When Shen Yifeng uttered those words, he suddenly realized he had let a hint of composure slip.
He froze for a moment, surprised that he had just emphasized to Gu Zhaoping his identity as her fiancé—something he had always avoided acknowledging in the past.
An inexplicable discomfort rose in Shen Yifeng’s chest, leaving him at a loss for how to react. He could only fix her with a cool gaze, waiting for her to show some sign of guilt.
What he didn’t notice, however, was that the subtle unease—the reluctance to admit something—seemed to belong more to himself.
Finally, Gu Zhaoping recognized who he was.
She arched a brow, mildly astonished by the audacity of this fiancé of hers, daring to confront her like this.
“So, what you just said was,” she paused, deliberately retracing his words, “that whatever’s been happening to me lately might be related to you… and whether I need you to solve it?”
Though they were his own words, hearing them repeated by Gu Zhaoping made them suddenly unbearable.
Shen Yifeng turned his head slightly, pressing his lips into a thin, cold line, choosing silence over a response.
A faint twitch at the corner of his mouth seemed to signal reluctant agreement.
Strangely enough, even after witnessing Gu Zhaoping’s flirtations with young male models, he still retained a shred of patience for her—enough to address the issues between them. He hadn’t simply laughed it off and walked away to attend to his own affairs.
After all, Gu Zhaoping had never been one of his priorities.
At least, not before things escalated like this.
Shen Yifeng wondered if he had somehow grown too tolerant of Gu Zhaoping’s past antics.
A trace of irritation—directed at himself—flickered imperceptibly between his brows.
Chu Yanze had been standing silently nearby ever since Shen Yifeng appeared, holding a milkshake, napkins, and a cup holder requested from the staff, along with a paper bag in his other hand. Now, an awkward realization settled over him—he was an outsider.
A complete outsider. This entire dispute had nothing to do with him. His presence here was unnecessary, even intrusive.
Chu Yanze wasn’t sure if Gu Zhaoping would find him an inconvenience, if she and her fiancé needed privacy for their conversation—something he, a near-stranger, shouldn’t be privy to.
Rooted in place, his fingers tightened around the cold cup as regret crept in for the first time.
Too rash. Too presumptuous. He had dug up Gu Zhaoping’s dalliances with male models but never considered that someone of her status and age might already be engaged.
He felt unbearably awkward.
Fortunately, the feeling was fleeting, not yet obvious enough to be noticed. Chu Yanze lowered his gaze, chastising himself once more for his youthful impulsiveness.
But just then, an untimely laugh sounded beside him.
It was steady, composed—the kind of laugh one might associate with a successful, self-assured individual online.
Gu Zhaoping’s laughter carried a hint of indulgent dismissal, as if she were looking at her fiancé with amused detachment. The way she regarded men was never out of kindness, but rather a lofty, almost condescending tolerance—like a higher dimension observing a lower one.
“If that’s what you think, then sure. I do admire your confidence, though.”
The first part barely registered before the second sentence left both men stunned.
What did Gu Zhaoping mean by that?
Before Shen Yifeng could process it, she continued, her tone measured and unhurried, laced with something almost like genuine regret:
“What does what I do have to do with you?”
Shen Yifeng’s expression darkened instantly.
“When you make decisions in board meetings, do you consult me? Do you think the important things in your life have anything to do with me?”
His face shifted again. Gu Zhaoping’s logic was razor-sharp, leaving no room for rebuttal.
“When you make moves in the market, do people assume it’s because of me?”
“Or when you negotiate deals, do they stop to consider how I might have influenced you?”
She chuckled again, this time with restrained amusement, still maintaining a veneer of politeness.
“Don’t inflate your own importance.”
“Most people aren’t worth that much.”
Shen Yifeng’s face turned ashen—the first time he had ever lost control of his expression in front of anyone. He had always been the picture of composed elegance, so much so that showing any emotional cracks felt like a disgrace.
His pupils contracted slightly as he stared at Gu Zhaoping with a mix of anger and bewilderment, as if he had never truly known her before.
The cute stickers she had sent him, the little schemes she played while waiting for his replies—all those memories flashed through his mind. But looking at Gu Zhaoping now, she felt like a stranger.
