C3 Everyone's Gu Family

"Ninth Lady, after you."

Gu Mingfeng had already taken the lead, his assistant signaling Shen Qingwan with a gesture.

Lin Qingwan's gaze flickered briefly before she followed suit.

A fleet of luxury vehicles lined up outside the hotel. The assistant escorted Lin Qingwan to a stretch Lincoln business car at the center and held the door open for her.

Inside, Gu Mingfeng sat with an air of elegance. Lin Qingwan paused momentarily before sliding into the seat beside him.

The car glided away, the silence between them heavy and unbroken.

Lin Qingwan stole a glance at Gu Mingfeng, noting the commanding presence he exuded, rivaling that of his family's patriarch. The only thing missing was the weight of years.

Her view limited, Shen Qingwan could only see the unmarred side of his face.

With his prominent nose and thin lips, he radiated an austere charm. This man was striking, his features outshining those of the celebrity Lin Xuan by leagues.

Lost in thought, Lin Qingwan was caught off guard when Gu Mingfeng suddenly turned, locking eyes with her. She quickly averted her gaze, feigning indifference.

Gu Mingfeng, however, kept his eyes on her, a hint of curiosity flickering within.

"You've got a wound on your head; it needs to be bandaged."

His words trailed off as the vehicle halted at the hospital's entrance, where a foreign doctor in a white coat was already waiting to step in.

Lin Qingwan allowed the doctor to tend to her wound, her mind preoccupied with piecing together Shen Qingwan's memories, which oddly contained little about Gu Mingfeng.

Shen Qingwan had always steered clear of Gu Mingfeng and his daunting visage, too intimidated to engage with him.

As the doctor worked, he instructed Shen Qingwan in English to avoid water and forgo makeup for a few days.

She acknowledged with a few muted hums, her thoughts still sifting through the life of the body's original owner.

Gu Mingfeng's gaze deepened as he observed her, "The doctor mentioned you'll have a scar on your forehead."

Shen Qingwan instinctively looked up, "I didn't catch that."

Gu Mingfeng's eyes slightly narrowed, and he spoke softly, "It seems you understand English?"

His words were vague, yet they sent a jolt through Shen Qingwan's heart.

Previously, Shen Qingwan couldn't speak a word of English, but now she knew she had to be more careful and never reveal her true identity. Her current period of rest and rejuvenation was all in preparation to reclaim her place in the Lan Family and uncover the one who had wronged her.

Luckily, in this new life, she was the adopted daughter of the Gu family, one of the nine great families, bringing her one step closer to the Lan Family.

The Gu family resided on the northern slopes of the Sunset Mountains, amidst an expanse of their own estates. From the entrance of the Gu family mansion, one could gaze upon the vast and refreshing Guiyang Sea.

Listening to the sound of the sea, a barely noticeable glint of coldness flickered in Shen Qingwan's eyes. Across the Gui Ling Hai lay her former home, the Lan Family.

The Lan Family...

Now that she was presumed dead, surely someone had taken her place as the Patriarch of the Lan Family.

However, her current situation was awkward. Reborn into a useless body, even if she were to declare her true identity, no one in this world would believe her.

At that moment, Gu Mingfeng took hold of Shen Qingwan's wrist and led her towards the living room.

Following them was the housekeeper, Uncle Zhou, who glanced at Shen Qingwan with uncertainty. "Miss Ninth..."

Shen Qingwan turned around. "Yes?"

Uncle Zhou sighed softly, advising, "Miss Ninth, once you're inside, please don't make a scene with the old patriarch. He's been unwell lately."

Despite Uncle Zhou's outward courtesy, Shen Qingwan could not miss the disdain in his eyes.

Indeed, she wasn't exactly welcomed in the Gu family.

Old Master Gu lived in the main villa, a standalone five-story building, while the surrounding villas were inhabited by other members of the Gu family, one for each household.

Shen Qingwan entered alongside Gu Mingfeng to find the old man engrossed in a solitary game of chess in the living room.

Upon seeing Shen Qingwan, his face lit up with affection, and he quickly rose to his feet. "Qingwan, I've heard about your injury. Let grandpa have a look—where are you hurt?"

As the old man approached and noticed the bandage on her forehead, his expression darkened, and he bellowed, "How did you get such a severe injury? Who would dare harm my precious granddaughter? Old Zhou, find the culprit at once. I must see for myself the audacity of this person!"

The elderly man's affection for Shen Qingwan was unparalleled, a fact that even Uncle Zhou, who had served the Old Master for the better part of his life, found inexplicable. Despite the many grandchildren at his feet, it was Shen Qingwan, the adopted one, whom he cherished above all others.

Yet Shen Qingwan harbored a deep aversion to such closeness. Once a woman of decisive action and lethal resolve, she had never put stock in the bonds of blood. In her eyes, the machinations of a large family were nothing but a nest of deceit and power struggles.

"Old..." She was on the verge of snapping, "Get out of my way," when a sudden chill crept up her spine.

Turning, she was met with the icy countenance of Gu Mingfeng.