The Heiress's Game

In the second half of the charity gala, the atmosphere gradually warmed up subtly.

The band changed to a softer tune, waiters carried freshly opened champagne glasses through the crowd, and the guests' laughter became relaxed and natural again.

The water stains on the terrace had long been cleaned up by the staff, and the landscape pool had returned to calm, reflecting the warm yellow string lights overhead, as if nothing had happened.

But everyone knows what happened.

When Liu Wanning and Fang Qingya reappeared at the entrance of the banquet hall, at least half of the people in the room simultaneously stopped drinking.

The two changed into spare dresses provided by the hotel, but neither fit quite well.

Although her hair was dry, her hairstyle was completely ruined, so she could only hastily tie it into a low ponytail. Her makeup was also touched up in an emergency. Compared with the other guests' carefully styled and exquisite makeup, hers looked shabby, as if she had wandered onto the wrong movie set.

They stood at the doorway, hesitant to go inside, until Gu Mingyue walked out from behind them.

Gu Mingyue remained the center of attention, her champagne gold dress shimmering, and her emerald necklace reflecting a deep green light under the crystal chandelier.

With a polite smile on her face, she said simply, "Let's go," and took the lead in walking towards Gu Yunjin.

Liu Wanning and Fang Qingya exchanged a glance, seeing the same fear and humiliation in each other's eyes.

But no one dared to disobey, and they followed behind Gu Mingyue with their heads down, like two small animals being held by the scruff of their necks.

All eyes in the banquet hall turned to him.

The ladies even forgot to fan themselves, their hands holding wine glasses frozen in mid-air.

Gu Yunjin and Qian Yuewei were standing next to the dessert table, each holding a plate of strawberry mousse and scooping it out with a small spoon.

Qian Yuewei was still rambling on about the "famous scene" on the terrace, her excitement still lingering: "Let me tell you, I'll remember that head-pressing thing you did for the rest of my life—hey, hey, they're coming over."

Gu Yunjin raised her head, still with a mouthful of mousse in her mouth, her expression innocent and blank, as if she had no idea what the other person wanted to do.

Gu Mingyue stopped in front of the dessert table and glanced at Liu Wanning.

Liu Wanning's shoulders visibly trembled. She took a deep breath and bowed ninety degrees to Gu Yunjin.

"Miss Gu, what happened today was my own doing—I fell into the pool and framed you. It has nothing to do with you."

I made a mistake in a moment of confusion. I'm sorry, please forgive me.

Fang Qingya also bowed, her voice even weaker than Liu Wanning's:

"Me too, I lied. I made up the story that I saw you push someone."

"I'm sorry, Miss Gu, we were in the wrong today. Please forgive us."

The guests at the surrounding tables exchanged meaningful glances; some nodded slightly, some snorted softly, and a few ladies huddled together whispering:

"It should have been done a long time ago." "Isn't this just contradicting ourselves?"

Gu Yunjin slowly swallowed the mousse in her mouth and wiped her mouth with a napkin.

Then, with a gentle smile, she reached out and lightly touched Liu Wanning's arm.

"It's okay, the misunderstanding is cleared up. We're all friends, let's get along well from now on."

Her voice was as sweet as whispering sweet nothings, and her eyes were as sincere as a statue of the Virgin Mary in a church. Anyone who saw her would think that she was a good girl who had been wronged but did not hold a grudge and repaid evil with kindness.

Qian Yuewei watched this scene from the side, and the fork in her hand almost poked a hole in the plate.

Gu Mingyue took a step forward at the opportune moment, extended her hand, and naturally placed it on Gu Yunjin's arm. She smiled brightly at the guests who were looking over, her tone gentle and affectionate.

"It was just a small misunderstanding, please forgive me. My sister has a very good temper and never holds grudges."

Gu Yunjin hooked her arm around Gu Mingyue's, rested her head slightly on her shoulder, and smiled sweetly as if she had just been pulled out of a honey pot:

"My eldest sister is the one who has taken such good care of me since I was a child."

The two stood side by side, one dignified and elegant, the other graceful and gentle, the scene as pleasing to the eye as a magazine cover.

Those who don't know the inside story would probably think they are the closest pair of sisters in the world.

However, Qian Yuewei noticed that the knuckles of the hand that Gu Yunjin was holding Gu Mingyue's were slightly white, and the veins on the hand that Gu Mingyue was resting on Gu Yunjin's arm were faintly visible.

Both of them were secretly exerting their strength, neither willing to let go first.

The atmosphere in the banquet hall became lively again.

The band then switched to a more upbeat tune, and the guests turned their attention back to their social activities.

On a sofa by the window in the banquet hall, Zhuo Shengnan watched the whole scene from beginning to end.

"What are you looking at so intently?" A hand reached out from the side and gently patted her arm.

Zhuo Shengnan turned her head and looked at her sister-in-law, Cui Yici, who was sitting next to her.

Cui Yici was a few years younger than her. She was the youngest daughter of the Cui family and married the second son of another prominent family in Yunjing. She had a very good relationship with Zhuo Shengnan. Although they were aunt and sister-in-law, they acted like sisters.

