Reborn as a Fake Heiress Marrying the Tycoon-Chapter 1108: Going to the Library

A chilling realization crept over Gu Zi like Beijing’s winter fog.

All these strange occurrences seemed connected by an invisible puppeteer—someone who knew exactly how events would unfold, was intimately tied to the key players, yet maintained such a sterling reputation that no one would ever suspect her involvement.

There was really only one person who fit this disturbing profile: Jiang Nan.

"Mom?" Su Bing’s voice sliced through her thoughts. The boy approached with a concerned frown, noticing her distant expression. "Are you okay?"

Gu Zi blinked, quickly reassembling her composure. These suspicions weren’t for children’s ears. "Just planning our weekend," she said, forcing brightness into her tone. "Any requests?"

Before Su Bing could answer, Su Li came barreling in like an enthusiastic puppy. "The amusement park!" he shouted, eyes shining. "Zhang Wei said the new one has a rollercoaster taller than our apartment building!"

Su Le, ever the diplomat, clung to her mother’s sleeve. "Wherever Mommy goes, I go," she declared with the solemnity of a UN ambassador.

Gu Zi melted, running fingers through her daughter’s silken hair. "My sweet girl," she crooned, pressing a kiss to the crown of Su Le’s head. The scent of baby shampoo and innocence filled her nose.

Not to be outdone in the affection Olympics, Su Li immediately pivoted. "Actually, anywhere with Mom is fun!" he announced with the shameless opportunism of a seasoned politician.

Gu Zi saw right through her son’s blatant ploy but played along, ruffling his hair. "Such good children," she laughed before turning to her eldest. "Su Bing, since your siblings are being so agreeable, why don’t you choose?"

The boy straightened perceptibly, recognizing the olive branch. At twelve, he was already mastering the delicate art of family diplomacy. "Actually," he said after thoughtful pause, "could we visit your university library?"

Su Li’s face fell like a stock market crash. Books? Again? But trapped by his own earlier enthusiasm, he could only press lips together in miserable silence.

Gu Zi considered the suggestion. The library offered safety from crowded streets and would satisfy everyone - she could research economic theories while the children explored. "Perfect," she decided. "We’ll go after lunch."

The Imperial Capital University library hummed with quiet energy that afternoon. Though a few eyebrows lifted at the well-dressed woman shepherding three children through the stacks, most students quickly returned to their studies.

They settled in a second-floor study carrel, where Gu Zi got to selecting management tomes while finding age-appropriate books for the younger ones.

But Su Bing remained unsatisfied. With permission, he ventured upstairs where the architecture section called to him like a siren’s song. His small hands trembled slightly as they closed around three weighty volumes - real blueprints, real theories, not the dumbed-down versions in his school library.

"Excuse me, little boy." The voice dripped with saccharine condescension. Zhao Ling loomed over him, her designer glasses (last season’s Prada, Gu Zi would have noted) sliding down her nose. "Those aren’t picture books for children. Put them back before you waste real students’ time."

Su Bing turned with glacial calm. "I can read them," he said simply, the steel beneath his words all the more impressive for their quiet delivery.

Zhao Ling’s manicured fingers twitched. "Lying is very bad," she hissed, leaning down to his level. "Do your parents know you make up stories?"

The boy didn’t dignify this with a response, simply stepping around her with the effortless superiority of a princeling bypassing a peasant.

As he disappeared down the stairs, Zhao Ling’s cheeks burned. The little brat! Just like that insufferable Gu Zi — all fake modesty and hidden arrogance.