Chapter 191: That Was Her Daughter!
"Sure!"
Huo Yingcheng readily agreed. He whipped out his phone and tossed it over to Gu Qingjiu
"Thank you, Commander Huo."
After thanking him, Gu Qingjiu swiped on the phone.
But it had to be unlocked using a password...
Gu Qingjiu said, "Commander Huo, your phone is locked and needs a password."
"Password is 1234."
Gu Qingjiu was speechless.
However, it wasn't the time to discuss how simple and crude Commander Huo's phone password was. After unlocking the phone, she called home.
...
Gu family.
Shortly after crying, because she had suffered too great of a blow, Qi Yuefeng called Gu Qingjiu while she was still in camp.
In the end, Gu Qingjiu said she'll return immediately.
That made Qi Yuefeng feel a little uneasy.
Her daughter was training in the military, and she shouldn't be concerned with such matters at the moment.
She could have just called during the weekend.
At least her daughter wouldn't think too much at the time being.
Qi Yuefeng was fully aware that one couldn't easily leave the camp while they're training. If so, wouldn't her daughter be worrying in vain since she couldn't even go out of the camp?
She blamed herself. She had suffered too great a blow from what her daughter's 'mother' told her.
That madam spoke super harshly.
She claimed to come from North City and was the madam of the Yu family.
She even tossed out the name of the company that Qu Yuefeng, a simple housewife who never traveled far from home, had heard of.
It was a renowned large enterprise.
And Gu Qingjiu was the daughter of that enterprise's owner.
Qi Yuefeng was shocked. It had never occurred to her that her daughter was of noble birth.
Tan Yalan reprimanded her for not looking for Gu Qingjiu's biological parents after they had found her, causing Gu Qingjiu to 'suffer hardship' for so many years!
Her family never mistreated Gu Qingjiu in any way, but in Tan Yalan's eyes...
Such a life, such a family...
For their Gu Qingjiu...
Was considered 'suffering hardship.'
Because a prominent family lived a life of luxury that ordinary folks couldn't even imagine.
Moreover, Gu Qingjiu's adoptive mother was even so unpresentable.
Qi Yuefeng could only suffer in silence, unable to refute Tan Yalan's words.
Back then, they had tried looking for Gu Qingjiu's biological parents for some time and even stuck up 'missing person' notices.
But during that time, because of her husband's promotion at work, they had to move to Dayi City.
They didn't spend much time in North City after that.
Furthermore, they had always wanted a daughter.
Hence, after Gu Qingjiu's biological parents didn't show up for a month, they brought the child to Dayi City.
It had been so many years, and all along they had done their best for this daughter and never once mistreated her.
She wanted to refute Tan Yalan with these words, but one sentence from the latter and it struck Qi Yuefeng's soft spot.
"Tried finding? That's just empty talk. You merely wanted a daughter. Do you think I didn't check on your family before coming? You've suffered a miscarriage before, haven't you? And it was also a baby girl!"
That arrogant and unkind face, that disdainful attitude... all those made Qi Yuefeng break down.
She had told no one about these matters.
Only she and her husband knew about this; Gu Qingjiu and Gu Qingmo didn't even know.
But to these prominent families, no matter how well they concealed it, it was just a matter of time before they found out.
She was like a child whose thoughts were exposed. The only bad thought she ever had got magnified infinitely that it filled up her entire heart, ultimately causing her to break down.
She only wanted a daughter, and Qingjiu was her daughter. All these years, she had regarded Qingjiu as her precious darling.
She was her daughter!
Chapter 192: I Just Want to Cry! So What If I'm Useless!
Shortly after Tan Yalan left, she called her husband.
Gu Hong was flustered when he received her call.
He couldn't be bothered about the fact that he had to attend a meeting in the company and simply canceled the meeting to rush home.
At home, Qi Yuefeng sat on the sofa with tears all over her face, and looking very pale; she suddenly appeared older.
Seeing Qi Yuefeng in such a state, Gu Hong's heart ached for her. He went up to hug her. "Did you confirm that she really is Qingjiu's biological mother?"
Qi Yuefeng's tears instantly gushed out. She slumped in Gu Hong's arms and sobbed non-stop. "Yes, no need to confirm. Their faces are similar! The date she mentioned matched the time we found Qingjiu. She even took out Qingjiu's photos when she was a year old..."
Identical.
