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“That man has been standing there watching us for quite a long time without moving—it's a bit suspicious.”

Leisurely sipping her milk tea, Shen Jin’an was the first to notice the figure of Butler Wang. She walked over to Gu Yichao and whispered a warning.

Gu Yichao looked up toward the direction Shen Jin’an indicated. After a brief silence, his gaze turned strange as he looked at her. “...That’s Butler Wang. Didn’t you recognize him?”

Shen Jin’an’s lips twitched slightly as she hurried to cover, “Ah, so it’s the butler! No wonder he looked familiar.”

By then, Butler Wang had already approached them, his eyes carrying a hint of scrutiny as he calmly scanned Shen Jin’an’s face. “Sir, madam, young master, long time no see.”

Gu Yichao nodded slightly. “Thank you for your hard work during this time.”

“It’s no trouble. The scenery in the Maldives was quite nice, and it was rather fun. But rest assured, the project you were concerned about before your accident has already been handled.”

In the original owner’s memories, there was information about the project Butler Wang mentioned. It was, after all, the most important and massive project the Gu Corporation valued greatly at the time. Besides domestic companies, several top international groups were also competing for it.

That project had basically been secured by Gu Yichao, but after news of his accident broke, the opposing party became ambiguous and delayed signing the contract.

It seemed Butler Wang’s methods were not to be underestimated.

Fortunately, she was not the original owner and had never intended to go up against these cunning old foxes. Otherwise, in terms of wit, she probably would have been taken down long ago.

At that moment, Gu Lili, who had been fetching the ball, came rushing back like a little cannonball, clutching a soccer ball with rosy cheeks.

His eyes lit up instantly when he saw Butler Wang. Forgetting the ball in his arms, he tossed it aside and spread his little arms wide, rushing toward the butler.

“Grandpa Butler! I missed you so much!”

Butler Wang crouched down and smiled, gently ruffling Gu Lili’s tousled hair from playing.

“Lili, you’ve been playing a long time and must be tired. Grandpa will take you to get some water, alright?”

No sooner had he spoken than Butler Wang skillfully opened his arms, ready to scoop up the little scamp from the ground.

However, this time Gu Lili took a step back, refusing Butler Wang’s embrace.

Butler Wang was stunned. He never expected that after only a few days away, young master Lili would become so distant. Not long ago, he would still call out for “Hug, Grandpa Butler!”

Though it was unwise to suspect without proof, it was hard for the butler not to attribute young master Lili’s change to Shen Jin’an.

Had she said something to brainwash the boy during his absence?

Gu Lili paid no attention to Butler Wang’s complex thoughts and pretended to be deep in thought as he stroked his chin. “Stepmother said, in life, there’s no helper; you must carve your own path.”

Butler Wang: ...

She did say something, but apparently not what he expected.

Shen Jin’an happily pinched the little one’s cheek. “Well done! Truly a new-age independent youngster. Keep it up, and soon you’ll be able to take over your dad’s company and care for him in his old age.”

Gu Yichao: ...

Gu Lili puffed out his little chest proudly and walked with even more swagger.

Back at the villa, the housekeeper had already prepared post-exercise drinks and various cut fruits.

Butler Wang deftly picked up a piece of watermelon and brought it to Lili’s mouth. “Have some watermelon first, okay?”

Gu Lili thanked Grandpa Butler politely but then pushed his hand away with a serious face. “Stepmother said, there’s no helper in life; you need to eat your own meals.”

He took the small fork from Butler Wang and started eating by himself, following strict rules: three bites of watermelon followed by a sip of milk.

Afterward, he glanced over at Shen Jin’an, who was still sipping her milk tea. Pouting slightly, he speared a grape and fed it to her. “Eat some fruit.”

Butler Wang: ...

Before bedtime, Butler Wang escorted the little one to his room door, kindly patting Gu Lili’s head. Just like before his trip, he asked, “Lili, what story would you like grandpa to tell you tonight?”

“Stepmother...” Gu Lili began.

Butler Wang took a deep breath and, with a hint of helplessness, cut him off, “Your own sleep is something you must take care of, right?”

Gu Lili shook his head. “Stepmother will tell me bedtime stories. Grandpa Butler, you should go to sleep now.”

After speaking, he obediently changed into his little rabbit pajamas and climbed into bed, waiting for his stepmother to come and lull him to sleep.

Watching the little one go through the routine so skillfully, Butler Wang felt a surge of crisis. He hadn’t been gone for more than a few days, yet his position beside young master Lili was on the verge of being replaced.

But Shen Jin’an’s teachings were not wrong — if anything, they made young master Lili more independent.

After leaving Gu Lili’s room, Butler Wang entered Gu Yichao’s study to report on the affairs he had handled during this period.

When he finished the report, he looked at Gu Yichao’s legs, hesitated for a while, and finally said, “Sir, this time I’ve brought the world’s top medical expert team. They can manage your follow-up treatment. If you cooperate well, recovery is possible.”

Gu Yichao’s gaze lifted from the papers to Butler Wang’s concerned face, remaining silent for a moment.

His long fingers absentmindedly caressed the smooth wooden armrest of his wheelchair before he responded coolly, “We’ll see.”

Gu Yichao’s resistance was expected by Butler Wang. He didn’t push further but shifted the topic, his tone carrying a subtle probing edge.

“Sir, what do you think of madam? Since returning from her trip, I’ve felt she’s been much more attentive to young master Lili, and her temperament seems different from before you left.”

Gu Yichao leaned back slightly, fingers intertwined as if in thought. “More than one person has told me the same — many staff members say madam is very different now. She didn’t even recognize you just now. But I secretly hired a private detective to investigate her and found nothing unusual.”

Butler Wang frowned. “You mean...?”

“Although I don’t know the purpose behind her change, it’s better to be cautious. Those who want me dead are more than just Gu Zhenshan.”

Besides, could one person’s acting be so exquisite as to appear completely different?

Gu Yichao flipped through the materials on the medical team Butler Wang brought. When he reached a certain page, his pupils contracted slightly, and a faint smile played at his lips.

“Uncle Wang, has the medical team you mentioned arrived yet?”

Butler Wang was puzzled. Gu Yichao had just resisted the medical team so fiercely but now was bringing it up himself. “Yes, I’ve arranged for them to stay at a nearby hotel.”

“Good. Have them come see me tomorrow.”