The sudden incident left everyone stunned!
Apart from the two of them, everyone else turned their heads in unison to stare, including Chu Yanze, who had been ordering at a nearby table. He turned back in shock, his eyes wide with disbelief.
Of course, the customers didn’t bother calling for him—they were too busy watching the scene unfold.
The few patrons in the shop suddenly realized—wait, was that Gu Zhaoye? The CEO?
Gu Zhaoye was here?
Wasn’t he supposed to be absent from the show’s recording?
And why was he carrying Ruan Nian on his back? Was he here with his sister… or, well, what should this even be called? A fight?
Liang Zhiwei’s pupils constricted. The moment she processed what was happening, her gaze snapped to Gu Zhaoye, her face a mask of disbelief.
What had he just asked her?
He’d asked who she was with now?
What the hell was he thinking?!
The sheer humiliation in his words was unbearable. Liang Zhiwei trembled with rage, but before her emotions could fully erupt, Gu Zhaoping appeared just in time.
The hand gripping Liang Zhiwei’s wrist was effortlessly pried away, as if Gu Zhaoping hadn’t exerted any effort at all. With a single motion, she twisted Gu Zhaoye’s hand nearly 90 degrees.
Gu Zhaoping’s movements were calm. Her fingers were slender, her nails neatly trimmed, and she made it look effortless as she forced Gu Zhaoye’s grip open. With her other hand, she even had the leisure to press Liang Zhiwei’s arm down.
Her words were just as composed.
"She’s with me. Got a problem?"
Gu Zhaoye hadn’t fully processed the situation yet, but the moment the searing pain in his wrist registered, his face twisted in agony. Veins bulged on his forehead as he jerked violently, his entire body trembling.
Though he didn’t move an inch, it was clear he was struggling with all his might to break free from Gu Zhaoping’s hold.
Only when Liang Zhiwei noticed his trembling hand did she realize—Gu Zhaoye wasn’t frozen in shock. He was fighting back. But no matter how hard he struggled, he couldn’t escape Gu Zhaoping’s iron grip.
The two stood locked in a standoff. At first, the onlookers didn’t understand why they were frozen like this, but gradually, realization dawned.
Did this mean Gu Zhaoye couldn’t overpower Gu Zhaoping?
Right—jujitsu!
Gu Zhaoping was a jujitsu expert!
Holy shit!
He really couldn’t win this!
Though the crowd didn’t fully grasp the situation, the tension was palpable. Some still held a favorable impression of Gu Zhaoye and worried for his safety.
But then they remembered that viral video of Gu Zhaoping flipping her jujitsu coach over and over like a ragdoll. Their bodies reacted before their brains could—eyes glued to the scene, eager to see if she’d throw him down next.
Who didn’t love a good fight?
This was thrilling!
So this was the legendary Gu siblings? This meal was worth every penny—who knew they’d get a free martial arts show?
Wait, had Gu Zhaoye been involved with Liang Zhiwei before Ruan Nian? Did he have a type? Break up with one and immediately move on to the next?
Gu Zhaoye’s mind was blank. It took him a moment to remember that Gu Zhaoping was also part of this show.
Why… was she helping Liang Zhiwei?
He didn’t have time to dwell on it. Instinctively, he assumed Gu Zhaoping was opposing him again. Nearly choking on his own fury, he spat out, "Let go!"
Gu Zhaoping had been staring him down, but at his words, she let out a faint scoff. She glanced at his trembling, trapped hand, then met his eyes again.
"I’m not even using force."
Gu Zhaoye’s face turned deathly pale. Was she mocking him? Not using force?
"Are you letting go or not—?"
Gu Zhaoping adjusted her glasses with one finger.
"Gu Zhaoye, have you forgotten what I taught you?"
She’d warned him before—beating him once or twice wouldn’t be enough. His rotten nature was ingrained. Last time, Old Master Gu had intervened, but now? No one was stopping her.
Gu Zhaoye stiffened, a memory he’d desperately tried to suppress flashing through his mind. His expression twisted into something ugly.
Was Gu Zhaoping insane? Did she really plan to beat him in public? Did she want to make headlines again?
His entire body shook, teeth clenched so hard they might crack. After a long moment, he shuddered. He knew she’d do it.
A sliver of fear—one he refused to acknowledge—crept in, making him grit out, "I wasn’t even bothering you. Why are you interfering?"
"You asked Liang Zhiwei who she’s with, didn’t you?" Gu Zhaoping’s tone was breezy. She pulled Liang Zhiwei closer, making the woman stumble slightly before steadying her with a hand on her shoulder.
"She’s with me."