That unfamiliarity turned into confusion. Shen Yifeng’s jaw tightened as he clenched his eyes shut, then reopened them.
"Gu Zhaoping."
"I don’t know what’s gotten into you lately. Given the engagement arranged by our families, I will take responsibility for your actions until it’s officially dissolved—because our names are tied together. If we are to be married someday, everything we do will affect each other. So, do you understand why I’m questioning you now…?"
"Then let’s just call off the engagement," Gu Zhaoping said flatly.
The moment those words left her lips, the other two froze.
The ongoing conversation seemed to have been sliced apart by a cold, sharp blade, plunging into an abrupt silence that could no longer be salvaged.
"What did you—" Shen Yifeng’s voice cut off mid-sentence. Wasn’t this exactly what he had been considering himself?
Ending the engagement, freeing himself from Gu Zhaoping’s influence—then he wouldn’t have to worry about what she did anymore.
No more exasperation, no more frustration, no more trivial annoyances. No need to dread how troublesome their married life would be if she dragged him down.
These were all Shen Yifeng’s own thoughts. But when Gu Zhaoping was the one who voiced them, he suddenly found himself paralyzed.
After a long pause, Shen Yifeng finally snapped out of it. Absurd. This was utterly absurd.
He blinked several times, forcing himself to steady his breathing. This was the first time Gu Zhaoping had ever thrown him into such disarray.
He tried to steady his voice. "Zhaoping, have you really thought this through? This was decided by our families—it’s about the Gu and Shen families’ reputations and interests. It’s not something you can just change on a whim because of personal feelings."
"Aren’t I just doing what you’ve been wanting to do all along, Shen Yifeng?"
Gu Zhaoping had no patience for people who twisted facts and logic to suit their arguments.
She didn’t even blink, calmly laying out the truth:
"You’ve been wanting to break off the engagement after careful consideration, believing it’s the best move for both families. But when I genuinely want to end it, you assume I haven’t thought it through? Where does this arrogance of yours come from?"
"You only want to be the one who decides whether the engagement stands or not—never giving me any say in it. Shen Yifeng, you’re really quite laughable."
"But unfortunately, no one wants to play this childish game of dominance with you. If you think having a fiancée while belittling her emotions—treating her like a joke and a nuisance—makes for an interesting life, why not just hire a real actress to star in your little power fantasy? With enough money, I’m sure someone would be happy to oblige."
Shen Yifeng’s expression darkened with every word. Gu Zhaoping had a way of striking right at the sore spots.
What kind of nonsense was she spouting?!
"Do you get it? An engagement is a two-way street. If you can consider ending it, so can I. To me, this arrangement is nothing but a burden."
"The old Gu Zhaoping is done playing games. She’s tired of this farce."
Gu Zhaoping took a sip of her milkshake, finding the taste surprisingly good. Spotting a store ahead that caught her interest, she walked toward it.
Her path didn’t even brush past Shen Yifeng—she outright ignored him.
Chu Yanze remained where he was, glancing between her and Shen Yifeng before finally hurrying after her with his things in hand.
As he passed Shen Yifeng, he deliberately bumped his shoulder against him.
The jolt snapped Shen Yifeng out of his daze. He turned to stare at the young man’s retreating figure as he followed Gu Zhaoping.
"Wait!"
Hearing Shen Yifeng call out, Chu Yanze paused and looked back.
The man behind him asked, voice laced with disbelief, "Who are you to her? Another one of her latest male models?"
Shen Yifeng still hadn’t fully processed the humiliation Gu Zhaoping had just dealt him. Instinctively, he sought a reason that fit his logic—something to explain why she would dare treat him this way.
His voice turned sharp. "Did she find a new ‘true love’? What did you say to her?"
This guy was truly insufferable. As if Gu Zhaoping couldn’t possibly have her own reasons for leaving him—as if it had to be about another man.
Chu Yanze lowered his eyelids, a smirk tugging at his lips as the mischievous streak of a young man surfaced.
He lifted his head and replied coolly, "Yeah, Zhaoping-jie’s been promoting me lately."
"I'm obedient, not paternalistic, not greasy, and still young. Maybe Zhaoping-jie finally got fed up with the one at home."
