Shen Yifeng recognized that man—he had seen him just moments ago outside, engaged in conversation with others.
He was the young master of the La Roche Group, already making a name for himself in the venture capital division despite his youth. Shen Yifeng had heard that he wasn’t the first in line for succession in his family, which was why, after completing his studies abroad, he had thrown himself into every opportunity to prove his worth. His track record was impressive, with reports of projects under his leadership yielding returns as high as 200%.
But even more striking than his professional achievements was his appearance.
Beneath high, well-defined brows, his eyes were a deep Mediterranean blue. His golden hair, slightly curled and parted to the side, revealed neatly trimmed sideburns. Youth and sharp bone structure lent his cheeks a faint hollow, adding to his allure.
Earlier, he had listened intently, hands clasped, seemingly captivated. At first, his focus had been solely on the project, but when he raised his hand to ask a question, it no longer seemed to be just about business.
Watching the faint spark in his eyes, Shen Yifeng found himself unconsciously tightening his grip on the pen in his hand, his gaze lingering on the man without shifting away.
The young man stood, dressed in a custom-tailored navy-blue suit that accentuated his well-built frame. He had unbuttoned it for comfort while seated, but as he rose, he fastened it with one hand while picking up the microphone with the other—a simple, habitual gesture, yet one that, when performed by someone so effortlessly handsome, became impossible to look away from.
Shen Yifeng watched as he engaged Gu Zhaoping in conversation.
"I am Valentin de La Roche. It’s an honor to meet you, Ms. Gu. Listening to your proposal, I have a question—from the perspective of energy storage innovation, how do we break through the current bottleneck in battery energy density to meet the growing demand for extended-range electric vehicles and the stability requirements of distributed energy storage?"
Gu Zhaoping turned her attention to him.
Pleased to discuss the topic, she answered with practiced ease, "Regarding energy storage innovation, researchers are currently exploring new battery materials, such as solid-state batteries, which hold promise for significantly increasing energy density. Additionally, optimizing electrode structures through nanotechnology can further enhance battery performance..."
Gu Zhaoping was always thorough and well-prepared when it came to technical matters. The young man named Valentin listened intently, his eyes brightening as he nodded along.
"Any further questions?" Gu Zhaoping asked.
Valentin seemed to hesitate, inhaling slightly before lowering the microphone. "No, please continue, Ms. Gu."
Gu Zhaoping turned back to the audience, scanning their reactions.
Most were murmuring among themselves, clearly intrigued by the exchange. One person, however, sat perfectly still, his gaze unfathomable—no one could tell where it was fixed.
Shen Yifeng watched as Valentin, after his exchange with Gu Zhaoping, returned to his seat and spoke with the person beside him. At some remark about the speaker on stage, Valentin chuckled, almost sheepishly, rubbing the bridge of his nose.
His face was unfairly handsome—like an impossibly perfect standard, radiating youth and charisma enough to make anyone feel inadequate.
Shen Yifeng wasn’t sure what he was seeing, but his fingers tightened around the pen in his right hand, knuckles whitening, his stare unbroken.
It was only then that he remembered why that familiar business associate had mentioned Gu Zhaoping earlier outside—praising her as exceptional among peers.
Perhaps Valentin had already met her before this forum. No—he had mentioned Old Master Gu hosting a tea gathering. He must have been invited, while Shen Yifeng had not.
Neither Old Master Gu nor Gu Zhaoping herself had thought to include him.
A soon-to-be-dismissed fiancé, nothing more.
Unworthy of occupying too much space in her radiant, unfolding future.
As the meeting concluded, Shen Yifeng watched helplessly as Valentin excused himself from his companions and strode down the steps, heading straight for the stage.
He began conversing with Gu Zhaoping.
The cap of Shen Yifeng’s pen finally slipped from his grip and clattered to the floor.
The middle-aged man sitting beside him shot him a hesitant glance but said nothing.
How strange this man was.
On stage, the scene was harmonious—Gu Zhaoping stood at the podium, while Valentin remained a step below, looking up at her as they spoke. He didn’t try to stand beside her as an equal, merely listened, occasionally laughing.
