Chapter 9: As the eldest daughter of the Gu family, it is only right for me to teach you a lesson.

At the sound of that lowered acknowledgment, the veins on Gu Zhaoye’s neck bulged, as if he wanted nothing more than to beat Gu Zhaoping up.

Of course, after the confrontation just now, he had realized he couldn’t win.

But he was unwilling to admit it.

All he could do was tell himself not to argue with a woman.

Gu Zhaoping merely glanced at him indifferently, as if she could see right through his insincerity.

That single look inexplicably sent a chill down Gu Zhaoye’s spine.

For a moment, he lost his bravado, and the fierce expression he had worked so hard to maintain flickered slightly.

Realizing this, he became even more frustrated more than just humiliated, but completely incredulous.

How did Gu Zhaoping have such a presence?

How could she suppress him?

Gu Zhaoping turned to look at Old Master Gu.

Before Gu Zhaoye could continue his complaints, she spoke first.

“Yesterday, Fang Yining arranged to meet Gu Zhaoye.

But he answered another call, left to celebrate his girlfriend’s birthday, and abandoned Fang Yining outside.”

Gu Zhaoye’s face changed instantly.

He hadn’t expected Gu Zhaoping to bring it up first.

That was what happened.

But who described it first and how it was framed would determine how the entire situation was perceived.

From each of their perspectives, the other was completely at fault.

Seeing Old Master Gu’s face darken, Gu Zhaoye blurted out without thinking, “Don’t drag Ruan Nian into this!

You think you can clear your name just like that?

Who I date has no impact on the Gu family’s reputation.

But you hitting people in public is what truly disgraces the family!”

Gu Zhaoping acted as if she hadn’t heard him.

She calmly asked, “Are you the eldest grandson of the main Gu family line?”

Gu Zhaoye was momentarily speechless, not expecting her to suddenly emphasize his status.

His expression darkened.

Though he was younger than Gu Kaichang and technically not the eldest son, he was still the firstborn of the main family branch.

That made him the nominal eldest grandson a position of symbolic importance.

This distinction had always made his eligibility to inherit the Gu family a subject of minor debate between him and Gu Kaichang.

Fortunately, he was highly capable, and Gu Kaichang wasn’t a formidable competitor yet.

As for the other brothers, he didn’t even take them seriously.

“…Yes, I am.

So what?”

“Eldest grandson of the main family,” Gu Zhaoping repeated.

Her tone seemed to affirm his identity, yet Gu Zhaoye keenly detected a hint of disdain and the faintest trace of a mocking smile.

It was too subtle to pinpoint exactly, but it made his expression turn even uglier.

Just as he was about to retort, he was caught off guard as Gu Zhaoping placed her teacup down and slowly stepped forward.

Before he could react, a loud smack! echoed another slap landed right on his face!

For the second time, he was struck.

At this point, he wasn’t just angry he was downright stunned.

Completely bewildered.

“Gu Zhaoping !”

“I was wrong.

Very wrong,” Gu Zhaoping said, raising her hand, her tone calm.

“As the eldest daughter of the Gu family, I failed to discipline my younger brother.

You openly violated your engagement, not only without shame but with pride, and sabotaged a strategic family alliance for personal reasons.

That was my first mistake.”

Gu Zhaoye’s eyes widened in disbelief.

In the stunned silence of Old Master Gu, Gu Father, and Madam Hua, her hand swung again.

Smack!

This time, Gu Zhaoye managed to shield his left cheek, but his right side was completely exposed, taking the full impact!

“My purpose in confronting you yesterday was to drag you back and make you apologize to Fang Yining.

But I focused on dealing with Ruan Nian instead.

She may lack morals, but you are far more deserving of punishment.”

“Failing to beat you yesterday was my second mistake.”

Her voice suddenly sharpened.

“I know how much Grandfather despises scandals.

He has repeatedly warned you against your public affairs.

As the eldest grandson of the main family, do you truly not understand this, or do you simply not care?”

“How long do you intend to disgrace yourself before the second and third family branches?”

Her words rang loud and clear, leaving the entire Gu estate in stunned silence.

No one dared move.

Some even held their breath, utterly frozen by her fury.

This… This was…

Miss Zhaoping had lost her temper before, but never this severely!

The second and third branches?

Wait was she actually concerned about the main family’s standing against the other branches?

Hold on…

Did she mean to say she had opposed the second young master’s relationship with Ruan Nian for the sake of Old Master Gu’s wishes?

Gu Zhaoye’s face burned with pain.

Yet his mind struggled even more to process the accusations hurled at him.

What was happening?

Why did it suddenly sound like he was the villain while she, the one constantly stirring up trouble, was actually the one acting in the Gu family’s best interests?

That kind of person she what right did she have?!