The baby in those photos looked identical to the Qingjiu they found.
Moreover, Tan Yalan's face resembled Qingjiu too much.
However, her Qingjiu had never shown such an unkind sneer on her face the way the madam did.
Overwhelmed, Gu Hong held Qi Yuefeng, and his gentle eyes suddenly became stern.
"We need to let Qingjiu decide for herself. We can't do it for her, not even her biological parents can."
All along, Gu Hong's attitude differed from Qi Yuefeng's.
He had always felt that Qingjiu's biological parents had to bear responsibility for her going missing back then.
How could they lose a year-old baby? If that wasn't considered failing in their duties as parents, then what was?
If they hadn't found her, who knew what fate the little Qingjiu would have suffered?
Hence why Gu Hong never had good vibes towards Gu Qingjiu's biological parents.
Just then, his phone suddenly rang.
It was an unfamiliar number.
And it was a series of rare consecutive numbers to the end.
Such numbers belonged to important people.
Thinking it was a call from some client, he put the call through and said, "Hello?"
"Dad!"
He heard his daughter Gu Qingjiu's voice over the phone.
Gu Hong was surprised. "Qingjiu, whose phone are you using?"
"Dad!"
On the other end of the line, Gu Qingjiu didn't answer him. The minute she heard Gu Hong's voice, she could no longer restrain her emotions.
She actually felt afraid.
Very afraid.
She was afraid her family couldn't withstand the Yu Family's pressure on them, and that she had to repeat her fate from her previous life.
She had to be brave in front of Qi Yuefeng, in front of everyone.
But she couldn't shake away from her mind the events of what had happened in her previous life.
Else, she wouldn't have worked so hard to change everything!
The uneasiness and the despair she felt during those two years in jail buried in the deepest spots in her heart.
Finally, the minute she heard her father's voice, the infinite grievance and emotions exploded all at once.
She suddenly couldn't hold herself back anymore, even if the Chief Instructor and Commander Huo sat in the front seats.
Even though it had been a few months, she couldn't restrain her emotions any longer.
Her tears slipped down her cheeks like a string of broken pearls.
Huo Yingcheng was dumbfounded.
Gu Qingjiu sobbed over the phone. And before Gu Hong could speak, he heard a man speaking loudly over the phone. "What are you crying for? Useless!"
The fury and grievance overwhelmed her, making her unable to control her emotions. Hearing He Niancheng's words, she subconsciously retorted in a choked voice.
"I just want to cry! So what if I'm useless!"
Chapter 193: Could The Difference in Treatment Not Be So Obvious!
He Niancheng was momentarily stunned.
He saw the tears on Gu Qingjiu's face from the rearview mirror. After yelling at him, she vigorously wiped away her tears with her hands.
She seemed especially aggrieved.
He said nothing and simply looked at Gu Qingjiu.
Huo Yingcheng was staring so hard his eyeballs were about to pop out.
In his many years of existence, this was the first time someone dared to yell at He Niancheng!
And the most important thing was he didn't react!
It didn't even seem to affect him.
Tsk, tsk, tsk...
Over the phone, Gu Hong anxiously asked, "Qingjiu, why are you crying? Also, who's the man talking next to you?"
He wasn't deaf. He heard that one line loud and clear.
Gu Qingjiu sniffled a little, trying to stop her tears. But when she spoke, she couldn't control her voice from sounding choked. "Nothing... nothing, Dad. I'll be back soon, I'll be home right away."
"Why did you come back? It's nothing important. Be careful when you come back. I'll be waiting at home with your mom. Don't cry. But whatever it is, come back and talk to Dad."
Gu Hong's warm voice entered Gu Qingjiu's ears, and it slightly made her calm down.
Regardless, at least her parents were still by her side. At least they were still by her side.
"Okay... okay, I'm reaching home soon."
After hanging up the call, Gu Qingjiu returned Huo Yingcheng his phone, but she had her head lowered in embarrassment. "Thanks, Commander Huo"
After all, it's embarrassing to cry in front of others.
"No need for a thank you." Huo Yingcheng glanced inconspicuously at He Niancheng. Seeing that he had retracted his gaze from Gu Qingjiu, he asked, "Qingjiu, I hope you don't find me nosy. I'm only asking. Are you worried that your parents will send you back to your biological parents?"
After all, Gu Qingjiu was returning home because of such a matter.
