However, Coach Gao didn’t think these matters were any of his concern.
What family feud? He was just a jiu-jitsu coach, after all.
Before leaving with his things, though, he couldn’t resist calling out to Gu Zhaoping, “Client… when you have time, you might want to check the trending topics.”
Somehow, the term “client” felt more fitting than addressing her as “Miss Gu” or anything else.
Gu Zhaoping paused, wiping sweat with a towel. “Thank you.”
In the past, Gu Zhaoping had an entire department dedicated to monitoring public opinion, and she knew how influential platforms like Weibo could be in shaping narratives.
But she wasn’t much of an internet user herself and rarely paid attention to such things.
In modern terms, she had no “online sensibility.”
Or, as some might say, she was a bit old-fashioned.
This was because—
Spring Day
Gu Zhaoping preferred living in her own reality, seldom letting outside voices influence her.
Only when absolutely necessary would she seek others’ opinions—though to her, that was simply market research.
She had the mental fortitude to thrive without being tethered to the world’s noise.
As for why Coach Gao wanted her to check the trending topics, Gu Zhaoping had no immediate thoughts.
Was there some jiu-jitsu-related news she needed to see?
Next time, she’d ask him to just forward it directly.
After finishing her post-workout routine, she finally spared a moment to glance at the so-called trending topics.
—Ruan Nian spotted at a hospital?
Aside from that headline, nothing else seemed relevant to her.
Apparently, “Miss Gu” had gone after her younger brother and injured someone—though she hadn’t actually laid a hand on Gu Zhaoye.
Judging by Gu Zhaoye’s reaction when he returned to the family estate, and based on her understanding of him, Gu Zhaoping doubted Ruan Nian was seriously hurt.
If the injuries had been severe, Gu Zhaoye would’ve been ranting about it that very day.
As for why this was blowing up online now, exaggerating one’s suffering to gain sympathy and concessions was just human nature—especially for public figures. Gu Zhaoping wasn’t surprised.
She merely pondered for a moment. With the show about to premiere, Ruan Nian’s hospital visit surfacing now could hurt promotional efforts.
But since she had struck the blow, she’d assess the damage when Ruan Nian appeared on the show. If the injuries were truly serious, she’d take responsibility.
A reputation for accountability was valuable for any business. Too many people had witnessed the clash between “Miss Gu” and Ruan Nian—she couldn’t just brush it off. She needed to handle it properly.
A minor matter, quickly resolved in her mind.
The following days passed without incident. She woke early, trained, went to work on time, and gradually, her assistants, drivers, and colleagues adjusted to her new routine.
It seemed the young mistress was serious about working now!
They were both nervous and bewildered, unsure what she might do in this “when the cat’s away” scenario.
But her bold declaration had been electrifying—leaving them stunned yet unable to resist wondering: Was it true?
Did she really have a plan?
With Gu Zhaoye off somewhere licking his wounds, no one raised objections to Gu Zhaoping’s sudden diligence.
Well, almost no one.
Her parents, for instance.
When they received Gu Zhaoye’s message—claiming that since Gu Zhaoping never showed up at the company, her cards would be frozen and her position penalized—
They exchanged glances, recognizing it as retaliation for the beating.
As parents, they wanted to mediate, but the siblings’ feud had spiraled beyond repair.
Since Gu Zhaoye had been struck, and his reasoning wasn’t entirely baseless, they thought it best for Gu Zhaoping to step back temporarily. Once things cooled down, they could reinstate her.
After all, she never liked working anyway.
But who could’ve predicted that the very next day, they’d hear Gu Zhaoping had marched into the company?
She went to work!
Not only that—she’d reportedly spoken up in meetings, making some startling proposals!
Since Gu Zhaoye took over, the family had largely stayed out of company affairs. Father Gu, though once the CEO, had spent his life under Old Master Gu’s shadow, wielding little more real power than his son.
