Chapter One: Perplexity

  Moreover, Gao Huaiyuan was also very clear that he had already made an enemy of the Gao family and would likely become the target of public criticism in the next step. The man in front of him was his only support, and even for self-protection, he had to temporarily improve his relationship with this old father. So he fabricated a nonsense answer: "This child is not clear what happened, but remembers that past events were like a fog, all things were confused, only suddenly felt a strong shock, and then gradually became clearer, as if a skylight opened in his heart, and slowly it was no longer as confused as before! The child can stand here today and talk to father, this is probably thanks to Liu'er, if she hadn't taken care of me carefully these days, I'm afraid I wouldn't be in this world anymore!"

  Gao Jian's face turned red as Gao Huaiyuan mentioned Liu'er again. He had often scolded and beaten the little girl, taking out his frustrations on her whenever Gao Huaiyuan got into trouble. After Gao Huaiyuan was struck by lightning that day, he even kicked Liu'er a few times. Unexpectedly, it was this very servant girl who ended up saving his son's life, making Gao Jian feel guilty towards Liu'er as well.

  He thought for a moment, then pretended to be generous and said: "Well! This might also be your blessing in disguise! I reckon it was the lightning strike that day that brought you back to life. Since that's the case, as your father, I realize now that I didn't take good care of you before. Now, what do you need? Just say it and I'll do my best to make up for it within my power!"

  Gao Huaiyuan saw the meaning in Gao Jian's eyes, knowing that he wanted to make up for his mistakes through material things. As for how much affection he had for his own family, only ghosts would know! As the soul of Huang Chao who dominated this body, he was actually a very stubborn person. At this moment, what Gao Jian said seemed to him not as a manifestation of fatherly love, but rather a kind of pity and charity. Although he now had nothing, he didn't want to get anything from Gao Jian at this time!

  "Thank you, Father, for your kindness. I don't feel like I need anything right now. If I must say something, it's that Liu is the one who saved my life. I just hope that in the future, she won't be bullied by others like before. If possible, please let me live a freer life, allow me to go out and take a look at the world outside the Gao Manor. That would make me content." High Hua Yuan replied calmly.

  Looking at Gao Huaiyuan's calm expression, Gao Jian felt that this child had become even more mysterious and unpredictable after his transformation, making it impossible for him to see through him. If it were an ordinary person, they would have been overjoyed by now, having gotten what they wanted, but Gao Huaiyuan didn't make any demands. This was really puzzling to Gao Jian, but in the end, he managed to come up with a plausible explanation for Gao Huaiyuan's behavior.

  That's what he thought, Gao Huaiyuan used to be a silly kid who didn't have any concept of material needs, so he couldn't make any demands. Later, after he understood more things, he would naturally ask for material things for himself! So he nodded and made an effort to reveal a kind smile, saying to Gao Huaiyuan: "If this is all you're asking for, then I can satisfy you. Liu'er indeed has a favor to repay you, and your ability to be grateful shows that you are still a person who knows right from wrong, which is very good! You can rest assured, I will restrain the people in the mansion, and definitely won't let you and Liu'er suffer again. If you want to go out for a walk, it's also good, there are many things in this world that you haven't seen before, going out to take a look is also good! I'll send someone to accompany you, apart from this, do you have any other requests?"

  Gao Huaiyuan looked at the hypocritical smile on Gao Jian's face and couldn't help but feel a wave of nausea. He felt no affection for this deceitful father, only a strong desire to leave this detestable place as soon as possible and never again lay eyes on Gao Jian or anyone else in the manor except for Liu'er.

  "Thank you, Father, for your help. I'm already very satisfied with this, and I don't have any other requests for now. If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave!" Gao Hua Yuan bowed to thank Gao Jian.

  Looking at Gao Huairen's distant and respectful attitude towards himself, Gao Jian felt that continuing to talk was meaningless. The indifference of over a decade had already formed a huge gap between him and his son, and bridging it would not be an overnight task. It seemed that if he really wanted to understand what this child was thinking, he could only do so in the future!

  He nodded and said: "Since that's the case, then you can go back. There are still some empty rooms in the West Garden. If you want to, just bring Liu'er over!"

  Gao Huaiyuan sneered inwardly and bowed his head to reply, "Thank you, Father, for your kindness. I've grown accustomed to where I'm living now; it's quiet there, so I'll continue staying in my original place. I bid farewell!" After finishing speaking, Gao Huaiyuan saluted Gao Jian before turning around and walking out of the great hall without looking back, heading towards his own dilapidated small courtyard in the rear yard.

  Gao Jian gazed at the receding back of Gao Huaiyuan, his heart suddenly in turmoil. This foolish young man had suddenly become a wise one; he didn't know whether this was good or bad for the Gao family, nor how to face it. Gao Jian was also at a loss.

  Gao Huaiyuan walked with big strides in the Gao Mansion, and the people inside the mansion looked at him with strange eyes. Some maidservants whispered to each other secretly, while some house servants deliberately showed him a flattering smile. Gao Huaiyuan ignored them and walked towards his own humble courtyard with his head held high.

