The moment the variety show "Seasons of the Wealthy" was announced, it sparked heated discussions among netizens.

"Is it the Gu Family? Will that century-old prestigious Gu Family participate?"

"The Gu Family is practically the most high-profile wealthy family these days. If they don’t join, who will? The notoriously low-key Shen Family?"

"Pfft, the Gu Family only stays relevant because Ruan Nian carries them. Otherwise, with their snobbish attitude, how could they possibly maintain this level of popularity?"

"Just think about how much Ruan Nian has improved the Gu Family’s public image. If they dare look down on her for marrying into wealth again, they’ll truly learn the power of public opinion."

"And especially that elder sister, Gu Zhaoping—the epitome of a bitter, meddlesome troublemaker! If not for her interference, Ruan Nian would’ve married into the family ages ago!"

As the online debates raged on, the young woman scrolling through Weibo comments in the nightclub grew increasingly irritated.

She glanced at Gu Zhaoping, who was resting her forehead in her hands, nursing a drunken headache, and whispered, "Zhaoping, Zhaoping, are you just going to let them talk about you like this?"

The intoxicated woman furrowed her brows, seemingly still half-asleep.

Gu Zhaoping’s heartbroken, self-destructive drinking spree left her close friend Fang Yining feeling helpless.

Was she giving up after being so deeply hurt?

Gu Zhaoping, the eldest daughter of the century-old Gu Family. At 27, she had accomplished nothing meaningful, couldn’t tell crops apart, and her greatest achievement was earning dual degrees in Business and Law at Stanford.

—But everyone who knew her was aware that the Gu Family had simply donated buildings to secure her spot, right?

Unlike her second brother, Gu Zhaoye—a true prodigy, with an impeccable MIT diploma, standing tall at 188cm with striking looks, and a natural-born CEO (albeit a notorious playboy).

Even her third brother, Gu Zhaosi, was an outstanding and handsome talent…

In the entire Gu Family, Gu Zhaoping was the only failure.

As for the online discourse, it all started like this:

Ruan Nian was a long-beloved sweetheart of the entertainment industry—adorable and pure as the nation’s darling child, then blossoming into the youthful "first love" of the public, with countless admirers and an unusually strong fanbase.

Her conflict with Gu Zhaoping stemmed from being Gu Zhaoye’s first love.

Gu Zhaoye was indeed a womanizer. In his youth, he didn’t understand love—only that he wanted to keep this innocent starlet as his caged songbird.

Their relationship dragged on for years, a cycle of chasing, escaping, heartbreak, and tears, yet even now, Ruan Nian remained without an official title—just "with him."

The biggest obstacle between them? Gu Zhaoye’s sister, Gu Zhaoping, who always stuck her nose in.

She was a snob who looked down on Ruan Nian’s humble background, constantly meddling to sabotage their relationship and publicly humiliating her.

Her shrewish antics frequently made tabloid headlines, and since the internet loved a dramatic love story, Gu Zhaoping became the villain—the meddler who tore apart true love.

But Fang Yining felt indignant on Gu Zhaoping’s behalf.

The reason Zhaoping disliked Ruan Nian was simple: Gu Zhaoye had a fiancée arranged since birth. Ruan Nian knew this yet still insisted on testing her importance to him. Worse, the fiancée was Gu Zhaoping’s best friend—how could she tolerate that?

…Oh, right. The fiancée was Fang Yining herself. She sometimes forgot.

"Zhaoping, Zhaoping?" Fang Yining nudged her again, and this time, Gu Zhaoping finally stirred.

She lifted her gaze, her calm eyes locking onto Fang Yining, sending an inexplicable chill down her spine.

Her light brown irises, illuminated by the club’s neon lights, seemed piercing—as if they could see through everything.

For the first time, Fang Yining noticed the sharp shape of Gu Zhaoping’s eyes, the faint color at the outer corners giving off an intimidating "older sister" aura that made her heart skip.

Strange. This was the same Zhaoping as always—why had she never noticed before?

Gu Zhaoping had just wrapped up a day of meetings and fallen asleep when she encountered a "system" that told her:

[You’ve transmigrated into the role of the CEO’s older sister in a wealthy family novel.]

