Chapter 32

Gu Chuyun was shocked, covering her mouth as tears shimmered in her eyes. “Gu Ci, you… you’re so malicious. What grudge do you have? You came after me, why would you harm my brother?”

The grandmother’s blood pressure soared in anger, and Jiang Minghua hurriedly gave her medication to lower it. Gu Ci remained unmoved, her gaze fixed on Zhang Xiaomei, who was spouting falsehoods.

Lu Zhiyuan chuckled. “It seems the money did the trick.”

A flicker of panic crossed Zhang Xiaomei’s lowered eyes. Her hands trembled, and her body shook. The grandfather looked at Gu Ci, who showed no fear, anger, or rebuttal. Her phoenix-like eyes were clear and cold, appearing tranquil from a distance.

The grandmother glared at her with hatred. “If anything happens to Junlin, I won’t spare you. Such wickedness at such a young age, it seems the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”

“Mom!” Jiang Minghua exclaimed anxiously. “The matter hasn’t been fully investigated yet.”

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“Do we still need to investigate? If it wasn’t her doing, then it’s just a remarkable coincidence. She didn’t offer any defense or rebuttal, it’s her. The Lu mother and daughter deserve to die for killing my Mingyue and now targeting Junlin,” the grandmother pounded her chest and stomped her feet. “Call the police, arrest her!”

Gu Ci smirked. “Why worry about finding excuses when there’s already guilt?”

Zhang Xiaomei trembled even more intensely. Lu Zhiyuan sneered, “Right and wrong should be investigated by the police. Grandma, before the truth is revealed, try not to get too agitated. It would be embarrassing if your beloved daughter gets dragged into this too, considering your ‘like mother, like daughter’ comment.”

The grandmother’s blood pressure soared, and her vision blurred. The grandfather hurriedly supported her and patted her back. Gu Ci looked at him with disdain, while Lu Zhiyuan fearlessly stood his ground. No one could bully Gu Ci under his watch, not even a king.

Gu Ci looked at Gu Chuyun, her gaze ice-cold. This woman excelled at deceiving others with her innocent and foolish facade, but she had a cunning and meticulous mind. “Within a day of this incident, Gu Wenliang made his move, wanting the shares. You accurately predicted that the prideful Jiang family would refuse to be humiliated and would facilitate the transfer of the shares. If Lu Zhiyuan and I weren’t at the hospital, you would have succeeded. When you faced suspicion, you knew you couldn’t escape, so you shifted the focus and proactively brought up Zhang Xiaomei. I was curious why you dared to mention her. It turns out that within half a day, even when you weren’t in Haicheng, you managed to make Zhang Xiaomei change her story. I must say, I admire your ability to leave no loose ends.”

“You’re feeling guilty, and the guilty always cry ‘thief’,” Gu Chuyun confidently questioned. “Why did you appear on Lingnan Road? It was pouring rain last night, and the streets were deserted. You couldn’t have driven to Lingnan Road unless you were in collusion with the culprit. I can’t think of any other reason.”

Jiang Minghua also hoped that Gu Ci could provide a clear explanation, but Gu Ci remained silent.

Gu Chuyun gloated, “Grandma, grandpa, uncle, she can’t say anything because she is the one who harmed my brother. She’s deliberately pretending to be pitiful to absolve herself of guilt. She has always been so malicious since childhood.”

Gu Ci calmly crossed her hands in front of her. “Gu Chuyun, no matter how much you scheme and covet the shares of the Jiang family, don’t forget one thing. Karma exists, and the time for retribution may not have arrived yet. After saying so much, you can call the police. I fear nothing. But before you do, Chairman Jiang, let both her and me undergo a paternity test with Lv Man. The truth will be crystal clear.”

Gu Chuyun’s smile froze, and Gu Ci calmly looked at her. “Dragons give birth to different offspring, but bloodline is an indelible ironclad proof. In just three hours, everything will be settled.”

Silence filled the hall.

Zhang Xiaomei trembled even more intensely, cold sweat dripping down her forehead. Lu Zhiyuan sneered and mocked, “Zhang Xiaomei, what are you trembling for?”

