and look for him."

Chi Yueyao immediately stood up. "Auntie, I'll go with Qianyu."

The two of them went downstairs and found a place to sit. Chi Qianyu finally could not hold back and burst into tears. Such scenes were very common in a hospital, so not many people paid attention to them.

Chi Yueyao was extremely impatient, but she still had to put on a show and offer comfort. She kept waiting for news, and finally, a message from Pan Shuyun arrived.

It succeeded!

The love gu had been successfully planted. From here on, she only needed to wait seven days to see the effects of the love gu.

If the love gu was truly that powerful and yet caused no harm to the user, she could use it herself as well.

"Sister Yueyao, what should I do? I want to stay by Uncle's side, but I can't control myself... Wuwuwu..."

Chi Qianyu's crying made Chi Yueyao feel immensely irritated. In her heart, she felt not a shred of sympathy for Chi Qianyu, even feeling a sense of schadenfreude.

This is just the beginning. Wait until Dad and Yang Jing get divorced later, and you'll have plenty more reason to cry.

The timing wasn't right yet, so she couldn't tear off the facade just yet, but neither did she want to waste time accompanying Chi Qianyu. Thus, she said, "Qianyu, you've been far too exhausted these past few days, which is why you can't control yourself. Why don't you go home and get some rest?"

Chi Qianyu shook her head. "No, Uncle doesn't have much time left. I have to stay with him."

Chi Yueyao felt quite displeased. "But you look utterly haggard right now; your uncle will notice. If he realizes that his days are numbered, he won't be happy during his final moments."

Chi Qianyu took the words to heart. "Alright then, I'll go home and get some rest."

On the other side, Chi Zhenghua slept soundly until bright daylight. Early in the morning, Pan Shuyun had already prepared breakfast.

Smiling, she helped smooth down Chi Zhenghua's coat. "Zhenghua, you've been far too tired lately. Seeing you sleep so soundly makes me so happy."

Chi Zhenghua also felt that yesterday's sleep had been a rare, good rest. Sure enough, only here with Pan Shuyun could he truly feel at peace.

"Shuyun, once I get through this busy period, I'll properly spend time with you," Chi Zhenghua said before heading out the door.

Pan Shuyun watched him step into the elevator, an unprecedented wave of anticipation rising in her heart.