Gu Shengsheng was baffled.
She really didn't have this mother's number saved. They truly weren't that close.
'Oh well. As long as I don't expect others to have any feelings for me, I won't get hurt.'
It was a shame, though, for the body's original owner. Not a single person had loved her. Oh, right, and there was Grandma from the countryside. She had come to the Gu family with her. Where was she now?
She had a bad feeling about this.
She scanned a yellow share bike and rode it back. When she arrived at the entrance of the high-end villa, the bike seemed completely out of place.
Gu Shengsheng opened the door and went inside. Gu Rongrong's family of three was already eating.
It looked like they were just about full.
When the family saw her, they all looked a little awkward.
Gu Rongrong was the first to stand up. "Sister."
"I... I wasn't feeling well today, so Mom and Dad stayed with me. We couldn't wait for you, so we started eating first."
Her hands were clasped together, as if she were terrified of being blamed by Gu Shengsheng.
Guan Wutian, a man of few words as always, called out to her, "Wash your hands and come eat."
Song Shuhua, however, noticed the dust on her clothes. The outfit, already cheap to begin with, looked even more wretched now, and she looked at it with disgust.
'Her adopted daughter carried herself like a proper young lady from a prestigious family, but this biological daughter of hers... how did she end up like a country bumpkin?'
Fury suddenly surged through her. "Gu Shengsheng, where the hell were you fooling around today? Anyone who didn't know better would think you'd been out laying bricks! Just look at your clothes!"
"Wandering around all day in clothes like that, without a shred of elegance or grace! How are you fit to be my, Song Shuhua's, daughter!"
'She had been competitive her whole life, an infallible presence even in her circle of wealthy wives. This biological daughter... thank god she'd never thought of taking her out in public.'
'Otherwise, who knows how much face she would have lost!'
Gu Shengsheng raised an eyebrow and glanced at her own clothes. They were indeed a bit dusty, probably from when she was picking out raw stones and accidentally brushed against something.
Considering how long she'd been at the market, her clothes were actually quite clean.
She had planned to shower before eating anyway.
But now... she deliberately sat down at the dining table, right next to Song Shuhua. She beamed at her. "These dishes are a bit cold. Could I ask the kitchen to remake them for me?"
"Mm," Guan Wutian nodded.
The kitchen then brought out new dishes. Just as Gu Rongrong and Song Shuhua were about to speak, Gu Shengsheng cut in, "One shouldn't speak while eating."
"It's a rule passed down from our ancestors, and we should abide by it. Especially a family like ours."
At her words, the insults Song Shuhua had been about to spew got stuck in her throat.
'Now she's learned how to lecture others?'
In this strange atmosphere, Gu Shengsheng ate two bowls of white rice all by herself, with a balanced, nutritious mix of meat and vegetables.
She ate until she was full, feeling extremely satisfied.
Watching her finish, Song Shuhua said with a cold face, "Hurry up and go shower and change! Put on the clothes we prepared for you."
"What will people think when they see you tomorrow? Even if it's for a marriage to ward off bad luck, they'll still find you disgusting."
"Your father is counting on that partnership and the money to save lives. Don't even think about pulling any tricks."
Gu Shengsheng didn't say yes, and she didn't say no.
She just asked, "Where's my grandma? I want to see her."
Gu Rongrong spoke up. "Sister, she's my grandma too. Since she came from the countryside with you, I had her settled in the attic."
"We have maids in the house to look after her. We haven't quite gotten along yet, and she's old and can't handle any agitation. Sister, can't you be a little more filial?"
"Don't see her for now. You can see her after you get married."
"..." Gu Shengsheng was speechless. As expected, they were going to use her grandmother to threaten her, afraid she would suddenly refuse to marry.
'For Gu Rongrong to have such a scheme, though... that was truly something. She's very clever.'
Since they were using her as a threat, it proved that Grandma was perfectly fine for now. So Gu Shengsheng wasn't worried. She'd find a way to deal with it when the time came.
'For now, I'll let them be arrogant for a little while.'
So, she was dragged by Song Shuhua to her walk-in closet.
Within a single day, the closet had been filled with many expensive and gorgeous clothes, most of which were sweet, feminine, puffy princess dresses.
She didn't like a single one of them. She walked over, checked the sizes on the clothes, and immediately understood what was going on.
She said, somewhat amused, "Did you just dump all the clothes your daughter didn't want on me?"
Song Shuhua frowned. "Gu Shengsheng, what are you talking about? You're my daughter too."
"These clothes were bought for Rongrong before. She didn't like them and wouldn't wear them. You should be grateful that I'm giving them to you to wear. Have you ever even seen 100,000 yuan in your entire life!"
Gu Shengsheng: "...I wouldn't go that far."
Song Shuhua shot her a disdainful look. "I know you're a country bumpkin who never had enough to eat or warm clothes to wear. Consider these the simplest things I, as your mother, can give you!"
"Pick a set you like and wear it tomorrow to meet your future mother-in-law."
"If you think wearing an ill-fitting outfit to meet a guest is the highest form of respect, then I have no objections."
She spread her hands.
"..." Song Shuhua thought that made sense. After a moment, she decided it would be better to have a set custom-made for her tomorrow.
She took her measurements and was about to leave, but just then, Gu Rongrong came running over, looking aggrieved. She tugged on her mother's arm, a pile of clothes in her hands.
"Mom, so many of my clothes have been cut up..."
Gu Shengsheng had a bad feeling. She felt this was all aimed at her.
"..." Speechless. 'They're still using this kind of cheap, Mary Sue cliché? This is getting really annoying.'
"Mom, the maid saw Sister pass by my room... Sister, if you like them, I can just give them to you. My life was originally supposed to be yours, anyway. But why would you..."
She trailed off, her voice filled with grief.
Gu Shengsheng: "Get lost."
Although Song Shuhua didn't know what had happened, Gu Shengsheng had been with her ever since she finished eating, so she probably hadn't done it.
'But how could she have such an attitude?'
"Gu Shengsheng, you just have to explain yourself properly. We can check the security cameras later. Why is your tone so aggressive? Your sister is just anxious because her clothes are ruined."
"You get lost too," Gu Shengsheng said.
"..."
Seeing that Gu Rongrong was about to come over and keep nagging, Gu Shengsheng took the scissors from her hand.
Looking just like a demon of destruction, she stormed towards her room and found the walk-in closet that was two or three times larger than her own.
She went inside and started cutting up the clothes, one by one.
Gu Rongrong lost her composure and screamed nonstop. She really loved those clothes! Who would have thought Gu Shengsheng was so crazy!
After she finished cutting, she watched Gu Rongrong shed tears.
And said, "You want a snip on your neck too?"
"..." As expected, Gu Rongrong was so scared she stopped crying.
Then, Gu Shengsheng gave her another look. Gu Rongrong hugged herself in fear and said, "What more do you want?"
"Nothing. Just a reminder. That Cartier Panthère collection necklace on your neck—it's supposed to be a 400,000 yuan custom piece, right? But that thing on you is worth 50,000 at most."
"You..."
"And your Chanel handbag. Bought it in Africa, didn't you? They sell crocodile skins there for a few thousand yuan. It was handmade by some guy in Africa, and the quality isn't bad, but it has... nothing to do with Chanel."