She had despised Shen Yifeng, coldly telling him not to overestimate his importance—yet here she was, smiling and chatting so easily with someone else.
Then Shen Yifeng’s pupils constricted.
They exchanged phones, likely swapping contact information.
His stare was unrelenting, as if he could decipher their words from a distance.
Valentin looked delighted. After a final exchange, Gu Zhaoping gathered her materials and turned to leave.
In that brief moment, Shen Yifeng realized how conspicuous he must seem—still seated in the now-sparse auditorium. If she turned, she would inevitably see him.
His body tensed. For an instant, an undignified thought crossed his mind—to bend down and retrieve the pen cap, using the motion to hide from her notice.
But then some stubborn impulse made him freeze, leaving him rigid, watching Gu Zhaoping in silence.
He braced himself for their eyes to meet, even mentally preparing to count the seconds of that gaze.
Yet—
Gu Zhaoping’s eyes swept over the audience like a fleeting shadow.
Among all those present, not a single person held her attention—including Shen Yifeng.
She picked up her materials and left.
Shen Yifeng remained half-risen from his seat, hands gripping the armrests, motionless. The man beside him finally understood what he had been waiting for, clicking his tongue and shaking his head.
It turned out he was captivated by this outstanding speaker. Looking at him now, he seemed so timid compared to that young master from the Laroche family, who carried himself with such effortless grace. If he was so smitten, he should just muster the courage to step forward and introduce himself properly—get to know her. What was this man so afraid of? It was downright pitiful.
The crowd thinned, and Shen Yifeng simply watched in silence as the Laroche heir returned to his seat, chatting with the few remaining friends and elders.
Even in the spacious hall, he could faintly catch the young man's words: "Yes, she’s wonderful. Exceptionally talented."
"I hope to have more opportunities to engage with her in the coming days."
His expression was earnest, his eyes alight with interest—Shen Yifeng knew he hadn’t misread it.
Without a doubt, beyond any question, he was drawn to Gu Zhaoping.
And who could blame him? That day on stage, she had been impossible to look away from.
Yet her gaze hadn’t lingered on anyone—except for this young master of the Laroche family.
He wore a youthful, almost guileless smile. For some reason, a surge of impulse rose in Shen Yifeng’s chest—an urge to stride over, interrupt their conversation, and declare that Gu Zhaoping wasn’t the kind of woman he imagined. If he was some frivolous playboy, he should keep his usual tricks to himself. She wouldn’t fall for them.
Men like him—privileged young masters—weren’t her type at all. She preferred someone refined, obedient, someone who’d stay quietly by her side, gentle and devoted—
Before he realized it, Shen Yifeng was already on his feet.
With so few people left in the room, his movement was unmistakable. The group mid-conversation paused, turning to look.
Shen Yifeng’s throat tightened. He didn’t know why he’d thought so much, yet his mind remained eerily calm, as if detached. On instinct, he gave a polite nod when their eyes met. "Hello."
The Laroche heir seemed surprised but returned the gesture with equal courtesy. His face was undeniably striking, made even more radiant by the prestige of his name.
Shen Yifeng couldn’t bring himself to say anything more. He knew Gu Zhaoping well—after all, for over a decade, he’d been certain she would one day be his wife.
But the absurdity of it all struck him. Here he was, learning what kind of man his once-betrothed was drawn to.
He’d once stood by as a young man like this challenged him outright. Now, he watched another, oblivious to his existence, cast warm, almost intimate glances at Gu Zhaoping.
And he couldn’t utter a single word from a place of rightful claim.
Valentin—for that was the young master’s name—noticed his prolonged stare and tilted his head slightly, still polite. "Was there something else you needed?"
A long silence. "No."
Mechanically, Shen Yifeng forced out the next words, unsure how they’d even formed. "I’m hosting a party tomorrow evening. Guests are allowed a plus-one, no restrictions. Would you like to come?"
He didn’t know what he was hoping for. Only after speaking did it occur to him: if this Laroche needed a date, it would mean he either had someone already or intended to find one there. Either way, it would prove he wasn’t the kind of man who could stand beside Gu Zhaoping.
