The Rolls-Royce glided smoothly into the Gu family estate.
Gu Chengyu stepped into the living room, a trace of irritation flickering in his demeanor.
After all, it was rare for his mother to summon him home immediately with such a stern tone.
Seeing her son enter, Madam Gu gestured for him to sit with a slight wave of her hand.
She didn’t beat around the bush. Picking up her phone from the side table, she tapped the screen a few times before turning it toward Gu Chengyu.
Displayed on the screen was a clear screenshot of a bank transaction record.
Sender: Gu Chengyu. Recipient: Su Qianqian.
The amount: a string of glaring zeros.
"Chengyu."
Madam Gu’s voice was measured, betraying little emotion. "Care to explain?"
Gu Chengyu’s gaze lingered on the figure for a brief moment, his expression unreadable, almost indifferent.
He settled gracefully into the armchair opposite his mother, crossing his long legs with an air of arrogance that did nothing to diminish his commanding presence.
"There’s nothing to explain, Mother."
His tone was casual, as if stating the obvious. "My money, my choice."
Madam Gu was momentarily taken aback by his dismissive attitude.
Then, tapping the edge of her tablet for emphasis, she pressed, "Ten billion!"
"Gu Chengyu, this isn’t pocket change. Even for your personal assets, this isn’t a trivial amount."
"And you gave it to some unknown little actress?"
"She’s only eighteen, hasn’t borne the Gu family a single heir—what right does she have to this kind of money?"
"Let me remind you, the Gu conglomerate’s combined profits over three days barely amount to this sum!"
She drew a deep breath, struggling to keep her temper in check.
"Your father traced this transaction. He didn’t say a word, but his expression was far from pleased before forwarding it to me."
Gu Chengyu arched an eyebrow. Of course.
He’d known his mother never bothered with such matters—only his father made a habit of auditing accounts.
A faint, mocking smile touched his lips.
"Mother, have you forgotten? The Gu Group’s expansion into the most lucrative sectors—internet, cutting-edge tech, gaming platforms—was spearheaded and majority-controlled by me."
"Ten billion is barely a fraction of my personal account. It won’t make a dent in the Gu empire."
"As for Father? He should focus on managing his own affairs."
The arrogance in his tone, along with the subtle disdain for his father, made Madam Gu’s frown deepen.
She knew her son had the right to be proud, but this level of disrespect was unacceptable.
Suppressing her displeasure, she steered the conversation back.
"While this sum isn’t worth raising alarms over, your father and I share the same concern."
"Chengyu, if you’d spent this money on yachts, jets, or even investments, I wouldn’t bat an eye."
"But transferring it to a woman? What’s the meaning of this?"
Before Gu Chengyu could respond, Madam Gu continued,
"This Su Qianqian—I looked into her. The internet is flooded with rumors about you and Lin Shu, but her? Nothing."
"It’s like she appeared out of thin air."
"And the Su family? No one in elite circles has ever heard of them."
Leaning forward slightly, she fixed her son with a piercing stare.
"Chengyu, if she’s a new fling, fine. Play around—you’ve had your share of women, and I’ve never interfered."
"But this time? Ten billion for one person? That’s excessive."
"Excessive enough to make outsiders, even the Gu clan elders, start speculating."
Her voice carried a warning. "You know better than anyone how high the Gu family’s standards are."
"The future Mrs. Gu must navigate global high society, attend state banquets, and mingle with political elites."
"It’s not as simple as walking red carpets or starring in a few dramas."
"Let me make this clear: spoil her if you must, but marriage? Don’t even think about it."
A brief silence settled over the room.
Gu Chengyu tapped his fingers lightly against the armrest.
He couldn’t deny his mother’s logic.
The role of Mrs. Gu wasn’t one Su Qianqian could fill.
It demanded more than beauty and innocence—it required polished social graces, the fortitude to handle the world’s most ruthless power players, and the cultivated discernment of old money.
Every gesture, every word, reflected the family’s reputation.
Right now, Su Qianqian was like a delicate orchid in a greenhouse—too fragile for the storm outside.
And he’d never force her to wear a mask, trading false smiles with vipers.
Marriage had never crossed his mind, and now that his mother laid it bare, the idea seemed even more absurd.
Lifting his gaze, he met Madam Gu’s eyes.
"Mother."
His voice was calm, devoid of inflection. "You’re overthinking it."
"Su Qianqian is mine. I enjoy spoiling her, and I may give her a child. But that’s all."
"As for the next Mrs. Gu? That’s a matter for the future."
"I know where to draw the line."
Madam Gu studied her son’s face, recognizing the familiar arrogance in his eyes.
Some of the tension left her shoulders.
As long as he remained clear-headed about the Gu family’s unbreachable standards, all was well.
She took a sip of tea, her tone softening slightly. "I trust you know what’s at stake."
Gu Chengyu rose. "If there’s nothing else, I’ll head home."
Madam Gu’s hand paused mid-air, the teacup hovering.
Her earlier relief evaporated as she watched her son stride away without hesitation.
Since when had the penthouse at Cloud Heights become "home" to him?
Was this really just a passing fancy?
Setting down the cup, her expression darkened with unease.
