<h4>Chapter 29: Returning to the Gu Family''s Mansion</h4>


    After settling her father and Auntie Lu, Shu Pan remembered the doctor''s advice to rest, so she nned to stay at home during this period.


    At noon, Gu Shaoting''s secretary called and asked Shu Pan to get ready. Gu Shaoting would apany her to the Gu Family''s mansion that evening to visit his grandfather.


    Shu Pan suddenly realized that it had been a long time since shest visited the Gu Family''s mansion. She had seen her mother-inw at the wedding, but they rarely met since they didn''t live together. Besides, her mother-inw had her own social circle, ying mahjong and shopping with wealthydies, showing very little concern for her. Shu Pan was fine with that.


    The only person in the Gu family that Shu Pan worried about was Grandpa Gu. She realized that she had been busytely and hadn''t visited him for a long time, which made her feel unfilial.


    She quickly tidied up, and in the afternoon when Gu Shaoting came to pick her up, Shu Pan casually nced at his profile with the corner of her eye. His expression had be much colder.


    Shu Pan felt as if she were frozen and the thought of greeting him disappeared instantly.


    Gu Shaoting drove the car without initiating any conversation. He took out cigarettes during the idle time and lit them one by one. Except for asional sounds from the lighter, there was no other sound in the car.


    The smell of smoke wafted through the air and reached Shu Pan''s nose. She felt a suffocating sensation in her chest, a feeling that made her want to vomit. But she suppressed it, not wanting to provoke Gu Shaoting''s anger.


    Finally, they arrived at the Gu Family''s mansion. It was an independent vi where Grandpa Gu, Gu Shaoting''s mother Song Can, and Auntie Wang usually stayed. asionally, Gu Shaoting''s second uncle and other family members woulde to stay for a while.


    When Gu Shaoting turned off the engine, he quickly extinguished his cigarette, then nced at Shu Pan before pushing open the car door and getting out first.


    Gu Shaoting stood beside the car and didn''t rush to leave. He waited for Shu Pan to get out of the car before starting to walk towards the entrance together.


    As they approached the front of the house, Gu Shaoting suddenly reached out and grabbed Shu Pan''s hand. His action came without warning, causing Shu Pan to stiffen. She instinctively wanted to pull her hand back, but Gu Shaoting seemed to sense her reaction. He tightened his grip and exerted more force while raising his other hand to ring the doorbell.


    Unable to free herself, Shu Pan discreetly lifted her eyelids and nced at Gu Shaoting, who was ringing the doorbell. His palm was warm, but his expression seemed icy. Shu Pan didn''t dare to say a word.


    Before she could react, the door opened.


    Auntie Wang opened the door and joyfully greeted Gu Shaoting and Shu Pan. She enthusiastically ushered them inside while bringing them slippers. Then she hurriedly went upstairs to inform Grandpa Gu, saying, "Master, Young Master and Young Madam have arrived."


    After changing their shoes, Gu Shaoting and Shu Pan entered the living room, where they saw Grandpa Guing downstairs from upstairs.


    Suddenly, Gu Shaoting turned to the side, lowered his head, and whispered something in Shu Pan''s ear.


    To outsiders, it seemed like Gu Shaoting and Shu Pan were having a whispered conversation. However, as long as Shu Pan knew, he didn''t say anything at all.


    But with his proximity, his breath sprayed on her neck, gentle and warm, causing her heartbeat to inexplicably elerate, making her appear nervous and unsure.


    Shu Pan looked at him, feeling the air around her be thin. She noticed her breathing quicken. She couldn''t help but despise herself. Why did she panic whenever she encountered him? How could she not see the reality of their current situation?