Chapter 104: Chapter 104: Yun Nianzhou’s Origins

“That little wretch got off easy! But this will be the last time.

She made a scene at your dad’s factory today, and whatever little bit of father-daughter affection he had left for her is gone now. If anything happens to her in the future, he definitely won’t step in.

Anyway, she’ll never have the chance to compete with you again.”

“Who wants to compete with her? I’m going to be a wealthy lady, and she’s just a country bumpkin.” Chen Zhaodi lifted her chin proudly.

“Yes, yes, my daughter is so lucky. By the way, did you take care of those letters?”

Chen Zhaodi nodded. “Of course. There’s absolutely no way anything will go wrong, Mom. Don’t worry.”

“That little wretch isn’t totally useless—at least she helped you land a good marriage.” Xia Shuhua said smugly.

“Mom, don’t say that again. I didn’t rely on her. Brother Nianzhou and I are together because we truly like each other.”

“Alright, alright, I won’t say it anymore.”

—

Government Compound

At this moment, the Yun family home was brightly lit. For Yun Nianzhou’s wedding, the whole family had gathered—a rare occasion.

Yun Runtong and his wife Liang Zhiqiu had also rushed back for the wedding.

They were extremely dissatisfied with this marriage.

To be precise, ever since Yun Nianzhou insisted on breaking off his engagement with Gu Qinghuan, the couple had been unhappy about it. Out of respect for their child, they didn’t stop him, but that didn’t mean they agreed with his choice.

Yun Runtong and Zhong Ziyan had been friends for many years.

The first time they met Zhong Ziyan’s niece, Gu Qinghuan, they genuinely liked her. She was a well-bred, elegant, and beautiful young woman—the perfect match for a family like theirs.

Because of this connection, the families interacted frequently and became close.

Even though the Zhong family had been sent down, Yun Runtong and his wife never looked down on Gu Qinghuan’s background. They went against the opinions of others and arranged the engagement.

At the time, Yun Nianzhou didn’t refuse.

The original Gu Qinghuan was deeply in love with him, so by all rights, it should have been a good marriage.

But before Gu Qinghuan left for the countryside, Yun Nianzhou suddenly insisted on breaking off the engagement, saying he’d found his true love and didn’t want to settle for a lifetime.

Yun Runtong and his wife made a special trip back to Beijing, tried every way to talk him out of it, but nothing could change his mind.

In the end, there was nothing they could do.

They even went to the Zhong family to apologize in person, hoping to take Gu Qinghuan in as a goddaughter to make up for their son’s mistake, but she refused.

Heartbroken and disillusioned, she was eventually pushed by Xia Shuhua and her daughter to become a sent-down youth.

Yun Runtong and his wife, with their discerning eyes, would never have approved of someone like Chen Zhaodi. But Yun Nianzhou was determined, and there was nothing they could do.

“Nianzhou, we left you with your grandmother all these years, which let your temper get out of hand. That was our neglect.

But things are as they are. Once you make this choice, it’s for life. No matter whether your days are good or bad, you’ll have to accept the consequences. There’s no turning back. Have you really thought this through?”

Yun Nianzhou was completely immersed in the happiness of being with his beloved, and didn’t think much about anything else.

“Dad, I’ve thought it through. This is what I want!”

“Alright then. After you get married, you two should move out.

The new house is in your name, consider it a wedding gift from your mother and me. We’ve also prepared a dowry of 800 yuan and the ‘three rounds and one sound’ for the bride. That’s all we can do.

As for your future, you’ll have to rely on yourself.” Yun Runtong rubbed his forehead, looking a little tired.

“Runtong, let the young couple stay here with me! I’m old now, and I like having people around.”

Grandma Yun couldn’t bear to part with them. She was old, living alone and lonely, and didn’t want Yun Nianzhou to leave.

“Mom, have you forgotten what you promised me?” Yun Runtong looked disapproving.

“Alright then.” Grandma Yun pursed her lips.

“Grandma, don’t beg him. If we have to move out, so be it. I haven’t wanted to stay in this house for a long time.” Yun Nianzhou said stubbornly.

Grandma Yun looked at him with a complicated expression. Silly child, once you move out, it’ll be hard to come back. Don’t you understand?

Very few people knew that Yun Nianzhou was not the Yun family’s biological son—only their closest friends and family.

Over all these years, no one had ever told Yun Nianzhou about this.

It was a pain that would always remain in the hearts of the Yun couple.

Back then, they had a son named Yun Jiuzhou, nicknamed Zhouzhou.

Both parents had busy jobs, so they left their few-month-old baby at home in the care of Grandma Yun and a nanny.

One day, Grandma Yun went out for a while. When she came back, the nanny and the baby were gone.

Grandma Yun searched everywhere but couldn’t find them, so she notified the couple. By the time they rushed back from out of town and tried everything to find their son, there was no trace left.

The nanny didn’t leave a single word. It wasn’t a kidnapping for ransom—she just vanished into thin air.

Trying to find a baby in a vast city, with no clues at all, was nearly impossible.

Yun Runtong and Liang Zhiqiu nearly lost their minds, wishing they could turn the whole city upside down, but there was never any news.

Zhouzhou had a unique red birthmark on his arm, shaped like a crescent moon—impossible to fake.

It was around this time that Grandma Yun found a baby boy at their doorstep, about the same age as Zhouzhou.

They thought he must have been lost by someone else, but the police said no babies had been reported missing. Days passed, but no one came to claim him.

Grandma Yun took care of him, and gradually grew attached. With so many coincidences, it seemed only natural to keep him and name him Yun Nianzhou.

There was some argument in the family about the name.

Grandma Yun wanted to call him Nianzhou (“missing Zhou”), but the couple firmly disagreed. In the end, they compromised on Nianzhou.

Unlike Grandma Yun, who could transfer her affection, the couple’s love always belonged to Jiuzhou, not Nianzhou.

Liang Zhiqiu never had another child, because her delivery with Yun Jiuzhou was so dangerous that the doctors had to remove her uterus. That meant Jiuzhou would be her only child in this life.

One can imagine the pain in this mother’s heart. Every quiet night, it all felt like a bad dream.

Because her mother-in-law lost her child, Liang Zhiqiu’s relationship with her had grown distant over the years, and they rarely interacted.

The couple spent most of their time working elsewhere, rarely returning to Beijing except for New Year’s. Yun Nianzhou was raised by Grandma Yun.

Because they kept the secret well, most outsiders believed Yun Nianzhou was Yun Jiuzhou.

Early on, the couple made an agreement with Grandma Yun: she could raise the child if she wanted, but he would never be a true member of the Yun family. Once he came of age, he would move out and start his own household.

