After the sun set, darkness fell quickly, especially now that it was winter.
By the time the group returned to the hotel, night had completely fallen. No activities were planned for the evening, so everyone retreated to their own rooms upon arrival.
Thanks to the absence of his eldest son, Gu Junxing slept soundly that night. Following his usual routine, he woke up early, had breakfast alone, and then went to find Liu Jian.
"Zhijing and I are heading back this afternoon, but Sui'an wants to stay here for a few more days." With the year-end approaching, the company was busy and he couldn't be away. It was too far to commute from here to the office, so he had to return home first.
"Sister-in-law wants to stay longer? That's great! You can rest assured, she'll have everything she needs here. If there's anything we don't have, I'll go down the mountain to buy it! Just tell her not to be too polite with me."
"Mm, I'm not worried about that." Gu Junxing knew Liu Jian's character and was sure he wouldn't neglect Sui'an.
"So what did you want to say?" Liu Jian knew Gu Junxing didn't mention this without reason; he must have some instructions.
Gu Junxing glanced at him and said calmly, "Nothing much, really. It's just that she likes to be alone, so don't go bothering her unnecessarily. And definitely don't go chattering about this and that."
Liu Jian understood. It seemed Gu Junxing was worried he might be a nuisance. Talking about this and that? What did he take him for...
"Tsk tsk tsk, who would have thought? Old Gu, you're actually putting your woman before your friend. Don't worry, unless sister-in-law summons me, I won't go near her. Are you satisfied now?"
Gu Junxing raised an eyebrow but didn't refute the accusation.
"In a couple of days, a friend of hers might come with a child. Please make arrangements for them."
"Sure, you're a major shareholder too. Whatever you say goes." They all had investments in this hotel, the four of them, just differing in amounts. Liu Jian was nominally the boss and managed the hotel affairs, but that was only because he was the least busy. After all, his previous job had only been collecting rent.
After chatting for a while, Qin Wei and Xu Jiasong came to say goodbye. They were leaving for the airport from here to pick up Xu Jiasong's mother.
Liu Jian called out to Qin Wei, "Come back again in a while, and bring your mother-in-law too."
Xu Jiasong also smiled and said, "Thanks for your hospitality. Don't worry, we'll definitely be back."
"Don't mention it, treat this place like home. Come whenever you want."
They accompanied them to the hotel entrance and watched until their car disappeared into the distance before turning back.
Shortly after, Chen Shu arrived, looking unwell. Gu Junxing and Liu Jian exchanged glances, sensing that something might have happened.
As he came closer, they saw his eyes were bloodshot, as if he hadn't slept all night.
"What happened?"
They knew it must be something serious for Chen Shu to be in this state, and their hearts tightened.
"It's my mom. Last night, my dad suddenly contacted me saying she had fallen into a coma."
"How sudden. How is she now?"
Chen Shu's parents had been living in Switzerland, and it was difficult to rush over immediately when something happened, which explained his distress.
"She regained consciousness after emergency treatment. But she keeps telling my dad she wants to come home."
Due to what happened to his sister years ago, Chen Shu's mother's health had never been good. After Chen Shu started university, his father accompanied his wife to Switzerland, partly for her health and partly to get away from their old environment, hoping it might ease the pain of losing their daughter. Now, perhaps due to age, she wanted to return home.
"When are you going?"
"I've been in contact with the doctors and friends there all night. My mom is too weak for a long flight right now. I'll go first, and when she's better, we'll return together. I came to let you know. I've booked a flight for 3 PM, so I need to go home now to pack."
Gu Junxing immediately said, "You didn't sleep at all last night, did you? You can't drive in this state. I'll take you home."
Chen Shu didn't object, knowing he really couldn't drive now. Drowsy driving was no joke.
After a moment's thought, Gu Junxing outlined his plan:
"How about this: you eat breakfast first. I'll go tell Zhijing to pack up, and we'll leave as soon as I get back. There's no rush since you've already booked the flight. Eat something first. I was planning to go back today anyway, so it's just leaving a bit earlier."
Liu Jian nodded immediately, agreeing with Gu Junxing's reasoning, and led Chen Shu to the dining room.
Gu Junxing first went to Gu Zhijing's room, knocking to wake him up.
"Go wash up and pack now. Uncle Chen's mother is sick, and Dad is taking Uncle Chen home. You're coming back with us."
Gu Zhijing, initially groggy, snapped awake at this news and obediently went to wash his face, brush his teeth, and change clothes.
After returning to his room, Gu Junxing quickly packed his own things. After a moment's thought, he went to knock on Nian Suian's door.
"Sorry to wake you, but I need to tell you something." Gu Junxing explained the situation, then added, "Feel free to stay here. I've already told Liu Jian about Sheng Xia coming, and he'll arrange the rooms. If you need to go home or anything comes up, just contact me. If you need anything while you're here, you can ask Liu Jian."
"I understand, don't worry," Nian Suian nodded. "Drive carefully."
"I will." Gu Junxing patted Nian Suian's head, then took his things and left the room.
Gu Zhijing had already packed and was crouching by the door, waiting.
"Let's go."
Chen Shu, preoccupied, couldn't eat much. He had barely finished half a bowl of noodles and was waiting for Gu Junxing.
"Zhijing, take these buns and milk to eat in the car." Gu Junxing had risen early and already eaten breakfast, but Liu Jian, worried Gu Zhijing might go hungry, had prepared breakfast for him to take along.
"Thank you, Uncle Liu."
"You'd better get going now. Chen, don't worry too much. Didn't they say your mother has regained consciousness? Seeing you might cheer her up, and everything might turn out fine," Liu Jian comforted Chen Shu.
In the car, Gu Zhijing said to his father, "Dad, you can drop me off in the city center later. I'll take a taxi home, and you can take Uncle Chen home."
The Gu family home and Chen Shu's house were in different directions and quite far apart.
Hearing this, Chen Shu said to Gu Junxing, "No need. Junxing, you can drop me off in the city center, and I'll take a taxi home."
"No, I'll take you home to pack, then drive you to the airport," Gu Junxing agreed with Gu Zhijing's idea.
Meanwhile, Nian Suian, having woken up, no longer felt sleepy. She decided to get up, wash, and change clothes. She went to the dining room for breakfast, then took a stroll around the hotel grounds.