[You know what the older sister of a wealthy CEO is supposed to do…]

At first, Gu Zhaoping was stunned. But she had invested in an AI research project with rapid progress, so her acceptance of this "system" was relatively high.

After a brief pause, she replied graciously, "I know."

She was already the eldest daughter of a wealthy family, with younger siblings. This identity was familiar, and she knew how to handle it.

Even in another world, she trusted her honed abilities to excel.

She was born for this.

The system seemed satisfied, and the next moment, she opened her eyes to this scene.

Gu Zhaoping stood, sweeping her gaze across the private room. It should’ve been a casual glance, and one of the male models even moved to tease her.

"Sister Zhaoping~ Not drinking anymore~?"

But for some reason, her gaze this time was icy, devoid of any warmth. When her eyes landed on him, the male model felt the same spine-chilling dread as when his boss caught him slacking off at work.

Gu Zhaoping frowned, scrutinizing him head to toe before finally saying, "Button your shirt."

The male model flinched, realizing she meant his half-unbuttoned silk shirt, which showed off his carefully sculpted abs—his livelihood.

—Wait, wasn’t this exactly what you liked before? Who was the one groping and crying into his chest, slapping wads of cash against his pecs while declaring she no longer believed in love, only male models?

Sister Zhaoping, what game are you playing today? A scolding?

Trembling, the male model glanced at Fang Yining for help, but she looked just as lost. He swallowed hard, mustering his courage before obediently fastening each button with shaky fingers.

His voice was soft, laced with cautious flattery. "Okay, Sister Zhaoping. Next time, I’ll wear whatever you like."

"I have pressing matters to attend to lately. I doubt I’ll return." Gu Zhaoping’s tone was oddly formal today, leaving the entire room stunned—Fang Yining included.

Noticing Fang Yining’s shock, Gu Zhaoping gave a gracious nod. "The bill is on me. Spend freely, no limits. Enjoy yourselves. Goodbye."

She picked up her coat, draped it over her arm, and walked out.

She preferred the pure, innocent type. This place no longer suited her tastes.

Gu Zhaoping stepped into the back of her chauffeur-driven car—a stretch Lincoln.

The driver checked the rearview mirror, surprised the young mistress was leaving so early. Off to the next venue?

With a knowing smile, he said, "Miss, which club next? Oh!" He suddenly remembered a new male model in the neighboring city, rumored to be exactly her type. Tonight was supposed to be his champagne tower celebration.

Proud of his insight, he prepared to change course—until a cool voice from the backseat cut in.

"To the Gu Family estate. I’m visiting my parents."

"Got it, heading to—... Huh?!"

The driver’s eyes widened in shock, his expression horrified—the seasoned chauffeur nearly stomped on the brakes like they were a drum set. He glanced in the rearview mirror again to confirm that the person who had entered the car was indeed the young mistress and not some ghost possessing her!

Wasn’t Gu Zhaoping the one who hated returning to the Gu Family mansion the most? Why would she suddenly decide to go back now?!

Gu Zhaoping pulled down the vanity mirror and wiped off her meticulously applied makeup with a cleansing wipe from her bag. She was used to exercising and disliked wearing makeup—it added an extra step to her skincare routine, which didn’t align with her strict sense of time management.

Her parents were probably fuming over the recent scandal surrounding her. The sooner she returned to settle the matter, the sooner she could take over the family business.

As the eldest daughter of a wealthy family, this was her duty.

Rumor had it that her younger brother was too busy tangled up in romantic affairs to be reliable. How could anyone depend on a man who couldn’t even handle his own love life?

She glanced down at her feet, still clad in a pair of delicate high heels. Bending over, she swapped them out for a pair of disposable flat slippers she kept in the car.

The expensive designer heels—identical to those seen on the runway—were casually tossed aside.

The driver noticed her actions and shuddered.

Those shoes had been a gift from her fiancé… If she could treat them so carelessly, she must have been deeply hurt by Young Master Shen.

Had his latest rejection shattered her so completely that she wasn’t even bothering with male models anymore and was actually going home?

The driver muttered to himself but didn’t dare show any further reaction, smoothly pulling the car to a stop at the entrance.

A security guard hurried down the steps to open the door, gloved hand raised to shield the car’s roof. But when he saw Young Mistress Gu Zhaoping step out in disposable slippers, he froze, eyes bulging.

