Sitting in the car, Gu Nianbin pinched the area between his eyebrows and then said to the driver, "To Huafu Hospital."
It was a private hospital owned by his family and located not far from their house. They soon arrived. Gu Nianbin went to the nurse station and inquired about Du Xiaoxian. He was told that she had been examined and was in the observation ward. He walked down the corridor to the ward and found that the door was slightly open. When he reached out to open it, he heard Ling scolding Du Xiaoxian, "Xiaoxian, you had crossed the line. So many people were there today and it was not your turn to stand out. You overestimated yourself. The young master's cousin is tall and strong. He could hit you down with one single punch. Weren't you afraid of being hurt?"
"Sister Ling, I... I didn't think too much. The only thing I knew was that I couldn't let him go upstairs. He would make the master angry, which was bad for his health." Her voice was light and soft, but Gu Nianbin heard her clearly, "Besides, I'm tough. My father used to beat me a lot. My aunt said I would be beaten to death someday, but I'm still alive now."
"Why did your father beat you? Couldn't you run away when he beat you? "Ling asked.
"He beat me when he was drunk," Du Xiaoxian said calmly, "My aunt told me Dad couldn't control himself. So, I wouldn't run but just let him beat me. He would stop when he sobered up."
Ling didn't say anything more and the room went quiet. Gu Nianbin slowly released the door handle. He felt a little suffocated and had to go out for a breath. He was confused. Was she a fool? How could she allow her father to beat her just because he couldn't control himself? How could she bear so much suffering with such a tiny figure? How could it be possible that she grew up properly in such a family, without any hatred toward society nor a twisted mind? On the contrary, she still kept the simplest and kindest heart in the world. What kind of girl was she?
Gu Nianbin went back to the car and said to Xiaoding, "Go to Huainan Road."
Xiaoding hesitated for a moment. That's where Gu Niannan lived. Was the young master going to take revenge on him?
"Sir, he won't be at home. He must have escaped."
Gu Nianbin snorted coldly, "He can't go anywhere without money. Besides, he wouldn't expect me to go for him so soon."
It was reasonable. Gu Niannan pestered Gu family every now and then, so they got used to it. If he overdid things, the young master would find a proper chance to punish him afterwards. But the young master had never gone to his home like this. It seemed that this time he had really infuriated the young master. Otherwise, the young master would not leave all the work behind and go for him first.
When they arrived, Gu Nianbin asked Xiaoding to stay in the car and went upstairs by himself. Gu Niannan's mother, Xu Lizhu opened the door and smiled from ear to ear at the sight of Gu Nianbin. "Nianbin, it's you! It's been a long time since you last came. You must come for Niannan. He's in. Niannan! Come out quickly. Nianbin is here for you!"
Gu Niannan was in the room, as anxious as an ant on a hot pan. He went to the window and looked down. It was the 16th floor, and there was no way to escape. What should he do? He was finding somewhere to hide when his mother opened the door for Gu Nianbin. "Why didn't you answer? Nianbin comes for you. Nianbin, have a seat. I'll make some tea for you."
"It's alright, aunt. We'll leave right now."
"Where…Where are we going?" asked Gu Niannan.
"Let's go to the gym and then have dinner together. Besides, I have something to tell you."
Before Gu Niannan could say anything, Xu Lizhu said immediately, "Okay, Okay, you two go out and have a talk. I won't keep you." Xu Lizhu knew her son very well. She had always hoped that Niannan could stop being a lazy good-for-nothing but get a job in Gu's Company and earn a decent salary. She had pleaded with Gu Guangxian several times. Today Gu Nianbin came for Niannan in person. He must be planning to talk about this.
Gu Niannan cried in his heart. He hadn't had time to tell his mother what happened this morning. Gu Nianbin must come for that. He had always been afraid of this cousin from childhood, who looked forbidding as a little boy. Now, his majestic manners were even more dominant. He felt uneasy when being with him.
He pestered his cousin's family for money to support his own all these years. Gu Nianbin wouldn't punish him as long as he didn't go too far. This time someone got hurt. He knew Gu Nianbin would come for him but only did not expect it to be so quick.