After all, it was too much of a coincidence—just as their child went missing, they found another baby of the same age.

So, the couple could never truly like Yun Nianzhou. They only raised him out of a sense of duty.

Especially in recent years, Yun Nianzhou’s actions had made them even more disappointed in him."

"Chapter 105: Gossip About Gu Yunchuan

Grandma Yun doted on the child she had raised herself. Originally, she should have let him go out and live on his own when he became an adult, but she kept putting it off until the day he got married.

She thought, since the Yun family line would end with her anyway, someone would have to inherit it in the future. Rather than letting an outsider benefit, she might as well leave everything to Yun Nianzhou—after all, he was the child she had brought up with her own hands.

Obviously, Yun Runtong and his wife had no intention of letting her have her way.

Yun Nianzhou had no idea about the undercurrents at play. All he knew was that his parents never cared about him, and it was his grandmother who raised him. He even harbored some resentment toward his parents for their coldness and indifference, and often went against them just out of spite.

What he didn’t know was that, in his parents’ eyes, his behavior was nothing more than a clownish act.

After their discussion, everyone in the Yun family went to bed.

The couple lay in bed, each lost in their own thoughts.

“Runtong, if our Zhouzhou were still here, he would never be so shortsighted, only able to see as far as a crack in the door.

He wouldn’t have such poor taste either. There are so many refined young ladies from prominent families in Beijing, and yet, after all his picking and choosing, he settled on a shifty-looking woman. It’s just laughable.” Liang Zhiqiu was holding back a bellyful of anger.

Yun Runtong felt much the same.

He had once considered grooming this child as his successor, since he and Liang Zhiqiu would have no more children.

But perhaps character is innate. This child was just too petty, timid, and clueless—he simply couldn’t bring himself to like him.

He and Liang Zhiqiu had carefully chosen Gu Qinghuan, who was steady and poised. Although her background had some blemishes, she was still a descendant of the scholarly Zhong family.

A skinny camel is still bigger than a horse. Before the Zhong family’s troubles, they wouldn’t have dared to reach so high.

In Beijing, money and power alone aren’t enough—you need solid roots, and the Zhong family’s foundation was something ordinary families could never match.

Mr. Zhong Weiqian had students all over the country and connections everywhere. It was only in these special times that he chose not to trouble others.

But Yun Nianzhou completely failed to appreciate their good intentions. He broke off the engagement on a whim and made a huge scene, leaving Yun Runtong at a loss for how to face his old friend.

Now he was asking to marry Gu Qinghuan’s stepsister, rubbing their faces in the dirt.

Yun Runtong was absolutely unwilling to let him stay at home any longer. This troublemaker needed to set up his own household as soon as possible.

“Let’s sleep. I believe that if that child were still in this world, he would do just fine—because he’s my son, Yun Runtong’s son.”

The night passed without dreams.

The next day, Gu Qinghuan called a tailor to her home to have a dress custom-made.

Lanting didn’t want to attend that woman’s wedding, preferring to stay home with the child over the weekend.

Gu Qinghuan let him be, but she and Xu Huaian were definitely going—not only going, but going in style.

She hired the tailor that Zhong Zijun used to love. The old master no longer ran a shop, but took on private work here and there to make ends meet.

His craftsmanship was impeccable, and his designs were always on point. Gu Qinghuan simply offered the highest price and asked him to finish everything within three days.

Xu Huaian had no idea what she was up to—first ordering him a suit, then taking him to the department store to buy leather shoes, and even arranging for him to get a haircut.

In short, he just went along with whatever she said.

Gu Qinghuan wasn’t idle these days either. She wrote an anonymous letter with her left hand and sent it to the director of the chemical plant, detailing Gu Yunchuan’s family background and finances, and suggesting he look into whether Gu Yunchuan had been embezzling funds.

She knew it might take some time for this to bear fruit, but that was fine—she was in no rush.

Meanwhile, over on Gu Yunchuan’s side, as soon as he got to work the next day, a bunch of people at the factory started asking him about what happened yesterday.

He had already made up a story, saying that after Gu Qinghuan went to the countryside, her life was tough, so she came back to her old father for money, and that’s why she made up those threats.

He shifted all the blame onto Xia Shuhua, making her the scapegoat and distancing himself from the mess.

Unfortunately, his story wasn’t convincing at all. Anyone with eyes could see the grievances suffered by the siblings—no amount of excuses could erase that.

As the old saying goes, “When there’s a stepmother, there’s a stepfather”—it wasn’t without reason. The siblings used to look so good, but now look at the state they’re in.

Some people had even run into Lanting outside and knew that, at such a young age, he was already fending for himself. People couldn’t help but feel sorry for the kid.

Gu Yunchuan’s family was actually pretty well-off, yet he’d rather support someone else’s daughter than take care of his own children. Behind his back, everyone joked that he was the best stepfather in all of China.

What’s more, yesterday the whole family compound was already abuzz with talk about Gu Yunchuan being a cuckold, raising his wife’s ex-husband’s child. Today, the rumors were even wilder, spreading throughout the entire factory.

There were no secrets in the factory—nothing escaped notice, especially when it came to the romantic scandals of the dashing Accountant Gu.

Some workers would burst out laughing behind their hands as soon as they saw him from afar.

Gu Yunchuan was completely baffled.

Finally, his good friend at the factory, Wu Zhenqiang, couldn’t stand it anymore and quietly pulled him aside.

“Yunchuan, be honest with me—do you really not know about your wife’s situation?” Wu Zhenqiang was straightforward, not one to bottle things up.

“Xia Shuhua? What about her? I really don’t know!” Gu Yunchuan thought he was still talking about yesterday’s events.

“Don’t get upset. I just heard it from others at the factory. They said… they said…”

“What did they say? Spit it out!” Gu Yunchuan was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan.

Wu Zhenqiang steeled himself and said, “They said someone saw your wife sending living expenses to her ex-husband’s family every month—twenty yuan each time.

They say your wife still has some sort of lingering relationship with her ex-husband, that your youngest son might not even be your own.

They’re calling you a cuckold, saying you’re raising someone else’s child… Yunchuan! Are you okay?”

Wu Zhenqiang watched as Gu Yunchuan, unable to catch his breath, collapsed on the spot.

He quickly carried him to the infirmary, and after a while, Gu Yunchuan finally came to.

It was nothing serious—just a fit of rage.

Lying on the hospital bed, Gu Yunchuan didn’t have time to worry about how these rumors started. What mattered more to him was whether there was any truth to them.

He told Wu Zhenqiang to keep quiet for now and help him discreetly look into Xia Shuhua’s ex-husband’s situation."

