Compared to Gu Zhaoye, Gu Kaichang was even more shocked!
He dared to rush in behind Gu Zhaoye and overheard that remark from Gu Zhaoping.
It felt like a slap in the face!
Not long ago, when they visited the old man at the sanatorium, they had similar unspoken thoughts about Gu Zhaoping.
Gu Kaichang had told her to get up from sitting across from the old man.
This was a gathering for the men, not a place for her.
Just like now, when Gu Zhaoping told them to get out.
Back then, Gu Kaichang genuinely thought, what was Gu Zhaoping doing joining in?
Usually, it was just them accompanying the old man, and since he was ill, he was supposed to brief the younger generation handling family affairs.
In such a formal setting, what was she doing there?
It was like the ancestral halls of old clans, where granddaughters were forbidden from entering recklessly.
So when Gu Kaichang saw Gu Zhaoping sitting across from the old man playing chess, he lost it.
But who would’ve thought there’d be more to this!
Not long after, today, Gu Zhaoping was sitting in an even higher position, and across from her wasn’t just the old man alone!
Across from her were countless elite figures from all walks of life, entrepreneurs, and family heads.
He couldn’t even get close enough to say the same thing to her, no, he couldn’t even greet her or strike up a conversation!
Gu Kaichang’s breathing grew heavy, his pupils dilated, unable to believe it.
Gu Zhaoping, have you lost your mind?
Are you really planning to go to war with Gu Zhaoye and me?
When did you get this idea?
How could you have such a goal?
Who could’ve imagined you were secretly plotting this?!
And how could the old man agree to it?!
He couldn’t wrap his head around it!
Could it really be just because Gu Zhaoping could play chess, just because she won that game against the old man at the sanatorium last time, that she so easily won his favor?
That’s not scientific!
After Gu Zhaoye realized what Gu Zhaoping had said to him, his face turned ashen.
How dare Gu Zhaoping order him around like she was the master, even using such humiliating tone and words, completely disregarding him?
He…but all this time, Gu Zhaoping had never taken him seriously.
If she had, would she have repeatedly attacked him like this?
Gu Zhaoye’s expression grew even uglier.
These days, he had only thought Gu Zhaoping was getting too bold, attacking him without mercy, not caring about how they’d get along afterward, wondering how she’d manage later.
But now, in a sudden moment, he realized—
Gu Zhaoping didn’t care about later at all.
She had no intention of letting him keep control of the family’s power.
She planned to push him aside and take over herself!
So there was no need to consider the future.
He couldn’t even fathom where Gu Zhaoping got the confidence or how she came up with such a sudden idea.
Her giving a speech on behalf of the Gu family at this event, even being brought by the old man to attend this summit, already showed she was fully aware she was setting herself up to compete with Gu Zhaoye.
After Gu Zhaoye realized what Gu Zhaoping had said to him, his face turned ashen.
How dare Gu Zhaoping order him around like she was the master, even using such humiliating tone and words, completely disregarding him?
He…but all this time, Gu Zhaoping had never taken him seriously.
If she had, would she have repeatedly attacked him like this?
Gu Zhaoye’s expression grew even uglier.
These days, he had only thought Gu Zhaoping was getting too bold, attacking him without mercy, not caring about how they’d get along afterward, wondering how she’d manage later.
But now, in a sudden moment, he realized—Gu Zhaoping didn’t care about later at all.
She had no intention of letting him keep control of the family’s power.
She planned to push him aside and take over herself!
So there was no need to consider the future.
He couldn’t even fathom where Gu Zhaoping got the confidence or how she came up with such a sudden idea.
Her giving a speech on behalf of the Gu family at this event, even being brought by the old man to attend this summit, already showed she was fully aware she was setting herself up to compete with Gu Zhaoye.
The old man, surrounded by people, was happily chatting, but he suddenly sensed something was off in the atmosphere.
He stopped abruptly, turned his head sharply, and upon seeing Gu Zhaoye, his eyes widened instantly.
What?
When did this kid barge in?
Didn’t they just tell him to get lost?
And now he dares to come in like this?
He wouldn’t be about to say something to Gu Zhaoping, would he?
In such a grand setting!
Before the old man could hurriedly rush down the stairs, he saw Gu Zhaoping calmly facing Gu Zhaoye, saying in Chinese that only a few around them could understand: “Don’t force me to discipline you in front of everyone on such a fine day.”
Gu Zhaoye froze, his hands slowly clenching into fists.
It was at this moment he suddenly noticed the flashes from the back row landing on his face.
Got it!
He paused.
Right, the people around Gu Zhaoping might not understand Chinese, but the reporters and media in the back did!
This was global coverage.
Any slight misstep on his part would instantly be broadcast worldwide.
Gu Zhaoye’s expression shifted as he realized his earlier actions were too impulsive and might have already been caught on camera, livestreamed across the globe!
The people around Gu Zhaoping started whispering: “Is this Miss Gu’s brother? He seems really rude.”
“Forget it, don’t talk about her brother in front of Miss Gu.”
Everyone knew to give face, but it was exactly because they spared Gu Zhaoye for Gu Zhaoping’s sake that his face looked especially grim.
He was being mentioned as an appendage to Gu Zhaoping.