With her head lowered, Gu Qingjiu appeared dejected. She shook her head slightly. "I'm not worried about that."
The Gu family absolutely was not willing to send her back to the Yu family.
"Then why are you crying? Or do you wish to see your biological parents?"
"No." Gu Qingjiu pursed her lips. Her tears had gradually stopped now. "I don't wish to see them."
Perhaps even she herself didn't realize how terrifyingly cold she sounded when she said this.
Just then, someone handed her a tissue from the front seat.
It startled Gu Qingjiu.
She took the tissue from that slim, long, and fair hand. Without turning around, He Niancheng said, "Wipe your tears."
He sounded as cold as ever.
As if he felt nothing in particular.
Gu Qingjiu took the tissue from him and wiped away her tears, then apologized for the rash words she spoke earlier when her emotions overwhelmed her. "Sorry, Chief Instructor, I was feeling a little anxious just now..."
"It's fine."
He seemed to not truly mind.
Next to him, Huo Yingcheng felt even more strange.
He never dared to yell at He Niancheng before. Although He Niancheng shot Gu Qingjiu some death stares after she had yelled at him, he actually didn't mind it?
Could the difference in treatment not be so obvious!?
After the commotion, none of them spoke for an amount of time.
The atmosphere in the car was quiet and odd.
When the car drove to Dayi City and as she got closer to her home, Gu Qingjiu began feeling anxious.
When she arrived at the destination, Gu Qingjiu was already burning with anxiety. After bidding Commander Huo and the Chief Instructor a simple farewell, she immediately dashed for her home.
Chapter 194: If You Wish to Return to Their Sides, It's Okay
Huo Yingcheng and He Niancheng weren't in a rush to leave. They looked up at Gu Qingjiu's residence from outside.
"Does that lass live here?"
Huo Yingcheng felt a sense of wonder. The place she lived at seemed ordinary.
But Qingjiu, on the other hand, didn't look ordinary.
He Niancheng had been here once, so he didn't bother looking up. He started fidgeting with another lighter.
When Huo Yingcheng retracted his gaze and was about to drive away, He Niancheng spoke up coldly, "Wait a while more."
"Wait for what?"
Huo Yingcheng froze in surprise. He Niancheng said nothing.
As Gu Qingjiu went up to her home, realization dawned on Huo Yingcheng. "Major-General, surely not? Why didn't you just ask her what time she would go back? From the looks of it, her family issues aren't going to be solved anytime soon."
With a strike of the lighter, the flame illuminated He Niancheng's fingertips. His actions were fluid and elegant as he fiddled with the lighter, that even the flame seemed to dance on his fingertips.
Gazing at that flame, he calmly ordered, "Check on her biological parents."
"Sure, no problem."
For people like them, even if they didn't have any clues, checking on something was relatively easy for them.
...
Gu Qingjiu went upstairs. As she had left in a hurry, she brought nothing back with her, not even her keys. Hence, she could only slap anxiously on the door.
Quickly, the door was open. It was Gu Hong who opened the door.
"Dad!"
Gu Qingjiu immediately shouted. Then, peering into the house, she asked, "Where's Mom?"
"Your Mom's asleep."
Gu Hong turned his body sideways for her to enter. "She isn't feeling well today."
Perhaps because of how Tan Yalan agitated her, she kept complaining of a headache.
Since it took Gu Qingjiu three hours to get back by car, Qi Yuefeng fell asleep before she even arrived.
Upon hearing this, Gu Qingjiu's heart tightened.
She turned around and pulled at Gu Hong's sleeves. "Dad, tell me, did someone came to look for Mom today? What did that person say?"
Earlier on, she only learned that someone from the Yu family showed up. But for the reason behind it, Gu Qingjiu couldn't figure it out.
Gu Hong had some hesitation. But after some thought, he made her sit on the sofa and told her about some things.
"Since you're old enough now, it's time for you to know certain things. You've known since before that we're not your biological parents, and we've never concealed that from you. But today, your biological mother came and said that she must bring you back with her. Moreover, your biological parents are of distinguished identities."
'Tan Yalan?'
Gu Qingjiu felt a little disconcerted.
That arrogant woman actually came?
Gu Qingjiu could still vividly remember the attitude she showed her in her previous life!
But in this lifetime, she was in a different place, and such a change took her by surprise.
Tan Yalan wouldn't possibly come here on her own two feet if everything followed the events from her previous life!
