Su Yiran asked worriedly, “Is it serious? How long will you be gone?”

Gu Yuanting shook his head: “Just a small issue. I just need to go there to handle it. I should be home in about two days.” There was a minor disturbance. Although it wasn’t a major problem, he still needed to go in person.

Su Yiran felt relieved. He then thought, “Then I’ll go with you? Country D isn’t far from here.” Flying from the island to Country D would only take about three hours.

Gu Yuanting, seeing Ranran wanting to go with him, instinctively wanted to refuse: “No…” He didn’t want Ranran to get involved with the Gu family, didn’t want Ranran to have any ties to them.

Su Yiran said, “I haven’t been to your home yet. It’s a good chance to visit.” He smiled, “It’s only two days. We’ll go home together after two days.”

Su Yiran knew that Brother Ting’s father and grandfather were recuperating in a nursing home due to poor health.

From Gu Yuanting’s past fragmented remarks, he could tell that Gu Yuanting’s relationship with his father and grandfather was very distant. With a little thought, he could guess why. Besides feeling sorry for Brother Ting, his feelings towards the Gu family had always been indifferent.

However, he had been married to Brother Ting for so long, and now that Brother Ting had returned to the Gu family, he felt he should pay a visit regardless.

Before, due to the baby’s arrival, it had been delayed for a year. He had originally planned to go to the Gu family with Brother Ting next year, but now that the opportunity arose, he might as well go.

Moreover, Su Yiran was still concerned about Brother Ting’s sudden low mood and suspected depression the other day. Although Brother Ting’s mood had visibly improved in the past two days, he still wasn’t completely at ease and felt the need to stay by Brother Ting’s side, accompanying him at all times.

Gu Yuanting hesitated. Currently, the situation in Country D was just a minor disturbance. He could completely protect Ranran, and they could indeed go together.

They had just confirmed their feelings for each other. Gu Yuanting was very reluctant to leave Ranran, not wanting to be separated from him for even a moment. Ultimately, the desire to stay close to Ranran prevailed, and Gu Yuanting agreed: “Okay.”

After agreeing, the dark cloud that had enveloped Gu Yuanting’s heart since receiving the call seemed to clear away, as if the sun had broken through.

Su Yiran saw Brother Ting agree and felt relieved: “When are we leaving?”

Gu Yuanting said, “We’ll leave after dinner, just as originally planned.”

He looked at Ranran, and his heart couldn’t help but fill with sweetness. Ranran must love him, and like him, couldn’t bear to be separated from him for a moment, which was why he wanted to cling to him.

Thinking this, Gu Yuanting couldn’t help but hug Ranran and kiss him, intimately rubbing their noses together: “Clingy.”

Su Yiran: “…?” Who was the clingier one?!

Forget it, as long as Brother Ting is happy…

---

After dinner, the two boarded the plane.

Because he was going to Country D with Ranran this time, Gu Yuanting made a few calls to Country D before leaving and made some additional arrangements, adjusting the security protocols to ensure Ranran’s safety in Country D.

Su Yiran saw Brother Ting making calls and thought he was talking about company matters, so he didn’t pay much attention.

More than three hours later, the plane arrived in Country D.

Su Yiran and Gu Yuanting disembarked. Their luggage was handled by the accompanying staff. They used a special通道, making their way out of the airport surrounded by an entourage.

Outside the airport, a motorcade was already waiting for them. Su Yiran noticed that the surroundings seemed to have been cleared and controlled; there wasn’t a single extra person, and there were many bodyguards dressed in black, giving him a strange feeling that Brother Ting was involved in the underworld.

He and Gu Yuanting got into a car. The motorcade slowly left the airport, with two cars leading and a few cars bringing up the rear, heading towards the Gu family estate.

Su Yiran noticed that after arriving in Country D, Gu Yuanting seemed to have changed somehow. He couldn’t quite put his finger on what the change was. Brother Ting’s expression towards him was still gentle, and his eyes still filled with love, but it just made him feel that Brother Ting’s entire aura seemed to carry a hint of coldness and gloom.