Chu Yanze curved his lips into a smile, raised his hand to adjust his cap, took a few steps back, and then turned to leave with a grin.
From the corner of his eye, he caught Shen Yifeng’s expression—utterly grim, so much so that it filled him with a smug satisfaction that made him want to laugh out loud.
Chu Yanze followed Gu Zhaoping into the store, watching as she browsed the selections. He obediently paused behind her, quietly observing.
Whenever Gu Zhaoping asked for his opinion, he swiftly provided emotional support.
Someone like Gu Zhaoping didn’t need others’ input—what she wanted was unwavering compliance.
Since they were shopping for supplies their team would need during filming, Gu Zhaoping did consider Chu Yanze’s suggestions and even had him call Liang Zhiwei for input.
Liang Zhiwei only had minor preferences regarding kitchenware; otherwise, she was easygoing and had no strong opinions.
The three of them worked well together—one made decisions, one had no objections, and the last remained silent, simply carrying items while occasionally complimenting Gu Zhaoping’s taste.
Gu Zhaoping was pleased, initially thinking this was a solid team dynamic. Even with one fewer person, future collaborations shouldn’t run into issues.
By the time they had nearly finished shopping, Fang Yining finally arrived, panting heavily.
"Scared me to death! There was an accident on the road—shattered the car’s windshield. We had to send it for repairs and switch cars just to get here."
"No one was hurt, right?"
Fang Yining shook her head. "No, just a scare!"
At that moment, Chu Yanze, who had been silently trailing behind Gu Zhaoping, suddenly chimed in: "Breaking is a blessing."
"Consider it warding off misfortune. Good luck will follow."
Fang Yining blinked, only now noticing the young man behind Gu Zhaoping.
She had initially assumed he was an assistant or bodyguard and hadn’t paid much attention. But the moment he spoke, she was struck by his voice—clear and youthful, yet carrying a uniquely husky depth.
And his words were so sweet, so adept at offering emotional reassurance.
If he ever sang with that voice, it would undoubtedly be mesmerizing.
Has Zhaoping taken a liking to another young guy?
Fang Yining mused to herself.
"And this is…? Care to introduce?"
Chu Yanze hesitated, his hand pausing on his cap, unsure whether to assert himself or stay low-key.
He simply glanced at Gu Zhaoping, waiting for her to decide.
"This is Xiao Chu, a member of my team for the show," Gu Zhaoping said, tilting her chin slightly in introduction.
Only then did Chu Yanze remove his cap, revealing slightly tousled, refreshingly styled hair.
He brushed his bangs aside, then took off his sunglasses and hooked them on the collar of his hoodie, unveiling a strikingly handsome face.
"Hello, jie," he greeted.
He recognized Fang Yining—she was the doctor who had treated Ruan Nian on the show.
Fang Yining was momentarily stunned.
Wait—isn’t this Chu Yanze? The hottest star right now!
Did Zhaoping land him?
Plenty in their circle were fans of his, often splurging on front-row VIP seats for his concerts.
Who would’ve thought he’d end up with Zhaoping?
A young, gorgeous guy like this calling her "jie" so politely—Fang Yining couldn’t help but feel a thrill of delight.
Suddenly, she understood Gu Zhaoping a little better.
"Hello, Xiao Chu!" she replied cheerfully. "No need to be formal—I’m Zhaoping’s best friend. Did you come along to shop with her?"
"Not exactly. Our team needed supplies, so I’m here to help Zhaoping-jie carry things," he answered straightforwardly.
Fang Yining’s impression of him improved even more.
At this, she shot Gu Zhaoping a meaningful look, as if praising her for upgrading her taste.
Seems Zhaoping’s really had an awakening lately—leveling up in every way!
Gu Zhaoping completely missed the subtext.
They still had more shopping to do, but Chu Yanze was, after all, a celebrity with his own commitments.
Gu Zhaoping asked, "Xiao Chu, do you need to head back first? We’ll be browsing a while longer."
Chu Yanze shook his head. "If you’d like me around, I’m free today."
Fang Yining inwardly tsked.
Look at this smooth talker—just rearranging the same words, yet he’s already maxed out the emotional appeal.
His demeanor was refreshing, unlike many male models who reeked of neediness or desperation for approval.
