"I want information on the girl who was with me last night," Lu Zhenyu ordered coldly.
"Okay, Sir," Lin Feng replied at once, though he couldn't hide his shock. Lu Zhenyu's request had confirmed the suspicions he'd been trying to suppress since morning.
"Get me new clothes," Lu Zhenyu continued, his voice calm yet authoritative, "and inform the hotel staff to clean up this mess."
"Yes, Sir," Lin Feng answered respectfully before turning to leave.
Not long after, Gu Anran stopped by a mall on her way back. She bought a simple yet elegant set of clothes, changed immediately, and discarded the old ones without hesitation. To her, last night wasn't something worth clinging to—it was merely the beginning of something much bigger.
When she arrived at the Gu Mansion, the first thing she saw upon entering was a familiar scene.
Her father, Gu Sheng, sat on the sofa with a newspaper in hand. Beside him was Li Menling, her gentle-looking stepmother, and across from them sat Gu Yuhan, smiling sweetly as she spoke. The three of them looked harmonious, like the perfect family.
Gu Anran felt a sharp chill crawl up her spine.
In her previous life, scenes like this never stirred much emotion in her heart. She had believed she belonged there, that this was her home. But now, standing at the entrance and watching them laugh together, she finally understood the truth.
She had always been an outsider.
"Sister, you're back," Gu Yuhan said brightly, her voice full of concern. "Where did you go last night? It's fine to go out and have fun, but you should have at least told someone where you were. We were all worried."
The words sounded caring, but the implication was clear—Gu Anran had stayed out all night doing something shameful.
Gu Anran glanced at her coldly and said nothing.
The lack of response made Gu Yuhan's smile stiffen for a split second. She was used to Gu Anran being gentle and accommodating, always eager to please. This cold indifference caught her completely off guard.
"Other than behaving improperly and dragging the Gu family's reputation through the mud, what else can she do?" Gu Sheng suddenly snapped, his face dark with anger.
"Old Gu, don't be so angry," Li Menling said softly, placing a comforting hand on his arm.
"It's not worth ruining your health. She may not understand our good intentions now, but she will eventually. Besides, Yuhan is sensible—I'm sure she can guide her sister properly."
Her tone was mild, but the meaning behind her words was anything but kind.
Gu Anran sneered inwardly. Of course she understood what her stepmother was insinuating.
In her previous life, words like these would have filled her with guilt. She would have lowered her head, apologized repeatedly, and blamed herself for worrying them. But now, after living through betrayal and death once already, she could clearly see their hypocritical faces.
"Are you done with your complaints?" Gu Anran finally spoke, her voice calm and distant. "If you are, then good. I'm going to bed. I don't have the energy to stay and watch this family drama you've carefully set up for me."
Without waiting for their reaction, she turned around and walked upstairs, her steps steady and unhurried.
The living room fell into stunned silence.
"How dare she!" Gu Sheng roared, slamming his hand on the armrest. "She's grown wings now—she actually dared to walk out on us!.
"Maybe we've been too lenient with her," Li Menling said thoughtfully, her expression filled with concern. "That's why she's become so willful. But don't worry, Old Gu. I'll handle her properly. I'll make sure she won't behave like this again."
Her words soothed Gu Sheng's anger, though the hidden malice beneath them went unnoticed.
"Dad, maybe Sister is just in a bad mood," Gu Yuhan added gently, playing the role of the obedient daughter. "I'll talk to her later so she won't behave like that again."
"There's no need," Gu Sheng said impatiently. "Don't waste your precious time on that wild child. You should focus on your future instead."
His expression softened as another matter surfaced in his mind.
"I heard Teacher Bai will be coming to Jingzhou soon," he continued. "He's looking for a disciple to pass down his piano skills. I hope you can impress him and be chosen."
"Don't worry, Dad," Gu Yuhan replied with a sweet, confident smile. "I'll definitely make sure Teacher Bai chooses me. I won't disappoint you. I'll make you proud and bring honor to our family."
"Old Gu," Li Menling said proudly, lifting her chin slightly, "in the whole of Jingzhou, no one's piano skills can compare to our daughter's. Teacher Bai will surely pick Yuhan as his disciple."
"Good. Very good," Gu Sheng said happily, his anger completely forgotten. "I believe you'll bring great honor to the Gu family. You really are my good daughter."
Upstairs, Gu Anran stood quietly by the railing, listening to every word with a cold sneer on her lips.
In her previous life, Gu Yuhan had indeed been accepted by Teacher Bai as his disciple. That recognition had given her powerful backing and made her even more arrogant, untouchable in Jingzhou's upper circles.
Because of that, Gu Anran had suffered even more.
Since you want Teacher Bai's recognition so badly, Gu Anran thought calmly, her eyes dark with resolve, then I'll make sure it never happens in this lifetime.
This would be her first step of revenge.