Liang Zhiwei was stunned. The weight of Gu Zhaoping’s hand on her shoulder felt surreal.
Zhaoping-jie… was helping her?
This was a dream, right? In the past, hadn’t Gu Zhaoping scrutinized and driven away every woman who got close to Gu Zhaoye? Yet now, she was stepping in to defend her?
Gu Zhaoping turned to the dumbfounded cameraman. "Pause filming for now, please."
This was family business.
Gu Zhaoye was so furious he could vomit blood. What the hell was Gu Zhaoping playing at? She was a woman—how could Liang Zhiwei be "with" her? But the memory of her chokehold grip sapped his defiance. Half his anger deflated, leaving him grinding out through clenched teeth:
"That’s not what I meant, and you know it! I was talking about her and that old man—why would she—"
He whirled, jabbing a finger at the man seated at a nearby table—the very same man who flinched as if struck.
Wait, why am I involved now?
The man’s eyes nearly crossed as he stared at the accusatory finger in his face.
Gu Zhaoye’s words died in his throat the moment he recognized the man. His face cycled through disbelief, horror, and the dawning realization that this was no nightmare.
After a long pause, he forced out, "...President Hou?"
"What are you doing here?"
A flood of thoughts crashed through his mind, his expression shifting through shades of embarrassment.
He’d just been ranting about how Liang Zhiwei had chosen the wrong people, how only he could give her what she wanted—yet here was President Hou, a man even he couldn’t afford to offend at this stage in his career.
His face twisted further.
Of all people… why did it have to be President Hou?
The humiliation and bitterness of the failed financing surged through Gu Zhaoye’s heart once again. He had thought that moment of failure was the most embarrassing of his life, but now—this was even worse.
Director Hou, initially baffled, couldn’t help but laugh in exasperation at his question. “I’d like to know why I’m the one standing here too!”
Well, well. He had initially assumed Gu Zhaoye was just careless and lacking in brains, but now it seemed the man had completely lost his mind—like he was seriously deranged!
Being inexplicably mistaken for some sleazy, middle-aged tycoon who kept young starlets, Director Hou felt a wave of indignation rise in his chest. He snapped, “With all due respect, Mr. Gu, what’s with this obsession of yours—who’s with who, who’s following who? What exactly goes on in that head of yours?”
“Gu Zhaoye, the people around you are always tangled up in these ‘who’s with who’ dramas. Tell me, aside from flaunting your flings with actresses as trophies, what else do you rich second-gen brats have in those empty skulls of yours?”
Gu Zhaoping delivered this with a detached tone, tightening her grip slightly. Gu Zhaoye’s eyes widened, ready to retort, but the pain in his hand was too intense. He swallowed his words, hissing through clenched teeth, “Let go! Let go!”
Seeing that Gu Zhaoping remained unmoved—even poised to increase the pressure—Gu Zhaoye finally snapped. Nearly hysterical, he begged, “Sis, please, let go!”
At last, Gu Zhaoping released him.
Gu Zhaoye’s hand was red, almost bruised, and he cradled his wrist, gasping in pain. He was convinced she’d nearly broken it!
The agony was sharper than when she’d pinned him to the floor by the throat last time. For a moment, he wondered if she really intended to render his right hand useless.
Of course, Gu Zhaoping wouldn’t go that far. She’d studied sports rehabilitation meticulously, precisely to know how far she could push when disciplining someone.
Breaking his wrist would qualify as minor injury—too much legal hassle. She was well-versed in the standards for assessing harm.
The goal was to leave him suffering silently, with no recourse.
“Gu Zhaoye, don’t blame others for looking down on you. After that massive financing failure due to your oversight, I thought you’d reflect properly. But what did you come up with after all that soul-searching? ‘Why is my woman with someone else?’”
Gu Zhaoping’s casual remark made Gu Zhaoye’s face darken instantly. The ears of those around them perked up—financing failure? Oversight?
Was she talking about Gu Zhaoye? Wasn’t he supposed to be some business prodigy? How could this rising star of the corporate world stumble so badly?
The revelation left the onlookers stunned. If true, it undeniably diminished some of Gu Zhaoye’s allure.
A domineering CEO’s charm isn’t just about wealth and looks—it’s also woven from the mystique others project onto him, the untouchable aura of the unknown.
He had once existed in Ruan Nian’s descriptions, in others’ envy of her, in the halo of the prestigious Gu family, his fortune, and the secrecy around his actual deeds.
People could only imagine him as a stunning, blue-blooded business titan—that was the allure.
But once they learned he could botch a deal due to sheer carelessness and get sent back for “reflection,” that mystique shattered, exposing his mediocrity.