Zhaoping’s taste has truly evolved! Fang Yining fully approved.
If Gu Zhaoye could date actresses, why couldn’t Zhaoping go for male celebrities?
Gu Zhaoping remained oblivious, simply nodding.
By the time they reached a restaurant, it was already mealtime, and they decided to eat there.
Accompanying Fang Yining were two of Gu Zhaoping's close friends, making a group of five. They chose a slightly longer table to comfortably accommodate everyone.
Chu Yanze was well-versed in dining etiquette. Before the ladies took their seats, he had already adjusted their chairs. Noticing one of them was wearing a skirt and might need extra consideration, he quietly signaled to a server, who promptly brought over a blanket.
Then, he subtly pulled back Gu Zhaoping’s chair to make it easier for her to sit down.
But since Gu Zhaoping was seated right beside him, the gesture seemed like nothing more than a polite afterthought—his expression remained indifferent, and he made no further comment.
"Thank you," Gu Zhaoping said as she sat, immediately engaging her friends in conversation about recent events.
Chu Yanze didn’t scroll through his phone or let his gaze wander. He simply sat there, attentively listening to whoever was speaking.
Yet, he didn’t contribute to the discussion—there was no natural opening for him to join in.
When the conversation veered into topics he couldn’t relate to, he lowered his eyes, seemingly withdrawing into himself, his fingers absently tracing the fresh calluses left by guitar strings.
"Zhaoping, you’ve changed so much lately! Last time I saw you, you were looking for a jiu-jitsu coach. How’s that going?"
"Pretty well. The coach is very professional," Gu Zhaoping replied.
Her friend gave her an enthusiastic thumbs-up. Gu Zhaoping’s circle was all about unwavering support—whatever she did, they were behind her.
"You’re amazing! I can’t believe you actually stuck with it!"
"It’s not that hard. You just do what you’re supposed to, no overthinking. Show up at the right time and follow through."
Gu Zhaoping genuinely didn’t see perseverance as a challenge. She simply refused to let distractions interfere when it was time to focus.
Her friends exchanged glances, shrugging in unison.
She really wasn’t the same person anymore. Even her way of speaking had changed—so matter-of-fact, as if it were effortless. Meanwhile, they doubted they could manage the same discipline.
The only one who seemed to truly absorb her words was Chu Yanze.
He paused, as if lost in thought.
Later, when someone excused themselves to the restroom, Chu Yanze moved aside to let them pass.
Gu Zhaoping instinctively shifted slightly as well.
Just then, Fang Yining accidentally bumped into Gu Zhaoping’s leg and gasped in surprise.
"Zhaoping! You’re hurt!"
Her exclamation drew everyone’s attention to Gu Zhaoping’s legs.
Chu Yanze’s movements stilled. His grip on the chair tightened as he recalled the kinesiology tape he’d noticed on her legs that morning.
"It’s normal for jiu-jitsu," Gu Zhaoping said dismissively, barely glancing down. She kept her hands resting on the table, propping her chin, utterly unfazed.
But Fang Yining was horrified. She knelt to examine Gu Zhaoping’s calf, her medical instincts kicking in. "This isn’t just a minor strain! Look at these bruises—did you hit something too? And this scab… If you don’t take care of it properly, the scar could linger for a while."
She scolded lightly, "Your legs are too beautiful to let scars ruin them."
Chu Yanze stiffened, averting his gaze.
This wasn’t the first time someone had urged her to tend to her injuries.
The old Gu Zhaoping would have agreed. So had the friend who’d asked if she was serious about jiu-jitsu, her coach, and now Fang Yining.
But the current Gu Zhaoping couldn’t care less. Still, the repeated warnings were starting to wear on her patience.
She replied bluntly, "It’s fine. It’s really not a big deal."
"People get hurt. I don’t like wasting time on unnecessary things."
Meaning she’d already disinfected and treated the wounds. Further fussing was pointless—Gu Zhaoping valued efficiency and simplicity above all.
Fang Yining stared at her, stunned.
This version of Zhaoping, speaking with such conviction… it was unfamiliar.
Noticing her friend’s bewildered expression, Gu Zhaoping added, "Rather than worrying about how it looks, this injury represents the effort I’ve put in. That’s what deserves attention."
