Gu Zhaoping had already realized that so-called "high-society dramas" were far more superficial than actual high society.
No—perhaps by several degrees.
Many simple issues here went unaddressed, and the level of competition might be even lower than she had imagined. She might need to repeatedly lower her expectations.
As Gu Zhaoping’s words trailed off, the room fell into complete silence.
The first to visibly pale was the finance director: "Miss Gu, what do you mean by this?"
"My assistant relayed to me that you wanted me to bring this up during this afternoon’s meeting."
Gu Zhaoping glanced at her before calmly looking away. Only then did the director recall that she had indeed brushed off the assistant with such a remark.
She was stunned!
She had only said it to deflect Gu Zhaoping’s nitpicking—who would’ve thought Gu Zhaoping would actually act on it?!
And she actually had a problem?!
The second person whose expression darkened was Gu Zhaoye, though he soon scoffed in amusement.
Originally, letting Gu Zhaoping speak had been meant to humiliate her—but now, it was even better. She actually dared to raise an issue.
Since their grandfather currently favored her, why not let him see just how much of a fool she could make of herself?
Gu Zhaoye tapped his fingers against the table, the sharp sound drawing everyone’s attention.
"Gu Zhaoping, how long has it been since you last showed up for work? And the moment you do, you raise such a major issue—how impressive."
"With so many top graduates in Yuanqi Tech, it seems none of them measure up to you. I must’ve overlooked your talents all these years."
The sarcasm in his words was thick, and the listeners exchanged uneasy glances. Were they about to witness some internal strife within the Gu Family?
Yet Gu Zhaoping, standing at the front, smiled faintly as if she hadn’t understood the jab—or as if she had been waiting for him to say exactly that.
"Gu Zhaoye, of course you’ve underestimated me."
She turned and pulled up another set of data—historical comparisons, though no one knew where she had gotten them from.
Gu Zhaoye was momentarily taken aback, a flicker of unease crossing his mind before he could fully process it. Since when had Gu Zhaoping thought to gather this kind of information?
Then, they heard her say, "Take a look at these quarterly comparisons."
With a keystroke, several trend lines overlapped on the screen, color-coded to starkly highlight their diverging trajectories.
Now, some people were truly stunned…
Wait, something really did seem off.
One investor, who had been watching the scene unfold like a spectacle, suddenly stiffened upon seeing the comparison chart. His expression shifted dramatically as a realization struck him.
Gu Zhaoye, growing impatient, was about to dismissively refute her when the investor abruptly spoke up:
"I’ve invested in the tech industry for years, and as this young lady pointed out, last quarter’s R&D input and output don’t align. That’s a red flag. If the accounts are indeed as messy as she suggests, we may need to reconsider our investment decisions with your company."
Gu Zhaoye froze.
What was he saying?!
He actually thought there was a problem?!
The investor had been swayed so quickly by Gu Zhaoping that Gu Zhaoye stared at him as if he’d lost his mind.
"Director Li, we’ve worked together for years. Are you really going to doubt our company over her baseless accusations?"
His voice rose sharply. "Do you not trust my competence?"
But the investor only shook his head politely. "It’s not that, Young Master Gu. Discrepancies in accounting are serious—I’ve been burned before, so I’m extra cautious. These trends do look concerning. I’d advise a thorough investigation to rule out any issues and put everyone at ease."
He glanced back at his team. "In fact, we’ve brought auditors. They can verify everything now."
Gu Zhaoye’s face darkened with fury.
Was this some kind of insult?!
As the esteemed head of the Gu Family, he would never tolerate such humiliation. Just as he was about to flatly refuse, Gu Zhaoping’s calm voice cut through from the front:
"Of course. Since I raised the issue, I’m more than willing to have our finance team undergo the audit."
"If the problem lies with me, I’ll resign on the spot during this meeting."
The room erupted in murmurs.
Gu Zhaoye whipped his head around to glare at her.
What kind of madness was she spouting now?!
What was she playing at?!
It finally dawned on him—Gu Zhaoping was deliberately targeting him!
Had she lost her mind? First beating him up, and now picking a fight with Yuanqi Tech?!
He let out a cold laugh. "Fine. Let the audit begin immediately. Gu Zhaoping, don’t you dare try to weasel out of responsibility!"
Gu Zhaoping didn’t respond, merely watching him with that same composed expression, the faintest smile playing on her lips.
