C4 The Ugly Bastard Came Back Again

Shen Qingwan's internal alarm rang once more, urging her to fully embrace her current role. She mustered a forced smile and reassured her grandfather, "Don't worry, Grandfather, I don't feel any pain either."

It was only when the chilling presence behind her faded that Shen Qingwan allowed herself a small sigh of relief. Yet, she vowed to herself that once she reclaimed the Lan Family, she'd make Gu Mingfeng regret crossing her.

The old man gave a warm smile, engaged Shen Qingwan in an extended conversation, and finally released her to go about her day.

Stepping out of the main house, Shen Qingwan, feeling irritated, gave a nearby pot of expensive flowers a fierce kick, sending it soaring in a perfect arc.

Gu Mingfeng observed from a short distance, his deep eyes scrutinizing her every move.

That kick had sent the flowers flying a good seven or eight meters...

Shen Qingwan became acutely aware of her slip-up. She turned her head slightly, her eye muscles twitching as she sensed Gu Mingfeng's probing look and the formidable aura he exuded.

Just then, a cry of pain echoed from ahead. A flamboyantly dressed woman in her forties approached, hobbling as she came.

The flowers Shen Qingwan had kicked had landed squarely on her foot.

"You wretched creature, it was you, wasn't it? Have you been nursing a grudge against me? Trying to crush me to death?" she accused.

As she raised her hand to strike Shen Qingwan, Shen Qingwan knew she could easily evade or even incapacitate her attacker in an instant. But what would that reveal about her identity?

So, in the next instant, Shen Qingwan relaxed her tensed muscles and braced herself, absorbing the slap with a sharp "smack."

Rubbing the corner of her mouth, Shen Qingwan wiped away a trickle of scarlet blood. It had been far too long since she'd been on the receiving end of such treatment, and it was decidedly unpleasant.

She remembered this woman: Qi Min, the wife of Old Master Gu's third son, and mother to a contender for the Gu family heir. Qi Min, always haughty and domineering, particularly despised the adopted Lin Qingwan.

With a contemptuous glance, Qi Min sneered, "What brings you back, you eyesore? Gave up on chasing your celebrity crush? Your face is as repulsive as theirs, making me sick every time I see it."

"You mean my second brother, don't you?" Shen Qingwan was well aware that the Gu family's descendants envied Gu Mingfeng. Old Master Gu favored him the most and he was the most likely to inherit the family mantle.

A cold smile curled at her lips. "Third Aunt, even if my second brother's face is marred, he still carries the Gu family blood. Unlike Third Brother—I've heard rumors that he's not really Uncle's child, that you had an affair. He doesn't share the Gu family bloodline."

Previously, Shen Qingwan had been a free spirit, unconstrained by rules, which allowed her to uncover numerous Gu family secrets.

"You're spouting utter nonsense, you freak! I'll rip your mouth apart for this," Qi Min's face twisted with rage. Although Lin Qingwan was considered a lunatic and her words carried little weight, if someone took it upon themselves to investigate, trouble could follow. Qi Min was determined to teach Lin Qingwan a lesson she wouldn't forget.

Qi Min lunged at Lin Qingwan, who was secretly panicking. She hoped Gu Mingfeng, who must have overheard her from beneath the trees, would intervene before she suffered at Qi Min's hands again.

As Qi Min's hefty hand loomed before her, Lin Qingwan braced for the blow, her heart pounding with suppressed fury. She squeezed her eyes shut, expecting the worst, but then a frosty voice cut through the air, "Third Aunt, what exactly are you doing?"

The impending slap halted, and both Qi Min and Lin Qingwan turned to see Gu Mingfeng approaching, hands casually tucked in his pockets, his gaze icy and sharp, an aura of menace swirling around him.

Qi Min's brow creased. Gu Mingfeng's disfigured face was something even she couldn't bear to look at directly. She averted her eyes with a huff, "Mingfeng, you're just in time. This foolish girl needs to be disciplined—she attacked me with a flowerpot. She should be confined for her insolence."

Gu Mingfeng remained silent, simply gesturing with a flick of his hand, and Uncle Zhou, the butler, hurried over.

"Take the third son for a DNA test!" With just that sentence, Qi Min was rooted to the spot in shock. He had overheard their conversation and had actually believed Lin Qingwan.

"Mingfeng, how could you take the word of that wretched girl, Lin Qingwan? Our third son is your kin, your own brother..."

Qi Min's voice was laced with urgency, but Gu Mingfeng dismissively waved her off. He took Lin Qingwan by the hand and strode past Qi Min without a second glance.

His eyes briefly lingered on the slap imprint marring Lin Qingwan's face, courtesy of Qi Min, before he turned to Old Zhou with a command, "Starting today, the Third Aunt's monthly allowance is cut in half, and she's confined to the house."

Qi Min was dumbfounded. She bellowed at Gu Mingfeng, "You have no right to do this! I'll take this up with Old Master Gu."

Uncle Zhou, the butler, bowed slightly beside her and reminded, "Madam, do you not recall the last family meeting? The Old Master has entrusted all family affairs to the Second Master. His word now carries the weight of the Old Master's."

The realization hit Qi Min like a thunderclap. The reduction of the monthly allowance and house arrest were the least of her worries. The true terror lay in the possibility that if her third son was proven not to be a Gu descendant, the days of comfort for her and her son would be over, given Gu Mingfeng's merciless nature.