The Mighty Mage
Chapter 352: Protective

Chapter 352: Chapter 352: Protective

Once Gu Aihan left, the banquet was canceled.

The first elder had deliberately chosen the time when the banquet was about to be held.

Gu Jichun was so angry that she stomped her feet, "Why is grandpa so protective of Gu Aihan? Why doesn’t he like Gu Jin at all?"

Gu Aihan chuckled, "He is just being smart."

Gu Jihu nodded his head, "Yes. He just wants Gu Aihan back so that he can get her married to some prestigious family and gain benefits for the Gu Family."

"Is the Gu family so weak now?" Gu Jichun muttered.

Mr. Gu pursed his lips. He knew his father the most. His father can’t seem to give up on the idea of gaining even a small amount of benefits.

Mrs. Gu sighed heavily, looking at her husband.

"Father has always been like this. He only sees people as tools to gain power and prestige. It’s exhausting."

Gu Jin, who had been silent, spoke up.

"If the Gu family’s strength depends on manipulating others, then it’s not strong at all. Real strength comes from loyalty and unity, not using people like chess pieces."

Gu Jichun nodded quickly.

"Exactly! Why can’t Grandpa see that? He’s just making everything worse for the family by pushing people away."

Mr. Gu rubbed his temples, looking tired.

"It’s hard to change old habits. Father has always believed in alliances through marriage and power plays. He doesn’t understand that times have changed."

Gu Jihu crossed his arms, frowning.

"But does that mean he’s going to keep trying to bring Gu Aihan back? After everything she’s done?"

Mrs. Gu shook her head.

"He might try, but Aihan’s actions have already caused too much damage. Even if she comes back, it’ll never be the same. And honestly, I don’t we will ever bring her back."

For the next three days, the Gu mansion was in chaos.

Each afternoon, just when things seemed to calm down, the first elder would arrive, barging into the mansion uninvited.

He’d sit in the main hall, stern and unyielding, repeating the same demand over and over again.

"Adopt Gu Aihan back into the family!" he’d say, his tone sharp, almost as if he was scolding them.

The entire family was on edge. Gu Jin, Gu Jichun, and even Mrs. Gu tried to reason with him, but the first elder refused to listen.

His stubbornness was as strong as a boulder, and no amount of talking seemed to make a difference.

On the third afternoon, it finally became too much. Mr. Gu, who had been trying to stay calm, slammed his cup on the table.

The sound echoed through the hall, silencing everyone.

"Father," Mr. Gu said, his voice low but firm, "this has gone on long enough. Why are you so insistent on this? Why do you keep pushing for Aihan to be adopted again?"

The first elder, who had been sitting comfortably, stiffened.

For the first time in days, he looked unsure. His eyes flickered, and his usual commanding tone faltered.

"I... It’s for the family’s benefit," he said, but his voice lacked confidence.

Mr. Gu narrowed his eyes.

"The family’s benefit? Is that really it? Or is there something else you’re not telling us?"

Gu Jihu, standing to the side, crossed his arms.

"Grandpa, we all know you don’t do anything without a reason. What’s the real reason you’re so desperate to bring her back?"

The first elder remained silent, his face tense.

Everyone in the room could feel the unease growing.

Even Gu Jichun, who usually avoided confrontation, stepped closer, glaring at the first elder.

"Tell us the truth, Grandpa!" she demanded. "Why are you protecting her after everything she’s done?"

After what felt like forever, the first elder sighed heavily. He looked at Mr. Gu, his expression serious.

"Fine," he said at last. "You want the truth? I’ll tell you."

The room grew quiet as everyone leaned in, waiting for his answer.

"It’s because of Long Yifan," the first elder admitted.

"Long Yifan?" Gu Jihu repeated, confused. "What does he have to do with this?"

The first elder hesitated, clearly uncomfortable.

Then he continued, "Gu Aihan made a deal. If you adopt her back into the family, she will convince Long Yifan to marry Gu Jin."

The room erupted into chaos.

"WHAT?!" Gu Jichun shouted, her voice filled with disbelief. "Why would we need her assistance in the first place?"

Gu Jihu frowned deeply, her expression cold.