But to his surprise, the young master blinked, glancing at his friends, who stifled amused smiles. His ears tinged pink as he chuckled good-naturedly.
"Ah, Mr. Shen, I don’t actually have a plus-one."
His friends teased him. "Never managed a proper romantic encounter. A workaholic with zero charm."
Valentin’s cheeks flushed. He nudged the speaker with an elbow clad in deep navy-blue silk, oddly defensive. "I do have charm."
For him, lacking romantic flair was an insult—he just hadn’t met the right person to unfurl his peacock feathers for.
Watching the two young men banter with such vibrant energy, Shen Yifeng felt an inexplicable chill settle in his chest.
His mind cleared.
No plus-one? The Laroche heir had never brought a date? Never even been in a relationship?
It was impossible. Unthinkable.
Yet here it was, happening before him. The young master seemed to consider something briefly before turning back politely. "Thank you for the invitation, Mr. Shen. If I can secure a companion’s agreement, I’ll attend."
They exchanged contact details. Shen Yifeng stood there, dazed, unsure how things had unfolded this way. Then he watched as the young man was swept away by his entourage, the sharp curve of his smile unmistakably youthful.
Suddenly, Shen Yifeng realized—he was thirty years old.
A wave of helplessness crashed over him.
So overwhelming that he wanted to sink into his seat and stay there.
Today’s forum was private, with recordings but no public broadcast. The official event—the one facing global media—would take place in two days, grander in scale, with discussions aired on major networks worldwide.
Old Master Gu emerged, leaning on his cane, exchanging pleasantries. He was thoroughly pleased with Gu Zhaoping’s performance today.
"Zhaoping, for the upcoming forum, our family will still nominate you as the speaker. How does that sound?"
"No problem, Grandfather. I’ll revise the speech draft." She stood beside him, answering without hesitation.
The old man beamed. Today’s appearance had put Gu Zhaoping on many influential radars. The subtle inquiries and probing compliments came in waves—he played it cool, but inwardly, he was bursting with pride.
With a granddaughter like this, who wouldn’t be?
If it had been anyone else—say, one of those incompetent, lackluster young men from the Gu family—who could have single-handedly commanded such a stage? Who could have stood before industry titans from around the world on such a grand platform, flawlessly presenting a project proposal without a single stumble, delivering it in one fluid breath, and even fielding their questions with articulate answers?
Just those brief ten to twenty minutes of Gu Zhaoping’s presentation today had already piqued the interest of many in the plan she outlined. Once concrete data was unveiled in a couple of days, and the formal investment phase began, who knew what kind of frenzy it would ignite?
The mere thought sent Old Master Gu’s blood racing, his octogenarian body feeling like an old car freshly fueled and ready to roar back to life.
The two had barely taken a few steps toward their car when someone seemed to spot them from behind.
Valentin paused, swiftly bidding farewell to those around him before striding forward. He caught up to Gu Zhaoping just before she stepped into the car, stopping by the door with a breathless, "Miss Gu."
Hearing his voice, Gu Zhaoping halted mid-motion, straightening to face him. She had a favorable impression of this man—his questions had zeroed in on the crux of her presentation—so she asked politely, "Mr. Laroche, is there anything else you’d like to discuss?"
His strikingly handsome face—sharp yet youthful, brimming with vitality—broke into a slightly bashful but radiant smile, his deep blue eyes fixed intently on her.
"My apologies, but I have an impertinent request. May I ask you a personal question? If not, please feel free to refuse."
Old Master Gu, now seated in the back, only just registered the exchange. His head jerked up in surprise, eyes wide with scandalized delight as he gaped at the scene.
Holy smokes, what a looker! Wasn’t this the guy who’d asked questions earlier? Up close, he was downright devastating—so unfairly handsome it felt like a cosmic joke! The sunlight even cast a faint halo around his face!
And his granddaughter? Every inch the regal presence, one hand resting on the car door, her aura effortlessly commanding as she nodded and said, "Go ahead."
Valentin’s bone structure was exceptional—his strong brows framing long, arresting eyes, his features so perfectly proportioned it was hypnotic.
