Chapter 5: Tonight, You’ll Sleep on the Floor

“Gu Ci! Do you realize just how crucial this moment is for Zhi Ran to become a disciple? You’re only registered under the second branch, nothing more. If it weren’t for that, Zhi Ran might lose the opportunity to apprentice under Master Shen from the imperial capital! With her exceptional talent for piano, how could we let it go to waste...”

Chu Shixian began her tirade without hearing Gu Ci’s words, venting her anger endlessly. But when she finally understood what Gu Ci had said, her voice seemed stuck in her throat, her face frozen, unable to utter another word.

Those four simple words—“different father, different mother”—proved Gu Ci knew the truth: she and Gu Zhi Ran had been switched at birth!

Her mind buzzed with a single question: How did Gu Ci find out about this?

Gu Zhi Ran, having heard those words, was already drained of all color, her whole body rigid.

Countless possibilities flashed through her mind, leaving her heart in turmoil.

Chu Shixian, barely able to believe it, finally blurted out, “How do you know... Who told you?”

Gu Zhi Ran snapped back to reality, looking at Gu Ci in helpless confusion, barely able to stand. She glanced wistfully at Chu Shixian, tears falling instantly from her eyes. “So... so you really mind me, sister... If that’s the case, I’ll leave, just please don’t be angry with Mom.”

Seeing Zhi Ran on the verge of tears, Chu Shixian was immediately overcome with pity, embracing her tightly. “My poor Zhi Ran! I won’t allow it! Where would you go? This is the home where you’ve lived for eighteen years—why should you leave?”

After comforting Zhi Ran, she turned fiercely to Gu Ci, her voice filled with rage. “What do you want, Gu Ci? Ever since Zhi Ran learned she wasn’t my biological daughter, she’s been heartbroken. What, do you want to send her away to that mountain village before you’re satisfied? How can you be so cruel? I’m telling you now: Zhi Ran stays here. If you don’t agree, you can get out!”

Gu Ci shrugged, her gaze indifferent. “I have no objection. Whether you keep her or not is your own business. I simply remind you: I have no obligation to pay for her affairs.”

Gu Zhi Ran lowered her head, her expression growing more miserable.

Gu Ci’s tone... as if Zhi Ran were nothing more than a dispensable pet, cared for or not, it made no difference...

She would have preferred Gu Ci to rail against her, threatening to drive her out, rather than this cold indifference.

Chu Shixian breathed a sigh of relief, yet something seemed drained away, leaving her feeling empty inside.

Now that Gu Ci knew the truth they’d wanted to hide, Chu Shixian had no energy to pursue other matters.

She snorted coldly. “As long as you understand your place, good. You should learn from Zhi Ran, don’t disgrace the Gu family.”

With that, Chu Shixian decided she could no longer remain here and prepared to leave with Zhi Ran.

But Gu Ci called after them, “What about my room?”

Chu Shixian replied impatiently, “You arrived so suddenly; how could I have had time to prepare a room for you?”

After a moment’s thought, she said, “Tonight, sleep in Aunt Wang’s room. We can discuss the rest tomorrow.”

“Mom, isn’t that a bit much?” Zhi Ran bit her lip, hesitating. “Aunt Wang is elderly and has arthritis. Sleeping on the floor will make her cold. Why not let sister share my room?”

Aunt Wang’s eyes grew red with gratitude at Zhi Ran’s thoughtfulness.

“Absolutely not! How could a country girl share a room with you?” Chu Shixian answered without thinking.

Then she casually addressed Gu Ci, “Be considerate of Aunt Wang. Sleep on the floor tonight.”

Zhi Ran asked, “Will sister mind?”

Chu Shixian rolled her eyes, unconcerned. “What could she possibly mind? Every inch of the Gu family home is better than that poor village she’s from.”

Zhi Ran smiled, regaining her confidence. “Then sister will have to put up with it.”

At least, Mom was always on her side.

If Gu Ci made a fuss, she would only push Mom further away.

But if she truly spent the night on the servant’s floor, everyone in the Gu household would know exactly what her status was.

With a few words, they decided Gu Ci’s accommodations for the night.

