Chapter 18: I Don't Need Brothers (Part 2)

 Chapter 18: I Don't Need Brothers (Part 2)

Cheng Yu stared at the shattered jewelry on the table, her eyes turning cold.

She would definitely reclaim this debt, with interest.

"You can leave for now," she instructed Aunt Lin, who nodded and exited the bedroom.

Cheng Yu stood up, took out her phone from her handbag, and scrolled through her contacts. She dialed a number.

Soon, someone on the other end of the line answered, and she calmly gave her instructions, "Find out where Gu Qingning has been in the past few days and investigate the people she has been in contact with."

Gu Qingning's muteness had been confirmed by doctors, and now she had been missing for only a few days. When she returned, she seemed like a completely different person, even her congenital muteness had miraculously disappeared. There were too many suspicious points, and Cheng Yu had to uncover the truth.

...

"Qingning."

In the courtyard, Gu Zhao blocked Gu Qingning's path.

Gu Qingning halted, her cool gaze narrowing. "Is there something else?"

Facing her unfamiliar gaze, Gu Zhao was momentarily stunned, feeling a sense of discomfort.

They were blood siblings, but now they were as unfamiliar as strangers.

Putting aside his complicated thoughts, he smiled and asked, "Qingning, aren't you staying here?"

"No," she replied without hesitation.

Gu Zhao continued, "Then where are you going now?"

"Is it any of your business?" Her voice trailed off, exuding a sense of detachment.

Gu Zhao choked, realizing that Gu Qingning had never seen him before. He suddenly understood.

"I'm Gu Zhao, your third brother. You have two other brothers, Gu Ying and Gu Che," he introduced himself slowly, looking at the girl in front of him. But she remained calm, showing no intention of engaging in conversation.

A sense of defeat washed over Gu Zhao as he sighed. "Qingning, are you angry with us for not coming back earlier to see you?"

Leaving her alone here, subjected to bullying and mistreatment.

Gu Qingning glanced at him and replied succinctly, "No."

They didn't owe her anything. If she had been bullied before, it was because she was too weak. She couldn't blame them.

However, before he could feel relieved, Gu Qingning uttered words that crushed him.

"I'm not upset with unrelated people."

Gu Zhao's expression froze, feeling as if a dagger had been stabbed into his heart, causing intense discomfort.

They were unrelated people to her brothers?

He forced a bitter smile, but Gu Qingning spoke again, "Thank you for what happened just now."

Even without him, she would have been able to leave safely.

Hearing this, Gu Zhao flashed a hint of helplessness on his face. "I'm your brother, there's no need to thank me."

Gu Qingning didn't respond and took a step to leave.

"Wait, where are you going? Let me drive you," Gu Zhao hurriedly said.

"No need."

"The taxi service isn't good around here. Let me give you a ride."

Gu Qingning straightforwardly replied, "No need. I don't like owing people favors."

Gu Zhao quickly responded, "We are siblings, it's not considered owing a favor. It's the duty of an older brother to take care of his younger sister."

Gu Qingning raised her hand and adjusted her cap, her red lips moving slightly. "I don't need brothers."

Her straightforward words once again pierced his heart, and Gu Zhao felt a mix of emotions.

Was she trying to distance herself from them?

"Qingning, the reason we haven't come back for so long is..."

He was about to explain but was interrupted by Gu Qingning, "I have something to do. I'm leaving."

With those words, she left without looking back, her tall and slender figure displaying freedom and independence.

(End of this chapter)