Mr. Ivan's Estate 23

(23) Happy New Year
'Why did you start this game?'
Gu Wei's question had lingered in the minds of every heir since the first day they arrived at White Rose, but no one had given an answer until now. Even Ivan, upon hearing this, closed his eyes and pondered for a long time before slowly opening them again:
'Have you read a book called "The Westin Game"?'
'Never heard of it.'
Gu Wei shook her head
. 'That's right. If you had read it, you would have understood what it was all about by now.' Ivan smiled, his eyes gazing at the vast expanse of white roses. 'Over the years, I've met many people and experienced many things. Looking back on all these years of my life now, it feels like a dream. But strangely, those people in the business world, whether close partners or rivals with whom I've schemed against, have gradually faded into obscurity. Only those I met and experienced in my youth remain vivid in my memory.
If there is anyone in this life who makes me feel that meeting her was enough, it is my wife.' Sadly, we didn't have much time together. Her health wasn't good, and we were never able to have a child of our own. She spent her last days in White Roses, and I spent every day with her then, talking to her and reading to her. Of all the books I read to her, her favorite was *The Westin Game*. She said she hoped we could have a daughter like Tethurst—not necessarily beautiful, but brave, intelligent, and kind. Then I thought of you, probably because that girl also had a very beautiful older sister. "
Hmm… I think you can omit the 'not necessarily beautiful' part at this point."
"Hahahaha…" Seeing that this little girl was unusually concerned about her appearance, Ivan laughed for a while before continuing, "*The Westin Game* tells the story of the wealthy Mr. Westin organizing many heirs to participate in a game to fight for his fortune, and he, like me—no, I should say I, like him—secretly infiltrated among these people and influenced the course of the game." Xiao Mei found this story very interesting, and until her death, she always regretted not having the chance to organize a game like this. "
Hmm, I understand. This must be Aunt Bai's last wish."
Gu Wei nodded thoughtfully.
"Don't call her Aunt. Xiao Mei loved being pretty and was very concerned about her age. No matter how young the child was, she only allowed people to call her 'sister.'"
Ivan smiled and tapped Gu Wei. When he mentioned his wife, his expression was always a mixture of joy and sorrow
. "Hehe."
Knowing little about that woman, Gu Wei had always thought she would be a dignified lady from a wealthy family, but she never expected her to have this side
. "After Xiao Mei passed away, I started planning this game. On one hand, I hired makeup artists and plastic surgeons to design and create different images for me and to order the necessary props. On the other hand, I also started looking for those I had met back then, those I wanted to see again. Unfortunately, many people helped me, but in the end, I found very few. That's life. Some people, once missed, are missed forever, no matter how much wealth and power you have, you can't get them back." "
Yes." Gu Wei sighed for a moment, then suddenly asked, "There's another question. Since we've organized a game, what exactly is the final prize? Is it just money?"
"You mean what the winner will get, right?"
Ivan tapped Gu Wei's nose. Gu Wei playfully dodged, but didn't deny it
. "Actually, I had already planned from the beginning that no matter who wins the game, everyone will receive their own reward. Of course, the winner should have an extra reward. The initial plan was indeed money, but since you're the winner, we'll probably have to think of something else. Is there anything you want?" "
Hmm… I can't think of anything right now."
Like suddenly encountering a genie lamp where she could make any wish, Gu Wei didn't know what to wish for
. "It's okay, I've already thought of something for you." Ivan looked at the little girl he had unknowingly come to regard as his daughter, his smile kind and peaceful. "When you first came here, didn't I ask you if you liked this place?" "
You mean you're going to..."
Gu Wei looked around at the vast sea of flowers in disbelief.
"Yes, from now on you'll be the owner of the Rose Courtyard."
Ivan smiled and nodded.
"Then... what about you?"
"I should go too. After the game ends and the truth is revealed, many people will try to find me. Even if I stay here, it won't be as peaceful as before. So giving you this courtyard is not just a gift, but also a burden. You might have to work hard for a while." "
You... where are you going?"
Hearing Ivan say he was leaving, Gu Wei felt a strong sense of reluctance, even though they hadn't known each other for long.
"It's not convenient to tell you now. But... maybe one day I'll come back here with a different face to have tea and chat with you." Ivan replied with a smile, and then continued, "By the way, there's something else I've been keeping from you.
I know some of the world's top plastic surgeons. I sent them your photo a while ago, and they said this birthmark isn't a big problem. So now it's up to you whether you want to have surgery." "
Ah?" Gu Wei was deeply moved, not expecting the other person to do something like this for her. After careful consideration, she slowly asked, "Uncle Ivan, have you heard the story of the Ugly Duckling?"
"Of course I have."
