The Heiress's Game

As the banquet entered its second half, the newlyweds' toasting ceremony had ended, and guests moved from table to table in twos and threes, raising their glasses and reminiscing. The atmosphere in the banquet hall shifted from solemn to relaxed.

Zhuo Shengnan was personally invited by the bride, Ms. Li's mother, to the main table area for the bride's relatives. Several female members of the Li family sat around her, keeping her company and talking.

Most of the people sitting in this area are prominent families in Dahai City, but they all unconsciously lower their posture when facing Zhuo Shengnan.

Mrs. Li smiled warmly and personally refilled Zhuo Shengnan's tea, then asked the waiter to bring her a fresh plate of hot snacks.

Just then, a flash of light suddenly went off in the distance.

Everyone instinctively turned their heads to look and saw Pei Yan and Miss Li standing next to the flower gate, with a young woman in a smoky pink satin dress beside them.

The three were taking a group photo. The bride stood confidently in the middle, with one arm around her husband and the other on the young woman's shoulder. All three of them were smiling perfectly.

"Isn't that the second young lady of the Gu family?" a cousin of the Li family blurted out.

Someone immediately chimed in, and everyone around strained to listen: "It's her, Gu Yunjin, Gu Zhenxing's second daughter."

"Why is she taking a photo with the bride and groom? That's... not appropriate, is it?"

The other woman frowned slightly.

"Look, Madam Pei is still laughing over there. The people involved don't seem to care, so why should we worry about it?"

Someone laughed and tried to smooth things over.

Mrs. Li, fearing that Zhuo Shengnan might not understand the situation, turned to the side to offer a few words of explanation.

But the cousin's wife next to her spoke quickly and whispered, "Mrs. Zhuo, you may not know her, but that is Gu Yunjin, the second young lady of the Gu family."

The Pei and Gu families almost arranged a marriage before, and it was even announced, but then it was canceled for some reason.

Another woman chimed in, "I heard that it was Miss Gu herself who was unwilling and went to talk to her father in person."

Upon hearing this, even those who hadn't been paying attention turned around.

"She went to talk to Gu Zhenxing?" Someone clearly didn't believe it. "That's Gu Zhenxing, one of the top business figures in Dahai City, known for his tough style."

Can his family's affairs really be decided by a single daughter?

"That's why I said this second young lady is no ordinary person." The lady picked up her wine glass, took a sip, and her expression was meaningful.

"Gu Zhenxing has four children, and this second daughter is sandwiched in the middle. It is said that she is the least favored one. Think about it, she has the eldest son and daughter above her, and the youngest son born to her stepmother is favored below her. What can she get? But it was precisely her who made Gu Zhenxing change his mind."

Someone gasped softly.

"How old is this second young lady this year?"

"Twenty-six. I went abroad to study when I was fourteen, and only came back after completing my master's degree at the London School of Economics. It's only been a year and a half since I came back."

"London School of Economics? That's not some diploma mill you can just pay to get into."

"That's not all," the first lady to speak said, clearly having done her homework.

"After she came back, she didn't join the Gu family's company. Instead, she started her own media company. Do you know that variety show? It's called 'Walking with Brilliance,' the one that became a nationwide sensation. It was produced by her company."

Even Mrs. Li's eyes widened slightly this time: "She produced that program?"

"Yes, it's her. Her name isn't listed as the producer, but everyone in the industry knows that the real mastermind is this Miss Gu."

After a moment of silence, everyone reassessed the significance of this "least favored second daughter of the Gu family."

In this vast city, the number of people who can make things clear to Gu Zhenxing and even change his mind can be counted on one hand.

All of this was enveloped by a gentle, harmless face, as beautiful as an angel.

When she stood there taking a photo with the bride, her smile was sweet and obedient, and her eyes were clear and innocent. Anyone who saw her would think that she was a well-protected hothouse flower.

"No wonder Madam Pei was so enthusiastic towards her earlier; I was wondering about that."

Someone muttered under their breath, "Logically speaking, since the marriage alliance fell through, both families should feel somewhat awkward."

"What's there to be embarrassed about? Miss Gu may seem harmless, but she's actually very perceptive."

The ladies were chatting amongst themselves when someone suddenly realized that Zhuo Shengnan hadn't said a word, and quickly smiled and took the lead.

"Mrs. Zhuo, please forgive us for being so engrossed in chatting about such trivial matters."

Zhuo Shengnan held up her wine glass and said, "It's alright, it's a good thing that young people have ideas."

"What's this Miss Gu's name again?"

"Gu Yunjin," Mrs. Li replied quickly.

"Clouds of clouds, brocade of brocade."

Zhuo Shengnan repeated the name softly, "It's quite interesting," she said.

Only Mrs. Li secretly noted it in her heart: Zhuo Shengnan was interested in Gu Yunjin.