Chapter 38: The Second Branch of the Gu Family

It was inevitable that Chu Shixian would feel a pang of guilt. In fact, she couldn’t help but wonder if she had done something to tip off Madam Bai, and whether Madam Bai’s words meant she had already discovered that the ill-mannered Gu Ci was actually her biological daughter…

Catching Gu Zhiren’s uneasy glance in her direction, Chu Shixian’s heart instantly softened. Hardening herself, she gritted her teeth and declared, “You’re right—I really can’t control that ungrateful girl anymore. I’ll call her parents right now and have them come and discipline her properly!”

With that, she dialed her sister-in-law Su Wan right in front of Madam Bai and Gu Zhiren. After a storm of scolding, she worried Su Wan might say something suspicious, so she hung up abruptly before Su Wan could respond.

A trace of a smile flickered in Gu Zhiren’s downcast eyes, and the tension in her heart finally vanished.

She knew very well that the voice on the phone really was the principal’s. She had also seen the principal personally defend Gu Ci at school, so it was quite likely the call had in fact come from Principal Ji.

But what did it matter? In front of Chu Shixian and Madam Bai, she would never admit it—let them think the call was fake. After all, Gu Ci only received special treatment from the principal because of her father, didn’t she?

Certain that the “real Principal Ji” would agree to a dinner, Chu Shixian, after hanging up, turned to Madam Bai and assured her, “How about this—after I have Changfeng get in touch with Principal Ji, we’ll arrange a dinner together?”

Madam Bai’s eyes lit up, and she immediately took Chu Shixian’s arm affectionately. As they chatted, the topic shifted to Meng Yueling, who was still lying in her hospital bed.

Meng Yueling had studied the guzheng since childhood, but with her hand still broken, the doctors here couldn’t restore it to the condition needed to play as before.

Madam Bai sighed, unable to hide her worry. “I’ve already asked my husband to invite Doctor Gu, but who knows if we’ll be able to persuade him to come?”

Chu Shixian made a mental note, planning to ask Changfeng if he could find a way to bring this legendary Doctor Gu.

…

Meanwhile, in a remote village, Su Wan was stunned to have been scolded by her sister-in-law out of the blue, bewildered at the sudden mention of an extra daughter. Before she could ask for clarification, the call was hurriedly cut off.

She tried to call back, but the line wouldn’t connect.

Now, puzzled and unable to recall having another daughter, Su Wan’s imagination began to run wild.

Brandishing the sickle she still held, she strode menacingly straight to her husband Gu Changrong’s courtyard.

—

On his end, Gu Changrong had just hung up from a call, his brows furrowed, when he turned and saw his wife storming in with a blade in hand.

Startled, he asked, “What happened? Who made you so angry?”

Reflexively, he thought of their sons and tried to placate her. “Was it those troublemakers again?”

But Su Wan only grew angrier. She stabbed the sickle into the table and snapped, “Gu Changrong, why don’t you look at your own misdeeds before blaming my sons?”

“Oh, so now you’ve quietly given me another daughter? I do like daughters, but since when were you supposed to have one with someone else for me?”

Gu Changrong was initially confused, but soon picked up on her meaning.

Laughing in exasperation, he pulled her into his arms. “Apart from those three little monkeys we have together, don’t you know exactly how many children I have?”

Su Wan hit his chest and glared at him, retorting, “How would I know!”

Even nearing forty, Su Wan’s skin was still radiant, and she looked nothing like the mother of three—more like a woman in her twenties or thirties. The gesture suited her perfectly.

Despite her words, her tone had already softened.

She and Gu Changrong had known each other since school, making it into college together, confirming their relationship, and eventually marrying. They had always supported each other—if anyone else had said such things, Su Wan would never have believed them.

But this call had come from her eldest sister-in-law.

That was why Su Wan had rushed over in such a fury. Now, regaining her senses, she chose to trust the man who had been her companion through half her life.

“Who’s been gossiping in your ear?” Gu Changrong realized that his wife wasn’t the type to make baseless accusations, and guessed something must have happened.

“My eldest sister-in-law called and said your daughter had caused a huge disaster, then scolded me—I was so startled. Was she just making things up?”

Though she’d never gotten along with her sister-in-law, she doubted she’d stoop to such pranks.

Gu Changrong’s brows knitted, but after a moment, he eased. “Forget it, don’t overthink it. Just now someone invited me to Songdu—why don’t we go together and see who this ‘daughter’ really is?”

…

The next morning, Gu Ci, having spent the previous night making pills for Xiao Yang, was exhausted.

With her head buried in her arms, she dozed at her desk, when suddenly someone rapped on the classroom window.

Outside stood the dean, frowning at Gu Ci’s secret nap. He knocked harder. “Gu Ci!”

Only then did she seem to hear him, raising her head slowly.

Seeing her bleary-eyed and dazed, the dean’s frown deepened. His tone was stiff. “Gu Ci, I am allowing you to transfer to Class One. Gather your things and come with me.”

At his words, the entire Class Twelve erupted.

“Why is he taking our Queen Ci to Class One?”

“Is he poaching her because her grades are so good?”

“No way—she wouldn’t leave us for Class One, would she?”

Gu Ci arched an eyebrow, puzzled by the dean’s sudden insistence. She didn’t move, but simply looked up at him. “Class Twelve suits me fine.”

The dean could hardly believe it—someone would actually choose to stay in Class Twelve over moving to Class One!

He frowned. “Gu Ci, think carefully. I’m only giving you this one chance!”

Gu Ci lazily asked, “Why do you want me in Class One?”

Her question left the dean momentarily at a loss.

Why else would he say this? He was offering her a place in Class One as a way to smooth over the wager incident!

Gu Ci had to know this—yet she was deliberately playing the innocent!

Seeing her persistent confusion, the dean had no choice but to explain stiffly, “It’s about the wager.”

“No, I just want you to apologize to my teacher.” At the mention of the wager, Gu Ci instantly understood his intent, and without hesitation, rejected his offer.