The black SUV slowly made its way towards the Gu Family Manor.
Inside the car, Gu Fan looked at Ma Bing, who was wearing a cold expression the entire journey, with great confusion.
From childhood to now, Ma Bing had always been his strong support, always stepping in to handle any situation that arose.
But today, Ma Bing's reaction was completely unexpected by Gu Fan.
Was he angry?
Why was Uncle Ma angry?
Gu Fan glanced at Ma Bing, wanting to ask this question, but the fierce look on Ma Bing's face still made him a bit fearful.
After a long while, Ma Bing glanced at the rearview mirror and slowly spoke.
"Xiao Fan."
"Uncle Ma."
Hearing Ma Bing's voice, Gu Fan immediately straightened up his posture.
Ma Bing rolled down the car window, lit a cigarette, and said, "You must be very curious why I had to pay off those few small-time hoodlums today, right?"
"Yes."
Gu Fan swallowed hard and nodded, saying, "I... I thought Uncle Ma would, as usual, stand up for me."
"Your dad was right."
Suddenly, Ma Bing brought up Gu Fan's father.
"My dad?" Gu Fan was stunned and somewhat puzzled, "Uncle Ma, what... what do you mean by that?"
Ma Bing took a drag from his cigarette and said slowly, "Do you know why your dad wanted you and Xiao Xin to go to Magic City First Middle School? Given your family's wealth and background, you could have gone to school in the Imperial Capital or even abroad. Why did your dad specifically send you to a regular middle school in our Magic City?"
Gu Fan thought for a moment and said, "Was it because my dad didn't want us to be too far from home?"
"No." Ma Bing shook his finger, "Your dad didn't want you and your sister to become spoiled rich kids."
As he spoke, Ma Bing turned around and said, "Do you feel that your dad has never stood up for you since you were young?"
"Yes." Gu Fan nodded and fell into deep thought.
Just as Ma Bing said, from childhood to now, no matter what happened, Gu Chenan had never intervened.
In fact, Gu Chenan had sternly warned Gu Fan and Gu Xin to never reveal their family background outside.
So whenever Gu Fan had conflicts with his classmates as a child, it was always Ma Bing who stepped in.
However, Ma Bing wasn't acting on Gu Chenan's orders; he did so entirely on his own initiative.
Perhaps he thought Gu Fan was still young and needed someone to stand up for him, or maybe he felt it was his duty as Gu Fan's uncle. In any case, that's what he did.
The consequences of doing so, however, he saw today.
That is, Gu Fan had become a thoroughly overbearing and arrogant person.
Although Ma Bing wasn't a direct witness to the conflict with Huang Li, he could tell from their conversation what had happened.
Gu Fan had beaten Huang Li simply because Huang Li spoke to him in a louder voice, and he was also displeased with Huang Li's act of resistance.
This clearly showed Gu Fan's domineering nature. If left unchecked, Gu Fan would undoubtedly become a full-fledged scoundrel.
However, Gu Fan hadn't thought of this. After pondering the events from his childhood to now, he suddenly looked up.
"Uncle Ma, from childhood to now, it's always been you standing up for me. Compared to my dad, I like you more!"
"You!"
Hearing this, Ma Bing gritted his teeth in frustration and regret.
He paused for a moment and said, "I will tell your dad about today's incident. No matter how he punishes you or me, I hope you can understand that your dad is doing this for your own good."
"Uncle Ma?!"
Gu Fan was stunned and quickly said, "Why tell my dad? And why would my dad punish you?"
"Just because you've always protected me? Just because you've always stood up for me? Why?"
"Shut up!"
Ma Bing glared at Gu Fan sternly and said, "You've become like this because of me from the very beginning. Your dad should punish me!"
"Uncle Ma!"
Gu Fan wanted to say something more, but seeing Ma Bing turn around and point angrily at him, he said, "From now on, no matter what happens to you, I won't intervene anymore. And if you continue to cause trouble, I'll deal with you before your dad does!"
"This..." Gu Fan was stunned. Even now, he didn't understand what was going on.
Why did Uncle Ma suddenly get so angry? Why did Uncle Ma suddenly decide to tell my dad about this? Why did Uncle Ma say he wouldn't take care of me anymore?
What... what's going on?
...
At the Gu Family Manor.
Gu Xin pushed open the main hall door, threw her backpack on the sofa, and immediately slouched down.
"Xiao Xin, you're back?"
At that moment, Bai Yutian, dressed in plain clothes, came out of the kitchen carrying a dish. Seeing only Gu Xin, she asked, "Where's your brother?"
"I don't know. My brother is probably out playing with his friends again."
As she spoke, Gu Xin jumped up from the sofa and curiously approached Bai Yutian, peeking at the dish in her hands. "Auntie Bai, what are we having tonight?"
Bai Yutian patted Gu Xin's head and said, "How would I know? I just handle the serving. Your mom is the chef."
"Oh."