Why was the so-called “Mr. Gu,” so legendary in rumors, so captivating in fantasies, so utterly eclipsed by his sister Gu Zhaoping in reality?
No—it wasn’t just that he paled in comparison to her presence. In terms of demeanor, composure, and sheer gravitas, he wasn’t fit to hold a candle to her!
Gu Zhaoping was the one who truly embodied the elite heiress—regal, formidable, every inch the successor of a powerful dynasty.
Against her, Gu Zhaoye was utterly crushed.
Realizing this, the crowd felt a strange dissonance. Why was the reality so different from the rumors?
In fact, it was Gu Zhaoping who radiated that magnetic, CEO-like charisma!
The moment Gu Zhaoye had stormed in and Gu Zhaoping stepped forward to shield Liang Zhiwei—damn, they had to admit—it was downright electrifying.
Gu Zhaoye’s lips trembled with rage. Clutching his injured hand, he pointed at Liang Zhiwei and demanded, “Then how did she get into this show—”
“My company sent me,” Liang Zhiwei finally spoke up, emboldened by Gu Zhaoping’s defense. “Our boss wanted me here as Ruan Nian’s foil!”
She’d held this in for too long. Even if it meant breaching her contract, she wouldn’t stay silent anymore. “Because my boss took a payoff! He put me in this show to make Ruan Nian look better!”
The room fell dead silent. Gu Zhaoye looked thunderstruck. “What nonsense! Ruan Nian would never ask anyone to do such a thing! She’s the kindest soul—she was afraid you’d smear her—”
His expression darkened further. “Liang Zhiwei, don’t lie just because you’re jealous of her—”
“Jealous of Ruan Nian?” Liang Zhiwei scoffed. “Mr. Gu, don’t flatter yourself. Breaking up with you felt like escaping hell—back then, I was grateful to her! I have no idea who concocted this ‘jealousy’ narrative!”
Gu Zhaoye’s pupils contracted.
Maybe it was Gu Zhaoping’s example, but Liang Zhiwei felt an unprecedented surge of courage. Shedding her usual meekness, she finally voiced years of pent-up frustration:
“Mr. Gu, I never had real feelings for you. How could there be jealousy or resentment? Who’d cling to a boss who treated them like an on-call servant, let alone envy another poor employee stuck with you?”
Her tone was deadly earnest, almost pleading. “If you have even a shred of decency—or respect for the years I worked for you—please, just leave me alone. I can’t take it anymore. I’m just an ordinary person trying to earn a living!”
“Stop harassing me. You two deserve each other!”
The words were delivered with devastating sincerity, laced with razor-sharp sarcasm.
The room remained frozen in stunned silence.
Behind her, Gu Zhaoping couldn’t help but laugh out loud. She never expected Liang Zhiwei, who usually appeared so gentle and soft-spoken, to have such a sharp tongue.
Gu Zhaoye stared at her in disbelief, his pupils trembling as if every vein in his body was shaking with rage, his tendons bulging.
He couldn’t believe what Liang Zhiwei had just said to him—the same Liang Zhiwei who had always been gentle, obedient, and smiling in his presence, the stand-in he’d never truly valued.
That little woman who had once depended on his favor for survival—was this really how she saw him?
What did she just say? That she had never felt even an ounce of sincerity toward him? That she’d only treated him like a difficult boss she was forced to work for? That she was even excited to be free of him?
And she pitied Ruan Nian??
Rage.
It was as if a sinister fire had engulfed Gu Zhaoye’s entire body. He trembled like a drum being struck, so furious he felt like vomiting blood.
Liang Zhiwei, having spoken her mind, finally felt a sense of relief. She was about to continue, but then she caught a subtle glance from Gu Zhaoping—a silent signal to step back.
She paused, hesitant, before cautiously moving behind Gu Zhaoping.
"Gu Zhaoye, I’ve told you before—you’re obtuse, utterly foolish. Not only are you useless in business, but you can’t even see through the people around you. Born narcissistic—that’s your only talent."
"Surrounded by those sycophants calling you ‘Young Master Gu,’ you’ve been deluded into thinking your attention is some grand favor. But tell me, why is it that after all these years, Liang Zhiwei never got a single decent endorsement? Had you given her even slightly better resources, no one would’ve doubted your relationship."
A physical blow would’ve been painful, but these words cut far deeper.
Gu Zhaoye was on the verge of losing his mind. Never had he felt so powerless—unable to refute, unable to fight back.
Could he hit her? He was no match for Gu Zhaoping. Call his bodyguards? She had her own.
