The Heiress's Game

Julie's gallery is located on the most expensive cultural street in Da Hai City. It's a three-story detached building, formerly a warehouse of a foreign firm during the Republic of China era. Julie transformed it into a pure white exhibition space, with all four walls covered with her own works, and occasionally exhibiting small solo exhibitions of her friends in the industry.

When Gu Yunjin entered Julie Gallery, two bodyguards in black suits tried to stop her at the door.

She didn't stop walking, nor did she even look at them; she simply tilted her head slightly and said, "My surname is Gu."

The bodyguard paused for a moment, whispered something into the walkie-talkie, and then stepped back.

The gallery is not open to the public today, and the exhibition hall is empty except for the lights shining on the colorful canvases, making the whole space look like a carefully arranged dream.

Julie was standing in front of a huge abstract painting, holding a glass of red wine, with Gu Zhenxing standing next to her.

Gu Zhenxing was unusually not dressed in formal attire, wearing a dark gray cashmere cardigan and holding a glass of wine in his hand. He was relaxed, talking to Julie, and had a rare smile on his lips.

Hearing footsteps, both of them turned around. Julie's expression changed slightly after she saw who it was; she was genuinely surprised.

Gu Yunjin and she exchanged a glance, and then Gu Yunjin smiled.

"Miss Julie, I'm sorry to bother you. The painting is beautiful. I've been thinking about that new work I saw at the Biennale last time, and I'm so glad to finally have the chance to see it in person today."

Julie reacted quickly.

She put down her wine glass, a polite and subtle smile appearing on her lips, and nodded to Gu Yunjin: "Miss Gu, you flatter me. You two chat, I'll go next door to check on the exhibition setup."

Gu Zhenxing placed his wine glass on the display stand next to him, turned around, put his hands in his cardigan pockets, and looked at his second daughter.

"How did you find your way here?" he asked.

He doesn't like to be disturbed, especially when he's finally able to relax.

"I asked Uncle Xu," Gu Yunjin said.

She stood about three steps away from her father, wearing a simple black dress and with her hair down.

"What do you want? The marriage proposal?" Gu Zhenxing asked directly.

He knew, of course, why she had come—Wang Manyun had called him yesterday, saying that Yun Jin seemed to have some reservations about the marriage with the Pei family, and that he should keep an eye on it.

"Yes," Gu Yunjin said, "Dad, I don't want to marry Pei Yan."

"Why?"

"He's no good."

Gu Zhenxing raised an eyebrow: "What's wrong with you? Your character, family background, and looks—what aspect is lacking?"

"He's not capable enough." Gu Yunjin's tone was calm and direct.

"Indecisive and procrastinating, he has been dragging his feet on a relationship problem for ten years and is still wavering between the two sides."

I don't think someone like that can handle anything significant.

Gu Zhenxing remained silent for two seconds, his tone dismissive.

"You've only met him a few times? How do you know he can't handle big things?"

He was groomed by the Pei family, received an elite education abroad, and after returning, managed several companies within the Pei Group; his performance speaks for itself.

"That's because his surname is Pei." Gu Yunjin looked directly into her father's eyes without flinching.

"Dad, if his surname Pei were changed to Zhang or Li, with his personal abilities, how many rounds could he survive if he were put in the market to compete with those who truly started from scratch?"

His current fame wasn't earned by himself; it was a gift from his birth.

You want me to marry someone with real talent? I'll accept that.

But I won't marry someone who lives off his family's wealth and status.

Gu Zhenxing's face darkened.

"You have such a sharp tongue," Gu Zhenxing frowned, his voice deepening.

"Marriage is not a business transaction."

"To me, this is business." Gu Yunjin remained firm.

"If he's not good enough, this deal isn't worth doing. If he had half of my father's ability and courage—half would be enough—I'd marry him immediately, but Pei Yan isn't."

"Yun Jin, don't be so arrogant. The Pei family's resources and platform are part of his capabilities. What makes you think you can uproot them completely?"

Do you think that just because you've read a few books and done a few small projects over the years, you can look down on others?

"I've read a few books,"

Gu Yunjin said, "But I'm not just doing a few small projects."

Furthermore, since you believe resources and platforms are part of one's capabilities, you should take a closer look at me—I also have the surname Gu. I don't need to marry someone to acquire resources.

Gu Zhenxing was taken aback for a moment, then snorted: "Quite the boast."

"Because I have the confidence."