Because in her eyes, it was unbefitting of her stature.
Seeing the shock in Gu Qingjiu's eyes, Gu Hong thought she was simply surprised by what she had heard about her biological parents. Worry surged up in his heart.
"Qingjiu, whatever thoughts you have, tell me. Dad and Mom will always support your decision. If you miss your biological parents and wish to return to their sides, it's okay."
He tried his best to say it as calmly as he could, but his voice still quivered a little.
He was the main pillar in this family, and Gu Qingjiu was the daughter he raised for over ten years.
His daughter might be someone else's daughter soon, and they might no longer have any ties after that.
Even Gu Hong found it hard to accept.
Chapter 195: Those two that hadn't left
"Go back?"
Gu Qingjiu looked stunned, and then she laughed coldly in her heart. "Impossible!"
She would be a retard to return to the Yu family once again.
But then, the more pressing matter at hand was reassuring her Gu father.
"Dad, I absolutely won't go back. Regardless of how bigshot my biological parents are, regardless of who they are, they were the irresponsible ones, to begin with. I won't possibly return. I, Gu Qingjiu, only have you two as my parents forever."
Hearing his daughter's words, it elated Gu Hong, but at the same time, he felt a slight disapproval.
"Qingjiu, you're being too radical. As parents, it's inevitable to make some slips. Perhaps they didn't do it on purpose back then."
Humans liked to think on the bright side. But Gu Hong didn't have the slightest idea of the Yu Family's true color.
Gu Qingjiu knew that Gu Hong only said this because he didn't know what she knew, but she couldn't tell him all that.
Else, what was she going to say if he asked where she learned all these from?
"Does Dad wish for me to go back that badly?"
One line from Gu Qingjiu was all it took to shut Gu Hong up.
Of course, he didn't hope to see Gu Qingjiu go back.
Just then, her parents' bedroom door opened.
Qi Yuefeng walked out with a dazed expression.
"Mom!"
Gu Qingjiu immediately went up to hold her arm.
"Aye, Qingjiu, you're home."
Perhaps because she was unwell, Qi Yuefeng sounded less energetic than she usually sounded.
Gu Qingjiu's heart ached to hear this.
But she still asked anyway. "Mom, who came to our house today?"
Qingjiu's lips moved a little. She glanced at Gu Hong, and upon seeing the latter nod, she knew that he had told Gu Qingjiu about the situation.
She couldn't hide it from her then.
"It was your biological mother."
"Mom, you can't just say that any random person who comes is my biological mother."
They hadn't done a paternity test, so she could still deny it.
Qi Yuefeng gazed at Gu Qingjiu and forced a smile.
She went to the sofa and sat down, and she sighed out loud after.
How could she not admit it? Qingjiu's baby photos were concrete evidence.
That identical face on the photo bore a great resemblance to Tan Yalan's.
How could there be so many similar-looking people in this world?
"Did she say anything else?"
Gu Qingjiu needed more information.
Because Tan Yalan came over, she didn't know many things as everything differed from the previous life.
But she could still more or less predict what Tan Yalan had said, and also her style of handling matters.
But the crux was, she wasn't clear which tactics Tan Yalan would deploy.
"She..."
Qi Yuefeng seemed reluctant to tell her. "She's staying in a hotel in Dayi City now, she hasn't left yet. She told me to think of a way to bring her to the military to see you."
Gu Qingjiu snickered her heart upon hearing this.
Indeed, she was still trying to get to her.
She had said it so clearly over the phone. And with everything that had happened since then, Tan Yalan should be furious.
Could it be because she had yet to see this daughter of hers in this life?
But in any case, Tan Yalan's hopes would come to naught.
She should also scrap the idea of bringing her back to the Yu family. Because in this lifetime, even coming into contact with the Yu family made her feel disgusted.
Just as Gu Qingjiu was pondering how to settle such a matter, someone knocked on the door.
Who could visit at that time of day?
Gu Qingjiu and Gu Hong looked at each other, then the latter went to get the door.
Huo Yingcheng was standing outside.
Chapter 196: Farewell, Something Different Starts Appearing
"Commander Huo."
Gu Qingjiu got to her feet right away. She was a bit surprised to see Huo Yingcheng standing outside the door. "Haven't you two left?"
"Your Chief Instructor sent me to check. Do you need any help?"