He trusted Gu Zhaoye’s competence and rarely interfered.
And since the embarrassing financing failure wasn’t something Gu Zhaoye would voluntarily share, and no one else dared tattle, the couple remained in the dark.
To make matters worse, Father Gu had been away at an event these past few days, with Ms. Hua accompanying him. They only caught vague whispers of the situation, leaving them anxious and confused.
Ms. Hua had been meaning to advise Gu Zhaoping against stirring the pot—she lacked the skill for corporate battles and was only fueling the conflict with Gu Zhaoye.
But Gu Zhaoping’s rare display of determination, lasting days on end, made them hesitate. They didn’t want to crush her newfound drive.
Finally, the day before the show’s recording, Ms. Hua—fearing disaster—returned early and cornered Gu Zhaoping.
“Zhaoping, Zhaoping!” Ms. Hua called out as her daughter headed for the door. Gu Zhaoping turned. “What is it?”
In just a few days, her daughter seemed transformed—unrecognizable from before.
Ms. Hua stared, momentarily speechless. Only now did she realize how much Gu Zhaoping had changed.
“You and Zhaoye have been at each other’s throats lately?”
Once the words started, the rest came easier. “Zhaoye’s under immense pressure—that cousin Gu Kaichang from the second branch is constantly scheming against him. They’re both desperate to expose the other’s weaknesses. As his sister, undermining him now is hardly helpful.”
“Whatever issues you two have, settle them after dealing with the second branch. Then your father and I will judge fairly.”
After thinking for a long time, Ms. Hua still couldn’t come up with a more tactful way to phrase it, so she had no choice but to speak bluntly. She was afraid that if she didn’t make herself clear enough, Gu Zhaoping still wouldn’t grasp the gravity of the situation.
Gu Zhaoping listened quietly, then raised her eyebrows and looked at Ms. Hua, seemingly surprised. There was also a hint of unfamiliarity in her gaze, as if she didn’t quite recognize this woman.
Ms. Hua had just found the crux of the matter and was about to elaborate on the stakes in one breath, but suddenly, under Gu Zhaoping’s piercing stare, the words caught in her throat.
What did this mean? Why was she looking at her like that?
Was she still unwilling to admit defeat to Gu Zhaoye?
Ms. Hua had no choice but to brace herself and sigh. "Zhaoping, you’re our first child, and a daughter at that. Of course, we’ve always wanted to dote on you more. But… you also have to think about the greater good of our branch of the family."
"After all, this is a battle for influence. Only if your brother becomes the Gu family’s heir will our standing rise in the future."
"This isn’t the time for you to compete with your brother. He’s upholding the dignity of our entire branch. It’s not that I’m blaming you—I just worry you might not fully grasp the stakes here…"
Ms. Hua went on and on, but Gu Zhaoping suddenly let out a soft laugh.
The laugh carried no particular emotion, nor was it laced with any negativity. Yet, for some reason, Ms. Hua abruptly stopped speaking, her face flushing with heat. It felt as if everything she’d just said had been mocked.
Of course, Gu Zhaoping wasn’t being outright disrespectful—this was just how Ms. Hua perceived it.
"Save those words for Gu Zhaoye after his failed financing round," Gu Zhaoping said mildly. She wasn’t angered by these remarks; instead, there was an air of indulgent composure about her.
It was as if a child had made some inappropriate joke, and the adult, knowing it stemmed from inexperience and immaturity, chose not to take it seriously.
This was the first time Ms. Hua had ever felt this way—especially toward Gu Zhaoping.
A strong sense of dissonance and awkwardness welled up inside her. Then, suddenly, she realized there was more to Gu Zhaoping’s words. Flustered, she asked, "What do you mean? Zhaoping, what are you talking about?"
"Gu Zhaoye made a major mistake in front of investors due to financial issues. Has he not reported back to the family about this round of failed financing?"
Gu Zhaoping glanced at her watch. It was almost time for her to leave, so she decided to wrap things up quickly.