"When I was in elementary school, one day the teacher assigned an essay, asking us to rewrite a fairy tale, and I chose 'The Ugly Duckling.' I remember writing something like this: The ugly duckling was very ugly as soon as it hatched from its egg, and it wasn't a swan, just a very ugly duck. The mother duck and the other ducklings didn't like it, and even the owner thought it was too ugly and didn't want to sell it. So, later all the ducklings were sold to the market and made into roast ducks, but only the ugly duckling lived happily on the farm. Hehe..."
Gu Wei finished speaking and laughed shyly. Ivan didn't laugh. He understood that a girl of that age who wrote such a story must have felt a lot of grievances and anger. So he simply continued to ask calmly,
"So, do you agree or disagree?"
"I don't know." "Gu Wei shook her head. "I always tell people that even if the ugly duckling isn't a swan, it still has its own happiness, but..." "
But the ugly duckling on the farm still wants to become a swan, right?" "
Yes." The girl nodded gently. "I'm just afraid that after all these years, if I suddenly became a different person, I don't know if I could handle a new life." "
If it's you, you little devil, I believe you definitely can." Ivan patted her head. "So, do you have any questions now?" "
Um... no."
"Really no?" "
It seems so... Ah! Right, the auction!" Gu Wei suddenly remembered this important thing. "You were right next to me at the auction. If these fragments were really worthless, you wouldn't have let me spend a million to buy them, would you?"
As she spoke, Gu Wei took out the ten diamond fragments she had bought at the auction that day for a million from her bag and handed them to Ivan. Ivan took them, examined them carefully in his palm for a while, and then stroked each piece as if it were a precious treasure before looking up again:
“Actually, when I sent these fragments to the auction, I never imagined I'd see them again. That day, when you raised your paddle, I only had two words in my mind—fate.”
Speaking in words Gu Wei couldn't understand, Ivan placed the fragments beside him and pulled out a uniquely shaped but large, intact diamond from his pocket. If you looked closely, you could see small grooves on the diamond. “These fragments are indeed Ivan's heart, but only half. This one in my hand is the other half.” As he spoke, Ivan carefully inserted the fragments into the grooves. “When Xiao Mei had to start chemotherapy, she said to me, ‘I'm sorry, I'm not pretty anymore.’ That really broke my heart. She was always such a beautiful girl… At that time, I secretly vowed to make the most beautiful treasure in the world for her, to tell her that in my heart she would always be the most beautiful. Unfortunately, by the time this was completed, she was already gone.” “
So, you didn't fail, you just finished a little late. Then… what's inside those fragments…?”
“It's her hair.” Ivan stared at the grayish-white impurities among the fragments, recalling how they had turned from black hair to white, and then fallen from his wife's head. It was as if he were seeing those fleeting moments of time, and tears welled up in his eyes without him realizing it .
"Uncle Ivan..."
Gu Wei knew he was thinking of something sad, and called out softly, wanting to comfort him, but not knowing where to begin
. "It's alright, it's all better now."
Ivan shook his head and smiled again. He gently pinched the reassembled flower shape, "Ivan's Heart," between two fingers of his right hand and held it high. The fluorescent light shone through the crystal-clear diamond, then subtly dappled the hair embedded within, finally casting a lifelike, blooming white rose on the ground.
Gu
Wei was stunned by this beautiful sight, not only by the miracle created by the man before her, but also by the heart a man had poured into doing this for a woman
. "This gift, on behalf of Xiao Mei, is for her daughter whom she never had the chance to see." "
---------------------------------------------
Because Uncle Ivan said he would feel embarrassed if the game ended too early, so these past few days I haven't come back. Instead, I've been happily shopping everywhere, preparing New Year's gifts for everyone!
But strictly speaking, all these things were paid for by Brother Tianyang, Brother Gao, you won't blame me, will you?" After explaining
the cause and effect, Gu Wei looked at Gao Tianyang, whose expression remained complicated, with a smile
. "No."
Gao Tianyang numbly uttered two words. At this moment, he had too much to digest. He was still young then and had no memory of his father. After escaping the orphanage, he didn't deliberately inquire about his background. Now, hearing these past events again, they felt as unfamiliar as if they had happened to someone else. "
This is all from your father. Never mind him, never mind him."
If he wasn't mistaken, Ivan's hint was actually written for himself. This implies that everything now originates from a father who doesn't exist in one's memory, and it's also a way of advising oneself not to dwell on the past, regardless of his irresponsibility in abandoning him, or the hatred he harbored when he committed suicide. It's about living one's own life well. "Tianyang..."
