The Heiress's Game

After leaving the private restaurant, Gu Mingyue had the driver take her to Gu Mingcheng's house.

When Gu Mingyue arrived, Shen Ruotang was sitting in the living room playing with building blocks with her son.

My nephew is four years old this year. He looks exactly like Gu Mingcheng, and he already has the appearance of a little adult.

Upon seeing Gu Mingyue enter, he called out "Auntie" in a childish voice, then lowered his head and focused on playing with his Lego castle.

"Sister-in-law." Gu Mingyue sat down on the sofa opposite Shen Ruotang.

Shen Ruotang was wearing a light pink cashmere sweater, her hair loosely tied back. She looked gentle and quiet, but her eyes were sharp and bright, and she was clearly not the kind of wealthy housewife who only knew how to be a good wife and mother.

She asked the nanny to take her son upstairs to play, then smiled at her, saying, "Your older brother is in the study for a video conference, he'll be down soon. Judging from your expression, is there some good news?"

"I guess so."

A few minutes later, Gu Mingcheng came down the stairs.

He sat down next to Shen Ruotang and naturally took his wife's hand.

"What's the progress?"

Gu Mingyue leaned forward slightly. "Big brother, sister-in-law, Zhang Wei has agreed."

Gu Mingcheng raised an eyebrow: "So fast?"

"The consulting fee has been paid in full, so she has no reason not to agree."

Gu Mingyue's tone carried a hint of satisfaction, "And it wasn't just Zhang Wei. I contacted several groups of people, each approaching Chen Cui's family from different angles."

Some approached him through business partnerships, some through personal relationships, and some specifically targeted Chen Shuo's college classmates to work on him.

As long as they succeed along one path, Chen Cui and her family will never be able to turn their lives around.

Shen Ruotang looked at Gu Mingyue: "To what extent do you plan to go?"

"It's too easy for a management company to ruin an artist."

"We poached them, signed contracts, and then sidelined them."

If you don't give her resources, announcements, or exposure, and she's shelved for a year or two, the audience will forget about her.

Newcomers like those from the Chen family who have just started out are easier to deal with—first, lure them in with a big promise, then tamper with the contract, so they can't terminate it later.

Sister-in-law, you've been in this industry before, you know how well this process works.

Shen Ruotang nodded slightly.

Before marrying Gu Mingcheng, she had worked as the editor-in-chief of a fashion magazine for several years and had a thorough understanding of the operating logic of the entertainment and media industries.

She didn't ask any more technical questions, but simply gave one piece of advice:

"The methods are fine, but the pace needs to be steady. Gu Yunjin isn't stupid; making too big of a move will alert the enemy."

"Zhang Wei said the same thing. She's reliable and I trust her."

Gu Mingcheng listened quietly the whole time. "You did a good job on this."

"But this is just a minor incident. Chen Cui and her brother are, in the end, just a card in Gu Yunjin's hand."

Even if you discard this card, she can still make the next show and promote the next artist.

Star Media has no shortage of creativity or money; you can't do this every time.

So, winning this matter is a way to vent your anger, but losing isn't a big deal; there's no need to take it too seriously.

Gu Mingyue was unhappy. She knew her older brother was telling the truth, but it still didn't feel good to hear.

"Those little squabbles between you and Gu Yunjin aren't the most important thing in the end."

"What's most important? It's about you and Zongheng."

Shen Ruotang picked up where her husband left off, saying, "Those loving images you cultivate on social media are for outsiders to see."

Zongheng's private affairs are known to you, and your older brother and I are also aware of them.

You don't want to have children with him because you feel he's not qualified to be the father of your children, right?

"I'm too lazy to care about his flowers and plants outside, and I can't manage them anyway," Gu Mingyue said.

"As long as he doesn't cause trouble for me or make the gossip headlines, he can do whatever he wants. But I feel dirty just having his child—letting him touch me is unacceptable."

Gu Mingcheng shook his head. "I've told you many times, your marriage to Zong Heng is an alliance between our two families, not a romantic relationship."

The essence of marriage alliances is a binding of interests, not feelings.

Whether he treats you well or not, whether he has other women outside, none of that matters. What matters is that the Zhao family's resources and platform can be used to your advantage, allowing your child to start from a higher point.

He looked directly at his sister: "But Mingyue, you can't let your disgust for him cause you to neglect important matters."

Gu Mingyue lowered her eyes and did not refute.

"You need to think about one thing clearly—you don't currently own any shares in the Gu family business, so no one can say for sure how much of your father's estate you'll receive after his death."

I am the heir, I can protect you, but I cannot live in your place.

What gives you your status in the Zhao family? It's not because of that good-for-nothing Zhao Zongheng, but because of the support of the Gu family and because of me, the eldest brother, standing behind you.

But more importantly, you need to have a son of your own.

With a son, you have an irreplaceable position in the Zhao family, and the elders of the Zhao family must take you seriously.

Whether it's dividing the inheritance or discussing succession in the future, you'll have a trump card in your hand.

"As for Zong Heng, don't worry, he won't dare to do anything reckless."

I made it very clear to him—you are my brother-in-law, Gu Mingcheng. I don't care how many minor celebrities you keep on the side and how much money you spend; that's just how men are.

But remember this: the Gu family's daughter is not one to be wronged after marrying into the Zhao family.

"If any of your illegitimate children dare to show up, I, Gu Mingcheng, won't even need my father to lift a finger; I'll make sure Zhao Zongheng can't stay in Dahai City."

After listening to her elder brother's words, Gu Mingyue remained silent for a long time.

"OK,"

"Since you've put it this way, what's the point of me being coy? I've thought it through."

Next, Zongheng and I will start preparing for pregnancy. It's a bit nauseous, but we'll get through it.

In wealthy families, who hasn't gone through this process?

Shen Ruotang reached out and patted the back of her hand. "That's right. Don't worry, once you get pregnant, your sister-in-law will recommend the nutritionist and postpartum care center that I used back then. They'll arrange everything for you, from prenatal care to postpartum recovery."

Your older brother is right. Having a son will give you more leverage in the Zhao family.

By then, you won't even bother to glance at Zhao Zongheng's other women outside.

Gu Mingcheng also showed a rare satisfied smile.

"Your sister-in-law is right. It's good to win those little squabbles with Gu Yunjin, but it doesn't matter if you lose."

What you need to do now is focus your energy on two things—first, get your health back and give the Zhao family a son;

Secondly, spend more time with your dad during this period, and don't let Gu Yunjin steal your thunder in front of him.

As for poaching talent, leave that to others. You can just keep an eye on things from behind the scenes; you don't need to be at the forefront every time.

With your older brother around, you'll always have someone to rely on.

Gu Mingyue laughed, "I understand, I know what I'm doing."