Strange Cards

Chapter 437 A Feeling of Fear Upon Returning Home

Shigure and Tsubaki exchanged a glance, then jumped again, soaring into the air and disappearing from sight.

Compared to Shiyu and Chun, who were out searching for the location of the storm, Gu Nian was much busier.

This was Gu Nian's first time home in ten years. Although she had been away for so many years, Gu Nian still knew that there would always be a bowl and chopsticks for her and a place for her at home during holidays.

As for how Gu Nian knew, it's because Gu Nian had passed through his hometown several times during missions over the past ten years, and those times happened to coincide with holidays.

Gu Nian had met his niece Qi Nannan before, because during their first family banquet for the holidays, Qi Nannan pointed to the bowls and chopsticks at Gu Nian's seat.

"Grandpa and Grandma".

"Whose seat is this?"

"Is anyone still not here for dinner?"

The two elderly people remained silent, while Gu Yue quickly stuffed a chicken leg into Qi Nannan's mouth, telling her to finish eating before going out to play.

At that moment, Gu Nian was standing on a big tree not far from his house, quietly watching the happy family reunion.

Does Gu Nian not want to go home? No, he does.

But due to his responsibilities and his status, he cannot go back.

It's not that I don't want to, but I can't.

Although Gu Nian knew that he was doing something great to save the world, in the eyes of the world, he was a rebel, a person who would forever be nailed to the pillar of shame.

However, after Shiyu joined the Otherworlders, she still went back. After seeing that Shiyu had returned safely, Gu Nian actually had some ideas.

The Gu family's patriarch and matriarch doted on their youngest son the most; otherwise, they wouldn't have verbally complained about or even scolded their son, yet still prepared a set dinner and a seat for Gu Nian during holidays.

Even if Gu Nian is not here, the bowls, chopsticks, and seats are always kept.

After being advised to go back, Gu Nian completely let go of the past.

Since I already knew I would die in the final script, I might as well go home and see my parents one last time.

After letting the two elders see him one last time and reassure them, Gu Nian could then depart in peace.

Gu Nian knew that with her older sister there, the two elders wouldn't be left destitute in their old age.

Before leaving the Hunters, Gu Nian's biggest worry was that Gu Yue would leave the South with Qi Wu. Gu Nian was very conflicted during that time.

He had taken on the task of hunting down his elder brother, Gu Ri, who was the leader of the otherworldly beings, and he had indeed succeeded.

However, as the previous holder of the Ace of Spades, Gu Nian possesses a card that severely injures him and halves his strength. How could he possibly defeat Gu Ri, who possesses the Joker?

It was Gu Ri who let down all his defenses, allowing Gu Nian to kill him with his own hands, just as described in the script.

Before he died, Gu Ri persuaded Gu Nian, but instead of forcing him, he let Gu Nian think for himself about whether he wanted to take on the great task of saving the world.

Think it through before deciding whether to leave the Hunters and join the Otherworlders.

This responsibility is heavy, and Gu Nian has been carrying it out for almost his entire life.

Gu Nian also considered pretending not to know and continuing to work as a hunter at the southern base.

His elder brother had already betrayed them, and he was worried about the consequences of his betrayal on the two elderly people if Gu Yue were to leave the South China Sea later.

However, when Gu Nian learned that Gu Yue was pregnant and that her brother-in-law Qi Wu had become a headhunter in the south and would stay there indefinitely, Gu Nian made up her mind.

Since the eldest brother has already died on the road to saving the world.

As the younger brother, I have the responsibility and obligation to take over the burden from my older brother, carry this heavy responsibility past my fallen brother, and continue on his way.

Moreover, with the biggest threat already resolved, Gu Nian no longer has any worries.

Therefore, Gu Nian betrayed them.

Gu Nian's betrayal came without any warning, as if it had been premeditated.

Gu Nian turned and left without saying a word, as if he had made up his mind.

Gu Nian recalled everything that had happened and couldn't help but laugh as she looked at the two people discussing in front of her.

Ye Xue and Cang Li kept giving Gu Nian suggestions and discussing what he should bring back home.

The two were arguing about what to bring, while Gu Nian sat to the side, behaving obediently like a child.

Thinking that she would be going back tomorrow, Gu Nian became more and more worried.

Are you afraid of your dad scolding you? Or are you afraid of your mom looking at you with a disappointed expression?

No, those were never what Gu Nian was worried about.

Since Gu Nian chose to betray his country back then, he was prepared to endure the scorn of the world.

What worried him was that the two elderly people begged him not to leave and to spend more time with them.

But Gu Nian knew that going home to see his parents was going beyond what was expected, already exceeding the scope of the script or any part of the story.

Going too far could lead to unforeseen changes, and Gu Nian didn't want to ruin the great cause of saving the world that so many people were working so hard for because of her.

What worried him more was that his parents would treat him like a long-lost son returning home, neither hitting nor scolding him.

He would rather his parents point their fingers at him and scold him than do that.

Because that would only intensify Gu Nian's guilt, which would be far more agonizing than any verbal abuse.

Looking at his own thoughts, Gu Nian realized that nothing he did seemed to work.

Gu Nian lit a cigarette and chuckled self-deprecatingly.

"Perhaps..."

"This is what they call feeling nervous when you're near home."

Ye Xue and Cang Li discussed for a long time, but still couldn't come to any conclusion.

Gu Nian finished his cigarette and looked at the two people below who were still arguing with amusement.

"What's wrong?"

"Haven't you two decided what I should bring back home yet?"

Ye Xue looked at Gu Nian and rolled her eyes in annoyance.

"Go to hell, boss."

"We're good at fighting, but we're really not good at this."

"Besides you, all the other descendants of the Otherworlders either lost both parents or died young. Not counting the eldest, the entire line of Otherworlders combined can't even have a single parent."

"Have you forgotten what was circulating among everyone before?"

"To join the Otherworlders, your parents must first be gone."

Gu Nian looked at Ye Xue and kicked her in the butt in annoyance.

"What are you saying?"

"Am I really that bad a patriarch?"

Ye Xue stood up and kicked Gu Nian back, rolling her eyes to the sky.

"Yes, yes, you're the best."

"If it weren't for Sister Cangli's proficiency in all kinds of housework and cooking, our rooms would have been pigsties long ago."

At this moment, Ye Xue suddenly thought of something, pulled Gu Nian up from the chair, and pushed him outside.

"I've figured out what you should bring home."

"Go out, go out. Cangli and I will go and prepare first."

"You don't need to worry about anything, you can just go out and wander the streets."

"We'll prepare everything for you when you go home tomorrow."