Chapter 10: Did She Really Think She Was the Gu Family's Daughter?

Star Constellation City was a nationwide chain of shopping malls, boasting a comprehensive membership system. The Black Gold Card stood at the very pinnacle of this hierarchy, and across the entire world, there were only two such cards in existence.

After so many years working as a cashier at the Songdu branch, she had never once encountered someone holding a Black Gold Card. At the sight, she was visibly excited as she accepted the card, and with a soft beep, the screen confirmed what she could scarcely believe: the card was genuine.

The cashier’s demeanor grew even more respectful. “Esteemed Black Gold member, with this card, you may purchase anything from Star Constellation City nationwide—free of charge.”

“Is that so?” Gu Ci tilted her head. “Then please put everything together on this card.”

The cashier immediately complied, no longer bothering to take Rong Ye’s black card. The black card itself was a rare and prestigious item worldwide, but here at Star Constellation City, the Black Gold Card was clearly in a league of its own.

Rong Ye squinted with a lazy smile, putting away his card.

Qin Yu’s jaw dropped in disbelief, enough to fit an egg. Half-joking, he asked, “So what if she decides to clear out the entire mall?”

The cashier’s heart was pounding, but her professional smile remained. “As long as the young lady wishes it, she may do as she pleases.”

When it came time to fill in an address, Gu Ci frowned again. She did own property in Songdu, but all those places were known to that old man. She feared that the moment she moved in, he would track her down. Many of her connections couldn’t be used for now, and finding a new place that met her requirements proved more troublesome than expected.

She really had been too hasty before leaving the house...

Clicking her tongue in annoyance, Gu Ci decided to have Star Constellation City hold her purchases, and she’d contact them once she was settled.

Even after leaving the mall, Qin Yu was still in a daze. He also felt as if his face stung and was a little swollen. He’d certainly heard of the Black Gold Card, but since no one had ever seen it in use, everyone assumed it was a marketing gimmick.

Who would have thought the card really existed—and that it would appear in the hands of a girl barely seventeen or eighteen?

His curiosity was insatiable. But seeing that Rong Ye hadn’t asked, he didn’t dare bring it up himself. Watching the two of them so composed only made him more frustrated.

After all, clothing and accessories were just a small part of Star Constellation City’s business; they also dealt in antiques and calligraphy worth tens of millions! Thinking back to how Gu Ci had earnestly asked the cashier about possible discounts, he wanted to shake her by the shoulders and ask if she realized the true value of what she held.

Yet their calm indifference only made him feel like a clueless country bumpkin.

Rong Ye, carrying the small cake he’d meant to give Gu Ci, suggested amiably, “You treat me to cake, and I’ll treat you to dinner. How about it?”

Gu Ci checked the time and declined after a moment’s thought. “It’s too late. Maybe next time.”

“Alright, then I’ll see you home,” Rong Ye said, pausing before adding, “It’s not safe for a girl to be out alone this late.”

Gu Ci made no further objection.

On the way, Gu Ci took out a Rubik’s Cube and began to turn it, while Rong Ye watched lazily, eyes half closed.

Qin Yu caught sight of this in the rearview mirror and tried to make conversation. “Gu Ci, that’s a nice Rubik’s Cube. Where did you get it?”

In truth, he was still itching with curiosity about her card. If he had the chance, he’d love to find out who really owned it. Even though it was in Gu Ci’s possession, Qin Yu was certain it wasn’t hers—she must have met someone by chance, and that person happened to be the card’s rightful owner.

Gu Ci kept her gaze lowered, casually twisting the cube. “Bought it at a street stall. Nine ninety-nine, buy one get one free.”

Qin Yu twitched at her reply, and seeing her scramble the cube even further, he couldn’t help but wink at Rong Ye. “Gu Ci, if you can’t solve it, let Ye help you—he’s a master of blindfold and speed solving.”

Aside from its digital form, the cube could also serve Gu Ci’s purposes when circumstances made the computer form inconvenient. She had already sent out a programming signal, spun the cube a few more times, and then handed it to Rong Ye.

Rong Ye took the cube, raised an eyebrow, and commented, “Nice texture.”

Qin Yu was on the verge of asking about the card when a message arrived. His face fell as he gritted out, “Ye, one of them’s gotten away.”

A wicked, bloodthirsty smile crept onto Rong Ye’s lips as he slowly undid the top button of his shirt. “No rush. If they want to play, I’ll play along.”

“But he’s injured—his leg, I mean…” Qin Yu trailed off, glancing at Gu Ci and opting for vague reassurance. “He can’t have gone far.”

Gu Ci watched as Rong Ye slowly twisted the cube to spell out her name, ignoring their conversation.

