Chapter 15: The Importance of Choosing the Right Target (Part 1)

Chapter 15: The Importance of Choosing the Right Target (Part 1)

Gu Qingning glanced at Cheng Yu, hands casually in her pockets, walking ahead with a carefree demeanor.

Her fearless appearance provoked Cheng Yu once again.

If it weren't for Gu Zhao's presence, she would have torn Gu Qingning to pieces.

In the living room.

The atmosphere was tense, filled with a sense of imminent conflict.

The servants had been dismissed, leaving only the housekeeper and Aunt Lin behind.

After hearing the account of what had happened, Gu Zhao glanced at the broken jewelry on the table, feeling a mix of surprise, concern, and an inexplicable sense of admiration.

If it weren't for her face, he would have thought she was a completely different person, unrelated to the information written about her.

Gu Qingning had no interest in playing this staring game with him. She spoke in a cold voice, "If you're not going to say anything, then I'll leave."

As she was about to get up, Gu Zhao couldn't remain silent anymore and asked, "Qingning, why did you break into Aunt Cheng's bedroom through the window?"

As the words came out, he suddenly realized how foolish his question sounded.

He was about to add some clarifying statements, but Cheng Yu couldn't contain her anger and interrupted, "Ah Zhao, isn't it obvious what she did? She smashed two of my jewelry pieces and threw the rest into the plant fertilizer. She's utterly disrespectful and outrageous. If you don't hold her accountable for what happened today, I will go to Grandfather and demand justice."

Gu Zhao frowned and turned to look at the girl sitting diagonally across on the sofa.

She had her legs casually propped up, with a mysterious and inscrutable expression.

Gu Zhao's curiosity deepened, and he asked in a gentle voice, "Qingning, do you have any reasons behind your actions?"

Reasons?

Cheng Yu's face changed, sensing that Gu Zhao intended to protect Gu Qingning.

"No," Gu Qingning raised her eyes lightly and glanced at the remaining jewelry on the table.

Despite being cleaned several times, they still retained the smell of plant fertilizer.

Seems like they're quite sturdy against impacts.

"Ah Zhao, she admitted herself that she had no reasons. It's clear that she did it on purpose," Cheng Yu impatiently claimed, fearing that Gu Zhao might show favoritism towards Gu Qingning.

"Gu Qingning, where have I treated you unfairly? When you first came to the Gu family, I was afraid you wouldn't be comfortable, so I had someone arrange a room for you on the third floor. I have never mistreated you in terms of food, clothing, shelter, or transportation. Yet now you repay me with ingratitude. Do you have no conscience at all?"

Cheng Yu's tearful plea would have fooled anyone into thinking that she was a kind and generous stepmother.

A room on the third floor?

Gu Qingning looked at her performance with indifference, a faint curve forming at the corner of her lips.

"Are you done talking?" Her voice remained calm, neither annoyed nor angry, just as before.

Cheng Yu bit her lip and glared at her with a hint of hatred in her eyes.

Gu Qingning sneered, "Repay you with ingratitude? Are you sure about that?"

"Miss Qingning, Madam has been wholeheartedly devoted to you. The decoration of your room is the same as Miss Wanwan's. There has never been any partial treatment," Aunt Lin, abandoning her previous brashness, defended, "Madam is kind-hearted, but that doesn't mean you can bully others like this."

Gu Qingning raised an eyebrow, "Are you accusing me?"

Confronted with her cold gaze, Aunt Lin's heart trembled, and her knees were still throbbing in pain. Her voice weakened, "I, I wouldn't dare accuse Miss Qingning."

"If you don't dare, then keep quiet," Gu Qingning's voice turned abruptly cold, "Even dogs consider the person they side with. My temper is much worse than you can imagine."

Gu Zhao, upon hearing this, gave Aunt Lin a meaningful look. It seemed that Qingning had been bullied during her time here.

Caught off guard by Gu Zhao's gaze, Aunt Lin lowered her head in guilt.

(End of this chapter)