Chapter 87 - What would that do to his fiancee's reputation?

A few days after the crystal chandelier had fallen, nothing seemed different at the mansion, except that atmosphere had become tenser.

Nobody said anything out loud, but the way they were looking at Huo Sishen was more fearful and alarmed than before.

Even Gu Shishi wasn't sure what she could do about that.

She couldn't change how others viewed the incident.

Don't be superstitious. We must think in a logical and scientific manner...

She couldn't possibly go around lecturing everyone.

And, the time that Huo Sishen spent in the mansion had decreased noticeably.

Gu Shishi, on the other hand, was still getting up at 7:30 AM to go to work, but she hasn't seen him in the dining room again since.

She hasn't even seen him even after she was home from work.

But every morning, when Gu Shishi woke up, with drool out of the corner of her mouth, she would have already received a red packet for the day.

[Huo Sishen has sent you a red packet.]

Everyday...

$6.66, $8.88, $10.00...

Gu Shishi wasn't sure what to make of that.

The boss had, indeed, listened to all of her shameless words from the other day and was sending her red packets every day!

Once a day, for three days straight already.

But this amount, aye. This amount was killing her.

"Aye. Had she known... why did she...."

"It's all my own fault...."

If she hadn't been an idiot back then by only sending the boss a small red packet of $6.66, she wouldn't be so pitiful today!

$6.66 was only 8-minute worth of life!

Her daily red packets were only giving her 8 minutes extra a day...

Aye. Had she known, she would have sent him a $200 red packet. And that would have been that.

He'd be sending her $200, $200.... Every day...

Gu Shishi felt that she had truly done something stupid!

What a bummer that the boss was such a stickler when it came to sending red packets. It had never exceeded $10, as though there was an unwritten rule somewhere!

She could only cry silently.

***

Amidst her regret, the Saturday that she was going to meet up with Gu Wushuang had approached quickly.

Gu Shishi got ready and pulled out a light yellow Prada evening gown with a pearl necklace along with a bracelet of the same tyle.

She looked into the mirror, applied some light makeup, and bundled up her hair on top of her head.

She had braided her hair before she went to bed the night before, so today her hair has a natural wave to them.

Even though she has her hair bundled up now, the waviness could still be seen around the base of her hair and even her bangs.

Seeing that it was about time, she left the house with a little purse.

"Miss Gu."

The chauffeur was already waiting outside.

"Hi, Mr. Chan, thanks for the lift."

Gu Shishi lifted up the hem of her gown and got inside the car after thanking the chauffeur.

Her cellphone buzzed as soon as she sat down.

[Shishi, are you on your way yet? Are you coming alone?]

Gu Shishi couldn't help but to cover up her mouth and smile.

Normally, one would go with a date to an event like this.

Especially for someone who was engaged, like her, she should be attending with Huo Sishen.

However, Gu Wushuang called her last night and made a special point of having her promise she would go alone and not with Huo Sishen.

In their circle, everyone had heard of Huo Sishen's past.

This was old Mrs. Chen's birthday banquet. Naturally, they wouldn't want Huo Sishen, a human equivalent of bad luck, to attend.

Yet when Gu Shishi heard it the night before, she almost busted out laughing.

They were overthinking this too much; Boss Huo had no interest in attending this event at all!

Never mind his pride and that he would never attend an event without being invited, even if he was invited, she gathered a homebody like him who didn't like to talk much would not want to attend a crowded event like this.

Heck, he didn't even attend his own engagement party.

So why would he attend someone else's birthday party?

What would that do to his fiancee's reputation?

[Don't worry.] Gu Shishi replied simply and closed out of WeChat.

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Chapter 88 - Did she want her to be shamed by being stopped at the door and not allowed to enter?

Gu Shishi had no interest in continuing to engage with this little white flower.

She might not have the best physical health, but Gu Wushuang was surely a very manipulative person.

She spent way too much time meddling with other people's issues!

Had she not wanted Huo Sishen to attend, she should have said so the day she had invited her.

Not the night before.

Had Huo Sishen decided to attend, or that she had invited him to attend with her personally, then what was she to tell him after last night?

"Dear, nobody else wishes you to bring bad luck to old Mrs. Chen. I think it's better for you to stay home.

"I think everybody else would have a better time if you weren't there."

That would be like looking for trouble purposefully.

The boss just might kill her!

It was so obvious that Gu Wushuang was trying to set her up!

On top of that, she had to act like she was being nice in reminding her to not do anything to upset the host of the banquet. How despicable?

Gu Shishi couldn't stop shaking her head.

Now it made sense how the original owner failed miserably in front of this fake daughter from the very get go.

If one thought that the fake daughter was fragile and had no fire power, that would be a big mistake!

The original owner and her were of two completely different caliber. Their abilities to plot and manipulate weren't even close!

But now, Gu Wushuang had no idea that the inside of Gu Shishi had been swapped and still thought she could set her up, ho ho ho.

