The truth was finally revealed and after their initial anger subsided, Mr. and Mrs. Gu couldn’t help but feel a sense of guilt when facing Gu Yingying. Originally, their resentment toward her stemmed from the belief that she might be the daughter of the Yu family. However, it turned out that Gu Yingying was also a victim, swapped at birth by Wang Guihua. Her biological parents were still unknown and this realization left the Gu couple feeling both awkward and remorseful.

Back at the Gu family villa after leaving the police station, Mr. and Mrs. Gu struggled with how to face Gu Yingying. Surprisingly, it was Gu Xuezhen who stepped forward. Having endured mistreatment from her parents since childhood, she was relieved they had finally faced consequences for their actions. Furthermore, recognizing that Gu Yingying was also a victim of this ordeal, she took the initiative to apologize.

“I’m sorry. I targeted you before because I thought you had stolen sixteen years of my life. I believed you were their daughter.” Gu Xuezhen admitted. Deep down, she realized that under different circumstances, she would have liked Gu Yingying. She had always had a fondness for adorable things, people included.

Gu Yingying, however, remained unbothered by the apology. As long as she didn’t have to go back to the Yu family, she was content. Waving her hand dismissively, she said.

“There’s no need to apologize. Even if I’m not the Yu family’s daughter, I did live your life for sixteen years. I don’t know where my biological parents are, but I believe I’ll find them one day.”

Hearing this, Mr. and Mrs. Gu felt an even deeper pang of guilt mixed with a strange sense of pride. Despite the upheaval, Gu Yingying remained calm and optimistic about her future. It made them feel that she had been raised well under their care.

“So… Yingying, are you still willing to stay with the Gu family? Your father and I were angry with you before because we thought you were the daughter of our enemy. Now that the truth is out and you haven’t found any other relatives, why not stay with us?”

This was the conclusion Father Gu reached after much consideration. From the time he left the police station to when he got home, he realized that Yingying was also innocent. Moreover, now that their biological daughter no longer harbored any resentment, the two girls should get along well.

“Yes, Yingying, stay here with us.” Mother Gu chimed in eagerly, desperate to make amends. “If you want to find your biological parents, I’ll help you.”

Her sincere promise carried the weight of her regret, as both parents tried to repair the damage caused by their earlier actions.

Unfortunately, Gu Yingying felt that there were too many things she wanted to do. Staying in the Gu family house was absolutely out of the question. If she were to cultivate there, she would have to do it in secret, so it would be better to live on her own outside.

“Dad, Mom, I’ve always been grateful for everything you’ve taught me these past sixteen years,” she began, her tone sincere but resolute. “But now that things have changed, I’m not your daughter anymore. It wouldn’t feel right staying here any longer. I heard from Xuezhen that my household registration has been taken care of, so I think it’s time for me to live on my own and learn to be independent. Is that alright?”

She stood there, her beautiful light brown eyes shining with determination, just like the times when she had playfully spoiled her parents making them sigh in their hearts. They knew that no matter how much they said, it wouldn’t change her mind. All they could do was accept her decision.

Gu Xuezhen, biting her lip watched Gu Yingying with a sense of discomfort. Having spent much of her life at the bottom, she understood more than anyone that once harm was done, it could never be undone.

In the end, Mr. and Mrs. Gu reluctantly agreed to let Gu Yingying live on her own. However, concerned that she might struggle alone, they made arrangements for her: a luxurious villa, an apartment near the school with four bedrooms and a living room, and a five-million-yuan bank card. Only then were they willing to let her go.

The next day, accompanied by the driver, Xiao Zheng, Gu Yingying arrived at her new villa with her luggage and some of her clothes would be sent later. As she looked at the large house, Gu Yingying felt immense satisfaction. The first thing she did was let her cat, Bastet, out. The two of them—one girl and one cat—ran joyfully through the sprawling garden, basking in the freedom.

“Ahhhhh! I’m rich!!!”

Gu Yingying shouted, her hands cupped in front of her mouth like a megaphone.

Although she had never worried about spirit stones in Anlan Continent, in the modern world having money meant she could do anything she wanted! A villa, a small house, and five million yuan—while that might not be much for the Gu family but for Gu Yingying who had yet to figure out how to make money, it felt like an enormous fortune.

The best part was that now, after leaving the Gu family, she could finally practice cultivation!!!

Back in Anlan Continent, Gu Yingying and her senior brother had both been members of the Medicine Sect which as the name implied specialized in making medicinal pills. This meant that cultivating often involved alchemy, but she hadn’t had the money or the right place to practice before. Now, with a villa of her own, over 1,000 square meters in size, she could refine pills without worrying about the smell bothering anyone.

No more hesitation—she left Bastet at home to guard the place and set off alone to the largest traditional Chinese medicine pharmacy in the city. While Western medicine had become more popular in the fast-paced modern world, Gu Yingying knew the depth and complexity of Chinese medicine—it was far from as simple as Western medicine.

“Little girl, are you here to buy medicine for your family? Do you have a prescription?”

A doctor in a white coat noticed Gu Yingying looking around the lobby and approached her, assuming she didn’t know where to go to get medicine.

“I have a prescription, Doctor. I need these medicines for my family.” Gu Yingying said, showing the prescription she’d written out. The medicines from Anlan Continent were different from those in the modern world, so she had to search for similar effects.

“Ah, let me take a look.”

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