Chapter 7: You Really Went to Great Lengths (Please Keep Reading)

"Gu Luosheng, I've given you enough face, and yet you dare to steal what's mine?" Gu Yunzhou raised his hand, poised to slap Gu Luosheng across the face.

Gu Luosheng instinctively raised her hands to shield herself, but Gu Yunzhou's strength was overwhelming. His palm landed on her cheek all the same, leaving a vivid red mark behind.

At once, a clear handprint blossomed across Gu Luosheng's face.

"Oh, Second Young Master, please don't hit Miss Gu! Can't you talk things through instead?" Madam Wang watched in alarm, her heart pounding. That slap had left Gu Luosheng's face swollen.

Gu Yunzhou shot Madam Wang a cold glance. "Madam Wang, this is a Gu family matter. When I'm disciplining my sister, you have no right to interfere."

"If you do it again, don't bother coming to work anymore."

Madam Wang opened her mouth, but in the end, all she could do was let out a heavy sigh and turn away.

Clutching her face, Gu Luosheng enunciated each word, "Gu Yunzhou, I am not your sister!"

"You said it yourself!" Gu Yunzhou sneered, seizing her chin and pinning her against the wall. "Gu Luosheng, just because our elder brother lets you stay in the Gu family doesn't mean you can abuse his favor and throw your weight around."

"As for the Gu family's wealth, don't even dream of getting a penny, understand?"

He snatched the black card from her hand and strode out of the house without a backward glance.

As soon as Gu Yunzhou left, Madam Wang hurried to Gu Luosheng's side to check her injury. "Miss Gu, are you alright?"

Gu Luosheng took a shaky breath. "It's nothing. I'm used to it."

"Wait here, Miss Gu. I have some ointment in my room, I'll fetch it for you!"

Madam Wang rushed off and soon returned with a bottle of safflower oil, which she gently dabbed on Gu Luosheng's swelling.

Gu Luosheng's expression twisted with pain, and Madam Wang's heart ached at the sight. "Miss Gu, if it hurts, you can cry out, you know!"

Gu Luosheng managed a bitter smile. "What would be the point?"

"I've shouted countless times, but no one ever believes me."

Madam Wang tried to explain, "Miss Gu, the Second Young Master isn't usually like this—"

Gu Luosheng cut her off, unbothered. "I know. It's only towards me."

Madam Wang fell silent.

It was just her luck to have spoken up.

Suddenly, the doorbell rang. Madam Wang went to answer it and was surprised to find Lin Yichen at the door. "Young Master Lin, what brings you here?"

"Have you had breakfast, Young Master Lin? Would you like something to eat?"

Madam Wang ushered Lin Yichen inside. He shook his head politely. "Thank you, Madam Wang, I've already eaten."

"Gu—"

Lin Yichen's words faltered as his gaze landed on Gu Luosheng's face. He strode over, gripping her shoulders, his voice icy. "Who did this?"

Gu Luosheng was at a loss for his reaction. What was this about—was he going to congratulate whoever did it?

"It's none of your business," she said, pushing him away and continuing to tend to her swollen cheek.

"Was it Gu Yunzhou?" Lin Yichen pressed.

She didn't answer, only silently wiped her face.

Lin Yichen straightened, loosening his tie. He turned to Madam Wang. "Madam Wang, where did Gu Yunzhou go?"

She answered truthfully, "Young Master Lin, the Second Young Master just left. I don't know where he went."

"Alright."

With that single word, Lin Yichen turned and left, his expression unreadable.

Gu Luosheng found his behavior strange, but thought little of it.

Madam Wang sat back beside her to help apply more ointment.

But peace lasted only a few minutes before Gu Qingwan's voice floated down the stairs, "Oh my! Luosheng, what happened to your face?"

Thumping footsteps drew closer, and Gu Qingwan sat beside her, concern in her voice. "Luosheng, your face is so swollen! What happened?"

Gu Luosheng replied coolly, "You'd better ask your dear second brother."

Gu Qingwan's eyes flashed with satisfaction at her words. "Madam Wang, go heat up my breakfast. I'll help Luosheng with her ointment."

"Yes, Miss."

Madam Wang passed the cotton swab to Gu Qingwan and left for the kitchen.

Gu Qingwan reached out with the swab, but Gu Luosheng caught her wrist first. "I don't need your insincere concern."

"Oh come on, Luosheng, what are you saying? It's only natural for sisters to help each other."

Gu Qingwan's hypocrisy was too much for Gu Luosheng to bear. Even another word with her made her feel sick. Grabbing the ointment, she returned to her room and locked the door.

Gu Qingwan still put on a show, lingering at the door to offer words of comfort for a while.

From morning till noon, Gu Luosheng stayed in her room, searching online for ways to make money.

Since she had left Camphor Village and could no longer work as a porter, she needed to find a new job. She couldn't rely on the Gu family for money any longer.

Only when she had her own means and strength would she feel secure.

At lunchtime, Madam Wang called her out to eat. She found only herself and Gu Qingwan at the dining table.

There were four dishes: spicy shredded taro, taro stewed with pork ribs, taro balls, and taro soup.

Gu Qingwan smiled sweetly at her. "Come, Luosheng, have a seat. I asked Madam Wang to make these especially for you. Try them."

Gu Luosheng was allergic to taro. The first time she ate it, she ended up in the hospital, and if Gu Yunzhou hadn't found her in time, she might not have survived.

After that, Gu Yunzhou had forbidden the maids from bringing taro into the house. Later, after Gu Luosheng left, the maids were replaced, and Madam Wang knew nothing of her allergy.

Gu Luosheng's lips curled in self-mockery. "How thoughtful of you, to remember my food restrictions all this time."

"I don't know whether to be moved or saddened."

She turned to Madam Wang. "Madam Wang, I won't be eating at home today. I have something to take care of outside."

"Alright, Miss Gu," Madam Wang replied.

As Gu Luosheng left, Gu Qingwan's eyes gleamed with triumph.

So you think you can compete with me, Gu Luosheng? You're still too naive.

You think you can just eat at the Gu family's table?

After eating her fill, Gu Qingwan took out her phone and called Lin Yichen, her voice syrupy sweet. "Yichen, what are you up to?"

"Do you have time to go shopping with me this afternoon?"

There was a long silence on the other end. Gu Qingwan glanced at her phone, wondering if the call had disconnected.

"Yichen?" she called again.

At last, Lin Yichen replied, "I'm busy this afternoon. I can't go with you."

"I'm busy. I'll hang up now."

The call ended with a beep.