As she strode forward without a second thought, the guard snapped out of it and gestured frantically to the others. The staff exchanged bewildered looks before scrambling to roll out a carpet.

Gu Zhaoping, draped in an overcoat, marched up the steps with steady footing, tossing back only a single word: "Thanks."

The driver and security guards stared at each other in stunned silence.

What was wrong with the young mistress today? Since when was she this polite?

Had she lost her mind from the shock?

Inside the Gu Family mansion, the atmosphere in the grand hall was thick with tension. Old Master Gu and his wife, Hua Bingfan, radiated fury—everyone knew better than to provoke them now.

"Where is the young mistress? Off ogling male models again?"

When no one answered, Old Master Gu’s rage boiled over. He slammed his hand on the armrest. "With the old man bedridden these past few days, she’s out there stirring up scandals! First, it was that humiliating rejection from Shen Yifeng, then picking fights with that celebrity Ruan Nian, tarnishing the Gu Family’s reputation—and now she’s off playing with male models!"

"The old man despises these kinds of indecent rumors. Let’s go drag her back right now. If the paparazzi catch her again, I swear I’ll—"

"Mom."

Gu Zhaoping’s voice cut through the room as she stepped inside. She spotted Hua Bingfan standing first, then her father—frozen mid-rant on the sofa, face red from choking on his own words. She nodded. "Dad. You’re here too?"

Old Master Gu nearly suffocated on his own shock. He gaped at her, horrified that she’d actually returned—and to the family mansion, no less, instead of her own residence.

Like father, like daughter—right now, he felt like he was seeing a ghost. Especially when he took in Gu Zhaoping’s bare face, devoid of makeup or the flush of alcohol, her expression cool and composed. It was like he’d swallowed an egg whole.

"You… you’re back so early?" Old Master Gu managed, still half-risen from his seat, face red.

Gu Zhaoping nodded. "I’m visiting Grandpa tomorrow morning. He wakes up at dawn for his breathing exercises, so I should be there early to accompany him."

Her father’s eyes nearly popped out of his skull. Hua Bingfan’s teacup trembled in her grip.

…Was this really Gu Zhaoping?

Since when did she speak so politely, so thoughtfully, so… normally?

Gu Zhaoping continued, "Do the two of you have plans tonight? I don’t stay up late, so I’ll head to bed first. Oh, and staying up late is bad for your health."

She turned to the housekeeper. "Sister Zhang, if my parents have any engagements, make sure they’re taken care of."

Sister Zhang flinched, so thrown off she nearly drowned a potted plant with her watering can. "O-oh… yes, Young Mistress."

Only after Gu Zhaoping’s slender, icy silhouette disappeared into the elevator and the doors slid shut did the room’s occupants snap out of their daze.

Wait… Had they just been lectured by the most spoiled, irresponsible, party-obsessed, scandal-magnet in the entire Gu Family?

And she’d told them not to stay up late?!

Since when was that her line?! Since when did Gu Zhaoping of all people worry about their well-being?!

"This child is a bit odd."

Ms. Hua Bingfan murmured, staring at the elevator without blinking, then added in a low voice, "It seems that young man from the Shen family has truly wounded her heart."

Father Gu, momentarily at a loss for a response, awkwardly sat down. "Ahem, since she didn’t go see those male models, we should inform Shen Yifeng and resolve the misunderstanding."

After all, the two families were set on an arranged marriage. Gu Zhaoping was their only daughter, and the wedding was of utmost importance.

Even though her previous outrageous behavior—scandalizing the entire city—had left Shen Yifeng thoroughly displeased, to the point where he rejected her heartfelt confession and declined her invitation to the New Year’s banquet, hadn’t she turned over a new leaf now?

Though Ms. Hua was skeptical about how long Gu Zhaoping’s reformed behavior would last, her eagerness to salvage the marriage led her to call her future son-in-law.

"Hello… Yifeng," she began warmly, adopting the tone of an elder doting on an accomplished junior. "Have you and Zhaoping had a fight?"

On the other end, Shen Yifeng pinched the bridge of his nose at the mere mention.

He had long since exhausted his patience with this fiancée. An arranged marriage was acceptable, but he preferred to have no entanglement with her before the wedding.

