Chapter 111: Chapter 111: Gu Yunchuan’s Backup Plan

Ever since Gu Qinghuan returned, she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. The last words Gu Yunchuan said to her must have had a reason behind them. He was never the type to waste his final moments on meaningless talk.

It seemed she’d have to visit the original body’s grandmother to get to the bottom of things.

That afternoon, the two of them followed their memories to the alley where the old lady lived. The alley twisted and turned so much that she lost her way and had to ask several people before finally finding the old lady’s house.

It was as if the old lady had already expected Gu Qinghuan’s visit.

“Child, it’s been years—you’ve grown so much. How’s Lanting? Is this your husband?” The old lady peered at her with cloudy eyes, as if looking through her to someone else.

“Grandma, Lanting couldn’t make it today. I’ll bring him to see you another time. Let me introduce you—this is Xu Huai’an.”

Xu Huai’an nodded politely. “Hello, Grandma.”

“Wonderful! What a fine young man. I heard from your father that you got married in the countryside. I was worried for nothing, it seems. He’s a good one—take care of each other.”

The old lady took their hands and placed them together, smiling kindly.

“Grandma… Gu… my father…” Gu Qinghuan didn’t know how to break the news about Gu Yunchuan being arrested, afraid the old lady couldn’t take it.

The old lady sighed, as if she already knew.

“I’m old now, and there’s not much I can do. This is his fate—what’s meant to be will be, what isn’t, you can’t force. He sent you here, didn’t he?”

“How did you know?” Gu Qinghuan asked, puzzled.

The old lady got up and fetched a small box from her room, pressing it into Gu Qinghuan’s hands.

“He came to see me a couple of days ago. We hadn’t talked in years. He’s made a lot of foolish choices in his life. Now that he’s in trouble, let the past be the past. These are some savings he asked me to keep for him. If anything ever happened to him, he wanted me to give them to you and Lanting. It’s his way of apologizing as a father. I just didn’t expect this day to come so soon.” The old lady still couldn’t help but care for her son.

Gu Qinghuan opened the box. There was quite a bit of money inside—clearly Gu Yunchuan’s backup plan. She hadn’t expected that, in the end, he’d leave his assets to her and Lanting, rather than to Xia Shuhua.

How to put it? It was unexpected, but not moving. Affection that comes too late is worth less than grass.

She wasn’t the original Gu Qinghuan. Whatever Gu Yunchuan did had nothing to do with her. It was just a pity that the original never got to experience this belated fatherly love.

Thinking about it, it was almost laughable. When she was alive, he ignored her; now that she’s gone, he puts on this show—what’s the point?

After handing over the box, the old lady closed the door and began chanting Buddhist scriptures, tapping her wooden fish.

Gu Qinghuan wanted to invite her to live with them after they got the villa back. Lanting would continue his studies in the city, and the two could rely on each other. But the old lady refused.

She said that now the past was settled, she could finally devote herself to serving Buddha with peace of mind. Everyone has their own fate, and since hers was over, she told Gu Qinghuan not to worry.

In the end, Gu Qinghuan couldn’t even remember how she made it out of the alley—her feelings were a tangled mess.

There was no way they could accept Gu Yunchuan’s dirty money with a clear conscience, and she was sure Lanting wouldn’t want it either.

On the way back, when they passed the orphanage, Gu Qinghuan got out and donated all the money there.

Afterwards, both of them felt a weight lifted, sharing a smile.

That night, Gu Qinghuan told Gu Lanting about it, and he naturally agreed with what they’d done.

No matter how poor he was, he wouldn’t use that kind of money. Better to do some good and keep their hands clean.

Gu Yunchuan’s quick downfall had come as a surprise, but it was only a matter of time—heaven’s net is wide, but nothing escapes it.

Gu Qinghuan had barely eaten at lunch, and she’d been so busy all afternoon she forgot to eat. By the time she got home that evening, she was starving—she felt like she could eat a whole cow.

Speaking of cows, it had been ages since she’d had beef. Luckily, the villa’s fridge was stocked with beef and lamb rolls—perfect for hotpot.

With winter approaching, the mornings and evenings were already cold. A hotpot would warm them right up—just what they needed.

Gu Qinghuan sent Gu Lanting out to look after the kids, while she and Xu Huai’an got busy in the kitchen prepping the food.

The city used coal stoves, which made hotpot easy. Prepping the ingredients was simple—just wash and bring them over to the table.

To suit the kids’ tastes, they went with a tomato-based broth. They had hotpot seasoning at the villa, and if not, there was always the vending machine.

Plenty of beef and lamb rolls, plus tripe, shrimp, meatballs, quail eggs, glass noodles, lotus root, kelp, shiitake mushrooms, and other seasonal veggies—soon, the table was full.

