The Female Cannon Fodder With Boundless Merits-Chapter 1406 - 1419: Days Cherished by the Escape Boss (20)

Chapter 1406: Chapter 1419: Days Cherished by the Escape Boss (20)

The Clan Leader smiled indulgently and lovingly at Gu Ling, "It’s just a ceremony, you just need to wet your lips."

Gu Ling blushed with embarrassment, feeling somewhat ashamed.

Respect for the Clan Leader was instilled in the younger generation of the Gu family from an early age.

The more forgiving the Clan Leader was, the more Gu Ling didn’t want to disappoint the elders. She steeled herself to ignore her reluctance.

It’s just a strangely concocted drink. At worst, it might give her a stomachache, but it wouldn’t be fatal, right?

As soon as the Clan Leader spoke, the clan elders behind him fell silent, but their eyes remained fixed on the girl at the center of the stage without a moment’s shift.

Just as Gu Ling was about to down the contents of the silver cup, a clear voice suddenly interjected, "Elder sister, the Clan Leader just said it’s merely a ceremony, you don’t have to drink it all, just take a sip."

"Which junior is so unruly?"

"Oh, it’s the Second Young Lady from your family..."

Interrupted by Su Li, Gu Ling’s resolve instead grew firmer, and she chugged the liquid in the silver cup in one gulp.

Her previously furrowed brow and closed eyes gradually relaxed.

The drink wasn’t so bad after all; it even tasted a bit pleasant, with a hint of sea salt and a slightly sweet flavor.

Su Li touched her nose, her rare kindness misconstrued, feeling quite fresh with such an experience.

Gu Ling’s clear eyes filled with obvious wariness as she said, "Thanks for your kind intentions, sister, but I’ve already drunk it. Even if it’s just a ceremony, as a descendant of the Gu family, we must complete it meticulously, as it pertains to our family traditions and ancestral teachings..."

The corner of her eye caught the Clan Leader’s calm and appreciative look, making Gu Ling’s righteous speech flow more smoothly.

If she continued, Su Li would almost become the epitome of disgrace in the Gu family.

"Gu Ling does well. After the coming-of-age ceremony, you’ll take over that overseas market," the Clan Leader said lightly.

Gu Ling’s eyes brightened as she smacked the strange taste in her mouth, feeling her decision was worth it.

Suppressing her gloating, she subtly threw an uncharitable smile toward Su Li.

Su Li: "....." Such a naive child...

Under the indulgence of the elders, the competition among the new generation of the Gu family’s descendants was particularly fierce.

After all, family resources had their limits, and each generation of the Gu family was more prolific than the last.

In today’s modern society, it was common for the clan elders of the Gu family to have seven or eight children, with one having as many as twenty-seven.

Of course, these children didn’t all come from the same parents.

Some shared the same father but different mothers, and some the same mother but different fathers....

Strangely, the Gu family’s descendants seemed cursed; neither men nor women had smooth marriages.

Most were on their second or third marriages, with children whose parents were unknown, resulting in utter chaos.

This predicament was common among large families, but more extreme in the Gu family.

These pieces of information flashed quickly in Su Li’s mind, sourced from moments when the original owner had gleaned information during this event.

The more she delved, the more the Gu family’s old mansion seemed shrouded in layers of dense fog, mysterious and strange, seemingly concealing numerous secrets.

Gu Minxing’s stern and cold eyes briefly flickered with a trace of darkness. After the coming-of-age ceremony ended, he specifically called Su Li over, partly reproaching her for casually interrupting earlier, but mostly out of concern for this daughter.

The concerned expression was awkward and stiff, clear evidence of a person unaccustomed to intimacy.

But his attitude revealed that he placed significant importance on Su Li.

As for the other one....

Gu Minxing glanced indifferently before looking away, merely uttering some platitudes about sisterly love, showing little regard for Xu Qingqing, the illegitimate daughter.

The other clan elders weren’t surprised, following Gu Minxing’s lead, mostly focusing their attention on Su Li.

A child brought back halfway, lacking much of the Gu family’s fine genetic heritage, naturally garnered little attention.

If unable to hold a coming-of-age ceremony, she might at most receive some allocated family funds and be sent off to live a life like an ordinary person, unable to inherit even the surname Gu.

With a bit of luck, one might bear a few promising children to send back to the family, potentially allowing reentry into the family circle, or even further luck could see these children join the ranks of clan elders and learn the family’s deepest secrets.

Gu Minxing: "Xiao Li, show everyone the Jade Pendant you’re wearing."

Su Li reached to her neck, feeling a small shell-shaped Jade Pendant adorned with pearl-sized pink beads, exquisite and precious.

As soon as Gu Minxing spoke, Xu Qingqing and others felt an oddness about themselves.

Around their necks hung identical Jade Pendants.

Standing closest to Su Li was Lan Cao, who instinctively tugged out the Jewel Pendant, gazing at it in surprise, knowing it must be the work of the game, or rather, a critical item in this game’s plot.

However, there was a difference; Lan Cao’s Jewel Pendant was transparent, and the clan elders’ eyes brushed over it with concealed disappointment before moving on.

Xu Qingqing’s shell-like Jade Pendant was golden, lustrous and radiant, as if gilded with layers of brilliance.

The other two female players, Zhixin and Yi Lin, pulled out light pink Jade Pendants.

"Ah, it’s the Golden Mother of Pearl," someone exclaimed.

Xu Qingqing instinctively sensed something wrong, quickly tucking the Jewel Pendant back into her undergarment.

Yet despite her speed, others caught a good glimpse.

Immediately, Gu Minxing’s expression shifted, his sharp gaze shooting a direct look at Su Li.

"Brother, you can have your moments of misjudgment too," a clan elder chuckled, shifting from previous indifference towards Xu Qingqing to an affable friendliness.

"No need to rush off, perhaps in a few days, we’ll hold another coming-of-age ceremony."

"I’ll go tell the Clan Leader this good news."

Xu Qingqing only felt that the item hanging from her neck was burning her, as the meaningful gazes of the clan elders filled her with dread.

Gu Minxing hurriedly intervened, "A misunderstanding, a misunderstanding, that Golden Mother of Pearl belongs to Xiao Li, she prefers pink, and swapped with Qingqing for a few days."

Su Li: "Daddy, what are you talking about? Mine has always been pink."

As soon as Su Li spoke, others looked at Gu Minxing with expressions that were almost mocking.

A clan elder remarked with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes, "Brother, seems like we’ve been fooled by you for years, quite the technique.... If not for this twist, the Gu family could have lost a fine seedling."