Chapter 135 - 135: Kowtow
Chapter 135: Kowtow
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Gu Qingqing, clutching the front of her gown with one hand, humbly knelt on the ground. Meeting Gu Panpan’s intense gaze, she performed a kowtow before her late uncle’s resting place. Although her head didn’t make contact with the ground, it was clear that she was making the gesture.
“Sister Panpan, can I leave now?” she inquired, her voice hesitant.
Gu Panpan responded sternly, “You haven’t confessed to your wrongdoings yet!”
While Gu Qingqing harbored reservations, she recognized that she was no match for them alone. She yielded temporarily, saying, “I shouldn’t have defiled Uncle’s tombstone, let alone bringing bodyguards to intimidate you… Sister Panpan, you’ve already given me a beating. Please, let me go to the hospital. My body is in pain…” She vowed to return home and recount the incident to her parents, seeking to exact revenge.
Gu Panpan was incensed. “You haven’t apologized to my mother yet. My mother is your elder, your aunt. It’s one thing if she mistreated me, but you allowed others to torment and disgrace her!”
Gu Qingqing uttered a hesitant apology, “I’m sorry, Aunt. I was wrong.”
Wan Chunling could sense the insincerity in her words. She turned her face away without responding.
“Leave!” Gu Panpan declared, her tone leaving no room for negotiation.
Gu Qingqing clutched her torn gown and hastily retreated, prompting the bodyguards to rise from the ground and flee as well. While Ah Qiang and All Li attempted to escape, they received a couple of kicks from Gu Qingqing.
Impressed, Fang Yuan commented, “You’ve toughened up. No longer the easy target.”
“President Fang, I must thank you for today… Your presence made all the difference. Without you, I can’t imagine what would have happened,” Gu Panpan expressed her gratitude while helping her mother, Wan Chunling, to her feet. “Let me introduce you. This is my mother, Wan Chunling. Mom, meet my superior, President Fang, and Assistant Wang.”
“Thank you for your help today…” Wan Chunling bowed deeply, expressing her gratitude.
Fang Yuan noticed the wound on Wan Chunling’s arm. “Your injury…”
Wan Chunling instinctively covered it. “Oh, it’s nothing. I accidentally hurt myself earlier.”
“Mom, does it hurt?” Gu Panpan asked with concern. “You’ve lost quite a bit of blood. Let me take you to the hospital.”
“Let’s address the tombstone first…” Wan Chunling’s gaze fixed on the tombstone, its glaring red paint staining the area. The grass surrounding the tombstone bore evidence of the paint splatter.
Gu Panpan considered it and remarked, “I don’t think we can clean it off… We should consider changing the tombstone. Gu Qingqing must have gone home to complain about this. If we linger here, it could become risky.”
Gu Panpan knew Gu Qingqing’s temperament well. Having never been a target of bullying in her life, being beaten so thoroughly today would undoubtedly ignite her desire for revenge.
Fang Yuan intervened, “Let me take you to the hospital first.” She noted that both Wan Chunling and Gu Panpan had sustained injuries.
Wan Chunling insisted on handling the matter themselves. “There’s really no need. We have some medicine at home. A little application will suffice. We can take the bus back.”
Recognizing their desire to save money, Fang Yuan offered gently, “We have some time to spare, so we can drop you off. Panpan, where is your place?”
Gu Panpan replied, “Ah? My mother and I have rented a place in Taoxiang…” Taoxiang was a run-down neighborhood with small houses ranging from 28 to 38 square meters.
Fang Yuan nodded and directed Wang Ning, “Let’s head to Taoxiang.”
Wang Ning agreed, and ten minutes later, their car halted at the entrance of Taoxiang District. Wan Chunling insisted on inviting Fang Yuan and the others upstairs for a cup of tea before departing.
Glancing at the time, Wang Ning signaled to Fang Yuan that they still had some time to spare.
“My place is small, please don’t be concerned…” Wan Chunling gently held Fang Yuan’s hand with her uninjured arm. “You and Wang have been of immense help, and we are grateful for your assistance. Come to our home for a warm cup of tea. No need for formalities…”
expectantly. Getting a nod from Fang Yuan, the four of them ascended to Gu Panpan’s apartment together.
Wan Chunling expressed her admiration, saying, “You’ve achieved the position of a company CEO at such a young age? You’re truly remarkable…”
Gu Panpan proudly replied, “That’s right, Mom. Our President Fang is exceptionally skilled in design. Every time 1 seek her guidance, my drafts improve significantly!”
Wan Chunling nodded, impressed. “Then, you must learn a lot from President Fang!”
Fang Yuan interjected, “Just call me Fang Yuan.”
Upon entering, Wang Ning observed that Gu Panpan’s apartment was notably compact. The living room was quite petite, with two small bedrooms to the left of the entrance, a restroom in the middle, and a tiny kitchen to the right. There was a small dining table as well. Despite its size, the place was impeccably tidy, exuding a warm atmosphere.
“We can only afford to rent a place like this for now…” Wan Chunling said with a smile, providing slippers for Fang Yuan and the others before proceeding to prepare tea.
Fang Yuan insisted, “Auntie, you don’t have to work. Gu Panpan, get the first aid kit. I need to attend to your injury immediately..”