"Hmph! Your father has been dead for so many years already. Do you really think the Ji Family is still what it used to be?" Mrs. Gu said with disdain.
The mention of her father made Ji Yunhuan's heart ache. If her father were still here, how could she be living such a miserable life today?
Mrs. Gu said, "Housekeeper, send Ji Yunhuan out."
After speaking, Mrs. Gu picked up the money on the ground, not intending to give it back to Ji Yunhuan. Since Ji Yunhuan didn't want it, she wasn't going to force it. No matter how much money the Gu Family had, there was no need to waste it on a beggar!
Seeing Ji Yunhuan's cold face, Gu Yubai felt that they might have gone too far. He walked over, pretending to be kind. "Let me see you out."
He didn't want to acknowledge his marriage to Ji Yunhuan, but he also didn't want her to think he was a hypocrite.
Unfortunately, the more fake he acted now, the more disgusted Ji Yunhuan felt.
She coldly replied, "No need!"
And walked down the stairs by herself.
At this moment, even the air in the Gu Family Residence made her nauseous.
It was Mrs. Gu's birthday, making the Gu Family Residence quite lively. As Ji Yunhuan walked through the garden, someone spotted her and curiously said, "Look, isn't that Ji Yunhuan?"
"Impossible! How can Ji Yunhuan be like this?" In everyone's memory, Ji Yunhuan was always glamorous. She was the proud princess, no matter when she appeared, always looking extremely noble, never lowering her proud head.
But now...
The dress she wore was ordinary beyond ordinary. Since her father's death, her brother had been hospitalized, and the exorbitant medical fees forced her to sell everything she once owned.
What she wore now was just a dress worth a few hundred bucks, looking undeniably shabby.
Because of this, even though people saw her, they weren't sure it was her.
A contemptuous voice rose from the crowd. "Why not? Her father had an accident. What is she now? Just a miserable stray dog. Do you still see her as the noble lady she once was?"
Since the day her father had an accident, Ji Yunhuan didn't know how many times she had heard such words. She was used to it by now. She just wanted to leave quickly.
A woman in a light purple dress walked by Ji Yunhuan with a glass in hand. She deliberately spilled champagne on Ji Yunhuan.
This bold woman, daring to humiliate her in public, was Gu Xinran, Gu Yubai's sister. When the two families were on good terms, Gu Xinran had always been jealous and disliked Ji Yunhuan. But because of the Ji Family's status, she had to endure it.
Now that she finally saw Ji Yunhuan down and out, she wouldn't miss this chance to humiliate her.
Looking at the embarrassed Ji Yunhuan soaked in champagne, Gu Xinran feigned panic. "Sorry..."
But a trace of smugness flashed in her eyes.
She sized up Ji Yunhuan in surprise. "Oh my, isn't this Sister Yunhuan? I almost didn't recognize you looking like this. Truly sorry."
Ji Yunhuan glared at her coldly, anger filling her chest. She had just endured humiliation from Mrs. Gu and Gu Yubai upstairs; now even Gu Xinran wouldn't spare her.
Heh...
Ji Yunhuan really was too easy to bully now. Everyone wanted to step on her.
Seeing her silent, Gu Xinran continued. "Whenever you appeared before, you were the center of attention; everyone had to fawn over you. Now... Look, no one even recognizes you, Sister Yunhuan. I know Uncle Ji's accident hit you hard, but when you go out, you could at least tidy yourself up a bit!"
Her gaze swept over the champagne-soaked dress, and Gu Xinran exclaimed in surprise. "In the past, you wouldn't even look at such cheap dresses. What's going on now? You shouldn't be so poor that you can't afford a decent dress, right? My brother is really something. Even though you're his fiancée, he doesn't care for you at all!"
Gu Xinran's voice wasn't quiet, and since everyone's attention was on them, they clearly heard her words.
Everyone knew Ji Yunhuan was Gu Yubai's fiancée. The Gu Family allowing her to appear like this was indeed too much.
Just then, Gu Xinran looked towards the door and deliberately exclaimed, "Isn't that my brother? How come he's with Ouyang Fei? And you're still here! He's really not giving you any face!"
Everyone followed Gu Xinran's gaze to see Gu Yubai and Ouyang Fei standing there, both glamorous and perfectly matched. In contrast, Ji Yunhuan's presence seemed like she was there to be humiliated.
Without turning around, Ji Yunhuan knew what kind of scene it was. She coldly stared at Gu Xinran, who was humiliating her. "Have you said enough?"
Her icy tone and unyielding attitude, despite her wretched state, still emanated a powerful aura that made Gu Xinran's heart tighten.
But Gu Xinran knew that no matter how much Ji Yunhuan pretended now, she was just a paper tiger that no longer posed any threat.
Gu Xinran laughed and continued to mock. "Is Sister Yunhuan very angry? Actually, it's reasonable for my brother to be with other women. Looking at you now, no man would glance at you again!"
"If you've said enough, apologize," Ji Yunhuan coldly interrupted Gu Xinran. No matter what Gu Xinran said, there was no trace of guilt in her eyes.
Ji Yunhuan wouldn't show weakness here. She knew that if she did, she wouldn't know how worse the bullying would get.
Gu Xinran raised her eyebrows indifferently. "Apologize?"
"You spilled a drink on me. Shouldn't you apologize?"
"I already said sorry."
"But I didn't feel your sincerity or calm down, so I must trouble Ms. Gu to say it again." Her icy attitude made it seem like she was still the old Ji Yunhuan.
Gu Xinran sneered. "What if you're still angry? What can you do to me? Do you really think you're still the noble Lady Ji that everyone pampers? Ji Yunhuan, aren't you being too naive?"
"Seems you don't want to apologize?" Ji Yunhuan raised her eyebrows knowingly.
"Not only will I not apologize, but I'll also take back that sorry. Who do you think you are?" Gu Xinran said disdainfully.
Just as she finished speaking, Ji Yunhuan picked up a nearby glass and splashed it on Gu Xinran.
Unlike the downtrodden Ji Yunhuan, Gu Xinran's outfit today was worth a fortune.
With all the guests around, especially one she was eager to impress, Gu Xinran had dressed meticulously. Little did she expect Ji Yunhuan to retaliate and drench her in return.
"You..." Gu Xinran gritted her teeth, her face turning green with anger. "You dared to splash me!"
"If you dare, why wouldn't I?" Ji Yunhuan forcefully threw the empty glass onto the grass. "This look suits Ms. Gu much better. It's just a small favor, no need to thank me!"
She shoved Gu Xinran aside to clear her path and left confidently in her soaked dress.