"Let's go." Gu Nianbin saw him standing still, and then pulled him and started going out.
"Hold on. Nianbin, this morning..." he tried to explain.
"What about this morning?" Gu Nianbin interrupted him and forced him out of the door.
He didn't know what happened in the morning? Gu Niannan looked at him suspiciously and didn't feel right. Why did Gu Nianbin come for him if he didn't know what happened this morning?
When they got out of the building, Gu Nianbin opened the door and stuffed him into the car. Gu Niannan got nervous and struggled to open the door on the other side. Gu Nianbin clenched his arm and asked Xiaoding to lock the door
With a light click, Xiaoding locked the door.
"Where...where are we going?" Looking out of the car, Gu Niannan was afraid of being killed by his cousin.
Gu Nianbin was silent with a blank face. The more Gu Niannan thought about it, the more flustered he became. He secretly took out his cellphone and tried to call for help.
Gu Nianbin took over his cellphone and threw it to the front seat.
Gu Niannan became scared and desperate, "Nianbin, I'm sorry, I'm really sorry. Next time it won't be like this, I promise. Trust me..."
"There won't be a next time." Gu Nianbin snorted coldly, "I've always turned a blind eye to you, but this time you went too far and hurt my family. You can't get away with it."
Wasn't she just a little maid? How could she count as family? Gu Niannan couldn't understand why Gu Nianbin was so furious for a little maid.
Realizing that he was done, Gu Niannan became quiet. He was not smart but was good at playing petty tricks. He was sure that Gu Nianbin wouldn't kill him. He still had a chance to escape as long as he was alive. He could hide for three or five months until Gu Nianbin got over this.
Gu Niannan looked through the car window when the car stopped. It was indeed the gym as expected. It was also a property of the Gu's Company. Gu Nianbin had a private workout room here, but Gu Niannan had never been here before.
If they were here for a workout, there was no need to run away. Gu Niannan thought he might still have a chance to talk himself out of it.
Gu Nianbin took him into the boxing hall. Looking at the boxing gloves handed over to him, Gu Niannan was completely stunned. Was he going to give him a sound thrashing!?
He remembered Gu Nianbin was not violent and had never beaten him before. But today...
"Put them on!" Seeing him dull, Gu Nianbin said to him in a cold voice.
He had already changed into a black elastic vest, revealing his strong muscles, which were the result of regular exercise.
Gu Niannan also looked strong but actually was puffy when he took off his clothes. They are not on the same level at all.
Gu Niannan put on his gloves reluctantly. If it was a fair fight, he would not be afraid. They were about the same height and weight. Even if Gu Nianbin had the edge over him, he wouldn't lose badly.
Gu Nianbin's fist had already come to his face when he barely put on the gloves. He didn't have time to dodge and therefore was knocked out. This punch was so powerful that Gu Niannan fell and lay on the ground for a long time. Looking at Gu Nianbin's gloomy face, he shivered and swallowed the begging words.
"Get up." Gu Nianbin looked at him coldly, "Where is the strength you had this morning? Don't you want to beat people? Come and hit me!"
"No, I dare not…" Gu Niannan wiped off the blood from the corner of his mouth and struggled to stand up.
"You dare not!?" Gu Nianbin snorted, "I thought you had the nerve to do anything." He gave Gu Niannan several powerful punches in the blink of an eye while speaking to him. Gu Niannan kept screaming and couldn't fight back.
Xiaoding was terribly frightened watching all this. Although the young master was cold and serious, he was generally a modest and polite gentleman. It was the first time for him to be so violent. Gu Niannan lay on the ground and had no strength at all to stand up. But the young master wouldn't stop. He picked him up and threw another punch at him.
Gu Niannan almost shattered into pieces. It seemed that Gu Nianbin was determined to take his life.
Now there was no need to save face. With tears and mucus all over his face, Gu Niannan lay on the ground and begged for mercy weakly, "Please…stop… you're gonna…kill me!"
Gu Nianbin sneered at him and stepped on his wrist, "Think about how much was your life worth before you hurt anyone at my house next time." He stepped harder by saying this. Gu Niannan groaned like a dying pig, "Ouch! It hurts! It hurts…"
Taking off his gloves, Gu Nianbin pulled him up from the ground and patted him on the face, "I'll let go of you now. Next time it won't be only cuts and bruises. Besides, you got them in a boxing match with me. Got it?"
