Gripping his thigh, he leaned in, eagerly waiting for Zhaoping’s response.
Gu Zhaoping paused for a moment, then calmly said: “No problem.”
Hearing her reply, Valentin’s face lit up with joy.
Her agreement was, in that moment, the thing that made him happiest.
“Wait, Zhaoping.”
The old man suddenly looked at her, feeling like he might have overlooked something.
“Don’t you already have a fiancé?”
His expression was like being struck by lightning on a clear day!
He was suddenly overwhelmed with mixed emotions — regret and embarrassment tangled together — unsure of how to react.
He had been very satisfied with that young man, thinking he was quite good: capable, good-looking, and from a decent family.
Most importantly, he was passionate and admiring toward Zhaoping.
The old man felt that Zhaoping was well suited to someone like him.
But only now did he suddenly remember — didn’t he already arrange an engagement for Zhaoping?
Gu Zhaoping paused, not sure why he suddenly brought this up.
Eventually, she thought of the young master Valentin who had just invited her to a gathering, and she said gently and considerately,
“Grandpa, it’s nothing.”
The old man almost jumped up — how could this be nothing?
This was definitely not nothing!
The engagement was still there.
Whether it was for Shen Yifeng or for Valentin, this invitation — which could basically be seen as a date — wasn’t exactly appropriate!
This wouldn’t look good if anyone found out!
How could this be “nothing”? —
But before he could say anything more, Gu Zhaoping’s next words calmly cut through his thoughts:
“Grandpa, have you ever thought about this? Why is it that, when it comes to engagements, in the case of Gu Zhaoye’s marriage, everything leans in his favor, but in the case of me and Shen Yifeng, things always lean toward Shen Yifeng? We’re doing the exact same thing. In fact, I’m not even as reckless — Gu Zhaoye has been far more outrageous than I have.”
The old man was stunned and didn’t react right away.
Hearing what Gu Zhaoping said, his eyes were blank for a moment.
After a while, he began to understand what her words meant — and was somewhat shocked.
He had never thought there was anything wrong with the way things had been.
Gu Zhaoye’s engagement to Fang Yining was fragile as paper, yet strangely resilient.
No matter how many people Gu Zhaoye dated, it never seemed to affect anything.
Fang Yining never made a fuss, and the engagement still stood.
But when it came to Gu Zhaoping and Shen Yifeng, there seemed to be no tolerance for her at all.
No one thought it was acceptable for her to date anyone else, even if the engagement was still in place.
If Shen Yifeng found out she wasn’t faithful, he would end the engagement, abandon her — and even then, Gu Zhaoping would still be the one morally condemned.
The old man was struck by this realization — like being hit with a hammer.
A strange sense of discomfort crept into his heart.
In most people’s minds, especially in wealthy families, an engagement primarily serves to safeguard a man’s assets and marital stability.
Even within these elite circles, a woman’s infidelity is far more severely punished and “deserved” than a man’s.
It’s as if everyone believes that a man, as long as he’s rich and powerful, should be unfaithful.
If he remains loyal, it’s seen as a bonus — a gift to his wife. If he cheats, his wife is expected to endure it, because after all, the wealth is his.
She’s lucky enough just to enjoy the status and money.
But if the woman cheats, she faces much harsher punishment, deeper moral scrutiny, soul-crushing shame and mockery, and is told she “doesn’t know what’s good for her.
” People will even feel sorry for her poor husband.
Especially in those stereotypical CEO romance novels — the kind filled with clichés and clear class hierarchies — the men are always at the top, and those gender stereotypes become even more extreme.
Once there’s an engagement in place, it doesn’t matter whether it’s Fang Yining or Gu Zhaoping — regardless of which family’s heiress she is, her family’s top priority is to ensure she behaves like a proper “wife.”
But for Gu Zhaoye and Shen Yifeng, they are first and foremost granted “authority.”
The ones with power have the right to choose.
Wives do not.
Of course, Gu Zhaoping never expected the old man to reflect on this difference on his own.
For a man to empathize with a woman’s situation, it usually takes having a daughter or granddaughter he truly loves.
Of course, Gu Zhaoping didn’t yet fully count as someone he cherished — not yet.
She was merely someone of high enough value, someone who made him feel proud and reliant, someone who pushed him to reassess and reevaluate.
But the fact that she could force him to reflect — that was enough.
When you become strong enough, the world will start rethinking how it used to treat you.
The old man sat there dumbfounded and silent.
The car continued to move forward quietly.
After a long moment, he finally muttered: “You’re right. That…makes sense.”
He felt a little awkward — this was the first time he realized he had unconsciously been biased toward Shen Yifeng in how he viewed the engagement.
He hadn’t interfered that much in Gu Zhaoye’s marriage affairs. Since he had been so indulgent with Gu Zhaoye, he should be equally — if not more — lenient with Gu Zhaoping.
