Accidentally Sold Myself (Rebirth) - Chapter 36

36: The Mystery of Gu Xi’s Background

The next morning, when Gu Xi woke up, she felt her entire body creaking as if her bones were protesting. She massaged her sore waist and couldn’t help but wail, “Ouch, my bones, my waist! Luo Ningshuang, you’re not getting away with this!”

Click. The door opened, and Luo Ningshuang stepped in, her eyes glinting with a mischievous smirk. “Oh? I’m curious—what exactly are you planning to do about it?”

Why did this woman always show up at the exact moment Gu Xi was embarrassing herself? Gu Xi shook her head. “As if I’d dare, Madam President. Are we ready to head out?”

“You seem awfully concerned about your ex-girlfriend,” Luo Ningshuang teased. “You haven’t even washed up yet, and you’re already so eager to go?”

Gu Xi: “…” Why did it feel like she was jealous? Surely it was just her imagination.

“Who’s making all this noise so early in the morning?” Huang Lejia yawned, lazily stepping out of her bedroom.

Great. Her true colors were showing again, and as usual, Gu Xi was the one suffering. Why was her life so full of hardships?

“What, don’t you want to get that ultrasound?” Luo Ningshuang’s expression turned icy, her tone carrying a chilling edge.

Luo Ningshuang’s demeanor was honestly a bit terrifying—not her appearance, but the oppressive aura she exuded, like something straight out of a horror movie.

Huang Lejia shivered. “Wait for me! I’ll wash up right now!”

…

In the ultrasound room, the doctor spoke while conducting the examination. “The pregnancy is about two weeks along, and everything looks normal so far. But which one of you is the family member?”

Before Gu Xi could respond, Huang Lejia pointed at her and said, “Her. She’s my family.”

Gu Xi: “…” She sneaked a glance at Luo Ningshuang, who stood there with a frosty expression, devoid of any other emotion.

The doctor removed her mask and directed her criticism at Gu Xi. “The pregnant woman is clearly malnourished. You need to understand that during pregnancy, proper nutrition is critical. Her constitution seems weak as well. Just pay more attention to her care, and there shouldn’t be any major issues.”

Major issues? This was a huge issue! Gu Xi was being unfairly blamed, but what could she do except force a smile and agree?

Once they left the hospital, Luo Ningshuang turned to Huang Lejia. “When we get to the Qi family, only discuss living expenses. Don’t get any other ideas. Qi Chenyu, that guy, already has three girlfriends. He’s reckless and unrestrained, and he doesn’t like being tied down by anyone, let alone a child.”

Huang Lejia was silent for a moment before nodding slowly. “I understand. Once I get the money, I’ll go back to my parents’ place and focus on taking care of the pregnancy. I won’t bother you two again.”

“Good. Let’s go, then.”

Negotiations with the Qi family went smoothly. Perhaps because of Luo Ningshuang’s presence, they agreed to pay 10,000 yuan monthly for living expenses until the child reached adulthood. They even handed over 300,000 yuan upfront for prenatal care.

“Thank you both. Don’t worry, I’ll keep my word and won’t bother you again.” Huang Lejia said with a bright smile.

Then she turned to Luo Ningshuang. “Can I have a word with you alone?”

Gu Xi was taken aback, wondering what Huang Lejia could possibly want to say to Luo Ningshuang. She just hoped it wasn’t anything that would cause trouble.

Luo Ningshuang nodded and followed her to a distance. Gu Xi strained her ears to listen, but all she could hear was background noise—nothing discernible.

Judging by Luo Ningshuang’s expression, though, it didn’t seem like Huang Lejia had said anything problematic.

“What did she say to you?” Gu Xi asked curiously once Huang Lejia had left.

“Nothing much.” Luo Ningshuang replied, her mood visibly brighter. “By the way, your project is about to start filming. You’ll need to join the crew, and you get to decide on the female lead.”

Her cheerful tone piqued Gu Xi’s curiosity about what Huang Lejia had said, but Luo Ningshuang clearly wasn’t going to elaborate.

She continued, “We’re also preparing a variety show. I’m thinking of selecting a few supporting actors from the show as a reward for the top three contestants.”

Impressive. As expected of someone running a major company. Gu Xi nodded. “For the female lead, let’s go with Lu Wanrou. For the other project, Tong Xiaole.”

Luo Ningshuang turned to look at her, staring for a moment until Gu Xi felt a bit shy and looked away. Then Luo Ningshuang said simply, “Alright.”

“Here’s the crew’s information. You don’t need to come to the office with me anymore. Yang De will take you to the set. Filming will take about three months.” Luo Ningshuang handed her a bag from the car, and Gu Xi glanced through it.

Wow. The cast wasn’t particularly star-studded, but the director was a renowned eccentric genius, known for his quirky temperament but exceptional film quality.

“But I don’t know anything about this stuff. I’m not sure I’ll be much help on set.” Gu Xi said hesitantly.

“Isn’t your ‘Sister Xi’ going too?” Luo Ningshuang replied, emphasizing “Sister Xi” with a heavy tone while tapping her fingers on the steering wheel, clearly in a sour mood.

Lately, her moods had been so unpredictable that Gu Xi didn’t dare respond carelessly. Noticing the direction they were driving, she asked, “Aren’t you going back to the company?”

“No. My grandfather’s back. He didn’t get to meet you last time, so he specifically asked me to bring you to see him this time.”

