Chapter 4 — Rewriting the Villain's Script: My Daughter's Journey to Save Him

Half a month later, the maternal family formally brought mother home to acknowledge her ancestry and restore her place in the lineage. It was then that she encountered the true target of her designated conquest mission—the male protagonist, Gu Chi. When mother first returned to that grand household, Gu Chi was the gentlest person toward her. Amidst the cold indifference of the entire family, aside from the elderly grandfather, only he inquired whether she felt lonely or missed her old home. So many times, when mother quietly grieved her estrangement from her supposed kin, it was Gu Chi who tightly grasped her hand and offered silent solace. Do not be afraid, I am here with you. Initially, mother felt a lingering sense of doubt—was the male protagonist not supposed to fall solely in love with the female lead? Gu Chi explained that he had never regarded the other young woman as a true sister, while for mother, it had been love at first sight. Mother froze in sheer astonishment. Just as she began to believe her conquest of him was proceeding with unbelievable smoothness, disaster struck.

As the two of them walked down the street together, someone abruptly dumped a heavy bucket of crimson paint from a high-rise balcony. Knowing all too well that Gu Chi suffered from a severe, potentially fatal allergy to paint, mother panicked, instinctively lunging forward to shove him out of harm's way, taking the full brunt of the cascading red liquid upon herself. That day, mother cut the most wretched figure imaginable. For the instant she spun around, she caught sight of a chilling detail—the smirk lingering at the corners of Gu Chi's mouth. That smile was more blinding than the glaring sunlight, yet it chilled one straight to the bone. Afterward, mother overheard Gu Chi and his circle of companions revealing their true, malicious faces. Since she dared bully the other girl, she deserved a taste of suffering. Ever since she showed up, the other girl has been completely out of sorts, unable to manage a single smile, which breaks my heart. If she had any sense, she would have packed up and crawled back to the countryside, but next time we will swap the paint for boiling oil to teach her a real lesson. Word has it the other girl knew she was not a biological daughter from a young age, living in constant terror, and now that the rightful daughter is back, she is even more terrified of being cast out. So we have to strike first and drive her away. Chi, I reckon that girl is eight parts head over heels for you already. Once you make your feelings clear, she will be too devastated to show her face in this house, weeping and begging to leave. Everyone detests her anyway, so how could she possibly stay?

Only then did mother realize the bitter truth. The existence of a supporting character was fated to serve merely as a stepping stone for the protagonist couple to shine. Mother later recounted that she had indeed harbored a sliver of genuine affection for Gu Chi back then; she truly had wished to save him from harm, knowing full well that a severe allergic reaction could trigger laryngeal edema and lead to asphyxiation. Yet she never imagined that even that harrowing ordeal was nothing more than an elaborate deception. Subsequently, events unfolded precisely as I had come to know. Gu Chi no longer needed to maintain his facade, casting aside any pretense to openly display his disdain for mother. He coveted her financial resources yet utterly rejected her presence by his side. Although forced into marriage with her, his heart remained tethered exclusively to the other woman. On the eve of the wedding ceremony, Fu Qiyan came seeking mother. By that time, he had ascended to become one of the most prominent figures in the financial and technological elite of the city. He had climbed to the absolute summit partly to clear his own mother's name, and for the remaining half—it was entirely for my mother.

Mother once confessed that she desired wealth, social standing, and the right to hold her head high. Now, every single one of those aspirations was within his power to grant. He spoke at great length to her, but mother absorbed little of it. She merely drank, glass after glass, until her cheeks flushed and her eyes burned. Emboldened by the intoxicating liquor, she impulsively pressed a daring kiss upon the villain's lips. Following that single embrace, the dark intensity of the villain's gaze transformed entirely. Panic flickered through mother, bringing a sudden wave of regret. Yet Fu Qiyan afforded her no opportunity to turn back. The two of them crossed boundaries that young ears ought not to hear. What he failed to anticipate was that on the following morning, mother still donned her bridal veil and wedded Gu Chi.

Standing within the bustling amusement park, Fu Qiyan opened a weathered wooden box. Nestled inside rested two misshapen clay figurines, crudely sculpted yet overflowing with deep emotion. Mother would frequently gaze upon them in a trance, shedding quiet tears. She told me that if ever a day came when she could walk this world with dignity and pride, she would certainly make amends to her beloved for everything. My eyes grew hot and heavy with unsullied tears as I choked out, Wherever father is, that is the home mother longed for. Years ago, the meager savings mother had managed to accumulate, combined with the legacy left by her grandfather, remained utterly insufficient to rescue the crumbling Gu family enterprise. It was Fu Qiyan who, entirely for her sake, stepped forward to intervene and salvage the ruins. Father reached out a gentle hand to brush the surface of the clay figures, his gaze seemingly swallowed by the distant tides of memory, unable to break free for a long while.

Meanwhile, Gu Chi’s complexion turned deathly pale as he stammered with rising fury, What nonsense are you spouting? These figurines were clearly sculpted by your own mother with her bare hands, representing herself and me! I cast a bewildered glance in his direction before shaking my head. Uncle Gu, you are mistaken. This is the token of eternal devotion that father bestowed upon mother twelve full years ago. Gu Chi froze mid-motion. His lips drained of color, almost grinding his teeth as he hissed, Those belong to my wife, give them back! Father tucked the wooden box securely against his chest, his tone effortlessly detached. Do not forget, the person who currently holds the title of your wife... is the other woman.

