Chapter 53: Is the Dignified Heiress of the Gu Family Worth Only Fifty Thousand?

Su Wan’s gaze drifted lightly over Gu Zhiran. She pulled Gu Ci down to sit beside her on the sofa and, for once, spoke without restraint, “Since you know, why don’t you urge your adoptive parents to behave decently!” As she spoke, she deliberately emphasized the words “adoptive parents” and “decently.”

Su Wan’s temperament was as gentle as her name suggested; she always treated others with kindness and rarely spoke sarcastically to a younger person. It was clear that she had truly been disgusted by the outrageous antics of Gu Changfeng’s family.

Her blunt words made Gu Zhiran’s face instantly pale. She trembled, lowering her head weakly, and tears glimmered in her eyes. She looked fragile and wan, “I… I’m sorry… I just love Mom and Dad too much, I can’t bear to leave them…”

As she spoke, it was as if she finally steeled herself, tears streaming down her face as she looked at Chu Shixian and Gu Changfeng, biting her lip as she stood and bowed to them. “Mom, Dad, thank you for taking care of me all these years. But I know I can’t stay here any longer. Sister Gu Ci is your real daughter; I shouldn’t have taken her place for so long. I’ll leave right away.”

Covering her face, Gu Zhiran turned and headed for the door.

“I’d like to see who dares let you leave! You will always be my daughter by blood. The Gu family is your home!” Chu Shixian’s heart ached, and she immediately pulled Gu Zhiran into her arms, hugging her tightly.

Gu Zhiran looked as though she wanted to hold onto Chu Shixian but dared not, hesitating, “But…”

She gave a bitter smile, “Mom, I should go. Even Second Uncle and Second Aunt are speaking up for my sister. I really shouldn’t stay in the Gu family any longer…”

With just a few words, Gu Zhiran shifted the conflict onto Gu Ci.

“Gu Ci, can’t you see Zhiran as your own sister? Must everyone argue for your sake before you’ll be satisfied?”

“I’ll say it right now: Zhiran will always be my daughter—I’ve raised her for eighteen years. Gu Ci, you must get along with her!”

Chu Shixian’s words cut to the bone. If Gu Ci truly were just a rural girl yearning for family, finally found and brought home by her real parents, she would surely have been devastated by Chu Shixian’s words.

Fortunately, Gu Ci had long since stopped expecting anything from these two, so she was unmoved.

Instead, Gu Changrong and Su Wan were infuriated by Chu Shixian’s words.

At that moment, Gu Changfeng took out a card. “Enough, these are our family’s affairs and have nothing to do with you. There’s fifty thousand in this card. Just remember, Gu Ci is your daughter in name, and that’s all!”

Fifty thousand—Gu Zhiran’s monthly allowance exceeded that. It was clear she was not valued.

Su Wan, furious, tossed the card back, retorting, “Brother, is the Gu Corporation going bankrupt or what? Is the daughter of the esteemed Gu family worth only fifty thousand?”

“So you don’t want Gu Ci? Well, let me make it clear: from today, Gu Ci is my daughter—mine and Gu Changrong’s. We’ll take her home and raise her ourselves, and you needn’t worry about it!” With that, she pulled Gu Ci up.

Gu Ci smiled, letting herself be led, and said lazily, “Dad, Mom, don’t say such nonsense. I’ve always been your daughter.”

When Gu Ci called out “Mom,” Chu Shixian instinctively looked up.

Since Gu Ci had been brought home, she had never addressed her in this way.

Now, hearing Gu Ci say it, Chu Shixian couldn’t help but feel a little pleased.

But the feeling quickly faded as realization dawned—a blow that left her dazed. She stiffened, holding Gu Zhiran tightly, her gaze locked on Gu Ci, gritting her teeth, “Gu Ci! How can you call them Mom and Dad! I am your real mother!”

Gu Ci’s words had not been directed at her and Gu Changfeng, but at Su Wan and Gu Changrong!

So… Gu Ci had called Su Wan “Mom,” not Chu Shixian!

Su Wan was completely at ease. “Why not, Sister-in-law? Does it matter if she’s biologically yours? You can recognize Zhiran as your daughter, but Gu Ci can’t call me Mom?”

Su Wan didn’t think Gu Ci was out of line for deliberately calling them Mom and Dad in front of Chu Shixian and Gu Changfeng.

If Gu Ci were truly meek, wouldn’t she just be bullied to death by the Gu family?

Even if Gu Ci’s face betrayed nothing, Su Wan could imagine how heartbroken she must actually be, merely holding herself together.

With this “misunderstanding,” Su Wan felt even more compassion for Gu Ci.

Chu Shixian was furious but at a loss for words, only able to feebly repeat, “It’s not the same… It’s simply not the same…”

She could barely accept Gu Ci calling her Aunt, but absolutely not calling someone else Mom!

No one paid her any mind now. Su Wan and Gu Changrong were ready to take their leave.

Just then, Gu Ci stopped them, halting their steps.

Chu Shixian’s expression softened, thinking Gu Ci was only putting on a show and would ultimately be unable to give up the Gu family’s wealth, coming back to plead.

She was about to open her mouth triumphantly, when Gu Ci reached out toward Gu Changfeng. “Uncle, you should have prepared the household transfer documents, right? Please give them to me.”

Chu Shixian’s heart plunged into cold despair.

Gu Changfeng’s expression was equally grim. Though he had achieved his aim, nothing had gone as he expected; instead, he was led along by Gu Ci the entire time!

Seeing Gu Ci decisively cut ties with their family, his face darkened. He took a deep breath and handed over the documents he had already prepared.

Chu Shixian’s head buzzed—she could no longer make out what anyone was saying.

She only saw Gu Ci say something to Gu Changfeng, take a paper from the table, and then the three linked arms and left.

Chu Shixian’s face drained of color. Her hold on Gu Zhiran loosened, and she collapsed onto the sofa.

Gu Zhiran’s eyes flickered. She sat beside her, gently patting her back, voice tinged with urgency, “Mom, are you alright? Should I accompany you to the hospital? I’ll ask Master Shen for leave; we won’t go tonight. Your health is most important.”

Chu Shixian’s eyes stirred, forcing herself to rally.

Yes! She still had Zhiran, who had already become Master Shen’s disciple and was so devoted to her!

Abandoning an unruly, rebellious country bumpkin for a refined and considerate noble daughter—she hadn’t lost a thing. Not at all…