It was the same face he knew, yet something about it sent a chill down his spine.
A sudden unease gripped Gu Zhaoye. Had he overlooked something?
Then it hit him—last night, Gu Zhaoping had beaten him up just to force him to call her "elder sister."
For some reason… he had a very bad feeling about this.
But in front of everyone, he couldn’t possibly show that he’d nearly been traumatized by her. Jaw clenched, he fixed a cold stare on the room.
Then, someone behind him stiffened, panic flashing across his face.
It was Yuanqi Tech’s technical lead. He had just remembered—there was an outsourced algorithm optimization fee that had been mistakenly logged under hardware procurement.
The error had gone unnoticed and uncorrected, so they’d let it slide.
But now that it was brought up, he realized—oh no, that was still unresolved!
Sweat beaded on his forehead as he watched the auditors get to work. His heart pounded so hard he thought it might leap out of his throat. Trembling, he tugged at Gu Zhaoye’s sleeve.
"Boss Gu… Boss Gu…"
Gu Zhaoye irritably shook him off. "What’s the rush? You’re acting like we’ve actually been caught red-handed."
The technical lead nearly fainted.
Because they had!
But even more stunned was Zheng Anling, sitting in a corner, her head swiveling as she struggled to process the scene. She’d even forgotten to turn off her camera.
Good heavens, she’d only come to film daily life footage of Miss Gu!
Who could’ve predicted she’d stumble into a full-blown high-society corporate war?!
Holy crap, this was an internal power struggle within the Gu Family! Way more thrilling than some petty romantic drama!
Though she had no clue what was happening, the sheer confidence in Gu Zhaoping’s demeanor convinced her—there really was a problem with the accounts.
But Boss Gu was a renowned tech prodigy! How could his team make such a mistake? Impossible!
While she wrestled with her confusion, the auditors finally announced their findings.
"There is indeed a discrepancy—a procurement expense that doesn’t add up."
The technical lead felt half his career evaporate on the spot, slumping in defeat.
Gu Zhaoye’s composed facade cracked.
Then, an expression of disbelief and overwhelming fury surged across his face.
"How could there be a mistake?"
"What do you mean?!"
"Director Gu, what I mean is that the financial issues you entrusted me to review for this quarter do indeed contain major discrepancies," Gu Zhaoping replied calmly. "You and the finance director both asked me to report during this afternoon’s meeting, and I successfully cooperated with you."
The finance director’s face instantly turned ashen. She flinched under Gu Zhaoye’s piercing glare, as if he wanted to devour her whole.
Panic seized her—how could this happen? How had Gu Zhaoping actually uncovered the problem?
She had only told her to speak up in the meeting to shut her down!
Had she been the one to let Gu Zhaoping address the meeting?!
But what terrified her even more was what the investor said next.
The investor who had initially raised the audit shook his head at Gu Zhaoye.
He had once held high hopes for Gu Zhaoye—young, capable, and the Gu Family’s chosen successor. By his twenties, he had already taken control of Yuanqi Technology and made a name for himself in the business world.
Had this financing round gone smoothly, his standing—both in the corporate sphere and within the Gu Family—would have soared, solidifying his position as the next heir.
But now, seeing them make such a basic, amateurish mistake, he wondered if he had misjudged.
"Director Gu, I’m afraid we’ll need to reconsider our investment decision regarding your company. Let’s discuss this another time," the investor said, standing up and nodding. "For now, you should focus on resolving your internal issues."
"Director Li! Director Li!"
Gu Zhaoye snapped out of his rage, calling after him, but the man was already striding out of the conference room, deep in conversation with his team.
The financing deal was likely dead.
After all his meticulous preparations, he had stumbled over something so absurdly unexpected!
The remaining Yuanqi Technology employees in the room fell into a dead silence. No one dared speak.
No one wanted to linger their gaze on Gu Zhaoye in such a humiliating moment.
The technical lead felt ice-cold from head to toe—he was certain he and the finance director would both be packing their bags soon.
What the hell had gone wrong?! How had this mistake slipped through?!
The two of them were so regretful they could have cried in each other’s arms. Meanwhile, the employees who had encountered Gu Zhaoping outside the dining hall turned deathly pale.
They knew they wouldn’t escape unscathed either. Gu Zhaoping had called out their employee badges because she knew they were also involved in handling the report.
This was truly the end—far worse than they had ever imagined!
