Chapter 66: Playing Games

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Lin Miao gently tugged at Gu Shan’s clothing and whispered, “Dad, please don’t talk to Sister like that. She didn’t mean any harm.”

“Miaomiao,” Zhang Mei said, her heart aching, “we’re fighting for your sake. I understand that you can’t express it openly. Please stay out of this matter.”

Gu Zi discerned the situation upon hearing these words. She was all too familiar with Lin Miao’s tactic of feigning weakness to elicit sympathy.

Gu Shan and Zhang Mei’s merciless behavior today was obviously instigated by Lin Miao.

However, if they wanted to take the money from selling her job, why didn’t they look for her directly? Why did they come after the Lin family for it?

Gu Zi couldn’t help but see through it as a manipulative scheme. She knew Lin Miao’s tactics all too well.

Gu Zi took measured steps towards Gu Shan and Zhang Mei, then paused suddenly. Her beautiful, crystal-clear eyes held a hint of moisture, giving off an air of innocence that made people want to shower her with affection.

She wanted to say something but seemed to be at a loss for words. Her long, fluttering eyelashes added to her aura of innocence.

Gu Shan’s heart wavered. After all, she was the daughter they had raised for more than a decade. The fact that it took her so long even to call him “Daddy” must mean she felt wronged.

But when he considered the hardships Lin Miao had endured, he steeled his heart and uttered harsh words.

“Gu Zi, you ought to have a conscience. We’ve raised you for over ten years and treated you well. You secured that job as a member of the Gu family. The money from selling your job should rightfully belong to the Gu family and Lin Miao.”

Lin Miao was correct in her assessment. If Gu Zi weren’t his daughter, how could she have obtained such favorable conditions for her education and landed such a great job?

Zhang Mei, with clenched teeth, added, “That’s right, Gu Zi. You can’t just keep the money for yourself. If you’re unwilling to return it, you should ask your biological parents to return it to you.”

As these words reached their ears, Su Shen’s gaze grew increasingly cold, but he remained silent, watching the situation unfold.

He believed Gu Zi was exceptionally astute and was eager to see how she would handle the Gu family’s unreasonable demands.

Throughout this exchange, Su Shen’s indifferent gaze remained fixed on Gu Zi. He didn’t spare even a sideways glance for Lin Miao.

Lin Miao, who expected more attention from Su Shen, felt intense jealousy.

They had previously declared their closeness, but his focus was solely on Gu Zi.

She was so jealous that she went crazy. Why did Su Shen treat her and Gu Zi so differently?

She hid behind Gu Shan, so no one saw that her eyes were red with anger.

Mr. and Mrs. Lin were in a state of shock. They couldn’t bear to witness their daughter being treated this way, but they felt helpless about what to do.

There were some things they couldn’t articulate. Just because the Lin family was less well-off than the Gu family, did that mean they treated Lin Miao poorly?

But it was clear that they had spared no effort in raising Lin Miao.

She didn’t enjoy doing farm work, so they didn’t make her do it.

When Lin Miao found the journey to school too far, they arranged for Lin Cheng to carry her to and from school every day.

Because I Iin Miao was the vonngest and the babv sister. all the advantages

were extended to her first.

Despite the family’s economic hardships, among the village’s girls, Lin Miao was the only one exempt from chores.

Yet, just because Gu Zi’s original family wasn’t as well-off as the Gu family, the job she secured on her own didn’t belong to her. What sort of logic was this?

After bottling up her emotions for a while, Mrs. Lin finally spoke, saying, “Mr. and Mrs. Gu, both Gu Zi and Miaomiao are innocent. If Gu Zi found that job independently, she has the right to handle it however she sees fit.”

Seeing the Lin couple being pressured into a corner, Gu Zi now understood the Gu family’s ulterior motive for visiting.

They aimed to pressure the honorable Lin family into submission. In the end, if they couldn’t produce the money, they wanted to persuade her to do so instead. Fortunately, the Lin family remained reasonable.

Gu Zi added, “Mom, my adoptive parents have also instilled in me that the kindness of raising me is as boundless as the sky. I should always remember that. They are saying this because they feel sympathy for Lin Miao. My adoptive parents are actually very reasonable people.”

Her tone was gentle and soothing. She didn’t harbor any resentment toward the Gu family’s treatment of her. Instead, she conveyed her understanding.

Gu Shan and Zhang Mei were slightly perplexed by her nonchalant words.

Could they completely deny Gu Zi just because they felt sorry for Miaomiao?

They had always been quite satisfied with Gu Zi. How did things get to this point?

Gu Zi noticed that Zhang Mei’s face was slightly flushed and continued, “I apologize, please forgive me for taking matters into my own hands. I used that money as a dowry for my marriage with Su Shen. I didn’t want to bring embarrassment upon you and allow others to look down on you..”