Cui Yici happened to be in Dahai City on business and was dragged along by Zhuo Shengnan to today's charity gala.

Zhuo Shengnan gestured slightly with her chin towards Gu Yunjin, "Do you see that girl in the misty blue dress?"

Cui Yici followed her gaze and stared at her for a couple of seconds: "The second young lady of the Gu family? The one who pushed two women into the water on the terrace just now?"

"It's her." Zhuo Shengnan took a sip of red wine, her smile deepening. "What do you think?"

"Quite interesting," Cui Yici gave a fair assessment, picking up her wine glass and swirling it around twice.

"She's beautiful, ruthless, and quick-witted—she accepted the apology with a smile the whole time."

She seemed as soft as if she had no temper, but anyone with eyes could see that anyone who wanted to mess with her would have to think twice. This kind of person is impossible to guard against.

She paused, looking at Zhuo Shengnan suspiciously: "Why are you asking this?"

Zhuo Shengnan put down her wine glass and straightened the hem of her skirt above her knees.

"What do you think about marrying Gu Yunjin as Junze's wife?"

Cui Yici almost choked on her drink.

She coughed twice, turned to look at Zhuo Shengnan, and found that the other's expression was not joking at all. The look in her phoenix eyes was focused and serious, and even carried a hint of eager excitement.

Cui Yici put down her wine glass, picked up a napkin to wipe her mouth, thought seriously for a few seconds, and then slowly nodded.

"You know what, when you think about it carefully, it's actually quite suitable."

"Right?" Zhuo Shengnan's smile deepened.

"Let's start with family background. The Gu family of Dahai City, although they live in a different city than the Bai family."

But given their size, and the fact that Gu Zhenxing, though domineering, has a broad vision, means that if a marriage were to occur, there are countless ways the two families could integrate resources.

Cui Yici analyzed, counting on her fingers, "And then there's her. She has a master's degree from the London School of Economics, and after returning for a year and a half, she created a hit variety show on her own. Her abilities are genuine."

As you just saw, when framed, you remained calm and composed; when you retaliated, you were swift and decisive; and in the end, you managed to smooth things over beautifully. How many people your age can you find with that kind of emotional intelligence and skill?

"The most crucial thing is," Zhuo Shengnan continued.

"She's not the kind of rich girl who lives off her family's wealth."

She was the least favored child in the Gu family and was sent abroad at the age of fourteen. She owes her current life entirely to herself.

People like this are strong-willed, calm, and don't panic in the face of adversity. I like that kind of person.

Cui Yici looked at Zhuo Shengnan, her tone slightly teasing:

"To be honest, I always thought you would choose the kind of gentle and obedient daughter-in-law."

After all, with your strong personality, most people would prefer to find someone who listens to them, so they don't have to go against you.

"Obedience?" Zhuo Shengnan gave a soft hum.

"Do you think I'm one of those old-fashioned people? That I expect my daughter-in-law to serve her mother-in-law, pour her tea and water, and be completely obedient to her?"

"I've been a strong-willed person my whole life. If I let my son marry a woman who's like a dumpling, that's not finding a wife for Junze, it's finding a maid for the family."

"My daughter-in-law doesn't need to serve me or go along with me."

The more assertive and capable she is of handling things independently, the more at ease I feel.

Who is Bai Junze? I know him too well.

Most women simply can't keep up with his pace, let alone be his partner.

The partner he wants must be someone who is his equal, someone who can stand shoulder to shoulder with him and shoulder responsibilities.

What's wrong with being good? The better!

Cui Yici held her wine glass, looking thoughtfully at Zhuo Shengnan.

She has known Zhuo Shengnan for nearly twenty years. This woman went from being an orphan to being adopted by the Bai family, from being the eldest daughter-in-law of the Bai family to being divorced and single.

From then on, Madam Zhuo, who is now a force to be reckoned with in the business world of Yunjing, has spent her life proving one thing through her actions: a woman does not need to rely on a man to live a life as strong as a mountain.

Now she applies this standard exactly to her daughter-in-law.

"You're really different from other mothers-in-law," Cui Yici exclaimed sincerely.

"What's the difference?" Zhuo Shengnan leaned back on the sofa.

"It's just that I've been bound by those so-called standards of a good wife for more than ten years, and I've had enough."

So many people have told me that since my parents are dead, I should be gentle, tolerant, and devoted to my husband. But what has happened?

If Bai Jingchuan gets into trouble, I'll be the one who can save myself.

Instead of those who teach me how to be a person, why shouldn't I find someone capable of handling things for Junze?

Even if she encounters any storms in the future, she will stand firm; that's what makes a truly good daughter-in-law.

Cui Yici was silent for a few seconds, then raised her glass and gently clinked it against Zhuo Shengnan's.

Cui Yici silently lit a candle for Bai Junze in her heart.

She knew Zhuo Shengnan too well; there was nothing this woman couldn't accomplish if she set her mind to it.

If she says she wants to marry Gu Yunjin as her daughter-in-law, then Bai Junze's single life is probably really entering its final countdown.