Even with Gu Hong's shocked gaze, Huo Yingcheng greeted him with a smile on his face. "Hello, Uncle."
Gu Qingjiu hurriedly introduced her parents. "Dad, Mom, I forgot to tell you. This is Commander Huo, and the Chief Instructor is downstairs. They were the ones who sent me back."
"Oh..."
Gu Hong felt astonished. Regarding military matters, he had no further knowledge about it.
But his daughter was just a fresh recruit. How did she manage to become so chummy with these commanders?
Moreover, this commander looked a tad young.
And he knew that commanders in the military held some authority.
To be promoted to a commander at such a young age, this young man had a bright future ahead of him!
Gu Hong habitually assessed the person before him.
Gu Qingjiu walked to Huo Yingcheng and was a little confused. "Commander Huo, I don't need any help here..."
Huo Yingcheng coughed. "I just came up to look and also to check with you. When are you going back to the military? We're going back at night."
Actually, they had already found out about the Yu family.
With their influence, it took no time for them to check on such matters, which weren't much of a secret, to begin with.
Hence, Huo Yingcheng naturally knew the difficulties the Gu family was about to face.
Also, he was aware that the Yu family needed Gu Qingjiu back in their family to enter an alliance marriage.
The truth was, he came up to give Gu Qingjiu a heads up about it.
With the Gu family's conditions, it was highly unlikely for them to win a fight against the Yu family.
But with him around, how could he bear to see Qingjiu suffer a grievance?
And yet, these three people of the Gu family clearly had no idea.
They thought that the Yu family was here to look for Gu Qingjiu in goodwill, but they had no idea why the Yu family wanted Gu Qingjiu to return so desperately.
Then again, what Huo Yingcheng didn't know was, Gu Qingjiu was reborn. Of course, she knew what she was about to face.
Both parties had questions in their hearts. After hearing Huo Yingcheng's words, Gu Qingjiu thought for a moment. "I probably need two days. Commander, help me tell the Chief Instructor this. I'll stay at home for two days and return once I settle things."
"That's fine. But tomorrow, I'll be making a trip back to my old place. This time I'll be away for a week. If you need help, contact the Chief Instructor."
Gu Qingjiu didn't detect any other meaning in Huo Yingcheng's words. She simply nodded and said, "Thanks, Commander Huo!"
After that, Commander Huo looked into the house and said with a smile, "Bye, Uncle, Auntie!"
After Huo Yingcheng had gone away, Gu Hong suddenly asked, "Your... boyfriend?"
Gu Qingjiu was speechless.
Like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, she immediately turned around. "Dad, how could that be? He's my commander. Don't let your thoughts run wild!"
Seeing Gu Qingjiu anxiously deny it, Gu Hong smiled. "It's just a casual question."
Next to him, Qi Yuefeng gazed at him with reproach in her eyes. But she then said with a smile, "Don't talk nonsense. Don't upset our daughter."
Clearly, there wasn't anything unusual between Gu Qingjiu and that commander.
With Huo Yingcheng's interruption, the atmosphere in the house became more relaxed.
Gu Qingjiu ran to the window in the living room and looked down, and she saw that the car had yet to leave.
At that moment, Huo Yingcheng was pulling the car door to the driver's seat open, and he then boarded afterward.
He Niancheng was standing outside, and after Huo Yincheng went in, he boarded the car as well.
Sensing Gu Qingjiu's stare at him, He Niancheng's sharp and deep eyes turned to look at her.
His eyes met right with Gu Qingjiu's.
Recalling how she had rudely retorted back at the Chief Instructor, Gu Qingjiu waved goodbye at the Chief Instructor with a vibrant smile to show him that they were still on friendly terms.
Chapter 197: I Have Plenty of Time to Waste With You!
Nobody noticed that He Niancheng's actions seemed to slow down for a moment.
Gu Qingjiu, whose eyes met He Niancheng's, felt her heart throb for some reason.
The more she looked at him, the more handsome the Chief Instructor looked...
That was an irrefutable truth.
He Niancheng got into the car and fastened his seatbelt.
Huo Yingcheng asked him, "Major-General, are we heading to the city to handle your matters first?"
"Mm."
He Niancheng responded with a nasal sound.
The car engine then started and they left.
Upstairs, seeing the car leave, Gu Qingjiu retracted her gaze.
Even though she didn't wish to trouble Chief Instructor and Commander Huo, she felt warm at heart hearing those words.