"Gu Zhaoye must be in a terrible mood lately. This is the most heated stage of his competition with Gu Kaichang. If you have time, you might want to keep an eye on him—make sure Gu Kaichang doesn’t find another weakness to exploit. And, well, it’d be best if this competition reaches a conclusion soon."
"Still, I’ll report the financing failure to Grandfather on his behalf. After all, what a coincidence—the financial issue was something I raised. I suppose I didn’t disappoint Gu Zhaoye’s expectations when he let me speak at the meeting."
Her tone was flat, yet dripping with sarcasm.
Ms. Hua was hearing about this for the first time. She could hardly believe her ears, her face instantly paling. Panicked, she hurried after Gu Zhaoping as the latter turned to leave. "Zhaoping, explain this properly! What exactly happened? What problem did you raise? How could Zhaoye’s financing fail?!"
"You probably already know what Gu Zhaoye has reported to you before, don’t you, Mom?"
Gu Zhaoping was running out of time, so she spoke a little faster. She had sharp ears and keen eyes—back when she’d gone to the company to clock in, she’d overheard his assistant on the phone reporting certain matters.
Wasn’t Gu Zhaoye just trying to retaliate by freezing her accounts, using her infrequent visits to the company as an excuse?
After arriving at the company, Gu Zhaoping had immediately contacted the bank. She wanted to see how Gu Zhaoye planned to freeze her accounts without her consent.
Even if the original Miss Gu had relied on the Gu family to live, she wasn’t without assets. She even had a family trust fund—she could live perfectly well without Gu Zhaoye.
His threats were laughable to her.
Whether it was provocation or retaliation, he’d chosen the most superficial method—one that didn’t fundamentally weaken his opponent nor diminish her image or importance in the eyes of Old Master Gu, the most influential figure. Instead, he’d gone for the most ridiculous option: freezing her accounts.
Did he really think that was impressive?
"No, that can’t be! Zhaoye is so capable—he’s never made a mistake before—"
"Mom, let me ask you a question," Gu Zhaoping said calmly. "If you and Dad both had inheritance rights to a company, who would you choose to manage it?"
Ms. Hua had no idea why such a sudden question was being asked, but Gu Zhaoping’s presence was too overpowering. She had no choice but to follow along. "O-of course your father. He’s good at managing a company. I’m indecisive, and as a woman, I’m too soft-hearted… I don’t even like networking events…"
Gu Zhaoping sighed softly.
"Now I understand why you have so much faith in Gu Zhaoye."
"Whoever brainwashed you into willingly relinquishing power when it was within your grasp… Did it never occur to you that if you held power, you could be the one setting the rules for networking?"
Ms. Hua froze, as if she still didn’t quite grasp what was being said.
"Mom, do you know what the dignity of our branch really is?" Gu Zhaoping spoke gently, yet her tone was firm—a side of her Ms. Hua had never seen before. "It’s Grandfather favoring me over Gu Kaichang. It’s the private rapport I’ve built with him, the language only we share. It’s him introducing me to his inner circle, presenting me to his friends."
"It’s me having a skill beyond conventional business acumen—one that makes Grandfather proud to show me off in front of all his old associates."
"It’s me earning face for our branch in front of Grandfather."
Ms. Hua was stunned. She’d never imagined hearing such words from Gu Zhaoping—they completely upended her worldview.
"If you don’t understand, I suggest you ask Grandfather for a detailed account of what I’ve been doing these past few days."
Gu Zhaoping had neither the time nor the interest to repeat her accomplishments to these parents. They could ask Old Master Gu themselves—he’d be more than happy to explain.
Time was truly running out. The minute hand had moved again, finally reaching the last tolerable limit for Gu Zhaoping.
She lowered her wrist and looked up at Ms. Hua.
"It’s not just him who can suppress the second branch. It can also be me."
