The Gu family's mansion shimmered beneath a canopy of gold-lit chandeliers. The dining hall — an opulent expanse of carved mahogany and silk draperies — reflected every bit of the family's influence. The air itself carried an old-world weight, the kind only power and money could give.
At the long marble dining table, silverware gleamed, and the scent of roasted duck and truffle soup filled the air. Gu Hongmin, the formidable patriarch of the Gu family, sat at the head, his posture commanding and his sharp gaze missing nothing.
Across from him sat Li Zecheng, the Chairman of Li Conglomerates, a man of similar age but more polished charm — the kind of businessman whose smile could hide a thousand calculations.
Beside Gu Hongmin was his wife, Madam Gu, poised and immaculate in a sapphire cheongsam, sipped her wine quietly, her every gesture refined to perfection.
Madam Li, who sat beside her husband, ever graceful, mirrored her. Further down, Gu Yingying sat beside Li Zixuan, both dressed to impress — though the tension in Gu Yingying's shoulders betrayed her calm smile.
Gu Hongmin dabbed his mouth with a napkin before speaking, his tone deep and deliberate.
"Minister Zhou's proposal for the new trade route was approved this morning. Shenning Corporation will handle the logistics exclusively. I trust the Li Group will still manage the shipping contracts?"
Li Zecheng smiled faintly. "Of course. As agreed, the Li Group will oversee the maritime routes. I've already stationed a team in Qingdao. With your authorization, the partnership could yield double the initial projection."
Gu Hongmin's eyes gleamed. "Profitable and discreet — just how I like it. The government will have their taxes, and we'll have our control."
Madam Gu, her voice low and cultured, added, "And with the new power transitions coming, it would be unwise not to secure our future now. I hear Minister Zhou is grooming potential presidential candidates."
Li Zecheng's eyes flickered with amusement. "Indeed. Politics is just business in another suit."
The table erupted in light laughter — except Gu Yingying, whose fork hovered midair. She smiled faintly but said nothing.
Madam Li, seizing the moment, turned toward Madam Gu. "Speaking of futures," she began with a polite smile, "perhaps it's time we discuss Yingying and Zixuan's engagement. The families have known each other for decades — their union would be the most fitting alliance."
Madam Gu smiled, her manicured fingers resting on her wine glass. "I couldn't agree more. Yingying has always admired Zixuan."
Gu Yingying's lips tightened almost imperceptibly. She glanced at Zixuan, whose polite smile didn't reach his eyes. He was always composed, always perfect — and always suffocating.
Gu Hongmin leaned back in his chair, exuding quiet authority. "The Gu and Li families together," he said. "Politics and finance bound as one. It's a vision worth pursuing."
Li Zecheng nodded, clearly pleased. "Then let's make it happen. We can begin the preparations after the next quarter. It will give both children enough time to... understand one another."
Madam Gu's smile sharpened. "They will learn quickly. After all, harmony can be taught when both sides know the value of power."
Her words carried the weight of a command, not a blessing.
Dinner continued for a few moments in refined silence, interrupted only by the soft clinking of cutlery and the muted strains of a cello playing in the background.
Just as the servants cleared the last course, Gu Hongmin's phone buzzed. He frowned slightly, glancing at the message before setting the device down.
When he finally spoke, the warmth was gone from his tone.
"There's something I need to address," he said evenly. "It seems there's been a rather... embarrassing disturbance in the School."
Gu Yingying froze. Her stomach twisted.
Li Zecheng raised an eyebrow. "Disturbance?"
Gu Hongmin's gaze slid to his daughter — cold, sharp, unforgiving. "A scholarship student — some Su Ning — dared to go against you, Yingying and your circle. The Royal 6 was not established just for show." His voice was calm, but it cut like a blade. "And instead of putting her in her place, you allowed her to humiliate your circle in public."
Gu Yingying's fingers tightened around her fork, her knuckles whitening.
"Father—" she began.
He slammed his palm softly but firmly on the table. The sound, though mild, carried authority that silenced everyone instantly.
"Do you have any idea what people are saying?" he said, voice low but dangerous. "That my daughter, heir to the Gu family, was challenged by a nobody — and walked away? That you let a scholarship girl disrupt your dominance at that school?"
Madam Gu sighed delicately, setting her glass down. "Yingying, this kind of leniency isn't noble. It's weak."
Li Zixuan, who had been silent all this while, leaned forward slightly. "Uncle Gu," he said smoothly, his tone diplomatic. "If I may, Yingying's approach might have been... strategic. Sometimes ignoring a lesser opponent spares you from appearing petty."
Gu Hongmin turned his gaze to him — sharp, assessing. "You call it strategic, I call it foolish. Mercy is a luxury of the strong. My daughter should never allow a challenge to go unanswered."
Li Zixuan gave a polite nod. "Of course, sir. I only meant—"
But Gu Hongmin waved him off. His attention was fully on his daughter now. "You're to deal with it, Yingying. Immediately. Swiftly. No sympathy. If she's bold enough to raise her head, make sure she never dares again."
Gu Yingying's chest tightened. She could feel her mother's eyes on her — cold approval — and Li Zixuan's faint worry.
Her lips parted, but she forced them closed, then bowed her head slightly. "Understood, Father."
"Good." His tone softened — just barely. "You carry the Gu name. Act like it."
The silence that followed was suffocating.
When the dinner finally ended, Gu Hongmin and Li Zecheng moved to the study for cigars and brandy, leaving the women to their quiet conversation about art and social events. Gu Yingying murmured an excuse, rose, and left the table.
As she walked through the marble halls, the rage that had simmered beneath her calm exterior began to boil over.
The moment she entered her bedroom, she slammed the door shut. The room — a grand expanse of white and gold — felt too pristine, too suffocating.
Her chest heaved.
She grabbed the nearest thing — a delicate crystal vase — and hurled it against the wall. It shattered, shards scattering across the polished floor like broken glass stars.
A few maids rushed in almost immediately. "Miss Gu! Are you—"
"Get out!" she screamed, voice trembling with fury.
They froze, then bowed hurriedly before retreating, shutting the door behind them.
Gu Yingying stood still for a moment, the silence buzzing in her ears. Then she walked to the vanity, staring at her reflection — her perfect curls, flawless makeup, and empty, furious eyes.
"Su Ning," she whispered, her voice trembling with venom. "You think you can humiliate me and walk away?"
Her hand tightened around her phone as she scrolled through her contacts until she found the number.
She pressed call.
The line connected almost immediately, the man on the other end silent — waiting.
"Ruin her," she said quietly, her voice low, trembling with anger. Then louder, sharper, the mask breaking entirely, "Destroy her now!"
She ended the call, her breathing ragged.
As she stared out the window — the city lights glittering like a million witnesses — a small, twisted smile formed on her lips.