Chapter 51: Family Discipline, Protecting One’s Own

When Gu Ci stepped into the Gu family villa again, she no longer felt the subtle emotions she had the first time.

Earlier, just as she was about to head home, Gu Changfeng had called, asking her to come over. She hadn’t wanted to, but when she heard that the parents Gu Changfeng had found for her had arrived, she decided to come, intending to make things clear and set boundaries.

Upon entering, she sensed that the atmosphere in the Gu household was unusually oppressive.

Gu Changfeng’s brows were furrowed deeply. He slammed his hand on the table, his voice full of authority: “Ungrateful daughter! So you still know to come back? Do you have any idea what a disaster you’ve caused?! Daring to strike the Meng family’s heiress—are you tired of living?”

“How would she ever think she’s in the wrong? She’s bold—too bold. And then she…”—used a fake principal’s call to make fools of us all.

Chu Shixian was irritated as well. This biological daughter was even more rebellious and hard to tame than she’d imagined, nothing like the obedient, sensible Zhirán.

Last time in the hospital, she’d almost caused her utter disgrace; it was infuriating. Yet, seeing Gu Changfeng on the verge of exploding, she held her tongue.

Gu Zhirán spoke softly, trying to soothe him. “Daddy, don’t be angry. It’s really not that serious. Sister and Yue Ling get along better now. As long as she’s willing to apologize, there’s still room to smooth things over.”

But to Gu Changfeng, these words only fanned the flames. “Zhirán, you don’t need to speak up for that wretch!”

“Fine! You’re not even willing to apologize? Then let me teach you the Gu family’s rules!”

“Someone! Bring out the family discipline!”

At these words, Chu Shixian’s expression changed at once. She opened her mouth, nearly rising to her feet in protest.

Catching this, Gu Zhirán moved closer to her, whispering, “Mom, have you told Dad about the meeting with the principal yet? Maybe wait a few days—he’s still furious. I’m afraid he’ll beat Sister…”

This instantly made Chu Shixian sink back into her seat. A chill swept over her heart; she abandoned any thought of pleading for Gu Ci.

The meeting with the principal weighed heavily on her mind—she hadn’t dared tell Gu Changfeng yet. It was like a mountain pressing down, and the person responsible still wore that cold, indifferent look, showing not the slightest remorse.

Chu Shixian was utterly exasperated; a dark thought even flashed through her mind—that Gu Ci could just be left to her fate.

She sat firmly on the sofa, pretending not to notice Gu Changfeng preparing to punish Gu Ci.

Gu Ci’s lack of understanding deserved some family discipline now!

Chu Shixian told herself she was doing it for Gu Ci’s own good—a little hardship now was better than her recklessness later on, which could bring disaster to the whole family.

Steward Shen quickly brought out the family punishment.

A hint of a smile flickered in Gu Zhirán’s eyes.

The Gu family’s disciplinary tool was a bone-piercing whip; if Gu Ci endured this, she wouldn’t be able to get up for half a month. He didn’t believe she could drag her battered body to the midterm or the upcoming Olympiad.

Chu Shixian looked at Gu Ci with a semblance of pity, finally saying, “Changfeng, just teach her a lesson—don’t go too far.”

She thought herself merciful at this moment, unaware of how hypocritical her expression appeared.

Gu Changfeng grabbed the whip and slammed it on the table, his voice thunderous: “Ungrateful girl! Kneel!”

When Gu Ci didn’t move, he ordered two servants, “You, and you, hold her down for me!”

The two servants approached Gu Ci. One of them looked at her with open contempt, a false smile on his lips. “Sorry, miss, but we have to.”

But in the next instant, both servants cried out in pain, pinned under Gu Ci’s foot.

Gu Ci, her mind returning from its wandering, glanced lazily around. “Aren’t my parents here yet?”

Her careless gaze and leisurely posture made it clear to Gu Changfeng that she hadn’t taken him seriously at all. All their words just now had been nothing more than a one-man show.

Gu Ci’s attitude made Gu Changfeng’s anger explode.

His eyes blazed. Pointing the whip at the servants, he barked, “All of you, get her! Don’t worry about whether she gets hurt—just don’t kill her!”

At his words, the servants surrounded Gu Ci.

She unhurriedly rolled up her sleeves, ready to stretch her limbs, when suddenly a cultured male voice called from the doorway, “Did I hear you say, ‘Just don’t kill her’?”

Everyone turned toward the voice and saw a middle-aged couple, arm in arm, stepping into the room.

The servants hesitated, unsure whether to proceed or stop, and stood where they were for the moment.

Being caught in the act by his younger brother, Gu Changfeng hastily masked his rage. He waved his hand, signaling the servants to withdraw.

Now was not the time for Gu Changrong to learn just how much trouble his niece could cause. Gu Changfeng felt compelled to cover up for Gu Ci a little.

Looking at Su Wan, Gu Changfeng softened his tone. “It’s nothing. Changrong, Wanwan, you’ve come.”

Gu Changrong and Su Wan greeted Gu Changfeng and the others.

Their eyes fell upon the lone girl isolated at the center of the room, and they couldn’t help but feel a pang of sorrow for her solitary and fragile figure.

Su Wan, holding Gu Changrong’s arm, took a few steps forward and stood beside Gu Ci, offering her a gentle smile.

Yet when she turned to Chu Shixian, Su Wan’s warmth vanished. She looked at Chu Shixian with a faint, knowing smile. “Sister-in-law, is this the girl you mentioned on the phone—the daughter that belongs to me and Changrong?”

From the way Gu Changfeng and Chu Shixian were behaving, she could sense things were far from simple.

Chu Shixian heard the barbed words and knew Su Wan was angry.

Her face stiffened, before she forced herself to recover. “Sister-in-law, I just had something urgent to say, that’s all. Do you really need to be so aggressive?”

She hadn’t expected Su Wan to rush to Songdu with Gu Changrong just because of a single phone call. And only notify them after arriving.

“Is it really more aggressive for Wanwan to ask if the girl is our daughter, than for you to curse her out over the phone?” Gu Changrong wrapped an arm protectively around Su Wan’s waist.

But as his gaze finally landed on “the girl” in question, he froze.

Wasn’t this…