This brief scene was nothing short of a nuclear explosion.
In the first second, what left everyone stunned was Gu Zhaoping's appearance.
Though she had gained some online fame before, she had always been seen with voluminous curls and flawless makeup—never like this.
Her new look radiated an overwhelming aura, and without a doubt, everyone who had seen her before gasped in awe.
They were witnessing a completely different Gu Zhaoping.
By the second second, they were shocked by her academic background.
[...Stanford?]
[...A double degree in Business and Law?]
Everyone knew the weight those words carried!
This was downright terrifying—even by the standards of dating shows, this was an exceptional resume. Law was already a grueling major, yet she had managed a double degree. Just how hard must she have worked to graduate?
[...Is this really Gu Zhaoping?]
Silence.
Absolute silence.
No one had ever dug into Gu Zhaoping’s education or past. All they knew was that she was the eldest daughter of the wealthy Gu family, the older sister of Gu Zhaoye. Vicious and petty, she was always stirring up trouble, trying to tear apart the perfect couple—Gu Zhaoye and Ruan Nian.
They had assumed the couple was facing interference from a brainless older sister, but who knew they were actually up against scrutiny from an Ivy League graduate?
Most people still held an unconscious bias toward academic prestige. While degrees don’t define a person’s character or morals, the moment they heard Gu Zhaoping’s credentials, their minds went blank.
Then came the realization—with her background and education, shouldn’t her judgment be sharper than this?
Why would she do those things to Ruan Nian?
And then there were her recent online posts. She didn’t care about public opinion at all, responding with cold, logical precision, quickly producing evidence that her conflicts with Ruan Nian had been fabricated.
Suddenly, a sinking feeling hit some of them.
Was Gu Zhaoping really the person rumors made her out to be?
Watching the same program was Shen Yifeng.
He wasn’t one for variety shows, but while stuck in traffic, his driver suddenly remarked, "Miss Zhaoping’s show just started airing."
Surrounded by a sea of red brake lights, he froze.
With nothing else to do, Shen Yifeng pulled up the program on the car’s screen.
It was during this introductory segment that his gaze sharpened.
A belated thought struck him—right, Gu Zhaoping had graduated from a top-tier university.
Back then, there had been plenty of times she hadn’t needed his help, plenty of years she had navigated alone.
How had he ever convinced himself Gu Zhaoping was worthless?
A wave of shame washed over him. He’d been played by his own preconceptions.
Had he missed the truth about her because she hid it so well—or because he’d never paid attention?
The male escorts at the club were also stunned, though they quickly broke into chatter:
"Damn, Sister Zhaoping’s amazing. No wonder she’s Sister Zhaoping!"
"That look is killer—total CEO vibes! So commanding! Feels so safe with her around!"
"Sister Zhaoping, you’re the GOAT!"
Those who had always admired her were more than happy to cheer her on.
But those who had placed themselves above her? They writhed at the sight of her brilliance.
Gu Zhaoping understood perfectly. Some people didn’t mind her being exceptional—they just couldn’t stand the idea that someone they’d dismissed as weak and vile had, without their notice, surpassed their expectations.
Seeing someone you looked down on suddenly reveal their prowess? Far more painful than watching a respected rival rise.
And she was more than happy to be that painful reminder.
The segment lasted only seconds before moving on.
Gu Kaichang scoffed.
So she changed her look and flaunted her degree. Was Gu Zhaoping really trying to play the intellectual on this show?
She wouldn’t last.
Just then, his phone rang—Old Master Gu was calling.
Gu Kaichang stiffened, clearing his throat before fumbling to answer, nearly swerving off the road in his haste. His voice dripped with reverence and sweetness:
"Grandfather! What brings you to call me?"
Pride swelled in his chest. See? Even now, his grandfather still remembered him, all the way overseas. His place in the old man’s heart was clearly special.
But the next second, the elder’s booming voice came through, accompanied by the sharp thud of a cane striking the ground. There seemed to be a crowd around him:
"Gu Kaichang! Where are you? Turn on the TV—your sister’s show, now!"
Gu Kaichang’s smile cracked and froze.
A second later, his expression twisted into something ugly.
What? Watch Gu Zhaoping’s show?
Seriously? His grandfather called him across oceans just to make him watch that witch’s program?!
Boost her ratings? In his dreams!
Fury and disbelief warred inside him. What the hell was wrong with the old man? Since when had he fallen under that vixen’s spell?
He wanted to slam his fists into the steering wheel, but the road was too dangerous. Spotting a shoulder, he pulled over and grabbed his phone:
"Grandfather… I can’t!"
