The Heiress's Game

"But Dad,"

Zhuo Shengnan continued.

"There's one question we need to think about first. You know Junze better than I do."

He's thirty-three this year, and no matter how many times I urge him, he always gives me the same answer—"My focus is on my work."

He'll have to find a girlfriend on his own. Expecting him to bring a girl home on his own initiative is, optimistically speaking, a long time coming.

Bai Lingfeng snorted while holding his teacup, "This kid is really stubborn."

Last time I invited Grandpa Chen's granddaughter over for dinner, he spent the whole time talking to her about artificial intelligence and blockchain.

They kept the conversation going until they couldn't get a word in edgewise, then left after the meal and never spoke again.

"So—" A glint of shrewdness flashed in Zhuo Shengnan's phoenix eyes.

"Let's just have a family marriage."

Zhuo Shengnan said without hesitation, "We can't wait for him to figure this out on his own. We have to act when the time is right. He can focus on his career, and we can help him with the wedding arrangements. We can do both without any problems."

Bai Lingfeng was silent for a while, then said, "Shengnan, I understand your thoughts."

But Junze is neither you nor me. What you and I can accept, he may not accept.

This child has always been opinionated. The more you pressure him, the stronger his resistance becomes. If he refuses to marry even at the cost of his life—”

"He can still defy the heavens?" Zhuo Shengnan raised an eyebrow.

"He really is capable." Bai Lingfeng said in a very calm tone.

"Your relationship with him has been good over the past few years, but that's about it."

He's not the kind of person who can be swayed by his parents' wishes. Go tell him, "I've arranged a marriage for you."

He could flip the table on the spot and then not go home for Chinese New Year for three years, do you believe it or not?

Zhuo Shengnan remained silent.

Because she knew that what Bai Lingfeng said was true.

Given Bai Junze's current strength and confidence, if he really doesn't agree, the entire Bai family, united as one, really can't do anything to him.

"So you mean, we're just going to let it go like this?" Zhuo Shengnan frowned.

"Who said it's over?" Bai Lingfeng suddenly laughed, a sly smile like that of an old fox.

"If a direct attack fails, we can try a roundabout approach; if a full-scale assault doesn't work, we can try playing the emotional card."

Zhuo Shengnan's eyes flickered: "How so?"

Bai Lingfeng picked up his teacup and took a slow, deliberate sip.

"How is his relationship with my grandfather?"

"Of course," Zhuo Shengnan said with a slight smile. "Throughout the Bai family, he respects you the most. From childhood to adulthood, he has never dared to disobey you."

"Respect makes things easier." Bai Lingfeng put down his teacup and placed his interlaced fingers on the table.

"My birthday is coming up soon. I'll be eighty-four years old, and every year I live will be one year less."

"Tell me, if I called him over, took his hand, and said, 'Junze, my greatest wish in this life is to see you get married before I close my eyes,' what would he do?"

Zhuo Shengnan was stunned for a moment, then her eyes lit up.

"He's soft-hearted. Junze may look cold on the surface, but he's the most sentimental person at heart."

If you try to pressure him with something else, he will fight back fiercely and refuse to give an inch.

But if you try to pressure him with the bond between grandparents and grandchildren, he won't be able to refuse; he knows what he's doing.

"That's right."

Bai Lingfeng's smile deepened. "He respects me, so I'll use that respect to pressure him."

He responds better to gentle persuasion than force, so I'll give him the gentlest approach.

Do you think he might turn against an old man like me, who's practically on his deathbed?

Zhuo Shengnan couldn't help but laugh, picked up her teacup and raised it towards Bai Lingfeng, her tone filled with sincere admiration:

"Old ginger is spicier. Junze would never have expected this move of yours."

"It's not over yet." Bai Lingfeng waved his hand, turning his gaze to her.

"It's not enough for me to play the sentimental card alone. I'll play the bad cop, and you have to play the good cop too."

You are his biological mother. Although he may not be outwardly lenient towards you, he does care about you in his heart.

Once I've cornered him, you can go over, take his hand, and say a few comforting words.

"The thing I regret most in my life is not being able to give you a complete family. My only wish now is to see you marry a good wife and have someone who cares for you in the future." — What else could he do?

Zhuo Shengnan put down her teacup and gave Bai Lingfeng a serious look, her admiration undisguised.

"Dad, if you had been born a hundred years earlier, even the empress dowagers in palace dramas would have to ask you to be their strategist."

"Don't give me that." Bai Lingfeng snorted.

"I've been fighting in the business world my whole life. What kind of opponent haven't I seen?"

Junze is capable, but no matter how capable he is, he's still my grandson. I know his weaknesses better than he does himself.

"Okay, we'll do as you say." Zhuo Shengnan slapped her thigh.

"With the combined affection of grandparents and grandchildren, and mother and son, he has no way to escape this time."