He could already vividly imagine the misery of being dragged down by her after marriage—no need to step into that cage prematurely.

"Aunt Hua, what’s the matter? Did Zhaoping say something to you?" He remained polite, his tone refined, with a lingering Cantonese accent he couldn’t quite shake.

Considering the time, Gu Zhaoping was probably still fondling some male model’s pectorals. Suppressing a sigh, he asked calmly, "Has she not come home yet? Or are you unable to reach her? Don’t worry—I can’t reach her either. You should contact Miss Fang for this..."

"No, no!" Hua Bingfan cut him off, her voice practically bubbling with joy. "She’s home! She even came back to the old estate!"

Ms. Hua was practically glowing, as if her child had just topped the imperial exams. "She even told me she’s not staying up late anymore—she’s going to bed early!"

"Yifeng, don’t you think this calls for a bit of admiration?"

Shen Yifeng paused.

After a moment of contemplation, he replied, "I see. You should rest early too."

Hanging up, he wondered if Gu Zhaoping had suddenly seen the light after his harsh scolding earlier. But just then, his assistant called.

"President Shen, the bank just reported that the card you issued to Miss Gu was used for a massive purchase—covering the year-end quotas for all those male models."

Shen Yifeng’s hand trembled slightly as he shut his eyes in resignation. "When did she make the purchase?"

"Twenty minutes ago. She announced she was covering the entire venue’s expenses and told everyone to 'play freely, no worries!'"

"And where is she now?"

"Miss Gu left right after saying that."

Shen Yifeng hung up, convinced that this marriage might need to be called off. And the next time he saw her, he’d have to scold her again.

Gu Zhaoping paid no mind to her parents’ stunned expressions.

This was simply her nature—she took charge of everything within her reach, handling matters methodically.

Managing her parents? A trivial task.

The true authority in the Gu Family lay with their grandfather. Though Father Gu was the former CEO, the real decision-making power remained in the old man’s hands.

Grandfather was a traditionalist. Decades ago, he had been sent abroad for studies, emerging as a refined gentleman shaped by both Eastern and Western education. He valued upright conduct and despised scandalous behavior.

Thus, the three branches of the family often used gossip as ammunition against one another.

On her way back, Gu Zhaoping had quickly familiarized herself with the Gu Family’s background, studying the preferences and traits of those around her. She concluded that her starting point wasn’t too bad—certainly not hellish.

She had assumed that the wayward Miss Gu would be neglected by the family, but upon closer inspection, she found that all necessary resources were still available to her. With what she currently had, she could advance further and seize control of the Gu Family.

Even though her younger brother, Gu Zhaoye, had ten times her resources and still failed to accomplish this.

Gu Zhaoping frowned. She couldn’t understand why such a prominent family wouldn’t prioritize grooming the eldest daughter. Miss Gu was two years older—plenty of time to learn and adapt. In family power struggles, two years was a significant advantage, enough to secure a long lead.

Yet, the Gu Family had poured nearly all their resources into the second son, Gu Zhaoye, without discretion.

How strange. Why abandon an advantage and take the harder path?

Time was running late. The alarm Gu Zhaoping had set on her way home chimed. After drafting a simple schedule for the next day, she headed to the bathroom to freshen up.

Miss Gu’s bathroom was spacious—a full suite. As she unbuttoned her blouse, Gu Zhaoping finally identified the source of the discomfort she’d felt all along.

Beneath her clothes was a tightly laced corset, cinched to the smallest setting. To look her best in that outfit, Miss Gu had constrained herself, enduring her beloved fiancé’s scolding—until her life ended at precisely this moment.

Gu Zhaoping tugged the strings loose, letting the corset drop to the floor. She soaked her slender, red-marked feet in hot water.

After finishing her routine, she stood before the mirror, patting her already flat stomach. "Be kinder to yourself," she said.

The next morning, Ms. Hua and Father Gu were still fretting over whether Gu Zhaoping would wake up on time.

Upon rising, they had a sudden realization.

"Today’s the day all three branches are sending their juniors to visit Grandfather. Is Zhaoping reliable enough…? Maybe we should just send Zhaoye."

Father Gu agreed wholeheartedly. Gu Zhaoping had a sharp tongue, and given her usual antics, Grandfather would likely be furious at the sight of her. Gu Zhaoye, their most outstanding child, would surely lift the old man’s spirits and earn their branch some favor.

