After hanging up, Gu Zhaoping told the production team she wouldn’t be filming the next episode.
The production team was surprised.
Zheng Anling asked cautiously, “Miss Gu, next episode’s theme is extreme sports, and the score has a heavy weight. It’s also a great opportunity to gain popularity. Are you sure you want to miss it?”
Gu Zhaoping nodded.
“Sorry, I’ve got something important. But the Gu family will send someone else.”
Someone else?
That meant Gu Zhaoye?
The director was thrilled when he overheard.
He quickly agreed, “No problem! Miss Gu, go ahead and take your leave!”
He hadn’t reacted when that earlier video went viral online.
He’d simply delegated the decision-making, not expecting the uproar.
When he saw the footage later, he was stunned—he hadn’t realized Gu Zhaoping actually practiced jiu-jitsu!
At first, the director had felt a bit awkward.
He had purposely guided the narrative in the first episode’s self-introduction segment, hoping to stir up discussion.
But he hadn’t expected Gu Zhaoping to turn the tables so dramatically.
Still, it worked—the show’s viewership soared.
Now, looking at her, he felt awkward, even avoiding eye contact.
But Gu Zhaoye’s appearance would be even more valuable—especially for stirring up a CP (couple pairing) with Ruan Nian.
Although Gu Zhaoping had created a stir in earlier episodes, the director didn’t think it would last.
Only rising stars could sustain attention.
How could she guarantee viral moments every week?
As all the guests assembled, the director gathered everyone and said, “Now that everyone’s here, we’ll begin the three-day, two-night shoot. Please don’t leave the estate unless necessary.”
He added, “Miss Gu will only participate in this episode. She won’t be in the next one, so we’ll need to slightly adjust the tasks.”
Everyone was a bit surprised.
Ruan Nian was the first to react, feeling a surge of joy.
The system’s punishment had clearly worked.
She only had to endure this one episode.
Next time, she wouldn’t have to see Gu Zhaoping at all.
If she wasn’t on the show, she wouldn’t have the chance to win the public over again.
Ruan Nian still had a shot at reclaiming public sympathy.
Chu Yanze was stunned.
He had just arrived, pulling down the hood of his sweatshirt, and asked hastily, “Zhaoping-jie, you won’t be in the next episode?”
“Got some things to take care of.”
“Will you come back later?”
After asking, Chu Yanze realized he might’ve said too much.
He just thought about how their lives didn’t usually intersect.
If she didn’t come back, he might not get another chance to see her again.
“I’ll be back once things are settled.”
Gu Zhaoping responded, then added casually, “By the way, the watch you gave me last time was really nice. Thank you.”
Chu Yanze paused.
He turned his head awkwardly and sat down, pulling his hood back up.
“…Good.”
After a while, he added.
He felt relieved.
As long as they’d meet again.
Liang Zhiwei glanced at him and suddenly sensed something different.
“By the way, Zhaoping-jie, I watched the episode. You were amazing,” Chu Yanze said, eyes focused ahead, waiting for the director’s next instruction.
His voice wasn’t loud, but clear enough for the two nearby to hear.
Liang Zhiwei perked up and added, “Yes, yes! You were so cool, I was dying to kick that guy myself!”
“What episode?”
Zhaoping looked at them.
They froze, surprised that she seemed genuinely unaware.
“…Zhaoping-jie, that clip—they aired it without your permission?”
She raised an eyebrow.
She remembered the show had sent a cameraman to film her day.
She hadn’t reviewed the footage, but didn’t think there was anything worth hiding, so she’d let them film freely.
She’d been busy with company matters recently and hadn’t checked online.
It didn’t surprise her at all.
Seeing her reaction, Liang Zhiwei was completely impressed.
“Zhaoping-jie, you really don’t care about outside noise. That’s incredible!”
Now Gu Zhaoping was curious and asked, “Is there a video?”
Liang Zhiwei immediately started digging through her phone.
But to her surprise, Chu Yanze handed his phone over even faster.
The screen showed the broadcasted episode of Gu Zhaoping’s daily life.
Liang Zhiwei blinked.