Regardless, it felt really good to have someone back her up.
Gu Qingjiu felt that joining the military was a right choice.
In the living room, despite that interruption, Qi Yuefeng hadn't fully recovered from the enormous blow she suffered, especially that Gu Qingjiu's biological mother was waiting in a hotel in Dayi City.
That woman traumatized her too badly. She had used an incredibly arrogant manner as she pricked at the deepest and most painful secret she had in her heart.
Even thinking about it made her chest feel stuffed up.
Gu Hong accompanied her by her side. Even though he didn't speak much or revealed many expressions, Gu Qingjiu could detect the hint of worry in her father's eyes.
She felt that the matter shouldn't go on. She had to at least settle the issue first.
But speaking of how, there didn't seem to be a good solution since everything happened so suddenly... unless Gu Qingjiu went to look for Tan Yalan.
But...
She didn't want to see this woman, much less go see her in person.
Gu Qingjiu decided to watch how things would unfold.
She wasn't planning on returning to the troops in the next two days.
Because once she returned to the troops, she wouldn't know when she would be able to visit home again.
Since she won the competition, she was to enter the advanced training camp in a few days' time.
And she wondered if this incident would affect the outcome at such a critical juncture.
This was what worried Gu Qingjiu most!
But life had to continue...
After learning that Gu Qingjiu wasn't planning on going back to the troops that day, Qi Yuefeng lifted her spirits and went to buy groceries to whip up a good meal for her daughter.
Gu Qingjiu wanted to accompany her, but Gu Hong stopped her.
He went out with Qi Yuefeng instead and made Gu Qingjiu stay at home.
Gu Qingjiu then went online to search for information regarding the Yu family's company in North City.
The Yu family ran into problems from within the company, so the outside world hadn't yet caught wind of this.
What turned up on the search was mostly news regarding Yu Shiwei.
Yu Shiwei, the sexiest enchantress in North City, the focus of attention since she was young.
Gazing at Yu Shiwei's confident and proud smile on the magazine cover, it felt like a thorn pricking into the depths of her heart.
However, whether Yu Shiwei lived well or not, it was none of her business.
Gu Qingjiu also didn't care about how outstanding and striking a person she was.
But why, why did she have to be so vicious?
She couldn't forget that arrogant and spiteful smile on Yu Shiwei's face, and even that gaze filled with vicious intent right before she died in her previous lifetime.
Those were forever etched upon Gu Qingjiu's heart.
Her finger gently grazed across the computer screen.
'Never mind. Yu Shiwei, in this life, I swear to change everything.'
'I have plenty of time to waste with you in this life!'
Chapter 198: The Young Gu Qingjiu
During dinner time, Qi Yuefeng prepared Gu Qingjiu's favorite dish, West Lake Fish in Vinegar Gravy.
Gu Qingjiu helped her by the side.
Qi Yuefeng didn't appear as relaxed as usual, and there was a sorrowful look in her eyes.
She seemed lifeless when she went about her tasks.
Gu Qingjiu reached out and caressed Qi Yuefeng's brows, comforting her softly. "Mom, everything's fine. Believe me, I'll stay by your side forever."
Qi Yuefeng snapped out of her trance. She felt heartened to hear Gu Qingjiu's words.
She held Gu Qingjiu's hand and pressed her warm palm against her face, tears flowing down instantly.
"Mom isn't afraid of that. Actually, Mom is selfish."
Next, she revealed to her something.
"Before we found you, Mom wanted a daughter. And at that time, I was pregnant. Both I and your father were thrilled. But perhaps we didn't have much affinity with that child, I suffered a miscarriage in less than three months after conception."
Gu Qingjiu froze, surprised to hear this secret.
"After the miscarriage, I was in great pain and there was a time where I felt like I didn't want to live on. At that time, your older brother was still little, he was still in kindergarten. I didn't dare tell your brother this. Perhaps it was a coincidence that after I returned from my hospital checkup, I found you on the way. At that time, you were only a little over a year old, and you couldn't even speak and was squatting by the roadside. At first, we thought your parents were nearby, but as we watched over you for half a day, we still didn't see anyone come back for you. You were obedient and didn't cry or make a fuss either."
