Deadly Trap.

Chapter 56. Family
Gripping his cane tightly, Gu Zhipei's knuckles turned white. But as if his thoughts were being pulled, his hand sank inch by inch until he unconsciously loosened his grip on the cane, letting it lean against the tea table.

Gu Zhipei's expression was heavy, as if he had finally revealed a family scandal he was unwilling to face:
"Your biological father is someone Fangran met overseas. She's far away in New York, and once she gets rid of her housekeeper and driver, she can do whatever she wants. I'm powerless to stop her."

"Even though it's a fait accompli, your mother still won't reveal his name. She simply says, 'Dad, I chose him. Don't you believe me?'"

“I knew then that this person was not simple. I knew that Fangran was determined to be independent and free. She must have created a big problem that I couldn’t solve in order to cut off all marriage alliances. Every time I pressed Fangran for answers, she would avoid me and threaten me with the idea of ​​settling down in a tiny country where no one would bother her.”

"Outside of the Gu family, she has a skill to rely on; the world is full of possibilities for her. As her father, I couldn't even use threats or bribes. She told me that it would be better for the Gu family if she didn't know."

"'Why do you keep harping on my life, Dad? I'm very happy, isn't that good?' She always said this with a smile."

Gu Zhipei's eyes welled up with tears:
"But if I hadn't pampered and spoiled her since she was little, but instead clipped her wings and raised her into a virtuous wife, then..."

He quickly lowered his head, barely visible, and nodded at the corner of his eye.

"Your mother... in this respect, she was naively foolish. It's my fault for not teaching her a lesson with the world. She wanted to use your father's threats to establish herself, completely break away from the family, and become self-reliant. But in the end, she ruined herself."

"After Fangran left, I tossed and turned many nights. But whoever did it, they clearly had designs on the Gu family. If I accept you siblings, it means I'll also accept that man. But who is he?"
"I don't know. I can't find any information. I don't dare to gamble."

“I cannot risk the future and fate of the Gu family. Even when your mother was on her deathbed, she begged me in every way possible, I still…”

With his withered hand pressed against his chest, Gu Zhipei was gripped tightly by memories, and he could hardly breathe again. A deep sorrow and regret welled up in his eyes.

But he still said in the end:
"I can't. Not even a thousand times. For nineteen years, your grandmother has refused to forgive me for my decision."

"But the 'estate trust' you mentioned was never left by Fangran. It was released with special permission from the time I hinted to the family foundation to sign a confidentiality agreement. If I hadn't insisted on doing it my way, do you think you would have been able to get your hands on it?"
"I don't care what you think of me. But the family must not fall in my hands!"

Gu Zhipei's self-revelation stirred ripples in Gu Mufeng's heart. He hadn't intended to say much, but at this moment, Gu Mufeng couldn't help but raise his voice in rebuttal:
"You know, the first time I came back from working late at night, I saw Xiaofan. She was only eight years old, but she tried her best to prepare dinner like me. Even though it was a complete mess, she was looking forward to my coming home."

How do I feel?

"You know, when she had a high fever and was delirious, she called out 'brother.' All I could do was helplessly wipe her burning forehead, whisper and hug her tightly to comfort her, but I didn't dare to take her to see a doctor at all."

"How do I feel?"

"You've probably forgotten what a family is. A family isn't a surname, it's not a system, it's a collection of specific individuals."

"Only those who have feelings, desires, and selfishness, and who want to be themselves, are human; including young people who are high and mighty, bossing others around and treating them like servants."

When you treat people like servants, like bricks and tiles, who will be willing to guard your home?
"And this dedication—"

Gu Mufeng's voice was cold and deep:
"My sister's and my names, Mu Fei and Mu Fan, were both chosen by our mother herself."

"You say your mother is foolish. But do you know where she wants to fly to, and what she envies? Don't you still want to understand her heart?"
"Today, you've exhausted your words trying to make me obediently bow my head and become the family heir you need. Unfortunately, we have different paths and cannot work together. Let me be frank with you: I don't care about the fate of the Gu family at all."

"But now, someone is openly trying to kill me for this ridiculous blood relation. And I have another purpose for this life. Besides me, does the Gu family have any other heirs?"

Gu Zhipei was stunned. His brows furrowed for a long moment before he stared at Gu Mufeng in shock:
"How could that be? Since your mother left, your grandmother and I have been living in seclusion at Gu Garden, pretending to be enjoying nature, and have never dared to visit you. I was afraid that this entanglement would put you in danger. Surely not?"

"Who?" Gu Mufeng pressed, looking directly into the eyes of the other man.

“If I had to say,” Gu Zhipei’s gaze turned cold and dark, “it’s the Sheng family.”

His tone was somber, as if he were finally speaking, uttering the fear that had lingered between his teeth for many years.