Complain to Old Master Gu? Last time Gu Zhaoping had slapped him so hard his face swelled like a pig’s head, and the old man had still turned a blind eye, favoring her instead! What kind of spell had she cast on him?!
Just because she spent her free time studying some obscure chess strategy? Just because she’d cracked some method, earning herself immunity from the old man’s wrath—even at the expense of his own grandson??
Yes, Gu Zhaoye realized with bitter clarity that he was utterly helpless against Gu Zhaoping. Every tactic he could think of was useless against her.
And though he hated to admit it, he knew that if he dared retaliate, she would retaliate tenfold.
This woman was a madwoman—she had no restraint, no fear!
What did she mean he’d never given Liang Zhiwei good resources? He had—
Mr. Hou, already seething, chose this moment to interject. "This is absurd. Absolutely absurd! The moment I met Miss Liang, I saw her as the perfect fit for one of our product lines—hence the business card. And then you storm in, spewing nonsense and making a scene. Now you’re telling me she was your girlfriend? What a joke. Even I, a stranger, could offer her better opportunities than you ever did. Young Master Gu, what exactly were you trying to prove by flaunting your so-called ‘claim’ over her?"
"With treatment like this, how could anyone even guess you two were involved?"
Gu Zhaoye’s face darkened.
What? That business card Mr. Hou gave Liang Zhiwei was for a collaboration?
How was that possible? Did that mean Liang Zhiwei had impressed him in just one meeting?
The thought stung even more—his own funding had fallen through because of Mr. Hou’s rejection. How could Liang Zhiwei—
Did this mean that without his interference, Liang Zhiwei could have long since connected with real investors and secured better opportunities?
Gu Zhaoye, forgetting all decorum between elders and juniors, spat out in fury, "Mr. Hou, what exactly are you—"
SLAP!
The sound was crisp, sudden—unexpected by anyone. The sharp impact against Gu Zhaoye’s face left even him stunned.
He touched his cheek, bewildered. Hadn’t Gu Zhaoping already let go? Why was she hitting him again?
The onlookers were equally shocked. Damn, that slap came out of nowhere—no way to dodge it!
Gu Zhaoping smiled faintly. "My apologies. Just correcting some family discipline."
She took another step forward.
"The first one was for harassing Liang Zhiwei. This one is for disrespecting Mr. Hou."
She flexed her wrist. "How many more will it take for you to apologize?"
Mr. Hou was stunned. Yes, he was annoyed by the younger man’s rudeness, but he hadn’t expected Gu Zhaoping to straight-up slap him!
It startled him so much he nearly intervened—but seeing her stance, he held back. Honestly, it was satisfying. The frustration in his chest dissipated, and he simply cleared his throat, feigning neutrality as he watched Gu Zhaoye.
Gu Zhaoye clutched his face, pain flaring.
Mr. Hou assumed that with such a brutal reminder, Gu Zhaoye would refuse to apologize. He was already preparing a diplomatic way to defuse the situation.
But instead, he saw Gu Zhaoye glare at Gu Zhaoping—long and venomous.
A painfully long time.
Just as Mr. Hou was about to speak, Gu Zhaoye suddenly whipped his head around, teeth gritted, and forced out through clenched jaws:
"Sorry… Mr. Hou."
……
The murderous glare didn’t match the cowardly tone. Mr. Hou was speechless.
How could someone look so vicious yet sound so spineless??
He actually apologized? Wait—was Gu Zhaoye… afraid of his sister?
The spectators, who’d braced for a prolonged standoff, were equally taken aback by how quickly he’d caved.
Of course. None of them had ever experienced Gu Zhaoping’s overwhelming dominance firsthand.
Only those who’d been choked or slapped by her could understand the sheer terror she inspired. He’d rather humiliate himself in public again than endure another second of her wrath.
Gu Zhaoye endured the weight of countless judgmental gazes, feeling as though sharp blades were piercing his body. Gritting his teeth, he shot Liang Zhiwei one last furious glare before he could no longer stand being in that place.
He kicked a chair in frustration, only to slam his leg against it, sending a sharp pain shooting through him. Sucking in a breath, he turned and stormed out of the shop, nearly fleeing as if for his life.
It wasn’t that he didn’t want to confront them—he was just afraid of getting beaten again.
Covering his face, he growled at his assistant, "If even a single word about my conflict with Gu Zhaoping leaks online, buy it out immediately. No exposure whatsoever!"
The assistant gaped at his domineering CEO, who had marched out of the car with such fury only to return with a swollen face, trembling hands barely able to cover his injuries—looking even worse than last time.