His mind seethed with curses aimed at Gu Zhaoping’s entire bloodline, but his voice remained soft, almost sycophantic.
Not that he had a choice—no one in the Gu family dared defy the old master. Even after that slap last time, he hadn’t dared show a hint of displeasure.
Old Master Gu wasn’t having it. "Why can’t you? You’re answering the phone just fine—don’t tell me you’ve got signal for calls but not TV! No excuses!"
Panicked, Gu Kaichang blurted, "Grandfather, I’m on the highway! I only answered out of filial duty—watching TV while driving is way too dangerous!"
Never mind that he’d been blasting music videos moments ago.
"Then pull over somewhere safe and watch!"
Gu Kaichang: "…"
What was this? He was floored. In just a few days, had his grandfather grown this attached to Gu Zhaoping? Had she poisoned him?
If this was happening while he was away, he dreaded to think what else might change by the time he returned.
Swallowing his rage, Gu Kaichang forced out, "Grandfather, I’m on the expressway! I can’t stop!"
"And yet you’re answering calls while driving? Do you even know traffic laws?" Old Master Gu shot back. "Tch. Maybe your sister should give you a legal lesson."
"……"
"Enough stalling. Drive safe, but the moment you’re off the highway, find a place to watch your sister’s show!"
"Remember, your sister must bring honor to the Gu family!"
Gu Kaichang was on the verge of losing it.
After hanging up the phone, he was so furious he looked like a monkey scratching its head in frustration.
He felt like the innocent imperial concubine who had been banished to the cold palace after a scheming consort whispered lies into the emperor’s ear—how could he be so unlucky?!
A moment later, it dawned on him that Gu Zhaoping’s ancestors were technically his own too. Suddenly, Gu Kaichang smacked his forehead. What kind of mess was this? She had him so worked up he wasn’t thinking straight.
The reality show The Four Seasons of the Elite didn’t just feature Gu Zhaoping as a popular guest—well, to be honest, Gu Zhaoping wasn’t so much a "popular" guest as she was an "infuriating" one. The other cast members were the real crowd-pleasers.
Ruan Nian, the nation’s sweetheart and current top star, was in a league of her own. The moment she appeared, the show’s ratings skyrocketed. It was already the top-rated program in its time slot, but with her, it was on track to break records.
[Nian Nian!!]
[Our Nian has suffered so much!]
[Finally, you’re back! It’s been ages since we’ve seen Nian on a show~ Will President Gu be joining her this time?]
[First-ever variety show appearance for the Gu-Nian CP! The Four Seasons of the Elite, you’ve hit the jackpot—better milk this for all it’s worth! Whether this show blows up depends on how hard you sell it!]
[Ahhh, are we finally going to see President Gu pampering his wife on TV?! So excited! He’s always been so mysterious—this is his first time appearing on a public program. Nian must be special if she can get him to step into the spotlight.]
[I have a feeling President Gu will start appearing with Nian more often. For her sake, I wouldn’t put it past him.]
The "Gu-Nian" couple was explosively popular, practically setting the entire internet on fire.
Even on trending charts, the moment any interaction between them surfaced, they’d dominate, crushing every other popular CP.
Others might envy Ruan Nian, but there was nothing they could do—this CP’s popularity was unmatched.
A domineering CEO from an elite family and a child star-turned-beloved pure beauty, entangled in years of push-and-pull, finally on the verge of making things official.
Both were stunningly attractive, with almost no confirmed dating rumors, making them the perfect golden couple straight out of a CEO romance novel.
Of course, not everyone was a fan of this pairing—like the supporters of the other major CP: Ruan Nian and Chu Yanze.
This duo also had considerable heat. Both were A-list stars with plenty of history. Chu Yanze, known for his aloofness toward everyone else, would always hesitate slightly when it came to Ruan Nian.
Ruan Nian had once publicly mentioned Chu Yanze in an award acceptance speech.
And one of Chu Yanze’s songs was widely speculated to be written for her.
The contrast between wildness and purity, the tension of heavy metal against the soft grace of a Jiangnan beauty—countless little details stitched together to form this ship.
Since both were on the show, discussions and fan anticipation were just as high.
Seeing the Gu-Nian fans flooding the screen, the other side wasn’t about to back down either.
[Pfft, hilarious. The Gu family has already made it clear they don’t approve of this marriage, yet you’re already celebrating like it’s a done deal. Don’t come crying when it falls through.]
[What is this, a CEO-romance novel come to life? Real-life elite families and the entertainment industry rarely have fairytale endings. Y’all need to uninstall Jinjiang ASAP.]
