TNSFC – Chapter 76

Gu Shanxue’s attitude, however, led Kunna to some unpleasant associations.

“Oh my goodness! Don’t tell me you’ve fallen in love with your half-sister!”

Kunna’s tone was utterly shocked, and Gu Shanxue’s retreating figure seemed to be shrouded in a layer of gray in her eyes.

“This is too tragic, a forbidden love not allowed due to blood ties…”

“Stop, what nonsense are you thinking?”

Gu Shanxue’s head was buzzing from Kunna’s shout, completely clueless as to how Kunna had arrived at that conclusion.

“Huh, am I wrong? Then why can’t you?”

Kunna’s expression changed in a second, abandoning her exaggerated performance and continuing her questioning.

Kunna: “Is she much older than you?”

Gu Shanxue shook her head.

Kunna: “Is the other person much younger than you?”

Gu Shanxue shook her head.

Kunna: “Is the other person very ugly?”

Gu Shanxue coldly corrected, “She is very beautiful.”

She emphasized again, “She is very, very beautiful.”

Kunna was getting frantic. “Then why not! Is she your father’s murderer? Oh heavens, forgive me, your dad isn’t even dead yet.”

“So what compelling reason is there that makes you afraid to pursue her? Don’t tell me you think she looks down on you? Please, sister, look at yourself! Look at your face, your figure, your intelligence, your family background! Who couldn’t you win over? What are you afraid of?”

Kunna was genuinely perplexed and kept pressing.

“I’m afraid I’ll hurt her.”

Gu Shanxue, pushed to her limit, blurted out this sentence.

After saying it, she suddenly felt a great sense of relief.

She was worried she would hurt Que Yining. She didn’t want to lose Que Yining, so it was better not to start anything at all.

“Why, I don’t understand what you mean. You’re not the type to hurt people. Do you have some latent violent tendencies?”

Kunna asked, bewildered. She had practically grown up with Gu Shanxue; this sister was a top-tier, perfectly behaved girl. How could she think she would hurt someone?

“Right now, I can’t be sure that I can be with her forever. I can’t just start like this.”

Gu Shanxue found it somewhat difficult to explain, clumsily expressing her inner thoughts in simple language.

Gu Shanxue knew from a very young age that her parents’ relationship was in trouble. If she hadn’t once seen them being affectionate, she might have thought they were always like this: arguing, crying, with no peace in sight.

Gu Chongheng’s heart was so cruel; when he said he didn’t love anymore, he truly didn’t. He abandoned his family, his heart entirely devoted to another woman.

Her mother refused to divorce, even on her deathbed. Gu Chongheng didn’t choose to sue; after all, bringing a mistress home was already disgraceful. If it went to court, it would be even more humiliating, so the situation remained as it was. But the woman eager to take her place wouldn’t agree. Every year, Gu Shanxue, while abroad, would receive things specifically sent by Peng Zhen, pressuring her mother to sign the divorce papers.

But her mother simply wouldn’t, even if the provocation worsened her illness, she would still look at those things.

When Gu Shanxue grew a little older, she hoped her mother would let go. Why bother ruining her own health over a scumbag man and a despicable woman? It would be better to recuperate. No matter what, the family was no longer what it used to be. But her mother wouldn’t agree.

At that time, the woman, tormented by illness and marriage, was as thin as a withered stick, her sunken eyes making her look somewhat hysterical.

—Unless I breathe my last, they can forget about getting what they want!

The power of hate lasts longer than love. Relying on that one breath, her mother kept herself going.

The words she said most often to her were, “Don’t be like your father. If you can’t love someone faithfully for a long time, then don’t get together easily.”

Every year, every month, every day.

Her mother loved her, but when her illness relapsed and her consciousness was unclear, she would hate the other half of the blood flowing in her, questioning if she would become that kind of person.

She wouldn’t.

Gu Shanxue admitted she had feelings for Que Yining. She was good to Que Yining, and she wished for Que Yining’s eternal happiness. She just didn’t trust herself.

Her current feelings for Que Yining were not enough to sustain a future. She was afraid that one day she wouldn’t be able to reciprocate Que Yining’s feelings, and that terrified her.

“Oh, my dear sister, what are you thinking? Why must there be some future? If you like that person and that person likes you too, then just be together! Please, this is what dating is! Maybe that person just wants to have a fling with you. Why are you planning so far ahead? Can’t you be a little less burdened by responsibility?!”

Kunna was shocked by Gu Shanxue’s view on love; she never expected this.

She knew Gu Shanxue was a very responsible person, perhaps because she had taken care of her mother since she was young. Whether it was group assignments at school or club tasks, as long as it was in her hands, everything had to be arranged perfectly.

Kunna proposed a hypothesis: “Have you ever thought, what if you’re all prepared, but that person bails midway? What if she doesn’t like you anymore?”

Gu Shanxue pressed her lips together. “It doesn’t matter.”

Kunna had a headache. She wanted to say something, but gestured and didn’t know what to say.

Kunna sighed deeply. She finally understood; Gu Shanxue’s was a protective kind of love.

If she liked someone, she would watch over them, but she wouldn’t say anything until she was fully prepared. Once prepared, it didn’t matter if the other person had moved on; she herself would be too deep in it to get out.

“You…” Kunna looked at Gu Shanxue’s calm face. “Have you ever thought that by the time you’re ready, the person will be gone? Won’t you regret seeing the person you like with someone else?”