Overcome with rage, he was about to retaliate when Old Master Gu’s deep voice cut in.

“Enough, Zhaoye.

Stop this nonsense.”

He glanced at the symmetrical handprints on Gu Zhaoye’s face, noting the faint bruising forming beneath them visible even to his aging eyes.

Clearing his throat slightly, he added, “Your sister is doing this for your own good.

Don’t argue with her.”

Gu Zhaoye: “…?”

What?

What did he mean don’t argue with her?

And she was doing this for his own good?!

Gu Zhaoye was about to lose his mind.

“Grandfather?!”

For the first time, Old Master Gu was siding with Gu Zhaoping instead of him.

Old Master Gu averted his gaze, pretending not to see his expression.

He then turned to Gu Zhaoping, offering a perfunctory reprimand.

“Zhaoping, I know you mean well for your brother, but acting so impulsively isn’t good.

You siblings should resolve things properly.”

Gu Zhaoye had expected Gu Zhaoping to be her usual stubborn self.

But unexpectedly, she admitted her fault without hesitation.

“It was wrong of me, Grandfather.”

Old Master Gu looked pleased and was about to continue when she added

“I’ll make sure to intervene earlier next time.

Before he causes real trouble.

One or two slaps won’t be enough to correct him.”

Old Master Gu: “…”

Gu Zhaoping didn’t enjoy hitting people.

She preferred permanent solutions cutting off problems at their root.

But since the timing wasn’t quite ripe yet…

And since her dear little brother was practically begging for a beating…

Well, she could use the practice.

Besides, straightforward scoldings were a rather enjoyable way to vent stress.

They triggered the release of beneficial hormones, improved mood, and boosted work efficiency.

Of course, Old Master Gu knew about Gu Zhaoping’s notorious activities outside.

Her habits of hiring male models weren’t exactly morally superior to Gu Zhaoye’s affairs.

But in the end, status was what mattered.

Gu Zhaoping had deliberately emphasized “eldest grandson of the main family” to highlight how delicate Gu Zhaoye’s position was.

“First daughter” was not as important as “eldest grandson of the main family.”

But it also meant that her occasional indulgences weren’t as damaging as Gu Zhaoye’s high-profile relationship with a celebrity.

If they valued tradition, they should also value maintaining his engagement.

It was only natural for Gu Zhaoping to discipline him.

Besides, Old Master Gu was quite fond of Gu Zhaoping lately.

He was even planning to show her off to his chess association friends.

So of course, he turned a blind eye and indulged her a little.

Gu Zhaoye’s face was ashen.

But with his grandfather’s ruling set, no matter how rebellious he was, he wouldn’t dare oppose him.

He could only swallow the bitter pill, glaring at Gu Zhaoping with barely restrained fury, his jaw clenched hard enough to draw blood.

“…Fine.”

Under Old Master Gu’s gaze, he forced out another sentence.

“I understand my mistake.”

Gu Father and Madam Hua, having watched the entire exchange unfold, were utterly stunned unable to utter a single word.

Gu Zhaoping had beaten Gu Zhaoye twice in front of Old Master Gu…

And he had let it slide!

Gu Zhaoye clutched his face, covered in bruises and swelling, so humiliated that he didn’t even have the decency to say goodbye to his parents or Old Master Gu.

He simply strode out, his steps hurried, though he still cast a glance at Gu Zhaoping.

“I’m leaving.”

His voice was stiff and short, and in the darkness, he stormed out of the ancestral house.

If he stayed any longer, he feared Gu Zhaoping would drive him into madness.

Even after getting into the car, his mood remained unbearably dark.

The driver, oblivious to the tension, carefully tried to ingratiate himself with him as usual.

“President Gu, did you teach Miss Zhaoping a lesson today?”

“I must say, the young lady is truly ungrateful.

How dare she meddle in your affairs “

“Shut up!”

Gu Zhaoye suddenly erupted, slamming his fist down beside him.

A loud bang echoed in the car, startling the driver so badly that he nearly swerved into a flowerbed.

Because of this sudden loss of control, Gu Zhaoye’s already injured hand twisted even more violently.

Pain shot through him, his expression turning an even deeper shade of blue.

“President Gu! President Gu!”

The driver panicked and quickly pulled over to check on him.

In the dimly lit car, Gu Zhaoye’s hand had struck the ashtray beside him.

Unfortunately, before he got in, he had been in a foul mood and had absentmindedly tossed a half-lit cigarette into it.

It hadn’t fully extinguished, and the lingering embers seared his skin, making him flinch.

Then, in his sudden movement, his hand hit a glass tumbler meant for serving chilled liquor.

The thin, fragile glass designed to enhance the sensation of cold alcohol shattered instantly upon impact, cutting deep into the back of his hand.

