Chi Qiushui's scolding caused the satisfaction on Zhuge Yan's face to fade a bit, while Situ Ying's face instantly turned pale.
Chi Qiushui's head was buzzing; she simply couldn't understand why this world had such idiots.
"Testing? Testing what? Is this how you test someone? Are you all out of your minds? If you're sick, go get treated! Acting like complete morons, and you call yourselves a top-tier wealthy family? Can the entire Zhuge family combined not scrape together a single brain? What on earth could you possibly test for this way? Ah? Calling you fools would be a compliment."
Chi Qiushui truly couldn't comprehend the thought process of these Zhuge family members. Weren't they just plain sick in the head? What normal person would do such a thing? Raising their own child as a servant's child and making their own child serve the servant's child.
What were they thinking? Could anyone come up with such a despicable test without having a decade's worth of brain damage? Chi Qiushui didn't even dare imagine how her birth parents and relatives looked at her from the shadows while the original host was humbly serving Zhuge Mo'er.
Just thinking about it was suffocating. She didn't even dare contemplate whether the original host's years of being insulted, abused, and even beaten in the Chi family happened under the orders of these few Zhuge family members, or if they took the opportunity to teach a lesson to the "master" who used to be high above them.
If it was the former, then these Zhuge family members were truly beasts. If it was the latter, then they were even worse than beasts!! Either way, these Zhuge family members were utterly despicable.
The group chat also exploded.
[Earth Girl Lin Xi: ??? Shocking my entire family. As expected of a Mary Sue world, I can understand any kind of idiot appearing.]
[Domineering CEO Villainess Ye Bingbing: I originally thought I had it the worst, but facts prove there are people even more unfortunate. Indeed, art imitates life and surpasses it. These people in the novel worlds are all sick in the head.]
[Misplaced Real Heiress Qin Suyuan: Hard not to agree.]
[Wealthy Family Eldest Sister-in-law Ji Xinyu: +1.]
[Primitive World A Huahua: These idiots really make my head buzz with anger.]
...
The group messages flew by rapidly. Even though there were only a dozen or so people, it felt like hundreds were chatting.
But in this Mary Sue dimension, after Chi Qiushui's utterly disrespectful ridicule, the faces of the Zhuge family visitors weren't looking too good.
Ouyang Xiuming was completely dumbfounded. Having been reborn so many times, how come he knew nothing about this matter?
Thinking carefully, in all those previous rebirths, Chi Qiushui was long gone by this point. Because she didn't follow Zhuge Mo'er in dyeing her hair rainbow colors, Zhuge Shan ordered her to be bullied, locked in a bathroom, and by the time she was found, her body was already cold.
Ouyang Xiuming remembered the Zhuge family later held a very grand funeral for Chi Qiushui, and they didn't let off Zhuge Shan's admirers who bullied her either. Ouyang Xiuming clearly remembered the newspapers extensively publicizing the incident back then.
One could say this incident elevated the Zhuge family's reputation to new heights, especially among families whose daughters had been bullied, who became staunch supporters of the Zhuge family, even willing to sacrifice some profit to benefit the Zhuge family.
One could say the Zhuge family gained enormous profit from Chi Qiushui's death. So the question arose: what if the general public found out that Chi Qiushui was actually the Zhuge family's real daughter, and the reason she became a servant was because of the Zhuge family's so-called "test"?
Ouyang Xiuming felt excited just thinking about it. If he could be reborn again, he would definitely publicize this matter immediately. He would definitely make the Zhuge family's reputation hit rock bottom!
Ouyang Xiuming stroked his chin and glanced at Zhuge Yan again. Zhuge Yan truly lived up to being the one who fought his way out among the Zhuge family's previous generation. He must have become quite experienced at feasting on this kind of "human blood steamed bun," right?
Ouyang Xiuming couldn't help but admire and felt he had learned something. He began to let his thoughts wander. Having been steeped in circles of power, when he carefully considered the biggest beneficiary after Chi Qiushui's death, several schemes flashed through Ouyang Xiuming's mind.
Could it be that Zhuge Shan had known all along that Chi Qiushui was the Zhuge family's true heiress, and to prevent this so-called real heiress from taking her place, he always had people bully Chi Qiushui?
As for the reason, it must be that Zhuge Shan harbored improper feelings for Zhuge Mo'er! Over so many lifetimes, Zhuge Shan's little sinister thoughts couldn't hide from Ouyang Xiuming.
If he weren't unable to get away from these three idiots, he would have left long ago.
Ouyang Xiuming inwardly clicked his tongue, looking at Chi Qiushui with eyes full of pity. So tragic, too tragic. Not only did she have to endure this idiotic test of a life, but after death, she was also used for publicity.
And the instigator faced no consequences whatsoever. In those previous rebirths, after Chi Qiushui's death, Zhuge Shan's greatest punishment was just being severely beaten once by the Zhuge family. But did he suffer any other punishment after that beating? None at all!
