Chapter 2: The Wealthy Family Recognizes Their Own
Gu Fengchuan knocked on the door persistently, but to his surprise, the door suddenly swung open—and a broom swung straight at his face.
Xu Youyou put all her strength into the strike, hitting Gu Fengchuan hard.
In her previous life, Gu Fengchuan had suffered from leukemia and was saved only because of her bone marrow donation. Her health depended on his help. After he got what he needed from her, he repaid her with coldness, even asking security to throw her out. This grudge was deeply etched in her mind.
"What's wrong with you? Are you crazy?" Gu Fengchuan, a grown man, finally managed to grab the broom away from her.
Xu Youyou looked at his handsome but slightly bloodied face and feigned innocence: "Oh, so you're not the drunken guy upstairs? I thought it was some other trash knocking and bothering me."
Gu Fengchuan frowned. "I look like a drunk? Have you ever seen a drunk person in a suit?"
Xu Youyou sized him up and down. "Who are you? I don't know you. Why are you knocking on my door? Wearing a suit on such a hot day—either you're crazy or you're an insurance salesman. I don't buy insurance, so go away."
She snatched the broom and slammed the door shut, nearly hitting Gu Fengchuan's nose.
He knocked again, raising his voice: "Xu Youyou, I'm here about something important. I'm not an insurance salesman. I know you—you're from an orphanage…"
Xu Youyou's eyes flickered at the mention, but moments later she reopened the door and hit Gu Fengchuan's face again.
"Come and laugh at me! I'm an orphan without a family. You think this is funny? I'll beat you to death!"
Gu Fengchuan, now sporting more bruises, grabbed the broom once more. "Why are you losing it? I came to talk seriously!"
Xu Youyou spun around and stepped inside. Fearing she'd shut the door again, Gu Fengchuan quickly raised his hand to block it. But Xu Youyou took that chance to slam the door hard on his fingers.
"Ah!" Gu Fengchuan howled, clutching his injured hand, looking far from the powerful and commanding boss he usually was.
Xu Youyou eyed him suspiciously. "I didn't invite you in. Why are you trying to barge into my home? What are you doing here? Don't try to trick me—even if you call the cops, I'm not afraid of you!"
Gu Fengchuan's fingers were already turning purple from the pain, but he pushed through and said, "You might be the daughter of the Gu family. I'm your biological brother. My name is Gu Fengchuan, and our father is Gu Jianming. You can look him up online."
He expected Xu Youyou to check, but instead, she grabbed another broom from inside and smashed it against his face again.
"If you're not selling insurance, now you're a fraud! I'll beat you to death, scammer!"
Gu Fengchuan gave up chasing after her like a ghost and left.
Ten minutes later, he returned—this time with the landlord.
"Xiao Xu, open up! It's Aunt Wang," the landlord called.
Xu Youyou opened the door cautiously, glancing at Gu Fengchuan warily.
Aunt Wang said kindly, "Xiao Xu, I looked him up online. This young man really is the general manager of Gu Group. You were mistaken and taken to the hospital by someone else. You're lucky—you're about to become a rich lady!"
Xu Youyou raised an eyebrow skeptically. "How rich exactly?"
Gu Fengchuan's eyes sparkled with pride. "Our father's assets exceed 50 billion yuan. The Gu family is one of Shanghai's wealthiest. After you return, you'll never have to live in a place like this again."
Xu Youyou sneered. "Recognizing relatives, huh? Fifty billion in assets? I know the type who brings two apples as a gift to the neighbors. Are you here empty-handed to recognize your family?"
The landlord, Aunt Wang, nodded and chided Gu Fengchuan: "Xiao Gu, this is your fault! When you visit family, you should be generous. Why are you so stingy? Why did you only bring a check for a small gift?"
She winked at Xu Youyou.
Gu Fengchuan fought the urge to write a bigger check on the spot and said, "We still need to do a paternity test first."
Xu Youyou turned to Aunt Wang. "See? He's broke and pretending."
Aunt Wang nodded firmly. "A fat man looking all puffed up, indeed."
Though provoked, Gu Fengchuan remained calm. Xu Youyou looked almost exactly like their grandmother in her youth. The paternity test was just a formality. He then took out a check and wrote on it forcefully—as if carving his intent into her face.
"You just want money, don't you?" Gu Fengchuan said, tossing the check to her.
Xu Youyou glanced at it and said, "Fifty billion in assets, huh? Only one million for a beggar? I thought you were rich."
His eyes darkened. "How much do you want?"
"One hundred billion. That's my price," Xu Youyou smiled confidently.
Gu Fengchuan's eyes narrowed sharply. "You're crazy!"
"There's fifty billion, and you won't even give me a fifth? You call that acknowledging me? Seems you don't care much for me," she said with certainty.
Gu Fengchuan replied, "I can't give you that much. Most of the family assets are tied up in properties, not cash."
Xu Youyou retorted, "There are ten villas in the city center worth ten billion—I won't take those."
Gu Fengchuan's fist clenched. "Most assets are in my parents' names, but after you come home, you won't have to struggle anymore. My parents and I will protect you."
Xu Youyou's anger flared. She'd believed that promise once before in her past life—and had been crushed. She crumpled the check and threw it back at him.
"If you can't pay for the house and only offer a little cash, is this your idea of family recognition? Get out of here!"
Gu Fengchuan shook his head in disbelief. "Why are you so rude? And hitting people? You don't act like a lady at all..."
Xu Youyou grabbed the broom again and hit him. "I'm just an orphan with no family. If you're so capable, hit me back! Now get out!"