"We went up to ask you, but you knew nothing and only smiled at us in a silly manner. If it was a human trafficker who found you, you might no longer be around. We called the police, but the police didn't manage to find your parents. At that time, the police didn't much care about it either. I admit I had selfish intentions back then. I had just suffered a miscarriage, and then I found you. The police sent you to the welfare center, but we couldn't bear to see you end up there. So after some time, we adopted you."
"Come to think of it now, if we waited longer, your parents might have shown up to claim you. And you wouldn't have suffered a hardship with us for so many years..."
Qi Yuefeng wept as she spoke. Gu Qingjiu went up to embrace her, her voice quivering a little. "Mom, how can you call that a suffering hardship? I was extremely lucky to have met you. Else, I might be suffering elsewhere now. I want to thank you for finding me and giving me a second lease of life."
Qi Yuefeng's words made Gu Qingjiu feel more and more suspicious.
Perhaps it wasn't an accident that the Yu family lost her.
With the Yu family's means, they would certainly be able to look after her well. Moreover, her Gu parents had reported to the police back then.
Didn't it occur to them to report to the police after their child went missing?
At the thought of this, Gu Qingjiu's gaze turned colder.
If that was the case, the Yu family didn't merely make her feel bitterly disappointed.
She felt extremely glad that they had abandoned her.
Else, how would she have met such wonderful parents?
She patted Qi Yuefeng on her shoulder, and she gently said, "Mom, look on the bright side. Perhaps Sister didn't have the affinity to meet you, so she sent me to your side."
Gu Qingjiu felt compassion towards that child, too.
She also knew that even if Qi Yuefeng hadn't suffered a miscarriage when she found her, she probably would still adopt her.
Gu Qingjiu knew she was a kind and softhearted woman.
Chapter 199: They're No Different From Being Dead!
"Maybe."
After Gu Qingjiu had comforted her and after having revealed all of those pent-up emotions, Qi Yuefeng felt slightly better.
Before she continued to cook, she had wiped her tears and tidied herself.
"Look at me, I shouldn't have said those unhappy things to you. After eating, you should return to the troops tomorrow morning. Don't let this matter hold up your work."
Gu Qingjiu nodded. "I know. If there's nothing else, I'll return to the troops tomorrow." After a slight pause, she decided not to tell her about the advanced training camp that she might get into for the time being. "Mom, remember to inform me if something crops up. Don't shoulder it yourself and suffer grievances in silence."
"What grievances can I possibly suffer?"
Qi Yuefeng smiled disarmingly. "She... didn't say much. I was the one who couldn't get over it myself."
Gu Qingjiu knew Qi Yuefeng was only saying this to comfort her.
With Tan Yalan's temperament, how could she have said nothing?
Gu Qingjiu had experienced how cruel her mouth could be.
When she spoke, her words could prick and make you feel uncomfortable all over.
Someone with a soft personality like Qi Yuefeng likely wouldn't be able to withstand that.
But she didn't continue speaking.
After she was done cooking, the family sat together and had dinner.
At the dining table, nobody mentioned the incident that happened earlier. As usual, Gu Hong asked Gu Qingjiu about what was going on in the troops.
Gu Qingjiu answered him.
Halfway through their meal, someone came knocking on the door again.
The three of them felt odd and wondered who would be around at that hour.
Could it be Chen Yanhong from downstairs?
Gu Qingjiu was the first to set down her chopsticks to get to the door.
When the door opened, she nearly slammed the door shut by reflex.
The person standing outside was Tan Yalan.
Tan Yalan wore a fur coat, her hair impeccably done up, her diamond earrings giving off a dazzling shine.
She exuded a noble aura that differentiated her from everyone else.
Her face was the same as the one Gu Qingjiu remembered.
Even throughout the few years she had spent at the Yu family, Tan Yalan didn't seem to have much change in appearance.
She appeared the same in the previous life and this one.
The only difference was Tan Yalan's gaze at her.
There seemed to be a hint of surprise amidst that disbelief.
"You... you're Qingjiu?"
Appearing delighted, she extended out her hands to hold Gu Qingjiu.
Gu Qingjiu glanced at the vibrant color on her nails before turning her body sideways in disdain. "What are you doing? And who are you?"
She naturally knew who Tan Yalan was, but she certainly wouldn't admit to recognizing her.
Whether it was real, or she was putting up an act, Tan Yalan's eyes that had an expensive eyeshadow drawn on, started brimming with tears after seeing Qingjiu.
