Back to the Past: The Rise of the False Heiress Marrying the True Tycoon
Chapter 1199: Gu Zi's Instigation

Chapter 1199: Gu Zi’s Instigation

Lin Miao’s heart suddenly fluttered with an inexplicable panic the moment she saw Gu Zi.

Just a little while ago, she had convinced herself she might escape this ordeal unscathed, but now all certainty drained away. Trembling, she followed the police officers down from the car.

Inside the station’s main hall, Gu Zi leaned in close to Su Shen beside her, her voice lowered as she confessed, “I can’t shake the feeling that someone’s watching me from behind… it makes my back cold.”

Su Shen’s gaze immediately swept the surroundings with sharp precision, eyes like a hawk’s. His vision was so keen that he could see far beyond the police station’s walls, but nothing unusual appeared—only a solitary police car stood parked, empty of occupants.

Turning back to Gu Zi, concern softened his gaze. He gently draped an arm over her shoulder and spoke in a low, reassuring tone. “Gu Zi, maybe you’re just too tense. If you’re feeling unwell, you don’t have to go inside. Leave it to me—I’ll handle everything from here.”

His voice was calm, steady, and always seemed to soothe her in moments of doubt. She shook her head stubbornly. “We’ve come this far. I’m going in. You don’t expect me to just wait alone in the car, do you?”

Su Shen hesitated, worried about leaving her by herself, but finally nodded. “Alright, then we’ll go in together. Don’t worry, I’m here.” Supporting her carefully, he led Gu Zi toward the interrogation room.

Inside, Zhang Mei had already taken a seat, her expression dark with displeasure. Gu Shan, recently brought in from the hospital by police, sat beside her. They wore looks as sour as if Gu Zi—the adopted daughter—were the one at fault for demanding a full investigation.

Opposite them were Li Hua, Aunt Yang, and Zhang Yao. The trio had spent several days in custody, their faces thinner and wearier. Yet at the sight of Gu Zi, their exhaustion seemed to lift, replaced by a spark of hope.

To them, Gu Zi was more than just a member of the Su family; she was a talisman of good fortune for both the Lin family and Sister Hua’s Gourmet Shop.

Zhang Mei, clearly defiant, snapped, “It was your food we bought, and it made my husband sick to his stomach—we were even talking about compensation. But now that Gu Zi’s back, you want to deny everything? Hmph, that just proves the saying: people with conscience can’t make a business work, while those without it make a fortune.”

Gu Shan remained silent, his pale, sickly face not joining in Zhang Mei’s outburst, ignoring her subtle glances. A strange look flickered in his eyes.

Li Hua, coached by Gu Zi, calmly responded, “No matter what, that white fungus soup is long gone and can’t be tested. You can say whatever you want. Who knows if you ate something else that caused the food poisoning?”

Aunt Yang chimed in, “Exactly. Though the soup came from the town into the city, it was freshly cooked that morning. We all ate it on the road—me, Li Hua, and Zhang Yao—and none of us got sick. But you bought it and got sick? You’ll need proof it was the soup, or it’s just slander and extortion.”

Zhang Yao nodded, “I even greedily drank two bowls that day. Nothing happened to me. Seems like you’re just trying to scam money.”

Zhang Mei stared wide-eyed at the three women, disbelief twisting her features. At first, their words had been stammered, halting, incapable of defending themselves or denying accusations. Now, they seemed like different people—quick, sharp, and relentless, their words firing off like a string of firecrackers, leaving her overwhelmed and unsure where to strike back first.

Her jaw clenched in anger, the flesh on her face quivering uncontrollably. She refused to believe these clever lines had sprung spontaneously from these three women. Someone was coaching them behind the scenes.

With a cold snort, she spat out a curse, “You sound so rehearsed. It must be that ungrateful adopted daughter of mine, Gu Zi, teaching you what to say.”

Gu Zi’s return had to be the source of this. Zhang Mei clenched her fists, regretting ever adopting Gu Zi. Had she known Gu Zi wasn’t her biological daughter, she would have kicked that unfilial girl out long ago to prevent such a challenge.

Before Li Hua or the others could reply, the interrogation room door opened. Everyone’s eyes turned as Su Shen entered, supporting a heavily pregnant woman. Despite the size of her belly, her skin was flawless and her complexion radiant—it was none other than Gu Zi.

Zhang Mei and Gu Shan froze, stunned by the sight of Gu Zi’s swollen abdomen. Didn’t she go to university in the capital? How was she already pregnant?