  When he returned to the courtyard, Liu'er came out with a happy face and bowed deeply to him, saying: "Liu'er thanks you, young master, for backing me up!"

  Gao Huaiyuan quickly helped Liu'er up, looking at her pale face and said softly: "I've said it before, no one is allowed to bully you again, I will definitely make it happen!"

  Liu'er's eyes couldn't help but become moist again, Gao Huaiyuan felt a pang in his heart as he watched, reached out and gently wiped away the tears from Liu'er's eyes...

  Inside the east wing, a crashing sound of porcelain hitting the ground was heard, followed by a woman's wailing voice. A woman cried out: "Damn fool! Today I actually fell into his trap. I will never let him off!"

  A maid carefully picked up the broken porcelain pieces on the ground, while softly advising: "Fourth Madam, why bother to see eye-to-eye with a fool? No matter how fierce he is, in the past he was also a fool and still just a child. In the future, Madam will have plenty of opportunities to deal with him. Now, getting angry and ruining your health isn't worth it! Please calm down, Madam!"

  After listening to Yāhuán's consolation, Lǐ shì stopped crying and sat on the bed with a huff, fiercely tearing at the handkerchief in her hand. She hummed and said: "You know what? Today I was really humiliated, actually being teased by an idiot! How can I still live in this noble house from now on? Now Zhang shì and the others are all laughing at me, if I don't deal with that foolish kid, then I won't be able to hold my head up in this noble mansion again!"

  While they were talking, a voice suddenly came from outside the door: "Is Mother still angry about that fool's business?"

  Then a young man in a scholar's robe entered Li's room, and the maid hurried forward to pay her respects, saying: "I've seen you, sir. The mistress is still angry about this. You'd better hurry up and persuade her too!"

  It turned out that the one who came in was indeed Gao Huailiang, the young master of the Gao family. Gao Huailiang's eyes were hazy as he reached out to touch the maid's powdered face, then put his fingers under his nose and sniffed them, saying with a sly smile: "Lan'er smells so good today! Heh heh!"

  The maid's face turned red, she gave him a white eye, then picked up the broken porcelain pieces and left the room.

  Li saw Gao Huailiang running to her place at this time, so she also gave him a white eye, with a face full of grievance saying: "Why did you come now? If your father knew about our affair, wouldn't he beat us to death?"

  Gao Huailiang glanced outside the door, then with a sly smile on his face, he sidled up to Li Shi's side, wrapped his arm around her slender waist, and chuckled: "That old thing has gone out on official business, who can gossip about us now?" As he spoke, his other hand slipped onto Li Shi's chest, pinching it.

  Li's face sank as he suddenly opened his thin chest with one hand, but did not struggle out of his arm, and coldly snorted: "Don't touch me! I'm annoyed today, if it wasn't for your old mother being the first to lead the attack on me, how would I have suffered such a great insult today?"

  Gao Huailiang's hands once again reached onto Li Shi's chest, gently kneading and smiling: "What is it this time? Isn't it just because of that foolish kid? Why are you getting angry over this? He's just a fool who has barely woken up, I'll find an opportunity to help you vent your anger later. At worst, we can think of a way to send him back home, so you won't have to see him and feel annoyed!"

  Li was originally a courtesan, with a fair share of beauty. A few years ago, she was taken in by Gao Jian as a concubine, but Gao Jian himself had more desire than energy. Although he doted on her, due to his physical condition over the past two years, they might not even have intimate relations once every ten days or half a month. Li, who was used to being pampered, couldn't bear this loneliness and began an illicit relationship with Gao Jian's son.

  This Gao Huailiang is also a complete scoundrel, a standard example of a spoiled brat. He didn't read books well, but from a young age, he developed the habit of flirting with women. Seeing that Li was young and beautiful, he had been eyeing her for a long time. Coincidentally, Li was feeling lonely and bored, so he took advantage of the situation and did that dirty thing with Li. He even made his old father wear a green hat. However, they kept this matter relatively secret, and with the help of their maid Lan'er covering up for them, no one discovered it.

  Li was caressed by Gao Huailiang's hairy hands and feet, her face gradually calmed down, and she began to breathe slightly, her body softly leaning against Gao Huailiang's. Her eyes revealed a hint of coquetry, then she suddenly pressed down on Gao Huailiang's hand that had entered her collar, saying in a charming tone: "You said this yourself, if you can't help me get revenge, don't think about touching me again! And that little tart next to the foolish kid, you have to take care of her too. Otherwise, don't come looking for me again!"

  Gao Huailiang smiled wickedly as he hugged Li, falling onto the bed, reaching out to tear off the silk ribbon around her waist. He leaned over her body and whispered: "Don't worry! No one else can touch that foolish little boy, how could I not? Come on, let me hurt you a bit..."

  Soon, the room was filled with the sounds of panting and flesh colliding. The little Lan outside the door had a faint flush on her face, she naturally understood such things, and she herself had long been taken advantage of by that lustful young master, so she knew the taste of it. As a result, a certain part of her body began to get wet, but at this time, she didn't dare to be careless, and hurriedly looked around nervously, afraid that someone would burst in at this moment.