"Yeah…I see…" Gu Niannan was too weak to stand on his own.
Gu Nianbin threw him onto the ground and went straight to the dressing room to change clothes. Xiaoding went out quickly to have the car prepared. He now understood why the young master took his cousin to the gym. It made his revenge reasonable and his family would have no excuse to make a fuss about it.
When Gu Nianbin got into the car, Xiaoding could still feel his fury and couldn't help shivering on such a hot day. "Sir, shall we go back to the company?"
"Um." Gu Nianbin answered and leaned his head on the seat with his eyes closed.
Xiaoding made a U-turn and headed to the company. Before long, Gu Nianbin said, "No, go to Huafu Hospital."
Xiaoding was surprised. Why is he going to the hospital again? Is he going to tell the maid that he had avenged her?
Although confused, Xiaoding dared not ask anything but pulled round for Huafu Hospital at the crossing.
Du Xiaoxian was diagnosed as slight cerebral concussion. Ling was asking the doctor about her situation. "Try to rest as much as possible and stay in bed for at least the first two days. She will recover soon with good nutrition and mood."
Gu Nianbin happened to hear the doctor's explanation and asked, "What's good nutrition?"
The doctor recognized him at once and bowed to him respectfully, "In fact, normal diet would be fine. There's no need to take tonic or special nutriments. A light diet is better for her recuperation."
Gu Nianbin nodded and asked, "She is too thin. What should she eat to get fatter?"
Although the question was beyond his expertise, the doctor paused and then said, "Well...gaining weight depends on assimilation of nutrition. Therefore, a good digestion system is essential, about which I can ask the most authoritative professor in the hospital to give you detailed explanation.""Forget it," Gu Nianbin waved his hand and glanced at Du Xiaoxian, "Do you mean all she need is good rest? Will there be any sequelae?""According to the result of examination, Miss Du should be fine." The doctor was sweating in his palm seeing the boss so attentive to his maid. Should there be any problem with the little maid in the future, he might be fired any minute. He thought about it twice and added, "However, it’s not for sure. Further observation is still necessary. If Miss Du feels uncomfortable, please come to the hospital as soon as possible.""Set up a special medical record for her and pay regular follow-up visits.""OK, Presi
Du Xiaoxian got back to the Gu’s mansion at about six o'clock in the afternoon. Although Gu Nianbin wanted her to stay in the hospital one more night for further observation, Du Xiaoxian refused. Now that doctor said she was okay, then what was the use of staying in the hospital? Besides, she was afraid that the medical expense would be extremely high if she stayed overnight. It was unnecessary to spend money like this.After she was back to the Gu's mansion, Du Xiaoxian received special care, which made her increasingly uneasy. With only minor wounds on the head, she was able to work as usual. But her ladyship insisted that she should rest and asked others to prepare some nutritious food for her. She recognized that it was bird's nest and knew it was too precious for her to eat. How could she eat it? This was not something for a maid.She blushed and tried to refuse. Her ladyship was more determined, however, sitting by the bed to urge her to eat it up. At
Gu Shanshan would leave early tomorrow morning, so Gu Nianbin turned down a business dinner invitation and rushed home instead. He entered the room, only to find Xia Xiaowan sitting on the sofa, talking and laughing with his mother.Seeing him, Xia Xiaowan stood up gracefully, "Hello, Mr. Gu."Gu Nianbin nodded, "Hello, Miss Xia.""Relax, let’s greet each other by names." Fang Yaru dragged her son over and made him sit down. "It's a perfect timing to have a chat with Xiaowan. I'll go to the kitchen to check on the dishes."After she left, Xia Xiaowan smiled at Gu Nianbin, "Is that okay?""What?" Puzzled for a second, then Gu Nianbin understood and replied politely, "Oh, sure. You can address me in whatever way you like.""But my name ..." Xia Xiaowan thought for a while and said, "If you mind, you can still...""It doesn't matter," Gu Nianbin said, "There are many people sharing the same name