Rong Ye looked at Gu Ci. “Looking for a place to rent?”

She was silent for a moment before replying tactfully, “The kind of place I want isn’t easy to find.”

“Tell me what you’re looking for,” he encouraged.

She summarized after a moment’s thought. “Spacious, pet-friendly, with an open-air balcony and a swimming pool, and close to No. 1 High School.”

Though it sounded simple, finding such a place in Songdu was no easy task.

“Coincidence,” Rong Ye said. “A friend of mine owns a place that should suit your needs. He happens to be looking for a tenant. Want me to ask for you?”

Gu Ci was surprised. “Thank you.”

Naturally, Rong Ye asked for her contact information and added her on WeChat.

She accepted. Rong Ye’s WeChat name was R, his profile picture a lazy black cat sprawled on a carpet.

After she got out of the car, a message popped up—[Eric: Thanks.]

One hand in her pocket, Gu Ci replied slowly, “Be more careful next time.”

Rong Ye watched as Gu Ci entered the Gu residence before turning away. To Qin Yu, he asked calmly, “I own a unit in Yushui Huating, don’t I?”

Qin Yu blinked. “You’re planning to rent that place to Gu Ci?”

Rong Ye owned plenty of property in Songdu, but Qin Yu remembered this one in particular because Yushui Huating was the city’s most prestigious residential complex, divided into eight sections. Rong Ye occupied the most exclusive—the Tianyu section. Every unit there was a masterpiece, the price astronomical.

Ha, “a friend,” sure.

Rong Ye eyed Gu Ci’s WeChat profile—a standing, adorably clueless hamster—and his lips curled faintly, but he said nothing.

At the Gu residence—

Gu Changfeng and Chu Shixian sat on the sofa, their expressions grim and faces dark, as if holding a tribunal. The oppressive atmosphere filled the living room, and even the servants dared not breathe too loudly as they passed.

At that moment, the doorbell rang.

Chu Shixian whipped her head toward the entrance.

Aunt Wang opened the door to find Gu Ci standing there with her backpack.

Chu Shixian shot to her feet, immediately launching into a tirade. “Gu Ci! Where did you go after school?”

Gu Ci changed her shoes, and despite Chu Shixian’s fury, remained unruffled. “I went to buy some things.”

Gu Changfeng, too, was infuriated. “Why couldn’t you have gone with your mother and Ziran? Why did you leave on your own without a word? Do you know how worried we were?”

Gu Ci met his gaze calmly for a long moment—so long that Gu Changfeng began to feel uneasy under her stare. Only then did she look away, a careless smile on her lips. “Come home together, you mean?”

A flicker of guilt flashed in Chu Shixian’s eyes. Earlier that afternoon, Mrs. Bai had called to say she’d arranged for them to meet Master Shen the next evening. Excited to share the news with Ziran, Chu Shixian had gone to pick her up—and completely forgot about Gu Ci. She assumed Gu Ci would come back soon enough, never expecting her to be gone nearly two hours.

Frowning, Chu Shixian said quickly, “Alright, let’s forget it this time. But next time, come straight home after school. Don’t wander around.”

She couldn’t see any fault in herself. Gu Ci was her own daughter; after all the trouble she’d gone through to give birth to her, what was the harm in forgetting to pick her up just this once? It was Gu Ci who was in the wrong, sulking over such a small matter and leaving them to worry at home for so long!

When Gu Ci coolly announced she was going upstairs, Chu Shixian called after her, “Wait a bit—Aunt Wang is tidying your room.”

“Did you eat dinner?” she added, her tone malicious, eyes glinting with mean-spirited satisfaction. “If not, go hungry tonight. That’ll teach you not to come home so late.”

The implication was clear: no food had been set aside for Gu Ci, nor did Chu Shixian intend for Aunt Wang to make her anything.

Had it been Gu Ziran returning late, things would have been quite different.

“You think I can’t order takeout?” Gu Ci lifted her phone, lips curling.

Chu Shixian was momentarily at a loss. “And if there’s no takeout, can’t you cook for yourself? Do you have to order delivery every time?”

Expressionless, Gu Ci replied lazily, “Nope. Can’t cook.”

“You can’t? Didn’t you cook in the countryside? You’re just ordering takeout to make it seem like we mistreat you!” Chu Shixian’s face darkened further, refusing to believe her. Clearly, Gu Ci was getting too big for her boots now that she was the family’s heiress.

Gu Ci couldn’t be bothered to argue. She started up the stairs.

But just as she reached the landing, she saw one of her shirts being flung out of the guest room, drifting to the floor. Her bedsheets, covers, and several other belongings were scattered all over the threshold.