Cold. Proud. Ruthless.

The next morning, Gu Ling appeared at the largest shopping mall in Yunhai City.

As soon as she entered, a salesperson greeted her warmly. "Miss, welcome."

"Would you like to look at a specific style? I can introduce some options to you."

Gu Ling declined without hesitation. "No need."

Her gaze swept casually over the clothes on display. There were all kinds of styles and colors.

She picked a few casual outfits, planning to check out and leave.

In her past life, she spent most of her time traveling to dangerous places for missions.

One day, she could be wandering in a forest full of wild beasts.

The next, she could be infiltrating a chemical factory where a single drop of poison could kill instantly.

The clothes she wore were always custom-made black agent suits—tight-fitting, easy to move in, and perfect for hiding weapons.

So she never cared about the color of her clothes, as long as they were practical.

Just as Gu Ling was about to check out, she heard a familiar female voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Oh, look! Isn't this 'Miss Gu' who's so good at stealing men?"

The only person who could talk like that was Madam Lu.

What a small world.

At this moment, Lin Miaoyuan was holding onto Lu Ming's arm, following behind Madam Lu like a daughter-in-law being shown off by her mother-in-law.

When Lu Ming saw Gu Ling, his face instantly darkened.

He gritted his teeth, looking just like a man who thought it was fine for him to cheat, but couldn't stand the idea of his wife looking better than him.

He sneered and humiliated Gu Ling.

"Who let you come here, you damn woman?"

"You're embarrassing me! Get lost!"

Gu Ling treated him like an idiot, not even sparing him a glance.

Lu Ming lowered his voice, glaring at Gu Ling like she was some stubborn woman who refused to let go.

"You're only making me hate you more by being so persistent!"

"I advise you to stop following me, investigating me, and deliberately showing up in front of me!"

"Trash will always be trash! No matter how hard you try, I will never like you!"

"You keep talking about some agreement with your grandfather—entering the Elite Academy, divorcing me. Hah! You're just dreaming! You think you can actually get into the Elite Academy?"

"Go ahead and try! Even if you flip my name upside down, you'll never get in!"

Lu Ming's arrogant tone only made Gu Ling cross her arms and sneer.

"The exit is that way. Feel free to leave."

Madam Lu clenched her fists in rage.

"You little slut! You think I'll let you off today?!"

"You're just a dog of my Lu family! If you don't get beaten for a few days, you forget to wear your leash, don't you?!"

The moment she finished speaking, she raised her arm high, ready to slap Gu Ling hard across the face—

Bang!

Gu Ling was too lazy to argue anymore.

Right in front of everyone in the mall, she delivered a spinning kick.

Her foot landed squarely on Madam Lu's abdomen, hitting an acupoint.

At first, it seemed weak.

But in the next moment, Madam Lu curled up on the ground like a toad, gasping in pain.

Cold.

Proud.

Ruthless.

Gu Ling's gaze was sharp and deadly, like a true killer.

Her voice was bone-chilling.

"Say one more word, and I'll kill you right now."

"Now. Get. Lost."

With such terrifying eyes and such dangerous words, Madam Lu, Lu Ming, and Lin Miaoyuan all froze in fear.

She really dared to kill someone!

That was the first thought that came to their minds.

By the time they snapped out of it, Lu Ming and Lin Miaoyuan hurriedly rushed forward to help Madam Lu up.

Meanwhile, Gu Ling had already placed her clothes on the counter.

"I'll pay now," she said calmly.

After paying, she left as if nothing had happened.

It wasn't until her figure was about to disappear that Lu Ming finally reacted.

His face twisted in rage, and he let out a furious roar in the direction she left.

Lin Miaoyuan bit her lip, looking delicate and pitiful.

"Ah Ming... Are you okay?" she asked softly.

"It's all my fault... I couldn't help you. I never thought Miss Gu would be so cruel..."

Her weak, heartbreaking voice made Lu Ming even angrier.

"Miaoyuan! How can you blame yourself?!"

"It's all that bitch's fault! What's wrong with being kind like you?!"

Lin Miaoyuan hesitated, her eyes looking watery and helpless.

"No... No matter what, it's my fault... Maybe if I hadn't come to bother you, Miss Gu wouldn't have acted this way..."

Lu Ming's eyes turned dark with fury.

His knuckles cracked as he clenched his fists.

"That damn woman! Gu Ling! Damn it!!!"

"Miaoyuan, don't worry!" he said fiercely.

"I won't let her disturb our lives again!"

"You take my mom to the hospital. I'm going straight to Grandpa to demand an explanation!!!"

Ignoring Lin Miaoyuan's faint attempts to stop him, Lu Ming stormed out of the mall.