The thought that countless people might have already seen Gu Zhaoping giving a speech on stage while he confronted her from below made Gu Zhaoye’s heart ache with rage.
Ruan Nian was so shocked she nearly fainted on the spot!
How did it come to this?
She couldn’t just run in—cameras might still be rolling, and she didn’t want to be caught on film at a time like this.
So she quickly pushed Gu Kaichang: “Stop him, stop him! What if he actually says something?!”
Gu Kaichang snapped out of it, only then noticing Ruan Nian was there too.
He had a soft spot for Ruan Nian and had always been more dissatisfied with Gu Zhaoping because of it.
But just now, in his rush to make an appearance at this summit, he hadn’t even noticed Ruan Nian had come with Gu Zhaoye.
Hearing her voice now, he suddenly realized that if that impulsive fool Gu Zhaoye caused a scene, they’d all be done for.
The old man would kill them when they got back!
The priority now wasn’t to argue with Gu Zhaoping about why she was the one up there.
It was to restrain Gu Zhaoye before he made a fool of himself in public!
Once he got Gu Zhaoye under control, at least he could make up for it and redeem himself!
It took Gu Kaichang just one second to figure it out.
He immediately rushed forward, grabbed Gu Zhaoye, and started dragging him out, forcing a smile: “Sorry, sorry for interrupting everyone’s conversation. I’ll take him away right now!”
Gu Zhaoye was trembling with rage, but as Gu Kaichang pulled him out, he only struggled symbolically a few times, not really causing a scene with him.
After all, he knew this wasn’t the place to make a fuss, and he took the chance to step down with Gu Kaichang’s help.
As he was dragged out by Gu Kaichang, he turned back, glaring at Gu Zhaoping with resentment and unwillingness.
Gu Zhaoping merely lifted her gaze and glanced at him, causing Gu Zhaoye to freeze, then slowly turn his head back.
Though others didn’t know how much subtext was hidden in this brief confrontation, they could tell their relationship wasn’t good.
So, tactfully, they didn’t mention Gu Zhaoping’s brother again, instead turning to laugh and discuss matters with her.
The old man finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Thankfully, Gu Zhaoping could handle Gu Zhaoye without his intervention.
This reckless kid was getting bolder and more shameless, and the old man’s disappointment in him kept piling up.
Seeing Gu Zhaoye still oblivious, he let out a deep sigh.
Initially, bringing Gu Zhaoping along had made him slightly hesitant at times.
It was because he’d heard about Zhaoping’s performance at Yuanqi Technology, finding her reliable and insightful, but he hadn’t expected her to perform so well at this summit.
Some kept breaking his lowest expectations, while others kept exceeding his highest ones.
His resolve grew firmer; perhaps many things needed to be reconsidered.
Watching Gu Zhaoye being dragged away, Gu Zhaoping’s expression remained calm, showing no fluctuation or sense of triumph.
It was as if this was just something she was supposed to do, requiring no extra emotion.
She turned to the people beside her and said,
“Sorry for the interruption just now. Let’s continue.”
Theodore watched her from the crowd, and only then did Valentine gradually pull his gaze back, his senses returning.
His voice tight, he asked his brother beside him,
“Have you already met Miss Gu before?”
Theodore’s eyes remained fixed on Gu Zhaoping, not turning away, and he replied softly, tilting his head,
“Can’t I?”
Valentine’s expression shifted, suppressing a sense of unease.
His gaze turned slightly panicked.
“You wouldn’t be checking up on Miss Gu just because I’ve been getting close to her lately, would you?”
His sea-blue eyes, youthful and stubborn, stared at Theodore, genuinely wanting to confront him and get clarity on this matter.
But he was indeed young, unaware that many questions don’t need answers and often have none.
“This isn’t something you should concern yourself with.”
Theodore turned his head, his gaze shifting away from Valentine.
Valentine paused, only to see Theodore already standing up.
He casually adjusted the hem of his suit and strode toward Gu Zhaoping.
The crowd heard his footsteps and turned.
Seeing him approach, they were momentarily stunned, then stepped aside, clearing a path to Gu Zhaoping.
Theodore extended his hand, congratulating her: “Thank you for the invitation. I heard a truly remarkable speech, and I’ll always remember today.”
The surrounding people were stunned again.
Of course, they knew Theodore, but they hadn’t expected Gu Zhaoping to have invited him, nor that they seemed so familiar with each other.
Valentine watched as Theodore walked forward, stopping by Gu Zhaoping’s side.
Theodore’s earlier words still echoed in his ears, his chest rising and falling slightly, still in disbelief.
More ominous speculations played out in his mind.
He didn’t know his brother that well, but even so, he’d heard rumors of his ruthlessness.
He immediately stood up, hurriedly following down the steps, calling out,
“Miss Gu!”
The others were stunned again, watching this young master approach.
What was going on?
Both brothers seemed so familiar with Gu Zhaoping?
The smile on Theodore’s face, originally an eight out of ten, dimmed slightly by half a point when he saw Valentine approach.
His peripheral vision caught his younger brother coming over, hurriedly but sincerely offering congratulations.
Gu Zhaoping had a good impression of Valentine and shook his hand.
After all, who wouldn’t feel uplifted by a young, handsome, enthusiastic boy who always listened to her earnestly?
Premium Chapter
Login to buy access to this Chapter.