After Ruan Nian appeared, the group of fans who had been setting up their cameras on the distant hillside grew restless!
After observing for a moment, they all rushed to a closer spot.
Once their telephoto lenses were adjusted, the situation inside the estate became clear—they could even see Ruan Nian standing face-to-face with a woman of striking presence.
A fan gasped, "Gu Zhaoping—is that Gu Zhaoping? Ruan Nian is arguing with her!"
Others were furious. Ruan Nian had just arrived, and she was already picking a fight? Wasn’t this just looking for trouble? Absolutely outrageous!
Everyone tensely kept filming, even attempting to lip-read what they were saying.
"Lately, people have been slandering Ruan Nian, claiming she’s faking it—that this high-society romance isn’t as fraught with obstacles as it seems. Well, now we’ve got proof! Time to shut those haters up!"
But when the lenses zoomed in further, their earlier assumptions were overturned.
"Wait, where’s President Gu? Didn’t she come?"
Then whose car was that earlier?
As the fans puzzled over this and adjusted their lenses again, they finally got a clear look at the woman confronting Ruan Nian.
For a moment, everyone froze in unison.
This woman… was breathtaking.
Truly breathtaking—not in some abstract sense, but in a way that was starkly real.
Her face bore no adornments or makeup, only long, thick arched brows and an exceptionally straight nose bridge—one that, by conventional feminine standards, might even be considered too bold.
Her hair was pulled back in a severe, slicked-back bun, not a strand out of place.
She wore frameless glasses, and beneath a well-tailored white blazer with broad shoulders was a black turtleneck.
No jewelry, no embellishments—not even a hint of color on her lips. She exuded an air of cold intellect.
"Holy… is that… Gu Zhaoping?"
Every single person who saw Gu Zhaoping today couldn’t help but voice the same stunned reaction.
Gone were the voluminous curls and flawless makeup meant to create an aura. The stark sunlight fell directly on Gu Zhaoping’s profile, casting sharp contrasts of light and shadow across her high cheekbones and angular jawline.
Her expression was detached, her gaze assessing—devoid of any personal emotion.
…She looked like a supermodel.
One fan clicked her tongue. Delicate Ruan Nian suddenly seemed to shrink in her presence, as if all her energy had been completely overshadowed.
Then it hit her—wait, was she the one driving that car earlier?
She muttered under her breath, "I’m starting to think Gu Zhaoping might not be entirely in the wrong here…"
How could anyone believe a woman like this was some petty, malicious villain?
The other fans didn’t respond, but their frantic shutter-clicking betrayed their silent agreement.
Gu Zhaoping arched a brow and asked Ruan Nian with deliberate patience,
She was willing to take responsibility—for Ruan Nian’s treatment, for whatever came next. But now, she couldn’t shake the feeling that this so-called "white moonlight" wasn’t being entirely honest.
Gu Zhaoping had no interest in playing games with children. She simply waited, her gaze steady, for Ruan Nian to answer.
Ruan Nian met her eyes and froze. Every rehearsed response evaporated in her throat.
What was wrong with Gu Zhaoping? Why had she changed like this?
Thrown off-balance, Ruan Nian’s mind raced. Gu Zhaoping wasn’t even challenging her this time—so why did she feel so lost?
Those eyes were too calm, too indifferent, as if they saw straight through her.
When that gaze had traveled up from her feet earlier, Ruan Nian had broken out in goosebumps.
Did she know something? But how? Ruan Nian had medical reports. Gu Zhaoping would never think to question their authenticity—who would suspect she was faking an injury?
"It’s… it’s nothing. Just a slight muscle strain in my calf," Ruan Nian murmured, lowering her eyes demurely. "Zhaoping-jie, it’s my own fault. I wasn’t careful."
To an outsider, this might sound like Ruan Nian was selflessly taking the blame to spare Gu Zhaoping’s feelings.
But to Gu Zhaoping, it sounded like Ruan Nian was clarifying that the injury was her own doing—unrelated to Gu Zhaoping.
A clever double-meaning, one that would work perfectly on anyone else.
Yet Gu Zhaoping’s expression turned faintly amused. She interlaced her fingers, leaned back in her chair, and studied Ruan Nian in silence before chuckling softly.
The laugh sent a chill down Ruan Nian’s spine. What was she thinking?
"The show must have doctors on standby. You should get checked," Gu Zhaoping said mildly.
