Hearing this, Gu Lianghui’s mind reeled in chaos, and he shot Gu Wanshi a look of disbelief.
How could Mu Zecheng be so protective of Gu Wanshi?
When had the two of them even become acquainted?
This daughter he’d only just recently acknowledged back into the Gu family had clearly been a useless nobody, yet now, she seemed like a completely different person! She’d even become acquainted with the Mu family…
All at once, Gu Lianghui was overcome with regret, he shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions so quickly, thinking his adopted daughter was more valuable than his own biological one.
If he’d known, he’d have treated this biological daughter of his better from the start.
As these thoughts flashed through Gu Lianghui’s mind, he immediately turned and snapped at Gu Wanning, “Didn’t you hear me? Hurry up and apologize to your sister!”
But Gu Wanning was thoroughly unwilling, her eyes red, stubbornly refusing to speak.
Apologizing to the Mu family’s young lady was one thing, but apologizing to Gu Wanshi, where would that leave her pride? Would she ever be able to hold her head up in front of Gu Wanshi again?
Gu Wanshi was supposed to be the one trampled under her feet, how had things ended up like this instead!
Seeing Mu Zecheng seemingly running out of patience, Gu Lianghui gritted his teeth and simply slapped Gu Wanning hard across the face.
“You wretched girl, I told you to apologize to your sister, didn’t you hear me? What kind of thing was that you just said? If you don’t apologize, I swear I’ll beat you to death!”
This was the first time Gu Wanning had ever been struck by her father, and tears streamed down her face.
She could only sob out, “I’m sorry, sister, please, please forgive me…”
Gu Wanshi’s expression stayed indifferent, showing no intention of acknowledging her at all.
Given everything Gu Wanning had done before, forgive her? Impossible.
If she forgave her, the original owner would probably come back to life just to be furious about it!
Gu Lianghui bowed and scraped at Mu Zecheng, saying obsequiously, “Mr. Mu, this is entirely my failure as a father in raising her. Rest assured, something like this will never happen again. I’ll come personally to apologize another day…”
“No need,” Mu Zecheng said coldly. “But I recall that Gu Corporation and one of Mu Corporation’s subsidiaries were in talks about a potential partnership.”
Gu Lianghui nodded, flustered and anxious.
This was an opportunity he’d worked hard for a long time to secure.
Although it was only a subsidiary of Mu Corporation, being able to partner with it was already something Gu Corporation had been eager for.
Although the contract hadn’t been formally signed yet, the subsidiary had clearly already leaned toward choosing them, and Gu Corporation had made extensive preparations for it.
“I imagine disciplining your daughter properly will take up quite a bit of your time, Director Gu. Perhaps we should just forget about this partnership.”
Hearing this, Gu Lianghui’s face drained of color in shock!
He and the entire Gu Corporation had worked so hard for so long, spending so much time and money, if this partnership fell through, Gu Corporation’s losses would be enormous!
“Mr. Mu, please, give me one more chance!” Gu Lianghui begged desperately. “I, I can offer you an extra three percent margin, please…”
Mu Anqian let out a snort of laughter. “You think our Mu family cares about your measly three percent margin?”
Mu Zecheng turned to look at Gu Wanshi instead.
“Miss Gu, whether to forgive them or not is entirely up to you.”
Gu Wanshi smiled faintly.
“Of course not.”
With an opportunity like this to bleed the Gu family dry, how could she pass it up?
She wasn’t nearly that kind-hearted!
Mu Zecheng nodded. “Understood. Whatever you say.”
Hearing this, Mu Anqian glanced quietly at Mu Zecheng, looking thoughtful.
“No, this can’t be happening…”
Just then, the owner of “Drunken Sea and Clouds” came hurrying over.
“Mr. Mu!” His face carried an ingratiating smile. “Your presence honors our humble restaurant!”
Earlier, when Madam Mu had nearly suffered a tragedy at their restaurant, although the Mu family had only sent that incompetent doctor to prison and hadn’t blamed him personally, he’d still been on edge day and night since.
Now that Mu Zecheng was willing to come here again, he had to make sure to give him the best treatment.
Mu Zecheng glanced at him and said, “These three here have soured my appetite.”
The restaurant owner understood his meaning instantly.
“Security! Where’s security? Hurry over here, throw these three out!”
The restaurant owner knew Gu Lianghui, but so what? Compared to the Gu family, the Mu family was obviously not someone he could afford to offend!
Gu Lianghui and the other two were completely stunned, panic setting in!
If they were thrown out of the restaurant like this and other people saw, it would be an absolute disgrace!
“What are you doing? Don’t touch me!” Gu Wanning shrieked.
But the security guards showed not a shred of gentlemanly mercy, dragging her straight toward the exit.
“We’ll walk ourselves, we’ll walk ourselves out!” Gu Lianghui shouted.
The security guards acted as if they hadn’t heard a word, dragging all three of them straight out of the restaurant.
It was right around dinner time, and “Drunken Sea and Clouds” had quite a few guests, some of whom had business dealings with Gu Corporation or personal connections with Gu Lianghui.
As the three of them were dragged along the way, quite a few people saw the whole thing.
The moment they were thrown out at the entrance, Gu Zihao happened to arrive.
“Dad, Mom, sister? What’s going on?” Gu Zihao asked, startled.
“Brother!” Gu Wanning nearly broke down sobbing. “What do we do, what do we do now?”
Gu Lianghui, seized with a mix of anger, shock, and humiliation, pinned all the blame on Gu Wanning and slapped her hard across the face again, roaring, “You still have the nerve to ask? This whole mess is your doing!”
One slap wasn’t enough to satisfy him, and he raised his foot to kick her, but Yin Jingyun quickly stopped him, crying, “Haven’t we lost enough face already? Whatever you have to say, can’t it wait until we’re home?”
By now Gu Wanning was crying so hard she could barely breathe.
Gu Zihao looked utterly bewildered.
Yin Jingyun’s words snapped Gu Lianghui back to his senses, and feeling the scrutinizing, mocking gazes all around them, he felt like he could barely breathe himself, and shouted furiously, “We’re going home!”
The four of them scrambled into their car in disgrace and drove off.
After Gu Lianghui and the others were dragged away, Mu Anqian asked Gu Wanshi carefully, “Wanshi, are you all right? They were…”
After all, they were Gu Wanshi’s family, and she worried Gu Wanshi might be upset.
“I’m fine,” Gu Wanshi said with a smile. “I know what you mean, but I’ve never considered them family.”
“Good, judging by how they acted, they don’t even deserve to be your family!” Mu Anqian said with disgust.
Then she turned to look at Mu Zecheng, a meaningful smile on her face. “Brother, you actually did pretty well just now.”
Mu Zecheng ignored her, only saying to Gu Wanshi, “Miss Gu, let’s head to the private room first.”
“Sure.” Gu Wanshi nodded.
Madam Mu had already been waiting in the private room, eager with anticipation.
The moment she saw Gu Wanshi walk in, she completely ignored her own grandchildren, grabbing Gu Wanshi’s hand and beaming nonstop.