Li Sitong’s eyes widened as if she had heard something unbelievable. She breathed heavily, suffocating with extreme anger.

Blue veins popped on her forehead, her eyes turned red, and she suddenly rushed to Gu Jingxu’s face.

“Slap!” A harsh slap landed.

“Gu Jingxu!! Are you even talking like a human?! You say Gu Shiyun is young? Isn’t Jiaojiao young too?! At such a young age she harmed Jiaojiao like this. If Jiaojiao hadn’t been lucky back then, what kind of Jiaojiao would you be seeing now?!”

She shouted with increasing fury, kicking and crying.

Gu Jingxu stood rigidly, allowing her to hit and scold him.

What could he do?

He was the father of two children!

“Gu Shiyun… did you do wrong?” Gu Jingxu’s voice was cold and faint as if a gentle breeze could blow it away.

Gu Shiyun looked at Gu Jingxu and gritted her teeth: “I’m sorry, I was wrong.”

Gu Jingxu looked at Li Sitong who was being held by Cheng Suo, then shifted his gaze to Jiaojiao.

“I know Gu Shiyun is wrong, she’s wrong, but I have two daughters. No matter which one I choose, I can’t harm the other…”

Now he only had Gu Shiyun by his side. Xue Jiao was with Li Sitong. If he abandoned Gu Shiyun, in the future… he would have no children by his side.

“So you’re willing to harm Jiaojiao?!”

Li Sitong’s red eyes stared at him intently: “You think Jiaojiao should forgive Gu Shiyun after everything she’s been through?!”

Gu Jingxu fell silent.

Cheng Suo patted Li Sitong, trying to calm her temper.

He took a deep breath, controlling his anger: “Gu Jingxu, did you previously despise the original Jiaojiao for being immature? But look now, why was the original Jiaojiao immature? You were unfaithful to your family, failing as a husband. You married a woman from outside, brought back an illegitimate daughter, and allowed this viper-like mother and daughter to harm Jiaojiao—you failed as a father.”

Gu Jingxu lowered his head. At that moment, he seemed to have aged many years.

But he still stood beside Gu Shiyun. Even in this situation, he was still protecting Gu Shiyun!

Cheng Suo coldly said: “I won’t waste words with you. This matter with Gu Shiyun absolutely cannot end well!”

Cheng Suo held Li Sitong and looked at Jiaojiao: “Let’s go back.”

Li Sitong turned her head, staring directly at Gu Jingxu—

“When we divorced, I didn’t hit you or hate you, I just felt disgust and wanted to be free. But now I hate you, I’m disgusted by you. You want to protect someone who harmed my daughter, you are my enemy! Gu Jingxu, you will face retribution!”

After speaking, she reached out her hand, held Jiaojiao, and the family left the police station.

Only Gu Jingxu’s family remained.

“Jingxu, Jingxu, you must save Shiyun! She’s still so young!” Wu Wanjun rushed over, hugging Gu Jingxu and begging.

“Slap!” Gu Jingxu slapped her.

Then, he coldly spoke: “This is the good daughter you raised!”

After speaking, Gu Jingxu strode away.

Wu Wanjun frantically hugged Gu Shiyun beside her and slapped her in anger and helplessness.

“How could you do such a thing! And not even know how to keep yourself out of it!”

Gu Shiyun kept her head down but finally looked up after a long while.

“I was too young, I didn’t know they could dig all this up. Such an old matter, and they dug it all up!”

She didn’t regret what she had done, only regretted not covering her tracks completely.

“What are we going to do now!” Wu Wanjun was at a loss.

Gu Shiyun’s gaze was empty, looking in the direction Gu Jingxu had left. “My dad will protect me, I’m his only daughter now. If I hadn’t harmed Gu Xue Jiao, my dad wouldn’t be so angry. He likes people with the capability to succeed him.”

“But you did harm Gu Xue Jiao!”

“Isn’t she fine?” Gu Shiyun raised an eyebrow. “I didn’t harm her, I just wanted her to not study well. That’s an ideological issue, unrelated to the law.”

Wu Wanjun was stunned.

It was today that she suddenly realized her daughter, whom she had always thought resembled herself, actually resembled Gu Jingxu more.

