Deep Fog Kiss

Gu Zhishen lived in the east courtyard, which was called Songfeng Courtyard.

It's bigger and has better lighting than the courtyard where Jiang Li lives.

The courtyard has three floors and a separate parking lot, with a clean and serene style. Outside the courtyard, towering pine trees provide ample shade, and artificial hills with flowing streams create a picturesque scene.

It matches his cool and clean temperament.

In the living room, the boy sat on a single sofa, his brows slightly furrowed, staring at the person in front of him.

Jiang Li was still carrying that thin little bag, which contained her few belongings.

She stood obediently in front of the boy, head bowed and eyes lowered, her posture reserved.

How long are you planning to stand here?

Gu Zhishen looked at her amusedly, "Why don't you sit on the sofa?"

Jiang Li was afraid he would get angry, so she quickly and carefully sat down to the side.

Gu Zhishen looked at her, thinking to himself that a ten-year-old child should be able to understand what he was saying, so he got straight to the point.

"You're the one I brought from the south of the city. If you really starve to death here, I'll also be responsible."

Gu Zhishen glanced at her fluttering eyelashes and continued, "Since I'll be your legal guardian from now on, I'll be responsible for you. There are some things I need to make clear to you beforehand. Do you understand?"

His voice was cold and detached, his speech was icy and devoid of emotion, and his pace was neither fast nor slow.

Jiang Li could understand, but she was a little nervous.

She clenched her fingers, cautiously turned to look at him, and softly hummed in agreement.

You know my name.

Jiang Li nodded. Gu Zhishen, that's his name, she knew it.

"I've never taken care of children before, and I'm not sure I can take good care of you."

Hearing this, Jiang Li's heart skipped a beat. Then she heard him say, "If you need anything, just say so. For example, if you haven't had dinner or aren't full, just tell the maid to make it. You can also tell me what you want to eat."

"I'll be very busy and won't be here often." Gu Zhishen paused for two seconds after saying this, guessing that he would come more frequently in the future, and added, "Someone will take care of your daily life."

He had someone bring him paper and pen, and wrote down a number for Jiang Li, saying, "There's a phone in the room. Call me if you need anything."

After saying that, he raised an eyebrow and asked, "Do you know how to use a phone?"

"Yes..." Jiang Li took the paper; the handwriting on it was strong and powerful.

She glanced at it and memorized the phone number.

"Your room is on the second floor, on the left."

"Um."

Gu Zhishen thought for a moment, then asked, "You're ten years old this year, right?"

"Mmm." Jiang Li nodded obediently, "October 31st, ten years old."

"October 31st." Gu Zhishen raised an eyebrow slightly. "I'm eight years older than you."

He smiled gently. Although he was only eight years old, he had gained a niece who was not related to him by blood.

He has plenty of money, so raising a child shouldn't be too difficult for him.

Having finished explaining, he glanced at the time and stood up. "You should pack up and get some rest."

Jiang Li quickly stood up, "Brother..."

She quickly corrected herself as soon as she uttered the address, calling him "Uncle."

Looking at the young and clean-cut face of the boy in front of her, she still wasn't used to calling him "uncle."

Gu Zhishen looked at her, and she quickly asked, "Are you going out?"

She glanced out of the courtyard; it was already dark, and time was running out.

Gu Zhishen hummed in agreement and said with a smile, "Don't worry, you won't go hungry here."

As he was about to leave, Jiang Li quickly called out to him, "Uncle..."

She asked cautiously, "Are you... coming back tonight?"

Gu Zhishen raised an eyebrow, as if asking a question.

"If you come back... I'll leave a light on for you." Jiang Li's eyes were big and bright, and her voice was soft. She pursed her lips and said, "My dad said that when people come home and see a light on, they feel warm inside."

Gu Zhishen looked at her; she was shaped like a small mushroom, but her eyes were very clear.

He chuckled softly, "Go back."

Upon hearing this word, Jiang Li's tense nerves instantly relaxed.

After leaving the courtyard, Gu Zhishen sat in the car and made a phone call. "Find a nanny, a woman, with a good personality. Hmm, a ten-year-old girl, and arrange something at the school too."

