“Who do you think you are talking about? Who ruined you?”
Gu Qinghan was the first to jump out and object upon hearing Luo Jin’s words.
Ever since childhood, without Luo Jin, she would have been the only young lady of the Fifth Gu family—there would have been no need to constantly compare herself with anyone.
Yet now, in Luo Jin’s words, it had somehow become their family’s fault.
“I still call you sister. You should think carefully—if it weren’t for you, our family of three would have been very happy.”
“I never intended to disturb your happiness.”
Her background was a mystery, but she had never intended to take anything away from Gu Qinghan.
It was their family who had been targeting her since she was young.
“You little wretch! Our Fifth Gu family could never produce someone like you—a shameless, loose woman. I’m going to find Tangzhou and let him decide how to punish you!”
Old Master Gu Five did not expect Luo Jin to remain so stubborn. In that case, he would hand her over to the head of the Gu family and have her dealt with according to family law.
It would also be a chance to test whether there really was anything improper between her and Gu Tangzhou.
Luo Jin knew that no matter how she explained, it would be useless, so she simply fell silent.
When they arrived at Gu Tangzhou’s villa, the group from the Fifth Gu family came in a grand and aggressive manner, looking like they were there to settle accounts.
“Second Brother! You have to stand up for us!”
Gu Qinghan immediately went up and clung to Gu Tangzhou with a smile. The younger generation of the Gu family all somewhat feared him, so she only let go when she noticed the coldness in his eyes.
“Tangzhou, you really need to judge this fairly.”
Looking at the frail figure quietly following behind them—just that morning she had left his place, and now her forehead was bandaged, her entire appearance pale and exhausted—
“What is it?” he asked.
He Yan had already reported in detail about Fifth Uncle Gu’s tantrum at home.
He had expected them to come—just not so quickly.
“This wretch went abroad and messed around with men, and now after returning home she still doesn’t know how to behave herself. Now almost everyone knows our Fifth Gu family has such a disgraceful thing!”
“Who spread it?” Gu Tangzhou’s gaze turned sharp, as if he could see through them.
Madam Gu Five subtly pulled Gu Qinghan behind her.
“Who knows which loose tongue spread it? If you want to blame someone, blame this girl—she simply can’t stand loneliness!”
“Then deal with it according to family law…”
Before Gu Tangzhou even finished speaking, Old Master Gu Five had already grabbed a feather duster and held it in his hand.
With a single raise of his hand, Luo Jin immediately stepped forward, knelt obediently in the center, and lowered her head.
Old Master Gu Five struck her with extreme force; feathers scattered everywhere.
Luo Jin made no sound. Her back was already stained red with blood, and her legs were in severe pain—likely already broken.
Her lips turned pale as she lowered her head even further.
“This is how she should be beaten—teach her a lesson.”
Gu Qinghan watched the miserable Luo Jin from the side, feeling a surge of satisfaction.
Seeing that Gu Tangzhou showed no intention of stopping it, it seemed that the photos she had taken were just a misunderstanding.
But of course—someone like Second Brother, a proud son of heaven, had seen countless women. How could he possibly be interested in a flat-bodied girl like Luo Jin?
“Do you admit your mistake?”
“I didn’t mess around with men.”
Even though Luo Jin’s body was already swaying and her voice extremely weak, she still refused to accept this baseless accusation.
“Dad! She still has strength—looks like you need to teach her a harder lesson!”
Old Master Gu Five struck her two more times viciously, knocking Luo Jin to the ground. She struggled to get back up, biting her lip tightly, forcing herself not to faint.
Luo Jin hadn’t expected Gu Five to actually hit her as if trying to kill her. She tried to call for help, but she didn’t even know who she could call.
Seeing that she still refused to admit fault—and that continuing might cost her life—the feather duster suddenly snapped in two, and Gu Tangzhou finally spoke to stop the farce.
“Take her back and make her reflect properly.”
Old Master Gu Five showed no sign of concern, walking ahead with his wife and daughter, leaving Luo Jin to limp behind them.
“Hurry up! Don’t lag behind,” Gu Qinghan snapped impatiently.
Enduring the intense pain, Luo Jin finally returned to her room. The door was locked again, and she collapsed onto the floor, silently gathering strength. Eventually, she could no longer hold on and fainted.
When she woke again, she only felt cold all over and could no longer feel the pain.
She quietly turned the doorknob and found the door unlocked, the house completely silent.
Seeing no one around, she forced herself to get up and took a taxi to the hospital.
Even the driver was shocked by her bloodied appearance and floored the accelerator straight to the hospital.
After bandaging her wounds, the doctor advised her to receive an IV drip, but in order not to be discovered by the Gu family, she only took some anti-inflammatory medicine and hurried to leave.
As soon as she stepped out of the dressing room, she ran straight into the infamous “madman” Chu Qinzhi.
Half of his face was covered with a custom mask; the uncovered half wasn’t exactly handsome but had an eerie charm. Leaning on a golden cane, he looked at her with a playful expression.
“So it’s you who wants to marry me?”
“Our engagement doesn’t count.”
She knew he was a madman and didn’t want to argue with him, only wanting to go home, take her medicine, and rest.
Chu Qinzhi slowly scanned her from head to toe with razor-sharp eyes, the corner of his mouth curling into a wicked smile.
“Honestly, aside from being a bit short, your figure isn’t bad.”
He licked his lips, his gaze full of desire.
“Even if we can’t be husband and wife for life, a one-night affair wouldn’t be bad.”
As he reached out to touch her face, she quickly dodged.
“Second Young Master Chu, I’m going home.”
She didn’t want a direct confrontation and tried to leave, but he grabbed her back with one hand.
“I heard you’ve slept with half of Haicheng’s men? Perfect—I’ve slept with all of Haicheng’s women. We’re quite a match, aren’t we?”
“Can those men satisfy you? Why don’t I try instead?”
He leaned closer, speaking vulgar words with a mocking smile, making it unbearable for her.
“Second Young Master Chu, I am not that kind of person. Please show some respect.”
“Respect? Stop pretending to be pure in front of me. I can already see through your dirty nature.”
He reached out his finger again to touch her, but she dodged, which only fueled his desire.
“Luo Jin, I will sleep with you sooner or later!”
“Why don’t I just keep you? Whatever those men pay you, I’ll double it.”
Seeing no reaction, he assumed his offer was too low.
“Triple? Five times? You’re only worth that much anyway.”
Luo Jin, exhausted from his nonsense, tried to walk past him again—but he blocked her path. In the struggle, she lost her balance and fell backward.
Below was a staircase. She saw Chu Qinzhi smiling faintly and closed her eyes, ready for the expected pain.
But instead, she fell into a warm embrace—the solid chest behind her made her freeze in surprise.