Blood began to spill freely.

That, however, wasn’t even the worst of it.

The worst was that his face was still injured!

The driver had already seen everything.

Gu Zhaoye closed his eyes in absolute despair.

Today had been so disastrous that he started wondering if his unlucky year had not yet passed or worse, if it had only just begun.

Disgusted by the mess around him, he clenched his eyes shut and let out a suppressed growl.

When he opened them again, his breathing was still ragged with fury, his dark pupils gleaming with a dangerous glint in the night.

Then he asked, “Has Gu Zhaoping not been to work at the company for a long time?”

Gu Zhaoping held an honorary position at Gu Corporation “Honorary Financial Consultant” but she was never required to actually show up.

If anything, her presence at work would only cause more problems.

Her parents had only arranged the position to try to keep her under some level of control, making sure she could be reached during important meetings.

Of course, she wasn’t subjected to regular employee performance reviews.

But now that Gu Zhaoye was overseeing the company, he was technically her superior.

If he wanted to make it an issue, he could.

The driver hesitated.

“…Yes, I think so?”

“Tomorrow, use her failure to clock in as a reason to contact the bank.

Freeze her accounts.

Suspend her credit card payments.

I’ll handle the rest.”

Pinching his brow, Gu Zhaoye lowered his gaze, thinking of other weaknesses she might have.

If he didn’t settle this score, all these years as the Gu family’s heir would have been for nothing.

“Oh, and also tell Shen Yifeng what Gu Zhaoping did today.”

Once her access to large expenditures was blocked and Shen Yifeng came looking for her, then she would know what regret felt like.

Only after making these arrangements did the suffocating anger in his chest ease just a little.

After Old Master Gu left, Madam Hua and Gu Father remained on edge.

They wanted to speak to Gu Zhaoping but didn’t quite dare to.

Gu Zhaoping called for the butler to clean up the mess on the floor, her voice gentle.

“Thank you for your hard work.”

The butler, terrified, frantically shook his head.

“No, no, not at all!”

He was utterly petrified of angering Miss Zhaoping again.

A furious Miss Zhaoping was far too terrifying…

After giving a slight nod of acknowledgment to her parents, she turned and went back to her room.

The couple hesitated.

“Zhaoping…”

But in the end, they didn’t call her back.

Gu Zhaoping didn’t mind being feared.

She didn’t care if people found her terrifying when she was angry.

She could be calm and composed most of the time.

But when she did lose her temper, it had to carry weight.

The more overwhelming, the better.

So heavy that no one dared to bear the cost of provoking her rage.

Only then would her words truly hold importance and be heard.

Upon returning to her room, she received a friend request from the director of the show Elite Seasons.

She accepted and told them they could meet over the weekend.

However, the other party hesitated, editing their message several times before finally sending it.

[Miss Gu? Would you happen to have time tomorrow instead of the weekend?

I don’t mean to disrupt your schedule, but since Elite Seasons involves complex planning, we need to finalize all guest details by Monday at the latest to stay within contract deadlines.

If we wait until the weekend, we might not have enough time to prepare your segment properly.

Would you consider adjusting?]

After sending the message, the assistant director was filled with anxiety.

Miss Gu was known for being completely unreasonable and had zero patience for drawn-out discussions.

When the Gu family announced her participation in the show, she had felt an overwhelming sense of pressure especially regarding communication.

So when the director pushed the task onto her, she was nearly at her breaking point.

Miss Gu was infamous for being impossible to reason with.

But to her absolute shock

After a brief thirty-second pause, during which Gu Zhaoping seemed to be reading her message, she simply replied:

[Alright.]

[I have work tomorrow.

We can meet during my lunch break nearby.

You pick the location.

Send me the bill for reimbursement.]

Her response was casual, direct, and commanding.

The assistant director froze.

…That easily?

She stared at her phone in disbelief.

Then she turned to look at her colleagues who were still struggling to appease celebrity guests, their words laced with excessive flattery.

One of them, practically groveling, was the one negotiating with Ruan Nian.

And here she was, somehow having secured a meeting with the most difficult guest within seconds.

…Wait.

Wasn’t Miss Gu’s social standing higher than even the top-tier celebrities?

Why was she so easy to talk to?

And wait.

She said to bill her?

Wasn’t that the production team’s expense?

The assistant director was completely dazed.

Why was this so different from the rumors?

What she didn’t realize was that it wasn’t that Gu Zhaoping was easygoing.

She simply preferred people who spoke concisely and logically who could explain cause and effect in a single sentence without wasting her time.

That kind of efficiency suited her just fine.

Gu Zhaoping went to bed on schedule, awaiting the next day.

It would be her first time going to work at Gu Corporation.

She figured it was a good opportunity to assess things in detail.