“I…” Zhang Xiaomei glanced at Gu Chuyun, shrinking back and unable to utter a word.

Gu Chuyun, in panic and grievance, held onto the grandmother’s hand as if grasping onto a lifeline. “Grandma, do you believe her more than you believe me? For all these years, I have never mentioned the shares. If I wanted the shares, I would have reminded you as soon as my birthday passed. I am your granddaughter. Can’t you trust your own family instead of believing in an outsider?”

“Grandma believes in you, my good child. Don’t be afraid!” The grandmother comforted Gu Chuyun, harboring prejudice against Gu Ci.

Lu Zhiyuan looked at Gu Ci by his side, a hint of pain hidden in his eyes. Gu Ci was like a porcelain statue, perfect and cold, devoid of desires. But as he observed Gu Ci’s relentless pursuit for the love of her family, facing obstacles without giving up, he wondered if she was truly indifferent or just worn down by despair.

Gu Chuyun flashed a victorious gaze at Gu Ci. As long as she could manipulate the grandmother, victory would be within her grasp. After defeating Gu Ci, she would swiftly secure the shares and resolve the matter.

“You’re lying!” Junlin slowly stepped into the living room with the assistance of a caregiver. There was no color in his face, yet he walked tall and straight, showing no signs of weakness. “Gu Chuyun, you have known all along that you are Lu Man’s daughter.”

Two police officers followed behind him.

Zhang Xiaomei turned pale and collapsed to the ground. Jiang Minghua hurried to support Junlin and asked anxiously, “Why didn’t you say anything when you woke up? Have you undergone a check-up? Where does it still hurt?”

The grandfather and grandmother also worried that he might feel uncomfortable upon waking. Junlin said, “I’m fine. There’s nothing wrong with my health. Officers, the baby-switching case years ago is a criminal offense. Take Zhang Xiaomei back for further investigation. Both the Jiang family and the Gu family deserve to know the truth.”

Gu Chuyun slumped on the sofa, her expression filled with panic and despair, seemingly oblivious to Zhang Xiaomei’s cries for help.

“The wheel of fate turns, and karma will be repaid. It has always been that way,” Gu Ci stood up. She observed everything calmly, like an outsider. Love or hatred, it no longer mattered. “Gu Chuyun, your retribution has arrived.”

Lu Zhiyuan accompanied Gu Ci out of the living room, while Jiang Minghua supported Junlin and followed them. Jiang Minghua had realized the truth, and his eyes turned red with tears. Gu Ci noticed that Junlin was still seriously ill and struggling to walk, so she stopped in her tracks. “Is there anything else?”

“Ci…” Jiang Minghua’s voice was filled with sorrow, tears welling up in his eyes. “We have wronged you.”

A gentle breeze brushed against the hem of Gu Ci’s dress. She stood there like a blooming rose in the scorching summer, radiating an exquisite beauty from afar, yet appearing as if she were a flower formed from frost up close. Gu Ci replied, “It was Lu Man who made the mistake, it has nothing to do with all of you.”

Gu Ci turned around and got into the car. Lu Zhiyuan leaned in and lowered his voice. “You have raised Gu Chuyun for eighteen years, showering her with love and affection. I can understand that. But if you want to treat both equally, then keep your distance from Gu Ci. She is different from others. When she gets hurt, it takes ten years for the pain to heal.”

Lu Zhiyuan got into the car with Gu Ci and they drove away. Jiang Minghua asked in astonishment, “Did we just get mocked by Lu Zhiyuan?”

“No.” Junlin said grimly, “It’s a warning.”

That was a wolf’s warning to its enemies. He didn’t want anyone to get close to Gu Ci, wishing that she would be alone and that only he would be by her side.

On the plane back to City A, Gu Ci pretended to doze off while Lu Zhiyuan casually flipped through a racing magazine. He asked Gu Ci, “How did you know that Junlin was attacked?”

“The divine has its own ways of knowing.”

Lu Zhiyuan held a glass of cherry juice and shook it in front of her. “Who is the divine behind you?”