"It's not just his status that elevates the main branch's standing. My status rising can achieve the same."
"I don’t believe you’ve been favoring me. True favoritism would mean giving me a voice."
"I’ve gone much further than him."
Gu Zhaoping smiled indifferently, brushed past her mother, and walked out of the old estate.
Ms. Hua stood frozen in place.
A strange feeling churned inside her, yet she couldn’t quite grasp why.
Only when she processed Gu Zhaoping’s words did she jolt in realization, rushing to pick up the phone to call Old Master Gu.
"Old Master, apologies for disturbing you. I just wanted to ask—what exactly did Zhaoping do when she visited you the other day? Nothing improper, I hope?"
At first, he seemed pleased by her call, but her question soon took him aback.
"What are you thinking? How could she be improper? Zhaoping was impeccable!"
"You have no idea how impressive she was—she utterly crushed Old Qi! Even among the chess players I’ve faced in my time, few could match her level, let alone at her age!"
"Have you been secretly training her without telling us, waiting for this moment to amaze me? Hah, never mind—I won’t pry. I understand your reasoning—keeping her edge hidden."
"But now, the Gu family’s reputation needs restoring. Zhaoping stepping into the spotlight is perfect. Let everyone see just how remarkable my granddaughter is!"
...
His tone brimmed with pride.
Ms. Hua barely registered his later words.
She felt as though submerged in water, bubbles of sound muffling her ears, leaving her dazed.
How could this be?
She had no idea. What had she missed?
...
Gu Zhaoping got into the car, where her assistant greeted her eagerly.
"Good morning, Miss!"
Lately, Gu Zhaoping had been remarkably composed, issuing clear instructions without any erratic demands.
She’d even started taking work seriously—a complete transformation. The assistant felt the future was full of promise!
And then there was the most crucial matter: the issue she’d raised to the finance director had been proven valid.
After that meeting, the assistant who’d confronted the director received looks of awe—and even wariness—from others. It was exhilarating.
This was the power of authority!
Standing firm by the young miss’s side had been the right call!
Gu Zhaoping was clearly holding back her true capabilities!
How could someone with dual degrees in business and law be a failure?
See? Now that she was provoked, her skills were finally on display!
Little Zhao was now exceedingly attentive, convinced Gu Zhaoping would shine even brighter in the upcoming variety show, overturning her previous reputation.
And she, too, would rise along with her.
But soon, Little Zhao noticed the muscle tape on Gu Zhaoping’s leg.
She startled. "Miss, are you injured? Should we change your outfit?"
Today’s attire wouldn’t hide the injury—it would be glaringly obvious on camera.
Gu Zhaoping merely closed her eyes. "No need."
Her presence was too commanding now. Little Zhao promptly fell silent, not daring to press further.
The first day of filming took place outdoors, at a manor the production team had specially secured.
The highly anticipated show had drawn crowds of fans who’d caught wind of the location, though they couldn’t get inside.
That didn’t stop the seasoned ones—equipped with professional gear—from staking out positions on the nearby hills.
Their telephoto lenses, magnifying like sniper scopes, could just barely capture blurred figures moving on set.
"Whoa—who’s that? Is that luxury van Chu Yanze’s? The one who’s super popular right now?"
"Chu Yanze is here? This’ll be good. Isn’t he crazy about Ruan Nian? With his temper and protectiveness, who knows what’ll happen if he clashes with Gu Zhaoping?"
The onlookers reveled in the potential drama. The guest list had been partially kept secret, so Chu Yanze’s appearance was a surprise.
He was the hottest musician at the moment—a rockstar who clashed with everyone and tolerated no one… except Ruan Nian, whose gentleness seemed to be his only soft spot.
Rumors even claimed he’d once pursued her and failed.
"Chu Yanze is hot, but Mr. Gu has more charm. Our Nian Nian is better suited as a wealthy socialite."
Having reached this consensus, the crowd eagerly anticipated the romantic showdown.
