Campus Ace Girl-Chapter 264 - 265 Give up Gu Anxi! Equivalent to, giving up Jing
Shen Congwen, trying to cheer him up, smiled. "Indeed. Professor Liu made several phone calls to Qing University later to understand the situation."
Gu Yuanshan’s expression softened with relief. He patted the armrest. "Let’s go, it’s time to eat. Congwen, you should stay for dinner too."
Shen Congwen, a child Gu Yuanshan had sponsored and who was now his right-hand man, was extremely considerate and reliable. This, to some extent, compensated for the regret of Gu Changqing’s year-round absence.
Shen Congwen declined. He was well aware of his position and the proper boundaries between master and servant.
Gu Yuanshan considered it and didn’t pressure him, allowing him to leave.
As Shen Congwen left, he saw Tang Yuan and Gu Mingzhu in the living room. Both mother and daughter looked stunning.
Shen Congwen greeted them and departed. Gu Yuanshan also emerged from his study and sat at the dining table.
Tang Yuan offered a small smile. "Why didn’t you keep Assistant Shen for dinner? You chatted so long it’s past dinnertime."
Gu Yuanshan was in a good mood. "He had other matters to attend to."
Gu Mingzhu asked, seemingly unintentionally, "Does Brother Shen have a girlfriend now?"
Gu Yuanshan glanced at her. Gu Mingzhu added playfully, "He seems so busy all the time."
Tang Yuan placed some food on her daughter’s plate, subtly signaling her to speak less.
For some reason, Gu Yuanshan started talking to his wife about Gu Anxi. "That child is in Beicheng now. When you have time, go and see her!"
He paused. "Even if we can’t bring her back, we should at least show some parental care. I heard she did quite well in her exam today."
Tang Yuan’s hand, which was serving food, slowly withdrew. She looked at Gu Mingzhu. "Did you hear about that?"
Gu Mingzhu nodded. "Yes, I heard something like that."
She paused, then said quietly, "But I heard from some professors in our department that Gu Anxi had already done that set of test papers, which is why she scored so high. Her ranking at Qing University is over eight hundred."
Tang Yuan maintained her smile. "Universities in smaller places, after all, can’t compare to Beicheng University. It’s not the child’s fault."
Speaking, she affectionately stroked her younger daughter’s head. "Mingzhu, if you have time, help Gu Anxi with her studies a bit more."
Gu Mingzhu smiled brightly, revealing her pearly teeth. "I understand, Mom."
"Hurry up and eat," Tang Yuan said in a light tone.
Gu Yuanshan’s mood, however, plummeted—
So she had already practiced with those questions, that’s why she scored so well.
While eating, Gu Mingzhu whispered to her mother, "I heard the atmosphere at Qing University isn’t very good; some students are always sleeping in class, which is very disruptive. And they send their worst students to our Beicheng University... How outrageous!"
Tang Yuan replied gently, "Well, you mustn’t be like that."
Gu Mingzhu gave a shallow smile.
Gu Yuanshan sighed quietly. So she’s actually one of the worst students. Congwen must have hidden so much just to make me happy.
He was somewhat disappointed and put down his bowl after only a few bites.
After he left, Gu Mingzhu bit her lip. "Mom, do we really have to bother with that country bumpkin from Qingcheng?"
Tang Yuan stroked her head. "Don’t say that in front of your father; he’ll be unhappy if he hears it."
Gu Mingzhu smiled. "I know."
"Eat some more. You have to write your column later, don’t you?" Tang Yuan’s voice was gentle. "How’s the publication of ’Pain of Youth’ coming along? I heard there will be a book signing. Mingzhu, you’re highly praised by the public; you must cherish your reputation."
Gu Mingzhu nodded. "They said the initial print run will be 100,000 copies, and they’ll print more if it sells out."
Tang Yuan pondered for a moment. "Is it going to be sold on DingDang.com? Mom will help drum up some publicity for you then."
