Qin He accompanied Madam Gu, waiting for Gu Qichen to arrive. They sat together on the sofa, holding hands, reminiscing about the past.
She found the person Madam Gu described as herself to be unfamiliar.
However, she could tell that this old woman had doted on her dearly in the past.
"Grandma, please don't worry. Even though Gu Qichen and I are divorced, you will always be my grandmother," Qin He squeezed Madam Gu's hand, feeling warmth in her heart.
After they chatted for a while, Gu Qichen arrived.
The receptionist on the first floor led him to the office. The man exuded a powerful aura and a cold demeanor.
Upon entering the office and seeing Madam Gu, his brows softened. "Grandma."
Madam Gu, having learned about Gu Qichen and Qin He's divorce, had no intention of acknowledging him at the moment.
She shot Gu Qichen a glare and then turned back to chat with Qin He.
"Then it's settled, you have to visit Grandma every weekend."
Qin He smiled. "Okay, Grandma, don't worry. I'll bring the pastries you mentioned."
Gu Qichen, left aside by Madam Gu, scanned the office. The thick pile of reviewed documents on the desk indicated that Qin He had been working there.
Qin He looked up at him. "Gu—Qichen, please sit."
In front of Madam Gu, she was afraid of sounding too distant and upsetting her further.
Gu Qichen sat down and listened to Qin He and Madam Gu chat, his dark eyes steadily fixed on Qin He.
What was it about this woman that held such power?
He had known his grandmother favored Qin He, but he hadn't expected that after her two relapses, she would only want to see Qin He. Was he, her own grandson, and granddaughter less important than Qin He?
Qin He soothed Madam Gu for a good while before finally calming the old lady down.
She then stood up to see Gu Qichen and Madam Gu home.
At the office door, Yu Jing was already waiting. Qin He paused and called out to Gu Qichen, "Wait, I want to talk to you."
Madam Gu immediately called out to Yu Jing, "We'll go back first. Let He'er and Qichen talk!"
Yu Jing looked at Gu Qichen. Seeing him nod, he then followed Madam Gu out.
The office became quiet. Qin He called her secretary to bring some tea.
She looked up at Gu Qichen. "Mr. Gu, I'd like to ask, what kind of caregiver are you looking for? Grandma Gu isn't suffering from any other illness; it's Alzheimer's. What if she gets lost during an episode? Even ordinary families would keep a close eye on such elders. Your Gu family is wealthy and powerful; how could you let Grandma Gu get lost twice?"
Gu Qichen's expression stiffened slightly.
"It's Song Nuan watching over her. I just received your call and haven't had time to ask about the situation."
"Song Nuan?!" Qin He's eyes widened, a flicker of disgust flashing in them. "Gu Qichen, do you really think Song Nuan is capable of caring for a patient?"
That scheming bachelorette, Song Nuan!
Qin He gritted her teeth. This scoundrel was being deceived. She didn't care about him.
But when it came to Madam Gu, who had doted on her, that was absolutely unacceptable!
"I suggest you check your home's surveillance. We've been divorced for a while, and your family has kept things from Grandma Gu so airtight. How is it that Grandma Gu found out about Song Nuan as soon as she arrived?" Qin He said sarcastically.
A faint, enigmatic gleam appeared in Gu Qichen's eyes.
"Do you dislike Song Nuan very much?"
Qin He seemed indifferent as her fair fingers held the teapot, pouring tea.
Boiling water swirled the tea leaves in the cup. She let out a cold laugh. "It's not that I dislike her; I haven't even considered her a rival."
A green tea like Song Nuan, with her mind full of petty jealousies, wasn't worthy of being her opponent.
Gu Qichen's thin lips pursed, his gaze sweeping across the office.
"Your office style is quite nice."
The topic abruptly shifted. Qin He glanced around. "Yes, it's my brother's office. I'm just temporarily looking after things here."
She assumed Gu Qichen was deliberately changing the subject because of Song Nuan.
A sense of displeasure grew within her, and she no longer held back. "Mr. Gu, I've said what I needed to say. No matter how much you love or trust Song Nuan, it's best to hire some professional caregivers for Grandma Gu."
With that, she stood up, smiling. "I won't be keeping you for lunch."
This was a clear dismissal. Gu Qichen stood up calmly, his composed demeanor causing Qin He to secretly grit her teeth.
Despite being a scumbag, this man possessed an inherent nobility and refinement cultivated by his family, coupled with that face, making him hard to criticize.
"I appreciate your help today. I'll have Yu Jing prepare a token of gratitude. I'll take my leave." Gu Qichen nodded.
His attitude made her feel somewhat petty.
Qin He's mouth twitched. Just as she was about to speak, her stomach churned suddenly.
Her face paled, and she covered her mouth.
Gu Qichen's brow furrowed. "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"
Qin He was trying desperately to suppress the nausea, terrified of vomiting if she opened her mouth.
She was a bit of a neat freak. Gritting her teeth, sweat beading on her forehead, she turned to head towards the restroom.
A vague idea flashed through Gu Qichen's mind. He rushed forward. "Qin He, you—"
With a "bang," the office door was pushed open forcefully. Gu Qichen and Qin He turned their heads simultaneously.
A large bouquet of red roses, as vibrant as fire, was held by Lu Mingxi. His devilishly handsome face, adorned with a smile, leaned against the doorframe with a wild, seductive air. "He'er, I'm here."
Gu Qichen: "..."
Qin He: "..."
The thought that had been forming in Gu Qichen's mind snapped. He no longer delved into it, his brow furrowed as he looked at Qin He.
After divorcing him, her taste had truly deteriorated.
Looking at the fiery red roses, Gu Qichen felt an inexplicable tightness in his chest, the familiar sense of restless suffocation surging.
He said coldly, "I won't keep Ms. Qin any longer. I'll be leaving now."
Lu Mingxi looked innocently, blinking his eyes. "Mr. Gu, what are you doing here? Shall we have lunch together?"
Gu Qichen's mind recalled Qin He's earlier words, "I won't be keeping you for lunch," realizing she must have already made plans with Lu Mingxi.
His eyes seemed to contain shards of ice, and a chill wind emanated from him, brushing past Lu Mingxi's face as he left.
Lu Mingxi watched Gu Qichen depart, then looked at Qin He, holding the roses, still somewhat puzzled.
Qin He's nausea had vanished, replaced by shock.
Her mouth twitched. "What are you doing?"
Lu Mingxi maintained his innocent expression, but Qin He, knowing his reputation, didn't believe him.
Innocence from him meant he was up to something mischievous.
Lu Mingxi asked instead of answering, "What's wrong with Gu Qichen?"
Qin He frowned. "Did you just storm in like that?"
With ninety-nine roses, making a flashy entrance?
Lu Mingxi's face broke into a bright smile. "Yes, didn't we agree on this?"
Qin He felt a headache coming on. She couldn't pursue the matter too deeply with Lu Mingxi; he was too skilled at changing the subject.
"Didn't you say you had something to discuss with me? What is it? Sit down and tell me."
Lu Mingxi sat down and reached for the cup of tea Qin He had poured, drinking a mouthful as if he belonged there.
"Little kitten, I heard from your brother about your pregnancy."
Lu Mingxi grinned, revealing a row of dazzling white teeth. "I'm here to be the baby's father!"
Qin He: "..."
Alright, her brother had indeed settled on Lu Mingxi!