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Chapter Three: Lies and Consequences
Su Ruolan sat on the edge of her bed, the screen of her phone glowing with a flashing unknown number. Her fingers trembled, and after a moment of hesitation, she answered the call. The voice on the other end instantly drained the color from her face.
"Miss Su, your father hasn't paid back a single cent of the money he owes us. If you don't give us an explanation soon, don't even think about paying your sister's school fees." The creditor's voice was cold, offering no room for negotiation.
"I... just give me a few more days. I will find a way," Ruolan's voice quivered, barely audible.
"A few days?" The other party scoffed. "If you can't come up with the money by today, I guarantee your family won't have peace."
After the call ended, Ruolan's hand fell limply to her side, as if a heavy stone had settled on her chest. She looked out the window; under the vast starry sky, the opulence of the mansion felt particularly cold at that moment.
---
In the following days, Ruolan was in a state of anxiety. She knew Gu Changting would not help her; she didn't even have the courage to ask him. In her desperation to raise money, she rummaged through her luggage until her gaze landed on a jewelry box on her vanity.
Inside was a ring embedded with sapphires, a keepsake left to her by her mother. Ruolan picked up the ring and stared at it blankly, memories flooding back to when her mother had entrusted it to her in her final moments.
"This ring was passed down from your grandmother. If one day you find yourself truly at a dead end, you can pawn it."
"I'm sorry, Mom," Ruolan whispered, tears welling in her eyes. She carefully wrapped the ring and placed it in her handbag.
---
The next morning, Ruolan arrived at a jewelry store. With great care, she took out the ring from her bag and handed it to the clerk.
"Could you appraise this?" she asked, her voice tinged with barely perceptible anxiety.
"What's wrong? Short on cash?" A familiar voice came from behind her. Ruolan turned abruptly to see Lin Wanran standing at the door, arms crossed and wearing an enigmatic smile.
"Wanran..." Ruolan was momentarily speechless, gripping the ring tightly in her hand.
"I thought the Young Mistress of the Gu Family had everything she needed," Lin Wanran stepped closer, surveying Ruolan with keen eyes. "But some people marry into wealth just for things like this, right?"
Ruolan bit her lip and met Lin Wanran's gaze defiantly. "This has nothing to do with you."
Lin Wanran shrugged, her smile deepening. "Of course it doesn't concern me; I just think if Chang Ting finds out about this, what will he think?"
---
That evening, as soon as Ruolan returned home, she heard Gu Changting's cold laughter echoing from his study downstairs.
"Su Ruolan, you've truly surprised me." He stood behind his desk, holding the very ring she had tried to pawn, his gaze icy.
Ruolan froze at the door, her heart racing. "How did you...?"
"Lin Wanran told me," Gu Changting said with a sneer. "You would sell even your mother's belongings for a few coins. Su Ruolan, didn't you marry into the Gu Family just for money?"
Ruolan was taken aback, opening her mouth but finding herself unable to explain. She lowered her head, silently enduring his accusations.
---
In the following days, Ruolan proactively contacted her father's creditors to avoid dragging the Gu Family down with her troubles. The creditor's tone was laced with obvious disdain. "You're quite the good daughter, coming forward for your father."
Ruolan clenched the phone tightly. "I will repay this debt slowly; please stop hurting my family."
"Hah, the Young Mistress of the Gu Family is in debt too?" The creditor mocked her. "But since you're so understanding, I can make concessions—just help persuade the Gu Family to cooperate with us."
Listening to this, Ruolan felt a storm brewing inside her. She finally understood that this creditor had business dealings with the Gu Family, and she seemed to have become a pawn in their game.
---
A few days later, Gu Changting's demeanor grew increasingly cold. He had learned from Lin Wanran that Ruolan had been frequently visiting cafes and had met with a strange man.
"What’s going on, Su Ruolan? Busy with dates?" One evening, Gu Changting finally erupted. He cornered Ruolan on the staircase, his gaze as sharp as ice.
"What do you want to say?" Ruolan was too exhausted to argue back.
"What do I want to say? Do I need to remind you that you're flirting with those creditors outside?" Gu Changting's voice dripped with sarcasm.
"Enough!" Ruolan raised her head, her eyes reddening. "If you don't believe me, think whatever you want."
Gu Changting clenched his fists in anger. "Su Ruolan, do you even have a heart? Or did you marry into this family just for these sordid deals?"
Ruolan trembled all over. She looked up and met Gu Changting's gaze directly, tears stubbornly refusing to fall. "Do you think I wanted to marry you? I never thought about loving you, nor did I dare to!"
Gu Changting was taken aback by her words, feeling as if something had lodged in his chest. He was left speechless for a long while.
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