C11 Jealousy!(part I)

The hair sample provided by Gu Tingchuan for the DNA test had been switched out. The conclusive results revealed that Gu Zhinan was not his son. Following this revelation, Gu Tingchuan subjected Qin Xiaodie to emotional and physical abuse, frequently beating and scolding her, or spending his days with Lin Li.

Qin Xiaodie, already in frail health, quickly succumbed to postpartum depression. When Gu Zhinan was ten months old, Lin Li laced Qin Xiaodie's medicinal tonic with sleeping pills, enabling Gu Ruoshan to sprinkle lime powder into Gu Zhinan's eyes while his mother slept.

In a pivotal moment, Gu Tingchuan arrived on the scene. He could have intervened to stop Gu Ruoshan, but chose instead to act as if he had seen nothing and walked away. Gu Ruoshan, initially panicked at being caught, felt emboldened by her father's departure and flung the lime, irreparably damaging Gu Zhinan's eyes.

Awakened by her son's cries, Qin Xiaodie hastily summoned a doctor, only to be informed that the infant's eyes had been severely damaged due to delayed cleaning and were likely to have impaired vision. Overwhelmed by despair, Qin Xiaodie collapsed, clutching Gu Zhinan and pleading with Gu Tingchuan to pursue the assailant.

Gu Tingchuan coldly accused Qin Xiaodie of negligence, claiming that her failure to protect and promptly treat her son made her the true perpetrator.

Devastated by his words, Qin Xiaodie's depression deepened. On Gu Zhiwei's sixth birthday, Qin Xiaodie called her daughter to her room and presented her with a jade pendant as a birthday gift. After a heartfelt conversation, she implored Zhiwei to always look after her younger brother.

Shortly after Zhiwei left the room, she was devastated to learn of her mother's suicide. Before she could bid her mother farewell, Gu Tingchuan hastily arranged for the body to be cremated.

Years later, Gu Zhiwei finally learned the harrowing truth from a retired butler. Confronted with the past, Gu Tingchuan feigned composure, dismissing the accusations as baseless. "Those are unfounded claims. That child's eyes were ruined by Qin Xiaodie herself!" he retorted.

Gu Zhiwei's brows furrowed, and a glint of icy determination flashed in her eyes. "Gu Tingchuan, there will come a day when you'll regret your actions!"

With those words, she turned and walked away, her departure marked by a cool detachment.

Watching her retreating figure, Gu Tingchuan was struck by a sudden, unsettling premonition.

Beiverlim University was a melting pot of the nation's brightest minds. Admission to Beiverlim University was a badge of honor, reserved for the elite.

Gu Zhiwei, however, was the exception to the rule.

Known for being at the bottom of her class, it was a rare sight to see her on campus.

Were it not for her status as the eldest daughter of the Gu family, she would have been expelled long ago.

"Zhiwei!"

As Gu Zhiwei was about to head home with her newly collected books, a voice called out from behind her.

Chen Xixi, clutching a pile of books, hurried over. "What a coincidence running into you here!"

It was a meeting of kindred spirits, both academic underachievers.

Gu Zhiwei was the last in her class, with Chen Xixi just ahead of her. This common ground made for a decent rapport, and they could easily strike up a conversation.

Chen Xixi grinned slyly. "The CEO of Bo's is giving a charity speech this afternoon! Are you sure you don't want to go?"

Gu Zhiwei, her back still turned, hesitated in her steps.

"What time is it?"

In the computer science department, the security and network information class was buzzing.

Lee Du leaned over to the buzz-cut youth behind him. "Mr. Wolf, I just saw our class's enchantress heading this way with Chen Xixi. What's gotten into her today, bringing our notorious slacker to class?"