A person who would use any means to achieve her goals, with a calculating and scheming mind.

——

Xing Uncle was still driving, Cheng Mingze sat in the passenger seat, and Cheng Suo and Li Sitong sat on either side of Xue Jiao.

“Old Cheng, what kind of punishment will Gu Shiyun receive?” Li Sitong asked Cheng Suo while holding the uncomfortable Xue Jiao.

Cheng Suo didn’t speak.

“Hmm?” Li Sitong was confused.

From the front, Cheng Mingze suddenly spoke: “Gu Shiyun won’t face criminal punishment, she’ll just be criticized, fined, and at most have it recorded in her file.”

“Why?!” Li Sitong couldn’t believe it, her eyes widening.

Cheng Suo nodded helplessly, frowning: “Her previous behavior with Li Wei, corrupting Xue Jiao, isn’t clearly defined in law. The only frightening thing is the seduction incident, but the other party never mentioned those two words from beginning to end. During the defense, they only said Gu Shiyun was young and didn’t understand those things, she just wanted Xue Jiao to stay out late and get beaten. It was all Li Wei acting on her own.”

“How can this be?! How can this be?!” Li Sitong trembled with anger.

How could someone be so shameless?!

Xue Jiao reached out and gently patted her.

“She was indeed young at the time. Even if she was malicious at a young age, the law would consider her immature thinking, still a minor. No matter how much evidence we find, we’d just be at a standstill, and it would be very difficult to send her to prison.” Cheng Suo was also helpless. For the things Gu Shiyun had done, Cheng Suo wished she could be locked up directly, but the reality was just like this.

Cheng Mingze turned his head: “Gu Shiyun is far more terrifying than imagined. When she was so young, she already knew not to mention those two words. Even if we can’t lock her up this time, we must make her leave Jiaojiao’s life far away.”

If such a venomous snake wasn’t defanged or driven far away, who knew what else she might do?

Cheng Suo nodded.

But Li Sitong was still painfully angry. How could they let her off so easily?!

——

After Cheng Suo and Li Sitong comforted Xue Jiao, they returned to their room to discuss follow-up matters.

Cheng Mingze and Xue Jiao went upstairs. He stood behind her door and softly said: “Jiaojiao, Gu Shiyun will receive the punishment she deserves. Let the past be the past, don’t let shadows remain in your current life. No matter when, always keep sunshine in your heart.”

Xue Jiao turned her head, revealing a smile, her eyes curving.

“I will. I will live very well, much better than her. That is the punishment for her.”

As long as she lived well, Gu Shiyun would forever live in anger, dissatisfaction, and pain.

Moreover, Gu Shiyun had forever lost the opportunity to have someone as excellent as Cheng Mingze. That was also punishment.

Cheng Mingze also smiled, reassured, and returned to his room.

As soon as he closed the door, Lin Zhihua’s message came through—

[Can I call you now?]

Xue Jiao’s lips slightly curved upward as she dialed.

She didn’t even realize that Lin Zhihua had already changed from sending messages every day to occasional phone calls.

A subtle change, gradually becoming a habit.

“Hello…”

A light laugh came from the other end of the phone: “Just got back from the police station?”

Xue Jiao smiled and shook her head, turning on the speaker while tidying up.

“Are you Zhuge Liang? Is there anything you don’t know?”

“Hmm… let me think…” Lin Zhihua on the phone seriously considered, then said, “I generally know what I want to know, except for one thing.”

Xue Jiao was startled and instinctively asked: “What thing?”

Lin Zhihua raised an eyebrow and thought—I don’t know your heart.

Lin Zhihua could rationally speculate and think about others’ inner thoughts, but anything related to Xue Jiao involved his heart, making him think more and become more confused.

Standing on this mountain, one cannot recognize its true face.

Thinking this way, he just laughed lightly: “That I can’t tell you.”

Xue Jiao also laughed but didn’t pursue the question.

Lin Zhihua continued: “Gu Shiyun won’t receive the punishment she deserves. Are you angry?”

Facing Cheng Suo and Li Sitong, she hadn’t told the truth, but with Lin Zhihua, she could be honest…

“To be honest, a little.”

“A little?”

“Fine, very angry…”

That girl who was no longer there wouldn’t want to see the person who harmed her safe and sound.