Gu Xi didn’t know how to respond. She could easily clarify their relationship to her family, but remembering Luo Ningshuang’s reckless driving last time, she held her tongue.

When they arrived at the Luo family home, Shu Lanting was the most excited. She rushed forward, grabbing Gu Xi’s hand. “Oh, you heartless girl! It took you this long to come visit your mom!”

Gu Xi smiled. “Sorry, I came in a rush and didn’t bring any gifts.”

“Gifts? We don’t need anything. Come on, your grandfather’s waiting inside. He’s been more eager to meet you than any of us!” Shu Lanting pulled Gu Xi inside, completely ignoring Luo Ningshuang.

Luo Ningshuang’s grandfather, Luo Chengyu, had white hair but was full of vigor. Strangely, when he saw Gu Xi, his eyes held a trace of doubt. His first question was, “Your name is Gu Xi? Who gave you that name?”

Gu Xi shook her head, uncertain. “The orphanage director said my parents named me, but I’m not sure if she just said that to comfort me.”

“Let me introduce you,” Luo Ningshuang interjected casually, cutting off their conversation. “This is my grandfather, Luo Chengyu. In his free time, he enjoys bird-watching and playing chess.”

Gu Xi caught the subtle glance Luo Ningshuang gave her grandfather, who then dropped the topic. This made Gu Xi suspect they might know something.

“Come on, let’s eat. I’m starving.” Shu Lanting said, pulling Gu Xi to the table.

But Gu Xi couldn’t focus. Luo Ziqian exchanged a look with Luo Ningshuang, who then placed a dish in front of Gu Xi. “Eat first. Don’t overthink. If you want to know something, I’ll tell you tonight.”

“Yes, yes, eat up, child!” Luo Chengyu stood, piling nearly all the best dishes in front of Gu Xi.

When Gu Xi snapped out of her thoughts: “…”

Looking at the lavish spread before her and the sparse dishes in front of everyone else, she said awkwardly, “Grandpa, please stop. I can’t eat all this, and it’s hard for Mom and Dad to reach for their food.”

Luo Chengyu glanced back and said, “It’s fine. They’re on a diet. They don’t need your dishes.”

Everyone else: “…”

He continued, “Look at our little Xi, so skinny. People might think the Luo family’s been mistreating you!”

Luo Ningshuang’s eyes flicked downward as Gu Xi discreetly touched her slightly rounded belly. “…”

She needed to lose weight…

Thanks to Luo Chengyu’s interruption, the meal was quite enjoyable—well, for Gu Xi, at least.

“Gu Xi, Ningshuang, come to the study. I have something to say.” Luo Chengyu said after dinner.

The two exchanged a glance and followed him. Once inside, Luo Chengyu closed the door, grabbed Gu Xi’s hand, and examined her closely, sighing, “So alike, truly alike!”

Luo Ningshuang frowned silently. Gu Xi asked, “Grandpa, alike to whom?”

Tears welled in Luo Chengyu’s eyes as he sighed. “You look so much like my first love.”

Gu Xi: “…” She wasn’t here for his love story!

Luo Ningshuang, however, reacted differently. She stepped forward, pulling them apart and glaring at Luo Chengyu as if he were a creep.

Luo Chengyu: “…”

“No, no, you’ve got it all wrong! I don’t have that kind of interest in Gu Xi!” he hurriedly explained.

Both women stared at him suspiciously: “…”

“No, that’s not what I meant! I’m saying my first love might be Gu Xi’s grandmother.” Luo Chengyu wiped the sweat from his brow, narrowly saving his reputation.

Gu Xi’s heart raced, but Luo Ningshuang tugged her arm. “Explain it clearly. All I found was that the Gu family’s second son’s daughter went missing, and nothing else.”

Luo Chengyu was surprised. “You’re investigating the Gu family?”

Seeing them nod, he sat down heavily. “How do I put this? The Gu family had two sons. The younger one died twenty years ago, along with his wife. Their two-year-old daughter survived but disappeared.”

“And Gu Xi, you might very well be that daughter of Gu Jize, the second son. You don’t just resemble him—you’re the spitting image of my first love, Man Xi.”

Luo Chengyu reminisced, “Back then, Man Xi was the goddess of every guy’s dreams. The Luo, Gu, and Xiao families all fought over her. I was young and reckless, nearly ruining the Luo family in my pursuit. In the end, that old rogue from the Gu family stole her away.”

“I still don’t get it. What was so great about that shameless, ugly, short, poor thug? Thank goodness their kids didn’t take after him, or they’d be hideously ugly.”

Luo Ningshuang cut off his rant. “Grandpa, get to the point.”

Luo Chengyu shook his head. “That’s about it. After the second son died, Man Xi fell ill from grief and passed away. Before she died, she begged me and that old rogue to find her granddaughter. So, I’ve been searching ever since.”

Luo Ningshuang nodded, understanding. “No wonder you’ve been so secretive all these years.”

Suddenly, Luo Chengyu slapped his thigh. “Right! Let’s take you to meet that old rogue and do a DNA test. That’ll confirm if you’re the Gu family’s daughter!”

Gu Xi’s eyes widened, and she shook her head frantically. The Gu family might want her dead—going there would be like walking into a trap. “No, Grandpa, you have to keep this a secret. I can’t explain why, but for now, don’t let the Gu family know I exist, or else…”