"He Zhilan, what are you staring at my grandmother for! Don’t you know anything about manners! You have the audacity to remain in my house!" Gu En, noticing He Zhilan’s gaze, rushed over, shielding his grandmother behind him with the ferocity of a cheetah defending its prey.
Like not hearing Gu En’s words, He Zhilan was shaking her head gently, murmuring to herself, "No~No~It must be my mistake~Yes, indeed it must be."
Tears suddenly pierced her defenses, and in an instant, they collapsed.
The once tender face from her memories had morphed into one of severe reprimand and even disgust. He Zhilan’s heart ached uncontrollably.
"What’s going on?" The old master of the Gu family hobbled over with his cane, drawn by the ruckus. The squabble in the kitchen had attracted the attention of those outside, and many had gathered around.
"Grandfather, Miss He is unrefined, first invading your study, then eavesdropping on mother and grandmother! I disapprove of her. I want her out!" Gu En cut in, the disdain evident on his face, not sugarcoating his words.
He Zhilan’s body felt as heavy as if it were filled with lead. Slowly, she turned to look at the old master of the Gu family.
If she had misremembered one face, what of two, or three?
Even though she had not met Gu En’s father before, He Zhilan was certain, the man standing in uniform behind the old master must be the Gu patriarch.
The subtle disgust in the men’s eyes and the implied reproach nearly tore her heart into shreds.
He Zhilan didn’t know what she was supposed to say or do, standing there at that moment.
She had come in biting cold winds, battling against countless hardships only to return with wounds covering her body. The ones she yearned for and painstakingly sought after did not miss her as she did them.
Just like her side now had her father, their side had a daughter that made them proud and satisfied.
Just as she had just heard, they disliked her so much now, utterly loathed her.
That sort of loathing was as hurtful as being treated as trash.
Their current daughter excelled in everything, earning praises and satisfaction from all.
And her? She was just a country bumpkin, not fit to be seen in public, unliked by others, petty, scheming, and even disrespectful and ill-mannered.
What could such a deplorable woman like her gain from staying here?
The reality was a stark contrast to all the scenes she had imagined.
Thirteen years, what had distanced them was not merely space, but also their hearts, and their kinship.
The search that had become her conviction nearly suffocated her at this moment, like the crushing pressure of a collapsing mountain.
So, was she stubborn?
The result of her tenacious search, giving up her dignity, even her marriage, was this sorry state?
He Zhilan remembered reading a book that said, do not forcibly mend severed ties, otherwise, it will only lead to mutual destruction.
Zhou Hongjin’s mother was right; she was destined to have shallow kinship in her life.
Her ties with the Gu family were thin, so they were severed thirteen years ago. From the day she assumed the surname He, she was told by heaven that it was where she belonged. From that day on, the existence of Gu Zhilan ceased in this world.