Tea-flavored Romance

What should I do if my baby Xuebao gets sick from crying?

As soon as Gu Guanxue appeared, everyone inside turned their gaze to her. In their eyes, the old man's current energy and spirit were probably all for waiting for the arrival of his most cherished granddaughter. Everyone made way for her, and Gu Guanxue wiped away her tears and walked to the old man's side.

"Here you are."

"Um...Grandpa..."

Grandpa Gu opened his eyes slightly, revealing a kind and gentle gaze. He tried his best to sit up and leaned against the headboard, saying softly, "Now that everyone is here, there are some things I should announce."

"Xiaoxue, I hope that you can lead this family as its heir in the future." Old Master Gu said in a deep voice, "No matter what decision you make, just do your best and leave the rest to fate."

"grandfather……"

"I feel guilty for entrusting you with such an important and difficult task, but I hope you will not blame me."

Gu Guanxue was already in tears, shaking her head uncontrollably. Seeing this, Gu's father's sorrow deepened. In the eyes of others, he had always lived for himself, knowing nothing about the Gu family, let alone how much money they had, and being completely clueless about managing it. But now, all the responsibility had been placed on his daughter, and he was powerless to help. Only he knew the shame and regret he felt.

Upon hearing this, all of Gu Guanxue's uncles and aunts present fell silent. The future of a family was to be handed over to the third generation, and as elders, they seemed to have fallen short of their father's standards in both ability and character, which undoubtedly made them feel ashamed.

Everyone present lowered their heads to some extent. Seeing this, Master Ning quickly lowered his head as well to avoid being the first to stick his neck out. However, even this low-key demeanor didn't escape Old Master Gu's notice. He spoke a few words to Xuebao, then closed his eyes to rest for a moment before softly asking:

Has Ning Yuan arrived?

"He's here...Grandpa, do you want to see him?"

Ning Yuan hurried over, only to see Old Master Gu holding his hand, uttering three "good"s before falling silent. After a moment, he whispered:

"I have a few words I'd like to say to him alone. You all can go out first... Xiaoxue, you stay here."

Master Ning: "?"

No, something's not right... Judging from his complexion, Grandpa Gu really looks frail and old... Could it be that my invincible system has also failed?

A sudden doubt arose in his mind, and he took the opportunity to grab the old man's hand to feel the pulse of the old man. However, he could not cause any trouble in front of everyone. The Gu family members had no objection when they heard that the old man wanted to have a private chat with his future grandson-in-law. One by one, they left the sanatorium ward and waited outside the room.

"Grandpa Gu... how are you feeling?"

Master Ning tentatively asked a question, intending to try giving him another course of gene therapy, but was interrupted calmly by Old Master Gu raising his hand:

"Ningyuan, you're a smart man. You should know what I really want from keeping you here." Old Master Gu asked, "If I agree to let you be with Xiaoxue on the condition that you help her manage the Gu family, are you willing?"

Upon hearing this, Xuebao was a little anxious and was about to say something for that scumbag when Master Ning preemptively replied, "If Xiaoxue's wish is to manage the Gu family well, then of course I will accompany her to do these things. But if Xiaoxue doesn't really want to do these things, then of course I will fight for her freedom."

"Oh? So you have a problem with my decision to make Xiaoxue the head of the Gu family?"

"I wouldn't call it an opinion, but rather a suggestion," Master Ning said tactfully. "What you talked to me about before was simply wanting to see the Gu family transform and distance itself from political influence. But you don't necessarily have to be in such a rush to do so. Perhaps there's a better solution that achieves the best of both worlds?"

"Then tell me, after I'm gone, and Old Jiang is gone too, who will be able to shelter the Gu family from the wind and rain in the future?"

“As long as the Gu family can grow strong enough to face the storms on its own, then even without those influences, it won’t be a big deal, right?” Master Ning said. “In other words, it doesn’t necessarily need those influences to protect it; the Gu family itself can also become a form of political influence.”

A glint of light flashed in Old Master Gu's eyes. The fish that had willingly taken the bait said honestly, "As long as the industry is good enough and cutting-edge enough to attract attention, then no one can touch the Gu family's foundation... That's what I think... But you don't seem to be cooperating with me very much... My medicine shouldn't be that bad, right? You're making me lose confidence."

"It really was you, kid!" Old Master Gu revealed a knowing look.

Master Ning sighed softly, "I now know what it means to be shrewd and experienced... Old man, you tricked your family so much by waiting for me to say those words and fall for it..."

"If I didn't do this, how could you have so easily revealed it?"

Olaf: ?

What medicine? What's the hook? What's so bitter? Grandpa, what are you talking about with my boyfriend? Why is it that I can understand every single word, but when they're put together, I'm completely confused?

"Can your medicine be mass-produced?"

“In principle, it’s possible, but we need to advance biological sciences.” Master Ning sighed. “I have a friend who has a laboratory abroad…”

"Alright, I'm not interested in where you got your formula from." Old Master Gu said with a burning gaze, "I'm just asking you, is this medicine guaranteed to be effective?"

