“Do you even have the face to come back? The Gu family does not have a shameless daughter like you!”
Luo Jin stared at the shattered teacup pieces at her feet and looked up coldly without saying a word.
“You little brat, look how you’ve angered your father! That teacup was a genuine piece from the Qianlong era!”
Gu Fifth Madam spoke in a sharp, piercing voice.
Her so-called adopted daughter had not returned home all night. If this got out, it would ruin her own biological daughter’s reputation.
Then she shot a dark look at the man beside her husband. She knew exactly what his intentions were.
Such an expensive teacup—he smashed it just like that. He had clearly said it was meant as a dowry for their daughter, yet now it was being gambled away and broken.
“As a daughter of the Gu family—even an adopted one—how can you behave like this? Filthy and improper! You’re bringing shame to all our ancestors!”
Gu Fifth Master slammed his thick hand heavily on the table, his face full of rage.
“Where exactly were you last night?”
Seeing Luo Jin remain silent, he assumed she was admitting guilt and pressed her harshly.
“I went to Ye Ziyu’s house. We hadn’t seen each other in a long time, so we stayed out a bit late. I’m sorry for making you worry.”
Even with blood flowing from her forehead, Luo Jin showed no resentment. She lowered her head slightly, her attitude obedient and apologetic.
“Ye Ziyu’s house? Sister, lying is not a good habit. Mom taught me from childhood not to lie.”
Gu Qinghan interjected mockingly, raising her eyebrows.
Since childhood, every child who came into the Gu family had tried to cling to her—except Ye Ziyu, who was stubborn and indifferent, and somehow got along with this “wretched girl” Luo Jin.
Maybe they were cut from the same cloth. That was why they got along.
Gu Fifth Madam also took her daughter’s hint and pressed further.
“You really went to Ye Ziyu’s house?”
Her fox-like eyes scanned Luo Jin up and down, trying to catch any sign of a lie.
“You’d better tell the truth. Don’t make me bring out evidence!”
After Gu Fifth Master had hung up the phone last night, Gu Qinghan showed her mother the photo she had taken earlier in the evening.
Now the Gu family was under the control of Gu Tangzhou. Gu Fifth Madam was deeply dissatisfied with this—she resented being an outsider and not having a son of her own. Otherwise, the Gu family fortune would eventually belong to her.
So mother and daughter deliberately waited until morning and then “accidentally” showed the photo to Gu Fifth Master.
It seemed the two of them had already “crossed the line.”
The old master valued reputation above all. If he found out that Gu Tangzhou was involved with his so-called cousin, it would kill two birds with one stone.
Just as Luo Jin remained silent, Gu Fifth Master directly threw out the photo Gu Qinghan had taken.
In the image, she and Gu Tangzhou were seen entering his exclusive vehicle one after another—a custom Maybach, one of only a few in the entire country, and the only one in Haicheng.
Yet Luo Jin showed no panic, which confused Gu Qinghan. Had she miscalculated?
“Fooling around with men outside is one thing, but you’re even doing it within the family? And that’s your second brother!”
Gu Fifth Master roared in anger. He had always been arrogant and proud, but as the youngest son, he still carried a sense of awe and caution toward the “tyrant” from the eldest branch.
“Dad, you said it yourself—that’s my second brother. What could I possibly do with my second brother?”
Luo Jin calmly responded. Without concrete evidence, she would not accept such slander.
“You—!”
Gu Fifth Master froze for a moment. After all, they were cousins within the same family. No matter how “reckless” Luo Jin was, she would never dare cross that line.
“So Sister is lying too, then? You and Second Brother aren’t close enough to stay together, are you? Staying out all night with him instead of coming home—how does that make sense?”
Gu Qinghan quickly added, refusing to believe Luo Jin wouldn’t slip up.
“I stayed at Ye Ziyu’s house. Second Brother just gave me a ride. If you don’t believe me, you can ask him.”
No one in the Gu family had the courage to disturb Gu Tangzhou over such baseless matters.
For a moment, the living room fell into silence.
Blood from Luo Jin’s forehead slowly slid down her cheek as she slightly bowed and prepared to leave.
“Dad, Mom, I’ll go back to my room and rest first.”
“Wait.”
Gu Fifth Master still felt uneasy.
The engagement with the Chu family was imminent. Although the old master had said he had his own arrangements, if Luo Jin and Chu Qinzh… developed mutual affection, then no one would have a reason to object.
In that case, Gu Qinghan’s marriage to Chu Hengzhi would also naturally fall into place.
If he could secure ties with the Chu family, he would be able to walk freely and confidently within the Gu household.
“For the next few days, stay in your room and think things over. I’ll have your meals sent up.”
Until the two were married, Gu Fifth Master would not feel at ease.
Although he didn’t say it directly, it was essentially house arrest—and Luo Jin would not submit.
“Dad, I just returned to the country. I have many things to do and many friends to see.”
“I admit this time was my fault. I won’t stay out overnight again.”
Her apology was sincere, but Gu Fifth Master had already made up his mind to avoid any future complications.
“Go back to your room immediately and reflect!”
“If the old master finds out about such disgraceful behavior, he won’t be pleased.”
Hearing her bring up the old master, Luo Jin thought Gu Fifth Master would at least hesitate—but he only let out a cold laugh.
“The old master will never find out.”
He then turned to the servant beside him.
“Aunt Liu, take Miss Jin back to her room.”
Aunt Liu looked troubled, but she did not dare disobey.
“Miss Jin…”
Luo Jin did not want to involve others and quietly returned to her room. The sound of the lock turning echoed behind her.
After treating her wound in silence, she felt utterly drained and collapsed onto the bed, falling into a deep sleep.
In the living room
Gu Fifth Master’s phone rang. He immediately put on a flattering smile.
“Oh, Brother Tiankuo! What brings you to call today?”
Chu Tiankuo was the father of the Chu family’s second son and held absolute authority within the Chu household.
In front of him, Gu Fifth Master was all smiles and deference.
“Dinner together? Of course I’m free, of course!”
As he spoke, he quickly stood up and paced excitedly.
Gu Fifth Madam and Gu Qinghan on the side also looked expectant.
After hanging up, Gu Fifth Master eagerly told Gu Qinghan to go get ready.
Gu Qinghan quickly changed into a dignified white gown, her long hair half tied back, exuding an elegant and refined aura.
At the International Grand Hotel, top-floor private room.
Facing the high-stakes conditions offered by the man before him, Chu Tiankuo could not quite understand his intentions—but he still agreed.
After all, the Riverside project was something he had long wanted. Now that someone was offering it freely, there was no reason to refuse.
He checked the time and stood up to leave, walking into the adjacent room.
“Brother Tiankuo, is this place to your satisfaction?”
In order to leave a good impression on the Chu family, Gu Fifth Master had spared no expense.