Gu Zhaoping paused for a moment, looking at him as if he had misspoken.
She had indeed experienced the flattery of many people, but the source of it this time still slightly caught her off guard.
Theodore was a proud man, yet in front of her, even the proudest individuals always followed her rules.
Gu Zhaoping was genuinely moved; these were words she truly loved to hear. A slight relaxation softened her brows and eyes, carrying a faint hint of a smile.
She said to him, "Thank you."
Then her gaze shifted to the cake. She seemed to lower her eyes and make a gesture for him to come closer. "Bring it a bit nearer."
This action seemed somewhat intimate. Theodore was slightly taken aback for a moment, then complied, obediently moving the cake a fraction closer to the camera.
He saw Gu Zhaoping on the other side also lower her head, leaning slightly towards the cake, and then she mimed blowing out the candles.
She made a soft "whoosh" sound.
"Happy birthday," she said to herself.
With that exhalation, the screen instantly went dark before his eyes.
Theodore blinked, stunned for a moment, unable to react in time.
Only then did he realize Gu Zhaoping had used this opportunity to directly end the video call.
After processing what happened, Theodore found himself somewhat caught between laughter and exasperation.
He let out a chuckle.
Such a busy woman, really giving him only a brief meeting.
...
As Gu Zhaoye faced punishment from the Gu family and Gu Zhaoping took over as CEO, the public discourse surrounding Yuanqi Technology gradually quieted down.
Fewer people held animosity towards the company, their attention gradually shifting elsewhere.
Of course, Gu Zhaoping, as a central figure in the incident, continued to command significant attention in subsequent online discussions.
With a person like her around, how could there ever be a shortage of topics?
Not only was she proficient in judo, capable of throwing a professional coach around, but she could also deliver awe-inspiring speeches at that world-class summit. Even more astonishingly, she had even broken a world record in chess!
Especially after the exposure of her saving Liang Zhiwei, her level of public attention had surpassed that of many popular celebrities.
To put it bluntly, in the current online sphere and even in reality, if there was one person whose mere mention could instantly spark discussion among people around them—regardless of gender or age, from seniors in their seventies and eighties to kindergarten children—that person was undoubtedly Gu Zhaoping!
However, what people were more curious about now was how Gu Zhaoping, after taking over Yuanqi Technology, would handle that mess of accounts and reverse the losses caused by Gu Zhaoye.
Liang Zhiwei received a call from her while shooting a commercial.
Having just finished a scene, Liang Zhiwei saw the caller ID and quickly stepped over a pile of props on the floor to answer at the side, her voice full of delight. "President Gu, why are you calling me? Is there something you need to tell me?"
Liang Zhiwei respectfully refrained from calling her "Sister Gu" again. Although Gu Zhaoping's attitude towards her remained as kind as ever, she believed this was precisely the time when Gu Zhaoping most needed to establish her image, status, and authority. "President Gu" carried more weight than "Sister Gu" and highlighted her stature. Liang Zhiwei didn't want to diminish her authority.
"Has the commercial President Hou contacted you about started filming?"
Mentioning this, Liang Zhiwei felt like she could kowtow to her in gratitude.
This was truly her goddess of wealth!
She hurriedly replied, "Yes, yes! President Shen arranged for me to be the spokesperson for one of their new product lines. It's going to be announced soon!"
Gu Zhaoping knew her current agent was Sister Li and casually added, "If she has time, have Sister Li contact me. I have something to ask her."
When Sister Li received this message and went to see Gu Zhaoping, she was still somewhat dazed.
Her heart was filled with anxiety. Having represented Ruan Nian and clashed with Gu Zhaoping for so long in the past, and now witnessing Gu Zhaoping's complete transformation from her previous image, Sister Li felt unfamiliarity and even a bit of fear, making her hesitant to interact.
But she had no choice but to brace herself and go.
When she saw Gu Zhaoping again, Sister Li was struck by a sense of how much had changed.
She never imagined Gu Zhaoping could transform so dramatically in such a short time.