Gu Shanxue shook her head and said, “If she’s happy, then I’ll wish her well.”

Kunna was about to die of exasperation and decided to stop the topic.

Kunna: “Argh, why are you so stubborn? No wonder no one has ever successfully pursued you. You’re really too difficult.”

Gu Shanxue felt a little helpless and remained silent.

“Let’s go, I’ve already arranged a place for you to stay.”

She brought up the matter they had discussed at the beginning. Kunna gave her a look of disappointment, thinking to herself that she absolutely had to find out who Gu Shanxue liked and then make that person persist a little longer.

Que Yining was completely unaware of all this. Looking at the few words Gu Shanxue had sent on her phone, she happily went off to attend to other matters.

Previously, Que Yining had already developed her network of contacts. Through a certain channel, she had met the sister of the tax bureau director’s wife, thereby entering the circle of wealthy madams and getting to know the director’s wife and other influential ladies.

Don’t underestimate these women just because they weren’t in politics or business circles; their influence was not to be trifled with.

At this moment, it became even more crucial.

Companies, more or less, all had some shady dealings. After all, with layer upon layer of management, the larger the company, the deeper the water.

Que Yining had someone handle this matter, directing things remotely from her hospital room.

At the same time, she had people continue to keep an eye on Que Chuling. Although Que Chuling was now cooperating with her, she still didn’t fully trust her.

She would deal with Que Linyang, but not Que Chuling. Although Que Chuling was a white-eyed wolf accomplice, she hadn’t caused her any substantial harm yet. How Que Chuling should be treated was a matter for the Que parents.

Que Yining would tell Papa Que and Mama Que everything about her. If the original owner was indeed harmed by Que Linyang, then Que Chuling also bore a share of the blame, but it wasn’t her place to judge that.

Que Yining sat in the hospital room, looking at her leg in a cast, a cold smile playing on her lips.

Que Linyang had just returned, relaxed, from his mistress’s place and hadn’t even rested for a day when his company ran into trouble again.

“What? People from the tax bureau are here? You guys handle them first, I’ll make a call.”

Que Linyang frowned, instinctively wondering if this was also a trick by the Qiao family, something done to target him.

He made a call, smilingly inviting the deputy director out for a game of golf, and indirectly inquired about the matter.

“That was stamped by the director. Oh, I don’t think I’ll be playing golf recently. I have other things to do. Let’s chat later, old buddy.”

The call was hastily hung up. Que Linyang couldn’t help but curse under his breath.

These people changed their tune the fastest. The moment they sensed someone might be in trouble, they distanced themselves cleaner than anyone else.

Que Linyang thought it over and over, and felt that recently, apart from the Qiao family, no one else should be targeting him. He slammed his fist on the table in frustration.

He could only anonymously trip them up a little. If it came to a direct confrontation, he definitely wouldn’t come out on top. He wasn’t crazy.

Que Linyang couldn’t be bothered whether it was the Qiao family or not; he first went to the company to deal with the people.

Que Yining didn’t need anyone to watch Que Linyang’s company to know what he must be like now. She sent a text message to Mama Que, asking her to pick up Xiaoxiao today.

You Lanqing just assumed Que Yining missed Xiaoxiao, so she brought her granddaughter over from Hou Manni’s place, and they stayed in the hospital room with Que Yining.

Xiaoxiao had her hair braided by her grandmother and looked as cute as a princess.

She had a reserved personality, but she was more open with Que Yining, revealing a sweet smile.

“Youngest Aunt, I’m here.”

“Good girl.”

Que Yining stroked her hair, looking at Xiaoxiao’s face, a smile appearing on hers.

She brought Xiaoxiao over because Que Linyang was bound to have a turbulent night, and she didn’t want Xiaoxiao to be accidentally hurt or see something unpleasant.

Que Yining looked at Xiaoxiao, the smile on her face fading slightly. I hope one day in the future, you won’t blame me.

She took out another phone, composed a text message, and sent it to Hou Manni.

Hou Manni was out having afternoon tea with other wealthy ladies when the phone she had placed beside her suddenly vibrated.

“Mrs. Que, is your husband sending you messages again? I’m so envious.”

“Exactly, Manni, you’re so lucky to have married such a good husband. If only my husband were like that.”

Hou Manni listened to their envy and flattery, picked up her phone with a smile, and the moment she saw the message, her smile froze.

Under the moonlight, tree shadows flickered. Que Linyang, somewhat exhausted, was driven home.

He had been dealing with people all day, not just from the tax bureau but also from the Administration for Industry and Commerce. In short, he didn’t know why those people had suddenly come for an inspection. He couldn’t get any effective information despite his inquiries. It had been a chaotic day, but thankfully, nothing major had happened.

He pulled off his tie, looked at the villa before him, and felt even more annoyed.

As soon as he opened the door upon returning home, a vase grazed his face and shattered against the wall behind him. The explosive sound left him shaken. He glared at Hou Manni and couldn’t help but scold angrily.

“Are you crazy?”

“I went crazy a long time ago! Que Linyang, you bastard, you have an illegitimate child out there, and you didn’t even tell me? What do you want? Are you waiting for me to die so that bitch and the bastard she bore can enter the Que family?”

Not far from the villa, a camera was faithfully recording this dramatic scene.

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