As soon as the reality show Four 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 arguably the most high-profile wealthy family right now. If they don’t participate, who else would? The always low-key Shen family?”
“Haha, the Gu family is only high-profile because they have Ruan Nian, their golden child, boosting them. Otherwise, with their snobbish attitude, how could they have gained such popularity?”
“How much has Ruan Nian improved the Gu family’s public image? If they dare to look down on Ruan Nian marrying into their family, they will truly understand the power of the masses.”
“Especially that eldest daughter, Gu Zhaoping she is the epitome of a sharp-tongued, troublemaking sister-in-law! If she hadn’t interfered, Ruan Nian would have married into the Gu family long ago!”
The online discussions were raging, and in a nightclub, a young woman reading the Weibo comments felt a wave of irritation.
She glanced at Gu Zhaoping, who was sitting beside her, holding her forehead in a light nap due to a headache from drinking.
Softly, she said, “Zhaoping, Zhaoping, are you just going to let them talk about you like this?”
The drunken woman furrowed her brows, seemingly still half-asleep.
Seeing Gu Zhaoping in this state heartbroken, drinking recklessly, and indulging in self-destruction made her friend, Fang Yining, feel exasperated.
Had she taken such a big hit that she was ready to give up?
Gu Zhaoping, the eldest daughter of the century-old Gu family, was now 27 years old.
She didn’t have a proper job and had little knowledge of practical life.
Her greatest accomplishment was earning a dual degree in business and law from Stanford.
But everyone familiar with her knew that it was only because the Gu family donated buildings to the school to get her admitted.
Unlike her second brother, Gu Zhaoye, a true prodigy, who earned his MIT degree with no strings attached, stood at an impressive 1.88 meters, had sharp features, and was also a certified scumbag practically born to be a domineering CEO.
Even her third brother, Gu Zhaosi, was an exceptionally talented and handsome man.
Among the entire Gu family, only Gu Zhaoping was considered the most useless.
As for the online discussions, they stemmed from this
Ruan Nian was a long-standing, beloved actress in the entertainment industry.
As a child, she was the nation’s sweetheart.
As an adult, she became the national first love admired by countless men yet strangely well-liked by the public.
Her conflict with Gu Zhaoping originated from her relationship with Gu Zhaoye she was his first love.
Gu Zhaoye was undeniably a scumbag.
In his youth, he didn’t understand love, and instead of cherishing his pure first love, he wanted to turn her into his kept woman.
For years, they played a push-and-pull game she ran, he chased, she suffered, he apologized yet even today, he had never officially given her a title, only allowing her to “stay.”
A major conflict between them was Gu Zhaoping, who constantly interfered.
She looked down on Ruan Nian’s humble background and repeatedly sabotaged their relationship, embarrassing Ruan Nian publicly on multiple occasions.
Her meddling became widely known, and she was often portrayed as an unreasonable shrew in tabloids.
The internet loved shipping the couple while mocking Gu Zhaoping for breaking up two lovers.
But Fang Yining felt indignant on Zhaoping’s behalf.
Zhaoping didn’t dislike Ruan Nian just because of her background.
The real reason was that Gu Zhaoye already had a fiancée through an arranged marriage.
Ruan Nian knew this but still wanted to test her importance in Gu Zhaoye’s heart.
And that fiancée?
She was none other than Gu Zhaoping’s best friend.
How could she stand by and do nothing?
…Oh, right.
The fiancée was Fang Yining herself.
Sometimes, she even forgot about it.
“Zhaoping, Zhaoping?”
Fang Yining persistently nudged the person beside her.
Finally, Gu Zhaoping woke up.
She lifted her gaze, calmly looking at Fang Yining, who felt a jolt in her heart.
She wasn’t sure why, but she suddenly felt intimidated by her presence.
Gu Zhaoping’s eyes were a light brown, and under the nightclub’s lighting, they seemed to see through everything.
For the first time, Fang Yining noticed that Gu Zhaoping’s eyes were long and narrow, with subtly shaded corners radiating a cool, older-sister aura that sent a shiver down her spine.
Strange.
She had always been the same Zhaoping, so why hadn’t she noticed this before?