"Chapter 106: Gu Yunchuan Inquires About the News

Gu Yunchuan’s anger hadn’t found an outlet yet. He forced himself to calm down and headed to the apartment building where the Chen family lived.

He was no fool. He went straight to an old lady washing clothes by the courtyard to ask about the Chen family.

This old woman was the resident gossip of the building—she knew every bit of news and rumor.

Seeing the two yuan bill Gu Yunchuan handed over, she didn’t hold back and spilled all the old Chen family secrets.

She talked about how the Chen family’s man had a formidable ex-wife, who’d remarried into a good family. It was said she sent him twenty yuan in living expenses every month, always on time.

She said the Chen family man used to be a no-good rascal, and that his job at the machinery factory was bought for him by his ex-wife.

She said when the Chen man was injured, his ex-wife even brought chicken soup to visit him, delivering all sorts of tonics for several days in a row.

She bragged that Old Lady Chen liked to show off, claiming her family had a money tree—however much they wanted, they’d get.

The old woman had even seen Xia Shuhua before. Every time she came, she had beautiful permed hair and wore fashionable dresses.

She sighed, saying if only her own son had such a capable ex-wife, it wouldn’t matter if they divorced or not—they’d still be like family.

Hearing all this, Gu Yunchuan clenched his fists, feeling a deep sense of betrayal.

He thought of how he’d poured his heart out to Xia Shuhua, trusted her with all the family’s money, how she was stingy with Qinghuan and Lanting, reluctant to spend even a penny more on them, and even pocketed their living expenses. Yet she was so generous with her ex-husband, supporting that whole down-and-out family.

At that moment, he wished Xia Shuhua were right in front of him so he could punch her in the head and rip out her heart to see if it was black.

But he forced himself to keep listening.

The old woman kept chattering away.

“You wouldn’t believe it, just a couple of days ago, the girl Chen family’s son married in the countryside came to the door—she’s three months pregnant, poor thing.

Old Lady Chen refused to acknowledge her, but in the end, it was the daughter who’d left with the ex-wife—what’s her name, Zhaodi—who came back and settled the matter.

I heard Old Lady Chen say that girl didn’t even bat an eye, just handed over two hundred yuan to send the country girl away.”

Of course, this was just Old Lady Chen bragging—the money was actually from their own pocket.

Gu Yunchuan didn’t care about Chen Fulai’s romantic escapades. What mattered to him was that Chen Zhaodi could just casually hand over two hundred yuan to the Chen family.

First, it meant she definitely had money. She wasn’t married yet, so the money couldn’t be from Yun Nianzhou—it had to be from home!

Xia Shuhua had actually given her daughter so much money to spend freely, all while telling him there was only five hundred yuan left at home.

She’d been hiding money from him behind his back—unforgivable.

And Chen Zhaodi was an ingrate too. He’d raised her for so many years, and she still wasn’t loyal. He’d hoped she’d help him out after marrying well, but now that seemed unlikely.

He couldn’t help but regret it. No matter what, his own children were still the most reliable. He shouldn’t have been so heartless to Qinghuan and Lanting—when he’s old, he’ll have to rely on his own flesh and blood.

Second, Chen Zhaodi must have done this at her mother’s urging. Why were they so generous to the Chen family? Two hundred yuan wasn’t a small sum, and they just gave it away.

Could it really be, as the people at the factory gossiped, that Xiaobao wasn’t his son, but the child of her and her previous husband…?

A single spark can start a prairie fire. Once a seed of doubt is planted, it quickly grows.

Gu Yunchuan was now in turmoil, because he wasn’t sure anymore—whose child was this, really?

Xia Shuhua, she really fooled him!

In the end, Gu Yunchuan didn’t even know how he managed to walk out.

These past few years, Xia Shuhua had always been sweet and attentive to him, saying all the right things, making him forget how fickle people’s hearts could be.

Back when he was with Zhong Zijun, he had to pretend to be a gentleman and do everything to please her.

Zhong Zijun was busy—she was a university professor, most of her time devoted to her students, her research, and her children. She hardly managed household affairs, leaving everything to the maid.

He felt unneeded, unappreciated, and lived without dignity. That’s why he’d betrayed the Zhong family without hesitation.

But with Xia Shuhua, he was the master—the real man of the house.

Every day, someone ironed his clothes before he went out, someone cooked delicious meals for him when he came home. He made all the decisions, big and small, and never had to worry about anything. His word was law at home.

Xia Shuhua and Chen Zhaodi both had honeyed tongues, serving him so well and making him feel comfortable and happy.

He’d grown addicted to that feeling.

Now, it was like waking from a long, sweet dream—only to feel pain down to his bones.

He wandered alone to the riverbank, sat there thinking for a long time, and didn’t head home until the sun had set.

In the end, he decided to give Xia Shuhua one more chance. After all, they’d grown up together as childhood sweethearts.

He’d been the one to betray her first, climbing up to Zhong Zijun for wealth and status, so he thought, no matter what, he should give her another chance.

But the real reason was, he was no longer young and couldn’t handle the ups and downs of life anymore.

As for Xia Shuhua, after being beaten by Gu Yunchuan yesterday, she was still nursing her injuries and stayed home to rest and look after the children.

She was still lost in her dream of soon having a wealthy son-in-law, completely unaware of the rumors swirling outside. Of course, no one would bother to tell her.

Chen Zhaodi was the same, focused on preparing for her wedding. In just two days, she’d be marrying Yun Nianzhou, and she wanted to be the most beautiful bride.

Yun Nianzhou had promised her the most romantic and happiest wedding. They’d even ordered beautiful Western-style outfits for the occasion.

Mother and daughter had already prepared everything needed for the wedding.

Despite the scarcity of supplies, Xia Shuhua had prepared four sets of bedding for her daughter, along with several beautiful new outfits.

There were also four large suitcases filled with daily necessities, a watch and other big-ticket items, and of course, jewelry—mostly gaudy gold and silver pieces.

The two of them tried their best to imitate the lifestyle of the upper class, but at heart, they were still from humble backgrounds—no matter how hard they tried, it was just a poor imitation.

They’d have been better off just being themselves; at least then, others might respect them more.

Chen Zhaodi was already imagining how happy she’d be, moving into her new home and starting a new life with Yun Nianzhou.

“Qingyue, here’s the money I’ve saved for you. Not too much, not too little—exactly five hundred yuan. Keep it safe. Your dad already suspects I’ve been hiding money.

I might not be able to help you much in the future, but your husband is the only son of the Yun family—he won’t care about a few hundred yuan. I’ll be relying on you for the rest of my life,” Xia Shuhua said, stuffing a wad of cash into her daughter’s arms.