Yet when he spoke to her, there was an unconscious shyness to him, his ears tinged pink. Though his demeanor remained composed, the way he awaited her answer betrayed a hint of nervousness.
"Miss Gu, this might be presumptuous, but... if I were to attend a party for young professionals, would you accompany me?"
Silence. Then the sound of a sharply drawn breath from inside the car. Old Master Gu clutched his thigh, silently smacking it in excitement.
What was this? What was happening? He was witnessing this?! A dashing young man, standing bashfully before his granddaughter, inviting her to a party?!
He didn’t even know why he was so thrilled—his grin just wouldn’t quit. Maybe old age made you crave scenes like this. The more he listened, the more delighted he became, gripping his leg and straining to hear Zhaoping’s reply.
Gu Zhaoping merely paused before answering calmly, "No problem."
Valentin’s face lit up with joy. Her approval was the highlight of his day.
"...Wonderful. I’ll make preparations at once. Then, Miss Gu, I hope tomorrow’s gathering will be enjoyable for you." With that, he leaned down slightly, catching Old Master Gu’s eye through the car window. Smiling, he nodded and bid him, "Goodbye."
It took Old Master Gu a second to react. "Oh—oh!" he stammered in response, watching as Valentin walked away. The man couldn’t help but marvel at the vigor of youth—so vibrant it made him feel a little younger himself.
Beaming, he watched Gu Zhaoping settle into the car, and they drove off.
The old man rode his high for half the journey, only snapping out of it as their estate hotel came into view. Suddenly, he froze, realizing with a jolt what he’d forgotten.
"Wait, Zhaoping," he blurted, turning to her with a look of dawning horror. "Don’t you have a fiancé?"
His expression was nothing short of thunderstruck.
A storm of emotions crashed over him—regret, awkwardness, utter bewilderment.
He’d been thoroughly charmed by that young man earlier, impressed by his capability, looks, and pedigree, not to mention his obvious admiration for Zhaoping. He’d even thought someone like him would suit her perfectly.
But now it hit him—hadn’t Zhaoping already been promised to someone else?
Gu Zhaoping hesitated, surprised by the sudden mention. Then, recalling Valentin’s invitation, she offered a reassuring, "It’s fine, Grandfather."
Old Master Gu nearly leapt out of his seat. Fine?! How was this fine?! With an engagement still in place, this party invitation—practically a date—was anything but appropriate, whether for Shen Yifeng or Valentin!
Who in their right mind would call this fine?!
But before he could spiral further, Gu Zhaoping’s next words cut through his panic with calm precision:
"Grandfather, have you ever wondered why, as engaged couples, Gu Zhaoye’s arrangements always favor him, while mine with Shen Yifeng are skewed in his favor? We’re doing the same things. If anything, I’m the less outrageous one—Gu Zhaoye’s antics far surpass mine."
The old man was stunned. It took him a long moment to process her words, his expression blank before dawning realization brought a flicker of shock.
He’d never questioned it before.
Gu Zhaoye and Fang Yining’s engagement was as fragile as paper yet oddly resilient. Gu Zhaoye could date whomever he pleased without consequence; Fang Yining rarely objected, and the arrangement endured.
But when it came to Gu Zhaoping and Shen Yifeng, it seemed there was no such tolerance for her. No one thought that her dating someone else wouldn’t affect the engagement. If Shen Yifeng discovered she hadn’t remained faithful, he would end the engagement, abandon her, and Gu Zhaoping would still be the one morally condemned.
Old Master Gu suddenly realized this, as if struck by a hammer, and a strange feeling washed over him. He found it odd.
In most people’s minds, engagements—especially those among the wealthy—were primarily about safeguarding a man’s assets and marital stability. Even in high society, a woman’s infidelity was far more punishable and deserving of scorn than a man’s.
It seemed everyone believed that if a man was wealthy and powerful, he was entitled to be promiscuous. If he remained faithful, it was a reward for his wife, and she was fortunate. If he strayed, his wife should endure it quietly—after all, the wealth belonged to him, and she was already lucky to enjoy status and money.