His wife, beside him, held Gao Tianyang's hand, conveying the unchanging warmth of unwavering devotion. After a long silence, Gao Tianyang finally smiled again:
"I never imagined I'd suddenly go from guest to host. In any case, everyone is still a distinguished guest of this White Rose Building. The game is over; there's no need for any mental burdens. Let's happily welcome the New Year together on this last day. Xiaowei, is there anything else you want to say?" "
Well, I had prepared quite a bit. However, Uncle Ivan told me that the game is actually very simple; it's the players who make it complicated. So, I'll just say the simplest thing." Gu Wei looked around at everyone present, a sweet smile spreading across her face, "Happy New Year." Epilogue
----------------------------- When Sun Yaoyang opened the car door and helped Gu Qiang out, she couldn't believe this was the familiar beach from over two years ago. The familiar White Rose Building,
unlike its former tranquility, was now filled with the clamor of voices from afar. The noise came from a luxury cruise ship docked not far from the shore. Looking out, she could see a tanned man standing on the deck waving. In just over two years, the once muscular Gao Tianyang had developed a noticeable belly. Wearing sunglasses, the once spirited young man was unrecognizable as the struggling young man he once was. Sun Yaoyang led Gu Wei to the shore, where Gao Tianyang had already disembarked and ran over to give her a warm hug. "Um… it's been so long! I'll hug Xiao Qiang too, you don't mind, do you?" " If she doesn't mind, then I don't mind either." The two men's serious conversation made Gu Qiang laugh. She generously opened her arms and hugged Gao Tianyang, who was shirtless, then asked, "Where's Sister Xiaorui?" " She 's up there attracting attention. You'll see her when you get on." Leading the two onto the cruise ship, they indeed saw Guo Xiaorui, wearing a bikini and tanned to a wheatish hue, chatting and laughing with three or four fit and handsome men. Two years had passed, and the woman who was already alluring back then was now even more charming. As the owner of a yacht and possessing a vast fortune, although she was already taken, many young men still fawned over her. "Hehe, looks pretty good, right?" Champagne and fine wine were constantly served on the yacht, and handsome men and beautiful women were everywhere. Coupled with the intoxicating sunshine, beach, and beautiful scenery, it was no wonder that Gao Tianyang was so smug . "It's really great. You really know how to enjoy life, Brother Tianyang." Sun Yaoyang flattered her knowingly. "Hehe, I'm not as smart as you, kid. You've read a lot of books and know how to do business." "But luckily I'm self-aware enough. Rather than waiting for my money to run out, I'd rather sell my shares now and live a life of luxury. If you ask me, you shouldn't be so focused on your career. With such a beautiful wife by your side, enjoying life is the right thing to do." " Of course," Sun Yaoyang replied, his arm around Gu Qiang's waist. Guo Xiaorui, seeing the two, immediately walked over gracefully . "Xiao Qiang, long time no see! You've become even more beautiful." " Oh, not at all. Xiaorui, you've changed more. I especially envy your skin tone. It's a pity I tan so easily and can't get that color." " Alright, alright, you two stop being so modest." These kinds of conversations with women always gave Gao Tianyang a headache, so he immediately jumped in to interrupt. "If we're talking about changes, who dares say they've changed more than Xiao Wei? It's a pity that girl isn't here today. I heard she and Xiao Qiang are now practically identical. I'd really like to meet her." “ Xiao Wei has become a lady.” Sun Yaoyang chimed in with a smile, “Not only does she look like her sister, but her personality has also become more and more gentle. She spends her days tending to her rose garden, or reading books and listening to music, like she’s enjoying her retirement.” “So, you, as her sister and brother-in-law, shouldn’t just be thinking about your own enjoyment; you should hurry up and find her a boyfriend.” At the mention of Gu Wei, Xiao Rui’s inherent matchmaker instincts surfaced. “That girl is very determined; how can we persuade her? Let fate decide.”

Gu Qiang felt helpless when she mentioned her younger sister, but she believed that Xiao Wei would eventually find her own happiness. Gu Wei, living in the Rose Courtyard, had no idea that she had become the center of attention for several people. The roses were blooming exceptionally well lately, and every time she came in, she was reluctant to leave, captivated by their intoxicating fragrance and the swaying petals. Fortunately, the house, after the girl's renovation, had become like a small library, so she wouldn't be bored. She had spoken to Cheng Gang on the phone that morning; his treatment over the past two years had improved him considerably. Although he was still some distance from being a normal person, his basic self-care abilities were no problem, and his conversations were becoming clearer and clearer, more like an adult. He had even made a promise to Gu Wei to visit the roses when he returned.
Gu Wei hadn't paid much attention to Li Shengli's situation, but she had heard him briefly mention it during a later conversation with lawyer Yan Zheng. He said that Li Shengli was working very hard and was very ambitious abroad, not repeating his father's mistakes.