The father and daughter's gazes clashed in the air, like two knives pressed against each other. Gu Yunjin did not back down, nor did Gu Zhenxing look away.

"You've made Pei Yan sound completely worthless," Gu Zhenxing said, slowing his pace and trying to change the angle.

"What if it were someone else? If you could find someone better than Pei Yan—you just said you'd marry him if he had my abilities."

Then tell me, who do you think has that ability?

"There's no one here," Gu Yunjin said.

"So far, I haven't met anyone more capable than you in Dahai City, so I have no intention of lowering my standards for anyone."

That was a quick retort, leaving Gu Zhenxing momentarily speechless.

"There's nothing to discuss about this," Gu Zhenxing said.

I know the Pei family's background better than you do.

If you don't like him, feelings can be cultivated over time.

Arranged marriage is not a game; it's not something you can just decide not to marry on a whim.

Your mom also told me that you're just having trouble accepting it right now, and you'll calm down in a couple of days.

"I lost my mother when I was fourteen," Gu Yunjin said.

Gu Zhenxing's expression froze for a moment, as if someone had pressed the pause button.

"Ms. Wang Manyun took very good care of me," Gu Yunjin continued.

"But she's not my mom, my dad is my dad—I'm communicating with another adult from an adult's perspective."

Dad, what I mean is, I'm not here to ask for your permission.

I'm here to tell you that I'm not getting married.

I can support myself, invest, make money, and handle all the so-called consequences of whether or not I get married.

You can cut off my allowance or stop my credit card, but you can't threaten me.

"I'm open to a fight to the death, but I think you'd rather see a dignified, family-oriented person."

Gu Zhenxing was even angrier.

"Gu Yunjin,"

"Have you lost your mind today? Are you talking to me like an 'adult'? Talking to your elders about 'fight to the death'? You haven't even grown your wings yet and you're already challenging me?"

"Dad," Gu Yunjin looked up at him, her gaze unwavering.

"My wings may be stronger than you think."

"you--"

"Furthermore, Dad, if you feel that the Gu family and the Pei family must arrange a marriage alliance..."

Actually, you could let your sister divorce and remarry. Pei Yan isn't very capable, but he'd be a perfect match for your sister.

"What did you say?" Gu Zhenxing's voice suddenly rose, and the expression on his face changed from slight anger to real rage.

He stared at the daughter standing in front of him, almost doubting his ears for a moment—she was talking about Gu Mingyue, her half-sister, and she was actually telling Gu Mingyue to divorce and remarry.

"Say it again," he said in a low voice.

"I said, Pei Yan is a perfect match for your sister."

Gu Zhenxing slammed the wine glass in his hand heavily on the display stand, making a muffled "bang," and the wine splashed out onto the white marble table.

He pointed at Gu Yunjin, his finger trembling slightly, his voice filled with barely suppressed anger:

"Gu Mingyue is your sister! How dare you—how dare you—"

Gu Yunjin stood still, motionless.

"Dad, I've grown up and I'm all grown up now."

I have my own money and my own business.

I will not marry Pei Yan—not today, and never in the future.

If you insist on forcing me, then let's see.

Gu Zhenxing's face was ashen, the veins on his hand holding the wine glass were bulging, and his chest was heaving violently.

Then he grabbed the wine glass and smashed it hard on the ground.

The crystal glass shattered on the marble floor, shards flying everywhere. One piece landed near Gu Yunjin's feet, touched the tip of her shoe, and then stopped.

She didn't look down or back away; she just stood there, her expression completely unchanged.

When Julie heard the noise and came in, this was the scene she saw.

She showed no surprise or embarrassment, but quickly walked to Gu Zhenxing's side, gently placed her hand on his arm, and spoke in a gentle and steady tone:

"Old Gu, calm down. Miss Gu, please have a seat too."

She turned her head and glanced towards the door. "I'll have someone tidy this up, then the three of us can have some tea and a snack—we can talk after we've eaten."

Gu Zhenxing shook off Julie's hand but didn't say anything more.

He turned around, his back to Gu Yunjin, one hand supporting himself on the display stand, his breathing heavy and slow.

Gu Yunjin walked to the sofa next to her, sat down, and picked up her phone to browse through it.

She didn't leave because the battle wasn't over yet.

Julie walked to the door, gave a few instructions, and then returned to the exhibition hall, standing between the two people with just the right amount of concern and composure on her face.

She knew she didn't need to mediate anything—no one could mediate this matter between father and daughter.

But she can prevent this space from exploding.