Just moments ago, Gu Zhaoping had finished a full day of meetings.
She had barely closed her eyes when she encountered a “system” that told her: [You have transmigrated into a novel as the domineering CEO’s elder sister.]
[You know what the sister of a CEO is supposed to do…]
At first, Gu Zhaoping was taken aback.
But she had invested in an AI research project before, and its progress was already quite advanced.
She was surprisingly receptive to this “system.”
After a brief moment of thought, she replied calmly,
“I understand.”
She was already the eldest daughter of a wealthy family, with younger brothers and sisters.
This identity was nothing unfamiliar to her.
She knew exactly how to act.
Even in another world, she believed her years of cultivated excellence would allow her to thrive.
She was, after all, born to be extraordinary.
The system seemed satisfied, and when she opened her eyes, she found herself here.
Gu Zhaoping stood up and scanned the private room.
It was supposed to be an ordinary gesture, yet a male model nearby tried to flirt with her.
“Sis Zhaoping why aren’t you drinking anymore~”
But for some reason, her gaze this time was cold and indifferent, devoid of any emotion.
When she looked at him, the male model felt an inexplicable chill like an employee caught slacking off by their boss.
Gu Zhaoping frowned, seemingly assessing him, then said,
“Put on your shirt properly.”
The male model shivered and finally realized she was referring to his half-unbuttoned silk shirt, exposing his carefully maintained lean muscles his professional asset.
Wait, wasn’t this what she liked?
Who was the one who used to drunkenly cling to him, tossing stacks of cash onto his chest with a dramatic duang duang sound, declaring she no longer believed in love only in male models?
Sis Zhaoping, why are you suddenly playing this game?
Lecturing me now?
The male model felt a little scared.
Unable to understand his wealthy patron’s intentions, he nervously buttoned up his shirt, looking helplessly toward Fang Yining.
Seeing that even Fang Yining was dumbfounded, he lowered his head, cautiously fastening each button.
With a slightly aggrieved tone, he murmured,
“Alright, Sis Zhaoping. Next time, just tell me what you like me to wear, and I’ll wear it.”
“I have many important matters to handle in the coming days. I likely won’t return.”
Today, Gu Zhaoping’s speech was unusually refined, leaving the room’s occupants dumbstruck including Fang Yining.
Glancing at Fang Yining’s shocked expression, Gu Zhaoping graciously nodded and said,
“Tonight’s expenses are on me no limit. Have fun. Farewell.”
She picked up her coat, draped it over her arm, and turned to leave.
She preferred the pure type.
This place didn’t suit her anymore.
Gu Zhaoping got into the driver’s car, a stretched Lincoln.
The driver glanced at the rearview mirror, slightly stunned.
Was the eldest miss leaving this early?
Was she heading to the next party?
Understanding the situation, the driver asked,
“Miss, which club should we go to next? Oh, right!”
He suddenly remembered that a new male model had just entered the scene in a neighboring city.
It seemed to be the type that the eldest miss particularly liked.
She was supposed to go there tonight to open a champagne tower for him.
Feeling proud of himself for correctly guessing her thoughts, he was just about to turn the wheel when he heard a calm voice from the back seat.
“Go back to the Gu residence. I want to see my parents.”
“Alright, going ba what?!”
The driver’s eyes widened in shock.
The experienced driver almost mistook the brake pedal for a drum set, stomping on it in disbelief.
He glanced at the rearview mirror again, making sure it was indeed the miss and that she hadn’t been possessed by some ghost.
Wasn’t Miss Zhaoping the one who hated going back to the Gu family mansion the most?
Why would she suddenly want to go back?
Gu Zhaoping pulled down the mirror and used the makeup remover wipes from her bag to clean off her meticulously applied makeup.
She had a habit of exercising and wasn’t used to wearing makeup.
It would only add another step to her cleansing routine, which didn’t align with her time management principles.
At this time, her parents were likely fuming over the public controversy surrounding her.
The sooner she returned to resolve the issue, the sooner she could get involved in the family business.
As the eldest daughter of a wealthy family, this was what she should be doing.
She had heard that her second brother was too busy entangling himself in love affairs and was completely unreliable.
How could she count on a man who couldn’t even handle his own romantic issues?
