"What paternity test? Thatâs the most unreliable thing." Gu Qingfeng widened his eyes and said angrily.
Regarding this paternity test, he was the biggest victim; the feeling of being deceived and played with was unforgettable.
Just as Gu Qiaoqiao was about to say something, Gu Qingfeng waved his hand, "Qiaoqiao, donât keep these things in your heart. Iâve offended many people over the years, theyâre just envious of my happy life. I tell you this just to prevent others from bothering you with this, so youâre mentally prepared..."
"Great Grandfather, you say that, but we also canât be careless, lest some people make an article out of it."
Gu Qiaoqiao still spoke out.
At this point, Gu Tianfeng, who hadnât spoken, chimed in, "Qiaoqiao, your great grandfather is right. Donât let such things weigh on your mind. No matter what facts you present, if they donât want to believe it, even with ironclad evidence, they wonât. As long as we know ourselves, thatâs enough."
Gu Tianfeng didnât care at all. He was sure of his lineage from Gu Kun.
Gu Tianfeng had seen the book his father wrote in his youth. No one knew his fatherâs handwriting better than he did. Actually, as a child, he had some doubts. His father was similar to his grandfather in character, stubborn and self-willed, rarely listening to others.
If he didnât want to talk about something, he would never utter a word about it.
But many things made him suspicious as he grew older. For example, his father claimed to be from a poor family, but his demeanor was very genteel, well-read in ancient poetry and literature, with a rich cultural background. When naming his eldest daughter, he effortlessly said: âIn the South, there is a Qiao Mu, in the North, there is a Qiao Song. Letâs name her Gu Qiaoqiao.â
How could someone uneducated say such things?
Not to mention that he wrote beautiful calligraphy.
How could a poor family raise such a child?
But since his father forbade questions or mentions, he naturally didnât dare to bring it up again.
Yet, after he saw his fatherâs âComplete Gemstone Atlasâ, everything was confirmed.
So of course he wouldnât put his mind to these baseless rumors.
Moreover, he knew in his heart that his acknowledgment of the Gu family roots was just fulfilling a wish for his father, perhaps showing filial piety in his place since Gu Qingfeng had no sons and hadnât lived well.
In his eighties, he couldnât let him and grandma continue to be lonely.
Otherwise, the whole family would have lived well even in Stone Town, as long as Ning Wanruâs group didnât harbor ill intentions.
Gu Qiaoqiao glanced around the room, noticing that everyone seemed unbothered, especially Xiao Wen, who gave her an amused look.
This left Gu Qiaoqiao a bit sheepish, realizing she might have overreacted. Indeed, there was no need for any paternity test; it was the most unreliable thing. For their Gu Family, the fact that Gu Qiaoqiao could open the Mysterious Dragon Box was the best proof.
So Gu Qiaoqiao chuckled, leaning on her great grandfatherâs shoulder, and said coquettishly, "Great Grandfather, I just donât want outsiders to hurt our familyâs feelings."
"To let a few rumors harm our feelings would be a joke. Do you think Iâm that foolish?"
Lady Yu gave him a glance, her expression complex, then looked at Gu Zhixing and said snappily, "You think youâre so smart?"
In the face of Lady Yu, Gu Qingfeng didnât mind being ridiculed in front of his grandchildren; he just laughed, showing his happiness despite the mockery, "Haha, Lady Yu is right."
Lady Yu glanced at him again, lightly humming in response.
The people in the hall visibly relaxed, restoring a joyful atmosphere.
Gu Qiaoqiao, however, was pondering that rumors donât come from nowhere. The rumors suddenly started to spread, whereas logically, such doubts should have arisen during the family reunion party. The ones to voice those doubts should have been Ning Wanruâs group, but none did. Instead, someone brought it up two years later.
What was the purpose?
Having experienced much, Gu Qiaoqiao had to remain vigilant about certain things.
Meanwhile, on a distant ocean island, the eastern sun had already leaped over the horizon, hanging high in the sapphire sky.
The clear sky and the sea melded into one, with the golden beach shimmering under the sunlight like it was covered in gold.
Waves crashed against the rocks as if singing a distant song. Though small, this island was a private one, with a luxurious yacht moored at the port on the golden beachâs other side.
The island was dotted with coconut and palm trees gently swaying in the sea breeze.
In the islandâs center rose a mountain topped by a palace.
The palace was lavishly decorated with unknown materials glistening white in the sunlight, and its open doors were adorned with pearl bead curtains.
A gentle breeze caused them to jingle melodiously.
The place was serene; not far away, several people in their fifties tended to a garden blooming with colorful flowers.
Inside the opulent hall, with decor reminiscent of a majestic past palace, a middle-aged man sat on a sofa in a white silk shirt, perusing newspapers and letters intently. Beside him sat an elegant lady with her hair in a bun, dressed in a silk cheongsam, her fair skin making her age indiscernible.
Yet, her face carried an aloof expression, as if nothing mattered to her, and the manâs occasional glances held a fleeting sinister glint.
After some time, he finished reading and leaned back on the sofa, gazing out the window in silence. The woman sipped her tea without question, and just then, a young girl descended the stairs, clad in a white dress, her black hair braided and swaying with her every move, looking delightful.
The young girl seemed around eighteen, exuding youthful vitality. She bounced to the middle-aged manâs opposite side, took a sip of tea, and asked, "Dad, is there more news from the Central Plains? That godforsaken place, same for decades, why do you bother paying attention to it? I really donât understand you..."
"Donât underestimate the Central Plains; it once hid mighty dragons and tigers."
The middle-aged man replied indifferently.