In the wake of that revelation, Gu Chi slipped into a prolonged state of distraction and profound unease, behaving as though an internal struggle raged relentlessly within his mind, endlessly turning over thoughts he dared not voice. However, I had no leisure to spare for his internal turmoil. While riding the ornate, revolving carousel, I unexpectedly crossed paths with a schoolmate whom I utterly despised. Song Chenghao shared a desk with me, possessing an irritating habit of pinching my cheeks, snatching my erasers to hold them just out of reach, and mocking me whenever I stood on tiptoe to retrieve them, derisively labeling me a walking mushroom. Despite receiving numerous reprimands from the teachers, he remained incorrigible. Fortunately, my seating arrangement was scheduled to change the following week.

Huanhuan! Song Chenghao shouted as he bolted straight toward me, closely trailed by Chu Sheng, a boy I found even more insufferable. Chu Sheng took perverse delight in taunting me about my lack of a father. If you truly have a dad, how come nobody has ever seen him pick you up? Whenever the school hosts parent-teacher conferences, not a single soul shows up for you. I had previously begged father Gu, but he unfailingly responded with cold detachment. Even when he promised to attend, he invariably manufactured excuses to break his word. As time wore on, Chu Sheng grew increasingly convinced that my stories were fabricated, spreading rumors far and wide that I was a chronic liar.

Yet today, I could finally lift my head with absolute pride. Song Chenghao registered immense surprise as he asked, Huanhuan, did your mother bring you to Disneyland as well? I thrust my chin upward, declaring triumphantly, Today, my father brought me here! Chu Sheng clutched his stomach, convulsing with wild laughter. More of your fairy tales! Fu Qiyan stepped forward, resting a steady hand upon my shoulder. Huanhuan, are these your schoolmates? Gu Chi simultaneously closed the distance, firmly taking hold of my hand. Huanhuan, let father take you for a ride on the carousel. The midday sun blazed with fierce intensity. Chu Sheng squinted upward, his eyes narrowing against the blinding glare. Gu Chi wore a masterfully tailored Italian designer suit, accented by an obviously exorbitant luxury timepiece, radiating the formidable aura of a corporate titan. In contrast, Fu Qiyan favored understated attire, draped simply in a slate-gray cardigan paired with matching trousers, yet his striking features and composed, steady demeanor commanded a quiet respect that brooked no disrespect. As the two tall, imposing men stood side by side, Chu Sheng instinctively retreated two paces, stammering nervously, Huanhuan... are both of these men your father? I nodded emphatically, hands planted firmly on my hips. Well? I told you I was not lying; I genuinely have a father! Fu Qiyan patted the top of my head, his gaze suddenly turning frosty. Has this young rascal been bullying you at school? Chu Sheng hastily shook his head, cold sweat beading across his forehead. No... not at all... Song Chenghao, however, proved entirely too honest. Chu Sheng constantly bugs her about not having a dad, and he has made her cry a few times. Gu Chi knitted his brows, a palpable wave of irritation darkening his features.

What is going on here? Chu Sheng’s father happened to stroll into view at that exact moment. Upon hearing a summarized account of the incident, he flew into a rage and administered a swift, public reprimand to his son on the spot. Is this how you treat your classmates? Where did you learn such insolence?! Chu Sheng wailed loudly under the force of the blows. Should Chu Sheng ever give you trouble again, come straight to uncle, and I will see that justice is served. Before departing, Mr. Chu politely handed me a direct contact number.

I wrapped my arms tightly around father's waist, tilting my head back with a radiant smile. When I was little, I always envied the other children who had fathers to play with them, carry them on their backs when it rained, and shield them from bullies. But now, I no longer have any reason to envy anyone. I have a father, too. Fu Qiyan’s throat tightened, rendering him momentarily speechless as he pulled me into a fierce, protective embrace. The pretty female neighbor standing nearby wiped away a quiet tear with reddened eyes. Gu Chi remained frozen to the spot, entirely immobilized. Even as father carried me far away, he never took a single step in pursuit.

As dusk descended, brilliant streaks of crimson twilight painted the entire expanse of the sky. Father reached into his pocket to retrieve a ringing telephone. From the other end of the line, Guo Qi’s voice echoed clearly. Old Fu, the authentication results are finally in. I have already dispatched a courier to deliver them directly to your residence. Fu Qiyan’s eyelashes fluttered almost imperceptibly. Understood. The three of us returned to father's dwelling, where one of Guo Qi's senior researchers was already waiting patiently by the threshold. Greetings, Mr. Fu, here are the testing documents. I clutched frantically at father's neck, distinctly feeling the muscles throughout his entire frame tense into rigid steel. Father tore open the protective seal, sliding the slender sheet of paper from its envelope. Gu Chi lingered nearby, his arms hanging limply at his sides, trembling slightly. Even the female neighbor held her breath in breathless suspense, her eyes locked onto father, terrified of missing the slightest micro-expression.

An indeterminate span of time ticked away before father’s controlled breathing abruptly stalled. Stretching my neck upward, just as my eyes strained to decipher the printed words — Gu Chi lunged forward without warning, violently snatching the test results straight from father's grasp. How can this be?! How is this possible?! How on earth could Huanhuan not be my child?! Father paid him no heed. The arm still supporting my weight continued to tremble visibly, and a searing hot tear slipped free, dampening the fabric across my shoulder. Gu Chi seized my wrist in a frantic grip. I refuse to believe this! There must be tampering in this report! This is your friend's dirty trick! I am taking Huanhuan to a proper hospital for a real blood test! Yanks so violently on my arm that I could not suppress a sharp cry of pain.