WWML 07

chapter 07

“This news has been hidden for two days, and you still haven’t found her?” Gu Zhao’s face was dark with anger, his voice restrained but sharp.

“Qingning went missing during a class trip, and the school hasn’t given any explanation?”

Uncle Wan lowered his head even more, replying, “The school said Miss Qingning left the group on her own, broke discipline, and disappeared by herself. So they claim it has nothing to do with them.”

Gu Zhao’s face turned black with fury. Someone has gone missing, and they still dare to shirk responsibility?

Gu Wanwan, forgetting the lesson from her last scolding, couldn’t help but butt in again. “Third Brother, this really isn’t the school’s fault. Sister has a stubborn temper and doesn’t like to listen to others. Maybe she just hasn’t adapted to life here yet and wanted to be alone for a few days. Don’t be angry. Let’s just send more people to search—she’ll be found sooner or later.”

Gu Zhao gave her a cold, sidelong glance, then turned and walked away.

Damn it.

Gu Wanwan stomped her foot and chased after him unwillingly. “Third Brother!”

By the time she caught up to the courtyard, Gu Zhao was already in the car.

She grabbed the door handle, smiling ingratiatingly. “Third Brother, you’ve come home after so long. Stay and have dinner before you leave, okay?”

Gu Zhao fastened his seat belt, his expression darkening. “No need.”

The engine roared to life, and Gu Wanwan reflexively let go of the handle.

The next second, the blue sports car shot off like an arrow from a bowstring.

Having just been completely ignored, Gu Wanwan glared at the disappearing car, furious enough to lose her composure.

How much more humble could I get? What does he want from me?

Gu Qingning is his sister—but am I not?

Back in the living room, Cheng Yu slowly came down the stairs.

Seeing Gu Wanwan walk in from outside, she asked casually, “Who was here just now? I heard noise.”

“Third Brother came back.”

Still angry, Gu Wanwan’s tone was sharp.

“He came back just to ask about Gu Qingning. What does she have that I don’t? He can’t even give me a kind look.”

At those words, Cheng Yu froze for a moment while lifting her coffee cup, then looked up sharply. “Gu Zhao came back just now?”

Gu Wanwan nodded, still sulking. “He came home just to look for Gu Qingning. It’s infuriating.”

“He came to look for her?” Cheng Yu set her cup down, her brows knitting together. “Does that mean he knows Gu Qingning’s missing?”

“Uncle Wan told him everything just now. He got really mad and even scolded me,” Gu Wanwan said, her tone full of grievance.

Cheng Yu fell silent, eyes glinting with a calculating light.

“Mom,” Gu Wanwan said worriedly after calming down a little, “if Third Brother cares this much about Gu Qingning, and she actually comes back, then won’t everything I have be taken by her?”

If Third Brother sided with Gu Qingning, then the eldest and second brothers would surely follow. She couldn’t allow that to happen.

Gu Qingning will not take what’s mine.
There’s only one young lady of the Gu family—and that’s me, Gu Wanwan.

Cheng Yu looked at her impatient, flustered daughter and shook her head slightly.

She turned toward the kitchen and called out, “Aunt Lin!”

A moment later, a middle-aged woman hurried out, still wearing an apron and wet gloves.

“Yes, madam,” she said with a fawning smile.

“Clean up the room at the end of the third-floor hallway. Arrange it exactly like Wanwan’s room—everything spotless and beautiful.” Cheng Yu’s tone was calm but firm.

“Then move all of Gu Qingning’s belongings there. From now on, that’s her room. And tell everyone—no one is to leak a word. They should all know what to say and what not to say.”

Having served Cheng Yu for years, Aunt Lin wasn’t stupid. She immediately understood the madam’s intentions.

“Yes, I’ll take care of it right away.”

Once Aunt Lin left, Gu Wanwan couldn’t hold it in any longer.

“Mom, are you crazy? Why would you give that room to Gu Qingning? And even decorate it like mine? Who does she think she is—what right does she have?”

Cheng Yu took a slow sip of her coffee before replying.

When her daughter finally ran out of steam, she said calmly, “How many times have I told you—not to panic when something happens? All you know how to do is make a fuss without using your head.”

“You know those three brothers always stand together. Now that Gu Zhao knows Gu Qingning’s missing, he’ll definitely tell Gu Ying and the eldest brother. When the three of them come back and find out we made her stay in the storage room, they’ll never let it go.” She analyzed the situation carefully.

“If this gets big enough for your grandfather and father to find out, we won’t be able to explain it. So instead, we have to act first.”

Gu Wanwan caught on quickly. “So you’re having Gu Qingning stay on the third floor so they can’t accuse us of mistreating her?”

Cheng Yu nodded approvingly—at least she wasn’t entirely stupid.

“As long as we put on a convincing act of treating Gu Qingning well, they won’t be able to find fault. Be kind to her in front of them—act like a good sister. That way, they’ll change their opinion of you and treat you better too.”

Realizing the strategy, Gu Wanwan’s expression softened.

“Don’t waste energy getting upset over little things. Go practice your violin. Winning that competition is what really matters right now,” Cheng Yu reminded her.

“You’re my only daughter. You’d better make me proud.”

No matter how much she disliked the Gu brothers, there was one fact she couldn’t change—they were all outstanding, the old master adored them, and she only had one daughter. Naturally, she had to plan for their future carefully.

Gu Wanwan pouted. “Got it.”