He left the guest room and returned to the second floor. Standing at the door of the room next to his bedroom, he quickly pushed the door open.
Eager to verify his thoughts, he pressed the switch next to the door after opening it.
The room was brightly lit, and the lump under the covers confirmed his suspicion. Stepping into the room, Gu Xiuyu stood by the head of the bed with a grim expression, his eyes fixed on the man under the bedding.
Under the bright light, Gu Xiukai woke up. The moment he saw Gu Xiuyu, he became fully alert.
"Why are you here?" He jolted and threw off the covers, getting out of bed.
He should be the one asking that question!
Gu Xiuyu looked at his uncomfortable demeanor and calmly asked, "Did you design the upstairs guest room as a study?"
"Mm," Gu Xiukai nodded. "As the head of the household, I felt the family needed another study."
The study downstairs belonged to Old Master Gu. Later, after Gu Xiuyu returned, his belongings filled it. The thought of Gu Xiuyu sitting at that desk handling company matters made Gu Xiukai feel unbalanced and utterly disgusted by that desk and chairs.
"Head of the household?" Gu Xiuyu latched onto his words.
Had he misheard, or was Gu Xiukai mistaken in his meaning?
Although Gu Xiukai hadn't expected Gu Xiuyu to return so suddenly, he had made all the necessary preparations in advance.
"You didn't mishear," Gu Xiukai said, picking up his jacket and draping it over his shoulders. "After you left in a huff, Dad fell ill and was hospitalized. As the eldest son, I naturally took over Gu’s Corporation and became the head of the household."
"Dad is sick?" Gu Xiuyu was completely unaware.
No one had told him, and he had never heard any bad news about Old Master Gu.
Gu Xiukai looked at the worry on his face, like a good elder brother, and patted his shoulder to comfort him. "Don't worry, Dad is just getting old, and his bodily functions are declining."
Was he angered by him?
He had left the company without a word and without any contact. He must have returned to manage the company because he couldn't find him.
It was all his own doing, so Gu Xiuyu couldn't blame anyone else.
"Which hospital is Dad in now?"
"Central Hospital."
Upon learning the specific room number, Gu Xiuyu immediately went to the hospital to check on Old Master Gu's condition.
Arriving at the hospital and seeing Old Master Gu lying in the intensive care unit, Gu Xiuyu felt as if thousands of ants were scratching at his heart.
What had happened to Old Master Gu during his absence?
He took out his phone from his pocket. Gu Xiuyu had to find someone to get the full story.
The phone rang once, and the call was answered.
"Can you talk?" Gu Xiuyu asked.
It was already late at night, and the sky outside was beginning to show the faint light of dawn.
"Yes, go ahead."
"Do you know what has been happening at Gu's Corporation recently? Why is my father in intensive care?"
Faced with the inquiry, Ye Shaoting knew that for the sake of better cooperation, he couldn't play dumb and hide the truth. He recounted everything he knew to Gu Xiuyu, detail by detail.
After learning the situation, Gu Xiuyu’s hair stood on end, his body filled with anger. "Thank you, Mr. Ye. I won't disturb your rest."
"Mm, contact me anytime if you need anything. We are partners now," Ye Shaoting reminded him.
After hanging up the phone, Gu Xiuyu stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, looking at the gaunt Old Master Gu. Despite their arguments, he had always respected and admired Old Master Gu.
The once formidable and resolute Old Master Gu was now lying alone and weak on the hospital bed, his simple breaths dependent on medical equipment.
"Things that are not meant to be yours, even if obtained, cannot be held onto for long," Gu Xiuyu said, withdrawing his gaze and turning to leave.