Besides, the second and third branches would undoubtedly send their sons. This was a gathering of male heirs—Gu Zhaoping’s presence might seem out of place.

As the couple stepped out of their room, deep in discussion, they nearly jumped out of their skins upon reaching the dining area. Ms. Hua stumbled back, clutching a pillar for support.

Gu Zhaoping sat calmly on the sofa, sipping from a cup while perusing a freshly delivered newspaper—in English, no less. A foreign publication?

Everyone knew how lackluster her overseas education had been!

Ms. Hua grabbed her husband’s sleeve in shock, looking up at him helplessly. Father Gu wasn’t faring much better—both were suddenly aware of how slippery their slippers were.

Hearing the commotion, Gu Zhaoping turned, raising her cup in greeting. "Good morning, Mom, Dad."

She set the newspaper aside and placed her cup down, exuding the composed air of a host as she glanced at something on her tablet.

"...Morning, morning."

The Gu parents finally collected themselves, sitting awkwardly on the adjacent sofas instead of joining her on the main one. Only then did they notice the tablet in her hands.

"Zhaoping, you’re up so early?"

Gu Zhaoping nodded politely. "I’m accustomed to a 5:45 antioxidant smoothie. Boosts alertness."

Ms. Hua gaped as if struck by lightning. Waking up early for skincare? Understandable. But this? What kind of absurdity was this?

Father Gu ventured another question. "What are you looking at there?"

Gu Zhaoping picked it up and gestured slightly: "This is a simplified schedule."

The grid on the page contained several lines of text, spaced elegantly, with bold and unrestrained strokes that spilled slightly beyond the lines. Though not confined by the boundaries, the arrangement remained neat and pleasing to the eye, instantly putting one at ease.

Father Gu was stunned—he had never known Zhaoping possessed such calligraphic skill.

Even the old patriarch would surely praise it.

Staring at Zhaoping as if she were possessed, they hesitated to speak. This sudden "reform" was far too abrupt, wasn’t it?

Gu Zhaoping usually spent an hour after waking up checking work emails and listening to industry podcasts during breakfast. But today, upon opening her inbox, she found no work correspondence—only fawning emails from luxury hotels worldwide, eagerly awaiting her return.

She marked them all as read and headed straight to the gym for a run.

By the time the Gu parents woke up, she had already freshened up and was reading the newspaper, catching up on global industry trends.

Paper was easier on the eyes than screens.

Her room had a sofa, but she preferred the one in the first-floor hall—its feng shui and orientation were impeccable, giving her a regal sense of authority when seated there.

She observed her parents, sensing they had something to say.

After a long pause, Ms. Hua Bingfan finally spoke: "Zhaoping, we’re glad to see you changing your ways. And it’s wonderful that you’re taking the initiative to visit the old patriarch—he’d love to see you. But—"

Father Gu seamlessly picked up the thread, clearing his throat. "But today, only the male descendants from the second and third branches are going. It wouldn’t be appropriate for you to join. They’ll be playing chess with the patriarch—what would you do, just sit and watch? You represent our family’s dignity. You can’t—"

Gu Zhaoping frowned slightly, tilting her head in confusion. "I know how to play chess."

Father Gu choked mid-sentence. "Not checkers or Chinese chess—international chess!"

Her expression relaxed further as she nodded. "I’m quite good at it."

"Good" was an understatement. It was pure coincidence that this happened to be her specialty. She held the IM title with an Elo rating of 2450, ranking as an International Master. At 18, she had dominated online blitz tournaments, though her refusal to show her face had led to accusations of cheating.

Chess was like business—Gu Zhaoping excelled at both. If the patriarch enjoyed it, this would be effortless.

Father Gu: "..."

Was that the point? The point was that only the men were supposed to—

Wait, since when did Zhaoping know international chess? This was absurd. He was starting to suspect his daughter had been body-snatched.

Dry-mouthed, Father Gu switched tactics. "Look, I don’t want to sound harsh. It’s a gathering for the men—it’s not suitable for a woman. Let Zhaoye go instead. You can relax, maybe go have fun with Fang Yining. Buy whatever you want—I’ll cover it today!"