But if the roles were reversed, an unfaithful woman would face harsher judgment and moral condemnation, subjected to soul-crushing humiliation and ridicule, branded as ungrateful, while people would pity her husband for his suffering.
This stereotype was especially pronounced in CEO romance novels, where class distinctions were stark. The men at the top of the hierarchy reinforced these rigid perceptions even more strongly.
Once an engagement was in place, whether it was Fang Yining or Gu Zhaoping, no matter which family’s young lady they were, their families would first ensure their "wife attributes." Meanwhile, Gu Zhaoye and Shen Yifeng were defined by their "power attributes." Those who held power had choices; wives did not.
Gu Zhaoping had never expected Old Master Gu to realize this disparity on his own. For a man to empathize with her situation, he’d need a beloved daughter or granddaughter first.
Of course, Gu Zhaoping wasn’t yet someone he cherished—only someone whose value was high enough to make him proud, reliant, and willing to reconsider his stance.
But forcing him to reflect was enough.
When you grow powerful, the world starts questioning how it once treated you.
Old Master Gu sat silently for a long moment, dumbfounded, as the car drove on quietly. After a while, he finally murmured, "That’s right… it does make sense."
He felt a pang of embarrassment—this was the first time he realized he’d been viewing the engagement from Shen Yifeng’s biased perspective.
He hadn’t interfered much in Gu Zhaoye’s marriage arrangements, after all. If he’d been so lenient with Gu Zhaoye, shouldn’t he be even more so with Gu Zhaoping? Especially since she was more outstanding and better suited to be the Gu family’s heir—a thought that had already crossed his mind.
Quickly convincing himself, he chuckled. "Well, yes! Our Zhaoping is so exceptional—it’s only natural that a few more people would be smitten with her."
Having made such a grand impression today, Old Master Gu easily talked himself into agreement. But then, his aged memory finally recalled something else.
"Wait a minute."
"Didn’t the Shen family send someone to this summit? I think it was Shen Yifeng?"
The car fell silent. The driver focused intently on the road, pretending he hadn’t heard a thing.
But Gu Zhaoping’s reaction showed she didn’t care.
"Is that so?" she said calmly. "Then let him see."
She had glanced into the audience earlier and vaguely noticed a familiar figure, but paid it no mind. Now she faintly remembered—it might have been that so-called fiancé she’d seen at the mall.
Good. Let him see.
"Anyway, this engagement is meant to be called off."
Old Master Gu nodded along. "Right, it’s meant to be called off."
Then, a second later, it hit him—Wait, the engagement is being called off?!
Last time, when the Shen family visited the Gu residence and ran into Ms. Hua, the people from Yuanqi Tech had arrived for a report, so they hadn’t gotten the chance to bring it up.
Old Master Gu became the first in the Gu family to learn of this.
Congratulations to him.
Valentin de La Roche was indeed a very young man, still carrying some of the brash energy of a youth just stepping into adulthood. But his elite upbringing had refined that energy into something more polished—a vibrant charm that naturally drew people in.
He meticulously styled his hair, tried on multiple suits from the fitting room, and carefully matched accessories like necklaces and watches. He even considered what style Gu Zhaoping might prefer, selecting pieces that complemented her taste, hoping to leave a better impression at the evening gathering.
If you admired a woman, you shouldn’t express it awkwardly—you should act, making your goodwill clear through tangible gestures. That was the education Valentin had received.
Even his grandmother, who had accompanied him, couldn’t help but laugh at how frantically he was preparing. "Is this the first time you’ve taken a liking to someone?"
Valentin held up a watch to his wrist, studying it in the mirror with an unaffected smile, answering frankly, "It’s the first time someone’s presence has felt so magnetic—like I must get closer, no matter what."
On the way there, Valentin was both excited and nervous. He was intensely curious about this Ms. Gu. She was too powerful, too enigmatic, with an aura that seemed unmatched—commanding, imperious. When a woman carried the qualities of a sovereign, it was extraordinarily captivating.
Filled with curiosity and reverence, he couldn’t wait to understand her.
