Chapter 351: Who is the Father of the Child?
Father Gu glared at his second son. “Don’t add to the mess.”
Gu Shuangbai fell silent.
His fiancée, Wu Yue, who was attending the family banquet as a soon-to-be member of the Gu family, felt distressed at seeing her fiancé being scolded and immediately grabbed his hand in comfort.
Father Gu then turned to reassure Gu Fengchuan. “Fengchuan, I know you were in charge of the infant formula business before. Your health hasn’t been great, and Assistant Gu was someone you personally promoted. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have entrusted him with such an important matter.”
Gu Fengchuan felt bitter. He was clearly the man’s illegitimate son, yet his father dressed it up with such noble-sounding words as if he was doing him a favor.
“Today is a big occasion; let’s not talk about business matters. Your father’s birthday is the most important thing!” Mother Gu chimed in with a smile, trying to smooth things over.
Gu Xueying, whose belly was slightly rounded, also followed up, “That’s right, big brother, these are just minor issues. The most important thing is to make sure Father enjoys his birthday.”
Looking at his so-called family members, Gu Fengchuan felt only a deep sense of estrangement. The more they tried to maintain this false harmony, the more he wanted to tear it all apart. The corners of his mouth curled up, and he said, “Since Father personally appointed him, does that mean it was also Father who instructed him to add melamine to the formula?”
Father Gu remained composed. “Why are you so anxious over such a small matter? It was Assistant Gu’s suggestion, and it reduces costs by twenty percent. The company needs money in every area—saving where we can is necessary.”
Gu Fengchuan took a deep breath. “The formula factory tried calling you, but you were unreachable. They couldn’t reach Assistant Gu either, so they called me. There’s been an incident at the factory. The authorities conducted an inspection, and the results are out. The factory has been shut down.”
Father Gu’s hands trembled so much that he almost dropped his cup. “Something this big happened, and you didn’t tell me sooner?”
Gu Fengchuan smiled. “Didn’t Father want Assistant Gu to inherit the family business? The company has nothing to do with me—why should I bother?”
Father Gu was furious. “You ungrateful brat! What nonsense are you spewing?”
“Whether I’m talking nonsense or not, Father knows best. I know you think I’ve failed you too many times and now want your ‘more capable’ illegitimate son to take my place.” Gu Fengchuan finally exposed the ugly truth in front of everyone.
Both Gu Xueying and Mother Gu were hearing this for the first time.
“Honey, is what Fengchuan said true? Do you have another woman outside?” Mother Gu grabbed her husband’s sleeve, demanding answers.
A snicker suddenly rang out.
Everyone turned to look at the one who laughed—Gu Yuji.
“Third Brother, what are you laughing at? You’re a member of this family too! How can you laugh at a time like this?” Father Gu scolded.
Gu Yuji maintained his usual mischievous smirk and said, “Mom, you’re worried about Father’s illegitimate son? No need to rush—his illegitimate child isn’t just working at the company but is also living right here in this house.”
Mother Gu’s face turned pale. “Who? Who else?”
Gu Xueying instinctively held her stomach and tried to step away.
Gu Yuji sneered, “Who else? Your precious daughter, of course.”
Mother Gu looked at Gu Xueying in shock. “You’re your father’s biological daughter? How is that possible?”
Gu Xueying’s eyes darted around as she started crying. “Mom, I don’t know… I don’t know anything…”
Gu Yuji chuckled and fanned the flames. “How could you not know? You’ve already met your biological mother, yet you still claim ignorance?”
“You met your biological mother? You secretly met her?” Mother Gu’s voice trembled with disbelief. “I treated you like my own daughter! I even neglected my real daughter for you! And all this time, I was actually doting on my husband’s illegitimate child? I am such a fool!”
The betrayal cut deep, and the once-composed Mrs. Gu now looked utterly devastated, completely losing the grace of a high-society lady.
Mother Gu could have accepted that her adopted daughter was a beggar’s child—but she could never accept that she was her husband’s illegitimate daughter!
Gu Fengchuan despised his father but felt pity for his mother. He quickly tried to mediate. “Third Brother, stop talking. Mom’s health isn’t great. Don’t upset her further!”
But Gu Yuji simply grinned. “Big Brother, you sure have a strong bond with Mom. Even though she refused to donate her bone marrow to you and found hospital smells unbearable, so she barely visited while you were sick, you still treat her so well.”
At these words, Gu Fengchuan recalled his own miserable time in the hospital—how he had lain there alone, while his mother rarely visited, only occasionally sending flowers through a servant.
Mother Gu averted her gaze and quickly tried to reassure him. “Fengchuan, you are my flesh and blood, my eldest son. Believe me, you are the one I care about most…”
Gu Yuji, however, wasn’t done stirring the pot. “Oh, and Mom, congratulations. You’re going to be a grandmother.”
Mother Gu’s eyes widened in horror. Instead of feeling any joy, she panicked. She still saw herself as youthful—how could she be a grandmother already?
Before she could respond, Gu Yuji added, “Oops, my mistake. You’re going to be a maternal grandmother.”
Mother Gu glanced at Gu Xueying. Out of habit, she wanted to show concern for her, but then she recalled Gu Xueying’s true identity. The realization hit her like swallowing a fly—disgusting and unbearable.
“A bastard child will always be a bastard child! Disgraceful!” she snapped.
Gu Yuji’s expression darkened as he fixed his gaze on Gu Xueying. “Exactly. A bastard child will always be a bastard. Anyone can have their way with her.”
Tears welled up in Gu Xueying’s eyes as she trembled, looking desperately at her second brother, Gu Shuangbai, hoping for his help. But he refused to even meet her gaze.
Instead, it was Wu Yue, Gu Shuangbai’s fiancée, who stepped forward. Knowing how much her fiancé cared for his sister, she wrapped Gu Xueying in a comforting embrace. “Don’t overthink it, dear. In families like ours, we can just have the baby aborted—it won’t affect your chances of marrying well in the future.”
Gu Yuji smirked mockingly at Wu Yue. “You’re quite experienced in this. What, have you had a few of your own?”
Wu Yue’s face paled. Before she could defend herself, she saw her fiancé, Gu Shuangbai, looking at her with suspicion. She panicked and quickly reassured him, “Shuangbai, I’ve always been virtuous! Don’t listen to his nonsense!”
Gu Shuangbai patted her hand comfortingly. “Don’t worry, Xiaoyue, I believe you.”
“Clap, clap, clap.” Gu Yuji clapped his hands, his laughter almost bringing tears to his eyes. “Such a touching display of trust! But tell me—do you even know who the father of Gu Xueying’s baby is?”
