Chapter 50: How to Deal with Gu Mianmian

Gu Mianmian nearly broke down at those words, apologizing with all her might, begging for forgiveness.

But ordinary words of apology were no longer of any use.

Before, Gu Mianmian had relied on her natural advantage — no matter what she did, her parents and brothers would believe her.

That was why she grew increasingly brazen.

But now, everyone had seen the evidence laid out before them — how could they still believe her, how should they believe her?

Now Gu Mianmian seemed to know nothing but crying; it was the only way she knew to beg for mercy, as if as long as she cried hard enough, everything might still be salvaged.

Gu Wenyan gave a cold, indifferent smile: "Do you regret it now? I thought you'd insist forever that the matter had nothing to do with you."

Gu Mianmian seemed to realize at that moment too that crying no longer meant anything.

What she should be doing was… doing whatever she could to salvage her parents' and brothers' impression of her.

Gu Mianmian bit down hard, sobbing as she wiped the tears from her face: "I admit it, I'm sorry, it really was me."

"Heh, you finally admitted it." Gu Wenyan watched her at her leisure. "If there hadn't been enough solid evidence, you would never have admitted it, right?"

"What happened today is my fault. If there hadn't been evidence, I would never have admitted it."

Ye Yiwen's face was a swirl of complicated emotions: "How foolish, Mianmian, what on earth were you doing? How could you be like this?"

"Mama… I don't know, I don't know what's come over me! Lately, I feel like everyone's been ignoring me more and more…"

Gu Mianmian choked out, word by word, once again pushing all the blame away: "Sister, it's my fault, you can hit me or scold me, anything!"

"And Second Brother, I'm sorry to you too, I don't know what's come over me… I was scared, and anxious, I was afraid I'd lose everything, so I resorted to this ridiculous method, I don't even recognize myself anymore…"

Gu Mianmian displayed her fragility to the fullest — admitting fault while also pouring out grievances, playing the aggrieved party, turning herself into the perfect victim.

"Second Brother, you can punish me however you want, just don't ignore me… you all really are so important to me!"

Gu Mianmian was overcome with sorrow: "I'm afraid that one day you'll stop treating me as your sister…"

Gu Yefeng's expressionless face showed no emotion at all; he simply stood there, quietly watching Gu Mianmian.

For a long while, he said nothing.

Gu Yechen, standing to the side, frowned: "Mianmian, your eldest brother promised you long ago that no matter what happened, you would still be our sister, and our love for you would never change."

"But I'm still scared! Eldest Brother, I'm sorry, I'm a scoundrel…"

Gu Yeting looked as if he'd been struck by lightning — of everyone in the family, he had been the most adamant, swearing up and down that this had nothing to do with Gu Mianmian.

He was also the one who had thrown all the dirty water at Gu Wenyan, convinced she was the one who did it.

All the trust he had placed in Gu Mianmian had now turned into a vicious slap across his own face.

In his daze, he could even hear that crisp sound.

The harder he had cursed Gu Wenyan earlier, the more wretched he was now.

Gu Yeting clenched his fists tight: "Mianmian, this time you really just…"

But she was still the little sister he'd doted on for so many years — to make him say anything harsh, he didn't know what to say.

In the end, all he could manage was this toothless criticism: "This is too much!"

But only he knew in his heart that some once-firm fortress had already begun to show cracks, and might collapse at any moment.

"In this matter, your third brother and I aren't the actual parties involved, but we promised Wen Yan we'd resolve this, so as for what to do, we either ask your second brother, or we ask Wen Yan how she wants to handle it."

Gu Yechen spoke up — he had once been more than partial to Gu Mianmian in everything.

But now that he had two sisters at once, and had also promised to treat them both equally, he could no longer be like before, forgiving and supporting Gu Mianmian no matter what she did wrong.

Gu Mianmian bit her lip, and after a long moment said: "I accept it, Eldest Brother. No matter how you punish me, I'll accept whatever punishment comes today — it's what I deserve."

"And Sister, I'm truly sorry. You gave me chances several times, but I still kept treating you as a rival. I always felt…"

"That only you were Mom and Dad's real child, while I was just a child they picked up, that I had no real bond with this family, and that one day I might lose everything."

Gu Mianmian's face was full of grief as she spoke the truest thoughts from her heart: "So I resorted to such extreme measures. Thinking about everything I've done now, it terrifies me."

With tearful eyes, she looked at Gu Yefeng: "Second Brother, whatever punishment you want to give me, I'll accept it too — whether it's admitting my mistake to the public, or any other way."

Gu Mianmian drew a deep breath, her voice trembling softly: "Even if it means leaving the Gu Family, I'm willing to use that kind of action to atone."

Her utterly despairing attitude made Gu Jue snap: "Nonsense. You're a part of this family — you say you'll leave just like that? What do you think we've taken you for?"

"But… Papa, I don't have the face to stay in this family any longer! I almost destroyed Second Brother's life's work!"

At that, Gu Mianmian suddenly raised her hand and slapped herself hard across the face!

The red mark on her cheek looked shockingly vivid.

Gu Wenyan couldn't help but sigh inwardly — impressive, she's even willing to use this kind of method to win people's sympathy.

Sure enough, both her parents and Gu Yeting all showed a trace of reluctance — they did still care about her after all.

Gu Yechen, meanwhile, let out a long sigh and patted Gu Yefeng on the shoulder: "You decide."

Gu Yefeng looked at Gu Mianmian — this sister he had always treated like a treasure and doted on…

When they were young, no matter what Gu Mianmian liked, he would give it to her — even his beloved paintings, as long as she asked, he gave them without a second thought.

Although he and Gu Mianmian shared no blood relation, in his eyes she was no different from a biological sister.

But it was also Gu Mianmian… who gave him a harsh wake-up call.

"Wen Yan." Gu Yefeng's eyes held no warmth. He turned his head and said flatly, "Whatever you plan to do, your second brother will do the same."

Gu Wenyan was a little surprised too: "Second Brother, what did you say?"

"This Art Gallery Opening Ceremony should have already failed, but because you've been given a new lease on life, the final say in how to resolve it is in your hands. Whatever you want to do with her, I'll support you."