Chen Zhaodi happily counted the money while painting a rosy picture for her mother: “Mom, I knew you were the best. Don’t worry, once I’ve found my footing in the Yun family and have a child or two, we’ll live the good life—eating well, dressing well, enjoying endless wealth and luxury.

We won’t ever have to put up with Gu Yunchuan’s moods again.”

“My daughter really is capable.”

Just as the mother and daughter were talking, Gu Yunchuan came home."

"Chapter 107: Escalating Domestic Violence

He wore a dark, sullen expression and said nothing.

Xia Shuhua assumed he was still angry about yesterday and didn’t think much of it. She hurried to help Chen Zhaodi set the table.

After dinner, Gu Yunchuan pulled Xia Shuhua into their room.

“I’m asking you—how much money do we have left?”

Xia Shuhua shuddered at his menacing tone but gritted her teeth and insisted, “Didn’t I give you everything yesterday?”

Seeing her stubborn refusal to admit anything, Gu Yunchuan paused for a moment before saying, “I went to Mao’er Hutong today.”

At his words, Xia Shuhua couldn’t help but start trembling all over, her composure finally cracking.

The Chen family lived in a communal building on Mao’er Hutong. She knew Gu Yunchuan wouldn’t mention this for no reason.

“Oh? What did you go to Mao’er Hutong for?” She clung to a last shred of hope, praying he didn’t know anything. After all, she’d hidden it so well, and Mao’er Hutong was so far from them.

Gu Yunchuan, seeing she still wouldn’t tell the truth, lost his temper. He kicked her hard, sending her sprawling to the floor.

There’s no such thing as just one instance of domestic violence—once he’d tried solving problems with his fists yesterday, he’d become addicted to this way of venting his anger.

Xia Shuhua was stunned by the kick. In her mind, she thought, It’s over, it’s over—he knows!

“Still not going to tell the truth?” Gu Yunchuan raised his hand as if to strike her again.

Xia Shuhua scrambled up and clung to his leg. “Yunchuan, please, don’t do this. I’m scared.” She tried to act cute and plead, just like she always had before.

But Gu Yunchuan was no longer buying it. He shook her off viciously.

“Xia Shuhua, so you know what fear is? Secretly giving money to your ex-husband behind my back, using my hard-earned money to support another man, even buying him a job! Well done! You’ve done so well!

Do you know what people are saying about me out there? They say I’m a cuckold, that I’m wearing a green hat and don’t even know it. Look at the mess you’ve made, and you still have the nerve to cry!”

Gu Yunchuan’s veins bulged on his forehead, his face flushed red. Worried the neighbors might overhear, he deliberately lowered his voice, which only made him sound more like a vengeful ghost.

Xia Shuhua hadn’t expected Gu Yunchuan to find out this way. How had her support of the Chen family been discovered?

But she didn’t have time to think about that now. More important was how to calm Gu Yunchuan down.

After a quick calculation of pros and cons, she decisively hugged his leg again, tears streaming down her face.

“Yunchuan, let me explain. It’s not like that. People outside are just making things up. You have to believe me.

I did hide it from you, but it was really for our own good. Back then, the Chen family wouldn’t let me go—they wanted to wear me down.

I only agreed to give them twenty yuan a month and buy him a job so I could be with you. I was forced into it, not willing.”

This was actually the truth. Back then, when the Chen family found out she’d cheated, they’d threatened to expose her and refused to divorce. In the end, they only agreed because of the twenty yuan a month.

After the divorce, the Chen family’s scoundrel often came to threaten her. She had no choice but to buy him a job.

Once he had a job, he came around less, and she finally had some peace.

At the time, she and Gu Yunchuan had just gotten together and were madly in love. She hadn’t dared tell him the truth, afraid it would cause more trouble.

But after so many lies, even the truth sounded like a lie. Gu Yunchuan clearly didn’t believe her.

“So you finally admit it? Using my money to support another man, and you say it’s for my own good! Xia Shuhua, you’re heartless!

After all I’ve done for you! Whatever you wanted, I gave you. Even when you mistreated my two kids, I turned a blind eye. You said you loved money and felt insecure, so I let you manage all the family finances.

I gave you my heart, and this is how you repay me!”

Gu Yunchuan, though selfish and self-centered, still longed to be loved.

Now, learning that Xia Shuhua had been deceiving and using him all along, he couldn’t hold it in anymore. He actually felt a pang of pain in his heart.

In the end, he’d given his love to the wrong person.

Xia Shuhua, perhaps provoked by his words, dropped the act and confronted him directly: “Gu Yunchuan, don’t act so high and mighty with me, talking about how devoted you were. Search your conscience—weren’t you the one who wronged me first?

We were already engaged. Everyone in the hutong knew I was with you, but for your own future, you abandoned me.

Sure, you climbed the social ladder, but what about me? Do you know how I survived those six months?

Everywhere I went, people pointed and gossiped, saying I was unwanted trash. My parents, desperate to save face, hurriedly married me off to that Chen family thug. They didn’t even buy me a new set of clothes!

That thug and his mother both bullied me. My life was nothing but misery.

You ruined my whole life. So what if I supported another man? So what if I made you a cuckold? You deserved it!”

Xia Shuhua, in her anger, was deliberately provoking him, though in reality she hadn’t actually cheated on him.

But Gu Yunchuan cared deeply about this, so his mind went straight to the worst-case scenario. He thought he really had been cuckolded, that his youngest son wasn’t his own. He was instantly devastated and fell apart.

“So you admit it? You finally admit it? You bitch, I’ll kill you!”

Gu Yunchuan slapped Xia Shuhua hard across the face, sending her staggering to the floor.

What followed was a violent beating, like a raging storm.

Outside, Chen Zhaodi could hear everything and banged on the door, shouting, “Dad, you can’t hit my mom! She’s not young anymore, and she gave you a son. Even if she hasn’t done great things, she’s worked hard for you!”

She even had Xia Chun bring the baby over, hoping the sight of his son would soften Gu Yunchuan’s heart. After all, ever since the child was born, just mentioning him would make Gu Yunchuan happy.

But this time, it backfired. Bringing up the child only made him beat Xia Shuhua even harder.

The commotion was so loud that the neighbors all heard. They more or less knew what was going on, since gossip had been flying around the courtyard for days. But no one intervened; they just listened intently.

It was Xia Shuhua’s own fault for being too arrogant and offending everyone around her. No one liked her haughty attitude.

She was just a fallen woman pretending to be a peacock.

And now, supporting her ex-husband and cuckolding her own man—none of the other women in the courtyard could compare to her. She was something else. Why didn’t she just ascend to heaven?

