"Dad, have you ever cared?"
The gentle words made Gu Zhengjin's expression falter, and ripples of guilt stirred in his heart.
He looked at his younger daughter who he hadn't seen in a long time. She had grown up, gotten taller, but just didn't seem to put on weight, skinny as a feather. She didn't resemble him, nor her mother, but her innate gentle stubbornness was just like her mother's...
It was he who owed both mother and daughter...
Lin Shuhua, who was next to him, saw Gu Zhengjin spacing out. She knew he must be thinking of that despicable woman again and, without a hint of gentleness, nudged him with her elbow. Her expression then changed to a more aggressive one as she faced Gu Xiaoer, "Xiaoer, what are you talking about? How has your father not cared about you? Running away from home when you were only five, your father was so worried that he hired a nanny to take care of you. The food you eat, the things you use, aren't they all paid for with your father's money?"
"Don't say your father doesn't care about you. Have you cared about this family, cared about your father? After all these years, hasn't it been Kexin who has been by his side, showing her filial piety!"
With Lin Shuhua's words, Gu Zhengjin finally snapped back to reality. Indeed, he hadn't mistreated Gu Xiaoer these past years, and furthermore, Kexin and her mother were only brought back after her mother's death, which was already quite accommodating. If he really had anything to feel guilty about, it would only be one mistake made many years ago...
Gu Xiaoer paid no attention to Lin Shuhua and continued to stare intently at Gu Zhengjin, hoping to see a trace of warmth in his eyes. That woman, who could argue black is white, the very reason she left the Gu Residence at the age of five, wasn't it because someone had usurped her place?
Strangers might not know, but Gu Zhengjin would know. She really wished he'd stand up for her and clear her name, even if it was just a word of explanation...
But there was none. She only saw Gu Zhengjin's look of indebtedness turn into calm.
Perhaps moved by the intensity of Xiaoer's gaze, Gu Zhengjin's tone softened a bit, "Xiaoer, you're graduating soon, why not move back and live at home?"
He paused and sighed, "This will always be your home."
"Dad, how can you let her move back!" Lin Kexin screamed in shock upon hearing Gu Zhengjin's words.
Lin Shuhua quickly grabbed Kexin, who wanted to say more, and shook her head; Kexin reluctantly closed her mouth, seething with resentment. If Gu Xiaoer were to come back, there would be another young lady in the Gu Residence. Why should she deserve that!
Gu Xiaoer looked at the expressions on the faces of the family of three and found it somewhat amusing. Who did they think they were? Did they assume she'd eagerly come running back just because the Gu Residence beckoned? She hated this place so much, how could she possibly return? There must be something else at play here...
"Mr. Gu, I'm incompatible with this place; I have no desire to live here."
"That's not for you to decide," Lin Shuhua took over the conversation, her tone far less gentle as she spoke indirectly, "The thing is, Kexin got into a bit of trouble at school that requires money to settle. Your father's funds are tied up right now. After giving it some thought, we've decided to sell the apartment you're living in..."
"By what right!" Gu Xiaoer finally understood what they meant, "That apartment is my mother's, what right do you have to sell it?!"
"It's indeed your mother's, but Kexin is in trouble now, needing money to deal with the school and the court, there's no choice," Lin Shuhua spread her hands.
Gu Xiaoer nodded, gazing intently at the people before her with wide eyes. Gu Zhengjin turned his face away, tacitly agreeing with Lin Shuhua's words. Kexin and her mother, arms linked, wore identical triumphant smiles. And there was Lu Tianze, ever silent, lips pursed, leaning against the cabinet without uttering a word.
She finally understood. Kexin's troubles at school had arisen from the theft of her design work. Now, this family wanted to use her mother's apartment to negotiate with her!