Master Ning: ?

Why does this feel like I'm being sold melons? Seriously, why did the old man let me off the hook so easily? I clearly also have the Miao witchcraft version and the lost traditional Chinese medicine version, you know.

"As for the effectiveness, I tried it once myself to be on the safe side, and you, sir, also tried it... It mainly targets some old surgical ailments and hidden injuries, and it can't cure every terminal illness."

"How many more people can be saved?"

"About ten uses... Your body could actually recover with one more use, sir."

“I don’t need it. I have enough. The rest can be left for others who need it more.” Old Master Gu replied without further ado, “You mean… there are other types of formulas?”

“This requires setting up a laboratory, and it’s a long process from theory to output,” Ning Yuan said in a deep voice. “So I plan to develop it together with the Gu family, with two lines: military and civilian. The Gu family will focus on the former, and I will focus on the latter.”

"Is this what you mean by making the Gu family itself a form of political influence?" Old Master Gu gave Master Ning a deep look: "You've got a good plan, making me vouch for you and get something for nothing."

“How can you call it empty-handed? I can invest money.” Master Ning replied shamelessly, “Besides, I’m not really interested in money. As long as you, sir, agree to let Xuebao do what she wants, I don’t mind taking a loss.”

“But you’ve only solved the problem of the Gu family’s development; the problem of succession is still unresolved.” Old Master Gu said with a half-smile, “For a family, an excellent successor is actually more important than money. The collapse of a fortress often begins from within.”

“Then three years.” Master Ning thought for a moment and said decisively, “Xiao Xue and I will help the Gu family develop for three years. After three years, we will select someone from the younger generation who is willing to take on this responsibility and has this ambition to take over… At that time, I can be responsible for training the next generation of Gu family heirs. Whether it is business or anything else, I can teach the heirs step by step and give you a perfect answer.”

"Three years..."

After a moment's thought, Old Master Gu replied without further ado, "Five years."

“No way…” Master Ning’s face fell: “How about three years… Old Master, look at your health now, living to be a hundred years old is not a problem at all. With you in charge of the Gu family, how could there be any trouble… Three years! Three years it is!”

"Are you so sure you can give me a satisfactory answer in three years?" Old Master Gu asked.

Master Ning thought to himself, "Isn't this a three-year agreement? That number is rather sensitive... It suits my identity as the Dragon King Asura..."

After it's all done, imagine holding Xuebao in front of the Gu family's gate and shouting, "The three-year agreement is up! We're done with the Gu family!" Just thinking about that scene is so inspiring!

"You even help train the next generation of heirs... Why don't you just have a child and let him inherit the family business?"

"That won't do. If it's my child, then of course she can do whatever she wants. The rise and fall of the family has nothing to do with my child." Master Ning said seriously, "The child's mother is someone who doesn't like to take responsibility, so the next generation probably won't be any better..."

Olaf: "..."

"What good will it do you to do all this?"

"To be honest, there's no benefit to it." Master Ning laughed as he spoke, and for the first time in front of the old man, he gently took the girl's small hand and said softly, "It's just that it can give the girl I like the freedom she desires most."

Gu Guanxue's expression shifted slightly, and her hand holding Ning Yuan softened involuntarily. She stared blankly at the profile of her beloved beside her, her eyes filled with indescribable tenderness.

"So, sir, do you agree to this agreement?"

"Alright! Then I'll give you these three years." Old Master Gu said in a deep voice, "You've given me more than three years, so what's wrong with me giving you three more? But what if you don't fulfill this agreement?"

"Then come back and inherit the family business with Xiaoxue."

"A word is settled!"

"But I have one more request!" Ning Yuan quickly held up one little finger: "Just one."

"any request?"

"I hope that only the three of us know the contents of this agreement... Of course, it's fine if you tell Grandpa Jiang, but I just hope that as few people as possible know."

“Of course.” Old Gu glanced at him, seemingly seeing through the little tricks of this scumbag, and replied indifferently, “I don’t care who you want to hide it from, I only have one thing to say: I hope you will keep your word.”

“A man’s word is his bond!” Ning Yuan replied confidently. “I will give the Gu family a perfect heir, but she will never be Xiao Xue…”

"Grandpa, as part of our agreement, this is the medicine I gave you before. Take it and give it to those who need it... The method of use is very simple: place it on the skin of the injured area, and then..."

Ning Yuan didn't hide the method of using the system gene drug and directly handed it over to Old Master Gu. Upon seeing this, the old master's eyes seemed to gleam with a strange light, and he asked with a peculiar expression, "You're so confident in handing over your trump card to me? Aren't you afraid that I'll abandon you and go off to research and replicate it yourself?"

“I believe that Grandpa Gu is not such a short-sighted person. You didn’t even ask me in detail about the source of the items, so how could you possibly break your promise?” Master Ning retorted, “You are Xiaoxue’s grandfather. If I can’t even entrust you with this much trust, how can I expect you to entrust the Gu family and Xiaoxue to me for three years in the future?”

