At the same time, Assistant Zhao had just concluded a lengthy cross-border video conference. Rubbing his throbbing temples, he shut down his computer.
He picked up his phone, ready to leave for the day, when several entertainment news notifications caught his eye.
They were about the arranged marriage between Gu Chengyu and Song Qingwan.
Assistant Zhao was somewhat shocked.
He tapped into Weibo to browse and came across the smear campaign targeting Su Qianqian.
Assistant Zhao's heart sank. Had these malicious posts really been up for most of the day? Could it be that Young Master Gu was still unaware? If he knew, wouldn't he have exploded by now?
He checked his own phone messages. The people from the information department, whom he had previously instructed to keep an eye on Miss Su, had been asking him how to handle the situation for hours. He just hadn't looked at his phone.
Assistant Zhao immediately prepared to call Gu Chengyu.
Just then, there was a knock on his office door.
Before he could respond, the door opened.
Two men in black suits walked in, their demeanor assertive.
"Mr. Zhao, Madam requests your presence."
Assistant Zhao's heart sank. He recognized these two; they were guards from the Gu family's ancestral home.
He tried to negotiate. "Now? I have urgent business that requires my immediate report to Young Master Gu..."
"Madam's instructions are to bring you there at once," the lead man said, his tone flat but leaving no room for refusal.
"Madam also said that with your ten-million annual salary, you should understand priorities. What she wishes to ask you about now is of great importance."
The implication was clear—it was a veiled threat.
His ten-million-a-year position was granted by the Gu family. Those who could decide his fate extended far beyond Gu Chengyu alone.
After a moment of silence, he put away his phone. "Alright, I'll go with you."
Half an hour later, the Gu family ancestral home was brightly lit.
Madam Gu's face was devoid of its usual gentle smile, her expression chillingly stern.
Assistant Zhao stood before her, giving a slight bow. "Madam."
"Have a seat, Xiao Zhao." Madam Gu gestured for him to sit. "I apologize for calling you over so late."
"You are too kind, Madam. It's my duty."
Madam Gu didn't beat around the bush. She picked up the teacup in front of her and gently blew on it. "You've seen today's online gossip about Su Qianqian, I presume?"
Assistant Zhao answered cautiously, "I just saw some of it and was preparing to report it to Young Master Gu."
"Oh?" Madam Gu set down her cup, her voice betraying no emotion. "And before this, how much did you know about this Miss Su?"
Assistant Zhao grew extremely nervous. He knew far too much: from the purchase of the Cloudtop apartment, to the arrangements for her daily needs, to witnessing Young Master Gu repeatedly make exceptions for Su Qianqian...
Young Master Gu had never explicitly instructed him to hide these matters from the main family, but neither had he asked him to proactively report them.
Navigating the nuance was exceedingly difficult.
"Young Master Gu's affairs, it's not my place..." Assistant Zhao attempted to deflect.
Madam Gu let out a soft laugh, interrupting him. "Xiao Zhao, you are an intelligent man."
"Chengyu is my son. I understand his temperament better than you do."
"He never intended to hide anything; he simply couldn't be bothered to tell me himself."
"Now, with such a big commotion, he casually declares he doesn't want the arranged marriage anymore."
"As his mother, don't I even have the right to know what kind of girl has caused him to act so recklessly?"
Assistant Zhao took a deep breath, realizing he could no longer conceal the truth. "Please ask, Madam."
Madam Gu leaned forward slightly. "What is the background of this Su Qianqian? And just how serious is Chengyu about her?"
