262 Sending a Gift
Song Ling entered the family residence and, surveying the vast interior, called out in confusion, "Grandpa, you... Ow!"
His features twisted in pain as he clutched his aching back, turning around to see Song An just retracting his hand, snorting coldly at him.
Puzzled, Song Ling asked, "Grandpa, why did you hit me?"
Hearing this, Song An grew even angrier, smacking Song Ling again with his cane, glaring at him, "Do you even know what today is?"
Song Ling thought hard but finally shook his head in confusion. Seeing Song An's face darken further, he grew more perplexed.
Song Ling: "Today's not a holiday, nor is it anyone in the family's birthday, so..."
Song An, trembling with rage, sat down forcefully with the support of his cane.
Song Ling asked with concern, "Grandpa, are you alright?"
Song An shouted angrily, "I'm not your grandpa, you're my grandpa!"
Song Ling was lost for words.
Song An, frustrated and exhausted, sighed, "Today is Gu Dai's birthday. Did you know that?"
Song Ling's mind went blank, incredulous, "Today is Gu Dai's birthday?"
Song An wanted to hit him again.
Song Huan scolded, "After she is married for you for three years, you didn't even know Gu Dai's birthday, and you call yourself a husband? What a failure!"
Song Ling, head lowered, defended himself weakly, "I've been busy with work these past three years, so I might have neglected home matters..."
Song An stared at Song Ling piercingly, questioning sharply, "Busy? Busy courting Jiang Yue, or buying yourself another house to stay away from home even in your free time?"
The recent findings about Song Ling made Song An even more displeased.
Song An lamented, "I can't believe I have a grandson like you! If only I had investigated your behavior earlier, I could have supported Gu Dai and prevented her suffering!"
Song Ling, recalling his own past behavior, felt his face grow slightly pale, a flicker of regret visible in his eyes.
Over these three years, Gu Dai had filled her heart and eyes with him. She remembered all his dietary preferences and meticulously prepared birthday gifts for him every year.
Yet, he hardly knew anything about Gu Dai, not even her birthday. He had learned of it only after receiving a call from Song An, and had impatiently delegated the task of picking out a gift to Zhao Xuan, instructing him to prepare something casual for her.
Song Ling's fingertips curled as he remembered the scene he witnessed earlier that day. He spoke in a steady voice, "Gu Dai has an acclaimed actor by her side, and before that, a model, along with some other men whose identities I'm not aware of. So, even if I don't remember her birthday, it doesn't affect her."
Song An's mood lightened as he responded with a smile, "Gu Dai is an outstanding person; it's natural for her to have admirers."
Song Ling's expression darkened.
Seeing this, Song An's mood improved further.
Song An then said, "Feeling a sense of crisis now?"
Song Ling stubbornly replied, "I am not."
Knowing his grandson well, Song An didn't believe his words and said, "Anyway, the gift I prepared has already been sent to Gu Dai. Whether you send one or not, I don't care anymore."
Song Ling lowered his head and remained silent.
Song An spoke softly, "If you haven't sent a gift, it just means there's no chance for you with Gu Dai in the future. Although I only recognize her as my granddaughter-in-law, if you two aren't fated, I can't force it."
Song Ling's eyes grew heavier, and he spoke in a low voice, "Grandpa, I need to go back now."
As Song Zhi watched Song Ling leave, he quietly asked Song An, "Old Master, do you think the young master will prepare a gift for the young lady?"
Song An nodded affirmatively, "He will."
Song An, "Song Ling likes Gu Dai, but he doesn't realize it himself. However, the chances of him catching up... are slim."
...
At the Gu residence.
After Zhou Ci's departure, the room fell into silence.
Meng Chuan spoke softly, "Daidai, it's getting late. Should we rest now?"
Gu Dai shook her head, smiling, "I'm not tired yet, and I still have birthday gifts to open."
Meng Zhi's eyes sparkled with excitement, "Daidai, let's see who sent this pink gift. It looks so youthful."
Seeing the wrapping, Gu Dai already had a guess in her mind. She laughed lightly, "I think it's from Shi Nuan."
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