The Heiress's Game

Gu Yunjin picked up the lemonade and took another sip.

"Mom, thank you so much. You've thought of everything for me."

"But I will not marry Pei Yan."

"Why?" Wang Manyun asked, her tone still gentle.

"I don't like him as a person," Gu Yunjin said.

Wang Manyun looked at her, remained silent for two seconds, and then suddenly smiled.

It's like watching a child who hasn't grown up say something naive and silly.

She said earnestly, "Yun Jin, in wealthy families, there's no such thing as liking or disliking someone. You've grown up in this circle; don't you understand this?"

She leaned back in her chair, her posture still elegant.

"Do you secretly think that Pei Yan hasn't completely broken things off with that girl named... what's her name, Wei?"

She waved her hand dismissively.

"What's the big deal? Which rich man's son didn't have a few casual affairs before marriage?"

That girl can't do anything. She has no money or power. How can she compete with the Gu and Pei families?

What waves do you think she can make? Just a small ripple.

Her tone shifted back to that of a kind, patient mother:

"Yun Jin, your mother has been through this too. Let me tell you the truth—when I married your father, I didn't want to marry him either."

Back then, I was young, had my own ideas, and had someone I liked.

I hid in my room and cried for three days, feeling like the sky was falling.

She sighed softly as she said this, "But what happens in the end? Your family has made arrangements, and you have no choice but to marry him."

After I married into this family, haven't we been living a good life together?

Your father treated me well. He took care of the family and gave me dignity and respect, and I found my place in the family.

I'm very happy now. You are too—relationships are built through time spent together.

Gu Yunjin listened quietly to the end.

"Mom, you had your own circumstances back then, but I'm not in the same situation as you."

"I said I won't marry, and that means I won't. So you can think about it in advance."

"When the Gu family and the Pei family cancel their marriage alliance, how should the press release be written, and what should the wording be?"

Wang Manyun's smile finally faded a bit.

"Yun Jin, have you been under too much work pressure lately?"

She tilted her head slightly. "It's fine to say things like 'cancel the marriage' to your mother, but never say it to your father."

You know your father's temper; he hates it when people challenge his decisions. Don't go against him; it won't do you any good.

"Mom, I'm perfectly sober." Gu Yunjin looked directly into her eyes, her gaze unwavering.

"I am very clear about what I am doing."

Wang Manyun remained silent. Looking at the girl before her, she suddenly felt that this obedient and gentle face had become somewhat unfamiliar.

All that obedience, all that understanding, all that sense of control that had allowed her to navigate this stepdaughter with ease for over a decade, seemed to crack slightly in that instant.

"Okay, okay, Mom understands. You just can't accept it right now, you'll be fine in a couple of days."

"The marriage alliance isn't something that can be rushed. You should go back and get some rest first, and we'll talk about it later."

Gu Yunjin stood up, picked up the paper bag containing the cashmere trench coat, and straightened her skirt:

"Thank you for the trench coat, Mom. I really like it."

"If you like it, that's good. It will definitely look good on you."

Wang Manyun smiled and nodded, watching her walk out of the coffee shop, her loving expression remaining until she was sure Gu Yunjin wouldn't turn back.