Tragic, truly too tragic! Ouyang Xiuming couldn't help but sigh. Stripping away the layer of "Zhuge family princess" filter from Zhuge Mo'er, she was completely a good-for-nothing. He didn't know why the Zhuge family would invest so fully in cultivating someone like that.
Now it seemed it was because the Zhuge family's legitimate heir was taken out by an illegitimate child. Zhuge Yan was someone who couldn't tolerate sand in his eyes, so he'd rather give his lifetime's savings to the impostor Zhuge Mo'er than to Zhuge Shan?
Sick, truly sick!
He used to think the Zhuge family did such brainless things because they valued family ties and bloodline. No matter what, Zhuge Shan was just an illegitimate child. Previously, if Zhuge Mo'er hadn't taken him everywhere, someone like Zhuge Shan wouldn't have been able to enter their circle.
What seemed reasonable before became utterly unreasonable upon learning that Zhuge Mo'er wasn't the Zhuge family's biological child.
Ouyang Xiuming felt he had been driven crazy enough by this damn infinite rebirth, but compared to real lunatics, he was nothing. Compared to these Zhuge family members, Ouyang Xiuming truly felt he was too normal!
Raising one's own biological child as a servant, Ouyang Xiuming felt he had truly seen it all now. No wonder he wondered why his Ouyang family couldn't swallow up a brain-dead, idiotic family like the Zhuge family.
Zhuge Yan was initially angry upon hearing Chi Qiushui's words, but then he thought about how she had been a servant in the Zhuge family for so many years. It was normal for her to hold resentment.
Zhuge Yan felt that he was of an age where he couldn't possibly argue with such a child, so his expression returned to normal.
“Qiushui, you know the status of the Zhuge family globally. Having been in the Zhuge household for so many years, you are aware of their history. The Zhuge family rose from the bottom, but once their wealth reached a certain level, the heirs lost the original intention they had when climbing up from nothing.” Zhuge Yan's hands rested on his cane.
“To ensure the next generation of the Zhuge family remembers that original intention of starting from scratch, the third generation must be raised from the ground up. Therefore, after you were born, we devised this test.”
"Originally, you were to be sent to an outside family, but your mother couldn't bear to part with you, so you were kept at home. We had an agreement: as soon as you rebelled and were able to earn a living to support yourself, your test would be over." A faint smile curled at the corner of Zhuge Yan's mouth as he finished, looking at Chi Qiushui with leisurely composure, waiting for her to call him grandfather.
What status does the Zhuge family hold? A top-tier global aristocracy. The next generation of the Zhuge family only has two children: Zhuge Shan and Zhuge Mo'er.
Zhuge Mo'er is a fake, and Zhuge Shan is the chief culprit responsible for the death of his eldest son. As soon as Chi Qiushui recognizes her ancestry, she would be the undeniable heir to the Zhuge family. Faced with such immense wealth, Zhuge Yan didn't believe Chi Qiushui wouldn't be tempted.
Situ Ying, standing to the side, had already begun wiping her tears, as if she were truly a mother who deeply loved her daughter. Yet, Chi Qiushui recalled the dream she once had about Situ Ying.
Before knowing the original host's true identity, the things Situ Ying had done were a beam of light in the original host's many years of tragic life. During countless times of being bullied and enslaved by Zhuge Mo'er, the original host persevered by thinking of Situ Ying, the only lady who was kind to her.
And the result? This only kind lady was her biological mother. Chi Qiushui found it utterly tragic.
She didn't respond to Zhuge Yan's words, instead looking at Situ Ying: "Madam Zhuge, over all these years, what was your mindset when you offered me those acts of help? And a few days ago, when you were cleaning up Zhuge Mo'er's mess, what were your feelings as you did that?"
Chi Qiushui was genuinely curious. She couldn't understand how a mother like Situ Ying could exist in the world. If a similar situation were placed before her own birth mother, Dong Xiulian, Dong Xiulian would absolutely blow the top off Zhuge Yan's head.
Even if Zhuge Yan were her father-in-law, it wouldn't matter. A strong-willed Northeast woman never compromises with others; they must always stand at the top of the food chain, no matter where they are!
Situ Ying took a step forward, her beautiful eyes brimming with tears: "Qiushui, believe me, Mother was forced into this. This was a plan agreed upon by your father and your grandfather. I had no say. I didn't want you to leave, I didn't want to be separated from you..."
Situ Ying's expression was one of agony.
Although the Situ family also has a compound surname and her maternal family possesses considerable wealth, there is still a significant gap compared to the Zhuge family. Zhuge Yan has been domineering since his youth; once he decides on something, no one can change his mind.
Moreover, her husband, Zhuge Zhan, also agreed to this plan. What could Situ Ying do, trapped in her pain and despair? She could only care for her daughter in secret. Seeing her daughter doing chores meant for servants made Situ Ying feel as if her heart were being sliced by a knife.