She no longer dressed in the latest fashions or had meticulously styled hair, exuding an imposing aura. Instead, her entire demeanor had settled into a profound calmness. Just looking at her so plainly and calmly filled Sister Li with a sense of awe.
"Pres... President Gu, hello." Sister Li didn't dare call her "Miss Gu" anymore, feeling the title wasn't respectful enough.
Gu Zhaoping didn't seem to hold past grudges, nodding for her to sit down. She casually picked up a cup of tea and said, "I asked you here to understand some things about Ruan Nian."
Sister Li stiffened all over. "What would you like to know, President Gu? I'll tell you everything I know."
"When did you take over as Ruan Nian's agent? Were there any strange signs at that time? For example, you suddenly felt she was incredibly charming and that you must devote everything to her?"
Sister Li was stunned.
Recalling her journey, a sudden chill ran down her spine, making her hair stand on end.
She looked at Gu Zhaoping in disbelief.
By the time she finished talking with Gu Zhaoping, Sister Li felt completely drained, her clothes soaked through with cold sweat.
Walking out of that office, her heart still pounding with lingering fear, she didn't even dare to look back.
It was too bizarre!
Ruan Nian was indeed too bizarre. The more Gu Zhaoping asked, the more Sister Li felt everything was wrong.
She remembered she hadn't planned to become Ruan Nian's agent, but after seeing her, she somehow felt inexplicably drawn to her, convinced she should work with her.
After that, she tirelessly took the fall for her all these years, giving her all.
For the first time, Sister Li wondered if there really were some mysterious forces in the entertainment industry she knew nothing about.
It had also been a long time since Gu Zhaoping had seen Ruan Nian appear; she didn't know where she had gone.
Currently, online condemnation of Ruan Nian was only slightly less intense than the outcry against Gu Zhaoye. Given her previous reputation and popularity, this reversal was quite unbelievable.
Yet Ruan Nian herself seemed to have vanished without a trace, never appearing.
Gu Zhaoping knew that Ruan Nian was the female lead of this world. Her life should have been entangled with Gu Zhaoye's, a chase of you running after me, for reasons unclear.
They could be the male and female leads all they wanted, love however they pleased, but when they got in the way of Gu Zhaoping seizing power herself, they had to step aside.
As the main characters, they are only the protagonists within their own love story, which doesn't mean they need to be the center of attention on every track.
Even so, Gu Zhaoping still held some wariness towards Ruan Nian. She felt this matter wouldn't end so simply.
The system voice that had sent her to this world had also not reappeared, which concerned her greatly.
Yuanqi Technology hadn't faced any major incidents for the time being, but external voices eagerly anticipating how she would restructure the company were growing louder. Some people were already getting impatient.
For some reason, it had been quite a while since Gu Zhaoping took over, yet there hadn't been any major moves? They were all still waiting to see how Yuanqi Technology would make its comeback.
Gu Zhaoping returned to the Gu family with calm composure.
Today was the day Gu Zhaosi returned to the country. It was a rare family reunion for the Gu family, and even the constantly busy Gu Zhaoping had been invited back.
When Gu Zhaosi saw her, his eyes lit up instantly like a large dog spotting a toy, and he immediately pounced: "Sis, sis! I'm planning to come back to develop my career here!"
Gu Zhaoping merely nodded: "Work hard."
Gu Zhaosi froze mid-motion. That was it? His sister just brushed past him, walking towards the people behind him without giving him another glance.
Gu Zhaosi almost started drawing gloomy circles on the ground.
Grandpa hadn't been at the nursing home recently either, staying instead at the old mansion to oversee the frequent issues plaguing the Gu family lately. The Winter Solstice was also a significant occasion, so all notable members of the Gu family were summoned back to the old mansion for a meal together.
Gu Zhaoping arrived relatively early, with only a few of the younger generation present.
Gu Yingjie had been sitting obediently on the sofa, but the moment he looked up and saw Gu Zhaoping enter, he jolted and stood up. The few more distantly related cousins beside him, seeing him jump up as if electrocuted, were puzzled until they too turned and saw Gu Zhaoping.