Everything seemed wonderful, except that even now, she still felt a little uncomfortable not being able to see the birthmark that had been with her for over twenty years. Gu Qiang often advised her to go out more, and she knew perfectly well what her sister was thinking—her intentions were as obvious as the bouquet she'd deliberately tossed at her wedding. Gu Wei always felt that since getting married, her sister had become more and more like her mother.
It was strange; when she was still the ugly duckling, she was always so lively, but now that she was beautiful, her personality had suddenly become quiet. Besides staying home with her parents, Gu Wei's only hobby was lounging around, reading books, and listening to music. Chao
Fenghua said this was an inevitable path for women, because when you start to look forward to meeting someone you like, you unconsciously transform yourself into the most beautiful version of yourself, and then silently wait for that person to come to you. And the most beautiful version of herself in Gu Wei's mind was probably her sister, Gu Qiang.
Although she was unwilling to admit it, Gu Wei vaguely felt that her mother might be right. Often, she would feel lonely for no reason. When watering flowers, she longed for someone to tend to the beautiful blooms with her; when reading, she wished someone to share the beautiful sentences; when watching a movie, she wanted someone to chat about the plot and guess the ending.
But few people could do these things with her. Even her sister, who often visited, and Uncle Ivan, who occasionally came back, didn't give her the feeling she longed for. Perhaps it really was just teenage infatuation…
With a self-deprecating and helpless smile, Gu Wei looked at the tightly closed door.
Should she really try to go out and personally bring back a boy she liked?
Ding-dong!
The sudden doorbell startled Gu Wei, who was lost in thought. Her sister and the others should be at Tianyang's party today. Who could be visiting at this hour?
Gu Wei got up and went to the LCD screen of the video intercom system. She saw a handsome young man standing blankly outside the door.
"Hello, who are you looking for?"
For no apparent reason, Gu Wei felt her heart suddenly pounding, as if it were about to leap out of her throat. "
Hello, my gardening teacher told me someone here needs help tending their garden. Are you Miss Gu Wei?"
"Your gardening teacher?" "
Yes, he told me that as long as I tell you his surname is Qi, you'll know." (End of
text ) Postscript: Judging from the title of the last chapter, this was originally intended to be a New Year's story, but due to the author's busy schedule, it has inadvertently been a New Year's story for over two years. Since it's a New Year's story, it's naturally not suitable to have too much darkness in it, so by the end, some readers might feel it's like a fairy tale. As mentioned in the last chapter, the inspiration and story structure of this story are basically plagiarized from Ellen Ruskin's 1979 novel *The Westin Game*, which was also my gateway into suspense novels. I was in elementary school when I first read this book. Although the complex characters made my head spin, and I had to go back and check the character biographies every few pages, I still have to say that in all these years, no other book has given me such a chilling feeling when I finished the last sentence. Of course, I haven't read many books in recent years, and my writing skills are certainly not up to par to create such a complex story; there are countless plot holes. Aside from the gem embedding, which can be categorized as fantasy or science fiction, questions remain: could Mr. Ivan's disguise have fooled so many people? And, upon closer examination, are there inconsistencies between the characters' ages and the timeline of the story? These are all issues that the book cannot explain or avoid. Of course, the inexplicable nature of these questions ultimately stems from the author's own shortcomings. The entire book is nearly 150,000 words long. I remember writing over 30,000 words on the first day two years ago, and the remaining 30,000 words from chapter nineteen to the end were all completed in the last few days. The 80,000-plus words in the middle were written piecemeal over two years. Sometimes, when I opened the document and scrolled to the end, I couldn't remember what I had written before. After reading the previous chapters and looking at the clock—ah, it seems like I should go to work— I'm very glad that I finally finished it. I have many stories that I abandoned shortly after starting, not because I didn't want to write, but because I simply forgot how I had planned the subsequent plot when I wrote the beginning. Fortunately, I always remembered this one. As I said before, this is the story I least wanted to abandon. Although I missed many things I had planned when I finished the manuscript, I am personally very satisfied that it was completed. Finally, there is the old issue of sex scenes. To be honest, apart from the part where Gu Wei impersonates Gu Qiang to seduce Sun Yaoyang and the part where Gu Qiang and Cheng Gang are in the bathroom, the other sex scenes in this story were just to pad the word count. It's like, 'I've finished writing the content I wanted to write for this chapter, but when I look at it, oh dear, I don't have enough words, what should I do? Then I'll write some sex scenes.' So , there's really not much to say about the sex scenes. First of all, I apologize for the long delay in writing, and then thank you to all the readers who have followed this story . That's all.

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