"Mother had no choice, Qiushui. Mother is sorry." Situ Ying's tears kept falling, her voice choked with sobs, her gaze towards Chi Qiushui filled with pleading.
At this moment, Chi Qiushui was once again assaulted by a painful sense of suffocation. She knew it was the residual emotions of the original host acting up. She spread her hands flat on her thighs, letting the warmth transmitted through her legs reach her heart.
That suffocating pain faded. Only then did Chi Qiushui look at Situ Ying again.
Situ Ying was still crying. Undoubtedly, she was beautiful, and now, weeping gracefully, she looked even more pitiable and made one want to cherish her.
Yet, Chi Qiushui only found her repulsive: "Don't speak such pretentious words. If you truly felt heartache for... me, how could you have agreed to Zhuge Yan and Zhuge Zhan's outrageous plan?"
"You're all adults. Couldn't you have resisted?"
If I remember correctly, Madam Zhuge, you are also a young lady from a wealthy family, aren't you? Although not as rich as the Zhuge family, you're not poor either, right? If you truly wanted to take... me away, couldn't you have done it? You have plenty of money yourself. Any single piece of jewelry you wear could have paid for my university education, couldn't it?
"You say you have no choice, you just couldn't bear to part with the benefits that come with the title of 'Madam Zhuge'." As the wife of a world-class tycoon, the title of Madam Zhuge is incredibly useful. Whether in the past or now, wherever Situ Ying appears, she is the center of attention.
Except for the ladies from the other few major families, Situ Ying looks down on everyone else.
The original host had seen Situ Ying's demeanor at banquets. She would glide through the banquet hall with Zhuge Mo'er, proud and noble, like a white swan.
While she elegantly appeared at every glamorous occasion with the impostor, did she ever seek out the original host even once? Did she think of the original host even once? When the original host stayed in the corner like an ugly duckling, did she feel heartache even for a moment?
So, all that talk about having no choice was merely an excuse to persuade herself into abandoning the original host.
Watching Situ Ying's face grow paler by the second, her frail body swaying unsteadily, Chi Qiushui felt not an ounce of pity. Whatever her feelings towards Zhuge Mo'er were, the fact remained she was good to Zhuge Mo'er. And how stingy was she towards the original host?
What she offered were just scraps of casual kindness. Chi Qiushui refused to believe that Situ Ying was unaware that Zhuge Mo'er didn't pay the original host a salary, or that when Zhuge Mo'er went on vacation abroad, the original host had to work odd jobs day in and day out.
Could it be that Situ Ying thought that was some wealthy young lady's experience of life? What was she thinking? Putting herself in that position—would Situ Ying herself be willing to go out and be that young lady who 'experiences life'?
Would Zhuge Yan or Zhuge Zhan be willing to experience life? None of them would. Yet, from the moment the original host was born, they had set her on this path of a wealthy young lady working at the grassroots level.
"You say you couldn't bear to part with me, so you put me right under your nose to 'experience life'? Pah! I've seen shameless people, but never one as shameless as you. It's like a tiny knife opening up my backside—a real eye-opener today. How can you even utter such hypocritical, two-faced words?"
"Were you thrilled seeing me humbly serve Zhuge Mo'er? What did you feel when you saw the Chi family kick me out of their rooms, not letting me stay? Or when you watched Zhuge Mo'er order me around like a headless chicken and I couldn't even get a meal? Were you just over the moon, filled with a sense of accomplishment? 'Experience life,' my ass. I'm experiencing your mother's damn bullshit." Don't blame Chi Qiushui for her harsh words; she was practically mad with rage by this point.
Chi Qiushui felt that not cursing out Situ Ying and Zhuge Yan's ancestors for eight generations was a testament to her good upbringing.
"If you'd really sent me to an ordinary family outside, I might have thought slightly better of you. But instead, you made me a servant in my own home? That's just a toad crawling on your foot—not biting, but purely disgusting. Having relatives like you must mean I did something terrible in a past life, like digging up your family graves." Chi Qiushui tried to hold back, but simply couldn't.
In those few short seconds, she decided to cast aside her personal refinement and vent the fury she was feeling right now. Otherwise, she'd wake up in the middle of the night, stewing in regret for not having argued well enough.
After tearing into the pretentious Situ Ying, she turned her gaze to Zhuge Yan and the entourage of bodyguards and assistants behind him. Zhuge Yan's face was no longer as mild as before.
He had been domineering and autocratic his entire life, and never had anyone dared to curse him to his face like this. Although Chi Qiushui's words seemed directed at Situ Ying, Zhuge Yan felt every single syllable was meant for him.
Originally, he had quite a favorable impression of his biological granddaughter. But now, that goodwill was teetering. They had never spent much time together anyway; his bond with Chi Qiushui couldn't even compare to his feelings for Zhuge Mo'er.
He was just about to speak up, to teach Chi Qiushui a lesson, when she coldly beat him to it: "Do you think just because you've shown up before me, told me I'm the Zhuge family's young lady, that I'll obediently follow you back and just wipe away all the suffering I endured?"
