Chapter 10: Gu zhaoping came to work? Is she crazy?

The assistant director stared at her phone, still in a daze, completely bewildered.

Elite Seasons was one of the most highly anticipated reality shows.

It had only been publicly announced for a few days, yet it was already a trending topic, with the entire internet buzzing about this show that promised an inside look into the lives of the elite.

The lineup featured top-tier celebrities, famous power couple heirs, wealthy sibling dynamics, and elite industry moguls from various fields.

Even many top business tycoons who typically refused interviews were rumored to be making appearances.

The daily lives of the wealthy, internal family conflicts, the hidden rules of high society, billion-dollar arranged marriages, extravagant romantic entanglements which of these wasn’t compelling content?

Any one of these guests alone could drive sky-high ratings.

Now, they were all gathered in a single show.

Other reality shows scheduled to air at the same time were practically running for cover like someone setting off fireworks at a graveyard during Chinese New Year, sending everyone scrambling before they got caught in the explosion.

There was simply no competition!

The entire nation was waiting for it!

A lineup of true elites!

For Zheng Anling, a young director under thirty, securing a role in this production meant immense pressure.

She had already prepared herself to be overworked, stressed out, and blamed for everything.

And sure enough, the first task assigned to her was to contact the second Gu family guest Miss Gu Zhaoping.

Thinking back to the recent news of Gu Zhaoping publicly beating up Ruan Nian in the streets, Zheng Anling felt a chill down her spine.

Just the thought made her shoulders tense.

But when she finally mustered the courage to send a message, she hadn’t expected this

Miss Gu was so easy to deal with?

She even offered to cover the meal expenses?

Meanwhile, the main director himself was personally handling Ruan Nian who was supposedly easy to work with.

At that very moment, he was practically groveling over the phone.

“Lili, we’ve worked together for so long. Of course, we’re going to accommodate Miss Ruan. She can have her own separate contract. Yes, yes this won’t interfere with her other scheduling commitments at all.”

“Oh, please, tell Miss Ruan that this is an amazing show. Yes, I promise there won’t be any other entertainers competing for the spotlight with her! She’s the biggest star in this lineup.”

“She’ll get exclusive treatment.”

The voice on the other end was loud enough that even Zheng Anling, who was just passing by to grab a coffee, could hear it.

“That’s not enough. Her treatment needs to increase by another 30%. And we’ll need to renegotiate profit-sharing once the show airs.”

“Don’t forget President Gu never intended to join this show in the first place. He only agreed because our Ruan Nian is participating. Do you have any idea how much viewership President Gu alone will bring to your program?!”

The director’s face instantly stiffened.

His expression darkened.

He was just a director he didn’t have the authority to approve a higher revenue cut.

And Ruan Nian’s compensation package was already top-tier.

If they raised it any further, the investors themselves would start having second thoughts.

“Lili, this…”

“Hmph, think carefully. If Ruan Nian doesn’t participate, President Gu won’t either. And you know how much losing this couple would cost you.”

“Don’t overthink it. Who else, other than our dear Nian Nian, could persuade President Gu?”

The director turned ghostly pale.

He hadn’t expected Ruan Nian’s team to suddenly become so difficult.

They had already agreed to the initial terms.

But the moment they heard that Gu Zhaoping would also be participating, they immediately demanded better treatment.

Knowing about the deep-seated conflict between the two women, the director was already starting to resent Gu Zhaoping.

She was nothing but a troublemaker!

Of all times, why now did she suddenly decide to join the show?

And since the Gu family itself had confirmed her participation, the production team couldn’t refuse.

He ended the call with a foul expression, then turned only to see assistant director Zheng Anling walking past, looking far too relaxed.

That alone pissed him off.

“What are you standing around for? Did you even do your job contacting Gu Zhaoping?! I’m warning you if you don’t get in touch with her before next Monday’s deadline, you can kiss your job goodbye ”

“I already contacted her. Just now, I confirmed a meeting with Miss Gu for tomorrow.”

Zheng Anling pulled out her phone and showed him the chat log.

The director choked mid-rant, practically gagging on his own words.

“What?”