The show hadn’t even properly started, yet the two fanbases were already at each other’s throats.
In front of the TV, Ruan Nian stared intently at the screen, her expression unreadable.
She hadn’t made a single public appearance or responded to any of the recent controversies.
Her company and her manager were seasoned PR experts. They knew the best way to handle backlash was to disappear.
Public memory was short—if she stayed silent, the storm would pass. But one misstep in her response, and it could leave a permanent stain on her career.
At least, Ruan Nian consoled herself, her reputation had always been impeccable. Much of her charm lay in her ability to win people over.
The general public adored her and was quick to defend her.
For instance, when her sprained ankle was revealed to be a recent injury, most assumed it was due to her hectic work schedule.
Or when rumors spread that Gu Zhaoping had hit her—despite no evidence—many believed it was just sabotage from those who didn’t want her marrying into the Gu family.
And then there were the past incidents…
Ruan Nian watched as Gu Zhaoping spent days loudly gathering evidence online to clear her name.
Every past conflict between them was dredged up, reexamined, and rewritten.
For the sake of a promised reward, netizens had even rallied enthusiastically for days to rehabilitate Gu Zhaoping’s image, though the fervor had since died down.
Ruan Nian couldn’t help but regret it.
She thought it was a brilliant PR move—simple and effective.
The money wasn’t an issue for her, so why hadn’t she been the one to execute it?
Now that Gu Zhaoping had done it first, any attempt from her would look like copying, lacking the same impact.
Watching someone else bring her idea to life first left a bitter taste in her mouth.
But right now, there was something even more pressing…
"System, what’s wrong with this supporting character? Isn’t she supposed to be professional? Shouldn’t she be like the old Gu Zhaoping, doing everything to make my life harder so I can gain sympathy points?"
Frustration seeped into Ruan Nian’s voice. "My sympathy points haven’t budged in ages. How much longer is this going to last?"
The system stayed silent for a long moment before replying, "I’m sorry, I don’t know what’s happening either."
"Did you give her the wrong mission? She’s not prioritizing supporting me at all!" Ruan Nian was on the verge of a breakdown. "Is she genuinely convinced she’s a villainess meant to oppose and humiliate me?"
"That’s not how it’s supposed to be! She’s just a side character—everything she does should be about highlighting my appeal!"
After another half-hour of silence, the system finally responded, "Understood, Nian. I’ll attempt to reconnect with her and clarify the mission parameters. There may have been an error in the initial setup."
At least it was fixable. Ruan Nian took a deep breath and turned her attention back to the show.
She couldn’t afford any more setbacks.
On screen, the scene shifted to Ruan Nian’s self-introduction. She simply smiled at the camera and greeted the audience with, "I’m Ruan Nian—no further introduction needed."
Her fame was such that everyone already knew who she was.
And just as expected, right after this clip, the show cut to another scene.
It was footage of Ruan Nian reminding the crew not to film her injury.
This was a secretly recorded video, captioned with words praising her dedication and expressing concern.
During preparations for filming, Ruan Nian told a staff member, "Make sure not to capture my injury on camera. Fans will worry, and it’ll look bad—it’ll affect the shoot."
After releasing this clip, the caption read: We sneaked this out anyway—sorry, Nian!
The comment section exploded with cries of sympathy.
"Oh my god, even in this state, she’s still thinking about others? Nian, you don’t need to worry about us—just rest and don’t push yourself too hard!"
"Exactly! And your injury just got worse—maybe it’s because you’re working too much!"
"You’re pushing yourself so hard—Gu Zhaoye must be heartbroken."
Ruan Nian had been smiling faintly while reading these comments, but when she saw this last one, her expression stiffened slightly.
Right—she remembered now. Gu Zhaoye wasn’t appearing in this episode at all.
Given how eagerly the audience was anticipating his appearance, his absence would definitely hurt the show’s momentum.
Her face darkened just as the segment introducing the guests ended, transitioning into a rundown of each person’s background and skills.
Viewers quickly noticed something was off. Some began asking: Where’s Gu Zhaoye?
Wasn’t it said only Ruan Nian could get him on the show? So where is he?
For a moment, the atmosphere turned awkward.
Wait, did they just get proven wrong?
No, no—maybe he’s a surprise guest later?
Ruan Nian clenched her teeth, eyes shut, already predicting the backlash after this episode aired.
To salvage the situation, she’d need to leak some interactions with Gu Zhaoye—otherwise, the media would start speculating about cracks in their relationship, saying she’d never make it into the Gu family.