Out of courtesy, Valentin arrived earlier than the agreed time, but he hadn’t expected Gu Zhaoping to be even more prepared.
He paused, surprised to see her already waiting with a car, gesturing for him to get in.
Without hesitation, Valentin left his own vehicle and stepped into hers.
The driver was a middle-aged woman with exceptional skills, handling the car with steady precision. Though they had abandoned what seemed like a romantic two-seater sports car, Valentine didn’t mind at all. He believed someone like Gu Zhaoping was the right person to make such decisions, and it was entirely reasonable for him to follow her lead.
Today, to balance business with a touch of casual charm, he had dressed in relatively relaxed attire. Beneath the collar of his jacket, he wore a large silver necklace, but beyond that, he kept things simple—relying solely on his strikingly deep, exquisitely handsome face as decoration, which already made him look dazzling enough.
He had been waiting for Gu Zhaoping’s gaze to land on him, but she didn’t seem inclined to do so. Gradually, Valentine’s tension eased, though he wasn’t sure whether it was relief or something else—a sense of disappointment, or perhaps a mix of amusement and resignation?
Yet, he found her personal allure even stronger now.
He noticed that Ms. Gu Zhaoping seemed to favor light-colored formal suits, crisp and elegant, without any jewelry except for a neatly tied-up hairstyle and a watch on her wrist. Even in the car, she was listening to a podcast.
Valentine didn’t disturb her. Only when she paused did he lightly rub his knuckles together and ask with genuine interest, “May I ask what you’re listening to, Ms. Gu?”
Gu Zhaoping wasn’t particularly inclined toward small talk, but Valentine’s eyes burned with such earnest curiosity—as if everything about him radiated a deep desire to know—that she answered, “It’s a podcast about Eastern Zen philosophy. It explores finding inner peace and life’s wisdom through meditation and spiritual cultivation.”
“The so-called ‘seeing one’s true nature’ means perceiving the Buddha-nature within oneself and attaining liberation.”
Valentine listened intently, committing this insight to memory. This was another world that belonged to her—perhaps she was someone deeply attuned to Zen, possessing Buddha-nature, and seeking self-transcendence.
She seemed extraordinarily composed, radiating profound wisdom.
She probably seldom lost her temper, perhaps never erupted in anger—a person of remarkable poise.
Valentine picked up a glass from the car and took a sip of the water she had prepared, his deep blue eyes, shadowed by thick brows, fixed on her with unwavering focus.
Shen Yifeng had proposed this gathering almost on a whim. He hadn’t originally planned it, but by the time he realized what he was doing, the words had already left his mouth, leaving no room for retreat. In the end, he went ahead and organized it.
Even his friend from the equestrian club was surprised, asking if he had arranged it because he hadn’t seen their group in a while and wanted to make up for lost time.
Shen Yifeng didn’t respond, simply urging his horse forward in silence.
A restless agitation churned inside him—he knew exactly where it came from and why, yet for the first time, he couldn’t shake it off.
The gathering was set to take place just before the official large-scale discussions of the summit. He had only invited peers of similar age among the attendees, ensuring a lively atmosphere.
Li Xunwen and Li Xunxi, the siblings, had just landed.
The moment they stepped off the plane, they began inquiring about Shen Yifeng’s whereabouts. They had heard from the Shen family elders that Shen Yifeng was here for the summit—an event of extraordinary prestige. Even within the Shen family, he was the only one qualified to attend.
Merely being present at such a summit, let alone speaking at its forums, was an achievement worth boasting about. The attendees were all top-tier figures from around the world, their credentials overwhelmingly impressive.
As soon as Li Xunxi exited the airport, she saw the city adorned with banners welcoming the summit, fluttering proudly in the wind. She curled her lip and sneered, “Gu Zhaoping had ‘something to do,’ didn’t she? That’s why she couldn’t make it to the show—and now she’s missed seeing the city like this too.”
“She loves putting on airs, doesn’t she? Well, too bad—she skipped out on the most showy part.”
After mocking her, the two resumed gushing about how incredible Shen Yifeng was.