In truth, the Gu family had many rooms, and days ago had sent the butler to fetch her. But Chu Shixian, busy comforting Zhi Ran’s secret tears, had never thought to prepare a room for Gu Ci.

Gu Ci laughed lightly, rising to leave, her eyes full of mockery.

Seeing that she didn’t go downstairs, Zhi Ran paused, then offered a gentle smile, “Sister, Aunt Wang’s room is on the first floor. Let me show you?”

The difference between the first and second floors seemed only a single level, but it was a chasm between masters and servants.

But to her surprise, Gu Ci walked straight to Zhi Ran’s room, opened the door, and entered.

The smile on Zhi Ran’s face faltered.

She followed, trying to compromise. “If you want to live with me, it’s fine...”

Gu Ci refused, “No.”

Zhi Ran secretly breathed a sigh of relief. “Then—”

But Gu Ci interrupted her coldly. “I don’t like sharing rooms. Either you clear out a room for me now, or I’ll just stay here.”

She casually picked up a crystal night pearl from Zhi Ran’s dressing table and tossed it in her hand.

Zhi Ran’s nails dug into her palm as she lowered her head, tears streaming.

Chu Shixian’s face darkened. “Gu Ci, this is Zhi Ran’s room! Who gave you, a country girl, permission to stay here? It’s already late—can’t you put up with it?”

Gu Ci lazily looked at Chu Shixian, her deep eyes piercing. “It’s your daughter’s room, isn’t it? What’s wrong with me staying here?” She tilted her head toward Zhi Ran.

“She’s actually Sun Haobin and Liu Hongmei’s daughter, the country girl, isn’t she?”

Sun Haobin and Liu Hongmei—the couple who abandoned infant Gu Ci in a village and never looked back.

They were Zhi Ran’s biological parents.

Hearing “country girl” and those names, Zhi Ran trembled, her face pale.

“Mom, it’s okay. Let sister have the room. It’s late, and I don’t want Aunt Wang to prepare another room.” She forced a smile, making Chu Shixian all the more distressed.

Her carefully raised daughter was being called a country girl—Chu Shixian nearly fainted from anger. “Gu Ci! I didn’t bring you home to treat me like this! Don’t be ungrateful! Whether you sleep in Aunt Wang’s room or not, you must sleep there tonight!”

“Did I come home just to be mistreated?” Gu Ci let the crystal night pearl drop from her hand.

With a crack, it shattered on the floor.

A clear sign that the returning boss was not in a good mood.

If the Gu family treated her as dead, not bothering her, she’d have no complaints.

But if they insisted on bringing her back, then coming to her face to court trouble, she wouldn’t hold back.

Zhi Ran’s eyes reddened, her voice choked with tears. “Sister, if you want my room, you can have it. But why break my things? I never wanted to compete with you. Please don’t touch my things. These... these were gifts from Mom and Dad...”

Her fragile appearance made Gu Ci seem like a demon.

Gu Ci ignored her, picking up a jade bracelet and idly twirling it.

This bracelet was worth even more than the seventy-thousand-yuan night pearl.

Chu Shixian, trembling, pointed at Gu Ci, her heart bleeding. “You... you!” A curse upon her! She’d brought home nothing but trouble!

Afraid Gu Ci would break the bracelet, Chu Shixian gritted her teeth and ordered Aunt Wang, “Give her the guest room! Tomorrow, clear out the storage room and furnish it for her!”

The Gu family had a guest room for unexpected visitors, but now it was the only option for Gu Ci.

——————————————————————————————

Dinner time arrived, and the atmosphere at the table was oppressive. Steady footsteps sounded from outside.

Following the sound, a middle-aged man in an expensive suit, exuding the aura of the business world, appeared before Gu Ci.

This was her biological father, Gu Changfeng.

His gaze swept over the three.

His wife’s face was full of suppressed anger and irritation, his daughter’s eyes red as she softly supported Chu Shixian.

Seeing him, she looked up and managed a strained, tolerant smile.

Gu Changfeng frowned, his eyes settling on Gu Ci, the only one seemingly unaffected.

