Chapter 34: Another Car Accident

Clang!

Gu Xinyao was startled by the loud sound of the door slamming against the wall. If Dugu Yi’s arm hadn't still been wrapped around her waist, she would likely have been sprawled on the floor in a disheveled mess. Scrambling to help Dugu Yi fix his clothes and buttoning up her own, she finally turned her head to see who had barged in so recklessly.

"Ah! I’m sorry, I was in such a hurry." Dugu Ning, who had just forcefully shoved the door open, saw Gu Xinyao leaning over Dugu Yi and quickly turned away. He had been so anxious that he forgot to knock, never expecting to see something he shouldn't.

"You really know how to pick your timing, neither early nor late," Gu Xinyao muttered, climbing off Dugu Yi and pulling her intimate partner up to sit with her.

Because of Dugu Ning’s intrusion, the passion Gu Xinyao had stirred in Dugu Yi was abruptly cut short. He couldn't blame his brother, so he simply patted Gu Xinyao to soothe her.

Gu Xinyao shook her head, deciding to let Dugu Ning off the hook. She placed a handmade throw pillow—shaped like a sun with two little hands reaching out from its sides—onto Dugu Yi’s lap before saying to Dugu Ning, "What is it? If it’s work, talk about it tomorrow. If it’s personal, well, that depends on what it is."

Dugu Ning finally turned back. His eyes swept over Gu Xinyao and settled on Dugu Yi. Seeing his typically aloof elder brother hugging a sun-shaped pillow with little hands made him feel a strange mix of endearment and amusement.

Dugu Yi noticed his brother’s gaze. He looked down and saw the sun pillow Gu Xinyao had made, his already flushed face turning even redder. Thinking of why she had given him the pillow, he felt even more bashful, completely forgetting to mind the tone Gu Xinyao had used with his brother.

"It’s Big Sister. When I got home, the servants told me she was in a serious car accident and had been taken to the hospital. Mother told me to come find Big Brother." Dugu Ning retracted his gaze, finally remembering the purpose of his visit.

Dugu Yi stood up abruptly, and the sun pillow fell to the floor.

"Xiao Nan? Xiao Nan was in a car accident?" Although his sister had grown distant since she was old enough to understand things, he still considered her his sibling. How could he not be worried when she was in trouble?

"Yes. Mother said to tell you, but she also said it’s up to you whether you go or not." Dugu Ning said, looking troubled; that was indeed what their mother had said.

Dugu Yi clenched his fists. Their mother truly believed he was cold-blooded and indifferent to familial ties.

"Yi, stay calm." Gu Xinyao saw Dugu Yi’s face turn from a deep red to pale within a minute, all because of one sentence. She pried his clenched fists open and interlaced her fingers with his. She truly didn't understand Dugu Muqing; she had such a wonderful son, yet she always spoke such piercing words to strike him down. And Dugu Yi, stubborn as he was, insisted on caring about the words of someone who didn't care for him.

"I... I have to go to the hospital." Gu Xinyao had expected this, and she was already prepared to go with him.

Dugu Ning, however, seemed genuinely surprised for a moment that Dugu Yi still insisted on going to the hospital after hearing such a cold remark.

"Then I’ll wait in the car." Dugu Ning looked at them, showing no intention of staying to persuade or comfort Dugu Yi. He waved his hand and exited the office.

"Xinyao, don’t worry... I’m not that fragile." Dugu Yi managed a faint smile, though it didn't reach his eyes; his lips only curled slightly.

Gu Xinyao nodded. She would accompany him, regardless of the circumstances. A few months ago, she and Yi had been in a car accident, and now it was Dugu Nan’s turn. The situation was too suspicious, and she needed to investigate. Although Gu Yu had claimed their accident was caused by a disgruntled former employee seeking revenge, she felt something was off. She had suspected their accident was aimed at Dugu Yi, and this new incident gave her the feeling that she was getting closer to the truth. Perhaps the mastermind wasn't targeting Dugu Yi, but the Dugu family as a whole.

"Yi, don’t think too much. Family is a matter of fate. I’ll go with you, and don’t let their words get to you. With me here, no one will bully you." She squeezed his hand, comforting him.

If he were alone, he would be as tough as tempered steel, but with her sharing his burdens, he had become vulnerable.

Her words made his nose ache. Not wanting her to worry, he held back the urge to cry and nodded. He turned slightly, pretending to straighten his clothes while wiping the corners of his eyes. Then he turned back with a relaxed expression and said, "Let’s go."

Gu Xinyao knew exactly what had happened. She pulled his hand, and when he looked at her in confusion, she stood on her tiptoes and kissed the corner of his eye as lightly as a dragonfly skimming water.

"In my heart, you are my best lover, and you are also your parents' best son," she whispered in his ear.

Because of that kiss, Dugu Yi’s dampened, cold heart began to clear. He nodded firmly, pushing away the distress he had just felt.

When they emerged, Dugu Ning was already in a luxury sedan. He sat in the passenger seat, while a cold-faced young woman was at the wheel.