"Sheng—"

Gu Mufeng was about to question him when Gu Zhipei raised his hand to interrupt him:
"Besides having connections with the political world, the four major families have also intermarried. Your maternal grandmother was from the Sheng family. The current head of the Sheng family, Sheng Chunqiu, is the son of your maternal grandmother's own younger brother."

"I have always been careful to protect the details of your mother's life; no one outside the family knows anything about it. On the surface, it seems that after my death, the Gu family's assets will fall into the hands of the Sheng family. After all, they are the only close relatives. My will also puts this as a guarantee."

"However, if that were to happen, the century-old balance of power between the four great families would be broken overnight, and the other two families would certainly not allow it."

"What's more, your grandmother is a devout Buddhist and her health has always been weak. The doctor said that this winter, she might..."

His voice trailed off. For the first time since Gu Mufeng arrived at Gu Garden, a genuine, tender reluctance flickered in Gu Zhipei's eyes. From a young age, having taken up the mantle, Gu Zhipei had resolved to dedicate his life to the family. But in the end, if only he remained of the Gu family…

"Actually, that's why I insisted on seeing you."

"Since you also raised your sister with your own hands, you must know how difficult it is to raise a child. How much effort is put into it, and how much of it depends on chance."

"Do you really think you've turned out this way..."

Gu Zhipei's gaze slowly traced Gu Mufeng's proud eyes, nose, and jawline, inch by inch.

Gu Zhipei's breath hitched, filled with pity and love. He felt as if he were seeing Fangran again, who was almost identical but much more lively, right in front of him.

"Think about it, before you left your foster family at the age of fourteen, completely concealed your identity and disappeared, if it weren't for me and the Gu family secretly taking care of you, would this cannibalistic world really have been so kind to two children?"

As he spoke, Gu Zhipei stood up shakily. He gripped his cane, his head bowed calmly and heavily, looking at the silent Gu Mufeng:

“Your grandmother missed you all, I’m not lying. For nineteen years, she refused to see me. She hated me and cursed me for being heartless and stealing her love. I’m the one who wronged her.”

"She only asks to see you all again in this life, so that she can put an end to her lifelong regret."

Imperceptibly, Gu Mufeng's lowered eyelashes fluttered slightly, and his fingers on his knees unconsciously tightened. He did not answer.

"Now that you're here, you can't be so heartless as to refuse the request of an elderly, bereaved mother, can you?"

>>>>>
Finally, letting out a long breath, Gu Mufeng pulled open his sleeves and sank into the armchair.

"In short, that's the situation." With a sigh, Gu Mufeng put his feet up on the chair, finally relaxing his tense body and mind.

He returned much later than scheduled; it was well past ten o'clock in his spacious penthouse apartment. The flames in the marble fireplace burned gently, as if someone had been waiting for his return.

The black tea on the coffee table was half-warm, still carrying the lingering aroma of pomelos. Beside it, the cognac had been opened. It was as if she had intended to pour him a glass before he returned home late.

The living room was dimly lit, half-lit and half-dim, which blended perfectly with his mood and the night view of half the city outside the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Across from him in the armchair, Dai Ze had just arrived after receiving the message. He leaned forward, his collar loosely open as it should be at midnight: "Mu Fei, you're late."

Gu Mufei didn't answer. In the flickering firelight, he covered his entire face with his hands.

"But hearing you say that, it's no wonder they're in such a hurry to act."

The two spoke very softly, almost in a whisper.

Raising his hand, as if finally returning completely from his emotions, Gu Mufeng coldly said:
"Yes. What bothers me even more is that before I could even probe, Gu Zhipei brought up my biological father."

His handsome face, chin resting arrogantly on his hand, was half-submerged in the flickering firelight. Gu Mufeng's tone was even more aloof:
"Gu Zhipei also warned me to be careful. His eyes were too deep then, as if he was thinking about something. But there's definitely something wrong with this guy."

"Ah!" Dai exclaimed in surprise.

Gu Mufeng stared at the firelight, remaining silent for a moment, as if weighing the pros and cons.

"Biological father? Isn't that the one you've been looking for?"

>>>>>
Next chapter: After the torrential rain

[Author's Note | Chapter 56]

The secrets of the Gu family are finally fully revealed, and the Sheng family's involvement in the succession battle escalates the conflict. All of this is somehow connected to Gu Mufeng's biological father...?
Who is he?
What do you, dear readers, think of Gu Fangran's romantic experiences?
What kind of feelings do Mu Fei and Mu Fan represent for Gu Fangran?
Did Gu Mufeng go to visit his grandmother?

In the next chapter, Gu Mufeng reveals his eleven-year plan. He is searching for his biological father for only one purpose—

Come and vote for the author to add this to your favorites and follow the story, so they can keep updating!
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(End of this chapter)