This voice carried a trace of resentment, causing goosebumps to rise reflexively on Gu Zhaoye’s back.
Yet his gaze was vacant, showing no reaction, as if he had merely been persuaded by those words.
He stared wide-eyed, suddenly murmuring: “Yes, how could I ever betray you? I love you.”
“I love you.”
Gu Zhaoye’s tone grew more fervent, as if he had completely convinced himself.
“Yes, I clearly love you. I love you so much, how could I do something like this? How could I possibly get engaged to Fang Yining?”
“Niannian, I will never betray you.”
Hearing the voice on the other end suddenly change its attitude, Ruan Nian’s tears hadn’t yet dried on her face.
Her tone was timid, and she felt a chilling dread, her lips trembling.
In that brief exchange, the Gu Zhaoye across from her seemed to transform into an entirely different person, his rationality completely overwritten.
Only now did she fully grasp the terrifying power of the system.
If she failed this mission as well, and ceased to be a host…
Could the system just as easily overwrite her rationality?
Make her fall madly in love with another man?
If the system could brainwash someone so effortlessly…
Ruan Nian finally thought of a horrifying possibility she had never dared to consider.
How could she be sure that she wasn’t already a product of the system’s brainwashing?
How could she be certain that everything she did wasn’t the result of someone else manipulating values?
How could she guarantee that her life wasn’t being controlled in the shadows by some unknown entity or someone with this kind of “golden finger,” while she remained completely unaware?
Ruan Nian was on the verge of collapse, her mind in chaos.
As she slowly listened to Gu Zhaoye’s vows, she trembled more violently, even crying out involuntarily.
A deep, visceral fear gripped her, making her want to abandon what came next.
But the system’s voice continued to gently press her: “Why did you stop, Niannian? Aren’t you going to continue with the mission?”
“You still need to control Gu Zhaoye and win his affection.”
“You still need to stop his engagement.”
“Gu Zhaoye loves you. He should only love you. Niannian, you’ll find happiness if you just follow my instructions.”
Niannian.
Niannian.
He loves you.
Ruan Nian couldn’t hold back any longer.
She let out a scream, scrambling backward as if she’d seen a ghost, crawling and stumbling toward the door to escape.
But at that moment, the system’s screen flashed, deducting a massive value.
This value was subtracted from a long numerical bar, marked with a red heart at the front.
Ruan Nian had never known what this value represented.
It seemed impossible to increase, only slowly decreasing over time, but it had no tangible impact on her.
She had always treated it as a timer or a cumulative depletion of stamina.
But now, for the first time, she saw this value plummet drastically.
It was the system forcibly deducting it in exchange for Gu Zhaoye’s affection.
It felt as if something was being stripped from her very being.
In that instant, Ruan Nian felt an overwhelming sense of detachment, as if something had been torn from her body.
Her eyes lost focus, and she collapsed limply in her attempt to flee.
The system seemed to sigh in relief, its voice growing even softer: “Go do what you want, Niannian.”
“You must find Gu Zhaoye. He will fall in love with you again.”
After hearing this, Ruan Nian seemed to freeze for a long moment before slowly propping herself up from the ground, opening the door step by step, and walking outside.
Gu Zhaoye and Fang Yining’s engagement was a major event in Haicheng, with nearly every prominent figure invited.
A few hours before the engagement banquet, Fang Yining was already seated in the castle manor’s dressing room, her face expressionless as she finished her makeup.
Gu Zhaoye had stepped out, perhaps to take a call, but no one knew why it took so long.
When he finally returned, even the makeup artist couldn’t help but glance at him, sensing that he looked as if he’d lost his soul while he was gone.
The makeup artist’s heart skipped a beat.
Why did Gu Zhaoye’s demeanor remind him of those idol dramas where something dramatic happens during the engagement vows?
“Are you ready?”
Fang Yining asked abruptly.
Gu Zhaoye, as if startled, jerked his head up to look at her, his gaze flickering before he turned away, muttering after a long pause: “Yeah, everything’s ready.”
Fang Yining stood up leisurely, not even glancing at her reflection in the mirror.
Unlike other women who fussed over their appearance on such occasions, she seemed to be merely going through the motions.
She said to Gu Zhaoye: “Let’s go, then. Everyone’s waiting.”
The two walked out together, and the makeup artist, watching them, felt an inexplicable chill, shaking his head.
His intuition told him something was about to happen.
“Let me go in first!”
“We were here first, have some shame!”
“Stop joking around. Our agency has always had the closest ties with the Gu family. We’ve covered all their major events. Our editor-in-chief was personally invited by the Gu family. Move aside, will you?”
“Over there, who just arrived?”
The media had barely reached the entrance when they descended into a frenzy of competition.
Everyone wanted to secure the best spot to capture the engagement banquet, but many lacked invitations to enter and could only photograph invited celebrities from the periphery.