"Mr. Zhuge, I believe not everyone who's been fooled will grovel before the mastermind. You say I should be a servant, and I have to meekly be one. You say I'm the young lady, and I have to go back and play the part. Do I have no dignity? Can you just do whatever you want?"
She met Zhuge Yan's gaze: "Is it that if, after returning to the Zhuge family, I don't perform well, I'll be demoted back to a servant's position?"
Zhuge Yan looked at Chi Qiushui's scornful eyes, his expression darkening. "One must fulfill the duties of their position. If you can't do it well, naturally someone who can will replace you. That's the survival of the fittest in this world. You're still young, some issues are beyond your understanding, and I don't blame you. But child, you must know that everything you have now was given by the Zhuge family. If the Zhuge family wishes, we can take it all back at any time."
Having been a top dog all his life, Zhuge Yan was very familiar with this tactic. His words above were his genuine belief, just like when he vied for power with his brothers years ago.
His brothers didn't perform well; he did, so he pulled them down. Between his two sons, the eldest Zhuge Xiong and the second, they were rivals since childhood. Zhuge Xiong ultimately couldn't handle the pressure, and started another family with another woman outside.
He even died because of engaging in that sort of activity in a car, making the Zhuge family a laughingstock.
Zhuge Yan looked down on such people, and because of this incident, he also began to despise Zhuge Shan, believing he inherited his father Zhuge Xiong's lack of class.
Zhuge Zhan wasn't a good heir either. He had ambition, but was mediocre in talent and somewhat indecisive, showing little improvement over the years. As he grew older, Zhuge Yan became increasingly anxious.
Recently, he had also observed Zhuge Shan and was very dissatisfied. He had some petty cleverness, but it was all scheming and deceit, not upright. Moreover, he harbored those unspeakable feelings for his "sister."
This disgusted Zhuge Yan immensely. Indeed, the child of someone lacking class was also lacking class.
As for Zhuge Mo'er, Zhuge Yan didn't pay her much mind. In his view, if not for their need to test Chi Qiushui, a child like Zhuge Mo'er wouldn't even be fit to step through the Zhuge family's main gate, even if her biological parents worked for the Zhuge family.
The Zhuge family had already gone above and beyond by raising Zhuge Mo'er in luxury. Besides, he planned for Zhuge Mo'er to marry into the Duanmu family.
If not for the Zhuge family, Zhuge Mo'er wouldn't even know which way the Duanmu family's gate opened. Zhuge Yan believed Zhuge Mo'er should be grateful.
“Then take it back. Take back whatever you want. I don't care.” Chi Qiushui was like a dead pig unafraid of boiling water. Her door was open, and the camera above it had recorded the entire Zhuge family's performance. She decided to post the video online later.
This ridiculous family—she really couldn't tolerate them one bit.
"Mr. Zhuge, I think your so-called 'test plan' is sick, seriously sick. You'd need a decade of brain thrombosis to come up with such stupidity. I really advise you not to avoid treatment. If the Zhuge family can't find a good doctor, I recommend you visit the local veterinary station. A vet could definitely cure your brain-deficiency syndrome."
Chi Qiushui's "veterinary" theory made Ouyang Xiuming unable to hold back a laugh. Some in the Zhuge family's entourage of bodyguards and assistants also lowered their heads, stifling laughter. A couple with low laugh thresholds were already pinching their thighs to stop.
Chi Qiushui didn't find her own insults funny at all. She deeply regretted her limited vocabulary when it was needed most.
A raging fire ignited in Zhuge Yan's eyes. He snorted coldly at Chi Qiushui: "Little girl, it seems you haven't been beaten down by society yet, too arrogant and overconfident. Over the years, the Zhuge family has ruined no less than eight hundred, maybe a thousand people. You don't think just because you're my biological granddaughter, I'll make an exception for you, do you?"
"Of course not. Isn't Mr. Zhuge famously ruthless and cruel? After all, you're the first—arguably a world-first—to drive your own son to die with his mistress in such a humiliating manner. So, have you received Zhuge Xiong's retaliation yet?" Chi Qiushui wore a faint smile on her face.
Zhuge Yan was harsh towards his sons. Who's to say Zhuge Xiong's death wasn't his own meticulous planning? Otherwise, how would Zhuge Xiong have coincidentally taken that exact road with his mistress and happened to be doing that very thing on it? Who knows if it wasn't a final revelry before death?
The original host hadn't worked as a servant in the Zhuge family for so many years in vain. She had once heard Zhuge Xiong's wife mention this matter to someone. It was said that before his death, Zhuge Xiong had left a suicide note detailing his years of resentment towards Zhuge Yan.
It's just that note was suppressed by Zhuge Yan and never made public. And Zhuge Xiong's wife, all these years, has been pressured by Zhuge Yan not to remarry, living like a ghost within the Zhuge family.
The Zhuge family, ah, appears glorious and splendid on the surface, but pry it open and it's all maggots inside.
