The mysterious CEO's endless pampering

Is Gu Zitong's mother still alive?

Why did he say she was dead? And if she were really still alive, why didn't his mother keep him with her and instead sent him to those vicious relatives?

There must be some hidden story behind this.

A child that young wouldn't lie for no reason.

Shen Yanran immediately flipped through the documents in her hand.

Gu Zitong's father died in a car accident last year. The party responsible for the accident paid 300,000 yuan in compensation. After receiving the money, his mother left with her luggage the next day and disappeared without a trace.

Gu Zitong was found by her neighbor and sent to the welfare home. The welfare home only takes in children who have no parents and no relatives to adopt them.

But Gu Zitong does have a mother, but he can't get in touch with her, so he can only try to contact her other immediate family members.

Gu Zitong was thus sent to his uncle Gu Fang's house.

A few years ago, Gu Fang cheated Gu Zitong's father out of 10 yuan to pay off gambling debts, but he couldn't pay it back in the end, so they broke up.

So when this uncle heard that his brother had died and his sister-in-law had run away with all the property, leaving only Gu Zitong as a burden, he immediately refused to adopt her.

But when government officials didn't want to give up, they tried to persuade him a few more times, mentioning that Gu Zitong had inherited Gu Yuan's house.

Gu Fang was instantly tempted. It was a spacious three-bedroom apartment of 150 square meters. If he sold it, he could get at least five million yuan, which would not only help him pay off his gambling debts but also allow him to get married.

Then they changed their minds and agreed to adopt.

At first, government officials would make follow-up visits, and Gu Fang would pretend to take good care of Gu Zitong for three months.

Once he was certain that no government officials would be coming, he revealed his true colors, constantly beating and scolding Gu Zitong, even preventing him from attending school, and treating him like a servant.

After being tortured and beaten for a whole year, the once sunny and happy child became increasingly gloomy and silent.

It's obvious that there's a huge psychological problem.

After reading all the information, Shen Yanran had already unknowingly shed tears.

The document also includes a photo of Gu Zitong with her parents from a year ago, where she looks so healthy and happy.

The Gu Zitong she saw was almost emaciated and had never even given a simple smile.

That's so pitiful.

Li Zhanting knew that he would be particularly emotional after reading these materials.

He then raised his hand and gently handed her the handkerchief from his pocket, wiping away her tears, and whispered to comfort her, "Don't cry. He'll get better once we find him a better family."

Shen Yanran sniffed and nodded.

Li Zhanting first took Shen Yanran home, had dinner, and played with the twins for a while before leaving for the hospital.

Thanks to the care of a nurse, Gu Zitong's recovery has been quite good.

But he always looked weak and listless.

It seems like I can't muster any interest in anything.

Shen Yanran was still worried about Gu Zitong's mental state, so she called the caregiver out in advance to inquire about Gu Zitong's condition, "What did Tongtong do today?"

The caregiver gently shook his head and said, "He didn't do anything. He just lay in bed waiting for you. He asked me several times if you were coming over today."

Perhaps it was because she saved him that he became somewhat dependent on her.

This might be a good thing, at least it shows that his heart is not completely closed off and he is willing to communicate with people.

Once his health has improved, she can find a therapist to come and help him.

"Has anyone come looking for him?"

"No."

Gu Zitong disappeared for a day and a night, and his uncle didn't even bother to look for him. Wasn't he afraid that something might happen to him outside?

Shen Yanran gave a bitter smile. She had been foolish. How could a man who could poison such a young child possibly care about his life or death?

"Okay, I understand. Thank you for your hard work. Go back and rest." Now that Shen Yanran has arrived, the caregiver can leave.

The caregiver was a kind-hearted person. Before leaving, she couldn't help but say, "Tongtong is so pitiful. He has so many injuries, some of which are even oozing pus. When the doctor changed his dressings today, it hurt me to watch, but the child didn't utter a sound. Madam, you are a good person, so please help Tongtong and don't let him go back to that terrifying home."

Shen Yanran was also moved and said, "Okay, I understand. I thank you for your concern on Tongtong's behalf."

Even a stranger would feel heartbroken upon seeing Gu Zitong's injuries, but his family turned a blind eye. Indeed, he cannot be allowed to return to that home.

Of course, she didn't intend to let Gu Zitong go back.

Shen Yanran came to the hospital alone. She was worried about her family, so she asked Li Zhanting to go home first.

Upon entering the ward, Gu Zitong's face immediately lit up with a happy smile when she saw Shen Yanran. "Aunt Yanran, you're here."

Shen Yanran walked to his bedside, looked at the boy's pale face, and asked softly, "Hmm, how are you feeling? Is there anything that's bothering you?"

Gu Zitong shook her head and said, "No, I'm fine."

Shen Yanran noticed that the gauze on Gu Zitong's body had been changed. Remembering what the caregiver had just said, she felt a pang of heartache. "Tongtong, Auntie knows you are very strong, but if your injuries hurt, just say so. You don't have to bear it, okay?"