Some even felt she deserved it. A woman who didn’t follow the rules deserved a beating.

Chen Zhaodi kept banging and shouting, but nothing could stop Gu Yunchuan’s violence.

“Gu Yunchuan, you’re not even human! I’m going to report you to the union for domestic violence! I want a divorce!”

Xia Shuhua, battered and bruised, kept provoking him, as if something in her had snapped.

Maybe it was years of pretending finally bursting out. Either way, she’d already stripped Gu Yunchuan of his power—he was just an empty shell now. Her daughter was about to marry into a wealthy family. She figured, why keep trying to please him?

Gu Yunchuan hadn’t expected her to bring up divorce first. He realized he’d spoiled her too much these past years, letting her feel so bold and fearless.

“In your dreams! Don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to. You want to get rid of me? Not in this lifetime!”

Outside, Chen Zhaodi was stomping her feet in anxiety. She wasn’t worried about anything except that Gu Yunchuan might injure Xia Shuhua so badly she couldn’t attend the wedding.

A wedding only happens once in a lifetime. If her mother couldn’t be there, it would be inauspicious, and she didn’t want to give people anything to gossip about.

Xia Chun huddled in a corner with the baby, all too familiar with this scene. Her own father used to lock her mother up and beat her, while she and her sisters hid in the corner, not daring to make a sound.

She hadn’t expected to face the same thing at her aunt’s house. She wanted to help, but just couldn’t summon the courage.

Hearing Xia Shuhua’s cries of pain from inside, Chen Zhaodi gritted her teeth and threatened, “Dad, don’t forget, I’m about to get married. If Mom can’t attend, how will we explain it to the Yun family?

And you don’t want Nianzhou and the Yun family to find out about this, do you?”

Of course Gu Yunchuan could hear the threat in his stepdaughter’s words.

Wretched women, both of them. All that effort raising her for nothing.

At this point, he no longer expected his stepdaughter’s good marriage to benefit him. He’d be lucky if she didn’t cause him more trouble.

He’d hunted geese all his life, only to have one peck out his eye.

These mother and daughter were both trouble. He must have been blind to ever think they were gentle and kind.

Gu Yunchuan eventually wore himself out and slumped to the floor, panting.

He needed to think about what to do next.

He didn’t know that, at that very moment in the factory, his apprentice Liu Xiaoliu had already raised suspicions with the director, who had authorized him to privately investigate the accounts.

If there really was embezzlement, Gu Yunchuan would either end up in jail or face a firing squad.

Chen Zhaodi, hearing the silence inside, assumed her father had been intimidated by her threats and finally relaxed.

Xia Shuhua, seeing he’d stopped, thought he was really scared by Chen Zhaodi’s words.

Enduring the pain, she said smugly, “Gu Yunchuan, so you know fear too? From now on, you’d better listen to me. Otherwise, I’ll have the Yun family deal with you.

Our Qingyue married well, and it’s all thanks to you and your wonderful daughter. From now on, my daughter will be high and mighty, while your daughter will always be a nobody. For the rest of your life, you’ll never get the upper hand over me.”

Though she talked about divorce, she never really intended to go through with it. She just wanted to scare Gu Yunchuan and put him in his place.

After all, she still needed a man to support her. She’d grown used to a comfortable life and had no desire to return to the misery of the Chen family.

Gu Yunchuan took out a cigarette, his eyes unfocused as he smoked.

Then he got up and started searching the room.

Xia Shuhua realized what he was doing and hurried over to grab his leg. “Don’t touch my things! They’re mine!”

Gu Yunchuan kicked her in the chest without a trace of pity.

“Everything in this house, down to the last needle, was earned by me, Gu Yunchuan. None of it has anything to do with you, Xia Shuhua. You’d better behave, or I don’t know what I might do,” he said through gritted teeth.

Xia Shuhua clutched her aching chest, terrified by his murderous glare, but could only watch as he ransacked the room.

Gu Yunchuan knew exactly where she hid money, but after searching, he only found a few dozen yuan.

That can’t be right. There’s no way Xia Shuhua only has this little.

Finally, he remembered another hiding spot.

Xia Shuhua watched in horror as he tore open the back of the old quilt. How did he know she’d hidden the money in unused bedding?

“Gu Yunchuan, don’t touch my things! If you don’t believe me, I’ll tell the factory that you—” that you embezzled public funds for personal use.

Gu Yunchuan covered her mouth and hissed in her ear, “Go ahead, report me. We’re husband and wife. The money I embezzled—you spent it too. If it comes to that, we’ll both go down together. Fine by me.”

This was nothing like what happened with Zhong Zijun.

The Zhong family’s issue was political. He just had to distance himself from them and he’d be fine.

But embezzling public funds wasn’t something you could fix by drawing a line.

Xia Shuhua’s eyes widened in terror. Life had been so stable that she’d forgotten she could be held responsible too.

If people found out, she’d be dragged down with him.

Realizing this, she could only swallow her anger and watch as Gu Yunchuan pulled out the thousand yuan she’d hidden in the quilt, her heart bleeding.

Over the years, Gu Yunchuan had brought home several thousand yuan in total. The household expenses were high, mostly because of her and Chen Zhaodi, but there were still two thousand left.

Gu Qinghuan had taken nearly five hundred, and she’d given Chen Zhaodi five hundred as dowry. The rest was here.

At least she was glad she’d already given her daughter the dowry money.

“That’s all? You’re not hiding more somewhere else, are you?” Gu Yunchuan sneered, stuffing the money into his pocket.

“You think I’m a printing press? Money doesn’t grow on trees!” Xia Shuhua shot back viciously.

Her bruised and battered face now disgusted Gu Yunchuan. How had he ever found this woman attractive?

A thousand yuan was better than nothing.

He rolled down his sleeves, buttoned his shirt one button at a time, and tidied his hair in the mirror, restoring his suave appearance before finally opening the door.

Chen Zhaodi shrank back in fear at his forced, sinister smile.

“Chen Zhaodi, if you still want to be called Gu Qingyue, you’d better keep your mouth shut. If I hear even one word out of you, I’ll send you back to your brother!

No matter how nice Yun Nianzhou is, I doubt he’d marry the daughter of a ruined family.

I hear your brother got a woman pregnant in the countryside—she’s already three months along. If the Yun family finds out what kind of family you come from, what do you think they’ll do?”"

"Chapter 108: Control, Mother

After his outburst, Gu Yunchuan finally regained his composure. Setting aside emotions, he certainly knew how to handle this mother and daughter.

His words struck right at the deepest pain in Chen Zhaodi’s heart. She hadn’t wanted to be born into a family like this, but was that something she could control?