The woman, wearing a long coat that reached her knees, strode in. The sound of her shoes striking the floor alone sent a wave of tension crawling up everyone's spines.
Gu Zhaoping!
They had also witnessed the shareholder meeting incident and instinctively tensed up then too. Somehow, they all found themselves standing, no one wanting to remain seated on that sofa.
Only then did they understand why Gu Yingjie looked so intimidated.
Gu Zhaoping sat down directly, then glanced at them. Resting one hand casually on the armrest, she asked in a congenial tone, "Why aren't you sitting?"
The others exchanged looks, inwardly groaning in frustration. How could she ask why they weren't sitting? Was it that they didn't want to? It was because she was here!
One person forced an awkward smile and said, "No, it's fine, Eldest Cousin. We're good standing."
"Right, I just ate too much."
Gu Zhaoping nodded and didn't press them further. Instead, she turned her gaze to a slightly familiar younger cousin.
She hadn't spoken with her since arriving here, but she seemed kind-faced, and Gu Zhaoping had learned some information about this cousin while familiarizing herself with the Gu family. Seeing she was relatively close by, Gu Zhaoping casually asked, "How are your studies lately?"
The cousin was taken aback, hardly believing Gu Zhaoping had spoken to her first. Whether in the past or now, they weren't close.
She glanced left and right. Everyone around was nervously watching her while pretending not to. She stammered slightly before saying, "Uh, Eldest Cousin, my studies have been going well recently."
"Good. It's the time for studying," Gu Zhaoping nodded, asking just these couple of questions before ending the conversation.
This is too strange, a murmur arose in everyone's hearts.
Why did it feel like Gu Zhaoping sitting here gave off the vibe of a senior overseeing everything, while others dared not overstep?
Gu Zhaoping had always liked sitting on this sofa in the Gu family's first-floor living room because she felt the view was excellent, giving a feeling of surveying her domain.
Now, no one dared to compete with her for it; it was entirely hers.
After exchanging glances again, someone finally mustered the courage to ask her, "Eldest Cousin, by the way, do you know about Gu Zhaoye's situation?"
"What situation?"
Seeing Gu Zhaoping's seemingly genuine ignorance, they were surprised. Finally, someone said, "Eldest Cousin, you don't know? Gu Zhaoye is preparing to get engaged soon."
"Engaged."
Even Gu Zhaosi, who had just followed her in, was stunned.
He nearly tripped!
Spring Day
Gu Zhaoye getting engaged?
What era is this, and Gu Zhaoye is busy getting engaged? Who is he engaged to? Ruan Nian? That can't be right, he shouldn't be so determined to play against the odds, should he?
Yet Gu Zhaoping readily said, "I know."
The others were stunned again.
Gu Zhaosi looked at her dumbfounded.
What? So his sister knew Gu Zhaoye was getting engaged but had no intention of intervening?
The senior members of the Gu family began to arrive. Gu Zhaoping stood up first, nodding in greeting, "Grandpa."
Only then did the other younger generation follow her lead in greeting.
Accompanying them was an unexpected figure. Grandpa's expression didn't look particularly good.
He walked in leaning on his cane, and only then did others see Gu Zhaoye following behind him. Their expressions instantly became varied.
Hadn't Gu Zhaoye just been removed from his position at the shareholder meeting? And his actions at Yuanqi Technology were still under investigation, with lawsuits pending. How could he appear so boldly at a Gu family gathering?
Then they vaguely understood.
Could it be... because of Gu Zhaoye's impending arranged marriage?
All eyes fell on Gu Zhaoping's face, hoping to see some reaction, but there was no fluctuation in her expression. No one got the drama they hoped for.
Having gone through this ordeal, the arrogant CEO aura on Gu Zhaoye's face had almost been worn away overnight.
Upon entering and seeing Gu Zhaoping, a flicker of emotion—whether wariness or resentment—seemed to cross his face. But it quickly stiffened and was suppressed upon meeting Gu Zhaoping's gaze.
