Chapter 25: It turns out that he had a deep bias against Gu Zhaoping.(part 2)

None of them dared to report it to the Gu family because it had been too humiliating for their CEO.

For them, just talking about it was already uncomfortable.

Mrs. Hua had originally been listening casually.

But the more she heard, the more shocked she became.

Her pupils constricted.

Her hand trembled as she held her teacup.

“What?

You’re saying Zhaoping discovered an issue with the financial reports?”

“She brought it up in a meeting?

Gu Zhaoye failed to secure funding?”

Every single word she heard was completely unbelievable!

And the fact that Gu Zhaoping was at the center of it all made her even more shocked, making her question if she had misheard.

“Yes, exactly.

Miss Zhaoping not only pointed out the issue but also raised specific concerns.

She said she would take charge of sorting out the financial problems, restructure things, and prove the true value of Yuanqi Technology to investors once again…”

The executive recounted everything in full detail, trying to recall every important moment from that day.

When he finished speaking, silence filled the grand hall.

Especially from Shen Yifeng’s parents.

They were even more silent and shocked than Mrs. Hua.

What was going on with Zhaoping lately?

Not only had she been discovered as a chess prodigy, but she was now demonstrating such business acumen?

She had uncovered a problem that even Gu Zhaoye had missed?

This… This, this, this…

Everyone fell into a collective stunned silence.

At that moment, as they reflected on all the unexpected things Gu Zhaoping had recently done, one word surfaced in their minds

Hidden Talent.

How else could they explain why she had suddenly begun shining so brightly?

Shen’s parents also came to a sudden realization.

As if, in an instant, everything made sense.

If Gu Zhaoping had been deliberately keeping her abilities hidden all these years, then it was logical that she now wanted to break off the engagement.

She wasn’t just any woman.

For female entrepreneurs, marriage was often more of a burden than a benefit something that could drag them down.

If Zhaoping had always been keeping her talents in reserve, waiting for the right moment to reveal them, then whatever she was planning for the future… it would not be small.

Just like how many powerful men in business preferred gentle, supportive partners

…Gu Zhaoping wouldn’t choose someone like Shen Yifeng.

At first, this thought had been a fleeting one.

But for some reason, an inexplicable feeling made it grow clearer, more certain, even alarming.

No one spoke.

No one knew how to break the silence.

Everyone felt restless.

Meanwhile, Shen Yifeng simply sat there, motionless.

He looked calm, staring straight ahead, his hands clasped together on his knees.

But only he knew where his thoughts were drifting lost between confusion and shock.

For so long, he had always carried a bias against Gu Zhaoping.

A strong bias.

And now, he was about to suffer the consequences of his own arrogance.

The pilot episode of Four Seasons of the Wealthy was finished and edited quickly.

When Zheng Anling informed Gu Zhaoping that the episode would be airing tonight, she was busy going through financial reports.

The issues with Yuanqi Technology were numerous.

Gu Zhaoye had done nothing to fix them.

Even after the last meeting, where the problems had been exposed, his first reaction hadn’t been to stay and handle them.

Instead, he had disappeared somewhere, refusing to face anyone.

Gu Zhaoping found it amusing.

But she also wouldn’t waste the opportunity.

“I got it.

I’ll take some time to check it out.”

She hung up the phone.

To her, participating in the show wasn’t a particularly significant event.

The audience’s response would naturally reveal itself later.

If the results were unsatisfactory, she would consider improvements.

If they were good, she would keep refining her approach.

There was nothing to worry about.

As for watching the show herself?

That wasn’t exactly her hobby.

She didn’t have such a hobby, but there were plenty of people who did.

Others were far less calm than she was.

Mrs. Hua hesitated for a long time at home, pacing back and forth.

In the end, she worriedly picked up the phone and dialed Gu Zhaoping.

“Zhaoping, is that show airing tonight?”

Her voice was gentle softer and kinder than usual.

Although their last meeting hadn’t been pleasant, and she had even been rebutted by Gu Zhaoping, there was no resentment in her tone this time.

Only a subtle nervousness.

This was a mother’s worry.

Although, in the past, she had placed more emphasis on Gu Zhaoye’s recognition and status over Gu Zhaoping, it wasn’t because she didn’t love her daughter.

When faced with a daughter who was too capable and not particularly warm in personality, a mother’s heart was filled with cautious attempts to understand her better.

“Mm.”

Gu Zhaoping answered while looking at the documents in her hands.

“Are you worried about the show’s reception?”

If this was another case of worrying about how she would behave in front of Grandpa Gu, then it was unnecessary.

She was tired of explaining.

Some things didn’t need so much preemptive concern.

But to her surprise, Mrs. Hua immediately responded in a flustered tone.

“No!”

Realizing her reaction was too extreme, she clasped her hands together, gave an awkward smile, and glanced at the housekeeper, Aunt Zhang, who was holding up the phone for her.

Aunt Zhang gave her an encouraging look.

Mrs. Hua continued.

“No, I’m not worried.

No matter how you perform, it’s fine.

