C18 The Heir

Gu Mingfeng's abrupt arrival startled Chen Zifeng. Given his status, he naturally didn't recognize Gu Mingfeng, but he was taken aback by the disfigured half of Gu Mingfeng's face. In a burst of anger, he yelled, "You sure talk big, claiming I've been blacklisted from showbiz. Who do you think you are, some kind of deity?"

Gu Mingfeng dismissed him as nothing more than a jester, unworthy of his time or words.

Once Gu Mingfeng had made a declaration, it was as good as done. By now, every entertainment company had received a directive from the Gu family to ostracize Chen Zifeng.

The Empire boasted nine prominent families, and the Gu family was among them, its influence undeniable.

Gu Mingfeng was about to leave with Lin Qingwan when they were approached by seven or eight of his uncles from the Gu family. Having overheard the exchange with Chen Zifeng, they laughed heartily. "Mingfeng, it's beneath you to engage with such a petty individual, especially over a worthless adopted daughter of the Gu family. It's simply unnecessary."

These men were there to see Old Master Gu. They cast a derisive look at Lin Qingwan before inquiring, "Mingfeng, where's the old man? We've got business with him. The butler mentioned he was here."

With rumors swirling that Old Master Gu intended to name Gu Mingfeng as his heir, the family saw Gu Mingfeng as a nuisance and had banded together against him.

Throughout, Gu Mingfeng's face remained stoic, though his eyes narrowed slightly, betraying a glint of intensity.

He harbored suspicions that the car accident that left him disfigured, along with his parents' untimely deaths years before, were orchestrated by someone within the family.

Lin Qingwan also held little affection for these uncles. After a moment's thought, she released Gu Mingfeng's hand with a smile, stepped up to Chen Zifeng, pointed at Gu Mingfeng, and said, "Chen Zifeng, you were wondering about his identity, right? Well, allow me to enlighten you."

As Chen Zifeng registered the presence of so many from the Gu family, he sensed the gravity of Gu Mingfeng's identity. His legs began to shake, and upon hearing Lin Qingwan's forthcoming revelation, he nearly collapsed to the ground.

"Chen Zifeng, take note—he is the Gu family's Second Master, Gu Mingfeng, my own elder brother, Lin Qingwan, and the grandson whom Old Master Gu cherishes above all others."

Lin Qingwan paused, her gaze sweeping over the Gu family's uncles with a smile that didn't quite reach her slowly tightening eyes. Then, with deliberate emphasis, she declared, "And let it be known, my brother is also the rightful heir to the Gu family!"

Chen Zifeng's eyes bulged as Lin Qingwan's words sank in. He recalled Gu Mingfeng—the formidable Second Young Master Gu, a man whose ruthless tactics in business left his adversaries with no quarter.

A chilling premonition washed over him—he was indeed being blacklisted from the entertainment world. His phone rang at that moment; it was his agent, calling to discuss the termination of his contract.

He was drenched in a cold sweat, realizing his livelihood was at stake, shattered by a single sentence from Gu Mingfeng. He thought to plead with him, but the icy gaze that met his own was a sobering slap of reality. An inner voice screamed at him to flee, warning that if he lingered, he might not just lose his career but his very life.

And with that, he bolted.

The Gu family uncles, meanwhile, were seething with indignation as they confronted Lin Qingwan. "Lin Qingwan, what kind of drivel were you spouting? We refrained from calling you out in front of outsiders to protect the Gu family's honor. Do you really think you can dictate who the successor will be? Sure, Mingfeng has done well for himself, and we've all noticed, but who ever declared him the heir?"

Lin Qingwan merely smiled, her silence speaking volumes. Her words had been calculated, a strategic move to pave the way for Gu Mingfeng's ascent.

She was well aware that Old Master Gu had already considered naming Gu Mingfeng as his heir, and with no one else in the Gu family to rival him, Gu Mingfeng's claim to the title was beyond dispute. Her bold announcement was simply a nudge for Old Master Gu to make his decision official.

"The matter of the heir is not mine to decide, of course. We must all defer to Grandfather's wishes," Lin Qingwan stated, turning her attention to the pavilion. Just then, Old Master Gu approached, leaning on Gu Na for support.

The uncles of the Gu family were caught off guard. None had anticipated that Old Master Gu was so close by, overhearing their recent conversation.

Old Master Gu felt a pang of discomfort. The quest for a successor had nearly torn his family apart with animosity, signaling that the time had come to declare the heir to the Gu legacy.

He approached the assembly, his gaze sweeping coldly across the faces before him. Stopping before Gu Mingfeng, he laid a hand on his shoulder. "Mingfeng, your grandfather is aging. Are you ready to shoulder the responsibilities of the Gu family?"

After a brief silence, Gu Mingfeng dropped to one knee before Old Master Gu, his fists clenched in a solemn gesture. "Grandfather, I am ready."

"Good!" Old Master Gu extended a firm hand, lifting Gu Mingfeng to his feet, then turned to address the onlookers, whose expressions varied. "Hear my decree, and proclaim it to the world forthwith: from this day forward, Gu Mingfeng is the designated heir of the Gu family, entrusted with the powers of the family head."

"Yes, sir!" The uncles of the Gu family, no longer harboring any dissent, turned their gazes to Gu Mingfeng. Collectively, they stepped back and knelt on one knee, paying homage in the traditional manner.

The Gu family, much like a royal dynasty of old, demanded that all members, regardless of seniority, bow to the chosen crown prince.