"Gu Zhi’s identity is a bit mysterious," Lu Zechuan spoke first without waiting for Xia Mian to ask, "It’s fair to say that the status the Gu Family holds today is largely thanks to Gu Zhi’s mother." Xia Mian slightly squinted her eyes, her delicate eyebrows furrowing, "Aren’t your two families always on good terms? You didn’t know about this before?" Lu Zechuan sighed, "This is information my people dug up in the past few days. The news that the Gu Family spread outside before was all fake." The Gu Family is also a prominent family, who knew there were these secrets behind the scenes? Xia Mian uttered an ’oh’, signaling Lu Zechuan to continue. "Gu Zhi’s mother was someone Gu Heng met in a mysterious tribe back in the day. She is said to have had some kind of miraculous ability. As long as she was willing, she could help people transfer or accumulate fortune." "The Gu Family’s fortune reached its peak thanks to Gu Zhi’s mother. However, she suffered backlash from the Heavenly Dao and passed away early," Lu Zechuan said, with a tone of regret, "It’s a pity that until her death, she never gained any rightful status in the Gu Family. Gu Zhi probably inherited one of her mother’s abilities, which is why that scumbag Gu Heng brought her back to the Gu Family." While Lu Zechuan recounted this, he felt like he was telling some sort of Arabian Nights tale. "Gu Heng had quite the nerve, using up someone’s mother and daring to keep the young one by his side." Xia Mian slightly curled her lips, her eyes showing a hint of mild derision. "It’s said that the house the Gu Family lives in now was also chosen by Gu Zhi’s mother." Lu Zechuan’s voice came again, "Previously, the Gu Family never disclosed which master helped them choose that auspicious plot." "Unexpectedly, this master turned out to be a woman unacknowledged by Gu Heng." Lu Zechuan spoke of Gu Zhi’s mother with considerable sighing. "Humans are most easily trapped by the word ’emotion’." Xia Mian sighed lightly, "Especially women. Once they fall in love, they either end up hurting themselves or others." Xia Mian spoke from the heart, but she didn’t expect that after listening, Lu Zechuan looked solemn, lost in thought. "Mianmian, I won’t let you get trapped or hurt by emotions." Lu Zechuan’s face was serious, with no vows of eternal love nor sweet nothings, but Xia Mian’s heart inexplicably raced a bit more. "Aren’t we supposed to be a fake couple?" Xia Mian raised her eyebrows, a hint of a smile on her lips, "Are you being serious?" "Yes," Lu Zechuan’s voice was low and husky, striking deep into Xia Mian’s heart, "I’m serious." A woman who would do anything for him, if missed, wouldn’t come around a second time. "Come on, let’s go eat. What do you feel like having?" Lu Zechuan changed the subject, taking Xia Mian’s hand as they headed down the steps. Xia Mian wasn’t particular about food, "Anything’s fine!" Lu Zechuan nodded, "Then I’ll decide." Xia Mian naturally didn’t mind. She had decision fatigue when it came to choices, so she preferred leaving such questions for others to handle. Lu Zechuan chose a five-star hotel near the hospital, The two of them were walking side by side, but as they approached the hotel’s entrance, a gust of swirling wind blew toward Lu Zechuan. Xia Mian furrowed her brow and instinctively shielded Lu Zechuan behind her. The wind swirled around the two of them for a full three minutes before it slowly drifted away. Lu Zechuan’s eyes darkened slightly, "Is there an issue?" "No issue." Xia Mian’s body began to relax, lowering her guard. Even if there was an issue, it was a minor one, not worth mentioning to distract Lu Zechuan. Lu Zechuan didn’t press further, "Let’s go, have dinner. You must be starving." They had eaten together numerous times, and Xia Mian actually had quite an appetite. Being so late without a meal, the little girl’s stomach was surely empty by now. Xia Mian made a sound of agreement, and the two entered the hotel together. In the shadows of a hotel corner, a young man dressed in a white shirt and black trousers slowly stepped into the light, his gaze deep as he watched the direction where Xia Mian and Lu Zechuan had disappeared, his eyes filled with unhidden malice. "Xia Mian, well played!" Master Xie narrowed his eyes tightly, his face showing undisguised resentment and apprehension. Yesterday, his junior brother was struck by lightning, his soul scattered and bones pulverized! His junior brother had told him before that Xia Mian had cursed him. To break this curse, his junior brother had gone to great lengths, finally managing to find a pair of virgin children through two believers, only to end up attracting Xia Mian, this calamity star. "Harm someone from our Mystic Sect, and we won’t just let it go!" Master Xie waved his fingers slightly, dispersing the previous whirlwind, and formed a technique at his fingertips. Moments later, a few hues of joy crept onto his face. Master, his mentor, has finally arrived. As long as master is here, he’d like to see how the girl Xia Mian would protect that kid from the Lu Family! Lu Zechuan didn’t want to be disturbed, so he booked a private room. Perhaps both of them were very busy lately, Lu Zechuan especially treasured the time they could spend alone together. "It’s been tough lately," Lu Zechuan poured Xia Mian a glass of juice, "When you have time, let’s go on a trip together to relax." Xia Mian was silent for a moment, "I want to visit where Gu Heng met Gu Zhi’s mother." Lu Zechuan paused slightly in the act of pouring tea, "I’ll have someone look into it." Xia Mian gave a small nod. Xia Mian felt that Gu Zhi’s mother shouldn’t have died so easily. Someone who could change fate and fortune surely had great abilities, how could she die just like that? The rare alone time together ended when Xia Mian cleared all the dishes on the table. Lu Zechuan pulled out a napkin, intending to wipe Xia Mian’s oily mouth, but she evaded him, "I’ll do it myself." Xia Mian took the napkin from Lu Zechuan’s hand, wiping haphazardly. Her actions were not at all lady-like. Yet Lu Zechuan found this Xia Mian very genuine and beautiful. He really wanted to whisk this little girl home! After finishing their meal and stepping out, they planned to return to the hospital to visit the Shen Family couple, and then head back to the Lu Family. At the hotel entrance, Xia Mian’s eyes fell upon familiar faces again. Ji Ling still sported her dreadlocks, rebellious as ever, while Gu Zhi still looked pale and pitiful. Ji Ling casually wrapped her arm around Gu Zhi, displaying a sisterly camaraderie. Gu Zhi kept her head down, trying to hide as much as she could in Ji Ling’s arms. "Why are they together?" Xia Mian questioned with knitted brows, her gaze unwillingly following the two of them for several more glances. And those few glances shook Xia Mian’s heart. Ji Ling’s attitude toward Gu Zhi was one of careful attention and tender care. The usual rebellious girl was now filled with tenderness; if not for the gender difference, such affectionate gestures could easily be mistaken for those of a couple! Something began to stir in Xia Mian’s heart. She glanced down at her phone, finally unable to resist calling Ji Changxing.