Hearing the yelling and cursing from downstairs, Gu Xingzhao nonchalantly continued eating, even picking her ear with her pinky. It wasn’t until ten minutes later, when the shouting finally stopped, that she leisurely changed her clothes and headed downstairs.

As soon as she opened the supermarket door, a barrage of insults from a woman hit her like a storm.

Guan Lian pointed a gold-ringed finger straight at Gu Xingzhao, “You wretch! You actually riled up people online to sue my son!”

Beside her, Guan Shun stood nervously, wearing a hat and mask to avoid being recognized.

Gu Chengzhang, standing by, looked at his daughter, his hand trembling at his side. He fought the urge to lash out at her, reminding himself that there was more at stake today.

Gu Xingzhao’s lips curved slightly as she smiled and said, “That person online isn’t your son, right? Last I checked, your son’s last name was Guan. When did he change it to Gu?”

Guan Lian faltered. In an attempt to gain more attention from the public, her son had changed his online account name to “Gu Shun,” trying to link himself to Gu Xingzhao’s fame.

Gritting his teeth, Guan Shun seethed, thinking of the online criticisms and feeling all his hatred directed at Gu Xingzhao.

“Gu Xingzhao, I’ve treated you like family! I’ve never done anything to hurt you, so how could you support those people in suing me?!”

Hearing this, Gu Xingzhao nearly burst out laughing. “Wait, who are you? What relationship do I have with you?”

“Stop going around claiming we’re family. If you really want to take the Gu name, I could use a son. But I’m not sure if your mom would agree.”

“You—!”

Guan Shun, pampered his whole life due to his family’s modest wealth, had never faced such ridicule. His mind went blank with rage, and his lips trembled, unable to form a coherent sentence.

Guan Lian’s face turned green. She charged at Gu Xingzhao, spitting with fury, “You uncouth brat! I’ll teach you a lesson today, in place of your father!”

But before she could even lay a hand on Gu Xingzhao, her hair suddenly stood on end. A rumble echoed from the sky, and a blue-white lightning bolt cracked through the air, striking her arm.

Guan Lian jerked violently, her face contorted in unspeakable pain. She tried to scream, but her throat seemed constricted, unable to make a sound. Her body was paralyzed, drained of all strength, until her legs gave out and she collapsed heavily onto the ground, unconscious.

Seeing what had just transpired, Guan Shun cried out in panic, “Mom!”

Feigning shock, Gu Xingzhao covered her mouth, “Oh my, was she struck by lightning?”

Guan Shun clenched his fists, his face livid as he turned to Gu Xingzhao with burning eyes, “Gu Xingzhao, what did you do to my mother!?”

Feigning innocence, Gu Xingzhao replied, “I’ve been standing right here the whole time. If she got struck by lightning for her misdeeds, what’s that got to do with me? Ridiculous.”

Guan Shun was about to argue further, but Gu Chengzhang pulled him back.

“Stop making a scene and take your mother to the hospital,” Gu Chengzhang commanded, his tone grim.

Guan Shun shot one last glare at Gu Xingzhao before helping his mother off the ground. Before leaving, he spat out, “Gu Xingzhao, this isn’t over!”

Gu Xingzhao, still smiling, watched them leave. Then she turned to face her father, still standing there, raising an eyebrow. Her tone was mocking, “Your wife just fainted, and you, the husband, aren’t going to check on her?”

Gu Chengzhang’s expression darkened momentarily, but he forced a gentler tone, “Xingzhao, I came today because I really need your help with something important.”

Hearing this, Gu Xingzhao simply nodded, “Oh, I see.”

Relieved that her tone wasn’t as cold as last time, Gu Chengzhang was about to suggest they go inside to talk when Gu Xingzhao’s voice, now cool and detached, cut through the air:

“But I don’t want to help.”

Her face remained calm, betraying no emotion.

This only made Gu Chengzhang more determined. He believed there was still room to negotiate, that if he could gain his daughter’s forgiveness, everything would be fine. After all, in his mind, he had never done anything wrong.

He had given her life—that was a tremendous favor. She should naturally listen to him and do what he said. A daughter earning money for her father to spend was only right!

She’d lived a carefree life for over a decade—wasn’t that enough?

“Xingzhao,” he said in a pleading tone, “Let’s go inside to talk. Everyone’s watching out here.”

Gu Xingzhao blinked innocently, “I don’t think so. What if, once inside, you hit me like you used to when I was little? I’m just a defenseless girl—what if you beat me to death?”

The surrounding crowd, eavesdropping on the drama, now looked at Gu Chengzhang with different eyes.

Auntie Wang, deciding she wouldn’t be able to win a physical fight, directly called the local police station to report him.

Gu Chengzhang gritted his teeth, struggling to contain the fury that made him want to strangle the daughter who had slipped out of his control. But he couldn’t. He had to beg her.

Lowering his voice, his eyes pleading, he said, “Xingzhao, please, I’m begging you. I’m truly at the end of my rope. Could you lend me 500,000 yuan? I promise I’ll pay you back—with interest.”

Gu Xingzhao’s eyes widened, feigning shock, “You want 500,000 yuan from me!?”

The crowd gasped.

“How long has she been out of university? She’s just running a small supermarket. Where would she get that kind of money?”

“How can a father not support his daughter, but instead turn around and demand money from her?”

Auntie Wang fanned the flames further, “Times sure have changed. He didn’t care for her all these years, spent all his money on his new wife and stepson, and now he’s come asking his own daughter for money! What a shame.”

“If I’d known, I would’ve pushed harder to have a daughter of my own. Look at me now, working hard selling dumplings while he’s got the nerve to leech off his daughter!”

Her voice was loud, and Gu Chengzhang heard every word. His face twisted in frustration as he glared at Auntie Wang. Grinding his teeth, he turned back to his daughter, lowering his tone, “Xingzhao, I know you might not have that kind of money. But can’t you find a way?”

Gu Xingzhao, following Auntie Wang’s lead, put on a troubled face, sounding aggrieved, “Even if you sold me, I wouldn’t be worth 500,000 yuan!”

Auntie Wang immediately jumped in, “Everyone heard that, didn’t you? He’s thinking of selling his own daughter for money!”

The crowd erupted in anger, “Selling your daughter for 500,000 yuan?!”

“Unbelievable! A father selling his daughter to pay off debts?”

“What kind of monster is this man!”

Gu Chengzhang’s face turned ashen. He could no longer hold back his rage, shouting at the crowd, “She’s my daughter! If I want to sell her, what business is it of yours?!”

Just then, a commanding voice rang out. Officer Lu approached with two other officers, glaring at the man,

“Who do you think you’re going to sell?”