An eight-year-old child is at an age where they love to play and make noise. Their family treats them like treasures, afraid that they might get hurt or hurt. But Gu Zitong was unusually quiet. Despite being so seriously injured, she didn't say a word of pain or make any requests.

"Yes, I know, but I really feel much better."

This is the best bed he's slept in over a year; what more could he ask for?

Looking at his obedient and sensible appearance, Shen Yanran finally sighed and said, "Tongtong, your mother is still alive, right?"

Gu Zitong's faint smile froze instantly. "You...you already know..."

He knew he couldn't keep his mother's existence a secret for long, but he truly believed in his heart that the woman was dead.

"Your aunt asked your uncle to investigate your situation, and he found out everything. He also knows how difficult it has been for you over the past year. Your mother... perhaps she had some unavoidable difficulties that led her to leave."

Shen Yanran always felt that maternal love was the greatest in the world, and no mother would really be willing to abandon such a young child. She must have had her reasons for doing so.

Once we find the person and clear up the misunderstanding, everything will be fine.

It's better for Gu Zitong to grow up with her biological mother than with unfamiliar adoptive parents.

After all, he's already eight years old, so it's actually quite difficult to find him an adoptive family...

If Shen Yanran had said these words to him a year ago, he might have believed them and waited. But so much had happened in the past year that he had no time to think about that woman, because he was struggling to even survive.

Gu Zitong lowered her head slightly, her eyes filled with sarcasm where Shen Yanran couldn't see.

Shen Yanran thought he was sad, so she reached out and patted his head, continuing, "Tongtong, Auntie knows you're feeling bad, but if you'd like, Auntie can help you find your mother and send you to her..."

Gu Zitong's dark eyes instantly tensed up. He raised his head and immediately grabbed Shen Yanran's hand, pleading, "No, Aunt Yanran, I don't want to go!"

"Why? Wouldn't it be better to go back to your mother's side?" Shen Yanran looked at Gu Zitong with some confusion. She thought that he had suffered a lot and what he longed for most was to go back to his mother's side.

With a hint of hatred in her eyes, Gu Zitong said, "She doesn't want me anymore, and I don't want her either! I'd rather wander outside and die there than go looking for her."

He is no longer the naive Gu Zitong he once was. When his mother left, she took all the family's savings with her and left him with not a single penny.

If it weren't for the kind neighbor who found him, he might have starved to death in that empty house.

So even if he dies, he never wants to see that woman again. What if she abandons him one day?

Will there be another beautiful and gentle aunt like Shen Yanran to help him?

No, there are very, very few truly kind people in this world who ask for nothing in return...

Shen Yanran didn't expect Gu Zitong to get so agitated so suddenly. She quickly reached out and hugged his trembling body, comforting him, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, Auntie was wrong. Auntie won't take you anymore."

She gently stroked Gu Zitong's thin back, softly comforting her while also reflecting on her actions. She realized she had been too hasty and hadn't taken good care of the child's feelings.

Perhaps he'll bring it up himself once he's figured it out.

But before that, where should the child stay? He can't stay in the hospital forever. How about temporarily sending him to Director Chen's welfare home, where the living conditions would be better?

As Shen Yanran was thinking, Gu Zitong, who was leaning against her, suddenly raised her head, looked at Shen Yanran with teary eyes, and asked, "Aunt Yanran, can I go home with you? I'm very well-behaved, I don't eat much, and I'm easy to take care of. I can also help you with housework, run errands, cook, I can do everything."

As if to prove how useful she was, Gu Zitong rattled off everything she knew, afraid that Shen Yanran would find her a nuisance and reject her.

Shen Yanran hesitated, unsure whether she should agree. If she did, she would have to take responsibility...

But she sensed that Li Zhanting didn't really want to get involved in this matter. If she just brought her home like this, he'd probably be angry...

Seeing Shen Yanran's somewhat troubled expression, Gu Zitong's heart sank. He realized he had been too hasty and needed to come up with a reason that she couldn't refuse him.

Just when he thought Shen Yanran would immediately refuse him, Shen Yanran gently said, "Tongtong, Auntie can't make this decision alone. We need to discuss it with Uncle first. Let's discuss it tomorrow and then I'll give you an answer, okay?"

Gu Zitong smiled understandingly, "Okay, Tongtong understands. Can you stay and sleep with me tonight? I'm a little scared to be here alone."

Without hesitation, Shen Yanran agreed, "Of course, Auntie will tell you a bedtime story, okay?"

After saying that, she took out her phone, found a suitable bedtime story, and read it to Gu Zitong.

Gu Zitong listened quietly, but kept her hand tightly on Shen Yanran's other hand and refused to let go.

Of course he couldn't let go; this was his hard-won chance to escape that hell, and he absolutely couldn't let it go!