He Zhongyun noticed Nian Suian's expression and exchanged a glance with Du Shang before standing up and saying to the couple:
"Junxing, you two talk first, we'll come back later."
With that, both men left, giving Gu Junxing and Nian Suian space to talk privately.
He Zhongyun had been good friends with Gu Junxing for many years and understood him well, but Du Shang was different. Not knowing the married couple, he immediately started questioning He Zhongyun once they were outside.
"What's the deal with your friend? Is he serious about this will? Leaving all that family wealth to his wife instead of his son?"
Especially given their situation - a stepmother and stepson rather than biological mother and child - yet Gu Junxing as the father was leaving most of his assets to his second wife. Thinking of all the wealthy family secrets he'd heard before, Du Shang's expression grew skeptical.
"Don't overthink it. Junxing isn't a fool. They have a good marriage - what's wrong with leaving more to his wife?"
He Zhongyun knew about Gu Junxing's vasectomy, and when Gu Junxing later told him about making a will, He Zhongyun could somewhat guess his thoughts behind the asset distribution.
At the time, he had privately mocked that in all their years of friendship, he hadn't realized his friend was such a romantic.
Inside the office, Gu Junxing was explaining his thoughts to Nian Suian.
Gu Junxing gently held Nian Suian's hand, "Actually, I was thinking about this even before deciding on the vasectomy. Making a will isn't such a big deal."
He continued in a light tone, "Take Liu Jian for example - he started making his will right after college graduation. Now he revises it several times a month. The lawyers are all tired of him because his will is ridiculously long. This month he even added the stray dog he just picked up to the will, saying if he dies, I should take care of it."
Though Nian Suian had wanted to stay serious, she couldn't help but laugh at this. Yet as she laughed, her throat tightened, "Don't try to change the subject. What's the meaning of this will? Are you being overly romantic?"
Seeing the girl's reddening eyes, Gu Junxing reached out his right hand to cup her cheek, gently caressing it in an attempt to comfort her.
"Suian, I'm ten years older than you, and women generally have longer life expectancy than men. There's a high probability that I'll leave before you do. What I'm leaving you is security for your future life."
When Gu Junxing mentioned being ten years older, Nian Suian could guess what he was about to say next. Tears began falling involuntarily, becoming more frequent until they turned into quiet sobs.
Gu Junxing had to pause speaking to wipe her tears, but he wouldn't let her turn away. Instead, he made sure she looked at him while he finished what he needed to say.
"Don't feel guilty, and don't think you're wronging Zhijing. I've set up a trust fund for him since birth - even if he never works, it's enough for him to live comfortably for life.
As for the company shares, my arrangement isn't because I don't trust Zhijing. He'll have his own family in the future, and I'm sure he'll understand why I did this.
The company will likely be handed over to professional managers, and even if you spend all the money, the monthly dividends should be enough for you to live well."
Though Nian Suian was crying so hard she could barely breathe, Gu Junxing continued, speaking with a guilty tone: "If I had known I would fall in love with you, I might not have let you marry me back then. Zhijing was right about one thing - I'm old and not very romantic. Marrying me was really a waste for you."
Back then, he hadn't felt strongly about marriage either way. His years of remaining single weren't for the reasons others speculated - he simply felt it unnecessary and hadn't met anyone he wanted to marry.
When his parents asked him to take care of the orphaned Nian Suian, he agreed without hesitation. But his parents' suggested method of care was marriage, which he initially found absurd.
Later, his mother explained that it would be difficult for a young girl with a huge inheritance to survive safely without protection, especially with relatives eyeing her fortune. His casual care as an outsider wouldn't be enough for her. His parents had considered adopting her as their goddaughter, but without legal protection, this solution wasn't secure enough - not nearly as stable as a marriage relationship.
At the time, Gu Junxing's mother had said, "You don't have a girlfriend anyway, so what difference does it make who you marry? To be honest, a pretty girl like Suian is too good for you."
He had replied to his mother then: "Even if I agree, would she want to marry a divorced old man like me?"
Thinking back on this, Gu Junxing smiled and said to Nian Suian, "I really didn't expect you would be willing."
Nian Suian sniffled without responding, since it wasn't really "her" who had been willing at the time. She later guessed that her predecessor had been depressed after her parents' death, and at that time, it didn't matter who she married - plus, Gu Junxing was someone her parents had approved of.
So later, when she had the chance to leave this world, she did so without hesitation.
Nian Suian spoke hoarsely, "You're wonderful. What's wrong with being divorced? What's wrong with being older? I like older men. Stop saying you're not good enough - it makes it sound like I have poor taste."
"Done crying?"
Hearing Nian Suian sniffle, Gu Junxing pulled out two tissues and held them under her nose, gesturing for her to blow.
Nian Suian felt embarrassed - she wasn't disabled, how could she let Gu Junxing help her blow her nose? She tried to reach for the tissues but found both her hands were firmly held in one of his.
With no choice, she had to blow her nose with his help. Afterward, he gently wiped away her tears.
"Good thing I didn't wear makeup today, otherwise how could I face people? Next time there's such an emotional activity, give me a heads up first."
"You're beautiful even without makeup."
Hearing the crying stop inside, He Zhongyun and Du Shang prepared to go back in.
Du Shang still looked puzzled, "With all that money coming her way, why cry? If it were me, I'd be grinning in my sleep."
He Zhongyun gave him an exasperated look, "Go find yourself a girlfriend. Being single has made you stupid."
"Hey... that's rich coming from you. I'm single, but aren't you too?"
He Zhongyun glanced at him, "Ha! Actually, I'm not anymore."
"What the hell! When did this happen? How come I didn't know!"
This news shocked Du Shang so much he forgot to lower his voice. Inside, Gu Junxing heard the talking and opened the door to tell them they could come in.
After He Zhongyun and Du Shang entered, they acted as if they hadn't noticed Nian Suian's red eyes and proceeded to explain some of the clauses in the will.
Afterward, Nian Suian signed her name on the will.
The couple had dinner out, and after returning home, Gu Junxing called Gu Zhijing to his study. Whatever father and son discussed took an hour and a half before they emerged.