B5SB -Chapter 27 Self-Interest

After that, Gu Yihan barely left her room except for meals.

Grandma Gu wanted to ease the relationship between her granddaughter and her son. Seeing that her granddaughter was going to be the most accomplished child of the second branch in the future, she didn’t want a deep rift to form between her son and granddaughter.

No matter what Grandma Gu said or did, Gu Yihan just nodded and agreed.

“Grandma, it’s your turn to enjoy life. Once I start working and can afford it, I’ll bring you to live with me,” Gu Yihan interrupted before Grandma Gu could finish her sentence.

“And Grandma, I’ve never blamed Dad, and I’ll never be angry at him, so don’t worry.”

Gu Yihan didn’t care about harboring resentment. She wasn’t short on love herself; she only loved herself. But pleasing Grandma Gu was still manageable.

Call her cold-blooded and heartless, call her selfish and indifferent—ever since she was born and given to the Gu family, the first thing in her life was to make Grandma Gu happy.

Gu Yihan had never relaxed her efforts to please Grandma Gu. She knew that Grandma Gu loved her dearly, but whenever there was conflict between her son and granddaughter, it was clear she still favored her son.

Grandma Gu happily patted her little granddaughter’s hand and said, “I knew it—you’re such a good, obedient, and filial child.”

Gu Yihan smiled but said nothing.

Grandma Gu turned to Gu Aidang and said, “Hanhan is so obedient and filial. You hit her, and she doesn’t even blame you, even says she’s not angry at you.”

Gu Aidang sneered, “Mom, I’m her father. Even if I beat her to death, she shouldn’t blame me. And because she’s not angry, I should be grateful?”

Grandma Gu pretended to be angry and punched Gu Aidang, “Are you stupid? Hanhan clearly has potential. Ever since she started school, she’s always first. In the future, she can even help support your Gu Bao.”

“She’s always been fair-skinned, well-educated, and if she marries well, the bride price can also help the family financially.”

“And she’s filial to me. Look at the liberation shoes she bought for me and your grandfather. If you treat her well and pamper her a bit, she’s soft-hearted. She won’t forget to honor you in the future.”

Gu Aidang opened his mouth to speak, but his wife interrupted: “Mom, do whatever you want with her. We won’t interfere. Don’t drag Aidang into this; he doesn’t need that little girl. He has a son, after all.”

“Besides, filial and accomplished—don’t forget we have our own sons. When our sons grow up, won’t they be better than some little girl in school?”

Grandma Gu, furious, pointed at Gu Aidang’s wife’s nose and scolded, “I know what you’re up to! You want to turn Aidang against his two daughters and favor just you two, don’t you? Have you thought that if they do well, they can still help your son?”

Gu Aidang’s wife, Chen Xiu, laughed as if hearing the biggest joke: “Hahaha, Mom, do you really think Gu Yihan can find a good family? With her reputation? If anyone takes her, our family should burn incense in thanks.”

Grandma Gu was almost speechless with anger: “Do you even know that Hanhan scored—”

“Grandma, stop arguing with Dad and Mom. Be careful not to upset your health,” Gu Yihan interrupted, cutting off Grandma Gu mid-sentence.

At that moment, her heart completely turned cold. She had thought that after all these years, Grandma Gu truly cared for her.

She hadn’t expected to overhear these words just going to the bathroom.

Perhaps from the start, seeing her excel at school, Grandma Gu had only thought that in the future, she could support her cheap father and the first branch, that Hanhan could contribute.

But they were all wrong. Gu Yihan could support Grandma Gu and repay her upbringing, but expecting her to give unconditionally? That was unrealistic.

Gu Yihan held back her feelings for what Grandma Gu was thinking, showing no expression, and smiled: “Grandma, don’t argue with Dad for my sake. We’re family—break a bone, but the ligaments stay connected, right?”

She held Grandma Gu’s hand and said, “Grandma, I’ll spend some good time with you before school starts. Once I go to school, I won’t see you as often.”

Grandma Gu happily patted her little granddaughter: “You really are Grandma’s little jacket. Loving you wasn’t in vain.”

Over a month passed quickly. During that time, Gu Yihan cooked for Grandma Gu every day and kept her happy, taking over all the household chores.

“Hanhan, go rest. Don’t work so hard. School is about to start. Go lie down for a while,” Grandma Gu said, though she truly felt comfortable inside.

“Grandma, if I do more chores, you can do less and rest a little longer. I care about you,” Gu Yihan said with a smile.

Grandma Gu didn’t reply; her smile never faded.

After finishing, Gu Yihan returned to her room and lay on the bed, exhausted—mentally exhausted.

She had genuinely pleased Grandma Gu before, but after learning that Grandma Gu selfishly wanted her to support the second branch, a rift formed in her heart.

“Knock, knock, knock.”

Hearing the knock, she opened the door. Gu Meng stood there holding a book.

Gu Yihan frowned and blocked her from entering: “From now on, don’t ask me again. I won’t teach you anymore.”

Gu Meng’s face instantly darkened: “Gu Yihan, what do you mean? Who are you to refuse to teach me?”

Gu Yihan suddenly smiled: “And who says I have to teach you?”

Malice flashed across Gu Meng’s eyes: “Just because you spent so much family money on your schooling, shouldn’t you teach me?”

Heh, she hadn’t realized that everyone in this family might be masters at acting.

She had once pitied Gu Meng; now she realized the one to pity was herself. Those who had no stake in her life were all “good people.”

Gu Yihan’s cold eyes held no warmth, gazing at Gu Meng with icy ruthlessness.

“Remember, I teach you out of pity, not so you can recklessly test my limits using my mercy.”

In a soft voice, she whispered in Gu Meng’s ear: “If you dare blow out my lamp, I’ll blow out yours too. I’ll even pull out your wick so you have nothing.”

Gu Meng’s face instantly went pale.

“Oh, right. I forgot to tell you. Since starting middle school, I haven’t spent a single cent of the family’s money. Do you know what that proves?”

Gu Yihan mocked Gu Meng: “It proves that no matter how hard you try to compete with me, you are insignificant in front of me. And the little usefulness you have? I taught you that.”

With a snap, she closed the door, leaving Gu Meng outside.

Gu Meng stared at the shut door, silently swearing that one day, she would live better than Gu Yihan.