Chapter 119 - 110: Looking Back at the Past
Chapter 119: Chapter 110: Looking Back at the Past
That day, he told Xiao Man his name was Gu Shaojun.
Two days later, Xiao Man moved into his villa and became his caretaker. The pay was three times what she usually earned, on top of room and board. Of course, Xiao Man was happy to accept.
Learning he was in the military, had fought in a war, was a famous war hero, and that his disability came from defending the country, Xiao Man’s respect for him grew even deeper.
Gu Shaojun was incredibly resilient. Even as illness and pain wasted him away to skin and bones, he maintained the fine conduct of a soldier, actively cooperating with treatment and striving to learn. Xiao Man often saw him in unbearable pain, yet he never lost his composure or did anything rash, like throwing things or taking his anger out on others. He never did. He always just gritted his teeth and endured it alone. Beyond admiration, Xiao Man felt a deep sense of sympathy and pity for him, and she took care of his daily needs with even more diligence and care.
Meanwhile, Xiao Man’s quiet, taciturn nature gave off an impression of prudence and caution. Her gentle kindness and her diligent, hardworking attitude—never shying away from difficult or troublesome tasks—left Gu Shaojun and those around him very satisfied.
The employer and caretaker got along peacefully like this. Aside from needing her to manage his daily life, Gu Shaojun didn’t speak to her much. He never even asked where she was from.
The task of bringing Xiao Man to the villa, checking her identification, and repeatedly questioning her background was handled by other staff members.
Of course, their questions were futile. Xiao Man’s ID was definitely real; it was the person herself who was an imposter. It was unlikely they would travel all the way to the remote mountains to investigate a caretaker. Besides, Gu Shaojun trusted her and was willing to hire her.
In the villa, Xiao Man saw photos of Tang Yaxuan—hanging on the walls, set on tables, some of her alone, some with others. Another staff member told her, "This is the chief’s former fiancée. They aren’t together anymore, but the chief cherishes these photos. Be careful when you dust them, and don’t damage them."
Back then, Xiao Man didn’t yet know that this Tang Yaxuan was the person who had been switched with her at birth, the one who had taken her place. When she saw Gu Shaojun answer Tang Yaxuan’s calls, smiling gently and calling her "Xuanxuan" in a doting tone, telling her to eat well, dress for the weather, and not to worry about him, she thought Tang Yaxuan must be a wonderful girl. After all, it wasn’t a change of heart; Gu Shaojun was the one who had first proposed breaking off the engagement because he could no longer marry.
Because she was someone Gu Shaojun cared about, one of the very few people who could make him smile, Xiao Man would dutifully dust "Xuanxuan’s" photos every day. As she wiped them, a thought occurred to her, ’Why does this woman look a bit like Liu Fengying?’
「Then one day, a lawyer arrived.」
The moment she saw the lawyer, Xiao Man nearly dropped her teacup. As she was leaving the room, she almost tripped over her own feet!
She had seen the lawyer before. Back when she donated bone marrow to Tang Haocheng at Beijing Hospital, the lawyer had come to visit him. She had bumped right into him outside the hospital room while she was peeking in at Tang Haocheng. At the time, the lawyer had looked her up and down very seriously but hadn’t said a word.
Several years had passed, and the lawyer seemed to have forgotten her. He only gave her a brief glance before turning back to continue his conversation with Gu Shaojun. Only then did Xiao Man breathe a sigh of relief.
But after that day, Gu Shaojun’s behavior became completely uncharacteristic. He shed his usual stern, unapproachable demeanor. Once his daily tasks were done, he would spend the rest of his time with her, proactively starting conversations. He was like a gossipmonger, asking about this and that until there was almost nothing left unsaid. He would also watch her for long periods as she worked. When she occasionally looked up and their eyes met, she could clearly see pity and... profound sorrow in his gaze!
Overnight, all of Tang Yaxuan’s photos throughout the villa suddenly disappeared.
Soon after, Xiao Man was told to stop her caretaker duties. She grew extremely anxious. ’I can’t lose such a good job! It comes with room and board, and the pay is so high. Where would I ever find another one like it?’
She hurried to find Gu Shaojun and asked if she had done something wrong. She was willing to change, as long as he didn’t fire her.
Gu Shaojun sat by the window with his back to her. His tone was light as he said, "You haven’t done anything wrong. It’s me. I find you trustworthy, and I’m willing to rely on your care for the long term. But I can’t let you be my caretaker for your entire life. What if one day you decide to leave? So, I think... I should marry you. Although we can’t have children, we can accompany each other and live out our lives in peace. Would you be willing?"
Xiao Man was stunned. It was a long moment before she replied, "I’m not a good woman. I’ve been married before, and I’m from the countryside... I’m afraid I’m not good enough for you!"
Gu Shaojun was silent for a long time. Xiao Man thought he had fallen asleep and was about to leave when he turned his wheelchair to face her. Backlit by the window, his expression was hidden in shadow. His voice was low and hoarse. "Remember this always: as long as you are alive, you are the best woman in this world! There is no man you are not good enough for—only men who are not good enough for you! I am asking you to marry me. Are you willing? If you are, then you must accept my arrangements. You must do your absolute best to carry them out. That is the only way we can be together and accompany each other for a long, long time!"