"If it serves as proof of my dedication, then I’m happy for people to see it."
Fang Yining was speechless. The others at the table were equally taken aback.
What?
Since when did Zhaoping talk like this?
This new Gu Zhaoping…
She was so… unapologetically confident.
She took pride in her scars because they symbolized her hard work?
Wait—damn it! Someone should’ve recorded this! Such an iconic moment, lost!
Fang Yining mentally kicked herself.
Chu Yanze listened quietly, something flickering deep in his eyes before settling into an unreadable calm. Whatever stirred within him remained carefully concealed.
He pulled out the chair, letting Fang Yining continue on her way out.
Just as he turned to sit back down, his sharp peripheral vision caught a faint glint of a camera flash.
Having spent so long under the spotlight, Chu Yanze had developed an almost reflexive sensitivity to being photographed.
His eyes immediately snapped toward the source of the light.
Not far outside the restaurant, nestled among a cluster of large potted plants, something was reflecting light.
Chu Yanze, still standing, pushed his chair aside and strode out without hesitation.
The others at the table froze, unsure what had come over him, craning their necks to watch his retreating figure.
Chu Yanze stopped by the plants and said coolly, "Should I drag you out, or will you come out yourself?"
There was a brief silence, followed by the reluctant emergence of a figure from the foliage—head bowed, a camera hanging around their neck, clutching the lens protectively. They looked young.
"What did you take?" Chu Yanze asked, suppressing the icy edge in his voice. The fact that he was still speaking calmly was already a testament to his restraint.
It didn’t take much thought to realize this was a sasaeng fan. Despite changing disguises and switching cabs twice to shake off pursuit, they’d still managed to tail him.
The fan, however, seemed emboldened by his tone. Clutching the camera, she suddenly burst out, "Chu Yanze, how could you do this? Have you forgotten your roots? Don’t you remember your true pairing is Ruan Nian? How could you spend time with someone like Gu Zhaoping?!"
"Chu Yanze, who do you think you’re betraying?!"
The words made Chu Yanze stiffen, his pupils contracting slightly.
The fan had been stewing in resentment for a while. She’d tracked Chu Yanze’s movements from every angle, thinking she’d just follow his private schedule as usual and snap a few photos.
But no one could’ve expected he’d actually meet up with a woman—and worse, that woman was Gu Zhaoping, someone they all despised!
Sure, because of the recent giveaway incident, many fans had warmed up to Gu Zhaoping, eagerly fawning over her.
But for some, Chu Yanze getting close to her was unforgivable.
Like her—a devoted shipper of Chu Yanze and Ruan Nian.
She’d been patiently lying in wait, capturing everything: Gu Zhaoping’s words about not fearing to show her scars…
It reminded her of how Ruan Nian had previously been dragged into online drama because of an injury—the very incident that had sparked this feud with Gu Zhaoping.
The worst part? For a split second, she’d actually been stunned by Gu Zhaoping’s words before snapping back to reality, furious at herself. She was supposed to hate Gu Zhaoping.
How could she let those words affect her?
Seeing Chu Yanze’s stunned expression, the fan seemed to gain even more confidence, raising her voice.
"Chu Yanze, do you really have no shame toward Ruan Nian? Ruan Nian is about to get her happy ending with President Gu, and here you are, casually dating another woman!"
It took Chu Yanze a moment to process the sheer absurdity of her accusations. His breath hitched, disbelief choking him.
Just as he was about to retort, footsteps approached from behind, followed by a voice:
"What’s going on, Xiao Chu?"
The fan froze, her grip on the camera nearly slipping.
Holy shit—Gu Zhaoping was here?!
After seeing the way Gu Zhaoping had handled confrontations online these past few days, the fan had zero confidence in facing her. Instinct screamed at her to run.
But she barely made it two steps before her collar was yanked back with an iron grip—swift, unyielding, and far stronger than expected.
Gu Zhaoping held her effortlessly, arching a brow as she glanced back. "What was she saying?"
She seemed to assume this was just some trouble Chu Yanze had stumbled into, stepping in as a matter of course.
In that moment, Chu Yanze was even more tense than the fan.
