chapter 27
Gu Zhaoshen looked at her deeply, then turned to Principal Zhang and said, “Principal Zhang, arrange an exam for her. I won’t pursue the previous matter any further.”
Gu Zhao spoke, and Principal Zhang naturally didn’t dare go against him directly.
Well, arranging an exam wasn’t difficult anyway. Gu Qingning would probably fail regardless, so it was just a way to save face for Gu Zhao.
“Alright then.” Principal Zhang looked up at Gu Qingning, lifted the glasses perched on his nose, and asked, “Qingning, when do you want to take the exam?”
After thinking for a moment, he added, “Do you need a few days to review?”
He thought to himself that reviewing was useless; cramming at the last minute wouldn’t help.
Gu Qingning replied, “No need. I can take it today.”
So casually?
The smile on Principal Zhang’s face stiffened, and he looked at her suspiciously. “Are you sure?”
Gu Qingning pressed her lips together and nodded, then turned to Li Fei. “Teacher Li, what procedures are needed to apply for boarding?”
“That’s simple. You just need your parent’s signature and to pay the fee,” Li Fei said.
Parent’s signature?
Gu Qingning frowned. That wasn’t simple for her.
“Can’t I just sign it myself?”
Upon hearing this, Gu Zhao’s gaze dimmed slightly, and a tinge of disappointment rose in his heart.
His own brother, right in front of her, and she ignored him completely.
He quickly said, “Principal Zhang, please arrange the exam first. I need to talk to Qingning.”
Principal Zhang nodded, looking at Li Fei. “Teacher Li, come over here.”
Li Fei responded and followed him to the desk.
It was April, and the cherry blossoms on campus were in full bloom.
In the corridor, Gu Qingning leaned on the railing with both hands, habitually observing her surroundings.
She remained silent, which worried Gu Zhao greatly.
For a moment, he didn’t know how to start the conversation.
His second brother made it sound easy—just coax her with a few words. Well, he could try, but coaxing was his own responsibility.
After some thought, he cautiously asked, “Qingning, where did you go last night?”
She hadn’t returned home, nor come to school, and even when someone went to look for her, there was no trace.
Gu Qingning replied, “Just wandering around.”
“Qingning, if you don’t want to go home, why not stay at my place?”
“No need.”
She refused without hesitation. The smile on Gu Zhao’s face turned bitter. If she had even hesitated for a second, it would have been something.
He sighed softly and explained, “Qingning, we never abandoned you. You disappeared when you were born, and we’ve been searching for you all these years.”
“Ever since Mom died in the car accident, everything changed. Dad seemed like a different person; not even half a year passed before he remarried. The three of us also grew distant from him, and when our eldest brother turned eighteen, the three of us moved out of the Gu household.”
He paused, tilting his head, his gaze falling on her cold profile. “Until recently, when Grandpa said he had found you. We thought it was another impostor pretending to be a relative, so we spent some time investigating.”
Over the years, countless people had falsely claimed to be relatives. The three brothers had been disappointed many times.
Gu Qingning listened quietly, her heart as calm as a mirror, without a ripple.
After a moment of silence, she turned slightly to meet his gaze. “I don’t resent you, and I don’t blame you, so you don’t need to explain.”
Gu Zhao felt frustrated.
He would rather she blame them than treat him, her own brother, like a stranger.
“Aren’t you curious about the final result of our investigation?”
Gu Qingning said casually, “Does the result matter?”
“Of course,” Gu Zhao’s tone suddenly became intense. “The DNA test confirmed that you are indeed our biological sister. We are siblings.”
His eyes shone brilliantly. Perhaps due to the bloodline, Gu Qingning’s rebuttal got stuck in her throat.
Gu Zhao continued, “Qingning, you’ve suffered so much all these years. Now that you’re back, give your third brother a chance to take care of you, alright?”
His careful tone carried a hint of hope.
“Third brother.”
A sweet voice suddenly interrupted, filled with delight.
Gu Zhao’s smile froze, his temple twitching.
Gu Qingning glanced sideways at him.
The newcomer wore a blue-and-white school uniform, her skirt fluttering, radiating youthful energy.
She curled her lips slightly, a playful arc.
She hadn’t come to confront her yet, but instead, had brought herself right to him.
Hearing that Gu Zhao was at school, Gu Wanwan had skipped PE class to rush over.
She ran over excitedly, clinging to Gu Zhao’s arm. “Third brother.”
Her pretended delicate voice gave Gu Zhao goosebumps all over.
He pulled his arm back and stepped aside.
But.
Every step he took, Gu Wanwan immediately stuck to him again.
“Third brother, why didn’t you tell me you were coming to school? We haven’t eaten together in ages. How about we go out for lunch?”
Gu Zhao remained silent, his gaze occasionally sweeping to Gu Qingning.
“Third brother?”
Gu Wanwan tugged at his clothes, following his line of sight, and noticed the other person there.
“Third brother, who’s this?”
At that, the person in front lifted her hat’s brim, revealing a face that ignited her jealousy.
Sharp features, deep black eyes, a piercing gaze—not timid or weak like before.
Gu Wanwan’s expression changed slightly. She had heard about Gu Qingning after returning home last night but didn’t expect to see her here.
How could she be with her third brother? Was she trying to take revenge and steal everything from her?
In just a few seconds, Gu Wanwan’s mind raced, imagining countless possibilities.
She forced a polite, harmless smile. “Sister, it’s good that you’re safe. We were so worried these past few days when you were gone.”
Gu Qingning raised an eyebrow, her dark eyes smiling faintly. “Were you worried about me coming back?”
Did she not have a clue why Gu Qingning had disappeared?
Although Gu Qingning could speak now, Gu Wanwan was still a bit surprised to hear it.
“Of, of course not.” Her heart skipped a beat as she hurriedly changed the topic. “Sister, did you meet some miraculous doctor these days who cured your congenital muteness?”
Hearing this, Gu Zhao looked at Gu Qingning, curious as well.
“Struck by lightning, and it suddenly got better,” Gu Qingning said nonchalantly.
No miraculous doctor, but an interesting person was encountered.
Perhaps it was his imagination, but Gu Zhao caught a trace of gentle humor in her eyes.
Just as he was about to inquire further, her dark eyes returned to their usual calm.
Gu Wanwan awkwardly smiled. “Sister, you really know how to joke.”
In this day and age, no one believes the truth anyway.
Gu Qingning straightened up, hands in her pockets. “I’m not familiar with you. Don’t call me that.”
One “sister” after another—she must have watched too many palace intrigue dramas.
Gu Wanwan looked up at Gu Zhao, pitifully. “Third brother, did I do something wrong?”
Gu Zhao remained silent, stepping closer to Gu Qingning.
Where he stood, the answer was obvious.
Gu Wanwan froze, then tears instantly welled up, putting on a bullied expression. “Sister, if I’ve done anything to upset you, tell me. I’ll change. Please don’t dislike me, okay?”