The moment the words left her mouth, Ruan Nian’s face paled.
"I insist—for your own good. I’d feel terrible otherwise. Speaking of which," Gu Zhaoping turned to Zheng Anling, "with the season changing and so many outdoor activities, minor issues are bound to arise. Are the medical staff sufficient? I can arrange for more if needed."
Zheng Anling was stunned by Gu Zhaoping’s unexpected generosity. Even such a small detail hadn’t escaped her.
"W-we couldn’t possibly trouble you, Miss Gu! Though of course, extra hands would be welcome…"
"Ah, Ruan Nian—would you like to see a doctor now?"
When Zheng Anling turned to her, Ruan Nian’s composure nearly cracked. "N-no need! I’ve already been to the hospital and gotten medication—"
"What kind of medication?"
Gu Zhaoping glanced down, already pulling out her phone. Her thumb tapped the screen a few times, as if ready to send a message.
"I have a close friend at a top global medical school. They can review your prescription."
Ruan Nian’s breath hitched.
"I—"
What on earth is this supporting female character doing? Is this how she’s making things difficult for herself?
No—Ruan Nian suddenly realized—could this also be part of her scheme to torment herself?
In a flash of clarity, Ruan Nian’s expression darkened even further.
Was it possible that this supporting character was pretending to suspect she wasn’t actually injured, acting as though she were making things hard for her, only to be proven wrong later and win the audience’s sympathy?
But she’d forgotten to coordinate with this supporting character! Her injury this time was completely fake—she wasn’t actually hurt! If Gu Zhaoping kept doubting her, the only one who’d end up exposed was Ruan Nian herself!
Ruan Nian’s face turned ashen as she frantically called out to the system, “System, what’s going on with her? Didn’t you communicate properly with her?”
The system seemed to glitch for a moment before responding, 【This… Host, it seems she really is trying to make things difficult for you.】
Ruan Nian nearly fainted.
This time, it looked like she’d shot herself in the foot! If she hadn’t faked her injury and had actually been hurt, Gu Zhaoping’s provocation would have perfectly played into gaining her sympathy points!
But this time, she’d overplayed her hand!
Sweat dripped from Ruan Nian’s palms as she forced herself to keep up the act. “No, no need. It’s not a serious injury. No need to waste resources getting someone to check it.”
Yet for some reason, Gu Zhaoping remained adamant. “It’s no trouble,” she said, already sending a message. “Since I’m the one who caused it, I can’t just let you continue filming like this. You can barely walk—clearly, you haven’t recovered. Don’t worry, my friend is highly skilled. She won’t misdiagnose you.”
Ruan Nian’s world crumbled.
No matter how desperately she tried to hint at Gu Zhaoping, the other woman seemed completely oblivious.
Their exchange went over everyone else’s heads—except for Chu Yanze, who paused nearby. He studied the two of them thoughtfully before frowning at Ruan Nian.
Later, before the filming of the meet-and-greet began, Ruan Nian seized a chance to speak with Gu Zhaoping in private.
“Is this your plan?” Ruan Nian panted, cutting her off. “Stop it. I don’t need anyone checking my injury.”
Gu Zhaoping wasn’t surprised by the confrontation. “Why not?” she asked calmly.
With so many people around, Ruan Nian couldn’t outright admit her injury was fake. Instead, she lowered her voice and said, “Remember… what it told you to do on this show.”
The system should have instructed Gu Zhaoping to cooperate with her.
But Gu Zhaoping paused, momentarily taken aback.
How did Ruan Nian know she was here under the Gu family’s expectations?
Her mission was to improve the Gu family’s reputation through this show.
Still, Gu Zhaoping quickly pieced it together—Ruan Nian must have learned something from Gu Zhaoye. Was this a warning to uphold the Gu family’s image?
A faint smirk tugged at Gu Zhaoping’s lips. This was the first time someone had dared to speak to her like this.
“It doesn’t interfere,” she replied lightly, checking her watch. “She should be here soon.”
Left behind, Ruan Nian’s face twisted in fury.
After a moment, she glanced down at her foot and clenched her jaw in resolve.
“Miss Gu!”
Just as Gu Zhaoping was walking away, a young man’s voice called out to her. She turned to see Chu Yanze, the rising star who had been seated beside her earlier.
Chu Yanze took a deep breath, mustering his courage. Though it felt presumptuous, he couldn’t stand by and watch someone like Gu Zhaoping—who had left such a strong impression—get caught in Ruan Nian’s schemes.
