Rebirth: The Heiress's Life

The beauty of a spring night is truly mesmerizing.

A gentle breeze was caressing the evening air.

The Gu Family's back garden was so quiet, it seemed as if one could hear the sound of the wind brushing against one's face.

Gu Zijun had been staring at Qiao Xiguan, quietly watching her, when he spoke in a dim voice, "You really have changed."

It wasn't that they hadn't seen each other for too long, nor that three years was too lengthy, but this woman, she truly had changed.

Where had the change occurred? Was it her appearance, her figure, or just a feeling?

He furrowed his brows, deep in thought.

"I got hit on the head in prison, maybe something went wrong here..." Qiao Xiguan pursed her lips and pointed to her own head.

"Who did it?"

"Aren't you going to take revenge for me?" The corners of Qiao Xiguan's mouth twitched.

"Where, I want them to hit me too, it's the rhythm of becoming smarter."

"..." Qiao Xiguan rolled her eyes, "Let's not talk about this; I'm going into the hall. Otherwise...walls have ears."

"Hey, do you really not want to think about it?" Gu Zijun asked her.

"Don't want to," Qiao Xiguan stood up and said, "I'm preparing to be a good wife and mother."

"Qiao Xiguan," Gu Zijun called out to her retreating figure, word by word, "being the eldest daughter-in-law is tough."

Qiao Xiguan paused, her lips lifting in a faint smile.

Isn't that the truth?!

She entered the lively hall.

Qiao Xiguan casually took a cocktail and had a few sips.

Her lips formed a restrained smile.

Huo Xiaoxi, the girl from before, didn't have any special hobbies. She said she was only interested in two things: fine wine and Qi Lingfeng.

Every time she said this, Qi Lingfeng would furrow his handsome brows and say seriously, "I am not a thing."

Now that I think about it, you're indeed not a thing.

She took another casual sip, calming her emotions slightly.

Everyone in the hall entertained themselves.

Qiao Xiguan walked over to Gu Yaoqi and Qi Huifen's side, standing quietly beside Qi Huifen.

She thought, to ingratiate oneself with someone, one needed to make it this obvious.

Otherwise, how could one demonstrate sincerity?

"Why didn't your nephew come?" Gu Yaoqi, looking around at the hall full of guests, asked.

"Ling Feng is a bit busy. He called me this afternoon, even wished you a happy birthday," Qi Huifen hurriedly explained.

"Hmph," Gu Yaoqi snorted, speaking in a displeased tone, "He's grown wings. Becoming slightly successful and he thinks he's above everyone else."

"How could that be? He really is very busy."

"You know your nephew very well!" Gu Yaoqi snapped.

Qi Huifen wanted to say something else, but guests coming over for a toast approached them.

The two instantly reverted back to a very friendly demeanor, smiling joyfully at the guests and moving aside while conversing.

Qiao Xiguan remained in place, suddenly lost in thought about certain matters.

Back when she knew Qi Lingfeng, he had said he was an orphan, with nothing to his name.

But now, Qi Lingfeng's net worth might not necessarily compare with the Gu Family's, but it was certainly not far behind. In terms of assets, he might even surpass them; it was just that his foundations and background were slightly less robust...

She bit her lip, trying hard not to reveal any excess emotion.

"Well, if it isn't Qiao Xiguan?" A female voice suddenly sounded from behind her.

She turned her head and saw a woman dressed to the nines, wearing a fiery red evening gown, with a somewhat insincere smile on her lips.

Who was that? Probably not a very important character.

"Don't recognize me? I'm Li Huan."

"I've had an injury here..." Qiao Xiguan pointed to her head.

"So it's true what Xintong didn't tell, Qiao Xiguan, you've gotten smarter, knowing how to play dumb and act crazy," Li Huan laughed exaggeratedly.

Qiao Xiguan frowned.

"Believe it or not, that's up to you. I have other things to attend to, so suit yourself," she had no interest in these insignificant characters.

"Hey." Li Huan grabbed her forcefully.

Qiao Xiguan's brow tightened, "Let go."

"What, you dare to threaten me now?!" Li Huan glared at her with malicious eyes.

Qiao Xiguan pursed her lips.

Li Huan smiled wickedly, stressing each word, "A murderer, and you're here strutting around! Don't you see how embarrassing you are? I even doubt why the Gu Family would still keep you! Oh, right. Because the man you married is the Gu Family's eldest son, and who is the Gu Family's eldest son? Society's crippled elite, physically disabled..."

"Slap!" A slap landed hard on Li Huan's face.

Her fair cheek swelled up instantly, turning red.

Li Huan seemed unable to believe she had been slapped, covering her face, unable to say a word.

Instead, everyone in the hall turned their gaze towards them, and the room fell silent.

One second, two seconds—Qiao Xiguan's eyes reddened, and she started to cry.

The one who had been slapped did not cry, but the one who had slapped was crying.

Everyone seemed to be stunned.

Li Huan was even more shocked, unable to utter a word.

"What's going on?!" Qi Huifen walked over, exuding the aura of a lady of high society, an overpowering presence.

Qiao Xiguan, with red-rimmed eyes from crying, said, "Mom, I didn't mean to slap her, but she insulted Zichen. She said Zichen was disabled, that he was the laughingstock of high society, and she also said Zichen is incompetent... I just couldn't hold back, and I just..."

"Qiao Xiguan, you slanderous liar," Li Huan started to panic, hastily trying to explain herself.

"I'm not lying; I swear, if I am, may I be hit by a car the moment I step outside! Mom, I know as the host we should be accommodating, but I was truly pushed too far, Zichen is clearly not what she described..." Qiao Xiguan pleaded through her tears.

Li Huan glanced around nervously, seeing the scornful looks from others in the hall, she became flustered, "I didn't say that, Qiao Xiguan is framing me."

"Then swear it, if you said those words, may you step outside and be smashed by a car, just like Huo Xiaoxi last time, with your body torn apart," Qiao Xiguan said in a soft tone, yet aggressively.

Li Huan bit her lip, unable to say another word.

The accident involving Huo Xiaoxi was known throughout Shanghai; the scene was... too horrifying to recount.

Li Huan's sudden silence made everything clear to everyone present.

Qi Huifen's expression darkened, "Miss Li, I won't hold you accountable out of respect that you are Old Li's daughter. You'd better know your place. Speaking ill of others behind their backs is not the behavior befitting a lady. Your parents are not here tonight, but later, I think I'll have a serious talk with them."

"Auntie, I..."

"You are not welcome here for the time being," Qi Huifen's eviction order was clear.

Li Huan's eyes reddened in an instant.

Being driven out in public, as a young lady of high society, it was something she could not accept.