Gu Xin nodded and ran towards the kitchen, shouting, "Mom, what are we having tonight?"
"Eat, eat, eat. All you ever think about is eating. Go, help Auntie Bai with the dishes."
From the kitchen came an irritable voice.
"Tch."
Gu Xin gave a dissatisfied snort and entered the kitchen.
A woman in jeans and a white t-shirt turned around and handed the freshly cooked dish to Gu Xin.
"Be careful, it's hot."
She was Gu Xin's mother, Liu Mingrui.
"Got it."
Gu Xin placed the dish on the dining table.
At the same time, Fang Yuanyuan, wearing a dress, was carrying a large box down the stairs.
Gu Xin, seeing this, curiously approached, "Auntie Fang, what's in there?"
Hearing this, Fang Yuanyuan blushed and quickly covered the box, "Just some old clothes I don't wear. Nothing special."
But at the moment Fang Yuanyuan covered it, the alert Gu Xin caught a glimpse of colorful cosplay outfits through the gap in the box.
Immediately, her eyes lit up.
"Xiao Xin, let me pass, let me throw these things away, okay?" Fang Yuanyuan said with a smile.
Throw away?
Gu Xin frowned, uncertain, "Auntie Fang, these are... cosplay outfits, right?"
"Ah?"
Fang Yuanyuan was startled and quickly shook her head, "No, no, they're just old clothes I don't wear."
"Really?" Gu Xin grinned triumphantly, "Then Auntie Fang, let me throw them away for you?"
"No need, I'll do it myself." Fang Yuanyuan repeatedly declined.
But Gu Xin was quick-witted and snatched the box from Fang Yuanyuan's hands, dashing out of the main hall.
“Oh, you…” Fang Yuanyuan shook her head helplessly, “This child…”
Outside the main hall, Gu Xin sat in the manor's gazebo, staring at the box in front of her with excitement.
"They must be cosplay outfits, absolutely!"
With anticipation, Gu Xin slowly opened the box. Instantly, various skirts, tight-fitting clothes, and unique patterned stockings appeared before her eyes.
Gu Xin's pupils slowly widened, as if looking at a treasure chest, and she exclaimed excitedly, "Indeed, they are!"
She picked up one piece and examined it closely, then picked up another and did the same. Finally, she said, "They're all from shows from over a decade ago. Cosplaying these characters is a bit outdated, isn't it?"
But suddenly, she froze.
No, how does Auntie Fang have so many cosplay outfits?
Could it be...
...
The black SUV slowly drove into the manor.
After parking, Ma Bing and Gu Fan got out of the car.
Neither of them spoke, and Gu Fan just followed behind Ma Bing, who quickly walked towards the main hall.
Entering the main hall.
"Xiao Fan, go eat now. Your Auntie Liu has prepared dinner."
Tang Yunjin, dressed in a short-sleeved shirt and shorts, just stepped out of the room and saw Gu Fan.
But Gu Fan shook his head, looking somewhat downcast.
"Miss Tang, where's Mr. Gu?" Ma Bing asked beside her.
Tang Yunjin pointed to Gu Chenan's room and said, "Chenan is taking care of Kannon. If you don't have anything important, don't disturb them. Kannon just gave birth and needs rest the most right now."
Ma Bing nodded and whispered, "This matter is crucial. I must inform Mr. Gu."
Tang Yunjin shrugged and didn't stop him but looked at Gu Fan and said, "After you talk to your dad, remember to come down for dinner."
Gu Fan nodded and followed Ma Bing up the stairs to Gu Chenan's room.
Dong Dong Dong~
Ma Bing gently knocked on the door and said, "Young Master Gu, there's something I need to report to you."
"Alright, wait a moment," came the reply.
Inside the room, Gu Chenan looked at Hoshino Kannon, who was still sitting on the bed looking like a beautiful young girl. "I need to step out for a bit," he said.
Kannon nodded. "Go ahead, important matters come first."
Important matters?
Gu Chenan suddenly turned back with a smile. "For me, taking care of you is the most important thing."
Kannon sweetly smiled and pursed her lips. "Go on, don't keep Ma Bing waiting too long."
Shortly after, Gu Chenan opened the door and stepped out. After gently closing the door behind him, he raised a finger to his lips, signaling silence, and said, "Let's talk in the guest room."
"Okay," Ma Bing nodded.
At that moment, Gu Chenan noticed Gu Fan standing behind Ma Bing. He pointed downstairs and said, "Your Aunt Liu has prepared dinner, aren't you going to eat?"
"I..."
Gu Fan was taken aback and glanced at Ma Bing. "Uncle Ma asked me to come along."
Hearing this, Gu Chenan sensed that something was amiss. He nodded and headed to the guest room.
As soon as they entered the guest room, Ma Bing bowed deeply to Gu Chenan, his head almost touching his knees. "Young Master Gu, I was wrong."
Gu Chenan: ?
He blinked in confusion, glancing at Ma Bing and then at Gu Fan. "What happened?"
