C2 They Tasted Freedom

Since the past is like the wind, what's the use of holding onto these things? If you're short on cash, you can sell the extras. Gu Beixue was determined to live without relying on Bai Luo.

As night fell, the streets buzzed with traffic, and hurried pedestrians passed by. Standing at the crossroads, Gu Beixue felt lost, unsure of which direction to take.

She had been reflecting for five long years, yet amidst the bustling streets, her numb heart still tightened with anxiety.

Before her release, she had saved up a thousand dollars while in detention. With this small amount of cash, she found an old, low-rise building where rent was just $800 a month. Without hesitation, she paid and secured the place.

The room was small but clean. Though simple, it was the most modest place Gu Beixue had ever seen, yet it was far better than the confines of a cell.

After five years of hardship, Gu Beixue was no longer the pampered heiress. She had gained a profound understanding of survival.

Lying on the bed, letting the sunlight pour over her, Gu Beixue suddenly felt exhausted and fell asleep.

When she awoke, it was a brand new day, marking the most restful sleep she’d had in five years.

Her long eyelashes still held a few tears, perhaps from dreams of her sorrowful past or thoughts of the daughter she never held.

With a lazy yawn, Gu Beixue opened the window, breathing in the fresh air. It was the scent of the city, familiar and comforting, and she inhaled deeply.

"Gu Beixue, you're back!" she said to herself. Her once vacant eyes now sparkled with life, and she felt a newfound determination. Gazing at the rising sun, hope rekindled in her heart.

Life must go on. Gu Beixue stepped out the door, ready to embrace a brand new day.

"Fresh corn, fresh corn, get your hot boiled corn!"

"Roasted sweet potatoes, just out of the oven, piping hot..."

This bustling street market was a far cry from Gu Beixue's previous life of high society, lavish parties, and elegant soirées. This was the real world.

After freshening up, Gu Beixue stepped out, taking in the sight of the yellowing hallway and rust-covered railings. She smiled, a feeling she couldn't quite describe.

Things that withstand the test of time are the ones truly worth holding onto. Just like herself now, stepping out to grab some steamed buns from a street vendor without a second thought. It was her first time trying street food, a stark contrast to her past as the heiress of the prestigious Gu family in River City, where she could have any delicacy she desired with just a word.

But now, the Gu family was just a name, a shadow of its former glory.

With her stomach full and a few dollars in her pocket, Gu Beixue hailed a cab. She was heading to the place where she had fallen, a place that was now the most dangerous for her.

The highest point in River City, Hillside Park, nestled against the mountains and water, had roads that were impeccably clean, a rarity in the leaf-strewn hills, indicating special care. The flat summit was dotted with luxurious European-style villas, a place out of reach for the average person—Hillside Estates.

After stepping out of the cab, Gu Beixue walked into the villa area with grace and confidence. Her natural poise and aristocratic demeanor were enough to prevent the security from stopping her, even making them think she was some wealthy man's hidden treasure.

Standing before the most prominent villa, she felt a strange nervousness. Before she could ring the doorbell, the grand entrance swung open automatically. The camera above the door had already captured her presence, a testament to the villa's significant investment in high-tech security.

A sharp, high-pitched voice pierced the air, "Wow, look who's still alive, Miss Gu! Did the sun rise in the west today?"

The words were laced with sarcasm, clearly from someone familiar but not friendly. Gu Beixue's response was indifferent, her eyes filled with disdain. "Do we know each other?"

Gu Beixue had no interest in dealing with people who barked without reason.

The woman wasn't one to back down easily, and she sneered, "Oh, Miss Gu, still pretending to be something you're not. Old habits die hard, huh?"

Seeing Gu Beixue remain silent, the woman added, "Well, I guess someone as high and mighty as you wouldn't know a commoner like me. Why don't you just go back to your heavenly realm?"

Gu Beixue sighed inwardly. Once upon a time, she had a notorious reputation. In the city's high society, everyone knew about her infatuation with Bai Luo. Back then, she was naive, wanting nothing more than to win over the man she desired, even if it meant being the other woman.

As a result, she fell from being an envied heiress to a scorned mistress. Rumors turned into jokes, "Which socialite has no shame? The heiress of the Gu family."

"Are you out of your mind?" Gu Beixue retorted, dismissing the woman who desperately used designer labels to mask her humble origins.

Stung by Gu Beixue's words, the woman struggled to maintain her composure, her chest heaving with anger. But she quickly regained her poise, saying calmly, "My apologies, my memory must be failing me. I forgot you spent five years in a correctional facility. The city's changed a lot in those years. It's no surprise you haven't heard of someone like me, Mrs. Lin of the newly risen Lin's Group. But your reputation, Miss Gu, has been quite the topic of conversation for five years now."

Gu Beixue smiled, her teeth gleaming, "Lin's Group, huh? Never heard of it, past or present. It doesn't matter to me. The glory and prestige of the Gu family are unforgettable, while some people, no matter how much they try to puff themselves up, will never make it into the public eye."

In Gu Beixue's eyes, this woman wasn't worth speaking to.

Mrs. Lin's gaze turned venomous as she spat through gritted teeth, "Gu Beixue, who do you think you are? You've lost everything, your reputation is in tatters, and your family's legacy is long gone. Don't think you're still that spoiled princess from back in the day!"

Mrs. Lin, now feeling like a queen after her rise to prominence, was determined to make Gu Beixue back down.

"Just because my family's fallen on hard times doesn't mean you get to boss me around!" Gu Beixue retorted, refusing to back down.

Seeing Mrs. Lin at a loss for words, Gu Beixue chuckled softly, "Mrs. Lin, aren't you worried about making a fool of yourself with such talk? You haven't been in your position long, and if you think securing it through underhanded means will keep you safe, think again. Mr. Lin has plenty of admirers, and while you're still young, you'll never outshine the endless stream of women eager to take your place. You're just another one who can't rise above the muck!"