Chapter 1406: 1405 will miss you
Chapter 1406: 1405 will miss you
When Bai Yuqin mentioned Gu Kai’s name, she noticeably paused.
In the past, whenever she said “Ah Kai,” her tone was natural and affectionate, like any mother-in-law who looked at her future son-in-law with complete satisfaction.
But now, when she brought up Gu Kai, her voice sounded somewhat unnatural.
It was mainly because she felt guilty, afraid that mentioning Gu Kai might anger Yiyi and lead to a quarrel between them, so she had become extra cautious.
After speaking, she carefully observed Bai Yiyi’s reaction.
Bai Yiyi’s expression stiffened for a moment. Gu Kai’s name appearing in a conversation between her and her mother was akin to a taboo subject in her mother’s eyes.
“He said the Spring Festival travel rush was too crowded, and the buses were packed, so he drove me back.”
Bai Yiyi’s tone was calm, clearly reluctant to delve further. Bai Yuqin sensibly refrained from asking more, even though she was eager to find out whether Yiyi and Gu Kai had reconciled.
But fearing her daughter’s temper, she had to suppress her curiosity and concern, saying only, “Stay with me for the New Year tomorrow, and head back to G City on the first day. Tongtong will miss you after a few days apart.”
The two chatted as they walked home together.
“It’s okay. I’ll stay for a few days and head back on the fifth. Your cold hasn’t recovered yet—do you want to go to G City for a check-up?”
Bai Yuqin’s throat itched, and she coughed twice before nonchalantly answering, “It’s just a cold; there’s no need for a hospital check-up.”
“Colds can be mild or severe. You’ve been sick for so long and still haven’t recovered. Why not come back to G City with me in a few days for a check-up?”
Bai Yiyi said these words without looking at Bai Yuqin.
Bai Yuqin turned and glanced at Bai Yiyi. Her daughter’s features were cold and reserved, her lips pressed slightly together, as if she were grappling with conflicting emotions.
Seeing her daughter like this, Bai Yuqin felt a pang of guilt. She gently refused, “Yiyi, I’m not going. It’s just a minor cold. Once I recover, I’ll be fine. You don’t need to worry.”
Bai Yiyi turned to look at her briefly but said no more.
Back at home, Bai Yiyi silently set her luggage down and took the bags from her mother’s hands, placing them in the kitchen.
After setting the dishes made by Bai Yuqin onto the dining table and filling the rice bowls, she sat down and finally said, “I’ve thought about it. After the New Year, you’ll come back to G City with me.”
“Yiyi.”
Bai Yuqin called out in surprise.
Her gaze at Bai Yiyi was filled with confusion.
After that incident, how could she face Gu Kai and Wen Ran like before? That they hadn’t already extended their resentment to include Bai Yiyi was something Bai Yuqin felt deeply grateful for.
Bai Yiyi hesitated, about to say something, when her phone suddenly rang.
She pulled out her phone, and when she saw the caller ID, a faint smile unwittingly crept into her eyes, tinging her expression with warmth.
Seeing her reaction, Bai Yuqin immediately asked, “Is it Tongtong calling?”
“It should be. Gu Kai brought me back today, and Tongtong is being looked after by Director Gu. This number is the Gu family’s landline.”
Other than Tongtong, there likely wasn’t anyone else it could be.
Bai Yiyi pressed the answer button and gently said hello.
“Mommy.”
As expected, the tender, sweet voice of Tongtong came through the line, carrying a touch of excitement. “Mommy, Tongtong misses you.”
“Tongtong, have you eaten yet?”
Bai Yiyi set down her chopsticks, leaning back into her chair, and asked warmly with a smile.
“Yes.”
Tongtong answered crisply. She was currently sitting on the sofa in the Gu family’s first-floor living room, holding the phone with both hands.
Next to her, Gu Yan held a medical journal in his hands, his gaze, however, fixed on Tongtong as she chatted on the phone.
“What did you eat?”
Hearing Bai Yiyi’s question, Tongtong blinked her eyes and answered with a bright smile, “Fish.”
Though young, Tongtong was adept at phone calls. She and Bai Yiyi exchanged questions and answers for a few minutes before Bai Yiyi, still smiling, said, “Tongtong, Grandma is here. Do you want to talk to her?”
“Grandma.”
As soon as she heard Bai Yuqin’s voice, Tongtong eagerly called out, repeating the same line she had said to her mother, “Tongtong misses you.”
Bai Yuqin burst out laughing at her antics. Sitting next to her, Gu Yan couldn’t help but twitch the corners of his mouth hearing Tongtong’s words.
He shook his head with a wry smile.
This little girl was surely going to grow up to charm the socks off everyone she met.
Hearing Tongtong call out for her repeatedly, Gu Yan felt a faint sadness welling up in his heart. If only Yu Han were here—seeing such an adorable Tongtong would surely make her happy.
He turned his gaze toward the nearby desk where a photo frame stood. Inside was a picture of Yu Han, still as beautiful as ever even after all these years.
By contrast, he had grown older with each passing day.
His gaze lingered on the photo as his thoughts drifted back across the years, recalling the happy times he and Yu Han had shared together.
“Grandpa.”
Until Tongtong’s soft, childlike voice pulled him back to reality, her little hands were shaking his arm gently. Looking into her excited, sparkling eyes, he steadied his emotions and suddenly had an idea.
“Tongtong, how about Grandpa takes you to visit Grandma?”
“Grandma.”
Tongtong blinked, bewildered, and pointed to the photo Gu Yan had just been staring at. Her father had told her that the person in the photo was Grandma.
“Grandma is in heaven, Grandpa. Don’t be sad.”
After saying this, Tongtong pressed her small face against Gu Yan’s arm in a gesture of comfort.
Her warm-hearted action brought a sudden ache to Gu Yan’s chest.
“Tongtong, Grandpa isn’t sad. Let’s go visit Grandma now; I’m sure she would love to see you.”
Setting down the journal in his hands, Gu Yan picked up Tongtong and stood. This little girl was truly too endearing—how remarkable it was that even at such a young age, she remembered what Gu Kai had taught her and used it to comfort him. It was incredibly touching.
“Okay.”
After responding, Tongtong grinned wide and beamed at Gu Yan.
Gu Kai took Tongtong and had the driver take them to the cemetery. Once they arrived and got out of the car, he hesitated briefly before carrying Tongtong to see Yu Han.
Over the years, whenever he felt down or missed Yu Han, Gu Yan would come here. Especially in the initial years, he would visit even in the dead of night when he couldn’t sleep, sitting by the gravestone to talk with her.
“Grandma.”
At the gravestone, while Gu Yan lingered over the photograph on the stone, Tongtong had already spoken up, using her tender voice to call out.
Gu Yan smiled softly, reaching out to touch the photograph on the gravestone. Warmly, he said, “Yu Han, this is Tongtong, our granddaughter. You’ve never met her before, have you? I brought her to see you today.”
“Grandma, I’m Tongtong.”
Tongtong’s bright eyes gazed at the photograph on the gravestone. It looked just like the one at home. Grandma’s smile was so gentle and kind.
A light breeze swept past, rustling softly in their ears. On this bright, sunny afternoon, the breeze wasn’t particularly chilly; instead, it felt like a soft hand grazing their cheeks or like a whisper from the one resting in the grave.
As he listened to Tongtong’s words, Gu Yan’s heart swelled with warmth interlaced with emotion. “Yu Han…”