It’s not a big deal.

Our Gu family has the resources to support you.”

“If this show makes you happy, then just keep doing it.”

After saying that, Mrs. Hua paused.

Standing by the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing out at the deep blue night sky, her figure remained elegant and slender.

She spoke again, this time in a quieter voice.

“…I just want to get to know you better.”

She had known Zhaoping for 27 years, yet there were still misunderstandings between them.

She had never truly understood what was in her daughter’s heart what she wanted to do.

Her voice softened even more, careful and hesitant.

“Zhaoping, can you give your mother another chance to understand you?”

Gu Zhaoping was momentarily stunned.

She had never been particularly close to any of her elders.

She never felt the need to be understood by anyone.

She did what she wanted, and whatever impression she gave off was up to others.

There was no need to make any extra effort to showcase herself.

But Mrs. Hua was acting strangely.

Her request felt odd yet it wasn’t something Gu Zhaoping could refuse.

After a brief silence, she replied.

“Okay.”

Mrs. Hua froze for a moment.

Her elegantly arched eyebrows, shaped to match her cheongsam, twitched slightly.

Her eyes seemed to light up with a sudden warmth, and a smile unconsciously spread across her face.

“Is the show airing tonight?”

Gu Kaichang was driving his luxury sports car with one hand on a highway abroad when he received the news.

He let out a cold laugh.

“Well, well.

Looks like Gu Zhaoping is about to put on quite the show tonight.”

“I don’t know how she managed to fool Grandpa into letting her participate in the program’s promotion.

Since when does the Gu family need her to represent our image?”

“What kind of reputation will we even have after she’s done with it?”

He casually glanced at the program’s promotional lineup.

Noticing a few celebrities among the guests many of them young and attractive men he sneered.

It was probably like a playground for her.

Would she set her sights on another young, handsome man?

Would she cause another public scandal with Shen Yifeng?

This wasn’t just about hiring some male models in private.

This time, it was a major reality show airing nationwide.

Audiences were much stricter on women’s morality.

If Gu Zhaoping did anything remotely questionable, she would be publicly condemned.

He had always said that the first branch of the Gu family was unreliable.

Why did Grandpa still trust them?

But it didn’t matter.

After this, the first branch’s influence would surely diminish even further.

Gu Kaichang ran a hand over his face.

The palm mark had faded, but the pain still lingered.

He clenched his jaw at the memory.

For the first time in his life, Grandpa had slapped him.

Even though the old man had just grabbed the nearest object to shut him up, to Gu Kaichang, it was still a humiliating slap in the face.

He would remember this disgrace.

The next time Gu Zhaoping made a mistake, he would be the first to kick her while she was down.

At Nyx Club and several other nightclubs where Gu Zhaoping had been a patron, an unusual scene unfolded that night.

All their big screens were showing not music videos, not romantic films but the reality show she was on!

Customers laughed in disbelief.

“Are you guys running a comedy night or something?”

The club manager quickly explained.

“Not at all!

This is our top VIP client’s show!

We have to support her ratings!”

People were stunned.

It was surreal.

Most celebrities had family, friends, and fan clubs renting out venues to support their TV appearances.

But Gu Zhaoping?

Her biggest supporters were entire nightclubs filled with male models!

“Zhaoping Jie!

Zhaoping Jie is on!”

A few young men cheered.

Even though they had never been personally selected by her, they admired her boldness and wealth.

Just getting the chance to greet her once had been an honor.

The Gu Zhaoping appearing on TV, however, was completely different from what people expected.

Her hair was slicked back completely, styled in a bold, clean look.

She wore a pair of rectangular, rimless glasses.

With high cheekbones, sharp lips, and a black high-necked outfit, she looked striking.

The way it emphasized her long neck and poised posture

Who styled her?

This level of sophistication was off the charts!

From wealthy heiress to high-fashion power mogul?

The male models were dumbfounded.

As the show aired, millions of viewers flooded the stream, sending a storm of comments.

It was finally starting!

This was one of the most anticipated reality shows in recent memory.

Even the celebrity guests were A-list stars.

As soon as the broadcast began, fans flooded the chat with their favorite idols’ names.

The screen was covered in text, like a meteor shower.

Except for one name.

Gu Zhaoping.

Then, the camera cut to her.

The recording studio was warm.

She had casually draped her coat over her shoulders.

Its structured cut and broad shoulders gave her an imposing presence sharp, aloof, untouchable.

One look at her, and people instinctively shut up.

“I’m Gu Zhaoping, eldest daughter of the Gu family.”

She wasn’t nervous.

As she spoke to the host, one arm rested lightly on the table beside her.

She lifted her gaze.

A strand of hair fell beside the gray frame of her glasses.

Her voice was calm, steady, almost indifferent.

“Graduate of Stanford University, dual degrees in Business and Law.”

There was no exaggeration.

Just a few seconds of footage.

And across the country, everyone watching…

Exploded into a collective scream.

What the hell?!

Who is this?

What happened?!

How is this Gu Zhaoping?!

Did someone replace her?!