Dumbfounded, the assistant stammered, "Y-yes, sir."
What had happened to the mighty CEO?
Knowing when to retreat, Gu Zhaoye decided not to provoke Liang Zhiwei further, especially with Gu Zhaoping protecting her. Instead, he was determined to confront Ruan Nian and demand answers—why had someone bribed Liang Zhiwei’s boss to make her a foil for Ruan Nian?
Despite his earlier arrogance, he hadn’t even realized that, deep down, he still believed Liang Zhiwei’s words.
Yet, he couldn’t bring himself to accept that she truly felt nothing for him.
His expression darkened. He would get to the bottom of this. He had to.
Meanwhile, silence hung heavy in Gu Zhaoping’s restaurant.
Only then did Gu Zhaoping glance around, casually extending her hand. Chu Yanze seemed to understand immediately, quickly handing her two wet wipes. "Thanks," she said, meticulously cleaning her hands.
Touching Gu Zhaoye had left her feeling greasy—disgustingly so.
She looked up at the cameraman. "We can resume filming now. My apologies."
The cameraman didn’t dare accept her apology, hurriedly nodding. "No problem, no problem! It was just a few minutes."
The remaining customers finally exhaled, releasing the tension they’d been holding.
Holy crap, that was intense! They hadn’t dared to look away for even a second.
Zhaoping-jie is so cool…
So freaking cool!
Wasn’t this way more thrilling than some cliché CEO protecting his sweetheart? This was physical face-slapping—no corporate warfare could compare to this raw, visceral showdown!
This was their first time witnessing the Gu siblings’ feud in person. So this was how it went down?
They’d assumed Gu Zhaoping was just some villainous sister meddling in her brother’s love life. But from the looks of it, she was completely dominating him!
Anyone who witnessed the scene firsthand couldn’t help but believe Liang Zhiwei’s words. After all, she was the one they’d actually interacted with, while Ruan Nian was currently under fire for organizing her fans.
Putting two and two together, darker suspicions arose. Was Ruan Nian secretly some kind of scheming mastermind? Had she really paid off Liang Zhiwei’s boss to force her into this show as a contrast? How twisted was that?!
It was almost too horrifying to imagine.
"Gu Zhaoye is such a coward. My image of him is shattered… What kind of domineering CEO is this? Was it all just an act?!"
"Honestly, Gu Zhaoping seems more like the real CEO here. She just wrecked me with how cool she was!"
"This is it. The entire entertainment industry is about to explode…"
At that moment, someone discreetly pulled out their phone under the table and uploaded a secretly recorded clip of the incident.
Before any of the involved parties even realized, the video went viral, views skyrocketing. Every viewer gasped in shock, unable to hold back their curses.
[So while Ruan Nian’s shop opening was making waves, Gu Zhaoping was running her own place elsewhere?]
[That fan who quit Ruan Nian’s fandom said Gu Zhaoping’s restaurant was amazing. I thought it was just hype, but judging from this video, it actually looks legit?]
[Plenty of people have vouched for how good their food is. Why are some still in denial?]
[You can buy reviews, though. How good could it really be? Just average, right? Why the overpraise?]
That was how the initial comments went.
But soon, the video reached its climax, revealing the uploader’s true intent.
Gu Zhaoye—the man audiences had been waiting for—barged into the shop with dramatic flair!
Viewers barely had a second to process before he marched straight to Liang Zhiwei and grabbed her wrist!
What the hell?!
What did he just say? That he and Liang Zhiwei had a history?
Wait, had they dated?!
No way. If they hadn’t seen it with their own eyes, no one would believe it!
Wasn’t Liang Zhiwei just some copycat trying to ride Ruan Nian’s coattails? Wasn’t she obsessed with competing with Ruan Nian? So how was she connected to Gu Zhaoye?!
Gu Zhaoye and Ruan Nian had been entangled for ages. If this wasn’t recent, then it must’ve been in the past—meaning Liang Zhiwei was the ex, and Ruan Nian the current?
So… who was imitating whom?!
Netizens were drowning in confusion, blindsided by the sheer magnitude of the revelation.
Big scandals never come with warnings—when they hit, they hit hard.
But the real shock was yet to come.
SMACK!
Gu Zhaoping slapped Gu Zhaoye!
And she protected Liang Zhiwei?! What was that line—"What’s wrong with Liang Zhiwei being with me?"
That was her response to Gu Zhaoye accusing Liang Zhiwei of climbing the social ladder?!
This… this…
This was peak domineering CEO energy!
But for the first time, it was a woman exuding that aura—delivering such a brutal, face-slapping moment!
