C9 It Was a Serious Matter
At fourteen, I encountered a family emergency. My grandmother was critically ill, and with no funds for her care, I made the desperate choice to steal from a wealthy merchant. My actions saved her life. It was wrong, and I've faced consequences, but I don't regret it. Faced with the same choice, I would do it again to save her. That's all I have to say."
With a proud swivel, she left the stage, her honesty resonating with the audience.
It was as if the classic tale of the ugly duckling had come to life.
The mysterious First Lady of the Imperial Group, though uneducated, was extraordinarily talented and fiercely determined. She tirelessly chased her artistic dreams, becoming an accomplished painter at a young age.
More than just talented, she was brave and filial, facing her past with dignity and strength—a soul of true nobility.
For the media eager to please the Imperial Group, her story was a treasure trove.
Gu Tingshen's bodyguard had already discreetly escorted Cao Nana away to prevent further startling revelations.
In the privacy of the lounge, Huo Niannian slipped off her painful heels and confronted Gu Tingshen. "I've had a brush with the law. So, when do you plan to divorce me?"
She produced a million-dollar check from her bag and tore it up in front of him.
"Don't you need the money anymore?"
"No. I was misdiagnosed with brain cancer and needed money for treatment, which is why I asked you for help. Now that I'm healthy, I certainly don't need your charity."
She may have been poor and resorted to theft, but she had her pride and wouldn't be labeled as greedy.
"So, did you steal the jade pendant as well?"
Huo Niannian laughed, now fully understanding the snobbery and prejudice of the elite.
"Does it even matter if I did?" she shot back, her eyes reddening with frustration. "You've already labeled me a thief. What difference does my word make?"
Gu Tingshen approached her, gazing intently into her eyes. "If you stole it, I'll recover the item and restore it to its owner. If not, I'll investigate why you have my mentor's most cherished possession. But regardless of the pendant's origins, you are currently my lawful wife, and that status remains unchanged for the time being."
Huo Niannian's eyes widened in shock at the phrases "returning to its rightful owner" and "my mentor's most cherished item."
"I swear, I didn't steal the pendant."
"How did you acquire it, then?"
Anxiously nibbling her lip, Huo Niannian pressed him, "First, can you tell me about your mentor? Are they a man or a woman? Is it possible for me to meet them?"
Gu Tingshen considered her rapid-fire questions for a moment before responding coolly, "Your conduct will determine that."
Huo Niannian's earlier fire dissipated as she grasped Gu Tingshen's arm, her voice tinged with desperation, "Then what do you want me to do?"
The possibility loomed that his mentor might be her biological mother or father.
Even though her brain cancer diagnosis had been a mistake, her determination to find her real parents hadn't waned. She was desperate to discover their identities, to find out if she was born of their love, and to understand why they had heartlessly left her behind. Given her age, she figured her parents were likely still alive, barring any misfortune.
She couldn't bear the thought of beginning her search for roots only after her parents had passed away, when the answers she sought would be irretrievable.
Gu Tingshen watched her submissive reaction, a slight smirk curling his lips, a twinkle of amusement in his eyes.
"Come home with me tomorrow night to meet my family. If you make a good impression, I'll consider introducing you to my mentor."
Huo Niannian bobbed her head eagerly. "Alright! I'll follow your lead!"
She knew when to be formal and when to cast aside her pride. With her origins on the line, she understood that pride was a luxury she simply couldn't afford.