As a car approached, they swarmed like sharks smelling blood, flashbulbs firing wildly.
It was a low-key black car.
The windows were tightly shut, especially in the back, but as it slowly moved forward, a glimpse through the slightly transparent driver’s window revealed the profile of a resolute woman wearing white gloves.
Some onlookers froze, as the driver was a middle-aged woman, slightly stout, defying common stereotypes of a “driver.”
Her appearance at such an event was startling.
Yet she drove the car forward with unshakable steadiness.
Only after she passed through the live broadcast lens did someone suddenly realize: “That’s Gu Zhaoping’s car!”
“It’s President Gu!”
“She’s actually attending Gu Zhaoye’s engagement banquet? Does this mean their sibling relationship hasn’t broken down? Or that the Gu family hasn’t abandoned Gu Zhaoye?”
“Was Fang Yining’s agreement to the engagement her doing? Or is the sibling rift just a Gu family facade to protect themselves?”
“No way, they’ve been at each other’s throats!”
“Then is she here just to save face for the Gu family?”
Speculation ran wild, and the crowd buzzed with debate!
At this moment, the guests inside, hearing the commotion outside, gradually stopped their conversations and turned their heads one by one.
Though many tried to act as if they weren’t paying too much attention, their synchronized movements were so uniform that the stir became noticeable, creating the effect of all eyes on the scene.
A woman in a white suit walked in from outside, followed by the middle-aged driver, and took a seat in the front row.
People had expected her to at least exchange pleasantries with someone.
But she didn’t greet anyone.
After a brief glance, those eager to connect with her approached cautiously, striking up tentative conversations.
This was both unexpected and yet somehow predictable, as this Gu family heir, recently in the spotlight and at the center of attention, sparked everyone’s curiosity, making them eager to get closer.
But her refusal to offer any opening for interaction left people somewhat embarrassed.
Especially some elders, who, conscious of their status, couldn’t bring themselves to initiate a conversation with a younger person.
Watching others approach her, they felt both envious and stuck in a dilemma.
Ni Tiansong was among the invited, representing the Ni family.
With so many people present, he didn’t engage much with Gu Zhaoping, knowing it wasn’t the time for lengthy talks.
But after spotting the old man, he used the pretense of a junior’s greeting to exchange a few words.
The old man was very pleased with him, his usually stern face softening slightly with a warm smile as he said,
“Come visit the Gu family after the banquet.”
Ni Tiansong glanced at Gu Zhaoping, seeking her opinion.
Seeing her noncommittal expression, a slight pang of disappointment tugged at him, but he replied warmly,
“Thank you for the invitation, sir. But with family matters afterward, I’d hate to intrude. I’ll visit formally once things settle.”
The old man was surprised.
He could tell this young man admired his granddaughter, yet he showed such restraint—
Gu Zhaoping hadn’t spoken, so he didn’t push to visit.
Knowing he was the old man’s top choice for a match, Ni Tiansong’s restraint in not overstepping was rather likable.
Of course, Ni Tiansong wasn’t above using subtle tactics with Gu Zhaoping, but he was more attuned to considering her perspective.
He wouldn’t do anything she didn’t like.
At his age, he wasn’t about to act like a childish, annoying kid.
Gu Zhaoping glanced at him.
Ni Tiansong smiled back.
The emcee appeared on stage, consulting the old man before smiling and inviting today’s main characters to take the stage.
Gu Zhaoping looked up as Fang Yining and Gu Zhaoye walked out.
Her gaze skipped over Gu Zhaoye, landing on Fang Yining, who met her eyes.
Gu Zhaoye’s expression was dark, so obvious that everyone could see it.
The crowd below stirred, starting to whisper among themselves.
What was with Gu Zhaoye’s attitude?
Anyone could see he looked reluctant.
Wasn’t this his way out of trouble?
Why wasn’t he even pretending?
To show such a face in front of so many people—what must he be like in private?
This thought made many sigh, their gazes toward Fang Yining and the Fang family tinged with sympathy.
The Fang parents, who had been warmly greeting guests, beamed even more as their daughter and son-in-law took the stage.
But upon noticing Gu Zhaoye’s expression, as if everyone had wronged him, their smiles faded, their faces turning grim.
What did he mean by this?
Showing such an attitude at a time like this?
They couldn’t hide their displeasure and turned to Gu’s father, saying,
“What’s wrong with Gu Zhaoye today? Is he in a bad mood?”
Gu’s father, embarrassed, replied,
“I don’t know what’s gotten into him. I’m so sorry, in-laws.”
“It’s such a joyous day—why the sour face? People will think he doesn’t want to get engaged to our Yining, like we’re forcing him!”
Fang Yining’s mother’s face darkened.
She valued this engagement deeply.
Her own engagement to Fang’s father had been a legendary event in Haicheng, and she wanted her daughter to have the same—a banquet people would talk about, marveling at how much her fiancé adored her.
