<h4>Chapter 60: Chapter 60: Protection</h4>


    Ji Yu had been troubled by the matter, and even Gu Qixiao could see it.


    After leaving Granny Li’s room, Gu Qixiao wanted tofort Ji Yu.


    "No need. This has nothing to do with President Gu. You should leave as soon as possible."


    Ji Yu didn’t want to inconvenience anyone today.


    As for the things Gu Qixiao had said earlier, she treated them as if she hadn’t heard a word.


    "Why do you have to act so indifferent? If you’re feeling ufortable, you should say it out loud."


    He looked at Ji Yu, hoping she would exin herself.


    "But I don’t want to discuss this matter with a stranger. Please don’t make things difficult for me, President Gu."


    Calling him a stranger stung Gu Qixiao.


    Still, noticing her distress, he didn’t take it to heart.


    "I’lle and see Granny Li off too."


    A kind person like her deserved it.


    Even though Gu Qixiao had only met Granny Li twice, he could feel how genuinely kind she was.


    Ji Yu watched Gu Qixiao walk away, then turned back into the room where the doctor had already prepared Granny Li’s remains.


    "Keeping the body here isn’t ideal, especially with so many children around. What does Miss Ji think?"


    "Did Granny Li leave any instructions beforehand?" Ji Yu knew Granny Li wouldn’t have overlooked this detail.


    Sure enough, the doctor remembered Granny Li’s words from before, "Granny Li wanted to be cremated immediately, but we were concerned about the emotions of you family members."


    Ji Yu looked at the body covered in white cloth and finally managed a faint smile. "We will respect Granny Li’s wishes."


    She knew Granny Li wanted to see them smiling as they bid her farewell.


    When Granny Li was taken away, the orphanage was solemnly quiet, as if even the children sensed the sorrow.


    Xiu looked at Ji Yu and couldn’t help but ask, "Sister Yu, where is Granny Li being taken?"


    In their hearts, they were unsettled and wanted to see Granny Li.


    But Ji Yu stopped them in their tracks, "Granny Li has gone to a ce far away for rest. Soon, new aunties and sisters wille to take care of you."


    She knew these things shouldn’t be shared with the children.


    However, Sweetie Lin, who had been quiet, suddenly spoke up, "I know, Granny Li has died."


    She stared directly at Ji Yu, as if seeking confirmation of her words.


    It wasn’t until then that Ji Yu remembered this child had experienced loss before, so she already understood the reality of life and death.


    "Yes, but Granny Li was very happy."


    She didn’t want the children to dwell too much on the matter. Granny Li had clearly desired for everything to remain calm.


    The children nodded. "We know Granny Li has to leave. We just want to say goodbye to her."


    They waved obediently, as if bidding her farewell.


    Ji Yu turned away, keeping her tears hidden from the children.


    "Alright, since you’ve said your goodbyes to Granny Li, go y with the orphanage director now. I still have a few things to take care of."


    She had to go with them.


    Granny Li’s arrangements were simple and low-key, yet every detail was tinged with sorrow.


    The next meeting was at Granny Li’s funeral.


    Gu Qixiao spotted Ji Yu in a ck dress but found himself at a loss for words tofort her.


    "Thank you, President Gu, foring to pay respects to Granny Li."


    Ji Yu quietly expressed her gratitude, but her gaze reflected a numbness toward the situation.


    Gu Qixiao sighed softly, "The dead can’te back to life. You have to take care of yourself."


    He could understand Ji Yu’s emotions, but being overly stubborn was not healthy.


    Ji Yu didn’t say a word, simply standing there, as if unwilling to let go.


    It wasn’t until noon that Ji Yu joined the group and returned home.


    Sitting beside her, Gu Qixiao noticed her pale and weary face. "Granny Li hoped you’d be happy and wouldn’t continue being sad. She’d feel hurt knowing this."


    "Yes, I understand." Ji Yu acknowledged.


    But some things couldn’t just be forgotten.


    After going home, Ji Yu remained in low spirits.


    Even when Feng Qinqin invited Ji Yu out, she was promptly refused.


    "Yuyu, you can’t keep being like this. It’s as if you’re apletely different person after what happened."


    Ji Yu shook her head, "It’s just hard to cheer up. Granny Li’s passing was so unexpected."


    It also served as a reminder of life’s unpredictability.


    The people around us could leave at any moment.


    Even if one clings to someone dearly, there’s no way to prevent them from departing.


    "Yuyu, you really can’t keep going like this. If you’re upset, vent it out. Don’t bottle everything up inside."


    Ji Yu understood this reasoning, but nothing seemed to spark her interest.


    "Let’s talk about itter."


    "Your attitude is worrying those who care about you. Uncle Ji and Auntie Ji asked me toe check on you specifically because they’re afraid you might do something foolish." Feng Qinqin knew her good friend well.


    Mentioning her family made Ji Yu hesitate.


    She realized perhaps her behavior had been too despondenttely.


    "Yuyu, your face is so pale. Even though our beautiful girl still looks good sickly, I much prefer your usual self."


    Feng Qinqin tried her best to cheer Ji Yu up, and Ji Yu felt it.


    Ji Yu managed a helpless smile. "I’m not as bad as you all think. It’s just that this incident really hit me hard."


    Those who pass have already gone; the living must move forward.


    No matter how much Ji Yu held onto the sadness, she couldn’t remain like this forever.


    When the two went downstairs, the Ji family couple and Ji Yuanzhou were visibly relieved.


    "When you got home, you looked as if you’d lost the will to live. You really scared me and your dad."


    The couple cared deeply for Ji Yu, reminding her that she had more beyond her immediate sorrow.


    "Mom, I’m fine. Look, I’m perfectly okay."


    Ji Yu had worked through many thoughts, and now at least, she wouldn’t do anything reckless.


    "It’s good to see you’re thinking straight. Since Qinqin is here today, let’s all have a meal together."


    It had been a while since they’de together like this.


    Ji Yu could sense that everyone was carefully tending to her emotions. To keep being so downcast would be unfair to their efforts.


    "Don’t worry. From now on, I won’t behave like this anymore. You don’t have to worry about me being unhappy."


    She made a solemn promise, assuring them.


    Only then did they feel at ease.


    "Yu, whatever happens, you can always talk to your family. We’ll always be here for you."


    Ji Yuanzhou added awkwardly.