Several days later, the bandage on Du Xiaoxian's head was replaced by a small band-aid. In the end, only a shallow crescent-shaped scar was left on her forehead, which could not be found out when covered by hair.One night, Gu Nianbin called Du Xiaoxian to his room and told her that she would go to school tomorrow.Having forgotten this matter, she was shocked by this sudden news, "Young Master, are you really sending me to school?""Yes." Noticing her trembling thin body, Gu Nianbin waved at her and said, "Come and sit."Du Xiaoxian slowly walked over and sat on the edge of the sofa. Light from a lamp cast right on her, making the shadow of her small body looked just like a child."You're still young. Learning more is good for your future," He asked, "Are you willing to go to school?""I..." This was a big deal for her. Should she agree? Her mother hoped she could learn more and she would be happy in heav
The next morning, Gu Nianbin was woken up by the familiar sound of sweeping. He rubbed his eyes and looked out of the window. Sunlight shone through the white curtains, making the room warmer. He stretched his body a little bit and walked to the window, finding Du Xiaoxian sweeping under the trees carefully in the lavender uniform. Her soft hair was dancing in the wind, and her laced apron was bulging around her small body. She looked like the girl rotating in circles in the music box.Gu Nianbin kept watching her until she swept all the way to the front door. Standing in front of the bathroom mirror, he was surprised to find that his lips were slightly raised, as if he was smiling. It must be the good weather that cheered him up.He turned on the tap and splashed a handful of cold water over his face. After washing up, he put on a sweatshirt and went jogging downstairs.The air was fresh in the morning. Although the sun was still behind the cl
Drinking tea and reading newspapers nearby, Gu Nianbin looked distracted but actually never took his eyes off Du Xiaoxian. Noticing her uneasiness, he went up to her and asked gently, "What's wrong?"At sight of him, Du Xiaoxian rushed over and grabbed his arm tightly. Although she still revered him, he was the only acquaintance she could find here. She got relieved when seeing him.Gu Nianbin was amused by her reaction. He bent down and asked softly, "None of your taste? Then let's go somewhere else."Du Xiaoxian shook her head like a frightened fawn, mumbling, "All of them are surrounding me, I..." She was too timid to speak out her nervousness in such occasions.Gu Nianbin got her at once and dismissed the sales by a gesture. He found a seat for her and said, "Now they are all gone. You can choose freely. Show me what you like."Du Xiaoxian looked at the clothes and the fancy shop, "Sir, the clothes here must be ver
Du Xiaoxian took a glance of Zhou Ting. In front of her was a tall beautiful office lady who looked smart and capable, making her feel ashamed of herself. She wanted to say that she was fine to be alone but failed to utter anything at last. Instead, she nodded slightly and left with Zhou Ting.Gu Nianbin stood there watching them away. Suddenly, he called Zhou Ting back and said in a low voice, "Go buy some snacks. Provide her with some movies or magazines to kill time. She can sleep there if she wants. One more thing, stay outside and check on her from time to time. Try not to make her uncomfortable or let anyone else in." He paused for a moment and said, "Call me if needed."Zhou Ting was surprised but remained calm. She said yes and then left. The boss's orders were always simple and straightforward, but this time were unusually long-winded. She was now curious about the little girl who could make the boss behave so abnormally.She trotted t
Gu Nianbin wanted to take Du Xiaoxian to eat western food, but he changed his mind on second thought. She would resist unfamiliar things out of instinct. He took her to a Chinese restaurant and asked for a quiet private room. He gave her the menu to order. Du Xiaoxian held the exquisite menu in her hand and flipped it over lightly. Then she returned it to him and shook her head shyly. She had never eaten any dish on it before. What if she ordered something that the young master didn't like to eat?Gu Nianbin didn't force her and took the order. While waiting for the dishes, he slowly told Du Xiaoxian what he had being thinking along the way. There were so many things he wanted her to know. She just listened quietly and occasionally nodded with a blink of her big eyes. Gu Nianbin was rarely so talktive, even himself found it hard to believe. Finally, he stopped and asked, "Xiaoxian, do you understand what I said?"Du Xiaoxian pursed her lips and said softly,