In the past, Gu Zhaoping had splurged wildly on shopping trips with her girlfriends. Given the chance, she might even seize this opportunity to buy jewelry or a private jet—things she’d normally hesitate over. Such generosity should have been enough to sway her.

But to his surprise, Gu Zhaoping merely smiled faintly, as if finally understanding the conversation.

It dawned on her: this world was rigidly gendered, and women were systematically excluded from power. No wonder Miss Gu, the eldest daughter, had been sidelined in favor of her younger brother, born two years later.

She lowered her head slightly, revealing a glimpse of flawlessly maintained teeth as she chuckled.

Gu Zhaoping removed the sunglasses clipped to her collar and slid them on, adjusting them before looking up. "Then here’s another question—is Gu Zhaoye even here?"

Father Gu and Ms. Hua Bingfan froze.

Their faces paled instantly.

—Today was Ruan Nian’s birthday, and Gu Zhaoye had gone chasing after her!

Just last night, Gu Zhaoping had gone out drinking in frustration because Gu Zhaoye had abandoned his fiancée, Fang Yining, to accompany Ruan Nian on the eve of her birthday. In a fit of anger, Zhaoping had confronted Ruan Nian, causing a scene that earned her a scolding from her own fiancé, Shen Yifeng.

The so-called heir, Gu Zhaoye, hadn’t even returned home yet!

Gu Zhaoping glanced at her Patek Philippe Ref. 7130 ladies’ watch, its 62 diamonds glittering as brightly as her future.

She had assumed her brother was a worthy rival, but his lack of judgment made him unworthy of her effort.

"It’s getting late. We shouldn’t keep Grandfather waiting—I’ll be on my way." She draped her coat over her shoulders, and only then did her parents notice her uncharacteristically refined attire—simple colors, sophisticated tailoring, an air of elite professionalism, a far cry from her usual bodycon battle dresses.

Steward Zhang scrambled to open the door for her. Before disappearing, Gu Zhaoping turned back to nod at her parents. "Mom, Dad, when Gu Zhaoye returns, do let him know he missed the men’s gathering."

Her figure vanished up the steps.

The Gu parents stood gaping, as if someone had force-fed them an egg and left them choking.

What’s wrong with Gu Zhaoping?

What on earth is wrong with Gu Zhaoping?!

Ms. Hua gasped for breath, clutching her husband’s sleeve in frustration.

They had tried calling Gu Zhaoye, but his phone was turned off. When they asked his assistant, the reply was, "The CEO is currently with Miss Ruan and has closed his doors to all visitors. No one is to disturb him."

Ms. Hua nearly rolled her eyes.

This was too much—she was absolutely livid.

"Closed his doors to all visitors"? Even to his own family!

What if Grandpa Gu needed him?!

At this point, they reluctantly realized that, for now, Zhaoping seemed to be the only reliable one.

...Well, actually, Zhaoping had always been the most dependable, even if she wasn’t often home. She was always reachable, and Grandpa Gu could see her whenever he wanted. Unlike Gu Zhaoye, who was buried in work, or their third son, Gu Zhaosi, who was studying abroad and never returned...

A strange discomfort settled in Ms. Hua’s heart, though she wasn’t sure who exactly she was irritated with.

With a sigh, she resigned herself to sending Gu Zhaoping to check on the old man.

Of course, nothing unreliable would ever happen with Gu Zhaoping.

She adjusted her watch by 15 minutes—a habit of hers. Her internal clock ran slightly behind the world’s, so she always gave herself extra time to react.

Thanks to this habit, she had never once missed an obligation.

Now, sitting in the car, she was deep in meditation, completely oblivious to the odd looks the Gu Mansion staff were giving her.

Grandpa Gu was staying at a private sanatorium atop an artificial hill. Though called a sanatorium, the entire facility was custom-built for him, with layers of security checks from the entrance onward.

Gu Zhaoping removed her sunglasses and scanned her face at the gate. Just then, an understated black car passed by, its window rolling down as the occupant stared in surprise. "Gu Zhaoping? Why are you here? Where’s Gu Zhaoye?"

Gu Zhaoping immediately recognized the speaker’s status but ignored him. Instead, she exchanged a few pleasantries with the security staff before getting back into her car, leaving the window down as they drove off.