He snatched the phone from her hand, scrolling up and down repeatedly as if trying to catch a Photoshop error.

“Gu Zhaoping responded? She actually agreed to an early meeting?!”

“What did you offer her?! What deal did you make?!”

Then, realizing something, his face darkened even more.

“I hope you realize you don’t have the authority to promise her anything ”

“I didn’t promise her anything. Miss Gu simply agreed when she heard about the Monday deadline.”

Zheng Anling shrugged.

“Oh, right she also told me to pick a location and send her the bill for reimbursement.”

The director’s expression turned absolutely ridiculous.

The hell was this sorcery?!

Zheng Anling remained outwardly calm but was inwardly ecstatic.

Ha!

You thought you could dump the hardest task on me?

Well, I just handled it effortlessly.

You go ahead and keep groveling to your “big-shot” Ruan Nian.

Back at her desk, she got to work.

She opened multiple browser tabs, gathering articles and background information.

She meticulously compiled everything she could find about Gu Zhaoping her preferences, her personality traits anything that could make their conversation go more smoothly.

At this point, she realized

Maybe this task wasn’t as hellish as she had initially thought.

Miss Gu didn’t seem anything like the rumors.

In a luxurious hotel suite, Ruan Nian sat patiently as a stylist curled her hair.

Her manager, Lili, had just finished her call, walking over with a triumphant smile.

“Nian Nian, don’t worry. With this little maneuver, the production team will treat you even more carefully. Later, you can pretend that you were unaware your agency negotiated for more money. Agree to the original rate, and they’ll be grateful to you.”

“Then, when the news leaks, your fans will love how professional and cooperative you are.”

Lili’s sharp and calculating demeanor softened as she looked at Ruan Nian.

With her lowered lashes, delicate features, and gentle expression, she looked both innocent and lovely.

Even the harshest manager would melt in front of her.

Ruan Nian’s voice was soft and sweet.

“Thank you, Mama Lili.”

Lili’s heart instantly softened.

Her baby was just too precious.

“And don’t worry about Gu Zhaoping joining. After this stunt, the director will definitely hold a grudge against her. When it comes to editing, well who knows what might happen?”

Lili smirked.

“Besides, President Gu hates that sister of his. He won’t stand up for her.”

“In the end, Gu Corporation belongs to him. If she pisses him off, she’s finished.”

“Hah! That woman thinks she can target us? Does she really think she’s like the other women who got tossed aside by President Gu? This time, she’s going to learn what happens when she messes with someone he actually cares about.”

Ruan Nian’s long lashes didn’t lift.

She simply smiled.

“Okay.”

Once her manager and stylist left, Ruan Nian summoned her system.

Her voice carried a trace of anxiety.

“System, have you arranged for the new villainess?”

“Yes, Nian Nian, don’t worry. I never make mistakes with you.”

She treated Ruan Nian like a daughter.

“System-bro, now that you’ve said that, I can finally relax. Thank you. I was really scared when Gu Zhaoping, that villainess, went out of control earlier. I almost thought my strategy was going to fail even though Gu Zhaoye’s affection level was already at 80%.”

Her tone carried a hint of playful relaxation, which made the cold, mechanical mind of the system soften slightly.

At the same time, it felt a little guilty.

It couldn’t control the actions of other characters.

Its only authority was to forcibly extract and replace a character if they were on the verge of breaking free from their scripted role.

It could grant golden fingers to Ruan Nian, but it couldn’t erase the abilities of others.

But now that the replacement had been made, there shouldn’t be any more problems.

This version of Gu Zhaoping would no longer act out of line.

It was Gu Zhaoping’s first time going to work at Gu Corporation this year.

Her driver and assistant both felt like they were heading into battle.

When they arrived at the Gu residence, they half-expected to find Miss Gu throwing a tantrum.

But to their shock

She was already dressed and ready to go.

Both of them froze.

Holy sht this was not Miss Gu’s usual style!

Normally, Miss Gu was obsessed with high-end fashion brands, always decked out in exclusive designer collaborations.

They had never seen her dress so plainly!