With Ruan Nian’s two hottest pairings present, what sparks would fly as they vied for her attention?
The intersection of high society and entertainment was always prime gossip material.
"Wait—whose car is that?"
"Who else would arrive this early besides Chu Yanze?"
The spectators were intrigued.
The vehicle was paradoxically understated and flashy—its design and color were restrained, yet to the discerning eye, it screamed luxury.
Most fans were more familiar with celebrities than tycoons, and none had seen this model before.
The car glided smoothly into the manor, its occupant a mystery.
Its elegant lines sparked imaginations. "Could it be Mr. Gu?"
"This looks like a CEO’s ride—opulent yet understated, the kind of refined taste only generations of wealth can cultivate."
"And the fact that Mr. Gu fell for Ruan Nian speaks volumes about her character. If she had even a hint of scandal, the Gu family would’ve never allowed her near Gu Zhaoye!"
"Exactly! The Gu family’s approval is Ruan Nian’s ultimate anti-gossip shield. A family like that screens potential brides ruthlessly—any flaw in background or behavior would’ve disqualified her immediately."
No matter the topic, the conversation always circled back to praising Ruan Nian.
Such was her public appeal.
And in all this, one frequent face of the Gu family was conspicuously overlooked.
Gu Zhaoping.
The two cars parked almost simultaneously. The crew, having set up equipment and stages, hurried to welcome the guests.
"Teacher Chu, hello! You’re here so early!" Deputy director Zheng Anling greeted him warmly.
Chu Yanze grunted in response, removing his sunglasses with a weary expression.
He’d stayed up all night working on a new demo—by the time he finished, it was nearly dawn. Sleep had been impossible.
"It's not early," Chu Yanze said flatly, about to push the car door open when he paused, noticing another vehicle parked nearby.
He hesitated, wary that the other car might belong to an unfamiliar guest, and decided to wait for her to exit first.
His reputation in the entertainment industry wasn’t great—the chances of running into someone who disliked him were far higher than encountering a fan.
Chu Yanze averted his gaze and had just rolled up the window when, at that moment, a young woman stepped out from the passenger side of the neighboring car and opened the rear door.
A woman emerged, and Chu Yanze froze for a second.
She appeared to be in her late twenties, with no elaborate styling, no dazzling jewelry, and upon closer inspection, not even a trace of makeup.
Her expression was calm, her eyes sweeping the surroundings with quiet composure.
That single glance alone made Chu Yanze feel an overwhelming sense of pressure.
His gaze flickered, a shiver running down his spine as he quickly looked away.
This must be one of the elite guests—someone from a world entirely different from his.
Just by her demeanor, he could already tell this older sister would likely disapprove of someone as rebellious and unconventional as him.
Chu Yanze steadied himself, waiting until Gu Zhaoping had moved away from the parking spot before finally stepping out of his car.
The older sister wore a knitted dress draped with a white coat. Chu Yanze kept a respectful distance as he walked behind her, eyes carefully fixed on the ground—yet his peripheral vision still caught the muscle tape peeking out from beneath her skirt as she moved.
He blinked. Was she injured?
Gu Zhaoping took a seat on one of the chairs prepared for the guests by the production team, folding her hands lightly and tilting her head slightly as she watched them, waiting for the next steps.
The crew had been stealing glances at her ever since she stepped out of the car, unfamiliar with her at first—until she sat down, and then it hit them.
Holy shit, that’s Gu Zhaoping, the eldest daughter of the Gu family!
The same one who recently beat up Ruan Nian!
She’s nothing like they imagined!
Now that Gu Zhaoping had silently settled into her seat, her sweeping gaze took on a more pointed edge, as if searching for a target.
The staff broke out in cold sweat. The young mistress had actually shown up!
Zheng Anling, who had been busy greeting other arrivals, spotted Gu Zhaoping and lit up in excitement. "Miss Gu!"
