Becoming the Caged Canary of a Forced Love - Chapter 17

The weather was gloomy, with rolling dark clouds and a scattering of falling rain.

The bluestone steps were slightly slick. As late autumn transitioned into early winter, the rainwater carried a bone-chilling wind.

Gu Nian wrapped his coat tighter around himself. Pei Jichuan held him with one arm while holding an umbrella with the other.

The large umbrella sheltered them both, yet the canopy remained tilted toward Gu Nian. While Gu Nian was well-protected, Pei Jichuan’s left shoulder was soaked.

Noticing Gu Nian’s shivering, Pei Jichuan pulled him even closer into his embrace.

Jingyuan was the premier cemetery in City A. Those buried here were either immensely wealthy or possessed formidable power.

They had set out early for this memorial service, but the weather was misty and visibility was low. The bodyguards were split into two groups, one in front and one behind, shielding them in the middle against any sudden occurrences.

After walking for a short while, they reached their destination.

A photo of the couple sat upon the black granite tombstone. Gu Nian blinked, his vision somewhat blurry. He couldn’t help but take a few steps forward, wanting to see the photograph clearly.

Pei Jichuan followed, the pitch-black umbrella once again shielding Gu Nian’s head.

Gu Nian reached out and gently wiped the rainwater from the photo, finally seeing the couple clearly. They were identical to the middle-aged couple in the phone’s gallery.

I actually look most like Mom, Gu Nian thought.

The bodyguards methodically arranged the sacrificial offerings while Pei Jichuan stood silently behind him.

Before he could see them with his own eyes, they were separated by heaven and earth; now, all he could see was a cold tombstone and a black-and-white photo.

The couple had died together what kind of accident could be so coincidental?

And then there was Lin Nuo…

Gu Nian’s expression darkened, his fingers pausing as they brushed against the tombstone.

I must investigate everything thoroughly!

The cold wind blew, and Gu Nian trembled slightly in the piercing chill. A warm coat was draped over his shoulders, interrupting his thoughts. He turned to see Pei Jichuan standing behind him, steadily holding the umbrella.

The clothes on one of his shoulders were completely soaked, but with his robust constitution, he didn’t seem to feel the cold.

Rainwater wet Gu Nian’s face, and Pei Jichuan’s hand gently wiped it away for him. The moisture flowed into the corner of his mouth, tasting slightly salty and metallic; on that pale face, it was impossible to tell if it was rain or tears.

“The weather is bad. Let’s head back early. We can come again when we have time,” Pei Jichuan said patiently.

Gu Nian glanced back at the tombstone and gave a soft hum of agreement. He stepped toward Pei Jichuan, who turned and shielded him in his arms. The bodyguards followed at their side, packing up the items for the return trip.

Gu Nian kept his eyes downcast, his expression hidden under the shadow of the umbrella. Pei Jichuan watched the path carefully to ensure the slippery ground didn’t cause Gu Nian any harm.

Suddenly, a faint sigh brushed past Gu Nian’s ear.

He startled and looked up at Pei Jichuan, but Pei Jichuan’s expression was normal. Gu Nian scanned the surroundings and abruptly turned his head back.

The surrounding mist seemed to have grown denser, swallowing the other tombstones until they were invisible, yet Lin Nuo’s parents’ grave remained clearly visible.

Gu Nian’s eyes widened in disbelief. He saw a couple supporting each other, standing before the tombstone. They were drenched in blood, their limbs mangled, silently watching Gu Nian’s departing silhouette.

Gu Nian stopped in his tracks and unconsciously ran back a few steps, but the phantoms vanished instantly like a mirage.

The rain seemed to fall harder. In the few seconds Pei Jichuan stood stunned, Gu Nian had been thoroughly drenched. He quickly stepped forward to bring Gu Nian back under the umbrella.

“What is it?” Pei Jichuan’s voice carried a hint of anxiety and confusion.

Gu Nian snapped back to reality, turned to Pei Jichuan, and asked dazedly, “Are there really ghosts in this world?”

Unsurprisingly, Gu Nian developed a fever again. After administering the injection, the family doctor silently picked up his medical bag and left.

Recently, the frequency of his calls had significantly decreased; he hoped President Pei would keep up the good work so a humble worker like him would have less to worry about. Every time he treated them, the secrets he glimpsed made him feel like he wouldn’t live to see tomorrow.

Gu Nian fell back asleep after the injection, but the scene he had witnessed during the day transformed into a nightmare that tortured him.

Heavy rain, a rolling vehicle, the roar of an accelerator, a massive collision.

Boom—

Accompanied by the thunderous sound of an explosion, they lost any chance of survival.

However, the culprit behind it all—he stepped out of his car, appearing to have sustained only minor injuries.

Gu Nian struggled to open his eyes, wanting to see the man’s face, but his vision uncontrollably shifted toward the man lying on the ground. The man’s lips kept moving as if he had something to say.

Gu Nian concentrated with all his might, and finally, a single sentence shattered the nightmare.

“Run!”

Pei Jichuan stood by the bed, flipping through documents. Tianyu had set a date for cooperation; next week, Tianyu’s leader, Zhou Yi, would fly to Country Z. The entire group would be very busy for the next few weeks.

Gu Nian suddenly opened his eyes. Pei Jichuan noticed immediately, setting aside his documents to check on him.

Gu Nian had only slept for an hour after the injection; usually, he shouldn’t have woken up so soon. Pei Jichuan checked his temperature again; fortunately, the fever had mostly subsided. His constitution had clearly improved; he had been well-nourished lately.

It’s time to give Butler Zhao a bonus, Pei Jichuan thought.

Gu Nian struggled to sit up with Pei Jichuan’s careful assistance. Having his sleep interrupted by a nightmare and getting caught in the rain, Gu Nian’s temples throbbed with pain. He raised a hand to rub them, but it provided no relief.

Pei Jichuan keenly sensed Gu Nian’s discomfort and decisively took over, massaging them for him. Gu Nian kept his eyes half-closed, allowing the movements.

“Does your head hurt? I’ll call the doctor back,” Pei Jichuan said softly, lowering his voice.

“No need. I just didn’t sleep well. I’ll be fine after some rest,” Gu Nian replied lazily with a yawn.

The room fell into silence for a moment. Neither party was particularly fond of searching for topics of conversation. The air felt somewhat stagnant.

After a long while, Pei Jichuan suddenly spoke: (Xiao Yuan) has invited us to his home. We’ll go in a few days once you’re better.”

There was no hint of asking for an opinion; it was merely a notification.

“Okay,” Gu Nian responded submissively.

As Pei Jichuan’s close friend, Xiao Yuan clearly knew many inside secrets. The Xiao family in City A owned the world’s largest pharmaceutical group, but Xiao Yuan was merely a junior from a branch of the family—the nephew of the current head of the Xiao family.

This was an excellent breakthrough point.

Pei Jichuan handed over a glass of water. Gu Nian used the motion of lowering his head to drink to hide the dark glint in his eyes.

If he could grasp some sort of leverage or weakness… that would be even better.