"Madam Ning, we'll talk about that matter later. I'll give you an explanation regarding Xu Yichen and Cheng Xi, but not now." Gu Ruochu tried to be polite to Zhang Yuan because she was her biological mother.
Zhang Yuan did not expect Gu Ruochu to reject her outright. She stared at her in shock.
"Ruochu, don't you care about your sister and nephew? Why are you determined to protect that evil person? Cheng Xi's arm is broken. Even if you don't care about your sister, you should care about your nephew!"
Gu Ruochu was surprised that Zhang Yuan had taken Ning Tangxi's side so easily.
She had described Xu Yichen as an evil man, and Gu Ruochu frowned in disgust when she looked at her mother. "Madam Ning, I've said that I'll give you an explanation. I'm also sorry that Cheng Xi's hand was injured."
Zhang Yuan was a little angry when she heard Gu Ruochu's calm response.
"Ruochu, what kind of bewitching soup did that man give you? Do you mean that your mother and sister aren't as important to you as Xu Yichen?"
Gu Ruochu thought that the answer was obvious. She had grown up with Xu Yichen. Her affection for him was greater than her feelings for the Ning family.
Furthermore, Zhang Yuan had tried to harm her when she thought that Gu Yanwei was her biological daughter.
When she thought about it, Gu Ruochu felt upset by Zhang Yuan's aggressive behavior and stood up from the couch. "Madam Ning, if you're here for this, there's no need to talk anymore. I've said that I'll give you an explanation."
"Ruochu!"
There was a commotion outside the door. Gu Ruochu turned around and saw Ning Tangxi carrying Cheng Xi into the house. Ning Tangxi sneered, "What's the matter? Even when I'm here, you still refuse to reveal Xu Yichen's location. Do you think that just because you are married into the Huo family that you can get away with anything?"
"Aunt!"
Cheng Xi was excited to see Gu Ruochu.
"Cheng Xi really likes you as his aunt." Ning Tangxi smiled at Gu Ruochu sarcastically, "Yet you're still helping the culprit."
Gu Ruochu realized that Ning Tangxi was using her family ties in an attempt to find out where she had hidden Xu Yichen.
"Ruochu, I think that you must sever all ties with Xu Yichen. He has already brainwashed you, and you don't even want to acknowledge your mother and sister!"
Zhang Yuan's anxious appeal disappointed Gu Ruochu.
Even though Ning Tangxi was not her biological daughter, Zhang Yuan still loved her very much. Gu Ruochu realized that her parents' feelings towards her could never compare to their affection for Ning Zongxuan and Ning Tangxi.
"Madam Ning, if there's nothing else, I'd like to go upstairs and rest."
"Ruochu, stop right there!"
Zhang Yuan was nervous. She took a few steps forward and grabbed Gu Ruochu's arm. "I will not leave until you tell me where that murderer is hiding!"
"Let go of me!"
Zhang Yuan ignored Gu Ruochu's strong reaction and held her even tighter. Gu Ruochu gritted her teeth in pain.
She struggled to free herself, but when she finally succeeded, she stumbled and fell backward.
Zhang Yuan did not expect Gu Ruochu to lose her footing after letting go of her hand. When Cheng Xi saw Gu Ruochu stumbling, he cried out and clutched at the corner of Ning Tangxi's shirt tightly.
Just as Gu Ruochu was about to fall to the ground, she felt a warm sensation on her back. Huo Nanchen grabbed her and helped her up.
"What are you doing here?"
Ning Tangxi's smile froze, and she bit her lip as she looked at Huo Nanchen. "Nanchen, I'm just here to find out where Xu Yichen is hiding."
Ning Tangxi knew that Xu Yichen had caused a lot of ******* in Huo Nanchen and Gu Ruochu's relationship.
"Ruochu, are you all right?"
Zhang Yuan asked timidly. She had not expected Gu Ruochu to resist her request, and she was full of regret after their confrontation.