Chapter 5
The ancient Gu family estate stood on the outskirts of Shanghai, hidden behind towering iron gates and centuries-old camphor trees.
Unlike the modern glass headquarters of Gu Group, the estate carried the weight of history. Every brick, every carved wooden beam, and every carefully tended garden reflected the family's legacy. For generations, the Gu family had lived here, making decisions that shaped not only their own future but also the business landscape of China.
As dusk settled over the estate, luxury cars rolled through the gates one after another.
Tonight was family dinner.
No one dared arrive late.
At exactly seven o'clock, a black Rolls-Royce stopped before the main residence.
The chauffeur stepped out and opened the rear door.
Gu Yichen emerged, adjusting the cuff of his tailored black suit. His expression remained as unreadable as ever, but his sharp eyes swept over the familiar mansion with quiet caution.
He hadn't visited the estate in nearly three weeks.
His grandfather never summoned the entire family without a reason.
A servant bowed respectfully.
"Welcome home, Young Master."
Gu Yichen gave a slight nod before walking inside.
The spacious entrance hall buzzed with polite conversation.
Members of the Gu family had already gathered.
His eldest uncle, Gu Tianming, was speaking animatedly with several directors of the family business.
His aunt, Gu Lifen, sat elegantly on a nearby sofa, discussing an upcoming charity gala.
Several younger cousins laughed together, though their conversations noticeably quieted the moment Gu Yichen entered.
"Yichen is here."
"He's finally arrived."
"He looks even colder than before."
The whispers were quiet.
Not quiet enough.
Gu Yichen ignored them all.
To him, family gatherings were rarely about family.
They were negotiations disguised as dinners.
Power hidden beneath polite smiles.
Before he could walk farther, a cheerful voice interrupted him.
"Yichen!"
A young woman in an elegant white dress hurried toward him.
Su Wanqing.
The only daughter of the influential Su family.
Beautiful, graceful, and born into extraordinary wealth, she had been introduced to the Gu family years ago. Many considered her the perfect match for Gu Yichen.
She smiled brightly.
"I thought you might not come."
"My grandfather invited me."
She laughed softly.
"Only because of Grandfather?"
He met her hopeful gaze.
"Yes."
Her smile faltered for the briefest moment before she recovered.
"You've been so busy lately."
"So have you."
"I attended Paris Fashion Week last month."
"I heard."
"And next month I'll be hosting a charity auction."
"Congratulations."
Every answer was short.
Polite.
Distant.
Anyone watching could see the imbalance between them.
Su Wanqing continued trying to start conversations.
Gu Yichen responded with the minimum courtesy required.
Finally, footsteps echoed across the marble floor.
An elderly man entered the hall.
Though seventy-four years old, Gu Zhengguo stood remarkably straight. His silver hair was neatly combed, and his sharp eyes retained the authority that had built one of China's greatest business empires.
The room instantly fell silent.
Everyone stood.
"Father."
"Grandfather."
Gu Zhengguo acknowledged them with a nod.
"Sit."
Dinner began.
The long dining table was filled with exquisite dishes prepared by the estate's chefs.
Yet despite the luxurious setting, the atmosphere remained strangely restrained.
Business discussions quickly replaced ordinary family conversation.
One executive praised Gu Group's latest overseas acquisition.
Another suggested expanding into artificial intelligence.
Gu Zhengguo listened more than he spoke.
Occasionally asking a question.
Occasionally offering a brief opinion.
Every word carried weight.
When the meal was nearly finished, he set down his chopsticks.
The quiet clink against the porcelain immediately drew everyone's attention.
"I have an announcement."
The room became completely silent.
Gu Zhengguo looked directly at his grandson.
"Yichen."
"Yes, Grandfather."
"I've decided it's time to begin preparing the next chairman of Gu Group."
Several family members exchanged quick glances.
The topic everyone had anticipated had finally arrived.
Gu Zhengguo continued.
"You have led the company exceptionally well these past five years."
"Revenue has doubled."
"Our international presence has expanded."
"Our reputation remains strong."
There was no denying the truth.
Even those who envied Gu Yichen respected his achievements.
Then the old man's expression hardened.
"But a company is not built on numbers alone."
Gu Yichen remained silent.
"A leader carries responsibility."
"Not only to the shareholders."
"But to the family."
The older generation around the table nodded in agreement.
"You are thirty-one years old."
"You devote every waking hour to work."
"You have no wife."
"No children."
"No family of your own."
Su Wanqing lowered her eyes, unable to hide the hopeful smile tugging at her lips.
Several relatives noticed.
One aunt even smiled knowingly.
Gu Zhengguo folded his hands.
"I have tolerated this long enough."
The words hung heavily in the air.
Finally, he delivered the announcement that would change everything.
"You have ninety days."
The room froze.
"Ninety days?"
Gu Tianming repeated quietly.
Gu Zhengguo didn't look away from his grandson.
"Within ninety days, you will introduce your fiancée to this family."
"If you fail..."
His voice remained calm.
"...I will appoint someone else as the next chairman of Gu Group."
Silence.
Utter silence.
No one dared breathe too loudly.
Even the servants lowered their heads.
Su Wanqing's heartbeat quickened.
A fiancée.
Surely Grandfather meant her.
Who else could possibly be worthy of standing beside Gu Yichen?
Across the table, however, Gu Yichen showed almost no reaction.
His face remained calm.
Only the slightest tightening of his jaw betrayed his surprise.
"Grandfather."
"I have no intention of marrying simply for appearances."
Gu Zhengguo's expression didn't change.
"This is not a negotiation."
"I've dedicated my life to this company."
"And I built this company."
The old man's voice carried quiet authority.
"You inherited an empire."
"I created one."
The words struck everyone at the table.
No one challenged them.
"I don't care whether your marriage begins with love."
Gu Zhengguo continued.
"But the next chairman of Gu Group must demonstrate stability."
"A man unwilling to build a family cannot be trusted to protect generations of one."
Gu Yichen held his grandfather's gaze.
For several long seconds, neither man spoke.
Finally...
"I understand."
Gu Zhengguo gave a single nod.
"Good."
"The ninety days begin tomorrow."
Dinner ended soon afterward.
Family members slowly dispersed from the estate.
Some whispered excitedly.
Others began speculating about who Gu Yichen might choose.
More than one relative quietly assumed Su Wanqing would soon become the future Madam Gu.
Outside, Gu Yichen stood alone on the estate's stone terrace overlooking the moonlit gardens.
The cool evening breeze carried the scent of jasmine.
Footsteps approached behind him.
It was Chen Wei.
"The car is ready, President Gu."
Gu Yichen didn't move.
"What do you think?"
Chen Wei hesitated.
"About... the chairman's decision?"
"Yes."
"It won't be easy."
A faint, humorless smile touched Gu Yichen's lips.
"No."
"It won't."
For the first time in years, he found himself facing a problem that money, intelligence, and business strategy couldn't solve.
He needed a fiancée.
Not eventually.
Not someday.
Within ninety days.
As the city lights glittered in the distance, Gu Yichen stared into the darkness.
Somewhere in that vast city, a woman whose life was quietly beginning to unravel was unknowingly moving toward the same crossroads.