And Gu Zhaoye just… cowered and ran?!
This was nothing like the Gu Zhaoye they’d known from shipping him with Ruan Nian!
That whole "loyal only to Ruan Nian" narrative? A complete lie. There was at least one predecessor—Liang Zhiwei. And given how much Liang Zhiwei resembled Ruan Nian, who knew what shady history lay beneath?
Mind. Blown.
Shares!
Explosive discussions!
The video spread like wildfire—until it was abruptly taken down.
Those who’d seen it were already in meltdown mode, while others scrambled for answers. Those in the know frantically recounted the earth-shattering details they’d just witnessed.
【So Gu Zhaoye and Liang Zhiwei used to date, but he never gave her any resources, which is why no one knew about it!】
【Ruan Nian might actually be the one who came later! So who’s really copying whom? How do the fans feel about that?】
【Turns out Gu Zhaoye is this kind of guy—both controlling and stingy! The things he said were disgusting. How dare he ask Liang Zhiwei right off the bat if she’d latched onto some rich guy? Seriously, couldn’t she have earned that show opportunity through her own hard work? And Liang Zhiwei said her boss was bribed—who do you think paid them off? Pretty obvious, right?】
【The more you think about it, the scarier it gets!】
【Oh my god, this is terrifying. Who knew Ruan Nian was like this behind the scenes? This scandal has completely exposed her!】
【I used to envy Ruan Nian for marrying into wealth, but now I feel like I was insane. What’s so great about Gu Zhaoye? He’s literally spreading rumors about Liang Zhiwei’s reputation. And they’ve already broken up—why does he care who she’s with? Well, guess what? Now that Gu Zhaoping has stepped in, how’s that slap in the face feeling?】
【Gotta admit, when Gu Zhaoping said, “What’s wrong with being with me?”—that was pure charisma. Is it normal to feel this attracted to her?】
【Totally normal.】
【Totally normal…】
Because of one video, the internet exploded all over again.
Today’s online drama has been nonstop, leaving netizens overwhelmed. No one expected this high-society reality show to go viral in ways completely unrelated to what they’d imagined.
Not because of lavish lifestyles.
Not because of the heirs’ extraordinary talents.
And definitely not because of clashes between wealthy families and ordinary ones!
Instead, it was:
1. Gu Zhaoping’s jiu-jitsu skills!
2. Ruan Nian’s fans causing a scene and getting hauled off by the police!
3. Gu Zhaoping slapping Gu Zhaoye repeatedly!!!
The last one was so dramatic that it spread like wildfire.
Someone seemed to be frantically deleting leaked videos—every time a reupload appeared, it got taken down. Even hashtags were being removed one after another. Netizens were furious: Who’s behind this? Gu Zhaoye?
Think you can throw your weight around just because you’re rich and powerful? If you’re bold enough to act like this in public, you should be bold enough to face the backlash!
If you can take the hits, why can’t you handle people watching?
But just as the outrage peaked, the original video suddenly resurfaced.
Wait, it’s back?
Did he give up on deleting it, or did someone else intervene?
Almost instantly, all the deleted content reappeared at an unbelievable speed.
No one could believe their eyes. Was this real?
Had they really stopped trying to silence everyone?
…
Upstairs, Gu Zhaoye seemed to be looking for Ruan Nian, while his assistant sat in the car downstairs, desperately typing on his laptop before freezing in shock—the leaks couldn’t be erased.
Meanwhile, Gu Zhaoping and CEO Hou had slipped away to a quiet corner to talk.
“My younger brother Gu Zhaoye is… not the most reliable. I apologize for today’s disruption. Let me make it up to you another time.”
CEO Hou, still processing the sight of Gu Zhaoye getting slapped silly, could only chuckle awkwardly. “No need, no need. I wouldn’t hold a grudge against someone younger. Since you’ve already handled it, this is Gu Zhaoye’s problem. No apologies necessary.”
He paused, then added, “As for Miss Liang… I’m genuinely interested in her image. Have her contact our marketing team—we can discuss an endorsement deal. You don’t mind, do you?”
CEO Hou smiled amiably, though his motives weren’t entirely pure.
The restaurant scene was bound to go viral, putting Liang Zhiwei and Gu Zhaoping in the spotlight. By appearing in the middle of it, he’d get some exposure too.
Their new product line needed heavy promotion, and signing Liang Zhiwei now… The more he thought about it, the smarter it seemed.
The buzz would be insane. The marketing angle? Liang Zhiwei spent years with Gu Zhaoye and never landed a decent deal, but CEO Hou recognized her talent at a glance—even sympathized with her struggles and personally offered her an endorsement.