What the original host thought, Chi Qiushui didn't know, but she had a vague feeling that if the original host were still here, she would have made the same choice.
The memories the Zhuge family left for the original host were entirely bleak and painful. The only one who was kind to her, Situ Ying, became imperfect the moment she chose to clean up after Zhuge Mo'er.
Zhuge Yan's hand gripping his cane began to turn white from the force. He looked coldly at Chi Qiushui: "A sharp-tongued girl. Let's see if your mouth can remain this hard in time. Let's go."
The bodyguards and assistants behind Zhuge Yan parted to the sides. He gave Chi Qiushui a deep look, snorted coldly, and left. The bodyguards and assistants hurriedly followed. Situ Ying had already cried herself into a mess, her eyes swollen and red.
"Qiushui, you don't know how formidable your grandfather is. Provoking him like this will lead to no good end. Even if you resent me and your father, you shouldn't have spoken like that." Situ Ying's swollen eyes conveyed strong disapproval. After speaking, she didn't leave, as if waiting for Chi Qiushui to apologize.
Chi Qiushui cursed under her breath: "Giving you face, are we? Don't think I won't hit you. You think I'm your daughter, but I don't acknowledge a mother with such a screwed-up brain."
Chi Qiushui was genuinely angry. She clenched her fists and took a step forward. Situ Ying, frightened, took a step back and, at Chi Qiushui's shout of "coward," turned and ran.
Chi Qiushui glanced at Ouyang Xiuming, who was still standing to the side, and couldn't hold back her temper anymore. Ouyang Xiuming had witnessed Chi Qiushui's eloquence before; he had laughed heartily while she berated others. But he had no desire to be on the receiving end, so he immediately sidestepped, clearing a wide path.
Ouyang Xiuming's tactfulness left Chi Qiushui with a sense of pent-up frustration, but Ouyang Xiuming hadn't provoked her. In a way, they were even partners. Getting angry at him again would be inappropriate.
"Classmate Chi, feel free to do what you want to do. Our Ouyang family will back you up from behind," Ouyang Xiuming said, flashing his signature smile.
Chi Qiushui didn't want to speak, afraid she might accidentally let loose a classic three-word curse. She gave an OK gesture and then slammed the door shut with a bang.
Ouyang Xiuming, who was almost hit by the door, touched his nose and returned with a manic grin. Although, due to having been reborn too many times, he no longer engaged in meaningless acts like directly targeting the Duanmu and Zhuge families...
But if there was ever a chance to take them down, Ouyang Xiuming would spare no effort. As he always said, leaving so much wealth in the hands of idiots was truly unsafe. It was better handed over to them; at least the Ouyang family had some conscience and wouldn't do things like withholding employee salaries.
They certainly wouldn't do something as brain-dead as making their own children work as servants. Speaking of which, Chi Qiushui was truly a talent. The Zhuge family really should find a veterinarian to treat their sickness. And not just the Zhuge family, but also that Duanmu Xiu who kept spouting nonsensical nonsense.
Ouyang Xiuming genuinely couldn't stand him. He really looked forward to seeing him go provoke Chi Qiushui and get an earful.
Ouyang Xiuming returned home, took out his phone, and contacted the PR department. He was sixteen this year and had started taking over the family business at fourteen. After two years, he was already firmly established within the family.
While he was busy with company affairs, who knew which supercar club or which exclusive lounge Duanmu Xiu was lounging in? What did such an uneducated good-for-nothing have besides a slightly decent face?
Ouyang Xiuming couldn't understand why he would be reborn every time he brought down the Duanmu and Zhuge families. He couldn't understand why, in his first life, he had confessed to Zhuge Mo'er, and even less why he had been rejected.
Wasn't he better than that chauvinist pig Duanmu Xiu? While complaining about these things he had complained about a thousand times, he opened the Weibo platform and clicked into several trending topics that the Ouyang Group had heavily invested in promoting.
Upon entering, he saw countless of Zhuge Mo'er's fans online having meltdowns—genuine meltdowns. These frenzied people were divided into two factions. One faction believed the video was fake and was hurling abuse at the uploader; the other faction was abusing Zhuge Mo'er, feeling she had betrayed their feelings.
Ouyang Xiuming clicked into the comments under the posts of the most vulgar and active individuals and saw Chi Qiushui right there in their comment sections, posting her own views. Her comments were still so hilarious—not a single curse word, yet capable of driving people mad with rage.
He hadn't even finished reading when he saw Chi Qiushui emerge to like every single comment insulting Zhuge Mo'er, not missing a single one.
Chi Qiushui didn't know that Ouyang Xiuming was watching her battle the keyboard warriors. She was editing videos on her computer, finding spare moments to use her phone to argue with people, thoroughly enjoying herself and never tiring of it. She could also occasionally vent about the Zhuge family's idiotic behavior in the Transmigrators chat group.
The whole person was the epitome of busyness.
