Chapter 7: What Grudge?

Shen Qiqi glanced at her. “Sister, we’re living in the age of the internet, could you please go online once in a while? He and his half-brother Zhou Yili are sworn enemies. The Zhou family split two years ago, and it was bloody. The brothers have been fighting viciously ever since, each wishing the other dead. If Zhou Yili is going, he’ll definitely go too.”

Gu Shen Shen instinctively furrowed her brows. “The family split?”

“Yes. The current Zhou Corporation is the original family headquarters, but Zhou Yili is older and entered society earlier. He has businesses all over the country and abroad. He didn’t inherit the main house, but he’s hardly lost. For the past two years, he’s been ruthless toward his younger brother.”

Ever since Zhou Ci had fled after a car accident before her two years ago, she had deliberately avoided news from Haicheng. She’d thought Zhou Ci’s return to seize power would mark the peak of his authority. She never expected such an unexpected ending.

As for the rest, Gu Shen Shen asked no more.

Shen Qiqi was anxious to get home and simply drove her back to the Gu family residence.

The Gu family villa was located in an old mansion district. Though it had a vintage atmosphere, everyone living there was either rich or noble.

Yang Liqiong never imagined Gu Shen Shen would appear before her so suddenly.

“Shen Shen, why are you back?” It was Gu Yanran who spoke first.

She rose from the dining table and walked over, carrying herself with the air of an elder sister.

“This is my home. Why wouldn’t I be back?” Gu Shen Shen replied with a mocking smile, her words sharp.

Gu Yanran’s expression stiffened slightly. “Shen Shen, I didn’t mean it like that.”

She calmly returned to the dining table and sat beside their father, Gu Songbai.

Yang Liqiong watched her coldly, silent in the face of her willful demeanor.

“Shen Shen, Mother is worried about you. Why haven’t you called her since you got home?” Gu Yanran put on her elder sister act, reminding her.

“Who gave you the right to speak here?” Gu Shen Shen shot her a cold glance, her tone unfriendly.

“Yanran, come eat,” Yang Liqiong ignored Gu Shen Shen and called out to Gu Yanran instead.

Gu Shen Shen merely glanced at Yang Liqiong, then waved to the housekeeper nearby.

“Auntie, please set another place at the table.”

After dinner, in the study, Yang Liqiong tossed a stack of documents onto her face.

Gu Shen Shen caught them and glanced through, her expression shifting.

“I don’t care what grudge exists between you and Zhou Ci, but if it affects the company’s business, that’s your problem.” Yang Liqiong finally revealed a hint of anger.

She was shrewd; Gu Shen Shen’s sudden return was clearly not because she’d failed in Rongcheng.

“Sorry…”

Yang Liqiong cut her off coldly. “You’ve been reckless and stubborn since childhood, always acting on impulse without considering consequences. The situation you’re in now is what you deserve, but don’t drag the Gu family down with you.”

Gu Shen Shen stared silently at the documents in her hands for a long time.

After a while, she finally interrupted Yang Liqiong’s incessant tirade with a calm voice.

“Take me to the business exchange next Wednesday.”

“I’ve already decided Yanran will go,” Yang Liqiong replied coldly without looking at her.

Gu Shen Shen said, “Then I’ll make sure she doesn’t go. You know I can do anything when I lose control.”

With something so urgent, she couldn’t wait.

Yang Liqiong stared at her coldly for a long while before finally relenting.

Years ago, when Gu Shen Shen ran away from home, she’d threatened to return her life to Yang Liqiong, even hurting herself without blinking an eye. She was ruthless to the core.

After weighing her options, Yang Liqiong compromised, but still warned her, “You’d better not cause any trouble for me.”

On Wednesday afternoon, Gu Shen Shen accompanied her mother, Yang Liqiong, to the entrepreneurs’ exchange.

Distinguished guests from all walks of life attended, including some top tycoons.

Her makeup was light that day, brown hair cascading smoothly over her shoulders, and the elegantly designed black evening gown made her appear dignified and poised. It was a rare display of understated gentleness.

With her change of makeup and dress, all traces of her former seductive charm had vanished.

The moment Gu Shen Shen entered, she keenly sensed a pair of eyes fixed on her.

It was a feeling she knew all too well.