Chapter 460: Begin the Reckoning

The father and daughter, a pair, discovered inconsistencies, and both parties found that Gu Yinxue had already taken a paternity test.

But one was done in B City, and the paternity test result showed that the two parties share a blood relationship.

The other was done in A City, and the paternity test result showed that the two parties have no blood relationship.

The B City paternity test was conducted earlier than the A City one.

The two different results have only one cause: the samples are different.

Gu Sen said, "She couldn't get my sample. The first paternity test she did in B City used Song Shiwei's sample—a toothbrush that had been used for over a week—but I don't know how she obtained your sample in G Province?"

Jiang Lai recalled, "We met at Fuli Yuan; logically she couldn't get my sample, but …"

She carefully recalled that day she came out of the restroom, saw Gu Yinxue also go to the restroom behind her, and conceived a bold idea.

So she checked on her phone and indeed it was possible.

Jiang Lai was silent for a moment.

Gu Yinxue truly is someone who will do anything to achieve her goals; she can even pull off something like this.

"She must have taken my sample at that time," Jiang Lai analyzed, "One sample stays the same; the variable is me and Gu Yinxue, so she later did a paternity test on herself as well."

Gu Sen felt a chill: "The time you found for the second paternity test—at that moment they were also in A City, living together."

Jiang Lai understood then.

Gu Yinxue acted earlier than anyone realized, so she had been covertly manipulating things from the start, aiming to make herself the sole Gu family lady.

Human plans are no match for fate; the matter was suddenly exposed.

"Ke Zhongyu was right; she indeed cares most about the Gu family's status," Jiang Lai said lightly.

Gu Sen didn't ask what she would do next, only said, "First, ensure your own safety in everything."

Jiang Lai didn't answer directly, asking him, "Are you leaving? Leaving here."

Everyone's already here; taking someone out shouldn't be an issue—only if the Gu family forbids her from taking them away does it become a problem.

Gu Sen shook his head: "Not for now."

This is where he chose to stay; if he didn't want to stay, Gu Hui would have already let rumors spread outside, directly affecting the Gu clan.

The old master only thought he was like before, that he would at least spare the Gu family some face, but in reality he was just trying to cut ties with the Gu family as quickly as possible.

Jiang Lai, who doesn't do business herself and knows nothing about that side, asked in confusion, "Really not leaving?"

"Hmm." Gu Sen couldn't explain the details to Jiang Lai at that moment, but told her, "Ke Zhongyu should know; have him explain it to you in detail, and also tell Nian Zhaoning and Ke Yue that I'm fine."

Jiang Lai nodded, and as she stood, glanced at Gu Sen's leg, wanting to ask whether limping like that was really okay—does the doctor here treat it? Or is it just for convalescence.

In the end she asked nothing.

She left.

Gu Sen, limping, went to the balcony, saw Ke Zhongyu standing in the courtyard, and the next second led Jiang Lai out.

Gu Sen's mouth curved into a smile, and he stayed on the balcony until the two's backs disappeared, then left.

After Jiang Lai and Ke Zhongyu left, the bodyguard called the old master, saying nothing had happened and the people had already left.

The old master let out a huge sigh of relief; he knew Jiang Lai could not easily forgive her father nor would she care that much—most of the past visits were probably Nian Zhaoning's intention.

Nian Zhaoning still felt affection and loyalty toward Gu Sen, but it's a pity the two families didn't dare to advance back then; otherwise Gu Sen would have married Nian Zhaoning, and there would be no Song Shiwei.

Thinking of Song Shiwei, the old master also got angry, saying that everything boiled down to this person causing trouble, and everyone was just cleaning up her mess.

With the Qingming rites approaching, the old master didn't want the crazy Song Shiwei to show up and ruin things, so he ordered that this year, as long as Jiang Lai is with Gu Sen's family, no one else needs to come.

When Song Shiwei received the news, she almost fainted from anger.

For an important family event like Qingming, it's one thing that Gu Sen couldn't go because he was convalescing in a sanatorium, but why wouldn't she go in good health? Either she's telling everyone she's unworthy, or she's telling everyone she lacks propriety.

Song Shiwei was determined to go, not believing she could be kicked out of the old residence.

Gu Yinxue grew up in the Gu family and knows the importance of such large family events; if she doesn't appear, what kind of Gu family member is she?

The old master didn't want her to go, first bringing up Jiang Lai: "Aren't you afraid of encountering her?"

Gu Yinxue calmly said, "I grew up in the Gu family; I go to worship the Gu ancestors, I wouldn't go to provoke her."

The old master: "She doesn't want to see you."

Gu Yinxue smiled lightly: "Then that's just a matter of her capacity."

The old master: "You'd better not cause trouble; if you do, I won't let you live to tell what happened."

Gu Yinxue knew he had consented, and assured, "Don't worry, I just want to get what I want, that's all."

After hanging up, Gu Yinxue deliberately or inadvertently mentioned in her circle of friends that this Qingming she would, as before, go to the family rites and had no time.

Saying that, everyone would start speculating; even if the real daughter returns, this fake daughter would still remain in the Gu family and be valued.

In that case, people would still interact with her and value her; whether the Gu family's resources favor her doesn't matter, those who want to get close to the Gu family would still provide resources, which is fine.

On the day of Qingming.

It didn't rain; the sky was just gloomy.

This time Ke Zhongyu couldn't accompany Jiang Lai; he temporarily has no standing.

The Gu family's ancestral rites ran from morning to afternoon, with many activities and numerous ceremonies; it was exhausting, and only before dinner in the evening did it ease up. In such a situation, others couldn't cause any trouble, so he felt at ease.

"When you're done, come out; I'll wait for you outside."

"Okay."

"Today will be very tiring, no rush; we'll stay here a few more days this time," Ke Zhongyu was also determined to resolve the Gu family's matters clearly, so that Jiang Lai would have no worries before leaving.

Jiang Lai shared the same intention; she nodded and walked into the Gu family's old residence.

Just like the day she had just returned, but not that day.

"Aunt Jiang!" Youyou, like a little cannonball, ran toward Jiang Lai.

Jiang Lai reached out, caught her, and lifted her up.

This time Gu Jin and her husband were both present; the three exchanged a brief greeting, which was quickly interrupted.

Song Shiwei and Gu Yinxue appeared together; the crowd watched the deep mother‑daughter bond between them, and their scrutinizing glances occasionally fell on Jiang Lai, while Gu Jin gave Jiang Lai a look full of discomfort.

Jiang Lai walked forward holding Youyou, just like anyone else who had nothing to worry about.

The old man glared at Song Shiwei upon seeing this, and Gu Yinxue didn't fare any better, receiving a stare as well.

Fortunately, this was an ancestral worship ceremony, so no one dared to cause trouble.

Jiang Lai also thought it would pass peacefully, but when it came time to offer incense by family, Jiang Lai, Song Shiwei, and Gu Yinxue all knelt together on the futon.

Jiang Lai was fine, but Song Shiwei couldn't take it.

Her biological daughter had always been her inner demon; at this moment that inner demon was right beside her, so close, and with all that had happened recently, the two reached for the incense together, the sticks bumped, and a spark accidentally flew onto Song Shiwei's hand back, causing her to instantly flare up.

In front of the ancestors and the entire Gu family, she flared up at Jiang Lai: "Are you here to collect a debt? Do you want to burn me to death?"

Jiang Lai slowly lifted her gaze to look up at Song Shiwei, who was glaring down at her angrily.

She didn't want to settle scores on such an exhausting day, but Song Shiwei was forcing her to.

"You didn't also want to freeze me to death back then? So what's wrong with me coming to collect a debt?"