Chapter 72

Chapter 72: Tearing Off the Mask

The atmosphere in the room instantly shifted from awkward to icy.

The kids, feeling both uneasy and curious, peeked around the doorway, only to be shooed away by the sharp-eyed Hong Jie.

Method felt particularly awkward about the situation. He had witnessed the conflict between Gu Ning and Jiang Yuezhou’s family before, but he never expected the Jiang family to show up here.

Jiang Yuezhou was visibly restless. When he saw Gu Ning, his guilt only deepened, and he forced out an awkward smile as he stood up and called out, “Ningning, you… you’re back.”

Gu’s father had been sitting with a stern face the whole time. If it weren’t for Gu Mama holding him back, he would have gone straight to his room. Seeing Gu Ning return, his expression softened slightly, but Gu Mama immediately stood up and beckoned to Gu Ning, “Ningning, come sit. Your uncle and aunt have something to say to you.” As she spoke, she kept giving Gu Ning meaningful looks.

Jia Daozhang coughed twice and said, “Ahem, Gu Ning, let’s go out for a walk.” The people lingering at the door suddenly snapped out of their daze and started filing out.

Hong Jie thought about it and decided she could count herself as somewhat involved. If things escalated, she could stand by Gu Ning’s side, so she naturally stayed behind.

After Jia Daozhang and the others left, only Gu’s parents, Gu Ning, the Jiang family, and Hong Jie remained in the room.

Gu Ning ignored Gu Mama’s call, not even moving a step. She just stared coldly at the Jiang family.

Jiang Yuezhou grew increasingly uncomfortable, unsure whether to stand or sit. Jiang Yu kept her head down, her long hair covering most of her face, hiding her expression. Lin Meifeng, meanwhile, was cursing Gu Ning inwardly, but thinking of the clean beds, the leftover food in the backyard, and the neatly stacked supplies, she forced a smile and said stiffly, “Ningning, your uncle and aunt came here specifically to apologize. We were blinded before, and we wronged you. But we’re family, your own uncle and aunt. You can’t just watch us get eaten by those monsters outside, can you?”

Gu Ning had remained silent until now, but she finally reached her limit and coldly said, “Get out.”

Lin Meifeng’s smile froze, and she turned to Gu Mama for help, “Big sister, look at how Ningning is acting… Big sister, Yuezhou is your only brother. Before mom and dad passed, they made you promise to take care of him.”

Gu Mama was torn. She only had one sister and one brother, and they had always been close. Although she was angry that he hadn’t helped during the incident in the car, they were still siblings who had grown up together. Her expression softened, and she couldn’t help but plead, “Ningning…”

But before she could finish, Gu Ning cut her off, “Mom, think carefully. You do have only one brother, but you also have only one daughter. If it had been Jiang Yu under that car that day, do you think we would have abandoned her?” She stared unblinkingly at Gu Mama, her gaze resolute, “If you want this brother, then you’ll lose me.”

Gu Mama was stunned.

Gu Ning’s words were harsh, but her hatred for Lin Meifeng ran deep. While she didn’t despise Jiang Yu as much, she could never tolerate living under the same roof with her. As for Jiang Yuezhou, the uncle who had doted on her since childhood, Gu Ning was furious at his cowardice. Though she still felt some lingering affection for him, Lin Meifeng’s relentless pestering had worn away her last shred of patience.

If it weren’t for Gu Mama’s feelings, Gu Ning would have gladly shot Lin Meifeng to vent her anger.

“Gu Ning! Are you really going to turn your back on your own family?!” Lin Meifeng, realizing Gu Ning wasn’t just bluffing, finally lost her temper and stood up, pointing at Gu Ning’s nose and shouting, “How could the Gu family raise such a heartless little beast?!”

“Enough!” Gu’s father, who had been silent the whole time, suddenly roared. He was usually mild-mannered, rarely losing his temper, and had never raised his voice at Gu Mama more than a few times in all their years together. His sudden outburst shocked everyone in the room. He seemed to be at his limit, pointing at Lin Meifeng and shouting, “How my daughter behaves is none of your business, you venomous woman!” After berating Lin Meifeng, he turned to Gu Mama and said, “Jiaojiao, if you want to keep them here, I won’t allow it!” He then pointed at Jiang Yuezhou and said to Gu Mama, “Look at him! Did he even try to stop her from insulting our daughter? How can you let our daughter suffer such humiliation?!”

Jiang Yuezhou opened his mouth but was too ashamed to say anything.

Gu Mama looked at Gu Ning and saw her eyes slightly red. Her heart ached, thinking of all the hardships Gu Ning had endured since the apocalypse. She glanced at Jiang Yuezhou’s ashamed face, realizing that while he hadn’t said anything harsh, his constant indulgence of Lin Meifeng… Gu Mama suddenly felt like she was looking at a stranger. She sighed and said softly, “You should leave.”

Jiang Yuezhou was stunned, unable to believe that Gu Mama would actually tell him to go.

