Chapter 216: Either Walk With Me, or End Our Friendship

rs.He finished half a cup of warm water, sat at the head of the bed, propped her upper body against his chest, and whispered softly in her ear, "Zhu Xiaowei, wake up, take your medicine first then go...Qiao Baoer was slapped, her cheeks were red and swollen, but she seemed stunned and didn't react.

At noon, the sun blazed high in the sky.

She stared intently at the woman in front of her. Her aunt, Gu Ruyue, had a gloomy face and an aggressive aura. She was so furious that she actually hit her.

This was her aunt's first time hitting her.

"What's wrong!"

Old Mrs. Qiao hurried over and shouted at them, while Qiao Wenyu standing beside her seemed to be startled by Gu Ruoyan's sudden action. He blinked in surprise before coming back to his senses, looking at them with a complicated gaze, hesitating to say something.

Grandma Qiao was invited to the Jun family today. She was dressed in expensive and dignified attire. Although she was old, she was very strong. She grabbed Qiao Bao'er and pulled her close, her face dark with anger, and glared at Gu Ruyue as she shouted insults.

"Second Aunt Gu, you didn't come over when nobody asked you to. You came to my in-laws' place and ran wild, and dared to hit my granddaughter! Don't you know your own identity Since the Gu family is gone, no one will control your lawless behavior anymore!"

"I disciplined her, and it's not your Qiao family's place to interfere."

Gu Ruoyan was no longer her usual calm and yielding self. Her face was grim, and she glared at the head of the Qiao family, launching into a vicious verbal attack.

"Well now, look at this woman. She's hidden herself well…"

Old Madam Qiao was furious when she saw that the girl dared to yell at her. She pointed at Gu Ruyue's forehead and said, "I knew all along that your Gu family wasn't a good bunch. You two sisters, one died, and the other is an old maid who can't even get married..."

"It's none of your business!"

Qiao Bao'er almost reflexively, very disgustedly shook off Qiao Lao Tai's hand and turned around to protect Gu Ruoyan.

No matter how Gu Ruyue beat her, it was the Qiao family's turn to take charge.

"You, you..." Old Lady Qiao gasped, her angry words choked in her throat.

Several people strode out of the main gate of Lord Jun's manor, and the faint sounds of commotion made them feel uneasy.

Lu Qinan had originally come out excitedly, intending to criticize Qiao Bao'er for lacking even a hint of her aunt's temperament. However, upon seeing the distinct palm print on her cheek, he was taken aback.

"Jo Baoer, what's wrong with your face"

Lu Qinan's mind wasn't working properly, who else would dare to hit her

As soon as he finished speaking, he was abruptly shoved aside by the person behind him. Jun Zhi Mu remained silent, his face darkened with displeasure. He took several large strides toward Qiao Bao'er, his gaze fixed on the handprint on her cheek, his eyes growing even sharper.

He glared at everyone in the room, his anger uncontainable.

Who dares to hit her!

Jun Zhi Mu's whole body was filled with anger, he had such a cold and imposing aura that everyone around him instantly fell silent.

He stood before her, reaching out his hand, but Qiao Ba'er took a step back.

She lowered her head, avoiding eye contact as if she didn't want others to see the redness on her face. She seemed to be shielding Gu Ruyue behind her.

"What's going on!"

At last, Old Master Jun came out leaning on his cane. His voice, though venerable and aged, boomed with displeasure, "What a racket! How utterly unbecoming!"

"Brother-in-law, this, this is just a misunderstanding…"

Old Madam Qiao pulled at a fawning smile, hastily explaining, "Bao'er's aunt's emotions are a bit unstable. She changed drastically after her illness and surgery, being led astray by others. It's nothing serious, today is such a good day, let's not dwell on it..."

Jun Zhimu's face was still extremely grim, his lips pressed tightly together. He stared at her, and finally, his cold eyes fell on Gu Ruyue behind her...

Everyone's expression was strange, their eyes all turned to the woman Qiao Baier was protecting behind her.

Gu Ruoyan is over 40 years old. She has shoulder-length black hair, with a simple black clip holding back her bangs on her forehead. She wears light makeup and a plain, neat light yellow suit. Her body is a little thin, but there's an air of elegance between her eyebrows.

Gu Ruoyan stood with her waist straight, as if she had some special insistence today. There was a newfound firmness and... hatred in her eyes.

Hate.

Qiao Baoer habitually slanted her eyes to look at the person behind her, but she was dumbfounded and couldn't understand the hatred in her aunt's eyes.

"Come with me." Gu Ruyue suddenly spoke, her voice cold and sharp.

Gu Ruoyan today seemed different, lacking her usual gentleness. She exuded an air of hostility towards everyone present. She reached out and grabbed Qiao Bao'er's wrist, pulling her to her side.

But Junzhi Mu's reaction was faster, his big hand landing on Qiao Baier's other wrist with some force, filled with possessiveness and a declaration.

"Let go of her, you scoundrel!"

Gu Ruoyan raised her head, glaring fiercely at the man across from her. Such an outstanding figure, a man from the Jun family, was so excellent, yet so repulsive to her.

Apart from Old Master Jun, almost no one dared to order him around like this.

"She hit you" Jun Zhi Mu didn't take his words to heart, instead he lowered his gaze and looked directly at the woman in front of him, his low voice suppressing a thick rage.

Qiao Bao'er's cheeks still ached, but her mind was muddled. She didn't reply to him, she had no idea what was going on, and she was torn inside.

"Get them out of here—"

Jun Zhi's reaction was swift. With his other hand, he grabbed Qiao Baoer's shoulder, pulling her into his embrace. He raised his voice, coldly rebuking her, but Gu Ruoyan stubbornly clung to Qiao Baoer's left wrist, squeezing a bruise onto it yet refusing to let go.

"Bao'er, come with me!"

Both sides stood their ground, Qiao Bao'er stood in the middle with a complicated expression, being tugged by both of them.

"He's asking for death." Jun Zhi Mu's face was dark and grim. He had no patience for others, especially when he saw the woman in his arms being hurt by the person before him.

Jun's grip was powerful, with a sudden burst of strength he lifted Qiao Baoer horizontally and spun around in a whirl. Gu Ruyue was caught off guard and dragged along by the force, stumbling and landing on the ground.

"Aunt" Qiao Bao'er looked at Gu Ruyue in horror, struggling subconsciously, but Jun Zhimu felt a surge of stubbornness in his heart, refusing to let her move.

"Nonsense!"

Master Jun glared at them with displeasure, his voice booming with a stern roar.

Hearing the old man's shout, a shiver ran down everyone's spine and the atmosphere grew heavy with silence.

"Take Sister Gu Second down first..." A command was issued, and the servants on both sides immediately walked over.

Ke Gu Ruyue was like a cornered beast, desperately struggling and roaring, "You people from the Jun family, you filthy things, don't touch me!"

"Bao'er, either you come with me today, or from now on, don't call me Auntie. You continue to be Jun family's young mistress, and I pretend you're not my niece. We sever all ties, even when I die, don't come to my grave to pay respects!"

Gu Ruoyan was sprawled on the ground, looking utterly defeated. But she lifted her chin, a steely glint in her eyes. Her words were sharp and final, leaving no room for negotiation.

Qiao Baoer was deeply shocked. She was tightly held in Jun Zhumu's arms, her body stiff and her gaze fixed on Gu Ruoyan.

Why so much hate...indow, and shouted towards them, "Pei Yi, come over here quickly, you can't park here, hurry up!"< As if to make sure they hadn't heard, Guan Lei patted the car horn twice, "du du" — urging them on. >...