In a small town where everyone knows everyone, word spread quickly about Gu Chengzhang causing a scene at his biological daughter’s place, along with his wife and stepson. The news seemed to have sprouted wings, flying all over town.

When Gu Xingzhao saw Officer Lu approaching, she was surprised. Uncle Lu hadn’t done much fieldwork in recent years—so why was he here now?

She glanced at Auntie Wang, wondering if Auntie Wang had been the one who called him. But Auntie Wang herself seemed puzzled. She had indeed called the police, but only to report a disturbance. She hadn’t expected Officer Lu himself to show up, and with two young officers in tow.

Seeing Lu Bingwen, Gu Chengzhang’s expression darkened as if he’d seen an old enemy. He was furious. “Lu Suo? What are you doing here!?”

Lu Suo first looked at Gu Xingzhao, making sure she was alright, before turning his attention to Gu Chengzhang. His gaze was far from friendly. “I should be asking you that. What are you doing here?”

Gu Chengzhang sneered, “Of course, I’m here to see my daughter!” As he said this, he tried to reach out to grab Gu Xingzhao, but Lu Suo quickly stepped in front of him, blocking his way.

With a strong and protective stance, Lu Suo pulled Gu Xingzhao behind him, his broad frame completely shielding her from Gu Chengzhang’s view. It was as if he had drawn a protective line in the sand with his body.

Watching the man standing firmly in front of her, Gu Xingzhao was momentarily dazed, thinking of the ancient Lu family men. Then she chuckled softly, “Uncle Lu, I’m fine.”

Their interaction, almost like that of a father and daughter, only fueled Gu Chengzhang’s rage.

His face turned an even darker shade as he spat out, “Lu Suo, can’t you have a daughter of your own?! First, you stole my father, and now you want to steal my daughter too?!”

Anger flashed in Lu Suo’s eyes as he coldly retorted, “Gu Chengzhang, it was you who disowned your father, and you who abandoned your daughter. Who is stealing them from you?”

Remembering the events from over a decade ago, Lu Suo still felt a burning fire inside when faced with Gu Chengzhang. But because he was an outsider in this family, that fire was always tempered by guilt. Yet, despite this guilt, he couldn’t bear to see Gu Xingzhao suffer—especially not because of her father.

A man who had disappeared for over a decade now showing up, pretending to care? Not a chance.

Gu Chengzhang’s face twisted with fury and disdain as he glared at Lu Suo. Since Gu Xingzhao was hidden behind him, all he could do was angrily shout, “You ungrateful girl! Are you seriously choosing to side with the man who cost your grandfather his legs?!”

Lu Suo’s eyes darkened with guilt.

As soon as these words were spoken, the crowd, who had gathered to watch the drama unfold, erupted into murmurs. Everyone knew about Old Master Gu losing his legs during a field operation, but they hadn’t realized that Lu Suo had anything to do with it.

Back then, Lu Suo was Old Master Gu’s trusted disciple. After the accident, he had often taken care of the old man, and people had praised him for being more dutiful than Gu Chengzhang. But now, hearing Gu Chengzhang’s accusations, many in the crowd wondered if there was more to the story than they had thought.

Not wanting Lu Suo’s reputation to be further damaged, Gu Xingzhao stepped out from behind him, her eyes cold as she stared down her father. “The one responsible for Grandpa’s accident wasn’t Uncle Lu—it was you. Did you think just because Grandpa is no longer here, no one would find out the truth?”

The crowd fell silent again, their curiosity piqued even further. They were dying to know the full story but couldn’t directly ask. They hoped one of the three would spill the details, allowing them, as concerned neighbors, to judge the situation fairly.

Gu Chengzhang’s fingers twitched nervously, a flicker of guilt flashing in his eyes. What did this girl know? Had that old man told her everything?

Impossible! He had sworn back then never to mention it to anyone!

Straightening his back, Gu Chengzhang’s arrogance returned. “What nonsense are you spouting, girl?! You’re nothing but an ungrateful brat. If your grandfather knew you’d chosen a thief as a father, he’d be turning in his grave!”

Before Lu Suo could speak, Gu Xingzhao interjected coldly, “Aren’t you afraid of being struck by lightning for saying such things?”

Gu Chengzhang sneered, “Lightning? If the heavens had any sense, they’d strike this b—”

Before he could finish his sentence, a loud crack of thunder boomed across the sky.

Lightning split the air and, in a heartbeat, struck the cursing man standing before them.

Lu Suo stood frozen in shock, watching as Gu Chengzhang convulsed and collapsed on the ground, looking every bit like someone who had just been struck by lightning. Was this girl’s mouth really that powerful?

Screams erupted around them.

“He’s been struck by lightning!”

“Someone call an ambulance!”

Panic spread as people fled, fearing the lightning might strike again, while others frantically called for help. The once-calm scene in front of the supermarket descended into chaos.

Lu Suo quickly moved with his officers to clear the crowd, ensuring no one else was hurt. He urged Gu Xingzhao to head back inside.

As she turned to leave, Gu Xingzhao cast a cold glance at the man crumpled on the ground.

Forget fifty thousand yuan—not a single penny would she give him.

Years ago, there had been a major case involving a gang of serial killers. The criminals had fled to the town, with higher-ups in pursuit. Old Master Gu, along with Lu Suo, had been assisting in the manhunt. Because it was such a serious case, Old Master Gu hadn’t been home for days.

Gu Chengzhang hadn’t known the specifics of the case but could tell from his father’s long absence that it was important. He guessed that Lu Suo would be with his father, and so he had plotted against Lu, deliberately exposing his identity to the criminals.

That gang was extremely dangerous, armed with weapons. They had taken both Gu Chengzhang and Lu Suo hostage. Though Lu Suo managed to free Gu Chengzhang, Gu Chengzhang didn’t return the favor. Instead, he fled, possibly hoping the situation would rid him of Lu Suo once and for all.

Old Master Gu had been gravely injured trying to save Lu Suo, losing the use of his legs in the process.

The old man had felt immense guilt over how his son had turned out, so he never revealed the truth of what had happened. No one knew that Gu Chengzhang had been involved that day.

Lu Suo had carried the burden of guilt ever since, while Gu Chengzhang, emboldened by the old man’s silence, continued acting arrogantly.

Gu Xingzhao couldn’t help but feel anger and resentment. In truth, her grandfather had never told her the story—but she had overheard everything while lying under a hospital bed during one of their conversations.

She felt her grandfather had been too kind and that Lu Suo had suffered too much for nothing.

After taking care of the situation outside, Lu Suo entered the house and found Gu Xingzhao tidying up. Unable to hold back, he lightly scolded her, “Why didn’t you tell me about him coming here?”

He knew all too well the kind of man Gu Chengzhang was—a man who had once abused his wife and daughter, even putting his own child in the hospital.

The memory of seeing Gu Xingzhao bruised and battered in the hospital still haunted him to this day.