She was terrified of losing everything she had now, and didn’t dare gamble on whether Yun Nianzhou would still want her if she lost her identity as Gu Qingyue.

The Yun family was powerful and influential. Yun’s grandmother already looked down on her current status, but at least she was the daughter of an accountant, so she hadn’t said anything too harsh.

After all, the Yun family had previously arranged for Gu Qinghuan to be engaged, but Yun Nianzhou had changed his mind.

But if she were just the daughter of some ruffian, things would be completely different.

“Dad, I beg you, please don’t. I’ll listen to you from now on.” Chen Zhaodi instantly wilted, all her earlier bravado gone.

People at the bottom know best how to bend and adapt. She didn’t feel wronged at all, nor did she have any pride.

“Your mother gave you her emergency savings, didn’t she? Hand it over!”

The thought of his own children living pitifully while raising someone else’s kids in comfort made Gu Yunchuan furious.

Of course, he wasn’t upset for his children’s sake—he was just distressed about himself.

Chen Zhaodi wanted to hide it, but her expression gave her away.

Gu Yunchuan snapped impatiently, “Don’t make me say it twice.”

Chen Zhaodi had no choice but to obediently pull out the thick wad of cash from her pocket, money she hadn’t even had time to warm up.

Inside, Xia Shuhua watched, her heart sinking into despair. Any last shred of hope was gone. She felt as if she was back in the Chen family, living a bitter, miserable life, bullied by anyone and everyone.

Gu Yunchuan raised his eyebrows and grabbed the money. Good—this woman, Xia Shuhua, had really fooled him for so long. Never again.

The two had been arguing so loudly that Xia Chun’s baby was startled awake and began to cry.

She stood there helplessly, unsure whether to comfort the child or not.

Gu Yunchuan shot her a glare: “Are you dead? Take him away! I don’t want to hear him.”

Xia Chun hurriedly carried the baby into another room.

Xia Shuhua hadn’t expected Gu Yunchuan to be so ruthless, not even caring about his own flesh and blood. But then again, weren’t Gu Qinghuan and Gu Lanting proof enough? What did children mean to him? He only cared about himself.

Thinking of this, her mood hit rock bottom. What would become of her and her children now?

Chen Zhaodi didn’t know.

Xia Chun knew even less.

Gu Yunchuan left with the money, destination unknown.

Seeing Xia Shuhua’s bruised and battered face, Chen Zhaodi was stunned. How could she possibly attend her wedding like this?

Xia Shuhua cared about her reputation too. Afraid of embarrassing herself at her daughter’s wedding, she wrapped her face in a scarf and went to the hospital late at night for treatment.

—

Gu Yunchuan took the money downstairs and went to Wu Zhenqiang’s house for a couple of drinks.

Alcohol gave him courage. After drinking, he staggered out and boarded a bus, heading for a stop he remembered from years ago.

Getting off, he walked into a pitch-black alley, wandering through its twists and turns for half an hour. Guided by deeply ingrained memories, he finally found the familiar door to his old home.

Standing at the door, he hesitated to knock, feeling a pang of homesickness.

He’d lost his father young, and his mother had raised him through countless hardships, suffering much because of him.

He hadn’t seen his mother in over five years. Now, he desperately wanted to hug her and cry. When people are at their lowest, they instinctively want to confide in their parents.

All these years, his mother hadn’t wanted to see him. Every time he came, she’d chase him out with a broom.

Ever since he betrayed the Zhong family and did that heartless thing, his mother had said he was no longer her son. So, for years, they’d had no contact.

Zhong Zijun had always been a decent person, treating the elderly well. Though they didn’t live together, she never missed a holiday gift or supplement, and often brought the children to visit. So the old lady couldn’t accept her son’s heartless actions.

Gu Yunchuan hesitated for a long time, but finally, emboldened by alcohol, knocked on the door.

“Who is it?” After a while, the door opened.

In the dim light, his mother came out, holding a string of prayer beads.

“Mom!” Gu Yunchuan forced a sheepish smile.

Seeing it was him, the old lady immediately turned to go back inside.

Noticing her Buddhist attire, Gu Yunchuan was shocked. “Mom, why are you dressed like that?”

“What’s it to you? I’ve taken refuge in Buddhism as a lay disciple. Don’t come here again. My life and death have nothing to do with you anymore.”

She’d wanted to become a nun and leave the secular world behind, but the master said she still had unresolved attachments and let her be a lay disciple, practicing at home. He said spiritual cultivation didn’t have to be bound by form.

Seeing this, Gu Yunchuan fell to his knees, clutching her leg. “Mom, I was wrong! I really was wrong. Please forgive me, just this once!”

“I told you, you’re no longer my son. We each have our own path.”

There was a trace of helplessness in her voice. She now understood why the master hadn’t accepted her—her heart was still tied to worldly bonds.

“Mom, don’t make me leave. Let me sit for a while, please. I’m so miserable. How could that woman treat me like this…wah—” As he spoke, Gu Yunchuan broke down, sobbing like a child.

Several neighbors opened their doors to see what was going on.

Someone even called out, “Auntie, is something wrong? Do you need help?”

“It’s nothing, go back inside!”

Unable to get rid of him, the old lady sighed. “Come in, then.”

Gu Yunchuan immediately got up and followed her in, as if he hadn’t just been kneeling at the door.

His mother had lived simply these past years, earning a living by making paper boxes, spending the rest of her time chanting and eating vegetarian food. The house was filled with the scent of incense.

Gu Yunchuan sat down and, like a child, poured out his troubles, hoping for a moment of comfort.

But the old lady’s attention was on her two grandchildren. She hadn’t seen them in a long time. Because of what happened with Zhong Zijun, the children resented Gu Yunchuan and no longer visited her.

She’d thought that, no matter how bad Gu Yunchuan was, he wouldn’t mistreat his own children.

“What did you say? Huanhuan went to the countryside as a sent-down youth? Xia Shuhua’s daughter stole Huanhuan’s man? And you drove Lanting out too?

Gu Yunchuan, are you out of your mind! Are you trying to kill me with anger?

This is your retribution! Serves you right!”

Her heart, which had been calm, was now in turmoil. Hearing all this, she couldn’t keep her composure and scolded Gu Yunchuan furiously.

“Mom…”"

"Chapter 109: Wedding in Progress, Police Pay a Visit

Today is a big day for Yun Nianzhou and Chen Zhaodi.

The Yun family booked over twenty tables at the largest state-run restaurant in Beijing—a grand affair, attended only by close friends and family.

Although Yun Runtong and his wife never cared much for this adopted son, they couldn’t be bothered to nitpick over such trivial matters.

Everything was arranged just as he wanted.

