Chapter 2: The Real and Fake Daughter

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

Lu Man had doted on Gu Ci since her youth, wanting to spoil her so much that she became useless, but she also devoted much care to nurturing Gu Chuyun. As a result, Gu Ci grew flamboyant, bright, arrogant, and domineering, while Gu Chuyun was gentle like water, akin to a flower with understanding.

Gu Chuyun had also become a rising star in the violin world, participating in a competition at the tender age of fourteen and winning the championship. Her career had been smooth sailing ever since, and she had consistently been lauded as a genius violinist. Many believed that Gu Chuyun had inherited Jiang Mingyue’s violin talent and was a prodigious talent.

However, Gu Chuyun had formed cliques and ostracized Gu Ci since childhood. Due to Lu Man’s status as a mistress, many had accused Gu Ci of being an illegitimate daughter. Every time such accusations were made, Gu Ci would fight back fiercely, her already-arrogant personality becoming even more pronounced.

Despite her efforts, Gu Ci had never won against Gu Chuyun, and her reputation was tarnished. Whenever Gu Chuyun’s name was mentioned, people would praise her for her gentleness and rationality, further adding to Gu Ci’s isolation.

Whenever Gu Ci is mentioned, it’s always about her being arrogant, narrow-minded, and unable to behave properly. She’s truly an illegitimate child who can’t hold her own.

“Xiao Ci, what are you doing here?” Lu Man was surprised and frightened to see Gu Ci. Wasn’t she locked up in the room with Lu Shijie?

Gu Ci sneered, “If I’m not here, where else would I be?”

“Xiao Ci, today is your sister’s engagement banquet, don’t cause any trouble,” Lu Man felt that Gu Ci had changed. She was even more arrogant, domineering, and proud.

As long as Lu Man favored Gu Chuyun, she could always drive Gu Ci crazy. This trick had never failed before. But now, Gu Ci was like a completely different person, stunningly beautiful and exquisite, like a rose with thorns.

“Can’t you be more sensible? What’s the occasion today? Why are you making a scene?” Gu Wenliang instinctively rebuked Gu Ci upon hearing Lu Man’s words. It had always been like this since they were young – if Gu Chuyun shed a tear, it was Gu Ci’s fault.

Recently, Gu Wenliang had heard rumors that Gu Ci was secretly in love with Lu Shijie. Knowing her usual spoiled and capricious behavior, Gu Wenliang was afraid that she would ruin this engagement and spoke to her in a particularly stern tone.

To have a crush on her own future brother-in-law was truly embarrassing!

“Gu Ci, did you do something again? If you dare to disrupt Chuyun’s engagement banquet, I’ll break your legs,” Gu Yaozu blatantly favored Gu Chuyun.

He wouldn’t allow Gu Ci to take anything from Gu Chuyun!

Everyone preferred the gentle and obedient Gu Chuyun.

The guests were all eager to watch the show upon hearing the rumors.

“I heard that Gu Ci is secretly in love with Lu Shijie, but can’t have him. Today’s engagement banquet is going to be interesting.”

“She really has no shame. He’s her future brother-in-law, how can she have the face to do this?”

“When has Gu Ci ever cared about her reputation? It’s a pity that poor Gu Chuyun has such a sister who has been bullied since childhood.”

“She is a truly foolish and wicked illegitimate child with poor character. Who in high society would want a daughter-in-law like her? It’s all because Lu Man has raised her to be useless.”

“She not only bullies Gu Chuyun but even dares to bully the third young master of the Lu family, Lu Zhiyuan.”

“No wonder, Lu Zhiyuan didn’t even attend the engagement banquet between the Lu and Gu families.”

“Lu Zhiyuan hates Gu Ci the most.”

The guests whispered among themselves, pointing and gesturing towards Gu Ci. She was all too familiar with this scene. Whenever something happened to Gu Chuyun, everyone naturally assumed it was Gu Ci’s doing.