Half an hour later, she uploaded the video from the doorbell camera, tagging all of the Zhuge family's official accounts, waiting for them to try and suppress her.
Chi Qiushui even tagged the local official authorities. She truly refused to believe the government in this Mary Sue world was completely useless. This world's history was similar to Earth's; how much worse could it possibly be?
Moreover, with the precedents set by Ye Bingbing and Ji Xinyu, she believed that perhaps the authorities of this world were not unwilling to intervene, but rather were being obstructed by this world's so-called "Heaven's Will" from doing so.
If Ye Bingbing could break through the barrier and allow the authorities of the normal world to govern the domineering CEO world, then she couldn't possibly do worse than Ye Bingbing, could she? Otherwise, she would be too embarrassed to stay in that group chat.
The ever-striving Chi Qiushui felt she absolutely could not admit defeat. She believed her journey through this transmigration must have come with a mission. Her mission was undoubtedly to let these idiots in the Mary Sue world experience the warmth brought by socialism.
After berating the netizens, Chi Qiushui felt utterly refreshed. She snuggled with the lovely members in the transmigrator chat group, then contentedly lay down on her bed and fell asleep.
In the study next door, separated only by a wall, Ouyang Xiuming was constantly monitoring online discussions to prevent the Zhuge or Duanmu families from taking action. Simultaneously, he was also reading the comments under the second video Chi Qiushui had posted.
Seeing those comments, Ouyang Xiuming felt relieved. So, it wasn't just him and Chi Qiushui who thought the Zhuge family members were sick—everyone else thought so too.
Look at the two most upvoted hot comments: one said the Zhuge family's brains had been kicked by a donkey, and the other praised Chi Qiushui for her way with words. Ouyang Xiuming, using the Ouyang Group's official account, gave likes to both of these comments.
()
Zhuge Manor was always brightly lit, but tonight the lights were even more dazzling. In the second-floor study of the Zhuge residence, Zhuge Yan sat in his office chair. Standing opposite him were the butler who had followed him since childhood, the head of the Zhuge Group's public relations department, and Zhuge Zhan with his wife.
Situ Ying had long since stopped crying by now, though her eyes remained red.
The head of the public relations department, holding a tablet, spoke respectfully: "Sir, we have received information that the message the young lady posted was fueled behind the scenes by the Ouyang family."
Zhuge Yan narrowed his eyes: "I truly underestimated that kid from the Ouyang family! The Ouyang family has been dissatisfied for years with being overshadowed by the Zhuge and Duanmu families. I thought they would challenge us in a few years, after all, Ouyang Xiuming is only sixteen now, far from fully matured."
Zhuge Yan picked up the coffee cup on the table and took a sip.
Hearing this, Zhuge Zhan replied in surprise: "Father, you think highly of Ouyang Xiuming? But didn't you previously say Duanmu Xiu was the better prospect?"
Zhuge Yan looked at his son, who lacked brains and only knew how to eat, spend money, paint, and play with his wife. If it weren't for Zhuge Xiong's death, Zhuge Yan would find it painful even to glance at him.
Then he looked at Situ Ying beside him. Zhuge Yan couldn't understand why such fools existed in the world. He said he wanted to give the child a test, and they really just stood by and did nothing at all?
While their complete non-interference had indeed pleased him somewhat, wasn't it shameful for parents to be so neglectful? Wasn't it chilling? Especially Situ Ying—she had cried so bitterly back then, he thought she had such motherly love, but it turns out it was just this?
"Duanmu Xiu is indeed a good prospect—not very bright. As long as Zhuge Mo'er can control him, then after the few people in the Duanmu family die, whatever he wants will be up to our Zhuge family. But think carefully, who among the Duanmu family can you possibly outlive?"
"Don't end up failing to take over the Duanmu family and instead let them wipe out the entire Zhuge family." Zhuge Yan's voice grew lower as he spoke.
Zhuge Zhan thought of Duanmu Xiu's father and uncle, both younger than him, both fond of fitness, men in their forties with robust physiques.
Zhuge Zhan dared to talk back: "I think Duanmu Xiu is already under our Mo'er's control. Whatever Mo'er says goes now."
As soon as Zhuge Zhan's words fell, the teacup beside Zhuge Yan's hand smashed against his head: "I've always said you're a fool, and it seems after all these years, you still are. With Zhuge Mo'er's meager skills, who can she possibly control? Duanmu Xiu likes her now, but look again in a couple of years. I'm afraid if the Zhuge family ever faces a life-or-death crisis, the Duanmu family will be the first to step in and crush us."
"As for your precious Mo'er, I'm afraid even after the Duanmu family devours her whole family, she'd still obediently wash herself up and offer herself to them." Zhuge Yan's temples throbbed with pain.
He couldn't understand how he, brilliant for a lifetime, could have fathered two fools like Zhuge Xiong and Zhuge Zhan. Zhuge Xiong was indeed famous—damn him for pursuing so-called freedom, refusing the arranged wife, insisting on finding someone outside, and ultimately dying because of it.