The fee was already budgeted, and Liang Zhiwei’s rates were likely lower than their original choice. Yet the publicity would be ten times better.
A win-win. And after she’d helped him dodge a bad investment last time, Gu Zhaoping was starting to feel like a lucky charm.
Their eyes met, both recognizing the mutual understanding.
Of course, if CEO Hou signed Liang Zhiwei, he’d have to include Gu Zhaoping in the campaign—after all, she’d defended Liang Zhiwei and humiliated Gu Zhaoye.
“CEO Hou, see you in Los Angeles.”
“Looking forward to it.”
No one knew exactly what they were so pleased about.
As they shook hands, Liang Zhiwei stood there, stunned.
Wait… she just landed an endorsement? Just like that?
She was actually getting lucky for once???
It took her a solid minute to process before she hurriedly shook CEO Hou’s hand, still dazed.
While they talked, Gu Zhaoping checked her phone—Little Zhao had confirmed the task was done.
Smiling, she slipped her phone back and resumed discussing summit details with CEO Hou, who grew more impressed by the minute.
Every point she made resonated with his decades of experience. This woman was sharp.
He could already see her rising fast in the coming years and wondered if he should invest early before someone else did.
Gu Zhaoping never did anything without purpose.
Slapping Gu Zhaoye was satisfying, but not enough. He feared her public humiliation—which was exactly why she made sure it happened in public.
By airing their conflict openly, she’d shut down any future whispers about her “using Gu Zhaoye’s marriage to secure her position in the Gu family.”
She was practically declaring war on everyone—Gu Zhaoping was about to make her grand entrance, representing the Gu family and stepping into the spotlight. She and Gu Zhaoye were destined to be like fire and water.
She didn’t need anyone to help her stand firm—she was the authority.
Gu Zhaoye wanted to erase all these explosive revelations?
The power of capital, huh?
You have it? Well, so do I.
The scandal online was growing bigger by the minute, even reaching the ears of Gu Zhaoye’s closest circle.
Inside a bar.
A group of privileged young heirs lounged around, some with arms draped over beautiful women, drinking to their hearts’ content.
“Where’s Gu Zhaoye?”
“He went back to Haishi, remember? Heard he’s dealing with some family crisis. My old man mentioned some big conference in Los Angeles—maybe Gu Zhaoye got dragged into that.”
Someone chuckled. “Never thought our Young Master Gu would be tied down by responsibilities. Ever since he took over the family business, he barely has time to hang out with us.”
Another chimed in, “Hey, did you see the trending topic about Ruan Nian? She’s that actress who’s been with Gu Zhaoye for years. If he didn’t even bother cleaning up her mess, does that mean he’s tired of her?”
“Probably. No one lasts long by his side anyway. Business is Gu Zhaoye’s one true love.”
Amid their laughter, the private room thick with smoke, someone suddenly spat out their drink, splashing it all over the young master across from him.
“What the hell? Are you insane?”
“No—look at this!”
The man shoved his phone forward, his face pale with shock. The guy who’d just cursed took one glance and promptly spat out his own drink, drenching the person opposite him.
What the—Gu Zhaoye got beaten up? And by Gu Zhaoping? She even went for his face—what kind of twisted drama was this?!
Gu Zhaoye didn’t fight back. Why? Was he scared of his own sister? No way—Gu Zhaoye wasn’t the type. Wait, what did Gu Zhaoping just say? That she wasn’t even using her full strength?
Gu Zhaoye… couldn’t break free?
Everyone was still reeling when Gu Zhaoping’s calm voice rang out from the video:
“Last time, the financing deal failed because of your carelessness. I thought you’d learn, but clearly, this is the ‘reflection’ you came up with.”
Their expressions froze. What did that mean?
The earlier uproar about Yuanqi Tech—was it because the financing fell through? Gu Zhaoye had made such a massive business blunder?
Wait, the way Gu Zhaoping spoke—did this involve her too?
No way. Hold on, why was Gu Zhaoye at some show in Haishi? Wasn’t he supposed to be fixing Yuanqi Tech’s mess? Or was he there for Ruan Nian?
Or… for that Liang Zhiwei?
Damn it! Since when were you not a workaholic?!
Even worse—he ran into Chairman Hou right there. Instead of discussing business, his first reaction was to demand whether Liang Zhiwei was with him.
A single thought flashed through the minds of every spoiled heir in the room:
Gu Zhaoye has lost his damn mind!
They were floored.
And since when did Gu Zhaoping turn into this? What episode did they miss?!