Low, continuous laughter came from the other end of the phone.

Xue Jiao helplessly said: “Stop laughing!”

Lin Zhihua stopped, his voice still light, with ease: “Alright, I won’t laugh anymore.”

He paused, then continued: “Actually, if it were me, I wouldn’t insist on her being locked up.”

“Hmm?” Xue Jiao was surprised.

“Too troublesome.” Lin Zhihua said softly, “She’s already fearless, and indeed, being a minor is her protection. Plus, she always kept one step ahead, never directly stating her purpose. They can’t lock her up.”

Xue Jiao’s brows slightly drooped. She had long known that this world would have many helpless things, many “unfair” and “incorrect” situations, but what could be done?

She shrugged: “If she can’t be locked up, so be it. As long as I live well, she definitely won’t be happy.”

Lin Zhihua chuckled: “Right, as long as you live well, she won’t be happy.”

After a pause, he continued: “Although we can’t lock her up, we can strike back in other ways. As long as the result is good, the method doesn’t matter.”

“What?” Xue Jiao was startled. What other ways could make her receive punishment?

Lin Zhihua’s voice was calm as he explained: “You can’t send her to prison, but you can negotiate conditions. Have this recorded in her file, and make her go abroad.”

“Go abroad?” Xue Jiao remained confused. Her experiences in both lives were limited, and she truly didn’t understand the benefit of sending Gu Shiyun abroad.

To keep her away from sight?

“Yes, with this matter recorded in her file, she can’t take the college entrance exam. Your requirement for her to go abroad might also align with her wishes. When she returns, it will be a different situation. Without money, without recognized capability, Gu Shiyun’s future life will only walk the path she originally hoped Gu Xue Jiao would take.”

Lin Zhihua’s fingers tapped the table, his expression cold, showing no sympathy for Gu Shiyun.

Xue Jiao was young and didn’t know the extent of such harm to a person. With this record in Gu Shiyun’s file, her future studies in China would be difficult. But that’s fine, she would think she didn’t necessarily need these degrees anyway, so she would contentedly go abroad for credentials.

But what if going abroad wasn’t for credentials? She would only return in disgrace. By then, she would have nothing, spending a lifetime in poverty. Living a hard life she couldn’t even imagine.

Gu Shiyun was scheming, but when she had to scheme for survival, her life would have already entered another situation, one she was unwilling to accept… they could control.

At that time, it would be a pain that hurt just by thinking about it.

That was true revenge.

Indeed, Xue Jiao asked in confusion: “How would her return be a different situation? Gu… Gu Jingxu still has a company for her…”

Life definitely wouldn’t be bad.

“Your stepfather will resolve this, don’t worry. You just need to tell your stepfather what I said. Gu Jingxu’s company cannot last long anyway, it’s already crumbling. If he goes bankrupt, would you care?”

Xue Jiao shook her head: “No, I didn’t have much feeling for him to begin with, now… even less.”

Especially after he had so righteously said Gu Shiyun was young after what had happened to her…

But she was still puzzled: “Gu Jingxu’s company is going bankrupt? He never mentioned it?”

Lin Zhihua was very composed, “He probably thought it could still be saved, so he didn’t say anything.”

Xue Jiao immediately believed him. Lin Zhihua was a boss revered by many; his views on business must be correct!

The voice on the phone continued: “Some people don’t need your emotional attachment. He chose Gu Shiyun, so he should be prepared to lose you. Don’t carry any psychological burden.”

“Okay…”

——

The next morning.

Xue Jiao relayed what Lin Zhihua had said, but she didn’t mention him.

Sure enough, Cheng Suo immediately agreed.

“Jiaojiao, this plan is very good. As long as Gu Shiyun receives the punishment she deserves, it doesn’t have to be prison.”

Xue Jiao hesitated: “Dad… do you have a way?”

Cheng Suo nodded, smiling: “Yes, I have a way. Gu Jingxu’s company is just an empty shell now. If I expose what Gu Shiyun did, other partners won’t want to work with Gu Jingxu. Soon, the empty shell of his company will be gone!”

“Will it affect Pengcheng?” Xue Jiao frowned. If it would affect her stepfather, then…

Cheng Suo firmly shook his head: “No, don’t worry, Dad doesn’t take unprepared actions.”