Gu Zhaoye’s recent bad reputation had already made their agreement to this engagement a risk, taken only because of his potential and their years of affection.
His attitude now made them look even worse.
“How could that be? Zhaoye is definitely willing,”
Gu’s father said with a forced smile, unsure how to defend him, inwardly cursing his son.
Everyone knew his intentions in aligning with the Fang family at such a time.
This kid wasn’t even trying to act the part.
The Fang family’s elders had treated him like a son for years, which was the only reason they agreed to this.
Before this, even his own father had been ready to give up on him, planning to exile Gu Zhaoye somewhere.
And he still didn’t cherish this chance?
Fang Yining’s mother, displeased, turned back to the stage.
“He’d better cheer up and not give people something to gossip about. After all, they’ve been in love for so many years…”
Just as her words fell, the distant door burst open, and someone stormed in!
Everyone froze, turning to look.
Who could barge in at a time like this?
Was the manor’s security that lax?
But under everyone’s incredulous gazes, someone really did break in, as if using some cheat code!
The moment they saw who it was, everyone’s pupils shrank, gasping in disbelief.
How could it be her?!
What was she doing here?
This was Gu Zhaoye and Fang Yining’s engagement!
Ruan Nian, somehow, had barged into the engagement scene.
Her face resolute, she frantically searched for Gu Zhaoye’s figure.
When her eyes locked onto the stage, a flicker of clarity returned to her gaze.
Then, she showed a shocked expression.
This person…from the first episode of Four Seasons of Tycoon…
The doctor who was invited?
The one who discovered her injury wasn’t serious, exposing her, and said she was Gu Zhaoping’s friend?
Ruan Nian’s heart sank, her mind reeling as if struck by a giant bell.
A long-buried thought surged uncontrollably from the depths of her mind.
Back then, she had thought this woman was the type Gu Zhaoye might like.
If she was Gu Zhaoping’s friend, she’d have easy access to him.
Ruan Nian had even felt a pang of jealousy at the time.
But she never imagined this woman was the fiancée herself!
Her earlier thoughts had become a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Ruan Nian froze in place, her face alternating between pale and flushed, her body rigid, unable to take another step, her breathing growing rapid, her whole body trembling.
The system, displeased, urged her: “Niannian, hurry up and complete your mission.”
“Go shock the world, let them see his love for you!”
Ruan Nian hadn’t yet taken her next step, but the first to react was Gu Zhaoye on the stage.
The moment he saw Ruan Nian, his pupils contracted, and he shouted uncontrollably,
“Niannian!”
Oh no!
Only now did Gu’s father, his face twitching, realize what was happening.
His mouth gaped in disbelief as he looked at the intruder, then at Gu Zhaoye, who dared to call out to her like that during his own engagement ceremony.
He was utterly dumbfounded.
Had they lost their minds?
What was going on?
Why was Ruan Nian here?
And what madness had possessed Gu Zhaoye?
This was his engagement ceremony!
Gu’s father shot to his feet, furious beyond measure.
The Fang parents were equally shocked!
The entire room of guests was stunned by the scene, unsure what drama was unfolding!
Under everyone’s watchful eyes, Gu Zhaoye, as if bewitched, stepped off the stage and ran straight toward Ruan Nian!
At that moment, the media, who had surged in behind Ruan Nian, broke through the security blockade and flooded the manor’s entrance, their cameras all aimed inside!
Flashes went off relentlessly!
Good heavens.
What was this?
Seeing Ruan Nian barge in had already been shocking enough, and in their frenzy for a scoop, they ignored all security and order.
What was Ruan Nian up to?
She hadn’t appeared in ages, and now she showed up at Gu Zhaoye’s engagement to someone else?!
As expected, they walked in to see Gu Zhaoye responding to her, leaving everyone gasping in shock.
So their old flame hadn’t died out, had it?!
What was this?
A wedding crash or an escape?!
Fang Yining’s mother was terrified.
Only now did she manage to speak, her voice trembling as she slammed her chair, shouting in disbelief,
“Gu Zhaoye, have you lost your mind? Are you trying to run from this engagement? Are you making my daughter the laughingstock of Haicheng?!”
“You’re insane, Gu Zhaoye?!”
Above the chaos, an invisible system seemed to smile, exhaling in relief, gazing at the pandemonium below.
Its gaze followed Gu Zhaoye as he approached Ruan Nian, about to declare to the world that she was the one he loved most.
Everyone would envy Ruan Nian’s reckless devotion, their mythic love story, and the troublesome character would no longer pose a threat…
But at that moment, amid the chaotic venue and countless flashing lights, a voice suddenly rang out.
Cold and sharp, like a golden bell struck once, shattering the clamor.
“Gu Zhaoye, are you tired of living?”
The system’s excited thoughts froze in an instant.
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