Fang’s parents were momentarily stunned.
Though they had been somewhat swayed, they hadn’t expected Fang Yining to agree so quickly.
Her behavior upon entering had made them think she was disappointed in Gu Zhaoye and becoming more independent.
Recently, she was often out, and they sometimes couldn’t even find her.
So when Gu Zhaoye came to apologize, they thought the biggest hurdle would be Fang Yining’s refusal.
Though the old couple was furious and exasperated by Gu Zhaoye’s recent actions, deep down, it was more about frustration with his failure to live up to expectations.
After all, they’d watched him grow up.
Their traditional mindset held that since the engagement was already set, how could it be abandoned?
If they arranged another family’s heir as Fang Yining’s fiancé, it wouldn’t sound good in others’ mouths.
People might say Fang Yining was opportunistic, only willing to share wealth but not hardship, enjoying luxury but unable to endure setbacks, abandoning Gu Zhaoye the moment he seemed to be in trouble.
That would ruin a girl’s reputation.
It would make future matchmaking or introducing her to other families’ young masters awkward.
The Fang family was fairly traditional.
It wasn’t that they didn’t dote on their daughter—
Fang Yining had been raised with the best they could provide, but only within the scope of societal expectations.
They gave her top-tier educational resources, sending her to elite schools abroad to study medicine.
Originally, Fang Yining worked overseas, but they felt sorry for her being so far from home, without family support, living less comfortably than in China.
So they persuaded her to return, and now she was practically idle at home, supported by the Fang family.
After all, she’d marry eventually, and a demanding job like being a doctor would only hinder her health.
Seeing Fang Yining’s attitude soften, they couldn’t keep up their stern facade.
As a prominent family for decades, what storms hadn’t they weathered?
Who hadn’t faced public backlash?
Having watched Gu Zhaoye grow up, they believed in his abilities and were certain he wouldn’t let himself stay in peril.
Their biggest concern now was Gu Zhaoye’s removal.
Fang’s parents exchanged a glance, then looked at Gu Zhaoye with slight hesitation.
“With your current situation, what can you guarantee for Yining?”
“She lives well with our Fang family. If her life after marrying you isn’t better, what’s the point of marriage?”
Gu Zhaoye was prepared for this.
He perked up and began outlining his plans.
He said this was just the Gu family’s way of letting him lie low temporarily.
Once the storm passed, they’d likely send him abroad or to an inconspicuous role.
Having groomed him for years, they wouldn’t abandon him so easily.
He was still young, with plenty of chances to make mistakes.
Fang’s parents pondered for a moment.
Finally, they said,
“Zhaoye, go back for now. This is a big matter, and we need to think it over.”
Gu Zhaoye’s eyes lit up with joy, though he restrained himself, nodding calmly.
“Uncle, Aunt, I’ll take my leave. As for Yining, I’ll definitely show more of my resolve.”
Fang Yining merely wore a smile as she watched him leave, showing no reaction, like a mannequin.
After Gu Zhaoye left, Fang’s parents asked her again,
“Are you really willing?”
“Willing, of course I’m willing. I’m a hopeless romantic,”
Fang Yining said flippantly. Seeing their stunned faces, she corrected herself,
“Oh, no, I mean I’m a resolute person. My heart won’t waver easily.”
“Besides, with Gu Zhaoye’s scandal so big, if I called off the engagement, anyone I got engaged to later would be labeled as picking up his scraps. That wouldn’t sound good, would it? Might as well stick with Gu Zhaoye.”
Her tone was full of mockery, but Fang’s parents only found it odd, not catching the deeper meaning.
Helpless, they discussed a bit more before sighing and deciding,
“Fine, let’s observe whether he’s truly repentant. If he cuts contact with that starlet for a while, we’ll believe he’s reflecting. You’re not young anymore. Once things stabilize, we can set a date for the engagement.”
Looking at Fang Yining, their gazes softened.
“Seeing you engaged and married would nearly complete our life’s mission. If we could see you with a grandchild…Hey, why are you laughing?”
Fang Yining stifled the laugh she couldn’t hold back, her face neutral.