After all, Gu Zhaoping was more outstanding than Gu Zhaoye and far more suitable to inherit the Gu family.
He had already started thinking this way.
He quickly talked himself into it again and chuckled:
“Yes, yes! Our Zhaoping is so exceptional — of course it’s only natural that a few more people would be infatuated with you!”
Since she’d made such a splash today, the old man quickly convinced himself.
But just then, his memory — feeble with age — finally recalled something else.
“Wait a second.”
“I think someone from the Shen family is coming to this summit too…Wasn’t it Shen Yifeng?”
As his words fell, the entire car fell silent.
The driver focused intensely on the road, doing his best to pretend he hadn’t heard anything.
But Gu Zhaoping’s response made it clear she wasn’t bothered.
“Is that so?”
She said calmly.
“Then let him see.”
She had glanced over the crowd earlier today and thought she’d seen a vaguely familiar silhouette — just for a moment — but hadn’t paid it much mind.
Only now did she vaguely recall that it might have been that so-called fiancé she once ran into at the mall.
Perfect timing.
“Anyway, we were planning to break off the engagement.”
Old Master Gu also nodded.
“Yeah, we were going to break it off anyway.”
The next moment, he finally processed what was said—what?
They were breaking off the engagement?!
Last time when the Shen family trio visited the Gu family and ran into Madam Hua, people from Yuanqi Technology happened to show up to report, so they didn’t get the chance to bring it up.
Old Master Gu became the first person in the entire Gu family to learn about it.
Congratulations to him, I guess.
Valentin de La Roche was indeed a very young man, still carrying a trace of youthful impulsiveness from just having stepped out of boyhood.
However, his elite upbringing meant that this impulsiveness didn’t turn into recklessness but instead became a kind of vibrant energy that naturally made people feel delighted.
He had styled his hair carefully, tried on several formal outfits hanging in the fitting room, and matched them meticulously with accessories like necklaces and watches.
He had even considered what kind of style Miss Gu liked, choosing pieces that matched hers, hoping to leave a better impression at tonight’s party.
If a man liked a woman, he shouldn’t express it awkwardly, but rather show it through actions and genuine effort—that was what Valentin had been taught.
Even the grandmother who had brought him along couldn’t help but smile watching him fuss around:
“Is this the first girl you’ve taken a fancy to?”
Valentin was trying on a watch in front of the mirror.
With a calm smile unfazed by her teasing, he answered,
“It’s the first time someone has radiated such a powerful magnetic field that I felt compelled to approach her. I have to approach her.”
On his way to the meeting, Valentin felt excited yet nervous.
He was incredibly curious about Miss Gu.
She was too powerful and mysterious—her aura unmatched by anyone, possessing a commanding and sovereign presence.
When a woman exuded such imperial qualities, it became irresistibly captivating.
He was both curious and in awe, eager to understand her better.
Out of politeness, Valentin had planned to arrive earlier than the scheduled time—but to his surprise, Gu Zhaoping was already ready.
Valentin was momentarily stunned to find her prepared with a car waiting for him to board.
Without hesitation, he parked his own vehicle and got into hers.
The driver was a middle-aged woman with excellent skills, driving smoothly.
Even though the romantic double-seated sports car had been forsaken, Valentin didn’t mind at all.
He thought it only natural for someone like Gu Zhaoping to make such decisions—and it made sense to defer to her.
Today, to strike a balance between serious business and casual charm, he wore a more relaxed outfit with a large silver necklace under his jacket collar.
Otherwise, he kept it clean and simple, relying on his deep, exquisitely handsome face as decoration—it was dazzling enough.
He was actually waiting for Gu Zhaoping’s gaze to fall on him, but she seemed not to have any such intention.
His nervousness gradually faded.
He couldn’t tell whether it was relief or something else—perhaps disappointment or bemusement—but it only made her personal charm seem stronger.
He noticed Miss Gu liked wearing light-colored formal suits—very neat and imposing.
She didn’t wear much jewelry, only had her hair neatly tied up, and a watch on her wrist.
Even in the car, she was listening to a podcast.
Valentin didn’t disturb her.
When she paused briefly, he rubbed his knuckles slightly and asked with interest,
“May I ask what you’re listening to, Miss Gu?”
Gu Zhaoping wasn’t very talkative, but seeing Valentin’s gaze—so sincerely curious, eager to know—she responded:
“It’s a podcast on Eastern Zen philosophy. It’s about finding inner peace and wisdom through meditation and internal cultivation.”
“To see one’s true nature is to see the Buddha within, and to attain liberation.”
Valentin listened attentively and silently committed this bit of knowledge to memory.
This was another world that belonged to her—perhaps she was someone with Zen-like tranquility, seeking transcendence.
She seemed to have a very calm temperament, filled with deep wisdom.
She probably seldom got angry, maybe never even lost her temper—a very cultivated person.
Valentin picked up a glass from the car, drank the water she had prepared, and with his deep blue eyes lowered beneath thick brows, he looked at her intently and with focus.
