Ni Tiansong found himself momentarily stunned by her again.
What a strange day.
He hadn’t expected to react like this.
As his car moved forward, a stretched luxury car passed by.
The driver glanced over, remarking curiously,
“That looks like Mr. Theodore from the Laroche family.”
Compared to his spotlight-stealing younger brother Valentin, Theodore was extremely low-key.
Few knew he was the true heir of the Laroche family.
He hadn’t planned to attend this summit, leaving many who hoped to connect with him disappointed.
But with Valentin, the young master, stepping in, people flocked to him instead.
Perhaps the younger brother was more approachable than Theodore.
Those who’d held power too long often lacked the bold energy of rising stars and were less open to new connections.
Their circles were fixed, hard to break into.
Ni Tiansong snapped out of his thoughts, glancing at the car without much interest.
After parking, he got out and noticed Gu Zhaoping entered the venue through a different path.
It seemed to be a more exclusive passage, likely reserved for those giving important speeches that afternoon.
Ni Tiansong paused, watching the path she took.
Wearing a formal coat, he was approached by security, who guided him.
“Sir, are you a friend of Miss Gu? This way, please.”
Ni Tiansong shifted his gaze, nodding politely.
“Thank you.”
Once seated inside the venue, his peripheral vision caught Theodore, who had apparently gotten out at a similar spot and followed a similar route, ending up just two rows ahead, not far away.
Ni Tiansong could even see the back of Theodore’s neck, his deep navy suit adorned with intricate, luxurious patterns.
Theodore sat quietly, not engaging with anyone around him, untouchable.
Even when someone excitedly tried to approach him, his entourage politely turned them away.
It was odd—nobody knew why he was here.
Was he really just here for the speech?
Ni Tiansong glanced briefly before looking away, focusing on the stage.
It had nothing to do with him.
He found today’s events peculiar, but he understood why Miss Gu invited him—
Grandpa Gu and Uncle Qi had mentioned him to her, and she was giving face to her elders.
Plus, his impulsive comment earlier had likely given them this chance to connect further.
But it was just that—a chance.
Ni Tiansong’s gaze, calm yet intent, stayed fixed on the stage.
He didn’t know what Gu Zhaoping would say or when she’d appear.
Theodore, however, knew much more.
He watched for a while, initially relaxed, leaning back in his chair, undisturbed by the surrounding noise.
Then Valentin arrived, surrounded by a crowd, laughing and chatting animatedly.
Valentin seemed to hear something, turned, and spotted Theodore sitting there.
Theodore gave a faint smile and nodded from afar.
Valentin was stunned.
Why was his brother here?
Didn’t he say he wouldn’t attend?
After excusing himself from the group, Valentin went to greet his brother, sitting beside him, hands clasped, attentively watching the stage.
“Brother, why are you here today?”
“Someone invited me to take a look,”
Theodore replied calmly.
Who could possibly get him to show up?
Valentin was curious but didn’t press, just nodding.
Though he had his own seat, with his brother here, he couldn’t sit elsewhere, so he stayed by Theodore’s side.
Despite their age gap, the two brothers looked somewhat alike, both strikingly handsome.
In this sea of business tycoons, they shone like the sun, instantly drawing attention whenever eyes scanned the audience.
How rare—both Laroche brothers attending together was almost unheard of.
This summit must be significant to warrant such attention from the Laroche family.
Ni Tiansong sat quietly two rows behind.
Someone who recognized him approached, surprised.
“Mr. Ni, you’re here too? I didn’t know you were attending!”
Ni Tiansong nodded politely.
“I was invited to come take a look.”
The executive in front of him paused, glancing back.
Hearing similar conversations twice in such a short time was quite the coincidence.
The speakers were well-known business figures, familiar names, and the audience listened attentively.
But Ni Tiansong wasn’t really here for the summit, so his interest was limited.
He was just waiting for Gu Zhaoping to take the stage.
He wondered what she’d say.
He needed to find topics, focus on what she cared about, to express his appreciation for her speech or even discuss professional matters with her.
Ni Tiansong quietly pondered these things, but soon noticed that Theodore in the front row didn’t seem to be listening attentively, as if waiting for something later.
He glanced at him a few more times.
Outside the venue, Grandpa was earnestly giving Gu Zhaoping some advice.
But as he spoke, he felt there wasn’t much to say.
