When they returned to Shuiyunjian, Sheng Qianchi’s cheeks were unusually flushed. Gu Jiayin didn’t pay any attention, assuming he had just drunk a bit too much. She unfastened his seatbelt for him and softly said, "We’re here." Sheng Qianchi slowly opened his eyes, looking at the woman in front of him for a long time without speaking. His eyes at that moment were as deep as the ocean at night, with dark currents surging yet mysteriously calm. It was as if they had an overwhelming attraction, pulling her in. Gu Jiayin couldn’t withstand his gaze, and after a moment, she turned her face away and got out of the car first. Sheng Qianchi followed her out of the car, a step behind, his eyes tightly locked onto her back like a leopard ready to pounce on its prey in the night. Although Gu Jiayin didn’t look back, she could feel the heat and gaze on her, stirring a boundless embarrassment within her. This feeling was identical to when he had stared at her on the Eagle Emperor’s cruise. Even more tense and uneasy. Upon entering the villa, the presence of a middle-aged man sitting imposingly in a wheelchair in the living room diffused the uneasy atmosphere. Gu Jiayin widened her eyes in surprise, and Sheng Qianchi behind her couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow, "Dad, what are you doing here?" Yes, Sheng Lanzhang had come. He wanted to see Gu Jiayin, but was refused. A month later, with some recovery in his health, he had himself pushed in a wheelchair to come personally. It was, in fact, the first time in seven years he had left the hospital. All just to see Gu Jiayin. Due to long-term illness, Sheng Lanzhang appeared pale and frail, but his eyes and stature marked him as a handsome and suave man in his youth. Of course, having a son with such good looks as Sheng Qianchi meant Sheng Lanzhang was naturally exceptional among men. Upon closer observation, Sheng Qianchi indeed resembled Sheng Lanzhang. Sheng Lanzhang watched with a face full of affection, saying nothing, only calmly examining Gu Jiayin, his gaze ultimately fixing on her face. So focused, it seemed as if he wanted to see through her to another person. Gu Jiayin, however, felt aversion, perhaps because years ago, both sisters had entanglements with the same man, leading to inevitable awkwardness, the Gu Family seldom interacted with the Sheng Family, and every time Gu Shaohua returned to the Gu Family, she was alone. Later, Gu Shaohua’s visits to the Gu Family became increasingly rare, and the relationship faded away. Thus, she wasn’t very familiar with this Mr. Sheng. In response to his meaningful gaze, she lowered her eyelids indifferently and gave a polite but distant greeting, "Mr. Sheng." After speaking, she turned to go upstairs, but her wrist was caught by the man behind her. Turning around, she met the pleading look in the man’s eyes. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ n̷o̷v̷e̷l̷f̷i̷r̷e̷.net Yes, Sheng Qianchi was pleading with Gu Jiayin, hoping she would show his father some face and respect. He had been sent abroad from birth and hadn’t seen his biological parents for sixteen years, but since returning to the country, Sheng Lanzhang had indeed given him much paternal love; he could see the guilt accumulated over sixteen years in his eyes. It seemed the affection between father and son wasn’t too cold. Laughing with indifference, Sheng Lanzhang’s words carried a rich tenderness, "Jiayin, Uncle Sheng came specially to see you. Please stay and chat with me for a bit." Gu Jiayin stood still, feeling very conflicted internally. She had no likings for this man who let her mother suffer public scorn without providing any protection. Yet, with Sheng Qianchi holding her wrist, she couldn’t forcefully break away. The atmosphere was as awkward as weathered desert rock, dry and stiff. Finally, Sheng Qianchi guided Gu Jiayin to sit on the sofa facing Sheng Lanzhang. At that moment, the effect of his medication was slowly brewing inside him, making him feel as though a flame was burning upwards from deep within his body, requiring significant willpower and effort to control. He reached to loosen two buttons on his collar to alleviate some of the discomfort from deep within his body. "Dad, you want to speak with Jiayin, but I’ve had some alcohol and am not feeling too well, I’m going to shower first." "Okay." Sheng Lanzhang nodded with a smile. Sheng Qianchi, as if finally liberated, hurriedly walked up the stairs somewhat awkwardly and quickly disappeared at the second-floor landing. After Sister Li served two cups of hot tea, she also left, leaving only Sheng Lanzhang and Gu Jiayin in the living room. Gu Jiayin said nothing, and Sheng Lanzhang was not in a hurry to speak, instead, he looked at her again carefully. The space remained silent for approximately half a minute. Gu Jiayin, unable to stand Sheng Lanzhang’s scrutiny, coldly spoke, "Mr. Sheng, if you have something to say, please say it directly." Sheng Lanzhang appeared very affectionate, as if he could accommodate any lack of courtesy in Gu Jiayin’s demeanor, "Jiayin, you’re not very much like your mother." "Heh." Gu Jiayin let out a sarcastic laugh, "Who said a daughter has to be like her mother? Does Mr. Sheng wish that I were someone weak and subjected to others’ will like my mother?" Indeed, she never resembled her mother, whereas her brother Gu Yachen was very much like her mother. Seeing the hostility and disdain in Gu Jiayin’s eyes, Sheng Lanzhang lowered his head painfully, "Back then, I also didn’t want your mother to suffer injustice, and it wasn’t that I couldn’t stand up and advocate for her; it was because your mother didn’t want me to do so." "Why?" Gu Jiayin raised her head in confusion, looking at the man who had suffered from illness, "Did my mother really wish to carry the stigma of being a homewrecker?" Sheng Lanzhang sighed, "I don’t know why either. She simply refused to let me stand up for her, even going so far as to threaten suicide." Gu Jiayin pondered, her dark eyes turning thoughtfully, "Did you and my mother ever..." "I loved your mother." Sheng Lanzhang directly gave a firm answer, "I always have and never anyone else. Marrying Qianchi’s mother was an unfortunate mistake." Recalling the past, Sheng Lanzhang still couldn’t hide his sorrow, "Seven years ago, being unable to let go of old feelings, when I learned that Qin Zhennan also had a wife outside, compassion compelled me to arrange a meeting with your mother again..." He sighed sorrowfully, "I brought trouble upon her." "Then," Gu Jiayin looked at Sheng Lanzhang intently, "was it true back then that my mother forced my father to become a live-in son-in-law of the Gu Family?" "Your mother wasn’t that kind of person." Sheng Lanzhang’s response finally brought Gu Jiayin some comfort. Yes, her mother definitely wasn’t like that. "I’m puzzled. If you both loved each other back then, why did she end up marrying my father, and you marrying the current Mrs. Sheng? By the timeline, when you were dating my mother, your original wife was still alive. Did you lie to her?" These were things Gu Jiayin wanted to know, but her mother never spoke of it. Sheng Lanzhang was silent for a while, thinking of the past; besides regret, there was only regret, for he had missed the best woman he had ever met in his life. "No, I never lied to your mother. When your mother accepted me, she knew I had a wife and already had a child." Gu Jiayin suddenly stood up excitedly, "You’re lying! My mother would never be the kind of woman who willingly chose to be a mistress knowing a man had a wife!"