Gu Ci spread her hands.” What did I do?”

The guests also joined in the gossip, wondering what Gu Ci had done this time.

Lu Man couldn’t say what Gu Ci had done wrong. She hadn’t seen Gu Chuyun and was anxiously asking, “Xiao Ci, stop causing trouble. Mom is very busy today. Have you seen your sister?”

Gu Ci was about to reply when they suddenly heard a scream from upstairs. “Ahhhh, Mom, help me…”

Lu Man’s face turned pale with fear as she looked towards the staircase. The guests were shocked and curious. Lu Man ran up the stairs, screaming, “Chuyun, what’s wrong? Mom is here, don’t be afraid.”

Who wouldn’t say she was a wicked stepmother after seeing this scene?

The guests and reporters also rushed up. Gu Yaozu and Gu Wenliang were worried and went upstairs. Gu Ci lazily leaned aside, pouring herself a glass of champagne.

The show was about to begin!

Upstairs, in Gu Ci’s bedroom, Lu Shijie and Gu Chuyun were entangled together. Gu Chuyun was wrapped in a thin blanket, her exposed skin covered in kiss marks, tears streaming down her face. Lu Shijie’s chest was covered in scratches and bite marks, evidence of the intense battle. This scene was captured by the media reporters.

“Chuyun…” Lu Man’s heart shattered when she saw her daughter. She rushed over to hug her, “What’s going on? Lu Shijie, how dare you…”

Lu Shijie’s eyes were sinister. Gu Chuyun hid in Lu Man’s embrace, crying uncontrollably. If they weren’t engaged, this would be a crime scene.

Lu Man was intimidated by Lu Shijie’s glare and dared not say anything else.

This wasn’t their plan. It should have been Gu Ci lying here, being taken advantage of by Lu Shijie. How could it be her own daughter?

“Shut up!” Lu Shijie shouted. His head was pounding. How could it be Gu Chuyun?

Gu Chuyun was the heiress of the Gu family, inheriting 20% of Jiang Mingyue’s shares. She was also Gu Wenliang’s favorite daughter and the perfect match for Lu Shijie.

But compared to the dull and wooden Gu Chuyun, he preferred the wild and gorgeous Gu Ci. Gu Chuyun had long planned to send Gu Ci to his bed.

The guests were stunned, taking out their phones to take pictures and videos. The room was filled with the aftermath of passion, and no one had expected the engaged couple to indulge in such behavior before their engagement ceremony.

In people’s minds, the image of the pure and noble Gu Chuyun collapsed in an instant, revealing her true nature as a slut.

“This is too explosive!”

“Fuck, this is their engagement ceremony. How anxious would they be to do this now?”

“I didn’t expect the pure and innocent Gu Chuyun to be such a lustful woman.”

“Oh my god, my image of her is ruined. She was my goddess.”

Gu Yaozu was furious as reporters and guests continued to take pictures. He drove them away, “Stop taking pictures! Get out of here!”

“Anyone who spreads this incident will face the consequences from the Lu family!” Lu Shijie’s menacing gaze swept over everyone, including the media reporters.

Everyone’s heart went cold, and no one dared to offend the Lu family, even though Lu Shijie was an illegitimate son. He was now the young master of the Lu family and the general manager of the Lu Corporation, holding real power.

Gu Wenliang also felt that he had lost face. How could his beloved daughter do such an improper thing? “Stop taking pictures, everyone. They are engaged, and it’s normal for them to have a moment of weakness.”

He desperately tried to cover up for Gu Chuyun and Lu Shijie, but the guests felt that something was off.

Gu Ci sneered and asked, “If I heard correctly, Gu Chuyun just screamed for help?”

“Gu Ci, this is none of your business. Keep quiet!” Gu Wenliang was furious and spoke with a stern tone, “Are you trying to embarrass us even more?”

“The one who embarrassed herself is Gu Chuyun, not me.”

“You…”