Seeing Gu Zhaoping, Grandpa's expression relaxed slightly. "You're here so early."
Gu Zhaoping acted as if she hadn't seen Gu Zhaoye, calmly and naturally greeting Grandpa.
Gu Zhaoye's expression stiffened further.
Seeing everyone had gathered, he stood quietly, waiting for something.
Gu Zhaoye looked towards Grandpa, but Grandpa had already started conversing with someone else, seemingly with no intention of bringing up his matter at all. Gu Zhaoye waited and waited, then glanced at his own parents, but they showed no reaction either. He was finally starting to lose his composure.
Finally, he spoke up hesitantly, "Grandpa..."
Only then was Grandpa interrupted, casting a glance at him. This look, however, was filled with an expression completely unfamiliar to Gu Zhaoye, devoid of any of the former doting affection and pride he used to show upon seeing this grandson.
"You tell them about this matter," Grandpa finally relented.
Gu Zhaoye also breathed a sigh of relief. His gaze swept over everyone present, and he adopted a different tone, his face gaining a touch of confidence. "I'm here today to inform everyone that the engagement ceremony for Yining and myself will be held soon, scheduled for the 4th of next month. I hope you can all make time to attend and not be absent."
His words caused an immediate uproar.
As soon as he spoke, all those unaware were stunned, staring at him dumbfounded, exchanging bewildered glances with each other.
Who was Fang Yining? Of course they knew—wasn't it Fang Yining?
It was true she and Gu Zhaoye were engaged, but after such a major scandal, could she still brazenly proceed with the engagement and hold the ceremony at this very moment? Were Fang Yining and the Fang family out of their minds?
Any family that cared even a little for their child would never possibly send her into such a den of wolves.
Moreover, they seemed to recall that Fang Yining was supposedly very close with Gu Zhaoping. Did this mean Fang Yining was now siding with Gu Zhaoye, going against Gu Zhaoping?
They cautiously observed Gu Zhaoping's expression, but her face was unreadable.
Gu Zhaoye kept waiting for Gu Zhaoping's expression to change, but after a long wait, it never came. He stared at her intently, as if guarding against a sudden outburst, yet Gu Zhaoping remained perfectly calm.
Only after Gu Zhaoye finished speaking did she, as if brushing past an inconsequential topic, say gently, "Then let's all take our seats. The chef has prepared lunch."
Gu Zhaoye was taken aback for a moment. Seeing she had already turned to leave, he finally asked, "Gu Zhaoping... Sis."
He forced out the word "Sis." After Gu Zhaoping reluctantly turned back, he quickly followed up, "Will you attend the engagement banquet?"
Gu Zhaoping paused, then said with great magnanimity, "Of course I will."
"After all, it's the engagement of Fang Yining and my younger brother. As your elder sister, how could I not attend?"
Although these words made Gu Zhaoye feel somewhat uncomfortable, her agreement was still unexpected for him.
Gu Zhaoye finally relaxed. This engagement banquet was a battle to help him regain his footing.
On one hand, it was to declare to those in their social circle and industry who were watching his downfall that he hadn't been completely abandoned—at the very least, he could secure the engagement with the Fang family. On the other hand, it was to prove that all the important members of the Gu family would appear at his engagement ceremony.
These guarantees were crucial for him, almost a matter of survival.
He believed those at Yuanqi Technology who had always been loyal to him would never truly submit to Gu Zhaoping. Once he regained his footing, those people could jump back out and work under him again.
With the Gu family background and the identity as the Fang family's son-in-law, how could he possibly fail to make a successful comeback?
The tension that had been etched on Gu Zhaoye's face finally eased. Even this family dinner, which should have been utterly embarrassing and humiliating for him, now brought a slight smile to his face.
Seeing that he even dared to raise his glass and toast provocatively towards him, Gu Zhaosi couldn't help but feel a chill run down his spine. He didn't clink glasses with him at all, simply turned and walked away.
When he went to the restroom to wash his hands, he ran into Gu Zhaoping and quickly went up to her, asking in a low voice, "Sis, how come you didn't react at all? I remember Fang Yining was closest to you, wasn't she?"