She looked at Chu Yanze—his expression was calm, like it was no big deal.
How did he find it so fast?
Was he watching it every day?
She muttered under her breath.
Gu Zhaoping watched for a moment and noticed the camerawork was excellent—especially the scenes in the jiu-jitsu gym.
The footage portrayed her as powerful, fierce, and graceful, with even her movements appearing aesthetically impressive.
She turned and signaled to her assistant, Xiao Zhao.
“Ask that cameraman if he’s interested in changing jobs,” Gu Zhaoping said.
“…Huh?”
Xiao Zhao was stunned for a moment but quickly adjusted.
She knew her boss’s style.
“I’ll ask right away, boss!”
Gu Zhaoping nodded. “If he’s willing to switch, I’ll take him at the highest market rate for his level.”
Afterward, whether she was going to Los Angeles or working at the company, she needed to have a video to document her image — to shoot a promotional film about herself.
Of course, things should be recorded while doing them, and even more so when doing something big.
That’s all part of her image and charisma.
The photographer really did a great job — it looked like an action movie.
She was very satisfied.
They were even a bit stunned.
Being rich really does let you do whatever you want.
So Sister Zhaoping also appreciates her own figure?
And she even looks quite pleased?
Why does this version of Sister Zhaoping seem a bit more lively and even… kind of cute?
Chu Yanze couldn’t help but let out a small laugh.
He raised his hand, clenched it into a fist, and covered his lips to hide the smile.
Then he put away his phone, and out of habit, gave the post a like before slipping it into his pocket.
Liang Zhiwei asked a bit longingly, “Sister Zhaoping, is jiu-jitsu really useful for self-defense? I’ve always wanted to learn it, but I’ve seen a lot online saying that it’s useless for self-defense and might even backfire. That running is actually the best option.”
Gu Zhaoping paused, turned to look at her, and said, “People who say that probably aren’t the ones who need to defend themselves, and they’ve never learned any kind of martial arts.”
She thought for a second. That actually made a lot of sense.
So many people say learning martial arts is useless for women’s self-defense — but if you don’t learn it at all, is that somehow better?
Before she could think more about it, the director’s team finished discussing and began assigning the first task.
“Thanks for waiting, everyone. Here’s your first task:
Each group will be given 100,000 yuan in virtual funds to negotiate and rent a store in town.
You can choose commercial storefronts, mobile stalls, even office spaces.
Then, you’ll each open a restaurant in your respective spaces.
Ingredients will be provided by our production team, but you’ll have to bid as a team to win them.
Building your kitchen will require using your virtual funds or props you bring.
You will also set the prices of your own dishes.
At the end, we’ll determine the winner based on each group’s daily revenue and cost ratio.”
After hearing the task description, everyone’s expressions varied.
Li Xunwen and Li Xunxi were practically laughing out loud — wasn’t this just a business simulation?
For them, who had gone through business training and even handled some family matters, this was a piece of cake.
And attracting customers?
Please — with Ruan Nian in their team, wasn’t she basically a walking customer magnet?
As for the other groups — especially Gu Zhaoping’s — Li Xunwen couldn’t help but laugh just thinking about it.
Letting Gu Zhaoping open a store? Who knows how much she’d lose.
As for cooking skills, none of the people in that group seemed particularly capable.
Ruan Nian must’ve had some cooking talent if Gu Zhaoye liked her so much.
They had heard Gu Zhaoye liked people who could cook well — winning over his stomach was winning over his heart.
They felt confident in Ruan Nian.
As for those other two — a top male celebrity and a completely ordinary actress — probably not much to worry about.
Though that Liang Zhiwei… didn’t she say she was good at cooking?
Still, with Ruan Nian’s looks front and center, if the cooking was about the same, customers would obviously choose Ruan Nian’s side.
The director then raised the loudspeaker again:
“Now, we’ll start the betting round.You can use your chips to bet on who you think will win.
Winners get extra rewards; losers forfeit everything to the winner’s team. Anyone want to try?”
Li Xunxi didn’t hesitate and raised her hand:
“I’m in!”