She glanced at her feet.
She was still wearing a pair of delicate high heels.
Bending down, she took them off and replaced them with a pair of disposable flat slippers kept in the car.
The luxurious, high-end designer heels straight from a fashion show were casually tossed to the side.
The driver noticed her movements and shuddered.
Those were the shoes given to her by her fiancé…
And she could treat them with such indifference?
Had Young Master Shen hurt her so badly this time?
Could it be that his rejection had completely broken her heart?
Was that why she wasn’t even interested in male models anymore and was heading home instead?
Muttering to himself, the driver didn’t dare say anything more and steadily parked the car in front of the mansion.
The security personnel quickly descended the steps and opened the car door.
With gloved hands, they shielded the car’s roof, only to freeze when they saw Miss Zhaoping stepping out in disposable slippers.
Their eyes widened in shock.
Seeing her nonchalantly stride forward, the security guards quickly lowered their hands and exchanged glances before hastily signaling to others.
The rest of the staff, though equally stunned, quickly got the hint and rushed to lay down a carpet on the ground.
Gu Zhaoping draped her coat over her shoulders and walked briskly up the steps.
Her footsteps were steady.
She left behind only a brief,
“Thank you.”
The driver and security personnel exchanged bewildered looks.
What was going on with the eldest miss today?
Why was she being so polite?
Had she gone mad from the shock?
Inside the grand Gu family mansion, the atmosphere in the living room was tense.
Old Master Gu and his wife, Hua Bingfan, sat there with dark expressions.
Anyone could see that they were furious, and no one dared to provoke them.
“Where is the eldest miss? Did she run off to see some male model again?”
Seeing that no one answered, Old Master Gu became even more enraged.
He slammed his palm heavily on the armrest.
“The old man has been sick these past few days, yet she’s out causing a storm again. Just because Shen Yifeng rejected her, she’s stirring up trouble with that little celebrity, Ruan Nian, and tarnishing the Gu family’s reputation. And now, she’s off playing with male models again?!”
“The old man hates scandalous gossip the most. Let’s go get her right now. If she gets caught by the paparazzi again, I swear I’ll”
“Mom.”
As soon as Gu Zhaoping walked in, she first noticed Madam Hua Bingfan standing there.
Then, her gaze fell on her father, who was still frozen in mid-motion.
Half-risen from the sofa, his face was turning red from unsaid words.
“Dad, you’re here too?”
Old Master Gu nearly choked on his own breath.
He stared at her in horror.
She was home?
She had come back to the Gu family mansion?
Not to her own private residence?
No one knew a daughter better than her own father, and right now, he felt like he was seeing a ghost.
Especially when he looked at Gu Zhaoping’s face completely clean, without any trace of makeup or alcohol.
Her expression was calm.
It felt like swallowing an egg whole completely unbelievable.
“You…you’re home this early?”
Old Master Gu, still half-standing, asked, his face flushed.
Gu Zhaoping nodded.
“I’m going to see Grandpa tomorrow morning. He wakes up early for his breathing exercises, so of course, I need to go early to accompany him.”
Father Gu’s eyes widened.
Madam Hua Bingfan’s teacup trembled in her hands.
…Wait, was this really Gu Zhaoping?
Why was she speaking so politely, so appropriately, so…normally?
Gu Zhaoping continued,
“Do you two have any plans tonight? I don’t stay up late. I’ll be heading to bed first. By the way, staying up late is bad for your health.”
She then instructed the housekeeper,
“Aunt Zhang, if my parents still have plans, please take good care of them.”
Housekeeper Zhang shuddered, completely thrown off.
She stood there watering a plant in a daze.
“Oh…oh, alright, Miss.”
As Gu Zhaoping’s tall, slender figure disappeared into the elevator and the doors closed behind her, the remaining people in the room finally snapped out of their stupor.
Wait a minute.
Did they just get lectured and arranged by Gu Zhaoping who was supposed to be the most wasteful, most reckless, most pleasure-seeking, party-loving, flirtatious, hedonistic black sheep of the Gu family?
Did she just tell them not to stay up late?!
Was this really something she should be saying?!
Since when did they need Gu Zhaoping to worry about them?!