The person on the bed had sat up at some point and was now lazily leaning against the headboard. A pair of deep, hazy eyes watched the two of them with a relaxed and indifferent expression, tinged with a hint of amusement and willfulness.
"You... you're awake?"
Gu Zhiqi's eyes were too beautiful and too profound, as if they could see right through a person.
Subconsciously, Tang Yun felt somewhat guilty.
But after a moment's thought, she realized she had nothing to feel guilty about.
Once Tang Yun had figured this out, she composed herself and said, "Since you're awake, you must have heard what we just said. Make your choice."
Listening to Tang Yun's words, Zhang Xiuli's expression grew even colder. She set her gaze on Gu Zhiqi, her eyes filled with resistance and disdain, "Don't choose me. Choose your dad. Even if you choose me, I won't support you."
"You might not understand the situation, but your dad is now paralyzed all over, and I have to support your brother through school. I also have a son of my own to take care of and your dad to look after. So, don't count on me to support you," Tang Yun said with a cold face, her voice calm as she informed Gu Zhiqi of the family's situation, while her hand gripping the edge of her clothes tightened even more.
"Even if you choose me, I won't support you," Zhang Xiuli stated coldly, folding her arms across her chest with a look of indifference and cruelty.
The way she looked at Gu Zhiqi was as if she was looking at trash, full of disdain and scorn. It was hard to imagine that Gu Zhiqi was her biological daughter.
Gu Zhiqi had been awake for quite a while and had caught bits and pieces of the two women's conversation.
She had also figured out who they were.
Zhang Xiuli, the original owner's biological mother.
Tang Yun, the original owner's stepmother.
The original owner had been cast out by the Gu Family, and now neither woman was willing to take care of her.
Gu Zhiqi could understand Tang Yun's attitude, but Zhang Xiuli...
Such a mother... whoever wants her can have her.
She certainly didn't.
"I choose neither," Gu Zhiqi finally spoke up, her tone casual. After speaking, she yawned lazily.
Upon hearing Gu Zhiqi's words, both women were taken aback.
After a moment of surprise, Zhang Xiuli was the first to speak up, her voice sharply rising, "You still want to go back to the Gu Family, don't you? Gu Zhiqi, have some shame. The Gu Family doesn't want you anymore!"
"If you dare to go back there, your dad and I are both done for. You can go and get yourself killed, but can't you stop dragging me into it? Huh?" As she spoke, her tone became increasingly bitter and harsh, and finally, she reached out to poke Gu Zhiqi's head.
Gu Zhiqi just stared faintly at her finger, "Get lost."
"What... what did you say?" Zhang Xiuli paused her poking hand, eyes wide as she stared at Gu Zhiqi.
Gu Zhiqi raised an eyebrow and, with a carefree and lazy expression, parted her lips again, enunciating each word clearly, "I said, get lost."
"You... you're so disrespectful. Is this how the Gu Family taught you to speak? Huh?" Zhang Xiuli said, raising her hand, about to slap Gu Zhiqi.
Gu Zhiqi caught Zhang Xiuli's hand.
"Crack"
"Ahh!"
Zhang Xiuli's arm was dislocated, and she let out a sharp, piercing scream.
"Gu Zhiqi! You little bastard, how dare you..." Before Zhang Xiuli could finish, she was interrupted.
"Come on, calm down,"
With the lazy, indifferent voice echoing, Zhang Xiuli's head was doused with another cup of water.
Water poured down from the top of her head, instantly reducing her meticulous curls to a soggy mess.
Gu Zhiqi nonchalantly placed the paper cup back on the bedside cabinet.
She wondered who was so kind as to have left a cup of water on the bedside table.
"Ahh!" With the water pouring down, a shrill scream once again filled the entire hospital ward.
Zhang Xiuli was stunned for a few seconds, but after regaining her senses, she screamed and frantically tried to scratch at Gu Zhiqi.