If she wasn’t worried about Lanting getting suspicious, she’d have added even more—duck intestines, pig brains, sausage…

She even wanted to do a “yuan-yang” (half-spicy, half-mild) pot—hotpot just isn’t the same without some spice.

Unfortunately, Xu Huai’an wouldn’t allow it this time, but he promised her that once they were back in the countryside, they’d set up a charcoal stove for hotpot in winter, and she could have her spicy “yuan-yang” pot then.

Even this simple hotpot amazed everyone, Xu Huai’an included.

“This is delicious, sis! How did you think of this? Not only is it warm, but it gets tastier the more you eat!” Lanting said, chewing heartily.

Da Bao and Bei Bei, the two little cheerleaders, shouted “Yummy!” and praised their mom.

Xu Huai’an didn’t say a word—he just buried his head in his bowl, showing his approval through action.

Xu Huai’an still went to see Dr. Xiao Zhuo every day, using various psychological therapies. Dr. Xiao also taught him ways to manage his emotions. With Gu Qinghuan’s special medicine and spiritual spring water, his illness hadn’t flared up in a while. But as for the missing memories, he was still at a loss—no matter what he tried, nothing worked.

Gu Qinghuan also began working to reclaim the villas.

Gu Yunchuan’s debts had nothing to do with her. These days, no one expects children to pay for their parents’ crimes. He’d have to bear the consequences himself—at most, Xia Shuhua might be implicated, but it had nothing to do with her.

At worst, people would gossip, but that wouldn’t affect her life. She and Lanting had already endured plenty of rumors—one more wouldn’t make a difference.

Life is for living—not for others’ judgment.

Having a criminal for a father just meant she couldn’t go into politics or the military in the future—not that Lanting wanted to, and she certainly didn’t.

If Gu Yunchuan hadn’t been so shortsighted and petty, he could have lived well, thanks to the Zhong family’s connections. But he’d chosen to ruin his own path.

Gu Qinghuan took the deeds for the two villas to the local police station to file a report. To her surprise, the officer in charge, Xu Lei, turned out to be Zhong Zijun’s former classmate.

Recognizing her from her distinctive looks, Xu Lei not only welcomed her warmly but also personally led a team to help her resolve the issue.

Zhong Zijun had always been gentle, kind, and sincere. Back in school, Xu Lei’s family was too poor to pay his tuition, but he was a diligent student. Zhong Zijun found out and, without embarrassing him, secretly supported his studies. Xu Lei only learned of this years later.

The good deeds of the past had come full circle—cause and effect, karma repaid.

Armed and ready, the team stormed the villa where Wu Ma lived, taking control of everyone inside.

Wu Ma’s grandsons burst into tears at the sight of the police, terrified they’d be taken away.

When Gu Qinghuan strolled in, Wu Ma looked like she’d seen a ghost, stumbling back in shock.

“Wu Ma, long time no see. How have you been?” Gu Qinghuan smiled brightly, but to Wu Ma, she looked scarier than a vengeful spirit.

“M-miss, why… why are you here?” Wu Ma stammered.

“If I didn’t come, how would I know you’ve been living so well in my house? Wearing homespun clothes while sitting on a leather sofa—doesn’t quite match, does it?” Gu Qinghuan said, running her hand over the leather sofa in the living room.

These must have been things Zhong Zijun bought back in the day—now benefitting these villains.

Seeing that Gu Qinghuan had brought the police, Wu Ma realized this was payback time. She was quick to adapt—dropping to her knees, sobbing, and slapping herself. “I’m sorry, Miss! I must have been out of my mind!”

Gu Qinghuan winced in sympathy at the slap.

Xu Lei didn’t rush to arrest anyone, clearly giving her time to speak.

“I don’t think you were out of your mind—I think you lost your conscience! When you worked as our housekeeper, did my mother treat you badly? She knew you had grandkids to feed, so she always set aside good food and drink for you. She let you go home for holidays, and trusted you to make decisions about the house—treated you like family. She even entrusted you with this important property. And this is how you repay her? Kindness gets trampled, and you just kept pushing your luck—I’ve really seen it all with you!”

Wu Ma, hearing this, remembered the old days and broke down in tears. Gu Qinghuan was right—she’d lost her conscience. Before working for the Gu family, she’d been grateful just to have a job. But after seeing the luxury of the wealthy, she grew dissatisfied. When Zhong Zijun left her the house to look after, she got greedy.

Truth was, she hadn’t lived well these past years. Even with the big house and rental income, she was always afraid Zhong Zijun would come back. At night, she often dreamed of Zhong Zijun cursing her for being ungrateful.

“My mom took care of you and your siblings for years. Even if she didn’t do much, she worked hard. Miss Gu, letting us stay here isn’t such a big deal—why make such a fuss?” Wu Ma’s youngest son said with a grin.

Gu Qinghuan couldn’t help but laugh in disbelief."