Only then did Xue Jiao breathe a sigh of relief, showing a smile.

Gu Xue Jiao, the father who loves you is taking revenge.

She didn’t know that after she went back upstairs, Cheng Suo and Cheng Mingze had a completely different conversation.

“Dad…”

“Mingze, would you hate me if I sacrificed Pengcheng to take revenge on Gu Jingxu?”

Cheng Mingze shook his head, “No.”

Cheng Suo showed a gratified smile: “Pengcheng isn’t a big company either. Even if it’s stronger than Gu Jingxu’s, after destroying Gu Jingxu, Pengcheng will also be much worse than before. Do you not blame me?”

Cheng Mingze smiled: “I was planning to go into computing anyway. As long as Pengcheng still exists, it’s okay if it’s not as good as before.”

He didn’t need Pengcheng, neither did Xue Jiao. If Cheng Suo used it to vent his anger, that was fine.

Besides, it wasn’t that Pengcheng would go bankrupt after Gu Jingxu did, it would just be much worse.

Xue Jiao was part of the Cheng family. No one could harm their family member and get away unscathed!

Even if it meant sacrificing everything, the other party must receive the punishment they deserved!

However…

Cheng Suo was slightly puzzled: “Why do I feel this idea wasn’t Xue Jiao’s? And she seems to think Gu Jingxu’s company is already failing. Who told her that?”

Cheng Mingze also frowned deeply, and after a while, he seemed to think of something.

“She has a secret friend. I think it’s the person who vindicated her this time, but I can’t find out who it is.”

Cheng Suo’s brows furrowed, more confused: “That’s someone good for Xue Jiao. If they’re good for Xue Jiao, why would they lie to her that Gu Jingxu’s company is already failing? Could they be certain that I would do everything to fight Gu Jingxu? Certain that I would lie to Xue Jiao?”

Cheng Mingze shook his head, equally puzzled.

——

“What?! You’re willing to let Shiyun go?!” Wu Wanjun was shocked. She sat with Gu Jingxu and Gu Shiyun on one side, while the Cheng family of four sat on the other.

They could indeed get away with it, but it would be troublesome. The final result would just be a standoff. If the other party was willing to drop the pursuit, it was the quickest and best solution.

After all, for such a matter, dragging it out would be very bad for Gu Shiyun’s reputation. Even if she could go away for a while, she would eventually return.

Cheng Suo’s expression was cold as he looked at them and spoke coldly: “But remember the requirements. Gu Shiyun’s matter must be recorded in her file, then she goes abroad, and is not allowed to appear before Xue Jiao in the future!”

“Why should my daughter go abroad?!” Wu Wanjun glared.

Before Cheng Suo and the others could speak, Gu Jingxu had already glared at her: “Shut up!”

After this incident, his disgust toward Wu Wanjun had reached an extreme.

“Shiyun, you speak.” Gu Jingxu only asked Gu Shiyun, his daughter who had quite a strong will.

Gu Shiyun thought for a moment, then nodded: “No problem.”

She exchanged a look with Gu Jingxu, both understanding each other’s meaning.

If they continued to be at an impasse with the other party, more and more people would know what she had done, making her reputation even worse.

And even if they won in the end, it would probably still be recorded in her file. Whether recorded early or late, it was all the same.

Besides, going abroad was already part of the plan. Gu Jingxu had said earlier that he wanted her to study abroad like the Lin company’s boss, and then come back to help manage the company.

If Gu Jingxu had previously been concerned about Gu Shiyun, this little girl, managing the company, after seeing her scheming in this incident, he was no longer worried about her taking over the company in the future.

Whether she went to college in China wasn’t important either. She could get credentials abroad anyway.

“I have one more requirement!” Li Sitong suddenly spoke through gritted teeth.

Cheng Suo and the others were also surprised, not knowing what requirements Li Sitong would have.

“What?”

Li Sitong spoke one word at a time: “You must sever the father-daughter relationship with Xue Jiao!”

“Impossible!” Gu Jingxu widened his eyes, immediately objecting.

“You chose Gu Shiyun, so you are no longer Xue Jiao’s father! Her father is Cheng Suo!” Li Sitong said through clenched teeth.