“Nothing, I’m just touched by how much you care about me. I’ll definitely be filial and stop making you worry.”
Save it, she thought.
No way I’m giving you another chance to meddle in my marriage.
Gu Zhaoping didn’t care about these side dramas.
Even if she did, others would handle them for her.
These trivialities didn’t reach her.
What Gu Zhaoping needed to focus on was the Gu family’s major affairs.
“President Gu!”
A few Yuanming Tech employees, gathered nervously as if awaiting someone, tensed up when Gu Zhaoping’s car pulled up.
As she stepped out, they hurried over to greet her.
Now, everyone at Yuanming Tech, inside and out, knew Gu Zhaoping was the true powerholder, officially endorsed by the Gu family and publicly announced.
With Yuanming Tech in turmoil, Gu Zhaoping was their only anchor.
They’d assumed that, given the strained ties between the company’s executives and Gu Zhaoping—many having been staunchly in Gu Zhaoye’s camp—she’d give them the cold shoulder.
But unlike Gu Zhaoye, who’d stride past them to the CEO’s office without a glance, Gu Zhaoping cast a few looks around, nodding lightly in greeting.
Those she acknowledged froze, feeling unexpectedly flattered.
But as she walked on, it only deepened their unease.
What did her attitude mean?
Was she planning to coexist peacefully to navigate this crisis, or did she have other intentions?
Her emotions were unreadable, making it impossible to judge.
It was strange.
When Gu Zhaoye was in charge, his moods were clear to everyone below.
When he was angry, they treaded lightly; when he was in a good mood, some even dared to joke with him.
But Gu Zhaoping was different.
No one could read her.
The elevator ascended floor by floor, reaching nearly the top.
Assistant Xiao Zhao stood by her side, unmoving, while someone else held the elevator door open, gesturing eagerly for her to enter.
Their efficiency was impressive.
In just a few days, they’d cleared out Gu Zhaoye’s belongings, creating a pristine new CEO office.
Even Gu Zhaoye’s desk was gone, replaced with a larger, brand-new one.
Xiao Zhao felt a subtle thrill of rising with her boss.
As the most visible person by President Gu’s side, she knew the importance of maintaining composure, hiding her glee.
But she was eager for her boss to take charge and overhaul the company!
She vividly remembered the dismissive faces of those who’d looked down on President Gu.
It was hard not to gloat, anticipating their expressions now.
After Gu Zhaoping sat down, she looked up to see Xiao Zhao staring at her, eyes brimming with barely contained excitement and expectation.
Gu Zhaoping asked kindly,
“Why are you looking at me?”
Xiao Zhao quickly responded,
“Boss, when are we planning to call a company-wide meeting to regroup and outline future directions? I’ll get started on preparations right away.”
She expected a big move to mark the new leadership, but Gu Zhaoping just smiled, looked away, and said,
“No rush for now.”
Huh?
Xiao Zhao didn’t know her intentions, but her complete trust in President Gu kept any dissent from showing.
She nodded eagerly,
“I’ll wait for your instructions.”
Gu Zhaoping had her own plans.
This wasn’t urgent yet.
She’d let it sit, waiting for Yuanming Tech’s people to stir things up themselves.
After taking over as Yuanming Tech’s CEO, the first familiar face to reach out was Theodore.
He requested a video call.
Gu Zhaoping didn’t even glance at it, pushing her phone aside to review documents.
The silenced phone sat quietly, screen lighting up repeatedly without a buzz.
Her subordinates couldn’t help but be curious, but this new CEO, though not overtly intimidating, had proven herself formidable.
No one dared linger after reporting, exiting quickly.
Theodore’s call persisted silently for a long time before he finally gave up.
Eventually, he contacted Xiao Zhao, saying,
“Request a video meeting with President Gu.”
Xiao Zhao scheduled it for half a day later.
It wasn’t intentional delay; Gu Zhaoping was genuinely swamped, and Theodore had to wait his turn.
With the time difference between their countries, when Theodore finally saw Gu Zhaoping’s face on-screen, it was already deep into his night.