He glanced back towards the dining room. Because of Gu Zhaoye's presence, the atmosphere among everyone had turned strange, and light conversation was impossible. Only Gu Zhaoye remained there, cluelessly toasting.
Gu Zhaosi's voice even changed pitch a little. "At a time like this, that bastard can still think about marrying into another family? Why didn't he think of this before? Only when there's no one left to clean up his mess does he remember to turn to his fiancée and her family to wipe his ass. How can someone be so shameless!"
What Gu Zhaosi found even more unbelievable was: "He's made such a mess with Ruan Nian, and his affair with Liang Zhiwei is known all over the internet, yet he still has the gall to go discuss engagement with the Fang family? Damn, I'm starting to suspect Gu Zhaoye must have drugged them or something. Otherwise, I can't believe any sane person would agree to marry Gu Zhaoye in his current state!"
"Just wait and see," Gu Zhaoping said noncommittally, just smiling slightly. She wiped her hands on her phone and looked at her reflection in the mirror.
Gu Zhaosi was puzzled, but after a moment's thought, he had a feeling his sister seemed completely confident and in control, as if she had everything planned. Did she have some scheme up her sleeve?
Suddenly, he felt goosebumps rise on his back. He had a strong feeling that Gu Zhaoye was headed for major disaster.
Forget it, he wouldn't overthink it. If he couldn't figure it out, he'd just wait and watch the show. His sister definitely wouldn't disappoint him.
Having thought it through, Gu Zhaosi happily went back.
Gu Zhaoping had been quietly waiting for this day all along.
The news of Gu Zhaoye's engagement quickly spread far and wide.
He began sending out invitations extensively.
The engagement banquet was set at a manor hotel in Haicheng, built on a piece of land originally invested in by the Gu family. It was later taken over by a business partner who constructed a castle-style hotel on it.
The planning team hired was also a well-known one in the industry. Everyone's first reaction upon receiving the news was one of stunned disbelief—they couldn't believe Fang Yining would dare to proceed with the engagement with Gu Zhaoye at this critical juncture, without disdain for him!
Damn, did Gu Zhaoye slip her a love potion? Or does he have some dirt on the Fang family? Otherwise, it just doesn't make sense!
Soon after, the news reached media outlets sensitive to high-society gossip.
The editor-in-chief of a website, upon receiving the invitation, was thoroughly stunned. He turned the invitation over and over, reading the two names on it several times, still unable to believe it. He even spat out the mouthful of goji berry and red date tea he had just sipped.
"What is the meaning of this? Are they saying Gu Zhaoye is still solidifying his relationship with the Fang family heiress through engagement at this point in time?"
He twisted the bottle cap with an incredulous expression, his eyes wide as he scrutinized it over and over, still feeling that this Fang Yining somehow carried an aura reminiscent of Wang Baochuan.
Is your family also trying to use this opportunity to showcase your unwavering loyalty? Even though Gu Zhaoye has ended up like this, you still want to treat him as a rare commodity and buy at the bottom?
The editor-in-chief took quite a while to recover from the shock. Then, frantically, he slammed the desk, drawing the attention of everyone in the entire office. He shouted, "Quick, quick, quick, arrange the coverage! We need to be the first on this story!"
The office fell silent for a moment before erupting into a frantic clatter of keyboard typing.
Someone came up with the first headline:
Shocking! Disgraced Tycoon CEO to Marry Sister's Best Friend After Being Ousted, Amidst Past Scandal and Murder Rumors!
The editor-in-chief had just felt a flicker of satisfaction, but other media outlets soon got the news as well. Each one became as excited as if injected with adrenaline, pumping out numerous reports overnight:
Drama in High Society: Ousted CEO Turns Around and Gets Engaged to Sister's Confidante—Weren't Those Past Scandals Enough?
From Sex Scandals to Power Struggle Crisis, He's Now Engaged to His Sister's Best Friend? This High-Society Drama Is Too Juicy!