She hastily exchanged a few words with Chu Yanze before rushing over to Gu Zhaoping’s side.
Only then did Chu Yanze start racking his brain—which Gu family was this?
He was a lone wolf by nature, indifferent to both the entertainment industry and so-called high society.
But then he saw Zheng Anling trot over and crouch beside Gu Zhaoping like an eager kitten.
The older sister crossed one leg over the other, resting a hand on the armrest, fingers tapping lightly twice. At something Zheng Anling said, she seemed to reach up and pat her head in a soothing gesture.
Chu Yanze couldn’t hear the words, but the motion caught his attention.
And it was only then that it suddenly clicked—Miss Gu… Gu Zhaoping?
He vaguely recalled her name from news reports alongside Ruan Nian.
She seemed to notice his stare, her gaze shifting toward him, and Chu Yanze immediately turned away.
No one had expected Gu Zhaoping to be among the earliest arrivals.
The two of them sat quietly, waiting for the other guests. After a while, another woman arrived, stepping out of her car with an apologetic expression.
"Sorry, traffic was bad. I drove here myself—hope I didn’t delay filming?"
At her appearance, the crew averted their eyes almost in unison, as if her presence alone was awkward.
Gu Zhaoping glanced at her, finding her somewhat familiar.
She tilted her head toward Zheng Anling. "Who’s that?"
Zheng Anling looked surprised. She didn’t know? Given the young mistress’s usual level of interest in her brother’s love life, this was unexpected.
"That’s Liang Zhiwei—they call her ‘Little Ruan Nian.’"
At this tactful explanation, Gu Zhaoping remembered. Back when Gu Zhaoye had been pursuing Ruan Nian, he’d also kept a celebrity stand-in around—one who bore a slight resemblance to Ruan Nian, not so much in looks but in vibe.
Once Ruan Nian took him back, this stand-in had vanished from Gu Zhaoye’s life without a trace. Who would’ve thought she’d show up here?
Gu Zhaoping had no interest in her brother’s romantic entanglements and didn’t spare Liang Zhiwei another glance.
What she didn’t know was that half of Liang Zhiwei’s nervousness stemmed from her.
Liang Zhiwei’s emotions were complicated. She hadn’t wanted to come at all, but her agency had insisted—she was contractually obligated to boost the show’s buzz.
She was used to dealing with Gu Zhaoye and Ruan Nian by now, though running into them here would still be a challenge. But the real source of her dread was the eldest Gu sister.
Back when she’d still been by Gu Zhaoye’s side, she’d heard plenty about this sister—how difficult she was, how controlling over her brother’s love life, refusing to let him date anyone she deemed unworthy.
All those years with Gu Zhaoye, Liang Zhiwei had lived in fear of Gu Zhaoping coming after her.
This was their first actual encounter.
The young mistress was famously unpredictable. Liang Zhiwei had been terrified that Gu Zhaoping would single her out as one of the "troublemakers" clinging to Gu Zhaoye.
But now that she was here, it seemed Gu Zhaoping couldn’t care less about her.
No—she couldn’t care less about anyone.
Seeing her in person, Liang Zhiwei was stunned.
Gu Zhaoping was nothing like she’d imagined. How could someone who looked so poised and elegant be the same person who’d publicly beaten up Gu Zhaoye and Ruan Nian?
And honestly… she kind of deserved it.
The guests gradually arrived, none of whom Gu Zhaoping recognized. But given her status, she wasn’t in the habit of introducing herself to strangers, so she sat back and sipped her tea.
Aside from Gu Zhaoping, the other high-profile attendees were siblings from another prominent family—Li Xunwen and Li Xunxi.
"Li Xunwen and Li Xunxi are here!"
The entire crew rushed to greet them, far more enthusiastically than they had for Gu Zhaoping.
The siblings were currently two of the most talked-about figures in high society.
They were a pair who loved and fought, both exceptionally good-looking, outstanding, and highly regarded in public opinion.
