Suddenly, Shi Qinglian’s eyes turned red. She said sadly, “Actually, it’s my fault. If I were a little smarter back then, Xia Yunlou wouldn’t have been able to snatch Yunqiu’s fiance, causing her to leave her hometown.”

At the mention of Xia Yunqiu, the eyes of the Yin family were filled with sorrow. Old Madam Yin took a deep breath. “Xi Xi, Yunqiu isn’t around anymore. Fortunately, you’re here.”

The Yin family also came forward to comfort Qiao Xi. Qiao Xi, who had grown up in the Qiao family since she was young, had never received such care and love. Her heart was warm.

Whether it was the Qiao family or the Xu family, they were both her nominal homes. However, they did not give her any real warmth. The Yin family gave her true kinship.

After bidding farewell to the Yin family, Yin Jingting personally drove them back to Longwan Residential. Gu Zheng saw that she did not speak along the way and did not disturb her.

This Gu Zheng had no emotions, nor did he have any relatives that he missed. He naturally could not understand Qiao Xi’s sorrow, but he understood that Qiao Xi must be very sad at this moment.

…

At 10 p.m.

Qiao Xi had already gotten into bed and was about to sleep when there was a knock on the door. Song Shiyu asked softly, “Young Madam, the president wants to take you out. He told you to wear more layers as it’s cold at night.”

Qiao Xi nodded and got up from the bed. It was already so late. Why did Gu Zheng want to bring her out?

The two of them got into the car. Neither of them spoke on the way. Seeing the car driving farther and farther away, Qiao Xi could not help but ask, “Where are we going?”

Gu Zheng opened his icy-cold eyes that were like deep spring water without the slightest ripple of emotion. However, when he faced Qiao Xi, a trace of gentleness surged into his eyes. “We’re almost there.”

The car slowly stopped, and Qiao Xi raised her eyes. It turned out to be a quiet courtyard. It was truly rare for there to be such a clean courtyard in the wilderness.

Gu Zheng looked up and concealed his fluctuating emotions. “A long time ago, this was the residence of a family. As the courtyard was exquisite and the environment was pleasant, it later became an open space. There were people who lived here and cleaned the place every day. There’s a lotus pond in the backyard. Every year, people will come here to set afloat a lotus lantern. I heard that if you write a message on the lantern for your family and set the lantern afloat on the pond, the lantern will go where the water takes it while carrying your thoughts for your loved ones.”

Qiao Xi’s eyes abruptly widened. Didn’t this Gu Zheng have no emotions? How could he believe such a thing?

He was abused in Maple Garden since he was young. He had no relatives or companions by his side, so he could only grit his teeth and endure all hardships. To him, this kind of thing should be nonsense because he only believed in strength.

However, he actually brought her to the lotus pond and even said these words. It caused Qiao Xi to even suspect that Gu Zheng had recovered.

Gu Zheng held Qiao Xi’s hand and led her to the backyard. The lotus lanterns were already prepared. Qiao Xi chose a lantern and wrote a few words on a piece of paper. She gently placed the lantern on the surface of the water and watched it float away.

“Ah Zheng, besides carrying your longing for your family, you can also make wishes. Aren’t you going to set a lantern afloat as well?” Qiao Xi asked.

When Gu Zheng heard this, he raised his eyes slightly. He did not seem to have any wishes. The young Gu Zheng hoped that someone could save him from that cage in Maple Garden, but later on, he gradually became stronger and became without desires.

Originally, Gu Zheng needed him because Gu Zheng was too weak at that time. He needed a powerful persona to break through those dark shackles. After Gu Zheng gradually became stronger, he no longer needed him.

His eyes lowered. “That’s unnecessary.”

He only appeared when Gu Zheng was weak. His time was very short. He did not know when he would disappear, but before he disappeared, he would definitely protect Qiao Xi.

Now that the Yin family was supporting Qiao Xi, even if he really vanished and Gu Zheng returned, Qiao Xi would not be bullied anymore.

In short, as long as he was around, he would protect her.

…

The two of them returned to Longwan Residential, and Qiao Xi went upstairs to rest.

Seeing that Qiao Xi had returned to her bedroom, Song Shiyu immediately asked in horror, “President, did you and Young Madam quarrel? Why are you sleeping in separate rooms?”

Gu Zheng frowned. When he just woke up, Qiao Xi was indeed sleeping in the master bedroom with him. However, she moved back to her room the next day. He thought that it was normal for them to sleep in separate rooms.

The next second, Song Shiyu said with disdain, “President, you and Young Madam have only been married for a short while, but Young Madam is already sick of you. Are you not good in that aspect? You have to go to the hospital if you’re facing problems!”