"Because Long Yifan is a simp for her," she said bluntly. "He’s been chasing after her for years."

Mr. Gu’s face darkened.

"And you think this is a good enough reason to adopt her? After all the lies and betrayal? You’d sell my daughter’s happiness for some alliance?"

The first elder’s voice rose defensively. "It’s not about selling anything! Its about the curse!"

The room fell into an eerie silence after the first elder’s sudden mention of a curse. Everyone froze, their gazes shifting between the elder and Mr. Gu, trying to process his words. The atmosphere was thick, almost suffocating.

Then, a calm, steady voice broke through the tension.

It was Gu Jin. She was slowly descending the grand staircase, her posture straight and her expression serene. Her presence drew everyone’s attention, and for a moment, no one spoke.

"If it’s about Long Yifan," she began, her voice clear but soft, "I can give up on him."

The family members were stunned. Mrs. Gu gasped softly, while Mr. Gu looked up at his daughter with wide eyes. Even Gu Jichun, who was often the loudest, stood speechless.

Gu Jin stopped at the bottom of the stairs, folding her hands neatly in front of her. She looked directly at the first elder, her tone unwavering.

"I know that if I don’t marry Long Yifan, I will die. That’s what this so-called curse is about, isn’t it? But even without the curse, I wouldn’t marry him. Not because I fear death," she added, her voice steady, "but because I refuse to be with a man who already has someone else in his heart."

All her affection for Long Yifan vanished the moment he chose Gu Aihan over her.

Though he protected her, that was it.

Her words were like a cold wind sweeping through the room.

The honesty and determination in her voice moved everyone, except for the first elder.

Mrs. Gu’s eyes filled with tears, and she reached out to touch her daughter’s hand.

"Jin’er," she whispered, her voice shaking. "You don’t have to make such sacrifices. We can’t live without you child!"

But Gu Jin smiled faintly, her calm demeanor unchanged.

"It’s not a sacrifice, Mother. It’s my decision."

Mr. Gu stood up, his face a mix of pride and sorrow.

"You’ve grown up to be so strong, Jin’er. I won’t let anyone force you into something you don’t want."

Gu Jichun nodded fiercely.

"That’s right! If Grandpa cares so much about the Gu family’s future, he should stop trying to control us like pawns!"

But the first elder was far from moved.

His face darkened, and he slammed his wooden stick on the marble floor with a loud crack.

"Ignorant child!" he roared, his voice echoing in the hall.

"You dare to defy me? Do you think this is about love or your silly feelings? This is about the Gu family’s survival!"

The tension in the room shot up again.

Everyone turned to look at the elder, shocked by his outburst. Gu Jin, however, didn’t flinch.

Instead, she tilted her head slightly and smirked, a spark of defiance in her eyes.

"If the marriage alliance is so important, Grandpa," she said, her tone sharp but controlled, "then why don’t you marry Long Yifan on my behalf?"

The room went dead silent.

For a moment, it felt like time had stopped.

Then, Gu Jichun clamped her hand over her mouth to stifle a laugh, while Gu Jihu openly grinned, clearly enjoying the scene.

The first elder’s face turned red with fury. He gripped his stick so tightly that his knuckles turned white.

"You insolent girl!" he bellowed. "How dare you speak to me like that?"

Gu Jin raised an eyebrow, completely unfazed.

"I’m just being practical, Grandpa. If you’re so desperate for this alliance, and if you think Long Yifan is such a perfect match, then why not?

After all, you’re the one who values the family over everything else. Shouldn’t you lead by example?"

Mrs. Gu couldn’t hold back a laugh, despite the tension in the room.

Even Mr. Gu’s lips twitched as he tried to hide his amusement.

"You..." the first elder sputtered, his voice shaking with rage. "You’re mocking me!"

Gu Jin shrugged, her smirk still in place.

"Not at all, Grandpa. I’m just pointing out the obvious. If you’re willing to sacrifice my happiness for the family, why not yours?"

The elder’s anger boiled over.

He slammed his stick on the floor again and stormed out of the room without another word, his footsteps echoing down the hallway.

The sound of the door slamming shut was almost satisfying.