“You should be careful,” he said quietly. “Ruan Nian isn’t someone to cross lightly. She seemed… upset earlier.”
Gu Zhaoping studied him for a moment. His gaze was clear, free of ulterior motives. After a beat, she nodded. “People usually worry about upsetting me, not the other way around.”
With that, she strode off, leaving Chu Yanze exhaling in relief.
Her confidence was unshakable. She wouldn’t fall victim to Ruan Nian’s tricks.
Back at his seat, Chu Yanze’s manager leaned in with a scowl. “Ugh, stuck with Ruan Nian again. Is she going to stir up trouble this time too?”
“Doesn’t matter, as long as she leaves me and my friends alone,” Chu Yanze replied flatly. Contrary to rumors, he had no special connection with Ruan Nian.
They had debuted around the same time, but he’d always found her… unsettling.
No matter how outrageous her actions, she always somehow found someone to bail her out.
Even when she made unforgivable mistakes, people inexplicably defended her.
And now, despite his efforts, he kept getting dragged into fake scandals with her. It was as though once Ruan Nian set her sights on something, the world bent to her will.
He tried to focus on his script, but an uneasy feeling lingered.
Would Gu Zhaoping end up ensnared too?
Meanwhile, Fang Yining was utterly bewildered when Gu Zhaoping summoned her.
“Zhaoping, aren’t you filming a show? Why call me here?”
Without explanation, Gu Zhaoping gestured. “I need you to examine someone I supposedly injured.”
Fang Yining’s eyes widened. “Since when do you go around hitting people?!”
Then it hit her—the show’s cast, the recent news—and her expression twisted in disbelief.
Wait… was she talking about Ruan Nian?
When Fang Yining, a top-tier medical graduate, followed Gu Zhaoping inside, she saw a familiar figure limping forward, leaning weakly against the wall.
Her pupils shrank in shock.
Ruan Nian bit her lip as Gu Zhaoping led Fang Yining in.
“Thank you, Zhaoping-jie. Is this the doctor you found? Please, have her take a look.”
With a gentle voice, Ruan Nian sat down and lifted her skirt, revealing a horrifically swollen ankle.
The sight made everyone gasp.
This was clearly a severe sprain—one that could even potentially result in a fractured ankle if not careful!
The production crew silently turned their cameras toward Ruan Nian’s swollen ankle.
Someone, seizing the moment, suddenly decided to go live.
Normally, they wouldn’t have dared to film this, but since Gu Zhaoping had insisted on examining the injury, they had no choice.
So this was how badly Gu Zhaoping had hurt Ruan Nian that day!
This scene was prime material—too good to pass up. Once it spread online, the backlash would be beyond their control.
One thing was certain, though: the first episode of the show was guaranteed to explode in popularity.
Online, fans following the reality show Four Seasons of the Rich were already buzzing about what might unfold during today’s filming.
[When is this going to air? I can’t wait any longer!]
[Will Ruan Nian be bullied by that old woman Gu Zhaoping today? I just saw the trending hashtag—Ruan Nian was beaten so badly last time that she ended up hospitalized!]
[That’s awful! How can she get away with this just because she’s some rich heiress? Doesn’t she fear the law?]
[Can we report her? I’m seriously considering calling the police.]
Since the scandal broke, Ruan Nian had disappeared from the public eye, with only occasional paparazzi shots of her at the hospital.
No one knew the full extent of her condition, and everyone was eager to find out during the show.
[Wait—why is the show suddenly live-streaming?]
Someone noticed that the previously scheduled program had unexpectedly gone live, opening a broadcast channel.
[Is this a surprise early release for viewers?]
This kind of promotional tactic wasn’t unusual, so no one questioned it further. Soon, a flood of viewers poured into the live stream, filling the chat.
The moment the feed went live, they saw who was being filmed—Ruan Nian!
And her ankle was visibly swollen beyond recognition.
The chat erupted.
[Holy crap, Ruan Nian really was beaten up? She hid such a serious injury from her fans?]
[My god, how much has she suffered in silence? Why hasn’t anyone called the police? That woman should be arrested—this is straight-up assault!]
[Where’s the doctor? How can they make her work in this condition? Have they no shame?]
As the live stream spread, more viewers joined, and the news of Four Seasons of the Rich’s surprise broadcast shot to the top of the trending list.
