LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 903 - 903: After the New Year, Go Get the Punishment
Chapter 903: After the New Year, Go Get the Punishment
Editor: Henyee Translations
“Second Brother, Shuzhi, you’ve disappointed me!” Gu Hongwei’s voice was filled with anger.
Gu Shuzhi immediately stood up, saying, “Grandpa, Eldest Uncle, I’m sorry. I was wrong. I shouldn’t have fanned the flames.”
The evidence was undeniable, and he couldn’t refute it. He decided to admit his mistake honestly, hoping to regain some favor from his grandfather.
Moreover, he was the one who had exacerbated the situation, as the initial trouble had originated from the second branch. Being younger but Gu Zhao’an’s elder, he drew much of the criticism away from him.
After his apology, Gu Hongwei’s expression softened slightly, though he still warned Gu Zhaoye, “Your child is reckless. As a father, are you also irresponsible?”
Gu Zhaoye was taken aback, thinking, “What does this have to do with me?!”
Gu Shuzhi suddenly saw the benefit of having a father who could still be useful, especially in situations like this.
Left with no choice, Gu Zhao’an also admitted his fault. “Dad, Brother, I’m sorry.”
Gu Pei interjected, “If apologies were enough, why would we need the police?”
Gu Zhao’an shot a glare at Gu Pei. Damn hypocrite—why didn’t you bring this up when you were apologizing?
Gu Zhaoming sighed and addressed Gu Zhao’an. “When Grandfather passed away, I was unable to deliver the medicine in time as the eldest grandson. I acknowledge my failure.”
“If you’re dissatisfied with me, you can directly condemn me. But why distort the truth and incite cyber violence against me? Why air our family’s private matters online for others to mock? Second Brother, where’s your respect for the family?”
Gu Zhao’an was nearly apoplectic at Gu Zhaoming’s speech. Ever since his older brother entered the entertainment industry, he’d become quite the performer. Unfortunately, the old man seemed to enjoy it.
“I initially planned to call the police over this matter. But upon discovering that Second Brother was involved, I hoped to resolve it privately to avoid further embarrassment for the family.”
“It would be ideal if we could resolve this amicably. However, I didn’t expect Second Brother to bring it up before I had a chance.”
Gu Zhaoming’s words were convincing. If Gu Yang hadn’t personally seen Feng Jue send the PowerPoint to Gu Zhaoming just moments before, she might have been swayed by his performance.
Gu Hongwei, however, believed Gu Zhaoming’s words without question. He increasingly saw Gu Zhaoming as a suitable candidate for the Successor Family Head, appreciating his broad perspective.
“Zhao’an, Zhaoye, you are in the wrong,” Gu Hongwei said solemnly. “Zhaoming chose not to involve the police for the sake of the family’s reputation, but our Gu family has its own rules. After the New Year, you will face the family’s punishment.”
The Gu family’s traditional punishment was flogging, reserved for those who betrayed the family or harmed its interests.
Such punishments were rare among the Direct Line members. The last person subjected to family punishment was Gu Zhaoming himself, over 20 years ago, when he had to shoulder the responsibility alone after the death of the old Family Head.
Both Gu Zhao’an and Gu Zhaoye were stunned by Gu Hongwei’s pronouncement.
Even though many years had passed, they still remembered how Gu Zhaoming had emerged from the Gu family’s ancestral hall covered in blood.
Gu Zhaoye was particularly stunned.
This had nothing to do with him!
Wasn’t it Big Brother who discovered that it was his son, Gu Shuzhi, who was responsible, not him, the father?
He had heard of sons paying their fathers’ debts, but never the other way around!
Gu Zhaoye wanted to protest Gu Hongwei’s decision, but his phone vibrated in his pocket. He checked to see that his son had transferred money to him, which made him fall silent.
He resigned himself to the situation. After all, he had deceived his son many times; it was only fair to endure this turn of events.