The driver stole a nervous glance at the dumbfounded expression of the second branch’s young master, Gu Kaichang.

Good heavens, this was a disaster! The young mistress was being far too direct—she hadn’t even bothered to close the window, leaving no room to pretend she hadn’t heard!

Gu Kaichang’s eyes nearly bulged out of his head as he hung halfway out the window, watching the car drive away without a care. "Gu Zhaoping! Gu Zhaoping!" he shouted.

The more he yelled, the faster the car sped off. He turned to Gu Yingjie, the eldest son of the third branch, and demanded, "Was that really Gu Zhaoping? She ignored me? What’s her problem?"

Gu Yingjie was also taken aback. "Wasn’t she always the friendliest one? The one who’d put up with our cold shoulders? Did someone scold her or something?"

Gu Kaichang sat back, recalling a piece of gossip he’d heard, and smirked. "Ah, I get it now. Her fiancé chewed her out yesterday!"

"Why?"

"Because of Ruan Nian! It was Ruan Nian’s birthday, and she wanted Gu Zhaoye to stay with her. He’d already promised Fang Yining he’d attend some boring play, which he didn’t even want to go to in the first place. The moment Ruan Nian called, he canceled. But Gu Zhaoping couldn’t stand it—she went and made a scene, got caught by the media, then had the nerve to invite Shen Yifeng to the New Year’s banquet. Instead of agreeing, he lectured her for having no principles, being indecisive, and embarrassing the Gu family in public."

Gu Kaichang scoffed. "Ruan Nian just wanted company on her birthday. What was Gu Zhaoping meddling for? If even their parents aren’t interfering, why should she, as an older sister, stick her nose in?"

Gu Yingjie, who had slightly better judgment, hesitated but didn’t comment.

He knew his cousin had a soft spot for Ruan Nian too. But since Gu Zhaoye was already in the picture, Gu Kaichang played the role of the gracious admirer, outwardly supporting Ruan Nian’s relationship while privately nursing his bitterness—especially toward anyone who crossed her.

Gu Yingjie suddenly snapped back to reality. "Right, we should hurry up the hill. Gu Zhaoping’s already gone ahead. If Grandpa Gu doesn’t see us, he’ll be upset."

Gu Kaichang jolted and ordered the driver to move.

They were the male heirs, the vanguard—how could they let Gu Zhaoping beat them to it? That would be unacceptable.

"Grandpa wants someone to play chess with him. We’ve been practicing for ages. Gu Zhaoping can’t even play—even if she gets there first, she won’t have a place to stand," Gu Kaichang joked.

Gu Zhaoping had already stepped out of the car and spotted the ninety-year-old man sitting in the courtyard. Dressed in a neat Tang suit, he was slowly arranging chess pieces on the table.

A single glance told her everything about the game—Grandpa Gu was still at an amateur level, working through a puzzle from a manual. Coincidentally, this particular setup had only one solution, and she happened to know it.

She greeted him warmly. "Grandpa, I’ve come to see you."

Grandpa Gu looked up, startled, but his expression darkened when he saw her.

"What are you doing here? All you do is embarrass yourself and our family—now you’re even making headlines! The Gu family doesn’t need—"

Gu Zhaoping listened with a faint smile, neither arguing nor correcting him. Her calm demeanor unnerved Grandpa Gu, and he trailed off mid-rant.

Strange. Why wasn’t Gu Zhaoping wearing her usual stubborn, defiant look?

It robbed him of the satisfaction of scolding her.

Gu Zhaoping had studied psychology. People unconsciously mirror others’ expressions, and her serenity was dissolving Grandpa Gu’s anger.

She didn’t deny the past actions tied to this identity, but she also had no intention of bearing their consequences.

She lifted her eyelids slightly, as if prompting him to continue. "I’m listening, Grandpa."

Grandpa Gu: "..."

He felt even more unsettled. What did she mean, "I’m listening"? How was he supposed to keep going like this?

His frustration had nowhere to go. With Gu Zhaoping reacting this way, he couldn’t even vent properly. It was maddening.

He eyed her suspiciously. "You... have no reaction to being scolded?"

Gu Zhaoping smiled, dipping her head briefly before meeting his gaze again, as if the answer were obvious and he’d asked a ridiculous question. "Of course you’re free to judge me as you see fit. My only role is to listen."