Gu Jingxu was stunned, instinctively looking toward Xue Jiao, only to meet a pair of cold eyes.

Indeed… Xue Jiao was no longer close to him…

Gu Jingxu suddenly seemed dejected, his shoulders slightly slumping—

“Fine.”

Xue Jiao was already distant. He couldn’t abandon his only daughter! There had to be give and take, he had to make choices!

The matter was settled, and Gu Shiyun left quickly, leaving on the third day after it was decided.

Not only was it Cheng Suo and the others’ requirement, but Gu Jingxu also felt ashamed and didn’t dare let Gu Shiyun stay in the country for long.

Gu Shiyun stood at the airport entrance, looking back once.

She couldn’t quite understand the meaning behind the other party’s requirements. After this incident, she couldn’t stay in the country anyway and had to go abroad.

The other party proposed a plan identical to their arrangement!

What was the purpose?

But soon, her lips curved slightly upward. Gu Xue Jiao, you still can’t do anything to me.

After I go abroad for a few years and come back to take over the Gu family company, I’ll eventually take revenge!

Gu Shiyun left with confusion and ambition, but as soon as she went abroad, Cheng Suo drove to Pengcheng.

He called his secretary and, gritting his teeth, instructed—

“Xiao Jun, from today on, suppress Gu Jingxu’s company at all costs! Even if Pengcheng suffers severe losses! Suppress them!”

The secretary was confused by this decision, but after repeatedly confirming, he finally went out to notify others.

At noon, the secretary hurried back.

“Mr. Cheng!”

“What’s wrong?” Cheng Suo frowned.

“Someone has already moved against Gu Jingxu! It seems they’re short-selling his stock. Gu Jingxu is now in a frenzy, trying to find out who’s behind the stock moves and what they’re planning!” The secretary’s voice was slightly anxious.

Cheng Suo was shocked and quickly asked: “Who made the move?”

The secretary shook his head: “Cannot be traced. Gu Jingxu’s side is also trying to find out who’s behind it.”

That was the most terrifying part!

They couldn’t even trace who was making the moves!

Suddenly, Cheng Suo thought of the person who gave Xue Jiao the idea…

Could it be related to him?

So when he said Gu Jingxu’s company was already failing, did he know something? Or had he done something?

That person wasn’t hinting for him to move against Gu Jingxu’s company, but just wanted Xue Jiao to think that he, Cheng Suo, had resolved this matter? And not him?

Cheng Suo was puzzled.

What kind of person had Xue Jiao come to know?

And what was his purpose?

So far, everything seemed to be for Xue Jiao’s benefit, and he didn’t want Xue Jiao to know what he had done…

Cheng Suo felt that he should pay more attention to Xue Jiao in the future!

That person now seemed to have no purpose, but who knows about the future?

Xue Jiao’s past tragedy must never repeat itself!

The secretary continued to ask: “Mr. Cheng, then we…”

Cheng Suo paused, then waved his hand: “Help them out there. Don’t miss any opportunity to suppress Gu Jingxu!”

He had originally thought that suppressing Gu Jingxu would require Pengcheng to fight to the death, but now he found—

He seemed to have no losses at all.

Meanwhile, at Da Fa Real Estate.

“Mr. Yi, it seems Gu Jingxu has offended someone, his stocks are collapsing completely. Pengcheng is also closely pursuing him. Gu Jingxu… might not be far from bankruptcy…”

Yi Dafa was startled and then thought of something.

“Gu Jingxu? Isn’t that Xue Jiao’s classmate’s biological father, like a stepfather? His daughter and mistress seemed to be harming classmate Xue Jiao. I saw how anxious my son was about it.”

The secretary laughed awkwardly, not daring to comment.

Yi Dafa slapped his hand on the table, “For my son and classmate Xue Jiao’s sake, let’s also lend a hand!”

“What?” The secretary was surprised.

“Crush Gu Jingxu for me!”

Author’s note: Lin Zhihua: I listened to all of you. The weather has turned cold, let Gu Jingxu go bankrupt…

Gu Jingxu: ………………

Lin Zhihua: Am I handsome? Praise me! If you don’t, I’ll send you ten jin of the author’s fat meat!