Ma Bing pursed his lips and began recounting everything, starting from when Gu Fan was a child. He spilled all the details of how he had secretly intervened on Gu Fan's behalf over the years, without Gu Chenan's knowledge.
Gu Chenan's expression shifted from initial amusement to disbelief, and finally, upon hearing about today's events, his face hardened with seriousness.
After finishing his confession, Ma Bing bowed again. "Young Master Gu, all these years, I always thought I was helping Xiao Fan, but today's incident made me realize that not only did I harm him, but I also wasted your efforts!"
"I've already told Xiao Fan that from today on, I will no longer protect him, and I won't interfere in his affairs anymore!"
"But I deeply understand the subtle influence my actions have had on Xiao Fan over the years. Please punish me, Young Master Gu."
After hearing Ma Bing's story, Gu Chenan bit his finger and narrowed his eyes, looking at Gu Fan.
He hadn't expected his son to have turned into such a domineering person.
To put it bluntly, Gu Fan had all the prerequisites to become a spoiled brat.
Gu Chenan had once been a playboy, but that was only in the fictional world of a novel, and he had to play the role of the villainous playboy. In reality, however, Gu Chenan never considered himself a true playboy.
On the contrary, he despised those who used their family background and wealth to feel superior to everyone else and commit wrongdoings.
Gu Fan's actions, on a smaller scale, were just youthful recklessness and causing trouble, but on a larger scale, they were bullying the weak with Ma Bing's backing.
Huang Li had gathered thugs to block Gu Fan, and it was his own fault for doing so.
"I never would have thought," Gu Chenan said, shaking his head and laughing bitterly as he looked at Gu Fan. "You've actually become the kind of person I hate the most."
"Dad..."
Gu Fan pursed his lips. "I... I..."
"You don't get to talk!"
Gu Chenan snapped. "When you were young, I told you not to cause trouble outside, but if someone provoked you, you shouldn't be afraid. However, that's not an excuse for you to act recklessly just because Uncle Ma is backing you."
"Just because someone speaks loudly to you, you want to hit them? Well, I'm speaking loudly to you right now. Do you want to hit me?"
"Dad..."
Gu Fan's eyes reddened—after all, he was still just a child. A few words from Gu Chenan were enough to make him tear up. "I just wanted to be respected. The people I hit didn't respect me. Why did they dare to speak loudly to me? Why did they take the class monitor position that should have been mine? Why did they outscore me in exams, making me the worst student in class?"
"You!"
Hearing Gu Fan's words, Gu Chenan exploded in anger. He clenched his teeth and said, "Why should they respect you? Do you have an extra arm or leg? Or do you think just because you're my son, Gu Chenan's son, they have to respect you?"
"Dad!"
Years of pampering had made Gu Fan believe he was superior to others. He argued back with conviction.
"They were in the wrong. If I wanted to be class monitor, they should have gracefully stepped aside and given me the position. If I wanted to be one of the top students, they should have deliberately scored lower to make way for me. Why should these people, from ordinary families, dare to compete with me, a member of the Gu family, for grades and positions? They don't deserve it!"
"Smack!"
Before Gu Fan could finish, Gu Chenan swung his hand and slapped him hard across the face.
He pointed angrily at Gu Fan. "You've disappointed me too much!"
The sound of the argument in the room was loud, loud enough for Liu Mingrui and the others in the dining room to hear clearly.
They exchanged glances but said nothing.
At that moment, Su Qianmo returned, dressed in her office lady suit. As soon as she took off her shoes and slipped on her slippers, she heard the sound of arguing coming from the second floor.
"What's going on?"
"Sister Mo, it seems like Xiao Fan and Chenan are arguing. Do you want to go up and take a look?" Liu Mingrui pointed upstairs.
Su Qianmo nodded and quickly headed upstairs.
As she pushed open the door and entered, Gu Fan saw her and the tears in his eyes burst forth.
"Mom!"
He threw himself into Su Qianmo's arms, sobbing like a rain-soaked pear blossom.
Su Qianmo was still unclear about the situation. She gave Gu Chenan a questioning look and whispered, "What's going on, Chenan?"
Gu Chenan glared at Gu Fan angrily and briefly explained the situation to Su Qianmo.
After hearing the explanation, Su Qianmo pushed Gu Fan away and, like Gu Chenan, pointed angrily at him. "You still have the nerve to cry? Hold it in!"
Gu Fan looked at Su Qianmo's furious expression, his heart shattered.
He had thought his mother would side with him, but to his surprise, she was just as stern as his father.
He was bewildered.
He couldn't understand why, despite the Gu family being unchallenged in Magic City, despite his father being one of the most influential figures in Magic City, and despite the fact that local dignitaries treated his father with the utmost respect.
Why did he have to be treated the same as ordinary children? Why didn't he receive any special privileges?
Why did he have to fight for what he wanted, instead of people simply handing it to him?
Why?