“Not many people get to attend this summit. And with all the high-level negotiations Yifeng-ge is involved in—just imagine his standing! None of the other young masters and misses in our circle can even compare.”
“We’ve always said Gu Zhaoping isn’t good enough for him.”
As usual, they lavished praise on Shen Yifeng.
They had arrived ahead of the rest of the production team solely to see him—after all, Shen Yifeng rarely had time to spare.
Rumor had it he was hosting a gathering in the next few days, inviting many of the summit’s most outstanding young participants. It was a prime networking opportunity, and not just anyone could attend.
As they badmouthed Gu Zhaoping, the siblings boarded a car and headed for the location Shen Yifeng had specified.
Shen Yifeng wasn’t particularly close to the Li siblings, but their families had longstanding ties, and he had watched them grow up. Now that they were here, it was only natural to meet, even though his mood was already frayed.
As they approached, Shen Yifeng’s inexplicable irritation only grew. He frowned slightly, hands in his pockets, struggling to focus on his conversations.
“Yifeng-ge!”
The siblings brightened the moment they saw him, eagerly calling out. Shen Yifeng raised his glass in a distant toast, signaling for them to make themselves at home.
Since he was engaged in conversation, they hesitated to interrupt, instead surveying the other guests with keen interest.
The moment Shen Yifeng was free, Li Xunxi hurried over to complain about Gu Zhaoping’s antics on the show.
“Yifeng-ge, you know that fiancée of yours? She’s on the same program as us.” The moment she spoke, she noticed Shen Yifeng stiffen slightly, his demeanor turning uneasy.
Oblivious, she continued listing all the trouble Gu Zhaoping had caused him.
“…Honestly, I don’t know what’s wrong with her. She schemed against us, making us lose our bets, then publicly assaulted her own brother on the show—it caused a huge scandal. Have you heard about it? Poor Gu Zhaoye, stuck with a sister like that!”
“Oh, and she took leave recently—who knows what she’s up to now? Maybe partying with some young male models? Yifeng-ge, how can you just tolerate her as your fiancée?”
The siblings spoke over each other in a rush, completely oblivious to how dark Shen Yifeng’s expression had grown.
Shen Yifeng was never one to wear his emotions openly, but lately, when it came to matters involving Gu Zhaoping, his composure kept slipping. His grip on the glass tightened until his fingertips turned white.
"Yifeng, you should really rein her in—"
It was at that moment he finally snapped, his voice sharp. "Enough!"
The siblings startled, stunned by his harsh tone and the stormy look in his eyes.
Just then, a car pulled to a stop at the entrance nearby.
Everyone paused mid-conversation, their attention snapping toward the scene.
A young man stepped out first, swiftly buttoning his suit jacket before circling the car to open the opposite door—clearly for someone else.
That single gesture alone was enough to reveal his striking presence. The onlookers, including the siblings, froze momentarily before realizing—wasn’t that the young master of the Laroche family?
"Yifeng, your connections are impressive—even someone like him is here?" they gushed, eyes gleaming with admiration.
But then, the breathtakingly handsome Laroche heir crouched slightly by the open door, speaking softly to whoever was inside, as if waiting with utmost patience for them to step out. A woman, no doubt.
Now, this was a spectacle. Who could possibly warrant such deference from him?
Shen Yifeng’s gaze followed, his chest tightening with a sudden, inexplicable dread so intense his fingers trembled.
"It must be his companion," someone murmured excitedly. "The tabloids have never even hinted at his romantic life—this is huge!"
The crowd buzzed with anticipation.
Even the Li siblings couldn’t hide their excitement.
But then, someone hesitated. That car… why did it look so familiar?
Before the memory could fully surface—
The door swung open, revealing the figure inside.
She stepped out, exchanging quiet words with the Laroche heir, who watched her with unwavering focus, as though nothing else in the world mattered more than what she was saying.
A stunned silence fell.
Especially for the Li siblings.
Their eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets, their bodies locking in disbelief.
Who—
Who was that?!
Gu Zhaoping?!
Wasn’t she on leave?! What was she doing here?!
And the person he was treating with such reverence—was Gu Zhaoping?!