Meanwhile, Gu Zhaoye had just stepped off the elevator. He checked his watch, flicked ash from his cigarette impatiently, and strode into the filming set where Ruan Nian was.
The restaurant was nearly empty. Li Xunwen and Li Xunxi wore sour expressions, unable to figure out what had gone wrong.
Hearing footsteps, they looked up, expecting customers—only to freeze at the sight of Gu Zhaoye.
Since they weren’t busy, Ruan Nian noticed him immediately.
“Zhaoye!” she cried out, thrilled.
She’d only called for help this morning, and he’d rushed back so fast. Clearly, she still mattered to him. She could relax now.
(Though she had no idea what had actually driven him to return in such a hurry.)
Ruan Nian threw herself into his arms. Already irritated by the mess with Gu Zhaoping and Liang Zhiwei, Gu Zhaoye winced as she accidentally slammed into his wrist—still tender from nearly being broken by his sister.
“Ah—!” He instinctively shoved her away. Ruan Nian staggered back, staring at him in disbelief.
Gu Zhaoye didn’t know how to explain his reaction. Awkwardly, he averted his gaze. “There are people watching. What’s wrong?”
Ruan Nian hesitated. With everyone around, she couldn’t admit she was afraid Liang Zhiwei would outshine her.
Her expression shifted before she finally whispered, “Zhaoye… I want you to stay and film with me. I’m scared here alone.”
Behind them, Li Xunwen and Li Xunxi scowled. Watching the two of them cling to each other was annoying enough, but this? ‘Scared alone’? Were they just deadweight? Or the villains making her life difficult?
But with Gu Zhaoye here—and given how he usually spoiled Ruan Nian—they bit back their complaints.
Yet, to their surprise, Gu Zhaoye only frowned. Exhausted and frustrated, her demand felt like salt on his wounds.
Rubbing his temples, he said, “Old Master Gu is attending a summit in Los Angeles soon. I have to go. As the eldest grandson, I can’t skip it. You understand, right?”
Ruan Nian blinked. So there really was an important event. She had no choice.
“...Okay,” she conceded reluctantly.
But wait—why did his face look swollen?
Gu Zhaoye still held some affection for Ruan Nian. Lately, his temper had been short because of Gu Zhaoping, and seeing her so crestfallen—plus the guilt over having seen Liang Zhiwei first—made him soften slightly.
He took her hand. “It’s not that I don’t want to stay. Family obligations come first. If Old Master Gu didn’t need me, I’d be here with you. I did promise you before, didn’t I?”
Ruan Nian could only force a smile and nod, saying, "Yes, it's all because you're too important, Zhaoye. Sometimes I selfishly wish you weren't so highly regarded by Old Master Gu..."
By all accounts, this should have been the moment for Gu Zhaoye to engage in a heartfelt conversation with her—discussing the stars and the moon, lamenting the burdens of his busy life and unfulfilled desires, vowing to someday enjoy the mountains, waters, and blooming flowers together.
But just then, his phone finally rang. Frowning, he answered, only to hear his assistant’s panicked voice: "Boss, boss! We can’t take them down! The leaks won’t disappear!"
Then came an even more frantic voice: "Old Master Gu already knows—he just sent word!"
Gu Zhaoye was stunned. How could the leaks not be removed? Before he could process it, another call abruptly cut in. Seeing it was Old Master Gu, he hastily answered.
"Gu Zhaoye, you little bastard, have you lost your mind? Look at the mess you’ve made—it’s all over the news!"
"I told you not to provoke your sister, not to provoke your sister! What the hell are you doing all day? Can’t you let her have a moment’s peace?"
"If you want to fool around with that little starlet, fine, but did you have to make a public spectacle of it?"
"You stay right where you are and reflect on your actions!"
Gu Zhaoye was dumbfounded.
Why was Old Master Gu suddenly scolding him like this?
Before he could even wonder why the leaks couldn’t be suppressed, he hurriedly interjected, "But Grandfather, the summit is in a few days—how can I just sit here and reflect—"
"What summit? That’s none of your concern!" Old Master Gu snapped, his tone impatient. "Last time I tried to reach you, you were 'unavailable.' Now the summit can’t reach you either—still 'unavailable.' You and that little actress can stay 'unavailable' together for all I care!"
"Get lost!"
The call ended. Gu Zhaoye stood frozen, eyes wide, hands trembling in disbelief.
It took him a long moment to process what had just happened.
Then he whipped around to stare at Ruan Nian.
Ruan Nian was just as stunned.
She wanted to slap herself.
Wait—he was the eldest grandson of the Gu family! How could Old Master Gu possibly berate him like that? If there was an important meeting, how could they really exclude him?