The chat was a storm of outrage, with insults flying left and right. The show’s popularity instantly surpassed even the hottest drama airing at the moment, claiming the number one spot.
Only the director knew about the live stream—and he was thrilled. This was a guaranteed ratings hit!
Even if Gu Zhaoping later questioned why they had gone live, he could spin it into another scandal and milk even more attention.
Chu Yanze frowned. He didn’t quite believe Gu Zhaoping would hurt Ruan Nian this badly. The injury looked more like a sprain from a struggle than a direct beating. The trending topics were clearly skewed and misleading.
He glanced nervously at Gu Zhaoping, but she seemed completely unfazed.
Fang Yining, on the other hand, was struggling to keep her expression neutral.
She realized Ruan Nian didn’t recognize her, which left her feeling oddly conflicted.
As Gu Zhaoye’s official fiancée, this was her first time meeting Ruan Nian—the far more famous “girlfriend.” And what a way to meet.
Fang Yining and Gu Zhaoye’s engagement had been arranged privately between their families, practically from birth.
But as adults, their relationship was lukewarm at best, and they had never held a formal engagement ceremony, so few knew about it.
Gu Zhaoye treated the arrangement as nonexistent, living freely and racking up tabloid headlines.
Netizens praised him as a playboy who never settled down—none of the women around him ever managed to stay for long.
That was, until Ruan Nian, the “Nation’s Sweetheart,” came along and finally captured his heart. Their pairing was the ultimate fantasy—a top-tier heir and an A-list celebrity.
It would’ve been perfect… if Fang Yining weren’t his actual fiancée.
Suppressing her discomfort, she concluded that Gu Zhaoping had done this on purpose.
Clearing her throat, Fang Yining stepped forward to examine Ruan Nian’s injury.
Ruan Nian finally relaxed.
Good—she had twisted her ankle hard enough to sell the act. No one would see through it now.
Lowering her head, she mustered the confidence to face the doctor Gu Zhaoping had called over.
Then she froze.
The woman was young, beautiful, and impeccably dressed—stylish, elegant, and clearly from a privileged background.
She worked with quiet professionalism, carefully assessing the injury.
The realization that she was someone close to Gu Zhaoping—and thus likely had plenty of opportunities to interact with Gu Zhaoye—sent an uncomfortable twinge through Ruan Nian.
Some instinct, rooted in social awareness, told her this woman would be a perfect match for Gu Zhaoye.
She knew he didn’t usually go for this type, but men were unpredictable. Just because he didn’t like someone didn’t mean he wouldn’t act on impulse.
Just look at Liang Zhiwei.
At the thought of Liang Zhiwei, Ruan Nian’s gaze swept across the crowd.
Liang Zhiwei, who had been avoiding them, had now completely vanished into the sea of people.
Ruan Nian’s eyes darkened.
She had another threat to eliminate—ensuring Liang Zhiwei never stayed by Gu Zhaoye’s side.
She was certain Gu Zhaoye was attracted to women like Liang Zhiwei.
If not for her own calculated charm, he might have chosen Liang Zhiwei long ago.
The sense of crisis weighed heavily on her.
This show was turning into quite the spectacle.
She inhaled sharply, fingers tightening around her skirt as she asked,
“Doctor, how does my ankle look?”
Fang Yining met her eyes. “It’s a fairly serious sprain. I’d advise against any strenuous activity or prolonged standing. Rest is best.”
Ruan Nian exhaled in relief, forcing a weak smile. “Walking a little should be fine, right? As long as someone supports me, I wouldn’t want to hold up filming.”
The live chat exploded even louder.
"Ruan Nian, don't be so dedicated to your work!! Trash production team, exploiting an injured person!"
"Ruan Nian, don’t be too kind—you must hold her accountable! You absolutely must!"
"Don’t be afraid of the powerful backers; we’ll support you in fighting her to the end! We’ll always be your strongest family backing!"
"These are actually not recommended, but..." Fang Yining paused thoughtfully before looking up.
Her expression turned slightly odd. "This looks... like a fresh sprain."
Ruan Nian’s face changed, and she instinctively tried to cut him off.
But Fang Yining, a sheltered young man from a privileged background who’d never endured workplace hardships, blurted out without hesitation: "The ankle is slightly swollen and warm, with no bruising or dark discoloration yet. The texture is still soft, no hardened lumps—it’s clearly a recent injury... Oh."