Before Grandpa Gu could process her uncharacteristic compliance, she added:

"Others’ opinions don’t determine my worth."

Grandpa Gu nearly choked on his own breath.

The way she said it—so matter-of-fact, so unshaken—made it clear she genuinely believed it. All his yelling had meant nothing to her. She’d just let him rant like some free entertainer?!

Grandpa Gu gave up. He didn’t want to talk to Gu Zhaoping anymore. With a grunt, he turned back to his chessboard, slamming the pieces down harder than necessary.

In his youth, Old Master Gu had been a master of composure. But age had granted him the privilege of wearing his emotions on his sleeve—and making sure everyone else endured them.

Of course, the old man had to give a slap before offering a sweet date.

As Old Master Gu arranged the chess pieces, Gu Zhaoping pressed one down with her finger and asked, "Grandpa, are you trying to figure out how to solve this game?"

Old Master Gu frowned and looked up, only for Gu Zhaoping to smile faintly. She tapped a spot on the board, her gaze focused.

"Rook to C2—checkmate in seven moves."

No, what do you know—? Just as Old Master Gu was about to snap at her, he suddenly froze. Wait, since when did Gu Zhaoping know chess terminology like this? She couldn’t even win at Connect Five.

Dumbfounded, he lowered his eyes to the board and, for some inexplicable reason, instinctively moved the piece as she had suggested.

As he set the piece down, Old Master Gu’s heart skipped a beat.

The previously deadlocked game suddenly opened up before him.

Shocked, he lifted his head to stare at Gu Zhaoping again and again, but she merely watched the board in silence, her expression almost tender, as if gazing at a child.

This was terrifying. His good-for-nothing, troublemaking granddaughter—who had never shown the slightest hint of talent—could play chess? And solve a puzzle he’d been stuck on for ages?

What kind of absurd world was this?!

After all, the highest rank in chess was Grandmaster (GM), with a rating above 2500—only a handful reached that elite level. Below that were International Master (IM) and FIDE Master (FM). Old Master Gu, though not officially titled by FIDE, was still a cut above most amateur players.

If Gu Zhaoping could solve a puzzle he couldn’t, didn’t that mean she was close to professional level? Near FM?!

That was impossible! Even if the Gu family were to produce a genius, it shouldn’t be her! Gu Zhaoye and Gu Zhaosi at least had sharper minds!

His voice trembled with disbelief. "You… you know how to play?"

Gu Zhaoping nodded. "Just a little."

She picked up a piece—one she had been maneuvering effortlessly since she was sixteen.

By the time Gu Kaichang and Gu Yingjie arrived, they were panting heavily, completely out of breath.

The car could only go halfway up the mountain; the rest of the way into the estate required a shuttle, but today’s scheduling was a mess. Their ride had already been taken—by Gu Zhaoping, of all people.

The mere thought of who had taken their seat made Gu Kaichang’s blood boil. He and his cousin had no choice but to sprint the rest of the way. Old Master Gu valued punctuality above all else—arriving late meant a scolding.

"Grandpa, Grandpa, we didn’t mean to—it’s just that there weren’t enough cars today—"

Gu Kaichang rushed in, gasping for air as he launched into a pitiful apology, his mind already spinning a dozen excuses. But halfway through his plea, he realized—no one was paying him any attention. The room was dead silent.

His lungs were on fire from running, and now he was just baffled. Where was Grandpa?

Exchanging uneasy glances with his cousin Gu Yingjie, he mustered the last of his strength to take a few steps forward—only to freeze in shock.

There, by the lakeside, sat Old Master Gu, usually so dignified and untouchable, now hunched over a chessboard like a monkey, his old cloth shoes tucked under him as he perched on a chair. His hands shook as he clutched a piece, unable to make a move, his mind clearly overheating from the intensity of the game.

Both cousins stood rooted in place, disbelief flooding their minds. Gu Kaichang stumbled back a step, bumping into Gu Yingjie.

Who was sitting across from Grandpa, playing chess?

Old Master Gu himself was on a folding fishing stool, yet he had dragged out a grand carved chair—reserved for honored guests—for Gu Zhaoping to sit on, as if she had "nowhere else to stand."

Gu Kaichang’s fury erupted instantly.

What right did she have to sit there?!