Since Gu Zhaoye had been so firm in his refusal, her only option now was to use Old Master Gu as an excuse.
She had to spin it as Gu Zhaoye missing the show due to important family matters—that way, it wouldn’t disappoint fans too much.
If she claimed he skipped it because Gu Zhaoping was here, it would raise doubts about their relationship—why would he leave Ruan Nian alone to deal with Gu Zhaoping?
The segment on personal skills cycled through the guests, eventually landing on Gu Zhaoping.
By this point, no one was looking down on her anymore.
Though no one admitted it, there was even a hint of anticipation.
What could this elite heiress—a double-degree graduate from a world-renowned university—possibly excel at?
What did her past achievements look like?
Gu Zhaoping leaned back on the sofa, relaxed, and spoke in a casual tone:
"Outside of academics, I’ve studied international chess, jujitsu, shooting, and astroarchaeology…"
She rattled off an entire list without pause.
Silence.
No—it wasn’t just silence. Everyone watching at home was stunned.
What did she just say?
Gu Zhaoping said WHAT???
Is this for real? Is she joking???
Holy crap, did I accidentally switch to a dating show commentary channel?!
Most people would struggle just reciting that list, let alone claiming it as their actual background. Even if she slept only two hours a day, dedicating every other waking moment to learning, there was no way she could’ve achieved all that!
"Seriously? Is she trolling? If this is real, I’m convinced she secretly owns a Time-Turner like Hermione…"
"I get that successful people have insane multitasking abilities, but this is just ridiculous. Is she even human?"
"You guys are still doubting? Let me break it down—I went to XXX University and mastered AAA and BBB. Just mastering those two alone takes years of effort. Based on my own experience, this is flat-out impossible. She probably had someone write this script for her—and whoever did clearly has no idea what elite life actually looks like…"
"Hey, take that essay to Zhihu or Xiaohongshu—this isn’t the place for it."
Chaos.
Absolute shock.
With that one statement, the already highly anticipated show skyrocketed into a frenzy.
Some watched for the absurdity, others doubted, and a few even started fact-checking in real time:
"Currently at Stanford—brb, digging into Gu Zhaoping’s claims."
"Wait, you actually have connections there?"
"Oh no, is Gu Zhaoping about to crash and burn? ‘Rich Family Drama’ might set a record for fastest celebrity downfall in history."
Even Old Master Gu, who had been faithfully watching from home, was left speechless.
After a long pause, he slowly turned his stiff neck to glance at the equally stunned chess association elders around him.
Sweat beaded on his forehead.
Granddaughter… I didn’t expect you to take my love for theatrics to this level.
I thought I was the king of embellishment, but you? You’ve outdone me.
Jujitsu? Astroarchaeology? Shooting? Are you seriously counting your occasional trips to the shooting range—or that time you spent millions firing tank shells as a tourist—as actual skills?!
Old Master Gu pretended not to notice, keeping his eyes fixed on the screen.
The episode was nearing its end, but a new wave of discussion about Gu Zhaoping’s background was taking over. No one cared about anything else anymore.
Finally, Old Master Gu cleared his throat and spoke up.
Ahem. Zhaoping’s chess skills are well-documented. The chess association already verified her solution as the only viable one. My granddaughter truly is exceptional—truly exceptional.
One of the elders snapped out of his daze and chuckled. "Ah, yes, Miss Gu Zhaoping is indeed impressive. We just had no idea her talents were so… extensive. Remarkable, truly remarkable."
Old Master Gu pretended to remain calm, though inwardly he was sweating bullets.
His mind was screaming in protest.
Zhaoping, I can help you with the chess certification, but what if your other fabrications get exposed?!
Old Master Gu raised a hand to wipe away the nonexistent sweat on his brow and muttered, "How much longer until that certification comes through?"
The chess association president smiled. "Just a few more days—no more than a week."
Old Master Gu sighed in relief. Fine, just one week. Zhaoping would have to endure the scrutiny a little longer.
But right at that moment, explosive accusations suddenly surfaced online:
"FAKE!! It's all fake! Gu Zhaoping really has the audacity to lie about this!"
"My friend was her undergrad classmate and has personally interacted with Gu Zhaoping. Her stamina is terrible—she hates working out and has zero athletic skills. There’s even that video of her struggling with Gu Zhaoye—anyone can see she has no combat ability whatsoever!"
"Gu Zhaoping, you’ll say anything to make yourself look impressive, huh? Even something as easily debunked as jiu-jitsu and international chess? Why don’t you prove it if you’re so tough?"