On the Gu family’s side, they only reserved a single table. Even as the wedding was about to begin, it wasn’t full—just Gu Yunchuan, Xia Shuhua, Xia Chun with her baby, Xia family’s uncle and aunt, and Chen Zhaodi’s grandparents.

If she hadn’t worried about the embarrassment of empty seats, Chen Zhaodi wouldn’t even have invited these poor relatives—such a disgrace. In a fancy place like this, they still wore clothes with patches.

Gu Yunchuan, dressed in a well-fitted Zhongshan suit with slicked-back hair, actually looked the part—refined, but with a hint of roguishness.

Xia Shuhua’s face, though the swelling had gone down thanks to timely treatment, was still bruised. She’d caked on heavy makeup to cover it, which only made her look odd.

Chen Zhaodi wore a bright red wedding dress today, her makeup—bought from the Friendship Store—applied in what she thought was a beautiful style. In reality, it was just two big red patches on her cheeks, like a child performing at a kindergarten show—very festive, but not in a good way.

Yun Nianzhou arrived at the Gu house in a car to pick up the bride, then took her to their new home for a quick look around before heading to the restaurant for the ceremony.

As the bride and groom got out of the car, they ran into Gu Qinghuan and Xu Huaian coming from the opposite direction.

This really wasn’t intentional on Gu Qinghuan’s part—she just happened to arrive at that moment.

Gu Qinghuan wore a simple yet elegant black Hepburn-style dress with a white cashmere coat draped over her shoulders. Her hair was pulled back with a white jade hairpin, and she carried a small black purse.

Everything looked understated, yet not plain—simply beautiful.

Especially her makeup—it looked as if she wore none at all, but subtle touches highlighted her delicate features, making her look even more stunning. With just one glance, she completely outshone the overly made-up Chen Zhaodi.

Chen Zhaodi’s red wedding dress looked garish and tacky next to Gu Qinghuan’s understated elegance.

And this was supposed to be the latest style of wedding dress.

Gu Qinghuan had deliberately used her top-tier makeup skills to create the simplest, most natural look for herself today.

There wasn’t a trace of makeup to be seen—she looked effortlessly beautiful.

Chen Zhaodi hadn’t paid much attention at first, but following Yun Nianzhou’s gaze, she finally noticed the beautiful woman. Looking closer, she realized it was Gu Qinghuan, and her smile instantly froze.

That bitch—today is her wedding day, so what’s Gu Qinghuan doing dressed up like this?

And who’s the man on her arm? Is that the country bumpkin she married? No, it can’t be.

Xu Huaian’s suit was custom-made by an old tailor to Gu Qinghuan’s specifications, fitting him perfectly. With his neatly styled hair and unique air, he looked every bit the gentleman.

He even looked more like a wealthy young master than Yun Nianzhou.

Yun Nianzhou was just under 1.8 meters tall, while Xu Huaian was 1.88.

Yun Nianzhou looked more like a spoiled rich kid—carefree and a bit unruly. Xu Huaian, on the other hand, exuded uprightness and calm authority, inspiring trust at first glance.

All this happened in just a fleeting moment as the four crossed paths.

Each had their own thoughts.

Gu Qinghuan had come with the express purpose of showing them up. Round one—an overwhelming victory. She was quite satisfied.

Xu Huaian was simply indulging Gu Qinghuan’s mischievous streak—if she was happy, he was happy.

He also glanced at Yun Nianzhou a few times—so this was Gu Qinghuan’s ex-fiancé?

His taste is questionable! But, thankfully, he let go of the original Gu Qinghuan, allowing Xu Huaian to pick up the most precious treasure in the world.

Even though he knew it was the former Gu Qinghuan who liked Yun Nianzhou, Xu Huaian couldn’t help but feel a twinge of jealousy—he didn’t want any man to have anything to do with Gu Qinghuan.

Yun Nianzhou also recognized Gu Qinghuan. In his memory, she was always serious and proper—beautiful, yes, but like a puppet on strings, bland and devoid of charm.

Now, after not seeing her for so long, she seemed so much more mature, radiating a positive energy. Just a slight smile from her was captivating.

The moment he saw Xu Huaian, Yun Nianzhou felt instinctively overshadowed, unconsciously comparing himself to the other man.

For the first time in his life, he felt a sense of rivalry with someone he’d just met—as if he’d encountered a lifelong nemesis.

It was a very uncomfortable feeling.

Gu Qinghuan waved cheerfully, “Congratulations to you both.”

Chen Zhaodi suppressed her resentment, took Yun Nianzhou’s arm, and walked over with a smile. “Sister, aren’t you going to introduce us?”

Gu Qinghuan moved even closer to Xu Huaian, clinging to him.

“I thought it was obvious! This is my husband, Xu Huaian.”

Xu Huaian was delighted by Gu Qinghuan’s initiative. In his good mood, he even managed a rare smile, which left Chen Zhaodi momentarily stunned.

This man’s smile was just too charming.

But so what? He was still a country bumpkin. No matter how well he dressed or how polished he looked, he was still a bumpkin.

“Sister, didn’t you say you married a man from the countryside? Oh, sorry, did I say something wrong?

Those outfits of yours must have cost a pretty penny, huh? Dad just gave you some money—don’t spend it all just to keep up appearances. Life back in the countryside won’t be easy!”

Chen Zhaodi pretended to have misspoken, but her real aim was to belittle them, her words dripping with sarcasm.

Yun Nianzhou had just learned that Gu Qinghuan got married in the countryside, and he felt a strange emotion, but quickly suppressed it.

“What’s wrong with country folk? The rice, vegetables, and fruit you eat—aren’t they all grown by country people? That kind of thinking is dangerous—be careful, or you’ll get called out and criticized.

How I live my life is none of your business. Maybe worry about yourself first! Look at those two patches on your face—what are they supposed to be?” Gu Qinghuan rolled her eyes and pulled Xu Huaian into the restaurant.

Someone at the door was registering gifts, but she pretended not to see. She was here to eat, drink, and watch the show—not a chance she’d give Chen Zhaodi a penny.

Chen Zhaodi stomped her foot in frustration as Gu Qinghuan walked off.

In her mind, Gu Qinghuan should be groveling and begging for her favor by now.

Yet here was the “humble country bumpkin” completely outshining the future wealthy wife. No wonder she was in such a foul mood.

“Don’t be upset. Let’s go inside too,” Yun Nianzhou comforted her. Honestly, he also found Chen Zhaodi’s two patches of blush rather hard to look at.

Chen Zhaodi forced a smile and explained, “Brother Nianzhou, I really do worry about her. She’s never had to manage a household or worry about money—she spends whatever she has. I’m just concerned about how she’ll cope in the countryside!”