He was usually disciplined about his schedule, but this time, he stubbornly stayed up until midnight, determined to hold this meeting and see her face before relenting.
The backdrop was one of his estate properties, the night deep and early winter chilly, yet he sat outdoors in the dark.
A few antique brass lamps glowed beside him, and his attire wasn’t casual—almost as if he’d dressed carefully for the occasion.
Gu Zhaoping looked at him calmly.
“What do you want to say?”
“First, the most important matter: our bet.”
Theodore skipped pleasantries, no congratulations or small talk.
He knew from their interactions that Gu Zhaoping didn’t care for such tactics.
If he’d requested this meeting, he needed real business to discuss.
She wasn’t one to waste time on idle chatter.
If he joked or trivialized the moment, she’d hang up without hesitation.
Gu Zhaoping gave a soft “Mm,” signaling him to continue.
Oddly, Theodore, rarely one to feel controlled, sensed the conversation’s reins firmly in her hands.
With the sincerity reserved for a deeply respected business partner, he said,
“Thank you for our bet. It let me witness a masterful move.”
When they made the bet, Gu Zhaoping must’ve been 80-90% confident.
She swiftly boosted her image and proved her ability at the summit, gathered evidence against her brother, and prepared his downfall.
Theodore could almost predict her next steps: a sudden leadership change would cause unrest at Yuanming Tech.
Some might exploit it to siphon funds, or her brother’s loyalists might stir trouble.
Gu Zhaoping would use this to cement her authority.
Then, leveraging her Aurora Green Energy partnership and her reversed public image, coupled with her decisive handling of Gu Zhaoye, she’d steer the company back on track.
Throughout, Gu Zhaoping remained calm and composed, as if nothing caught her off guard.
Even the Gu family hadn’t realized where this heir swap originated.
There was no grand reason.
Gu Zhaoping existed in this world to stand at the top.
Many wore their ambition openly.
Theodore had seen plenty like them, respected their drive, but never saw them as rivals.
Gu Zhaoping was different.
She sparked an inscrutable curiosity in him, even a faint dread, like a stone falling into an endless abyss.
That was her allure.
Seeing her merely nod slightly before diving into business, Theodore maintained his composure, discussing upcoming plans with her.
Yet, for some reason, he let out a soft breath between their words.
He knew broaching anything personal now was impossible.
Watching her strictly professional demeanor, a faint, unfamiliar sense of powerlessness stirred in him.
As the call wound down, Gu Zhaoping looked at him calmly.
“Anything else?”
Clearly, she was ready to end the meeting.
Theodore finally said,
“Hold on.”
He adjusted the camera, revealing his surroundings.
Gu Zhaoping saw a table draped in a white cloth before him, lit by candelabras.
A delicate, elegant cake sat atop it, its smooth surface adorned minimally, almost an art piece.
Gu Zhaoping remarked casually,
“Nice cake. Do you usually eat these at midnight?”
“It was planned for the afternoon,”
Theodore replied.
Gu Zhaoping recalled keeping him waiting from day to night but showed no surprise or guilt.
“I didn’t sit here all afternoon waiting,” he added, reading her unspoken thoughts.
“I’m not foolish enough to use such a stunt to guilt you. This isn’t a sacrifice.”
“It’s because I wanted to celebrate with you, Miss Gu.”
Gu Zhaoping raised a brow, showing mild interest.
Before she could thank him, Theodore continued,
“When I had you investigated for your brother, I learned your birthday. Unfortunately, it was yesterday, which we missed.”
Gu Zhaoping’s brow paused, a flicker of surprise crossing her face.
The man under the dim sky sat upright, poised.
“But that’s fine,”
Theodore said, pausing.
“I believe you’d prefer celebrating the milestone of becoming Yuanming Tech’s CEO.”
He lifted a silver tray with both hands, the exquisite cake inching closer to the screen.
With one hand, he lit a sleek brass lighter, its flame casting a glow across his chiseled features.
He leaned in, igniting a single slender candle on the cake.
With a soft snap, a faint light flared.
His smile emerged, half-hidden in the flickering candlelight.
“Happy birthday, Miss Gu.”