She appeared sorrowful. "Qingjiu, I'm your biological mother! I'm here to find you. Aren't you happy to see me?"
Gu Qingjiu sneered, her brows furrowing even deeper now.
"Must I believe you're my biological mother just because you claim so? In my eyes, my parents are no different from being dead!"
Inside the house, Gu Hong and Qi Yuefeng had terrible countenances at seeing Tan Yalan turn up.
But hearing Gu Qingjiu's fierce words still startled Qi Yuefeng. "Qingjiu, you mustn't speak like that."
The cursing was too intense. Even though they didn't wish to see Gu Qingjiu go back, they felt Qingjiu shouldn't put it like that.
Tan Yalan's expression changed instantly.
Chapter 200: Not Giving Her a Chance
Gu Qingjiu's words certainly didn't sound pleasing to Tan Yalan's ears.
Moreover, after hearing Qi Yuefeng reprimand her, Gu Qingjiu twitched her mouth and turned on her heels to return into the house. Her attitude of completely disregarding Tan Yalan made her furious.
As the madam of Yu family, she was used to being treated with respect and praised by everyone. Who would dare show her such an attitude?
The person standing before her was her long-lost biological daughter.
But having been raised by a humble family for so many years, she was utterly unpresentable.
Such words wouldn't come out of the mouth of a person of stature and with proper upbringing.
'This darned lass..'
But she didn't direct her blame and fury at Gu Qingjiu. Instead, she looked towards Qi Yuefeng and rebuked her, "I don't know how you have taught my daughter all these years!"
As she spoke, she strode through the door, not wanting to stand any longer at the ceremony.
Qi Yuefeng felt speechless as Tan Yalan lectured her.
Next to her, Gu Qingjiu frowned his brows slightly, and she cut Tan Yalan before she could even speak.
"It's none of your business how my mom teaches me. Who are you? Who let you in? Are you shameless or what?"
Gu Qingjiu knew that a person like Tan Yalan valued her image the most.
Nothing else was as important.
Calling her shameless was like stabbing right into Tan Yalan's heart.
Indeed, after Gu Qingjiu scolded her, Tan Yalan's face turned a shade of green.
If it wasn't for the need to maintain her image, she might have scolded her back on the spot.
She was used to bossing people around and insulting others subtly. But at the moment, she couldn't make herself behave like a shrew.
The Ba-zi [1. A Chinese astrological concept, a.k.a. eight characters of birth time] of this long-lost daughter of over ten years indeed clashed with hers. The instant she came to look for her, she scolded her with such ferocity.
But then, at the thought of how she needed this daughter to enter an alliance marriage, Tan Yalan tolerated it even though she was not pleased.
She plastered a fake smile on her face. "Qingjiu, I know that you've been hating us for so many years. You hate us, hate Mom. But we didn't intentionally lose you when you were little. Back then, Mom even had depression because we couldn't find you. There were many times when I thought of ending my life. But at the thought that you might still be alive, I forced myself to persevere. Heaven rewards the faithful. After all these years, I finally found you. Just give Mom a chance, will you?"
Gu Qingjiu was speechless.
Honestly, Gu Qingjiu had never seen Tan Yalan behave this way towards her back then.
Because after she had returned to the Yu family, Tan Yalan received her with a disdainful expression on her face. Hence, Gu Qingjiu had truly never seen such a pitiful-looking Tan Yalan.
But that didn't mean Gu Qingjiu would feel compassion towards her.
She merely felt that it was just a tactic that Tan Yalan was using to dupe her.
She could still vividly remember how Tan Yalan treated her after she had returned to the Yu family.
That unkind expression of hers. It was not realistic to expect Gu Qingjiu to feel compassion towards this woman.
Hence, Gu Qingjiu couldn't be bothered to continue wasting her breath with this woman before her. With a sneer, she spoke straight to the point. "Nope, no way."
This reply made Tan Yalan's sorrowful expression freeze.
Although Gu Hong could indistinctly feel that Gu Qingjiu's dislike towards Tan Yalan was way too obvious... And as her adoptive father, he found it hard to say something even if Tan Yalan was trying to take Gu Qingjiu away.
On the other hand, Qi Yuefeng's lips had already turned pale as she watched the confrontation unfold right before her.
Likewise, she found it hard to speak. She wanted to persuade Qingjiu, but she didn't really want to. the once she persuaded her, this daughter might no longer be hers.