“I know you’re kind-hearted. It’s fine—if she doesn’t appreciate it, so be it,” Yun Nianzhou replied.

“In the end, it’s my fault. That’s why she’s angry… Today’s wedding should have been yours. If I hadn’t taken you from her, she wouldn’t…” Chen Zhaodi started to play the victim.

Yun Nianzhou quickly stopped her. “Don’t think that way. It has nothing to do with you—it was all my decision. Luckily, I realized in time, or we would have missed out. This is the best arrangement fate could give us.

Don’t overthink it. Today is our wedding—let’s be happy.”

“Alright, let’s go.” With his reassurance, Chen Zhaodi perked up again.

No matter what, she had won this man for herself.

As the guests chatted and laughed, they saw Gu Qinghuan and Xu Huaian enter together—an attractive couple, both with outstanding presence.

Some distant relatives of the Yun family, who hadn’t seen the couple before, assumed they were the bride and groom and kept congratulating Grandma Yun and Yun Runtong.

“Congratulations! Nianzhou really takes after the Yun family—so upright, just like Runtong.

And the bride is beautiful too. They’re a perfect match.”

“That’s right. Nianzhou looks more and more like his father. Like father, like son. Now that the child’s married, Runtong can look forward to grandchildren.”

…

A few relatives kept going on.

Yun Runtong smiled awkwardly, saying nothing. These people could spin a story out of anything—even about two strangers.

Just as he was about to explain, Liang Zhiqiu laughed, “Runtong, I have to say, he really does look a bit like you when you were young. Even his demeanor—so upright and serious. This kid must have been in the army, right?”

Xu Huaian happened to meet Liang Zhiqiu’s gaze and nodded politely with a smile. Liang Zhiqiu, for some reason, felt a refreshing warmth—what a fine young man.

As they spoke, Yun Nianzhou and Chen Zhaodi entered. Only then did the others realize their mistake and hurriedly apologized.

In the entire hall, Gu Qinghuan and Xu Huaian became the center of attention, even outshining the bride and groom.

Gu Qinghuan announced herself as a guest from the bride’s side and was seated at the bride’s table.

Their arrival finally filled the table.

Gu Yunchuan saw his daughter, radiant and beautiful—she’d grown even more attractive, her temperament reminiscent of Zhong Zijun.

He realized she must have been faking her pitiful act the other day. He was surprised—she’d always been so proper and serious, but now she seemed much more clever.

He didn’t say much, focusing his attention on Xu Huaian.

Xia Shuhua, having been recuperating at home these past few days, suspected her troubles were linked to this little wretch.

Seeing her enemy in person, and with Gu Qinghuan and her husband stealing her daughter’s spotlight, she was even more displeased.

Gu Qinghuan sat down confidently and introduced, “Huaian, this is my father.”

As for Xia Shuhua, she ignored her completely, not to mention the Xia family relatives—she pretended not to see any of them.

“Dad! Nice to meet you. I’m Xu Huaian. Our marriage was a bit rushed, and we didn’t have time to notify you. I hope you’ll forgive us. I’ll come visit properly another day.”

Xu Huaian stood up, bowed slightly, and extended his hand for a handshake, displaying excellent manners.

Gu Yunchuan didn’t make things difficult, shook his hand, and let go.

After all, this was the man his daughter would rely on for the rest of her life. He’d already let both his children down enough—he didn’t want to nitpick over small things.

He’d thought Gu Qinghuan had married some rough country fellow, but Xu Huaian actually looked decent—nothing to be ashamed of. He felt a bit better.

After this recent blow, he’d come to understand a lot, and his attitude toward Gu Qinghuan had visibly improved.

“Huanhuan, before you and Huaian leave, remember to come home for a visit.

And bring Lanting too. That rascal’s been wild long enough!”

Gu Qinghuan rarely saw him so dejected—acting the part of a loving father.

“Sure!” she replied, wondering what scheme this old fox was up to.

Most of the guests had arrived, and the ceremony was about to begin.

Though it was called a Western wedding, most of the process was still Chinese. The officiant read the marriage certificate, officially declaring the couple husband and wife.

Then the couple followed the officiant in reciting some revolutionary vows.

And that was it.

Gu Qinghuan found the whole thing unimpressive—hardly a real Western wedding.

At the very least, shouldn’t they ask, “For richer or poorer, do you take this person…”? That’s what a Western wedding should be!

Xu Huaian, seeing her paying close attention, thought she liked this kind of scene.

He leaned over and whispered, “Do you like this? In the future, we’ll have an even bigger and livelier one.”

As long as it was something she wanted, no matter how difficult, he’d make it happen.

Gu Qinghuan shook her head vigorously—she wasn’t interested in weddings at all, just here for the show.

Besides, this mishmash of a ceremony was really nothing special.

Xu Huaian saw her resolute attitude and sighed inwardly. When would her heart of stone soften for him, even a little? If it did, he’d seize the chance.

After the ceremony, it was time to eat. The banquet was quite impressive—the best Gu Qinghuan had seen since coming here, except for her own cooking.

Just as she was about to pick up her chopsticks, a commotion broke out at the door.

“Who is Gu Yunchuan?”

A policeman in a peaked cap stood at the entrance, calling out.

Gu Yunchuan was filled with dread.

Xia Shuhua was so terrified her legs went weak—she dropped her chopsticks and nearly slid off her chair.

“Who is Gu Yunchuan!”

The policeman called out again, and this time, Gu Yunchuan finally stood up, trembling.

“I am! Comrade, what’s the matter?”

The whole room fell silent, everyone looking over.

Chen Zhaodi was on the verge of collapse—first her spotlight was stolen, and now the police were here at her wedding.

Couldn’t this have waited until tomorrow?

“We just received a report that you falsified accounts and embezzled public funds—a large sum. Please come with us to cooperate with our investigation.”

The whole room erupted.

Falsifying accounts and embezzling public funds was a serious crime—people could get shot for that.

The Yun family was a prominent one—who would’ve thought their son would marry into such a family? What a disgrace.

Gu Qinghuan was genuinely surprised—she hadn’t even made a move yet. Who was the good Samaritan who did this? Saved her the trouble.

Chen Zhaodi was so shocked she didn’t even notice the wine she was holding spill.

How could this happen?

What would she do now? The Yun family would definitely look down on her.

Why did this have to come out today, of all days? She’d been looking forward to this for so long—now everything was ruined!

Xia Shuhua’s pants were soaked—having had a child at an older age, her pelvic floor was weak and she was prone to incontinence. This time, she was so scared she wet herself."

"Chapter 110: Final Words, A Difficult Choice