With capital involved, 100,000 copies would be easy.
What Tang Yuan really wanted wasn’t just the publication, but for Gu Mingzhu’s writing to be adapted into a movie, making her a famous screenwriter.
Combined with the Gu family’s status, Mingzhu’s future prospects were limitless.
Gu Mingzhu was aware of this as well. She understood her future path clearly, so she had quickly moved on from the competition she lost. However, she couldn’t let go of Gu Anxi.
But as long as Gu Anxi doesn’t return to the Gu family, she won’t be able to compete with me for Mom and Dad’s affection, or for anything else that belongs to the Gu family.
...
While the Gu family’s mother and daughter were having their heart-to-heart, Gu Ning arrived.
Gu Ning’s expression was somewhat heavy; she wasn’t even in the mood to bicker with Tang Yuan and her daughter and hurried into the study.
Gu Yuanshan was feeling irritable. Seeing Gu Ning arrive, he only briefly glanced at her. "What’s so urgent?"
Gu Ning sat on the sofa opposite him, her expression serious. "Big Brother, I just received some news."
"What important news has you so worked up?" Gu Yuanshan picked up his teacup and took a sip.
Gu Ning lowered her voice. "Cloud He Group obtained 50L of Jing!"
"What?" Gu Yuanshan almost spilled the tea in his hand.
He slowly placed the cup on the coffee table, his gaze fixed on Gu Ning’s face. "Are you sure? 50L?"
Jing... it’s extremely rare!
Currently, it was outrageously scarce on the market; obtaining even 1L was as hard as ascending to heaven, let alone 50L.
Gu Yuanshan could barely sit still. "Where did they get so much? I’ve never heard of such a channel."
Gu Ning also complained, "I haven’t heard of it either! Big Brother, should we go to the Bo Family and try to find out what’s going on?"
Gu Yuanshan looked at his younger sister.
Gu Ning cleared her throat lightly. "Isn’t Gu Anxi in Beicheng? As her father, isn’t it normal for you to go see her?"
In fact, Ms. Gu Ning didn’t believe in this whole ’scourge’ business and wasn’t interested in divination. Who believes such outdated things in this day and age?
Her elder brother believed it, or rather, he had to. If he didn’t believe it himself, how could he convince others?
The Gu family had built its fortune on divination. If your divinations weren’t accurate, how could you remain the Family Head?
That’s how Gu Anxi was sacrificed!
Gu Yuanshan hesitated slightly, his well-defined fingers gently twirling the blue and white porcelain cup. He remained silent for a long while.
Gu Ning did not rush him.
Just then, Tang Yuan pushed the door open and came in. "Sister-in-law, what is it?"
Seeing her enter, and as he also wanted to discuss it with her, Gu Yuanshan explained the matter.
After listening, Tang Yuan was silent for a moment before speaking softly, "Yuanshan, what you’re suggesting has merit, but have you considered this: if those collateral branches of the Gu family find out we’ve... brought back the ’scourge,’ will they still submit to us? Can you, as the Family Head, maintain your position securely?"
Gu Yuanshan fell silent.
Tang Yuan had hit a nerve.
Gu Ning gave a wry smile. "So, Sister-in-law is suggesting we abandon the child? She’s a living, breathing person right in front of you. Don’t you want to hold her, hear her call you ’Mom’?"
Even though it was just the three of them, Tang Yuan maintained the dignified composure of the family matriarch, smiling faintly. "Mingzhu is my only child."
Gu Ning looked at her elder brother, waiting for him to state his position.
Gu Yuanshan pondered for a moment then spoke, "Let’s do as your sister-in-law says. That child is ominous. If we insist on acknowledging her, it will inevitably lead to many troubles. It would be better if..."
"Better to just abandon her, is that it, Big Brother!" Gu Ning never minced her words. "You two are truly heartless! That child might not be as good as Mingzhu, but she’s your own flesh and blood, after all."