Zhuge Zhan's foolishness went without saying. His own biological daughter was doing servant's work at home. Even he, as the grandfather, sometimes found it hard to bear witnessing it, yet her own biological father could turn a blind eye. He and his incredibly stupid wife were truly a perfect match.
Zhuge Yan used to think the life test he set for Chi Qiushui was perfectly normal, but now he dared not think so anymore. Chi Qiushui was too proud, too unruly, and her hatred for the Zhuge family ran too deep.
Remembering this, Zhuge Yan hurled a paperweight at him. Zhuge Zhan's head immediately started bleeding.
"Fool. Fool. If only you two had shown a shred of parental affection towards Chi Qiushui, she wouldn't harbor such deep hatred for the Zhuge family now." Zhuge Yan had held a high position since his youth, handling matters with decisive ruthlessness. Not to mention the grandchildren's generation, even among the sons' generation, few dared to meet his gaze.
Let alone curse him to his face. It must be said, Zhuge Yan was actually pleasantly surprised by Chi Qiushui's demeanor. He felt that if Chi Qiushui were to take control of the Zhuge family's power, the family would undoubtedly surpass the Duanmu family and become the top among the four great noble families.
Perhaps saying the three great noble families was more appropriate, as the Nangong family had already withdrawn abroad two years ago, and most of their domestic business had been transferred.
"Sir, should we block the young lady's account and issue a statement?" The voice of the public relations head sounded in his ear.
Zhuge Yan took two deep breaths and said: "No need. Blocking her livestream now would be a blatant admission of guilt. We should ride this wave of attention upwards. We should collectively apologize to your young lady on all our official accounts, admitting to all the accusations netizens have made against us."
"Losing face isn't scary. Sometimes, infamy is still fame." Zhuge Yan recalled the impact his eldest son's death had on the Zhuge family ten years ago. Indeed, Zhuge Xiong's actions had brought great shame upon the family, making the Zhuge family a laughingstock among high society and a topic of gossip among the common people.
How had he handled it back then? He turned a blind eye to those exposés, proactively compensated the drivers affected by Zhuge Xiong's car accident, covering not only vehicle repair costs and medical bills but also taking full responsibility for all lost wages and emotional distress compensation.
This scope extended to dozens of vehicles that had passed by the accident site during that time slot. This move successfully reversed the public's impression of the Zhuge family.
People still talked about Zhuge Xiong, who died while fooling around with his mistress in the car, but when discussing the incident, they would later add a line about the generous Zhuge Group, the Zhuge Group that proactively took responsibility.
When shopping at supermarkets or malls, upon seeing Zhuge family products, people would think, 'So this is from that Zhuge Group,' and some, holding the thought that they should buy this item, would add Zhuge family products to their shopping carts.
In those two months, the Zhuge family's market value grew by two hundred percent compared to the same period. At the time, while the other major groups didn't say it openly, which one didn't include this incident in their classic PR case studies?
Zhuge Yan intended to employ the same tactic this time. He stood up, walked to the window, looked at the Statue of Liberty fountain in the courtyard, and smiled. Those two sentences he had said at Chi Qiushui's home earlier were just words spoken in anger.
He could never actually treat Chi Qiushui that way. Chi Qiushui was the heir he had waited for many years to see. Apart from her rather disappointing performance in the first dozen or so years, which had indeed somewhat annoyed him, her performance over the last half-month had been commendable.
All these years, why had he indulged Zhuge Mo'er in suppressing her, forcing her to learn this skill and that skill? Wasn't it precisely so that she would have a skill to rely on if she ever had to leave the Zhuge family one day?
Among the many skills Chi Qiushui learned, although none were about managing a family business, whether it was cooking, flower arranging, or painting, which of her teachers wasn't a top expert in their field?
Although Chi Qiushui's choice to become a nail artist surprised him, he had seen her work. Her sense of aesthetics was indeed exceptionally well-cultivated. This point was very much like her grandmother, his long-departed wife.
All these years, why had he avoided contact with Chi Qiushui? Wasn't it because he was afraid he wouldn't be able to bear seeing that face, so strikingly similar to his beloved's?
Now, things were excellent. The Zhuge family had a successor! A successor! Zhuge Yan wanted to laugh heartily, but he restrained himself.
He wasn't the least bit afraid that Chi Qiushui would squander the Zhuge family fortune after inheriting it. It came back to that saying: all reluctance in this world stems from insufficient benefits involved.
A famous figure Zhuge Yan admired once said: "When the profit reaches 10%, they are willing to consider it; when it reaches 50%, they are willing to take risks; when it reaches 100%, they dare to trample on all human laws; and when it reaches 300%, they dare to risk the gallows."①
As long as the benefits given to Chi Qiushui were sufficient, she would not betray the Zhuge family and would willingly, even gladly, become the helmsman of the Zhuge family's colossal ship.