Gu Xinyao wasn't familiar with the Dugu family’s drivers, but she had never seen this woman at the house, so she didn't let Dugu Yi get in immediately.

"Dugu Ning, where did you get this car?" As far as she knew, the Dugu family didn't own this model. Furthermore, Dugu Muqing had ordered him to start from the bottom, so how could he be authorized to use such a high-end vehicle?

"It’s my friend’s car. I couldn't get a taxi to the hospital and Mother was in a hurry, so I asked my friend to lend me the car and the driver." Dugu Ning poked his head out to explain, and it sounded convincing enough.

Gu Xinyao didn't believe him. After a year of dealing with the Dugu family, she had evolved from a simple office worker into a pseudo-aristocrat who looked for hidden meanings in everything.

She pulled the communicator from Dugu Yi’s pocket, dialed Gu Yu’s number, and handed it to Dugu Yi. "Yi, ask Dad where Dugu Nan actually is."

Dugu Yi realized the implication and took the phone. The call connected, and there was a noisy background on the other end.

"Dad, is Xiao Nan at home?"

"Oh, I see. Xiao Ning has arrived. Yes. Alright, Xinyao and I are on our way." Dugu Yi furrowed his brow after hearing the response, exchanged a few more words, and hung up.

"Dad said Xiao Nan did have an accident. He and Mom are at the hospital, and Xiao Ning was indeed sent by Mom. Since the family cars weren't available, Xiao Ning borrowed his friend’s car." Dugu Yi explained what Gu Yu had said.

Dugu Ning, however, seemed dissatisfied with Gu Xinyao’s suspicion. He retreated back into the car and stopped paying attention to them.

Gu Xinyao didn't care how he felt. She opened the door, let Dugu Yi in first, and then took her seat. Once the doors were closed, the car sped off.

Sitting in the backseat, Gu Xinyao watched the scenery flying by outside the window, a bad premonition lingering in her mind. She turned her gaze to the front and met Dugu Ning’s eyes in the rearview mirror as he peeked at them.

Dugu Ning rolled his eyes at her and looked away.

Gu Xinyao stared at the rearview mirror for a moment. It reflected not only Dugu Ning but also the cold-faced female driver.

The driver focused intently on the road, seemingly unaware of Gu Xinyao.

Gu Xinyao smiled faintly, looked away, and turned to Dugu Yi.

Dugu Yi was also looking out the window. Through the reflection in the glass, Gu Xinyao could see his expression—he looked calm, but his eyes were filled with concern.

"Someone as sharp-tongued as Dugu Nan will be fine. At most, she’ll have a few scrapes and stay in the hospital for a few days," she whispered, leaning in to comfort him.

Dugu Yi turned back and smiled gently, saying nothing.

"Big Sister was hurt quite badly. Mom said this might be related to the recent personnel changes in the company. That’s why Mom asked me to tell you, Big Brother. If something really happens to Big Sister, the most likely person to take the position of Executive is... you. So..." Dugu Ning stared straight ahead, his tone light, as if he were merely talking to himself.

Gu Xinyao’s eyes widened. She never imagined Dugu Muqing would think this way, and what made her even more resentful was the man in the front seat. If you called him naive, every word he spoke was a dagger; if you called him calculating, he always exuded a sense of innocence.

Dugu Yi’s body stiffened at Dugu Ning’s words, and he instinctively gripped Gu Xinyao’s hand. His lips trembled, and for a long time, he just bit down on his lower lip.

"All of Yi’s activities are under your watch. Do you really think he would harm his own sister for that thankless position? How absurd," Gu Xinyao retorted coldly.

Dugu Ning lowered his head at Gu Xinyao’s icy tone. He twisted his fingers together and after a while said, "Big Brother might not, but Sister-in-law, do you think Mom and the others don't know what you've been up to? You’ve been in contact with Qin Rou too frequently lately. And who is Qin Rou? Her connections are too broad; even Mom cannot track all of Qin Rou’s contacts."

Dugu Ning’s implication was clear. Gu Xinyao felt as if her lungs were about to burst.

She scoffed coldly and turned away, ignoring him. She had never wanted to sit on the Dugu family throne, let alone scheme to seize it. She didn't care what the Dugu family thought of her, but she couldn't tolerate them implicating Dugu Yi because of her.

She wanted to tell Dugu Yi that she hadn't done any of those things, but she feared that after hearing Dugu Ning’s words, he might doubt her. She stared at the passing trees and flowers, not daring to look at him.

Just as her thoughts were turbulent, she felt a warmth at her waist. She couldn't help but turn to look at him. She looked into his eyes—they were so soft, so quiet, without waves or suspicion, only warmth.

Her heart settled because of his understanding. She held his hand tightly with both of hers. Two people, two hearts, seemed to draw even closer.

Author's note: When I have time in the evenings, I will update "Future Lover" and "Iron-Blooded Beauty" alternately. On one hand, it helps me change my perspective, and on the other, it makes the content richer for everyone to enjoy. Hehe, I hope you all like it! o(n_n)o~