Upon hearing this, Old Master Gu burst into laughter, his voice full of vigor: "Old Jiang was right after all, you are indeed very good... But it's a pity, a real pity..."

It's a pity that someone like you can't conjure up two people to be my grandson-in-law and Lao Jiang at the same time... and Lao Jiang is destined to leave this battle for grandson-in-law with resentment!

Xuebao seemed to understand the hidden meaning in her grandfather's words of regret. She glanced at her sweetheart, then at her blindly optimistic grandfather, and sighed inwardly, thinking, "Grandpa, you're still too used to looking at young people with the eyes of the older generation... Who said your enemy is Grandpa Jiang... Your enemy is clearly this scumbag..."

The real obstacle preventing him from becoming your grandson-in-law is himself!

But... there's nothing I can do. Who told me to fall for this jerk? To fall for this jerk who can make me happy and laugh, who will hold my hand when I face storms alone, and who is willing to pay a hefty price to secure my freedom for life?

As Xuebao thought about it, a smile welled up in her eyes. She smiled gently and leaned her head into Ningyuan's arms. Her eyes and brows were filled with a sweet and comforting smile. The shadow that had shrouded her heart for many days was swept away by the old man's recovery, leaving only sunshine in her heart.

Don't overthink it. Grandpa has recovered, and your sweetheart is by your side... This is the best ending.

Master Ning caught the girl and couldn't help but laugh. The stuffy air in the sanatorium ward was swept away by Old Master Gu's hearty and energetic laughter.

The three-year agreement has been set, and I'm definitely moving into this Gu family home!

The Gu family members outside the ward: ?

I think I heard the old man laughing... or was it just my imagination?

Chapter 334: That Day, Yuanbao Almost Reached the Immortal Realm

In the end, the deal between Old Master Gu and Master Ning was settled: the Gu family and Ning Yuan would each receive three parts, and the remaining four parts would go to the state. Master Ning naturally knew that someone like Old Master Gu had dedicated his life to this prosperous era, built on the hard work of countless people, and had no objection to this division. In fact, he had originally planned to let others explore this part of the cutting-edge medical technology in the military field—after all, even if he possessed a complete technology tree, it still required other industries to keep up for mass production. Taking too big a step can easily lead to setbacks; he also needed to fight for his multiple-choice projects, and he couldn't devote all his energy to these matters.

His only requirement was that while this part could be delivered, it still needed to be controlled by someone from the Gu family. Otherwise, it would be impossible to achieve what Ning Yuan had said: to make the Gu family itself an influence, rather than just relying on the remaining power of Old Master Gu.

The old man and the young man chatted happily by the bedside. The conversation went beyond just the cooperation. There was no doubt that Master Ning was a good conversationalist. Old Master Gu enjoyed the conversation with him very much, and the admiration in his eyes grew stronger.

Gu Guanxue remained quiet and didn't say much. From the moment she started listening to her grandfather and boyfriend's conversation with a blank expression, she had no intention of interrupting them, even though she was still full of doubts and confusion.

So that's what he meant by giving my parents a gift when they first met...?

So... he had planned all along to take me back from the Gu family like this?

A gentle warmth of love lingered in his heart, eventually manifesting as a slight smile on his lips. As Grandpa Gu chatted with Ning Yuan, he took in his granddaughter's expressions. He glanced at the two of them together with a half-smile, a hint of interest suddenly appearing in his eyes:

This kid is now saying he's doing everything he can for Xiaoxue and the Gu family, but what will happen if Manyue gets involved in the future?

Will he ultimately keep his promise or give up on Xiaoxue?

The upright old master Gu certainly wouldn't have imagined that the scoundrel in front of him would have a third option. In his opinion, the relationship between his children and grandchildren was the least of his worries. The Gu family didn't need to arrange marriages, and neither did the Jiang family. No matter whose grandson-in-law Ning Yuan ended up with, he and Old Jiang would probably be able to face it calmly and invite each other over for tea and chess from time to time.

When he was alive, he didn't feel the traces of time. Now, after experiencing aging and illness, he has been reborn. Such an experience would undoubtedly touch someone like Grandpa Gu.

Children and grandchildren have their own blessings. Spend more time with family and old friends. As for which of these two granddaughters you've watched grow up will find her own happiness, let them be.

Without anyone's help, and without trembling, Old Master Gu got out of bed on his own. The moment his feet touched solid ground, his entire spirit seemed to change. Ning Yuan and Xue Bao walked side by side behind him as he slowly stepped out of the room. Facing the surprised and shocked gazes of the crowd, Old Master Gu smiled slowly and said:

"Let's go home for the New Year."

……

The news of Old Master Gu's recovery was undoubtedly astonishing to the entire city of Yanjing. Whether they were rivals or allies of the Gu family, everyone stared wide-eyed, as if listening to some unbelievable story—they had clearly visited Old Master Gu in person and knew exactly what the conditions were like in the sanatorium, yet this magical thing had actually happened right before their eyes…

Atheist -1... -1... -1...