"Make arrangements. Have someone come interview me. I want to personally apologize to Chi Qiushui and to the netizens at large. Zhuge Mo'er must also appear on camera." Zhuge Yan turned around and looked at Zhuge Zhan and Situ Ying: "You two must also come out and confess your failings as parents to the camera."
Zhuge Zhan didn't mind much. He pressed a handkerchief to the wound on his head, which had stopped bleeding by now. An apology was just an apology; it wouldn't cost him a hair. How many apologies had Zhuge Zhan made since childhood? This time, it was just that more people would be involved in the apology.
Compared to Zhuge Zhan, Situ Ying was very unwilling. Although her Situ family wasn't as prominent as the Zhuge family, it still belonged to the second tier, and she had been pampered growing up.
Although her nature was that of a 'white lotus,' having grown up this way, Situ Ying had truly never apologized to anyone. Moreover, her family's upbringing had always been that 'parents can never be in the wrong.'
The mere thought of apologizing to Chi Qiushui made her uncomfortable. Furthermore, today Chi Qiushui had not only scolded her but also tried to hit her. What daughter in the world would dare treat her parents like that?
Moreover, Situ Ying felt genuinely wronged by Chi Qiushui's accusations. Back when Zhuge Yan said he wanted to test Chi Qiushui, she had truly been unwilling. She had argued her case, but Zhuge Yan was determined to proceed. What could she have done?
She could have taken the child and returned to her maiden home, but her family collaborated with the Zhuge family; her whole family relied on Zhuge family projects for their livelihood. How could her parents and brothers dare to defy the Zhuge family for her sake?
And over all these years, Situ Ying felt she hadn't done anything to let Chi Qiushui down. Every time Chi Qiushui was hurt, she was the first by her side. She couldn't provide Chi Qiushui with any financial support, but that wasn't by her choice. If Zhuge Yan hadn't issued a strict order, how could she have watched her own biological daughter fall to such a state?
Her daughter should have grown up as precious and cherished as Zhuge Mo'er. Chi Qiushui didn't understand her well-intentioned efforts, and Situ Ying's heart felt as if soaked in bitterness.
She deeply resented Zhuge Yan, who masterminded all this. She also hated Zhuge Zhan, who never said anything, just blindly agreed with Zhuge Yan. She even felt some resentment towards Chi Qiushui.
They say a daughter is her parents' close-fitting padded jacket, i.e., comfort and joy. Why didn't Chi Qiushui know how to consider things from her perspective? All these years, she had truly been helpless.
Situ Ying wanted to object to Zhuge Yan, but just like over a decade ago, she didn't dare.
She followed behind Zhuge Zhan, aggrieved, as they gave their assent. Zhuge Yan dismissed them. The head of the PR department also left with his tablet. The filming crew would arrive shortly.
Only Zhuge Yan and the butler remained in the office. The butler stood respectfully in a corner.
"Lou, do you think my decision was wrong? With Qiushui's temperament, if she had been by my side, receiving my dedicated guidance, wouldn't she have been outstanding too? At least more outstanding than the ones from the Nangong and Ouyang families?" Zhuge Yan, uncharacteristically, began to doubt himself.
Lou was no longer the young man he once was, but he still replied softly yet firmly, just as in his youth: "Everything the Young Master does cannot be wrong. If there is a mistake, it is certainly not the Young Master's fault, but rather the fault inherent in the circumstances themselves."
Zhuge Yan took a deep breath and smiled. "I'm already old, halfway into the grave. How can I still be called 'young master'? Go on, arrange everything properly. Don't let the young lady see anyone who would upset her when she returns. But don't be too harsh either. After all, she is the apple of that Duanmu family boy's eye."
"Right now, the two of them are still in the honeymoon phase. Don't make that Duanmu boy too resentful. That child's mind is too rigid, unable to distinguish good advice from bad."
"Yes." Lou bowed and left the study.
As he descended the stairs, he spotted Situ Ying and Zhuge Mo'er downstairs. Zhuge Mo'er had already removed her heavy makeup, her eyes swollen like peaches.
Without the enhancement of makeup, her features appeared plain. Though individually they could be considered delicate, on her face they seemed ordinary. The only good feature, her eyes, showed none of their usual sparkle at this moment.
Lou left through a side door. Situ Ying saw him, but Zhuge Mo'er, with her back to that side door, remained completely unaware.
"Mother, don't you want me anymore? Didn't you often hug me before and say you loved me most?" Zhuge Mo'er had already seen the Weibo post by Chi Qiushui.
She had been curled up in bed, terrified. She had masochistically read all the comments criticizing her. She wanted to reply but didn't dare, because deep down she knew her own position was not righteous. What frightened her even more was the video Chi Qiushui posted afterward, which blatantly stated she was not a biological child of the Zhuge family.
Situ Ying looked at Zhuge Mo'er's face, which bore no resemblance to her own, with disgust and stood up. "A substitute for lonely times, a pastime for boredom. Why would you take the things I said so seriously?"