If the Gu siblings were meant to be a spectacle of wealthy family drama, then this brother-sister duo served as their perfect contrast—an enviable example of sibling affection.
The production team likely intended to film both groups for material, using the stark comparison to stir up buzz.
Li Xunwen and Li Xunxi had come prepared. As part of the same social circle, they were well aware of Gu Zhaoping’s reputation.
Though they frequently crossed paths, comparisons were inevitable.
In their widely accepted hierarchy, among the Gu family members, Gu Zhaoye took precedence over Gu Yingjie and Gu Kaichang, with Gu Zhaoping ranking last.
It wasn’t a matter of looking down on women—many elite families had remarkable daughters—it was just that Gu Zhaoping didn’t measure up.
Li Xunxi greeted everyone with a smile, settling into her seat before asking her brother, "Has the young Master Gu arrived yet?"
"No, he’s probably too busy. Might make a grand entrance later," Li Xunwen replied casually, leaning back in his chair with his hands resting on the armrests. "I’m more curious about how he and that sister of his will interact. Think they’ll start arguing on camera?"
"I’m worried the Gu elders might have a spike in blood pressure at home. How did they even allow these two to join the show together?"
Li Xunxi chuckled, glancing around. "Is Gu Zhaoping here yet?"
Li Xunwen followed her gaze, their eyes lazily scanning the room before unexpectedly landing on a corner.
There, two chairs were occupied by a woman and a man.
The woman appeared older, exuding an air of effortless control, as if the entire room moved at her command. Her presence alone seemed to hush the surroundings.
Beside her sat Chu Yanze, a currently trending celebrity.
Despite the abundance of seating, he had chosen a spot neither too close nor too far from Gu Zhaoping, preoccupied with repeatedly sliding a ring on and off his finger.
The sight was mesmerizing. Both siblings’ gazes lingered, struck by an odd sense of familiarity with the woman, yet failing to recognize her immediately.
After a pause, Li Xunxi’s pupils abruptly constricted. "Gu Zhaoping?"
Li Xunwen froze.
That was Gu Zhaoping? They had never seen her like this before.
Her aura was so drastically different—almost transformative—that they hadn’t recognized her despite being there for a while.
It took them a long moment to tear their eyes away.
Filming was about to begin. The crowd had gradually filled in, but Ruan Nian and Gu Zhaoye were still nowhere to be found, unreachable despite repeated attempts.
The director grew increasingly anxious, his gaze flickering toward Gu Zhaoping before he sighed.
He muttered under his breath—Ruan Nian was still in the hospital. Would she make it in time?
As time dragged on, murmurs spread among the attendees, and distant fans began whispering.
"Where’s Nian? Why isn’t Ruan Nian here? She’s been so popular lately, and she’s usually the first to arrive."
"She must be held up by something. Ruan Nian wouldn’t deliberately be late."
"Maybe she’s waiting for President Gu. He’s a busy man—they might arrive together last. Unlike these idle folks."
"Hah, true. Meanwhile, Gu Zhaoping got here early probably because she has nothing to do but lounge around at home."
"Lucky her."
The chatter gradually took on a jealous edge.
Who wouldn’t resent someone born into privilege, coasting through life as a spoiled heiress, causing trouble without consequence, and still being shielded by her family?
Then, movement outside the manor drew attention—a familiar van pulled up, prompting excited shouts. "That’s Ruan Nian’s car!"
"I knew she wouldn’t be late! She’s so dedicated!"
"Wait, is President Gu coming with her in that van? That’s true devotion—skipping his fleet of luxury cars just to support her. Is this his way of backing her up?"
"Laughable. Just wait till he steps out and puts that impostor in her place. She’s always riding his coattails!"
Liang Zhiwei tensed, her fingers unconsciously tightening.
The car door opened under everyone’s anticipation—but instead of Gu Zhaoye, only Ruan Nian emerged.
