Chapter 22: No Longer Willing to Wait Helplessly

Shen Mo asked, "You don't look very happy, do you?"

Gu Luosheng replied, "Of course I'm not happy. Would you be pleased if someone cut off your source of income?"

Shen Mo suggested, "How about I help you rent a shop?"

Gu Luosheng was taken aback. She had considered renting a shop before, but the upfront costs were too high for her to bear. Besides, she was still in the trial phase—whether she could even break even was uncertain.

"No need, but thank you," she said.

Gu Luosheng didn't hurry home. Riding her bicycle, she wandered through several intersections. Tonight, the city seemed stripped of its usual lively spirit. It appeared the city management had indeed carried out a thorough sweep.

"Time to head home," she thought.

Gu Luosheng made her way toward the Gu family residence. As soon as she stepped inside, a strong smell of alcohol assailed her senses. Gu Qingwan lay sprawled on the sofa, gulping down liquor, while her parents and Gu Yunzhou tried to persuade her to stop.

Gu Luosheng frowned in confusion—why couldn't Gu Qingwan drink in her own room? Was she putting on a show in the living room for someone? Was she up to her usual tricks again?

Gu Yanfeng noticed Gu Luosheng had come home. He raised an eyebrow and asked, "Luosheng, what exactly is your relationship with Yichen now?"

"There's nothing between us. We haven't spoken in over five years. Gu Yunzhou can vouch for me," she replied.

Gu Yanfeng's gaze swept over Gu Yunzhou like a hawk. Gu Yunzhou shrank back but answered truthfully, "They really haven't been in contact. Lin Yichen doesn't even know where Gu Luosheng has been these past five years..."

"What happened?" Gu Luosheng asked, wondering why trouble always seemed to find her.

Gu Yunzhou explained, "Lin Yichen said he only wants to marry you."

"Is Lin Yichen out of his mind?" Gu Luosheng couldn't help cursing, and her reaction left everyone stunned.

"Luosheng, do you still have feelings for Yichen?" Gu Yanfeng asked tentatively.

Gu Luosheng shook her head so vigorously it was like a drum, "I swear, absolutely not. Last night, big brother even took me to a matchmaking dinner. I will never marry Lin Yichen in this lifetime."

Gu Yanfeng seemed satisfied with her response. "Good. Since he doesn't want to marry Qingwan, he shouldn't think about marrying Luosheng either."

Gu Qingwan felt bitter hearing this; to her ears, it was nothing short of saying she was inferior to Gu Luosheng. The family began comforting her, while Gu Luosheng quietly retreated to her own room.

Night fell, silent and deep.

Gu Luosheng, half-awake, sensed a shadow looming over her. Opening her eyes, she saw a towel pressed over her mouth, rendering her unable to make a sound.

"Gu Luosheng, why does Yichen like you and not me? What do you have that I don't? Or did you use some trick?" Gu Qingwan's sinister voice whispered in her ear.

Gu Luosheng hadn't expected any of this. She struggled with all her might to break free from Gu Qingwan's hold, but for some reason, Gu Qingwan's strength was unnaturally powerful. Gu Luosheng couldn't resist, and as her vision grew darker, she felt herself on the verge of fainting.

Finally, Gu Qingwan released the towel, allowing Gu Luosheng to gasp for air.

"You're insane!" Gu Luosheng clutched her chest; the lack of oxygen still left her dazed.

"Gu Luosheng, I've decided—I want you to live under my shadow for the rest of your life. I'll make sure you suffer more than death!"

"What does Lin Yichen's betrayal have to do with me?" Gu Luosheng truly didn't understand why Gu Qingwan was taking out her anger on her. It wasn't her fault Lin Yichen refused to marry Gu Qingwan.

Gu Qingwan was like a woman possessed, deaf to anything Gu Luosheng said. She staggered out of the room.

Gu Luosheng hurried to the door and locked it. She distinctly remembered locking the door earlier—how had Gu Qingwan got in? Did she use a key?

Exhaling deeply, Gu Luosheng resolved, "If Gu Qingwan insists on tormenting me, it's time I retaliated."

She returned to her bed and searched for pinhole cameras online, planning to buy several. Next time, if Gu Qingwan tried to harm her, she would have evidence. If Gu Qingwan ended up in prison, who knew what the Gu family would think of her then?

The prospect was almost exciting.

After Gu Qingwan's outburst, sleep eluded Gu Luosheng completely.

She could easily move out and live elsewhere, but if she left, who could guarantee that Gu Qingwan wouldn't come after her again?

Lost in thought, Gu Luosheng scrolled through her phone and found an unread message on WeChat—Shen Mo had sent it at ten o'clock that evening.

"You might not believe it, but the city management said the report came from the Gu family."

The Gu family... It really was connected to them.

Was it Gu Yunzhou, or... Gu Qingwan?

Tonight's events answered her question: it was clear Gu Qingwan blamed everything on her.

Gu Luosheng replied with a simple, "Mm."

Just as she put her phone down, a new message notification sounded. It was Shen Mo again.

"Still awake so late?"

"I woke from a nightmare and just saw your message. Why aren't you asleep? It's already two in the morning."

Shen Mo had been asleep, but he kept his phone's volume at maximum. When Gu Luosheng messaged him, it woke him immediately.

"I’m a light sleeper. When I hear a message, I check it."

"But what’s really going on? Aren’t you part of the Gu family? Why would someone from your own family report you?"

Perhaps seeking someone to confide in, Gu Luosheng replied, "My relationship with the family isn't good."

"Actually, I'm just their adopted daughter. The real daughter of the Gu family doesn't like me and is always picking on me."

"Don't your parents intervene?"

"I'm only the adopted daughter—they don't care about me. In the whole Gu family, only my elder brother treats me well."

Gu Luosheng poured out everything to Shen Mo, including where she had been these five years and what had happened to her five years ago.

Shen Mo hadn't known any of this, but as he learned the truth from Gu Luosheng, a chill flickered across his face, the coldness in his eyes almost frightening.

"Why do you stay in the Gu house?" Shen Mo felt deeply for Gu Luosheng; if she gave him the word, he would get up right now and take her away.

Gu Luosheng answered, "I don't want to just sit and wait for disaster—I want to stay and gather evidence myself, so the Gu family will see what kind of person Gu Qingwan truly is."

"And if I leave, my elder brother would worry about me. He's the only one who genuinely cares for me. But he's caught between the Gu family and me; sometimes things are hard for him. As long as he believes in me, I'm content."

"I've told you so much—keep it secret. Don't tell anyone."

Shen Mo promised, "Of course. Then, does that mean I'm your friend?"