C4 They Started over

The Gu family business, once a dominant force, faced a steep decline during the years Gu Beixue was imprisoned, eventually collapsing overnight. Meanwhile, several other companies teamed up to buy Gu's shares at a low price, reaping substantial profits.

Jee Huiru's rise to prominence was largely due to the downfall of the Gu family, which allowed her small family business to leap forward. With the backing of the Bai family's influence, they secured a spot among the top ten in the city.

It can be said without hesitation that the Gu family's demise paved the way for the Jee family's success.

Jee Huiru, struck by Gu Beixue's words, stepped back abruptly and clung to Bai Luo's arm, tears streaming down her face—a true display of her acting prowess.

The more Gu Beixue looked, the angrier she became. "Ha, lost for words, are you? If you knew it would end like this, why start in the first place? Does your conscience not haunt you? This wasn't just a moment of impulse; it was a well-planned scheme!"

Jee Huiru sobbed uncontrollably, her tears flowing like a weeping willow, a last resort when she knew she was in the wrong.

"Jee Huiru, don't think you've really won. Neither of us has. This man will abandon you at any moment!" Gu Beixue's voice grew more intense.

"Shut up!" Bai Luo roared, his gaze fierce, his entire being like a blazing fire. Anyone nearby could feel his genuine anger. No matter the situation, he would always intervene if anyone attacked Jee Huiru personally.

From the beginning until now, Gu Beixue couldn't understand what she had gained in return for her emotional investment.

At this moment, Gu Beixue took a good look at the man before her. After five years, he seemed slightly leaner, yet his sharpness and aggressiveness were more apparent. It was this domineering nature that once captivated her. In a fleeting moment, she felt a stir in her heart.

But her current predicament was entirely due to these two people. Gu Beixue's gaze turned piercing. "Still defending her, huh? It's a pity, Director Bai, that your lifelong wisdom failed you this time, being played like a fiddle by an actress."

Bai Luo stood firm, exuding authority. "Who I choose to protect is my business. You, Beixue, are nothing now, so don't come here acting all high and mighty. You're not welcome."

Beixue steadied herself, feeling deflated. Somehow, in front of Bai Luo, she couldn't help but show her vulnerability. But she had a purpose today, so she shifted the topic, her tone softening. "I want to see Qing'er, Bai Luo. Let me see my daughter, please?"

Bai Luo was slightly taken aback. She had expected another confrontation, not this unexpected plea. So, Beixue was here to see Bai Qing'er.

"Dream on. I won't let her see a convict," Bai Luo replied coldly.

Beixue had anticipated this response. Her current status was a far cry from the past, her reputation in tatters. She couldn't tarnish her daughter's name, but the deep bond of blood and her intense longing wouldn't let her give up.

Dropping the pleading look, Beixue's eyes regained their sharpness. "Bai Luo, you truly have a heart of stone. But don't forget, I'm her birth mother! The law allows me to see her!"

Bai Luo was puzzled. Five years behind bars, and this woman still had the same stubborn streak he despised.

"No matter what, I will see Qing'er! If you insist on blocking me, don't blame me for going down fighting. I've been through worse; I have nothing to fear." Her daughter was her only reason to keep going, and Beixue wouldn't give up.

Bai Luo smirked, full of disdain. He spoke calmly, "Beixue, are you too smart for your own good, or just plain foolish? You know you have nothing. What do you have to fight me with? You've lost any leverage against me. Remember, I brought down the Gu family. What chance do you stand?"

As he finished, a strange smile appeared on Bai Luo's face. It was a smile Beixue recognized from long ago, at their wedding. Back then, she hadn't realized it wasn't a smile of happiness, but one of deep-seated contempt.

Bai Luo remarked, "You're still the same, a narrow-minded woman who only cares about her own interests. Five years in prison, and you still haven't learned how to be a decent person."

Gu Beixue felt a sharp pain in her heart, surprised that Bai Luo saw her this way.

Since this man viewed her like this, she decided to drop the pretense. Unwilling to back down, Gu Beixue retorted, "So what if I'm manipulative? I broke you and Jee Huiru up when you were at your closest, and you hated it, didn't you? You retaliated by ruining my family. Does that make you noble?"

The past was hard to revisit. Back then, for the sake of family interests, Bai Luo had to marry Gu Beixue, giving up his beloved Jee Huiru. It was all a temporary measure.

But times had changed. Bai Luo successfully brought down her family, and Jee Huiru, heartbroken, left the country.

Now that Bai Luo had regained everything he wanted, he couldn't care less about Gu Beixue's attitude.

"Gu Beixue, do you really think you can take me on? I'm bad because I choose to be. If you have the guts, go ahead and try to take me down," Bai Luo said, stepping forward and gripping Gu Beixue's chin tightly.

He sneered, "You used every trick to get into bed with me. You drove Jee Huiru away, and now you must pay the price. This is your own doing."

"My own doing? If you hadn't done despicable things, would I have had to push you? Bai Luo, you're the real villain. You used my family for your own gain. When you slept with me, you seemed to enjoy it. Otherwise, how would we have Qing'er?" Gu Beixue slapped Bai Luo's hand away, her anger boiling over.

Bai Luo's pupils contracted sharply, his face turning crimson. Gu Beixue was the one thing in his past he felt ashamed of, a stain he could never erase.

Bai Luo, with his overwhelming arrogance, felt he had wronged Jee Huiru and, in doing so, betrayed himself. Hearing Gu Beixue bring up these old stories only fueled his anger. Back then, it wasn't like Gu Beixue wasn't tempting him; who would willingly get involved with her otherwise?

"Heh, it was all fun and games back then, but now you're losing your nerve, huh?" Gu Beixue's pain was as deep as anyone's. Getting involved with Bai Luo meant gambling her entire future and family business on him, and in the end, she lost it all.

Bai Luo truly despised Gu Beixue. The hatred between them was indelible. Sometimes, Bai Luo would question himself: Was marrying Gu Beixue just a game to him back then? If it wasn't, he would never have been with her.