He’d seen Zhaoping’s ability to command a room—she didn’t need his worrying.
If it were his other grandsons, he might have concerns, but Zhaoping?
Forget it. Grandpa didn’t say more. He just patted her shoulder and said,
“Do well. This is being broadcast globally—a big chance to shine.”
Gu Zhaoping nodded.
“Don’t worry, Grandpa.”
When she said not to worry, things would go smoothly.
Just then, Grandpa’s phone rang.
He looked and saw it was Gu Zhaoye.
His mood instantly darkened, his brows furrowing.
Why was this grandson calling now?
He was about to ignore it and pocket the phone, but Gu Zhaoping gestured,
“Grandpa, take it.”
Grandpa paused, surprised, then took out the phone and answered.
On the other end, Gu Zhaoye sounded out of breath, clearly anxious.
He’d rushed to Grandpa’s estate, only to find him gone. Learning Grandpa was at the venue, Gu Zhaoye hurried over.
Delayed on the way, he almost didn’t make it.
As a non-invited guest, he had to enter through the farthest entrance, verifying his identity to attend as a public observer.
While walking quickly and scanning for Grandpa, he spoke into the phone.
Hearing it connect, he exclaimed,
“Grandpa, you finally picked up! Where are you? I’m near the venue—I came to apologize.”
Gu Zhaoye spoke rapidly, barely noticing Grandpa’s stunned silence.
“I was impulsive on the show. It was my fault. I shouldn’t have upset…Sis, or made a scene about Liang Zhiwei, embarrassing you. I was wrong. Punish me however you want, just let me hear it from you.”
He broke into a run, Ruan Nian trailing behind, struggling to keep up but not daring to interrupt, just gritting her teeth to follow.
“Grandpa, which venue are you in? It hasn’t started yet, right?”
“Hmph! Now you know to apologize?”
Grandpa snorted, instantly seeing through Gu Zhaoye’s intentions, his heart filling with dissatisfaction.
How could this once-favored grandson be like this?
After all those incidents, he never truly repented, always causing trouble, being unreliable, chasing that little starlet, neglecting business, and being unreachable even when asked to visit the sanatorium.
Now, with the summit ending, he suddenly contacts him?
What, realizing Grandpa wouldn’t call him to appear, and the next chance is two years away?
Hearing Grandpa’s angry tone, Gu Zhaoye felt a wave of relief.
He knew Grandpa was tough on the outside but soft inside.
A few scoldings, and his anger would fade, maybe even letting him attend.
Gu Zhaoye softened his tone, almost pleading,
“Grandpa, it’s all my fault. I’ve realized my mistake. Can you forgive me? I haven’t seen you in so long, and I’m nearby—can I come see you?”
He was waiting for Grandpa to say, You finally know to admit your fault.
Or to scold him for acting so unbecomingly as a Gu family heir, letting him down.
He knew Grandpa had high expectations of him.
Sometimes, those expectations felt burdensome.
He wanted a freer life, one he controlled—deciding who to marry, how to run his company, making choices without interference.
But recently, he realized he couldn’t afford to be annoyed.
Not yet.
He hadn’t fully taken over the Gu family.
Even if he was frustrated, he had to endure it in front of Grandpa.
Otherwise, Grandpa might truly be disappointed in him.
He even felt a faint, unfamiliar sense of crisis, as if Grandpa might one day turn away from him.
The signs were just emerging, and he had to act fast to prevent his brothers from seizing the opportunity.
Especially now, with Gu Zhaosi showing up, seemingly intent on meddling in Gu family affairs.
Gu Zhaoye couldn’t help but suspect Gu Zhaosi had ambitions for the family fortune.
Why else would he be so confrontational?
His relationship with Gu Zhaoping hadn’t been that bad before.
Thinking of his scheming siblings—none of them easy to control, even Gu Zhaoping no longer as manageable as before, now giving him the cold shoulder—
Gu Zhaoye clenched his teeth.
Reflecting on recent events, he felt like he could grind his teeth to dust.
None of you are making this easy for me.
Once he secured his place as the Gu family head and inherited the family business, he’d settle scores with them all.
As Gu Zhaoye ran, looking around for Grandpa, he suddenly spotted someone across the way, doing the same thing—phone in hand, running toward him.
Gu Zhaoye froze, his eyes locking on.
Gu Kaichang?
Why was Gu Kaichang here??
A chill ran through him.
No way.