Jiang Yu finally looked up at Gu Mama, equally shocked that her usually soft-hearted aunt would make such a decision. In an instant, tears streamed down her face as she cried out, “Auntie…”

Gu Mama didn’t even look at her, simply saying, “Jiang Yu, don’t call me that. I don’t know if you meant it or not, but it was because of you that my Ningning was lost.”

“I really didn’t mean to,” Jiang Yu sobbed, clutching Jiang Yuezhou’s hand and looking at him pleadingly, “Dad, say something!”

Jiang Yuezhou was also too shocked to speak, but Jiang Yu’s cry snapped him out of it, and he hurriedly called out, “Sister…”

“Second brother, whether I’ve been a good sister to you is something you know in your heart. But what about you? Have you been a good brother to me?” Gu Mama suddenly interrupted Jiang Yuezhou with this question, then stood up and said to Gu’s father, “Old Gu, I feel suffocated. Come with me to get some air.” She then pulled Gu’s father up and headed for the backyard, leaving Jiang Yuezhou no chance to respond.

Jiang Yuezhou stood there, both ashamed and terrified, unsure of what to do.

Gu Ning felt somewhat relieved and turned to Hong Jie, saying, “Hong Jie, could you please call some people to escort them out? I’m going to check on my parents.” With that, she left the Jiang family behind and headed to the backyard.

Hong Jie was more than happy to oblige. As soon as she opened the door, she saw a crowd of people eavesdropping. She glared at the sheepish Third Brother at the front and said, “Get some people to take them out.”

Third Brother was startled. They hadn’t heard much from outside, just some shouting, and now they were being asked to escort people out. He hadn’t expected things to be resolved so quickly.

Everyone exchanged awkward glances, unsure of what to do.

Jia Daozhang, however, rolled up his sleeves and said, “I’ll do it.” Then, under everyone’s astonished gazes, he turned to Jiang Yuezhou and the others with a forced smile and said, “Alright, folks, time to go.”

Jiang Yuezhou and Jiang Yu were at a loss. This was nothing like what they had expected. They thought Gu Ning wouldn’t be so harsh in front of her parents, but they had underestimated how deeply she held grudges. Even Gu Mama, who was usually so soft-hearted, had acted so decisively today.

Lin Meifeng, however, plopped down on the couch and shouted, “I dare you to try and kick me out! I’m staying right here, eating and sleeping! Let’s see who dares to touch me!”

A glint flashed in Jiang Yu’s eyes, but she quickly put on a look of shame, tears welling up as she looked at Lin Meifeng and said, “Mom, let’s go. We shouldn’t burden Gu Ning…”

But it was Huang Mengyao, who had been quietly following Gu Ning, who spoke up, “Stop pretending. No one’s buying your act.”

Jiang Yu’s expression froze.

Huang Mengyao continued, “Since you’re all men and can’t hit a woman, Hong Jie, lend a hand.”

Hong Jie smiled, “Sure.”

“Jiang Yu, right? Mind moving?” Huang Mengyao said, but instead of waiting, she roughly pushed Jiang Yu aside and went straight for Lin Meifeng on the couch. Hong Jie also stepped forward, pushing Jiang Yuezhou aside to grab Lin Meifeng.

Before they could even touch her, Lin Meifeng let out a blood-curdling scream, “Help! Murder! Murder!!!” She flailed her arms and legs like a madwoman.

Huang Mengyao was fed up. She grabbed Lin Meifeng’s wrist, her hand covered in flames. The moment she made contact, Lin Meifeng let out a genuine, ear-piercing scream, “Ahhh!!!!”

Jiang Yu couldn’t see the flames on Huang Mengyao’s hand and thought Lin Meifeng was overreacting.

Huang Mengyao held onto Lin Meifeng’s wrist for a good ten to twenty seconds before letting go. Lin Meifeng’s face was drenched in sweat from the pain, but she couldn’t break free, only screaming desperately. Jiang Yu grew more and more uneasy until Lin Meifeng finally passed out from the pain, realizing Huang Mengyao had used some underhanded method.

Huang Mengyao finally released Lin Meifeng’s now-burnt wrist and said, “See, I asked you to leave nicely, but now you’ll have to be carried out.”

Jiang Yu was horrified by the sight of Lin Meifeng’s charred wrist. Seeing the fierce look in Huang Mengyao’s eyes, she didn’t dare say a word, only tearfully helping Jiang Yuezhou carry Lin Meifeng out.

The door slammed shut behind them.

Huang Mengyao, under the stunned gazes of everyone in the room, shyly tucked a strand of her short hair behind her ear and said, “They were just too annoying.” Her demeanor was a complete contrast to the fierce persona she had just displayed.

Xie Yuhong, who rarely spoke, said, “I think that’s the real you.”

Huang Mengyao shot him an annoyed look but then noticed Cheng Ming smiling at her, which made her pause for a moment.

Gu Mama, though she had spoken harshly, was deeply upset. After being comforted by Gu’s father and Gu Ning, she took some medicine and went to bed.

It was only then that Gu Ning realized Lu Jiazhi hadn’t come with them.