She should watch out to come out in one piece!

***

The Cadillac quickly drove into the busy part of town and stopped in front of the private club La Rose.

This private club looked to be very low-key from the outside.

The outer wall was made out of black marble with occasional strands of embedded gold strands as decorations.

And, it didn't have a very big sign, nor was the sign illuminated. There were just very small, low-key, raised red characters on the outside wall.

They were barely noticeable compared to the 5-star hotel next door to them.

If Gu Shishi didn't have the address and know that this was a private club, she'd most likely had thought this was some office building.

"The Chen's are so low key..."

One could usually tell the host's preference and style from the location and set up of their banquets.

Gu Shishi all the more felt that the gift that she had picked up for old Mrs. Chen was perfect.

She had chosen a piece of white amber. The body of it was full and rich, the pattern on it was smooth and natural. It was white throughout with no air bubbles.

It felt a little chilly in one's hand and looked almost a little transparent under the light.

In the middle of it, there was a yellow strand that spread outward. If one looked closely, one would notice that it looked like a phoenix flying out of the clouds. Not only did it not affect the completeness of the white amber, it added a lot of content to it!

She had gone to quite a few shops after work before she was finally able to find this.

The piece might look low-key at first glance, but it was actually quite valuable.

The white amber itself wasn't cheap. It cost her $1,000, a bargain in and of itself nonetheless.

From her valuation from her experience being with her master, she gathered it was worth around $5,000.

She trusted this gift would be of old Mrs. Chen's liking.

As she was thinking about that, she bid farewell to Mr. Chen, the chauffeur, and walked toward the front entrance of the private club.

She didn't expect to be stopped by the server after she had only taken a couple steps in her low heels.

"Hi, Miss. This is a private event today. May we ask you for your invitation?"

Gu Shishi was a little stunned.

Gu Wushuang did not send her an invitation.

Another one of her silly little tricks?

Gu Shishi smiled.

"Just one second."

Did she want her to be shamed by being stopped at the door and not allowed to enter?

___________________________________________

Chapter 89 - I am the one who has taken her spot in life...

She had overestimated Gu Wushuang.

She immediately gave Gu Wushuang a ring.

She wasn't the original owner who'd feel that she couldn't show any weakness in front of the fake daughter and had the need to prop herself up.

She'd ask when she needed to ask!

Did Gu Wushuang think she'd fight with the server at the entrance?

"Hi, Wushuang. I am here now. Can you come and get me?"

She has no shame in asking.

Since Gu Wushuang liked little tricks so much, she could take a few extra steps and come and get her!

Soon, a soft and tender voice came from the other end.

"Oh, Shishi. I'm sorry, I forgot to send you the invitation. Just give them my name and they will let you in."

Gu Shishi pursed her lips.

"I don't think that's a good idea. I didn't have the proper invitation after all.

"If I come inside myself, it'd seem like I have invited myself."

Silence from the other end of the phone.

"It's all electronic invitation now. Let me forward it to you via WeChat."

Oh, yeah?

Why didn't she send it sooner then?

Gu Shishi couldn't help but snicker to herself.

"Aye, I was hoping you can come and get me so I won't walk the wrong direction. And if I run into anyone on the way, you will be able to introduce us so I wouldn't seem rude.

"Or, I can give mom a call as well."

The original owner's real mom wasn't all that fond of the original owner. She didn't believe Gu Wushuang had nothing to do with that.

Sure enough, as soon as she mentioned Mrs. Gu, Gu Wushuang's reaction was almost instantaneous.

"Wait there. I am on my way."

Gu Shishi lifted her brows.

It looked like Gu Wushuang had a lot to do with the minimal contact between the original owner and her mother.

As much as the original owner was her real daughter, if she didn't raise her for 20 years plus a lack of contact, they would never have a relationship with each other.

It'd be awkward and distant for the both of them whenever they meet and that'd only get worse with each additional time that they saw each other.

And they'd get more and more distance from each other.

This little white flower was surely some character.

Gu Shishi squinted.

"Oh, okay. Hurry up. I don't want to stand outside and have to explain to other visitors why I was standing here because I didn't receive an invitation."

Oh yeah, little girl. Was that how you wanted to do it?

She could take her time if she didn't care about her letting others know that she withheld the invitation on purpose and had her waited outside!

Sure enough, Gu Wushuang arrived in less than 2 minutes in quick steps. Winded, her cheeks pink with a hint of paleness, and her hand was clutching her chest.

"I'm so sorry, Shishi. I didn't think about waiting at the front to go inside with you."

Her limpid eyes looked apologetic.

"No worries. Let's go."

Gu Shishi immediately passed her and walked in front of her.

Someone happened to walk past and gave them a couple additional looks.

Gu Wushuang's hand that was clutching her chest balled into a fist immediately!

A shred of shame flashed past her red lips.