He greeted her mildly, “Gu Ci, right? I’m your father. When there’s no one else around, you can call me Dad.”

Just as he was considering how to speak with this daughter and broach the next topic, Gu Ci suddenly spoke, “No, you’re mistaken. You’re my uncle.”

Gu Changfeng’s brows knit, surprise flashing as he glanced at his wife. “You’ve told her?”

After learning his real daughter, Gu Ci, had grown up in a poor mountain village, he’d made several plans.

Gu blood must not be left outside, and he couldn’t bear to let his daughter suffer. But at the same time, he would not allow such a stain to mar his reputation.

So he’d told his wife to register this biological daughter under the second branch.

The second branch had little to show for itself, three useless sons. He’d provide a sum for their trouble, and they’d be glad to take her in.

But his wife hadn’t wanted to be the one to tell her.

Chu Shixian, uncomfortable, added, “She also knows Zhi Ran’s identity.”

Gu Changfeng was surprised. Looking at Gu Ci, so calm, his eyes flickered. “Since that’s the case, Gu Ci, I don’t care how things were in that village, but now you’re back with the Gu family, you should get along with your... aunt and cousin.”

He accepted her way of addressing them.

Finally, he added, “Don’t cause any trouble at home.”

Gu Ci smiled carelessly, but her eyes were cold as ice.

Gu Changfeng found this daughter oddly unlikable.

Still, she had her merits.

Looking at her stunningly beautiful face, his gaze flickered as he said, “You’re a senior in high school, right? Tomorrow, I’ll take you to the new school to enroll.”

“I’ve arranged for you to attend Pine City’s best high school—First High. Make the most of this opportunity. Don’t waste it.”

Hearing “First High,” Gu Ci paused, swallowing back the words she’d been about to say.

Zhi Ran sat beside her, head down, not mentioning what the butler had told her about Gu Ci’s grades.

——————————————————————————————

The next day, Gu Changfeng took Gu Ci to First High.

The director was a half-acquaintance, willing to do him this favor.

In the office, Gu Changfeng exchanged pleasantries with the director, both in good spirits.

Then, the director asked about grades as a matter of procedure.

Gu Ci’s eyelids flickered as she wondered if she’d ever attended a single exam since elementary school...

Gu Changfeng, unaware of her thoughts, handed over the prepared transcript.

The director smiled as he accepted it, but as he opened it and saw page after page of neat zero scores, his smile gradually faded.

Taking a deep breath, he set the transcript aside, his expression stern. “Sorry, Mr. Gu, but we can’t accept your niece.”

Gu Changfeng’s brows furrowed, a chill running through him.

A glance at the transcript revealed pages of bright red zeros, nearly blinding him!

The butler had mentioned that Gu Ci’s grades weren’t great, but he’d been too busy to pay attention, never actually reviewing the transcript.

He hadn’t imagined “not great” would mean this bad!

With the director looking at him strangely, Gu Changfeng felt utterly embarrassed.

Zhi Ran’s grades had always been among the best at First High; he’d never felt so humiliated!

“My niece grew up in the countryside, without much education. Her parents asked me to find her a school—I never expected...”

His face was full of sorrow, playing the role of an uninformed party.

“It’s alright. If someone deliberately hid the truth, you can’t be blamed,” the director said, giving Gu Changfeng a sympathetic glance, but looked at Gu Ci with disdain.

He spoke sharply, “You’re still young, you should study hard, not try to take shortcuts or rely on family connections. One day, society will teach you a lesson!”

Gu Ci said nothing, her eyes lowered, but Gu Changfeng felt all the more relieved for his earlier decision.

The director escorted Gu Changfeng out, just as the principal walked by.

Gu Changfeng eagerly greeted him. “Principal Ji, what a pleasure! I’m Gu Changfeng. We met at a charity gala some time ago.”

Though he had no recollection, the principal nodded politely.

But his gaze lingered on Gu Ci, who walked behind Gu Changfeng.

He couldn’t shake the feeling that he’d seen her somewhere before.

Just as the principal was uncertain, Gu Ci lifted her head and said, “I’m here to attend First High.”