Uh, no this couldn’t even be called plain…

She was wearing a very simple yet professional outfit.

The only noticeable logo was a discreet one at her collar.

The sleeves were neatly tailored, and she wore a pair of velvet-textured, wide-leg trousers.

Her hair was meticulously combed, revealing a rare, flawless hairline practically a luxury among adults.

Her outfit was clearly understated, yet she wore it with such presence that it was impossible for her to look low-key.

Gu Zhaoping was naturally tall and slender, with sharp, cool, and mature features.

Holy sht this outfit had completely unlocked a new dimension of her aura!

It actually felt like they were escorting a serious professional to work!

Her skin was flawless, and her eyebrows and lashes were naturally dark.

Even though she wasn’t wearing any makeup, making the tiny, faint brown mole on her forehead visible, she didn’t look tired or haggard at all.

The assistant stared in a daze.

Miss Gu usually covered that mole with foundation.

This was the first time she had seen it freely exposed.

It made her seem more real like a person who was actually breathing.

With a strict 5:30 AM wake-up routine, consistent fitness training, a carefully planned nutritional diet, and precise hormonal regulation, it was nearly impossible for her complexion not to be glowing.

Both the driver and the assistant watched in stunned silence as she got into the car.

Even though she had woken up early, there was no sign of grogginess or fatigue.

On the contrary she looked invigorated.

She was wearing earphones, listening to something unknown.

Not wanting to disturb her, the assistant wisely turned off the car’s background music.

“Thank you.”

Gu Zhaoping opened her eyes slightly, then handed the tablet in her hand to the assistant.

“Play this.”

She lowered her head and removed her earphones.

The assistant quickly took the device, connected it to Bluetooth, and glanced at the screen.

…Wait, what?

What was this?

“Pain Points and Breakthroughs in Digital Transformation”

…?

What the hell?!

She thought Miss Gu was listening to rap!

At least the ashtray in the car had finally been removed.

Even though the same issue had to be brought up twice, at least it was resolved.

Gu Zhaoping was fairly satisfied with that.

Efficiency needed to be cultivated it wasn’t something that could be rushed.

She closed her eyes, meditating while listening to the podcast.

After an extremely tense journey, they finally delivered her to the company.

Before getting out of the car, she instructed,

“You go park the car with the driver first. I’ll go in alone and do some preliminary observations.”

The assistant stared at her, completely dumbfounded by Miss Gu’s sudden transformation.

“Y-Yes, of course.”

After she left, the driver let out a long breath of relief.

“See? Now do you believe me?”

“…Believe what?”

The assistant was still in shock.

“Miss Gu has changed a lot. It’s terrifying.”

The driver’s tone was grim.

“She even beat up President Gu yesterday.”

The assistant: “…”

Was this a good change or a bad one?

She wasn’t sure anymore.

Now, she was kind of scared.

Upon entering the company building, Gu Zhaoping went to the elevator, where employees had to scan their faces and badges to enter.

There were two people in front of her, so she patiently waited in line.

She had arrived fairly early most employees weren’t even in yet.

Meanwhile, Gu Zhaoye’s assistant was standing nearby, putting on an air of strict authority.

He pretended he was conducting a surprise attendance check.

Suddenly, his phone vibrated.

He pulled it out, glanced at the message, and immediately replied:

“President Gu, I’m already stationed here! At 9:30, we can notify Miss Gu that since she has never been showing up to work, she is now officially suspended. Also, her bank accounts have been frozen ”

Gu Zhaoye: [Good. Well done.]

Wow, this task is way too easy.

The assistant smirked to himself.

Just as he was about to finish typing his response, he absentmindedly lifted his head

…And in that instant, his entire expression froze.

His smug smile vanished.

He froze in complete disbelief.

Who…

Who the fck was that?!

Who the hell was that woman walking in right now?!

Right in front of his eyes

Gu Zhaoping casually swiped her employee badge.

Her face scanned onto the screen.

The security gate unlocked.

As she passed the elevator lobby, she glanced at him.

With a thud

His legs buckled and he collapsed onto the ground.

Miss Gu…

Came to work?!

Has she lost her damn mind?!