The two looked at each other and laughed at the same time.

As the laughter subsided, Zhuo Shengnan put down her teacup, her expression turning serious again.

"Dad, there's one more thing I need to make clear to you."

Bai Lingfeng looked at her.

"This Gu Yunjin, she's not the kind of person who can be easily assigned tasks."

Zhuo Shengnan said, "I didn't know this before I went to Dahai City. I only heard about it after I arrived. Half a year ago, the Gu family and the Pei family almost got married."

Although the Pei family is not as powerful as the Gu family, they are still considered a prominent family in Dahai City. Pei Yan himself is very handsome and gentle.

Both companies made announcements, and everyone thought it was a done deal.

"What happened next?" Bai Lingfeng asked.

"Gu Yunjin went to see Gu Zhenxing herself; it was Gu Yunjin herself who personally spoke with her father."

That's Gu Zhenxing—a notoriously powerful figure in the business world of Dahai City, whose word is law, and whose children don't dare to utter a sound in front of him.

But Gu Yunjin was persuaded by Gu Zhenxing to cancel the marriage.

Bai Lingfeng's eyebrows slowly rose, and the interest in his eyes intensified.

Zhuo Shengnan had a headache. "In other words, this girl is not someone who can be manipulated by others."

She can turn down the Pei family's marriage, and she can turn down our Bai family's marriage too.

"If we spend all that effort on Junze and finally manage to subdue him, only to have Yunjin say, 'I don't want to,' then all our work will have been for nothing."

The study was silent for a full five seconds.

"You're right," Bai Lingfeng said slowly.

"Marriage is a matter between two families. We can win over Junze with family ties. But we'll have to use a different approach with the Gu family girl."

"The fact that she dared to break off the engagement with the Pei family shows that she has the confidence to do so."

If she has the confidence, then we must show even greater sincerity.

This girl is capable, so we'll show her the Bai family's sincerity—not just empty formalities and pleasantries, but genuine sincerity with real money.

Zhuo Shengnan waited quietly for him to continue.

"The shares of the Bai family," Bai Lingfeng said, emphasizing each word, "will be used directly as her dowry."

Zhuo Shengnan's eyelashes twitched.

She was well aware of the weight of this matter.

It's not uncommon for wealthy families to grant shares in marriage alliances, but the amount and the manner of such grants are far more complex and nuanced.

The betrothal gifts are given to the bride's family, while the dowry is given to the bride herself; the two concepts are completely different.

Bai Lingfeng's use of the term "dowry" means that the shares are transferred in Gu Yunjin's own name, not to the Gu family or her parents, but assets that belong entirely to her personally.

In the usual practice of marriage alliances among wealthy families, this represents the highest level of sincerity.

"It's not a betrothal gift, it's a dowry, and it will be given to her personally," Bai Lingfeng stated clearly.

"She should know exactly how much three percent of the Bai family's shares are worth on the market."

"It's not the kind of nominal shares; it's real shares, transferred directly to her personal name without any conditions."

If she marries into the Bai family, they will recognize her as the mistress of the house.

Shares are the most tangible guarantee, more effective than any dowry, mansion, or jewelry.

No matter what happens in the future, she will have a say in the Bai family, and no one can touch her.

He looked up at Zhuo Shengnan, his eyes carrying a kind of old-fashioned kindness and understanding:

"You've been through this too, you know how difficult it is for women in large families."

We don't just make empty promises; we give them something tangible. This is both a courtesy to the Gu family and a boost to the girl's confidence.

Zhuo Shengnan looked at him, a complex emotion welling up inside her.

Bai Lingfeng's words were directed at both Gu Yunjin and herself.

She recalled that when she got divorced, Bai Lingfeng did the same thing, transferring the Bai family's shares to her name without saying a word.

This man has spent his life navigating the business world, but deep down, he values ​​loyalty and friendship the most.

"dad,"

"With your statement, there shouldn't be any problems with the Gu family."

"Simply stating your position isn't enough," Bai Lingfeng waved his hand.

"These conditions must be written in black and white into the prenuptial agreement. The Bai family doesn't play games."

Zhuo Shengnan nodded and couldn't help but laugh again.

"With shares as a dowry, the old man personally backing her up, plus the double offensive of grandmother-grandson affection and mother-son bond—I have a feeling that neither Junze nor Gu Yunjin will escape this time?"

"As long as he can't escape, that's good. At my age, I just want to see Junze marry a good wife and keep this family together."

"Then it's settled." Bai Lingfeng leaned back, his expression showing a calm and certainty that came with an imminent battle.

"I'll talk to Junze. You can step in if necessary."

As for the Gu family, find an opportunity to contact Gu Yunjin herself and see how she reacts.

After that, I went directly to talk to Gu Zhenxing. The Bai family is going to fight a real tough battle this time.