A ripple of surprise passed through the crowd.
"Where’s President Gu?"
Even the enthusiastic director faltered briefly before composing himself. At least Ruan Nian had arrived.
He hurried over. "Ms. Ruan, you’re here! Any word on President Gu’s arrival?"
Ruan Nian’s expression was unreadable. She had reminded Gu Zhaoye repeatedly, calling and messaging him on the way, but he seemed to have retreated into seclusion again, ignoring her.
This time, it stung—Gu Zhaoye had shut her out for the first time.
But he had promised to come. Surely he wouldn’t embarrass her publicly. She pushed the thought aside.
Forcing a smile, she limped out of the car, apologizing profusely. "Sorry for the delay. I hope I haven’t held up the shoot."
Her hobbling was conspicuous, and her assistant quickly steadied her, fretting, "Nian was still in the hospital this morning. She insisted on coming despite her injuries—please minimize her walking, or it’ll aggravate the damage."
The revelation sent a shock through the room.
What happened to Ruan Nian?
A subtle glance from Ruan Nian silenced the assistant.
Then it clicked—oh right, hadn’t it been said that Gu Zhaoping had injured her?
And this severely? Yet she’d dragged herself here, barely able to walk. The director was nearly moved to tears.
"Ms. Ruan, your dedication is incredible. We’ll make sure you’re well taken care of during filming..."
"It’s nothing serious, just a minor injury. I can manage." Ruan Nian’s tone was light, almost offhand. "By the way, President Gu is tied up with work today. He’ll join as soon as he wraps things up."
The director beamed. "You even checked in with him for us? You’re too kind!"
When Ruan Nian smiled, it was as if flowers bloomed and the air itself warmed.
"You're welcome, it's my duty. After all, everyone wants this show to be the best it can be, and this is my responsibility too."
Surrounded by the group, chatting and laughing, they made their way toward the manor. Halfway there, Ruan Nian suddenly stopped in her tracks when she spotted Gu Zhaoping sitting casually on a chair.
The smile on her face faded, her expression turning strained before she quickly forced another smile. "Zhaoping-jie is already here. Should I... go say hello to her?"
As soon as she spoke, Ruan Nian heard the system in her ear notifying her of the rising "pity points." Just as expected, she continued, "It's fine, don’t worry about me. Participating in this show is my responsibility. I just hope Zhaoping-jie won’t resent me too much. After all, we both want what’s best for the show."
In her mind, she asked the system, "Is she prepared?"
The system replied confidently, "This supporting character is very professional. She won’t mess up."
Reassured, Ruan Nian limped toward Gu Zhaoping on her injured foot, as if mustering all her courage, and timidly greeted her, "Long time no see."
Gu Zhaoping paused her conversation with the person beside her and turned to look at Ruan Nian standing there.
This was her first time seeing her younger brother’s so-called "white moonlight." There was nothing particularly striking about her—nothing that left much of an impression. She simply noted the girl’s features, gave a slight nod, and then turned back to continue her conversation.
Ruan Nian was taken aback. What was this supporting character’s plan? Why hadn’t she made a move during their first encounter?
She stumbled forward another two steps and said, "Zhaoping-jie, I haven’t been clinging to President Gu. He didn’t come with me, so please don’t be upset."
The implication was masterfully delivered—everyone present understood instantly. The reason President Gu hadn’t accompanied Ruan Nian was because she was afraid of angering Gu Zhaoping.
Good heavens, what a selfless, considerate angel!
And after Gu Zhaoping had even injured her like this!
But as Ruan Nian stepped closer, Gu Zhaoping paused, turning back to look at her. However, her gaze didn’t linger on Ruan Nian’s face—instead, it dropped to her foot.
The unexpected focus of Gu Zhaoping’s attention made Ruan Nian uneasy. What was she looking at?
After a moment, Gu Zhaoping raised her eyes and asked, "You're hurt?"
"Where is it?"