Had Gu Kaichang taken advantage of this time to cozy up to Grandpa and attend the summit with him?
Gu Zhaoye’s heart sank, a shiver running down his spine!
He hadn’t expected that just upsetting Grandpa a few times would let Gu Kaichang swoop in and win him over!
He stopped, glaring at Gu Kaichang, as if ready to pummel him!
Across the way, Gu Kaichang was equally startled, halting abruptly.
What?
Gu Zhaoye, why are you here?
Gu Kaichang’s anger flared.
So, you said you weren’t in Los Angeles, but you secretly came! Grandpa brought you after all, and you dare show up at this final, crucial speech?
You’re something else!
Gu Kaichang was livid, almost ready to curse out loud!
But at that moment, a calm voice came through Gu Zhaoye’s phone, instructing,
“You don’t need to come.”
Gu Zhaoye’s words caught in his throat.
Stunned, he didn’t react at first, then asked in disbelief,
“Grandpa, what did you say?”
“I said you don’t need to come. The Gu family already has a representative this time.”
Grandpa spoke calmly, glancing at Gu Zhaoping in front of him.
Gu Zhaoye’s mind was nearly consumed by rage.
Gu Kaichang!
I’ll kill you!
But then, Gu Kaichang froze too.
His call connected, and, ignoring his anger at Gu Zhaoye, he quickly spoke into the phone with a fawning tone,
“Hey, Grandpa, Grandpa, you finally picked up!”
In the midst of Gu Zhaoye’s fury, Gu Kaichang’s expression stiffened, then shattered.
“What? What did you say?”
“Uh, telling me to get lost?”
Gu Kaichang’s expression was dazed, almost shattered, unable to process or believe it for a long while.
It wasn’t until moments later that he realized Grandpa had hung up on him.
Slowly, he raised his eyes and met Gu Zhaoye’s gaze.
He glanced at the phone in Gu Zhaoye’s hand, also disconnected.
What the hell was going on?
Was Grandpa really not letting any of the younger generation attend?
Such an important opportunity, and he wasn’t letting any of them show their faces?
Both of them rejected, with such a firm attitude?
No, wait—he said someone was already representing them???
Suddenly, their hearts jolted as they both thought of a worse possibility!
Could it be Gu Zhaosi?!
Gu Zhaosi was in Los Angeles too!
Almost instantly, the two scrambled forward, racing toward the final venue!
The venue’s doors weren’t fully closed.
As they rushed in, security at the entrance was checking invitations.
Seeing they had none, they were stopped.
Frantic and jumping with urgency, they babbled in English, explaining this and gesturing that, completely lacking the air of elite heirs or domineering CEOs.
The security staff were stunned, nearly calling for them to be dragged away.
After finally verifying their identities, the two bolted into the conference hall!
Their footsteps echoed in the empty corridor, normally enough to draw attention, and some did glance toward the door.
But at that moment, something far more captivating appeared.
Someone stepped onto the stage.
She paused quietly before the microphone.
Adjusting its height with a lift of her hand, she then raised her eyes.
Looking out at the thousand-strong audience, the woman on stage curved her lips and eyes into a faint smile.
Her gaze was calm, almost indifferent, as if unfazed by the grandeur of the occasion or the hundreds of cameras broadcasting to the world.
There was even a spark of ambition in her, as if finally seizing the microphone with unrestrained vigor.
“Distinguished guests, industry colleagues,”
“I am Gu Zhaoping.”
Her first words landed.
She spoke.
Hundreds of cameras flashed in unison, their lights trained on her sharp, unfamiliar face to most of the public.
She faced the glare head-on, fearless, unflinching.
But in the moment her face was illuminated,
Gu Zhaoye and Gu Kaichang, just reaching the entrance, froze, their eyes widening, pupils contracting sharply!
It was as if they’d been struck by a heavy hammer, their minds buzzing.
They couldn’t believe what they were seeing!
At that moment, Theodore was the first to lead the applause.
Valentin, snapping out of it, joined in but sensed something off.
He jolted.
Then, in disbelief, he slowly turned to his brother.
Of course, he understood the question in Valentin’s incredulous eyes.
Who invited him?
Wasn’t the answer obvious?
Theodore gave his younger brother a faint smile.
The smile was hard to describe—his gaze seemed calm and direct, yet it didn’t truly see Valentin.
He nodded.
“It was her.”
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