That was the Gu Family, the family she had been seeking for thirteen years, yet again and again, they deeply hurt her.
Why? Thirteen years could change so many things beyond recognition, but how could it alter them into their current state?
They ruthlessly treated a young girl, using her reputation as their bargaining chip. Did they feel proud of it? Even if they achieved victory, did they feel honored?
The hand that He Teng lifted eventually landed on He Zhilan’s head, lightly stroking and comforting her, "You have the He Family, and so many people protecting you. You don’t need to concern yourself with the Gu Family."
He Teng didn’t know, if it wasn’t for his worry about He Zhilan and He Dongxue after they got on the train, leading him to promptly call his military unit for leave and rush directly to the capital, he didn’t know how much longer He Zhilan would have to withstand those unreasonable journalists.
He had been watching outside the conference room for a long time. He saw every expression on He Zhilan’s face, how the Gu family made it almost unbearable for He Zhilan to keep up her fake smile. Yet she still defended them, not speaking of their affairs.
It was at that moment, driven by impulse, He Teng entered the room directly. He didn’t think, he only wanted to take He Zhilan away. Even if she vented her anger at him, or if she cried, it would be better than seeing her there being scolded by others and silenced by their baseless accusations.
"Brother, is it because I treated the Gu family too leniently that they can hurt me so openly? If I can treat them heartlessly, as if they have nothing to do with me, could I protect myself more fearlessly?" He Zhilan choked on her words. She wanted to protect herself, yet she didn’t have the heart to completely sever ties with the Gu family. So, she suffered such agony.
Is it necessary to experience despair and injury again and again before she can learn to be wise? She shouldn’t harbour even the slightest hope for unworthy people.
He Teng took He Zhilan directly to the guesthouse. It only serves fixed guests, so even if journalists come, they can’t get in.
Once they got to the room, He Teng called Lin Chan to tell him where they were. Lin Chan and the others arrived in less than half an hour. Seeing He Zhilan sitting there with red eyes and not saying a word, everyone felt heartbroken.
"Today, we and Mu Tou have the guts. He is right, those who believe in us have heard enough from us. Those who do not believe, it’s of no use talking to them, it will only give them another opportunity to slander her." Lin Chan patted He Zhilan’s shoulder, "Don’t be sad, aren’t all of us here with you?"
He Zhilan nodded, then took the cell phone from Lin Chan and had him dial the Gu Mansion. Standing by the window, as the phone rang, she gazed out at the snowy landscape, which mirrored the chill in her heart.
When the phone was picked up, she heard the voice of Grandma Gu. He Zhilan promptly introduced herself, "It’s He Zhilan."
On the other end, as soon as Grandma Gu heard, she looked at Grandpa Gu sitting next to her and whispered that it was He Zhilan. Grandpa Gu promptly took the phone over and immediately said, "He, didn’t you promise me? You explicitly promised that you wouldn’t mention the sleeping pill incident!"
"I did promise at the time, but did I promise you, Grandpa Gu, that you wouldn’t bring it up in the future? Grandpa Gu, on what grounds do you question me?" At Grandpa Gu’s question, He Zhilan responded with a cold laugh.