He suddenly remembered the girl's clothes, which were a bit too short and faded from washing, and instructed her again, "Send over a few suitable outfits."

After hanging up the phone, the car drove away from the Gu residence.

"Brother Shen."

The person in the driver's seat spoke; he was about the same age as Gu Zhishen, around eighteen or nineteen years old.

He asked, "Tianze Capital has just been established in China. Do you really want to be distracted by taking care of this little girl?"

Gu Zhishen's deep eyes were dark and unfathomable. Of course he knew why those people were trying to force this little girl on him. He readily agreed, wanting to see how far they could guard against him and what tricks they were planning to play.

Besides that, there was another reason why he was willing to take care of her.

The person in the back seat lit a cigarette, a slight smile playing on their lips. "Don't you think the way she looks, the way no one wants her, is a lot like me back then?"

......

Gu Zhishen simply said "Reply," and Jiang Li waited until midnight.

She went to her room, familiarized herself with this unfamiliar room where she might stay for a long time, neatly folded her clothes, and carefully placed them in a corner of the room.

She took a shower and then went downstairs to sit obediently on the sofa in the living room.

It wasn't until midnight that the sound of vehicles entering the courtyard could be heard.

The autumn night was chilly, and Gu Zhishen was slightly taken aback when he entered the room, his body radiating cold.

The little girl stood beside the sofa, having changed into a clean long-sleeved pajama set. It was light yellow, but had turned white from being washed so many times. The cuffs and pant legs were still a bit too short, and her thin arms and legs were like sticks.

Looking at it this way, it looks more like a withered and thin mushroom.

The little mushroom's drooping hair was wet, clearly indicating it hadn't been dried.

Those bright eyes were clear and distinct, with black and white contrasting sharply.

"Not asleep?"

Gu Zhishen took off his coat, revealing a black T-shirt, walked to the refrigerator, grabbed a bottle of ice water, unscrewed it, and took a big gulp.

Jiang Li wanted to say "I'll wait for you," but she only managed a soft "Mmm."

Gu Zhishen drank some water, looked at her, and frowned slightly. "Hungry?"

"No," Jiang Li quickly replied.

The servants here are very kind. They even prepared a late-night snack for her because they were worried that she hadn't eaten enough for dinner. They provided her with food and drinks, and even prepared the bath water with the temperature set, which made her very uncomfortable.

She was actually waiting for him to come back.

"That......"

Seeing that he had returned, Jiang Li pursed her lips and said, "Uncle, I'm going to sleep."

Gu Zhishen hummed in agreement and casually said, "Dry your hair."

"Okay," Jiang Li replied obediently. After thinking for a moment, she hesitated and then asked, "Uncle, are you... having dinner here tomorrow?"

She looked up, her dark pupils clearly defined.

Gu Zhishen looked into her eyes; a child's eyes always clearly expressed a variety of emotions.

He laughed and said, "If you don't want to go, you don't have to go anymore. You can eat all your meals here, even when I'm not around."

"Also, I'll be very busy soon and probably won't be able to come for many days. Everything at school is settled, and someone will pick you up to go to school in a few days."

Gu Zhishen stepped forward, looking at her wet eyes, "Are you alright here by yourself?"

Jiang Li nodded immediately, her fingers clenching tightly. "I will be obedient."

Gu Zhishen suddenly smiled, a very handsome smile, which stunned Jiang Li.

"It's not about whether you're obedient or not, it's about whether you're afraid."

Jiang Li immediately shook her head again, "I'm not afraid."

She was content as long as she had food to eat, a place to sleep, and access to education.

"Okay then."

Gu Zhishen suddenly remembered something and asked, "Your birthday is coming up soon, is there anything you want?"

He suddenly asked this question, and Jiang Li blinked her long eyelashes, stunned.

Since her father passed away, no one has celebrated her birthday.

During the two years she lived with the Xiang family, her grandmother told her, "Ali, be good, we won't celebrate your birthday, your aunt will be unhappy."

Jiang Li stared at the boy's handsome features, as if she thought she had misheard.

She remained silent for a long time. Gu Zhishen thought she hadn't made up her mind, so he laughed and said, "Call me when you've decided. Anything is fine with me."