Chapter 118: Unable to Swallow This Resentment!

At that moment, Chu Shixian had no doubt whatsoever that Gu Ci truly wanted to break away from their family.

Hearing Gu Ci’s words, Su Wan’s expression instantly cleared from gloom to brightness.

Seeing the embarrassment on Chu Shixian’s face, Su Wan felt even more delighted. Cheerfully, she said to Chu Shixian, “Look, sister-in-law, this matter has stirred up quite the fuss. It turns out my daughter already knew about the adoption all along. Why didn’t you just say so? I was under the impression my daughter was completely unaware.”

“Since that’s the case, great! Let’s go find the clan elders later and settle this properly. We’ll have my daughter’s name recorded under my family’s genealogy.”

Su Wan kept calling Gu Ci “my daughter,” which nearly made Chu Shixian furious enough to choke on her own anger.

This situation had unexpectedly unfolded smoothly for Chu Shixian; she had successfully unburdened herself of Gu Ci.

Yet suddenly, she felt a suffocating tightness in her chest, a heaviness in her heart, an all-encompassing unease.

Her face turned ashen, but she still forced herself to maintain an air of grace. “Sister-in-law, there’s no need to be so hasty. You can contact the clan elders anytime.”

“Or are you worried I might take this one million yuan and run? Rest assured, since I’ve said I’ll give you this alimony, I won’t go back on my word. Please keep this card safe,” she said, casting a faint, meaningful glance at Gu Ci.

Her tone and eyes seemed to say: The only reason Su Wan was willing to take her in was not out of affection but greed for that one million yuan.

Gu Jinyan, leaning against the doorframe, scoffed and said with a sly grin, “Aunt, I’ve always heard your family was wealthy, but now I see... tsk, tsk, such poverty shouldn’t be flaunted. My sister will be raised by our own family, no need to trouble you.”

“But we do appreciate your intention. Sister, quickly thank Aunt,” he added.

Gu Ci responded politely, “Thank you, Aunt, for your concern.”

Chu Shixian’s fingers nearly twisted her Gucci bag in rage.

This unfilial girl!

A curse upon her!

She should never have borne her in the first place!

Su Wan covered her mouth, laughing, “Sister-in-law, you should take the card back. How could my daughter bear to trouble you to support her?”

---

Chu Shixian’s face was deathly pale.

She never imagined Su Wan would shamelessly claim her own daughter as belonging to their family right before her eyes.

Furthermore, Gu Ci had yet to utter a single “mom” to her but repeatedly called Su Wan “mom” in front of her.

If only she had not mistakenly taken the wrong child at birth, how could her own daughter be absent from her side, forced instead to be raised as a member of the second household?

Just then, Gu Ziran returned from the balcony. Seeing Chu Shixian’s grim expression and recalling what Su Wan had just said, her eyes dimmed slightly before she spoke casually, “Mom, my teacher just messaged me. The Imperial Capital Music Association is sending a very important instructor. Tomorrow afternoon’s exchange meeting will be moved to the evening, so I won’t miss any school.”

Hearing this, Chu Shixian’s expression softened immediately. “That’s good then.”

Indeed, even if Gu Ci had been raised by her, she could never have achieved what Gu Ziran had.

Gu Ziran now had a teacher from the Music Association, a direct path to the top!

Gu Ci had nothing.

So, all these misfortunes were just right; there was no reason to regret anything.

She tenderly tucked a stray lock of hair behind Gu Ziran’s ear.

“But Ziran, don’t overwork yourself. You’re too sensible and hardworking, both in your studies and piano practice. Don’t exhaust yourself.”

Gu Ziran smiled gently, “I know, Mom. Don’t worry.”

With a triumphant air, Chu Shixian said, “Sister-in-law, since you said you’d call the clan elders, call them now. Let them quickly record Gu Ci’s name under your family’s genealogy.”

“I’ve thought about it. We really don’t have time to argue with you. My daughter Ziran studies until dawn every day—I’ve tried to persuade her to rest. She still practices piano at home and tomorrow has an exchange at the Music Association. That’s very different from Gu Ci, who idles around all day, doing nothing and not studying properly.”

Chu Shixian smiled knowingly, assuming Gu Changrong’s family had no concept of what the Music Association was or its significance.

Their family was doomed to remain as they were.

While Chu Shixian was speaking, Su Wan had already dialed the clan elders to arrange for Gu Ci’s name to be recorded in the genealogy.

After finishing, Su Wan hung up and glanced at Chu Shixian. “My Ci’s grades are good too, though she doesn’t seem to study much. Maybe she’s just naturally gifted.”

---

Upon hearing Su Wan claim Gu Ci’s grades were excellent, a clear sneer crossed Chu Shixian’s eyes.

Excellent grades?

That string of zeroes on the report card was considered good by Su Wan?

If she hadn’t seen Gu Ci’s report card herself, she might have been fooled by Su Wan’s composed demeanor.

“Sister-in-law, even if you want to flatter Gu Ci, there’s no need to lie like this. Her grades are good? What a joke!” Chu Shixian’s face was full of disdain as she spoke.

But seeing Su Wan’s genuine expression, a sudden thought struck Chu Shixian.

“Or could it be that Gu Ci deliberately lied about her grades? I’m telling you…”

Gu Ziran’s heart skipped a beat. She clenched her fists nervously.

Fearing Chu Shixian might say something uncontrollable, she tugged on her sleeve and whispered, “Mom, let’s go home. Cousin’s grades are good enough for her.”

Chu Shixian, thinking Gu Ziran was simply too kind to let Gu Ci lose face, snorted and fell silent.

She wasn’t convinced Gu Ci could hide her true grades forever.

One day, Su Wan and her family would be the ones crying.

“My Ci’s grades are excellent. Sister-in-law, why do you baselessly slander my daughter?”

“My Ci scored full marks in two subjects on the last weekly exam and is about to represent No. 1 High School at the Youth Olympic Games! How did your Ziran do on her last weekly exam?” Su Wan crossed her arms and sneered, her competitive spirit ignited.

Seeing Chu Shixian’s extreme disdain for Gu Ci, Su Wan simply couldn’t swallow the bitterness.