Su Yiran couldn’t help but take Brother Ting’s hand and found his palm felt a bit cool. Su Yiran gently rubbed his palm with his thumb, and it quickly warmed up. He took Brother Ting’s hand and kissed the back of it: “Brother Ting…”

“Hmm?” Gu Yuanting looked at him questioningly, seeing that Ranran had called his name and then fell silent, merely rubbing his hand affectionately with his cheek. His heart couldn’t help but soften immensely.

He liked Ranran clinging to him.

He touched Su Yiran’s small face, worried that Ranran might be bored in the car, and quickly said: “We’ll be there soon, less than half an hour left.”

The Gu estate was located in the suburbs of Country D, covering a very large area. It could no longer be called a mere residence but a colossal ancient castle estate. Their car passed through layers of checkpoints, drove directly through the opened iron gates of the Gu estate, and finally stopped in front of the main house within the estate.

Gu Yuanting helped Su Yiran out of the car. The Gu family’s butler and servants were already at the door to greet them, respectfully welcoming their return.

“Do you want something to eat?” Gu Yuanting led Su Yiran directly into the main house, concerned he might be hungry, and turned his head to ask him.

“No, I’m not hungry,” Su Yiran shook his head, looking around the villa. He went upstairs with Brother Ting and entered Gu Yuanting’s master bedroom there.

Su Yiran looked around and felt the bedroom was both large and empty. Although the decor inside exuded understated luxury everywhere, it just made him feel that the overall tone was very dim.

This included the main villa in the estate, which was much larger and more luxurious than the villa on the island, and the entire estate, even having the air of a royal estate. However, it gave Su Yiran a feeling of coldness.

Gu Yuanting saw Ranran surveying his bedroom here and couldn’t help but feel a little nervous.

This was where his former self had lived for most of his life. Bringing Ranran here felt like bringing Ranran into a corner of his past life, making him uneasy, a string taut in his heart.

He didn’t know why, but when he lived here alone before, aside from missing Ranran terribly, he didn’t feel anything was wrong with the room. But now, bringing Ranran here and having Ranran in the room, he felt that everything here was wrong, awkward everywhere.

It made him feel that this place didn’t suit Ranran.

Or perhaps, his former self… his true self, wasn’t worthy of Ranran.

Gu Yuanting stood in front of Su Yiran, mumbling somewhat hesitantly, “The decor here isn’t very good. If you don’t like it, I’ll have someone change it tomorrow.”

Su Yiran was sitting on the bed, looking left and right. Hearing Brother Ting’s words, he paused, looked up at Gu Yuanting, and felt a pang in his heart. He extended his hands to Brother Ting, opening his arms: “Brother Ting, come here.”

Gu Yuanting hesitated for a moment, then stepped closer to Ranran, finally half-kneeling to hug Ranran’s waist, burying himself in Ranran’s embrace.

He felt Ranran immediately pull his arms tighter, holding him securely in his embrace, which reassured him greatly. He nuzzled his head into Ranran’s embrace.

Su Yiran held Brother Ting, leaned down, and kissed his hair: “It’s not that I don’t like your room, I just want you to live comfortably.” Even if Brother Ting was only staying here when he came on business trips, he hoped Brother Ting would live somewhere bright and comfortable.

Gu Yuanting heard him say that and couldn’t help but look up at him. Su Yiran, seeing his pleading expression, leaned down and kissed his lips again.

Su Yiran thought for a moment and looked around again: “No need to rush to change the decor. Many of the furnishings here are quite nice. I can help you redecorate tomorrow.”

Gu Yuanting’s heart swelled with deep emotion. He quickly nodded: “Okay.”

Ranran loves me, what more could I ask for?

Gu Yuanting felt very happy. He and Ranran embraced, kissing intimately for a while: “You should rest first? It’s getting late.”

Su Yiran heard his tone, as if he didn’t plan to rest with him: “Are you going to work?”

Gu Yuanting said, “I have something to take care of outside,” he stroked Ranran’s head, “You go to sleep first, don’t wait for me. I might not be back until midnight after finishing things.”

Su Yiran understood: “Okay, go ahead.”

Gu Yuanting told Su Yiran to wash up and go to sleep, instructing him to tell the butler if he needed anything. Before leaving, he called the butler over again and gave him detailed instructions, telling him to always pay attention to Su Yiran’s needs, before finally leaving the Gu mansion.

It wasn’t until midnight that he returned from outside, bringing with him a cold and chilling aura.