She hadn't expected Gu Shishi to have her come to fetch her.

What would others think when they saw her going to get Gu Shishi?

That was clearly a message that the fake daughter must make way for the real daughter!!

Gu Wushuang's breathing became heavier.

"Shuangshuang, I've told you not to run, but you wouldn't listen! See, your chest is tightening again, right?"

A delicate-looking girl in a dress with golden sequins came running out and held onto Gu Wushuang as she turned and gave Gu Shishi a reproachful look.

"You knew that Shuangshuang didn't have the best of health and yet you've made her come and get you. Who does that?"

Gu Shishi was yelled at immediately!

"It's alright, Pingting.. it wasn't Shishi' fault. I said I'd go and get her. After all, she wasn't familiar with this place and was nervous...."

Gu Wushuang leaned against the shoulder of the girl in a long dress as though she was about to cry.

"Shuangshuang! She was trying to kill you so she can have all the inheritance. You don't need to be that nice to her!"

Luo Pingting hugged Gu Wushuang like a hen protecting her chick and stared at Gu Shishi angrily.

"It wasn't like that. Everything of the Gu's belongs to Shishi. I am the one who has taken her spot in life..."

___________________________________________

Chapter 90 - Bad luck to call a doctor given the circumstances

"Shuangshaung! She isn't exactly showing you any mercy, you know? Don't help the person who sold you to count the money they sold you for!"

As they were standing near the front entrance, the volume of Luo Pingting's voice quickly attracted a lot of attention.

Especially when Luo Pingting brought with her a group her girlfriends when she came over.

The way these rich girls looked at Gu Shishi immediately turned distant and loathing.

Along with a hint of anger that could only belong within an alliance!

Shortly thereafter, Gu Shishi was on the receiving end of waves and waves of despise.

"Wushuang, come inside. The Chen's personal doctor will take a look at you."

"Shuangshaung, you are too naïve. You shouldn't hang around a certain someone. She will be a bad influence on you."

"Exactly, even when she has money, she still wouldn't know the meaning of being classy."

"You can move a weed into a palace, but the weed will remain a weed after all!"

Nothing that Gu Shishi hasn't anticipated.

What she hadn't expected, however, was how FWS (Foolish, White, and Sweet) Gu Wushuang's approach was. She pretty much lied through her teeth and just made up untruthful stuff!

Gu Wushuang had only sobbed a little, clutched her chest, and gasped a couple times, and everyone immediately thought Gu Shishi was there to take over the Gu's inheritance!

Gu Shishi put on a smile, waved her hand a little, and said, "Shuangshuang, I know you said you'd introduce me to the others, but there's really no need for everyone to come and greet me at the entrance!"

"Who did you say is here to greet you?"

"How imprudent!"

The corners of Gu Wushuang's mouth twitched a few times.

Gu Shishi, on the other hand, gave her an innocent look and asked, "Have I said something wrong?"

"You are not welcome here!"

"Exactly, you should leave!"

Gu Wushuang smiled subtly. Nobody caught onto that.

She was just about to feign some words to the others when Gu Shishi injected, "Have I said anything wrong?"

Gu Shishi pursed her lips and gave a look of genuine innocence.

"It seemed I had only said one thing since I walked in, but for some reason everybody seemed to be very hostile towards me?

"Shuangshuang, should I not have asked you to come get me? But haven't you told me that we are like sisters and I can ask you for anything? I didn't know you were going to rush over. But if you have a heart condition, you should have told me and send someone else to get me.

"Or perhaps, I shouldn't have come today at all. But you were adamant that I came today and you even told me that Miss Chen really wanted to meet me..."

Gu Wushuang was a little stunned.

Gu Shishi's words seemed like a simple gripe at first, but something seemed to be a little off with what she had said.

It was true that Gu Shishi had not done anything wrong since she had walked in.

She was attacked because everybody had a bad impression of her.

But if one followed that logic... Why was it that even those whom she had never met before also had a bad impression about her... thinking about it some more, the only explanation was that someone had bad mouthed her previously!

And who would have spread the rumors that Gu Shishi was a horrible person and had bullied Gu Wushuang and wanted to fight her over the Gu's inheritance?

It didn't take Gu Wushuang very long to figure out the subtext of Gu Shishi's words!

Naturally, rumors came from those who had witnessed the events, or someone who stood to have something to gain from it!

Any intelligent person could come to the conclusion that Gu Wushuang was the source of that!

Gu Wushuang bit her lips with pink lipstick hard.

She hadn't expected Gu Shishi to be so sharp with her words and turned the table on her so quickly!

While Gu Wushuang was analyzing all those things and before she was able to come up with any rebuttal, Gu Shishi cut her off again.

"Oh, right, Wushuang. Why didn't you stay home and get some rest if you aren't feeling well? I know that it's important to wish old Mrs. Chen a happy birthday, but it's bad luck to call a doctor given the circumstances."