Chapter Fifty-Four: An Unexpected Encounter with Grandfather

Fortunately, luck was on his side—Gu Zhiheng managed to catch the plane.

There was no other way; this was the only flight to Mingmu Town. If he missed it, he’d have to wait until tomorrow.

Sitting in his seat, Gu Zhiheng felt a bit out of place. This was his first time on a plane—he’d only ever seen them on his phone before.

This thing is fast!

Next time he traveled, he wouldn’t bother driving himself; for long distances, he’d just take the plane. The speed was incredible.

He’d heard there were high-speed trains too, and those were fast as well—he’d have to try one if he got the chance.

Mo Han and the others were right; he really was painfully ignorant, so sheltered and inexperienced.

He knew nothing about the world outside. The tiny bit he did know was just a drop in the ocean.

It was all because he’d spent too much time in the ancestral shrine, never seeing the outside world, and only had a vague idea about it.

He must have done something terrible in a past life to be born into this one so poorly, ending up like a fool.

All he did was eat and sleep—otherwise, he was drawing talismans, making seals, or cleaning the ancestral shrine that spanned several hundred square meters.

If he’d known the world outside was so fascinating, he’d have wanted to get out and see it, to appreciate the sights everyone talked about.

He wanted to witness the fast-paced life of society and experience the passions and affections that others spoke of.

Instead, here he was, in his twenties, having never left that mountain-locked ancestral shrine.

“Sir, if you’re tired, you can rest a bit. There’s no need to worry about your luggage,” a flight attendant approached, thinking Gu Zhiheng was concerned about his bags, and explained.

“Thank you. I’m not worried about my luggage. I’m just excited to be going home,” Gu Zhiheng replied with a slight smile, then returned to gazing absently from his seat.

The trip to Mingmu Town would take about five hours. He was in good spirits and doubted he’d fall asleep.

But just sitting like this was dreadfully boring. He couldn’t play with his phone, so he could only stare into space.

He didn’t know the people around him, so he couldn’t strike up a quiet conversation. It was extremely uncomfortable.

Ever since he’d met Jinghua, he’d gotten used to having someone to talk to beside him. This kind of silence was hard to endure!

Perhaps unable to bear the boredom any longer, Gu Zhiheng flipped through the magazine on the table. The cover model was attractive, though still not as pretty as his sister.

Her makeup was a bit garish, too—a waste of such good features.

Some people’s taste just couldn’t be agreed with; it didn’t suit the mainstream, only standing out as a strange kind of uniqueness.

“Young man, you’re reading magazines too? Try this finance one!” The elderly man in the next seat handed Gu Zhiheng a finance magazine—astonishingly, his father was on the cover.

Wait… was his father really that famous?

“That’s the second master of the Gu family. I never thought much of him before, but now I see he’s a ferocious wolf, biding his time!” The old man rattled on, whether or not Gu Zhiheng was listening.

Gu Zhiheng’s lips twitched—if his father heard that, would he snatch the old man’s reading glasses and give him a magnifying glass instead?

“He’s always been capable, just never had a chance to show it,” Gu Zhiheng replied. The second master of the Gu family—anyone who could navigate that quagmire unscathed was no fool.

Other than the head of the family, the second master was the most formidable—Gu Minghui.

“You know him too? I have to say, I admire him—a man of great deeds isn’t constrained by minor details. He’s a real talent!” The old man praised him a few times before falling silent, perhaps feeling he’d said too much and was bothering Gu Zhiheng.

He took off his reading glasses, set them on the table, and fell into quiet thought.

“Of course I know him. He’s my father, after all. No matter what, I think he’s amazing.” Gu Zhiheng grinned smugly at the old man.

Though he hadn’t spent much time with them, judging by Gu Zhixia’s upbringing, his parents were truly remarkable.

“Your father? You’re that Gu family kid who was left at the ancestral shrine?” The old man exclaimed, looking at Gu Zhiheng in disbelief.

“That’s me. What’s so strange about that?” What did the old man mean—was it so shocking that he was Gu Zhiheng?

“No, no, nothing strange at all. You’re alive, that’s what matters!” The old man suddenly burst into tears, leaving Gu Zhiheng utterly confused.

What was going on—was it really so hard to accept that he’d survived?

“Um, sir, are you all right?” Gu Zhiheng asked tentatively, thinking the old man’s reaction was a bit much.

Was it so hard to accept that someone who was supposed to die young was still alive?

“Don’t call me ‘sir.’ I’m your grandfather!” The old man raised his hand and gave Gu Zhiheng a solid smack on the back.

For a moment, Gu Zhiheng was stunned. Grandfather? Grandfather was his mother’s father, right?

That should be the case, though he wasn’t sure—these relationships always confused him.

“Grandfather?” he called out cautiously, his tone full of uncertainty.

There was no helping it—this eccentric old man was hard to accept as his mother’s father.

“You rascal, I’m your real grandfather! Here, let me show you a photo of your mother and Xiaxia.” The old man glared at him, then unlocked his phone and showed him his lock screen.

Sure enough, his mother and sister sat beside an elderly man—this very strange old man next to him.

“So, Grandfather, are you going to my mother’s house too?” Could it be that he was also on his way to celebrate his sister’s acceptance into her dream university?

Is this fate?

If he’d known, he would have cast a divination before leaving home, so he’d be prepared and not so caught off guard.

“Yes, Xiaxia did well on her exams, so I’m going back to see them. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen your mother and the family.” The old man’s gaze grew distant with emotion.

His daughter’s early years had been hard, rarely returning to her family. His own health had kept him from visiting her.

Now his son-in-law was successful, his daughter and granddaughter were living well, and it was time for him to visit.

At his age, who knew how many chances were left?

“Grandfather, you’ll live to ninety-five and have a happy old age,” Gu Zhiheng intoned suddenly.

The old man, exasperated, landed another slap on his back. Why did the boy always say such odd things?

“My family’s trade is divination—why hit me? I’m very good at it!” Gu Zhiheng protested. Predictions this simple didn’t even require casting lots.

Was his grandfather doubting his skills?

He’d studied for twenty-three years—he was a specialist, after all, and exceptionally accurate.

“Then tell me—when will you get married and have children?” the old man retorted.

Gu Zhiheng nearly spat out blood.

“A life of solitude, no wife, no children, no love, and a peaceful end.” The Star of Calamity, indeed.