Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Gu Panpan spoke with a heavy heart, “In the past, my grandfather held the family together. After his passing, my grandmother succumbed to grief. Following my father’s departure, everyone began heeding my uncle’s commands. No one stood up for my mother and me.”
Even among the older generation of relatives, there were those who advised them to be more compliant and show vulnerability, claiming life would be easier under the Gu family’s protection. They were warned that defying the Gu family would lead to an unpleasant fate.
“But 1 refuse to bow down to them. Their bullying is too much!” Gu Panpan’s frustration extended beyond her uncle and aunt; her cousins had also joined in. Even after she and her mother had left the Gu family and found a place to live, her cousins continued to torment them. It seemed like bullying them was a form of amusement.
“I’m certain it was my cousin who littered trash on my father’s tombstone today!” Gu Panpan seethed. “The same thing happened last year. She brought a few bodyguards and destroyed the offerings in front of my father’s grave. She dumped heaps of rubbish on it and hurled abusive words. My mother argued with her and was even injured by her bodyguards. It was a disaster!”
At that moment, Gu Panpan recalled something. “This time last year, President Fang, can 1 make a call?”
Fang Yuan, sensing the urgency, nodded. “Of course.”
Gu Panpan hastily took out her phone and dialed her mother’s number, but there was no answer, and she grew increasingly anxious. She made two more attempts, but still, no one picked up.
Just then, Wang Ning knocked on the office door. “President Fang, a lingerie company is experiencing robust sales and is seeking our assistance with processing. Their existing production line can’t meet the demand… The price they’re offering is quite attractive. Their manager wishes to meet you at the River Shore Cafe in an hour. What do you think…”
Gu Panpan, becoming increasingly worried, inquired, “President Fang, may I take a leave of absence? I want to visit Yuming Mountain.” She wanted to pay her respects at her father’s grave.
The River Shore Cafe was conveniently located near Yuming Mountain, just a five-minute drive away.
Fang Yuan turned to Wang Ning. “It is on the way, prepare the car.”
Lately, Fang Yuan had been using Bo Yi’s car. He had his own vehicle, but the company also had two cars available for use. Little did they know that, after their departure from the office, an intruder entered and took the design draft from the desk.
As they drove, Gu Panpan continued her attempts to call her mother. The lack of response heightened her anxiety. It wasn’t easy to reach Yuming Mountain, and from a distance, she spotted a group of people surrounding her mother, Wan Chunling. A young woman stood by, watching the drama unfold – it was her cousin, Gu Qingqing.
In that moment, Gu Qingqing spoke with feigned delicacy, “Aunt, Uncle has been gone for several years, and it must be quite challenging for you to live alone. Luckily, I hold you dear to my heart. See, my bodyguard is about the same age as Uncle. Why don’t you two live together? 1 was just about to have Uncle bear witness…”
The girl who spoke appeared to be around 17 or 18, dressed in luxury-brand attire with diamond-studded accessories adorning her. Her long, wavy, golden hair was neatly styled, and she exuded an air of youthful nobility.
“Gu Qingqing, have you no conscience? Do you not remember how your uncle treated your family when he was alive? Aren’t you afraid that his spirit will return as a vengeful ghost to haunt you?!” Wan Chunling seethed with hatred, but she was outnumbered. She understood that a direct confrontation would leave her at a disadvantage.
“If you hadn’t brought it up, I might have forgotten. When Uncle was alive, Grandfather favored him, and your family oppressed ours! But now, the tables have turned…”
Gu Qingqing glanced at the bodyguard. “Qiang, what are you waiting for? Go ahead and take good care of my aunt. Let my uncle witness this for himself. His wife is now in good hands. I’m sure he’ll find peace.”
The bodyguard, known as Ah Qiang, was stocky and powerful despite his short stature. He appeared to be in his forties, with small, greedy eyes.
Wan Chunling had been pampered throughout her life, maintaining an air of nobility, even when she had moved to a rented house. The only noticeable difference was the slightly outdated clothing she wore, which had apparently captured Ah Qiang’s attention.
“Though Ah Qiang may not be as well-off as Uncle once was, he’s the right choice for you now!”
Gu Qingqing observed as All Qiang advanced toward Wan Chunling with a broad smile. “Aunt, have a great time. Ah Qiang is strong and will surely provide you with all the comfort you need!”
Wan Chunling, visibly upset, gestured towards the tombstone and declared, “If you dare to let him lay a hand on me today, I’ll bash my head against this wall and die right here! Let’s see how you justify this to the ancestors of the Gu family! How will you explain it to the elder members of the Gu family!”
