The next morning.
The master bedroom was enveloped in tranquility.
Gu Chengyu was already dressed and ready.
The top two buttons of his shirt were casually undone, no tie in sight, exuding an air of lazy sophistication.
His matching suit pants accentuated his long, powerful legs.
He stood by the bed, gazing down at the small lump curled beneath the dark velvet duvet.
Su Qianqian was still asleep.
Her seaweed-like hair sprawled messily across the pillow, making her delicate face appear even more porcelain-like.
Her long lashes rested peacefully, casting faint shadows under her eyes, while her soft lips pouted slightly. Her breathing was even and light, her entire body nestled in the plush bedding like an utterly defenseless kitten—adorable and utterly endearing.
Gu Chengyu’s eyes darkened as the memory of her tearful pleas for mercy in the bathroom last night resurfaced.
Unable to resist, he leaned down and brushed his thumb lightly over her warm, smooth cheek.
"Mmm…"
The sleeping girl furrowed her delicate brows in protest, subconsciously nuzzling into his palm with a soft, petulant whimper—half a whine, half a complaint about being disturbed.
Her unconscious affection warmed Gu Chengyu’s heart.
With a low chuckle, he let his fingertips linger for another caress before finally withdrawing his hand.
"Sleep well, little one," he murmured, his voice husky from the morning, thick with tenderness.
He carefully tucked the duvet around her, covering the tempting slope of her bare shoulder, before turning and stepping out of the master bedroom, closing the door softly behind him.
The living room was bathed in bright light.
He walked to the bar, poured himself a glass of water, and downed half of it in one go, his Adam’s apple bobbing attractively.
Picking up his phone, he swiped it open.
The lock screen displayed several unread messages—all from his mother.
Gu Chengyu unlocked the device and tapped into the notifications.
[Chengyu, I’ve arranged everything with Shen Nian An and Song Qing Wan.]
[They’re both in S City right now, with plenty of free time.]
[How about meeting Nian An tonight and Qing Wan tomorrow?]
[Or you name the time and place whenever you’re available.]
These were sent last night.
Half an hour later, likely because he hadn’t replied:
[The Shen family is very eager. Nian An has always thought highly of you.]
[Miss Song’s grace and refinement are top-tier. Even I find her delightful.]
This morning, another follow-up:
[Decide soon. Your father is waiting for an answer.]
[You know the Gu family’s rules.]
Gu Chengyu’s brows knitted tightly, his lips pressing into a thin line.
Arranged meetings?
His mind flashed to Su Qianqian last night at the bar—her cheeks flushed, her almond eyes hazy, her trembling fingers nearly grazing another man’s chest.
And her tearful accusation: Why can you look at other women, but I can’t even glance at male models?
Irritation coiled tightly in his chest.
He’d only just managed to smooth things over, barely turning the page on that mess.
If he turned around and went on some high-society dinner date…
That little troublemaker would throw a fit.
With her stubborn, grudge-holding nature, she’d probably dump him on the spot.
Just imagining Su Qianqian’s red-rimmed eyes, her lips bitten as she spat, "We’re even. Goodbye," made his chest constrict painfully.
Dealing with her tantrums once was headache enough. He had no desire for a repeat—let alone the risk of losing her.
Forget it.
Gu Chengyu raked a hand through his tousled black hair in frustration.
How old was she again?
Just turned eighteen—still at that age where she was all about whims and emotions, oblivious to cold calculations.
Her mind was as simple as blank paper, filled with nothing but her possessive little fantasies about him.
Once she grew up a bit—nineteen, maybe twenty—and saw more of the world, she’d naturally stop throwing fits over things like this.
He could humor the family traditions then.
Decision made, Gu Chengyu didn’t hesitate. He dialed his mother’s number.
The call connected instantly.
"Chengyu?" Madam Gu’s voice was as poised as ever, but beneath it lay a thread of urgency.
"Did you see my messages? Have you settled on a time?"
"Mom." Gu Chengyu’s tone was firm. "Cancel the meetings for now."
"What?"
Madam Gu’s voice sharpened with shock and displeasure.
"Gu Chengyu! You agreed to this just yesterday!"
"What do you mean ‘cancel’? You can’t just go back on your word like this!"
"I’m not going back on my word," he replied flatly. "I’m saying now isn’t the right time."
"What’s wrong with now?" Madam Gu’s tone turned stern. "I’ve already coordinated with the Shen and Song families. Those young ladies’ time is valuable too."
"How do you expect me to explain this to them?"
"Chengyu, this isn’t a game. A good marriage alliance is key to securing real power from your father sooner."
"And don’t forget those dozen illegitimate children waiting to pounce—"
"Mom." Gu Chengyu cut her off, his voice laced with cold amusement.
"Have you forgotten? The Gu family doesn’t choose heirs based on marriages. It’s survival of the fittest."
He rose and strode to the floor-to-ceiling windows, overlooking the bustling city below.
"From the moment I was thirteen—when I crushed every single one of those ‘threatening’ half-siblings you mentioned, ensuring they’d spend their lives groveling for scraps from the Gu family—my position as heir was set in stone. Unshakable."
"Father knows this better than anyone."
He paused, his voice dropping colder, edged with absolute certainty.
"And now? I already have a say in Gu Corporation’s core operations and major decisions."
"I’m not just some figurehead ‘crown prince’ anymore."
"As for marriage alliances?" He scoffed.
"They’re just a formality—a nod to the family’s outdated rules, to keep the elders happy."
"When and how that happens is my call."
"Mom, power is what matters. You don’t need to worry."
Silence stretched on the other end, broken only by Madam Gu’s slightly ragged breaths.
Clearly, her son’s ruthless words had left her both stunned and powerless to argue.
It took a long moment before she spoke again, her voice weary.
"Chengyu, you’re too arrogant. What if—"
"Mom." He interrupted once more. "There are no ‘what ifs.’ This discussion is over."
"I’m busy. I don’t have time to entertain socialites."
"Keep your candidates on standby. I’ll let you know when I’m ready."
Without waiting for a response, he ended the call decisively.
Gu Chengyu rubbed his temples, then turned his gaze toward the closed master bedroom door.
Inside, that little girl—oblivious to the chaos she’d stirred in his plans—was still fast asleep.
The ice in his eyes thawed slightly, replaced by helpless fondness.
Tch.
Little menace.
The silent curse curled his lips upward despite himself.
Fine. Let her keep him to herself a while longer.
After all, she was already his. There was no escape.
As for the rest…
What Gu Chengyu desired, he had never failed to obtain.
It was only a matter of time.
Meanwhile, Madam Gu sat motionless on the sofa in the Gu family's living room, her phone screen still lit, displaying the enthusiastic and hopeful replies from Madam Shen and Madam Song after learning about the arranged blind date.
Madam Gu clenched her teeth—that little brat!
How was she supposed to explain this to them? How disappointed would the young ladies from both families be?
After all, they both admired him deeply…