The party had been organized almost as a spur-of-the-moment idea by Shen Yifeng.
At first, he hadn’t planned on it, but by the time he realized what he was saying, it was too late to back out—so he went ahead with the arrangements.
Even the friend he rode horses with at the equestrian club was surprised and asked if it was because he hadn’t seen these people in a while and wanted to make up for it.
Shen Yifeng didn’t respond, only kept riding forward.
He felt a rising irritation inside.
He knew exactly where it came from—but for the first time, he couldn’t suppress it.
The gathering took place just before the summit’s major discussions began.
He had only invited some peers around his age—it was a lively event.
Li Xunwen and Li Xunxi, the siblings, had just landed.
They immediately started asking around, eager to find Shen Yifeng.
The elders in the Shen family had told them that he was attending the summit, which was a big deal.
Even in the Shen family, only Shen Yifeng could attend.
They weren’t exaggerating—just to stand near the summit logo and take a photo was something worth boasting about online.
All the attendees were global top-tier individuals, with sky-high levels of education.
As soon as Li Xunxi stepped out of the plane and saw the city decked out with banners welcoming the summit, she scoffed coldly,
“Didn’t Gu Zhaoping say she had something urgent? So she couldn’t record the show? Now she missed the most dramatic scene in the city?”
“She always loves putting on a show. Now look at her—took leave to stir up drama, and missed the most ‘camera-worthy’ moment.”
After sneering at Gu Zhaoping, the two of them started enthusiastically praising Brother Yifeng again.
“Very few people get to attend this summit—Yifeng will be involved in all kinds of important business talks. Tell me, what kind of status is that? Among all the heirs and heiresses in our social circle, who can compare to him?”
“Didn’t we already say Gu Zhaoping’s not in his league?”
Still stuck in their old routine of praising Shen Yifeng, the two had landed earlier than the rest of the show’s cast just to catch a glimpse of him.
Shen Yifeng’s time wasn’t exactly easy to come by.
Besides, rumor had it he was holding a private party for many exceptional young summit attendees—a rare social opportunity, not open to just anyone.
As they headed to the venue Shen Yifeng had designated, they continued mocking Gu Zhaoping while excitedly looking forward to the party.
Shen Yifeng wasn’t particularly close to the Li siblings, but their families had good relations.
He’d watched them grow up.
Since he heard they were here, of course he had to meet them—even if he was already feeling terribly irritated.
The closer they got, the more intense that strange restlessness in him became.
He frowned, hands in his pockets, unable to focus on conversations.
“Brother Yifeng!”
The siblings were overjoyed to see him after stepping out of the car and quickly greeted him.
Shen Yifeng raised his wine glass in a distant gesture, signaling them to make themselves comfortable.
Since he was chatting with others, they didn’t want to interrupt and instead busied themselves observing the crowd.
As soon as Shen Yifeng finished his conversation, Li Xunxi hurried over to complain about Gu Zhaoping.
“Brother Yifeng, did you know your fiancée? She’s in the same show with us.”
She had just started speaking when she noticed Shen Yifeng’s posture stiffen slightly, his expression becoming unnatural.
She went on about how much trouble Gu Zhaoping had caused him—unaware that his reaction had already changed.
…She really didn’t know what was going on with her—maybe she was scheming on purpose…
“Brother Yifeng, you really have amazing connections—how did you manage to invite someone like that…?”
The two were chatting with Shen Yifeng, full of surprise and admiration, when suddenly, that strikingly handsome young man—
Valentin de La Roche—opened the car door, half-knelt outside, and spoke to someone inside, as if he were waiting for her to get out.
From the look of it, the person inside was a woman.
Now this was going to be interesting.
Everyone nearby craned their necks to see who it could be—what kind of woman could make a man like that wait in such a humble pose?
Even Shen Yifeng looked over.
For some reason, a sharp unease suddenly surged in his heart.
An ominous premonition struck him, strong enough that his fingers trembled slightly.
“Must be his date, right? Brother Yifeng, his female companion is getting out too. He’s never had any gossip in the news, so this is totally new and unexpected…”
The crowd buzzed with excitement.
The Li siblings were clearly thrilled, not even trying to hide it.
Just then, someone in the crowd seemed to realize something was off—
That car…why did it look so familiar?
Before they could summon the memory—
In the very next second, the car door fully opened, and the person inside finally revealed herself.
She stepped out, spoke to Valentin de La Roche, and that stunningly handsome face of his held no other expression—just deep focus, staring intently at her, as if nothing in the world could matter more than what she was saying.
In that instant, silence fell over the entire scene.
Especially the Li siblings.
Their eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets, frozen in absolute disbelief.
Who?!
Who is that?!
Gu Zhaoping?!
Didn’t she take leave?!
Why is she here?!
The one who made him wait so humbly…is Gu Zhaoping?!