They had once mocked Gu Zhaoping behind her back, claiming she was incompetent. Now, their faces burned with shame, and they wished they could throw themselves at her mercy!
She had been playing the long game all along. She had known everything!
Gu Zhaoye took deep, ragged breaths. Never in his life had he suffered such humiliation. In just two days, Gu Zhaoping had cornered him repeatedly.
His fury was uncontrollable, a wildfire threatening to consume the world.
Born into privilege, he had never tasted defeat—except in matters of the heart, with Ruan Nian.
But even that emotional setback had only fueled his professional success.
Apart from Ruan Nian, Gu Zhaoye had looked down on everyone. Yet Gu Zhaoping had made him eat his words, again and again—both physically and mentally.
He was nearly driven mad with rage.
Only now did he realize: if Gu Zhaoping hadn’t slapped him yesterday, he wouldn’t have been so determined to punish her today. Without that vendetta, he wouldn’t have let her speak at the meeting.
Had she not spoken, the financing deal would have been secured flawlessly!
There would have been no issues. He would have defeated Gu Kaichang and become the sole heir.
But now, with this disaster and the matters Gu Zhaoping had brought up in front of their grandfather last night, his standing in the old man’s eyes must have plummeted.
In just two days, she had reduced him to this!
"President! President!"
His assistant tried frantically to stop him, but Gu Zhaoye shoved him aside and stormed out of the conference room.
When faced with problems, Gu Zhaoye’s habit was to either wash his hands of them or lose his temper, letting others scramble under his intimidating aura.
Amid the murmurs in the room, Gu Zhaoping merely smiled faintly, unsurprised by his predictable behavior.
She clapped her hands lightly, drawing everyone’s attention once more.
Zheng Anling, stunned by the sudden turn of events, couldn’t tear her eyes away.
Holy shit, this was twist after twist!
The young mistress was incredible!
This had to be the result of years of laying low before striking at the perfect moment! It had to be!
Her gaze was no longer just admiration—it was outright worship!
She couldn’t even begin to imagine how thrilling it would be to film Gu Zhaoping for their show, or how much of an impact this young mistress would have. Her mind was already spinning with a thousand ways to capture her on camera!
"Since Director Gu has left and chosen not to handle this, as the honorary financial consultant, I will continue my report," Gu Zhaoping said from the podium.
"Next, I will conduct a comprehensive review of the company’s financial status, identify the root of the problem, and propose solutions in a detailed report."
Her voice was steady and firm, cutting through the silence.
"I will explain the situation to the Gu Family and potential investors, proving Yuanqi Technology’s true worth."
Gu Zhaoping swept her gaze across the conference room. Standing in this familiar place after so long filled her with an effortless confidence.
By walking away, he had handed her the opportunity. How this crisis was resolved—and how stability was restored—was now her call.
Little brother, this is another chance you’ve given me.
Zheng Anling was practically swooning!
After silently screaming in excitement, she suddenly remembered the footage she had shot and hurriedly checked her camera.
She was already envisioning a personal storyline for Gu Zhaoping!
This time, even if she had to fight the director, she would make sure the world saw the real Gu Zhaoping!
After leaving, Gu Zhaoye went straight to Ruan Nian.
His sudden arrival startled her, forcing her to cut short her conversation with the system.
"What brings you here so unexpectedly, Director Gu?" Ruan Nian asked, her heart still racing, though her tone remained indifferent.
She had just been discussing the variety show. With her charm, the moment she appeared onscreen, the audience would side with her.
If the production team showed how Gu Zhaoping bullied her, the internet’s sympathy would skyrocket.
Once she maxed out her charm and conquest stats, this useless side character could finally exit the stage.
Gu Zhaoye’s expression darkened. "Don’t ask. Do you know what Gu Zhaoping just did?"
Ruan Nian and the system shared a quiet sigh of relief.
They had initially been worried that the female supporting character wouldn't work out, but now that she had been replaced, Gu Zhaoping was up to her old tricks again—so they could rest easy.
The system really was reliable.
Ruan Nian and the system could almost guess what self-destructive thing Gu Zhaoping had done this time, but they pretended otherwise.
Suppressing her inner disdain, Ruan Nian gently—and with practiced indifference—massaged his shoulders. "Don’t be angry. Isn’t everything she does within your control? Just punish her like you always do."
Gu Zhaoye’s face abruptly darkened.
