Blossom In Adversity - Vol. 2

C305. Spiritual Anchor.

Chapter 305: Spiritual Anchor

"We stand with Zhi’er."

They placed their faith in her judgment, her resilience, and the strength of her character.

"No matter what happens, the entire Hua family will be her fortress."

Should she stumble this time, the Hua family would shoulder the weight of her mistakes without hesitation.

Gu Yanxi rose, his movements deliberate, and bowed deeply. If the Hua family had chosen to clutch at their precious reputation and obstruct her, he wouldn’t have masked his disdain. After all, Ah Zhi had sacrificed her pride countless times for the sake of the Hua family. Yet, when she needed them most, they hadn’t safeguarded her reputation in return.

But this time, the Hua family proved themselves deserving of her sacrifices. For once, they aligned themselves with the very woman who had carried their burdens for so long.

This mutual understanding shifted the dynamic between them, forging a closer bond. Hua Yizheng rose to his feet, a faint smile softening his expression.

"Zhi’er might still be feeling a little uneasy. Go to her," he urged.

Gu Yanxi returned the smile, humble yet resolute. "Yes, of course."

A banquet had been spread out in the courtyard, setting the stage for an evening brimming with expectation. Hua Zhi responded to Hua Baili's words, her attention intermittently drifting toward the hall, an odd, almost unshakable fear gnawing at her—like a young woman hoping her boyfriend would somehow manage to win over her father's approval.

When she spotted them emerging from the room, she wasted no time, rushing to greet them with practiced grace. As she helped her grandfather, her eyes darted mischievously to her fourth uncle. Hua Pingyang shot her a disapproving look, though he couldn’t resist nodding in acknowledgment.

A sudden lightness filled Hua Zhi as the tension of the family meeting seemed to melt away. It had gone far better than she anticipated, and with that, the first hurdle had been cleared.

Seated at the head table, Hua Yizheng turned his gaze to Gu Yanxi. "Mr. Lu, please take a seat."

"Call me Yanxi, sir," Gu Yanxi responded smoothly, slipping into his chair at the far end of the table once the elders were seated. Hua Zhi stole a glance at her grandfather before settling beside him, her chest tightening as she noted how much smaller and more vulnerable the once-dominant leader of the Seven Stars Bureau appeared.

Her fourth uncle’s scowl didn’t go unnoticed—he saw right through her; it was all too clear that she was head over heels. Hua Zhi’s smile, sweet and calculated, only served to amuse and frustrate him in equal measure.

Who would even believe she was so utterly committed to this?

This was the first time he had witnessed his niece act like a lovesick fool. In the past, she was always sharp with her words, effortlessly quick with a clever retort, never showing the slightest trace of embarrassment. She certainly never displayed such a level of protectiveness over anyone.

But Hua Yizheng? He smiled, a smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. As long as Zhi'er found her happiness, that was the only thing that mattered. She’d already given up so much for the Hua family, bending to its every whim.

If someone, anyone, could bring her a moment of joy, who was he to stand in their way?

Those archaic rules that shackled women to their roles?

They held no weight anymore.

The truth was, Zhi'er had long since defied those rules—breaking them wide open by stepping into the public eye, daring to take on a role where women were traditionally barred from stepping foot.