“Smack—”

The slap resounded crisp and loud, leaving everyone stunned and gasping audibly.

Gu Xinhui’s head tilted from the impact, and half of his face quickly swelled and turned red. His eyes were vacant as he remained in shock for a long moment before touching his cheek. The metallic taste of blood spread in his mouth.

“Master, after everything Xinhui has been through today, why are you still hitting him?!”

Third Madam rushed forward, heartbroken, and embraced her son tightly.

The others were equally shocked.

Although Old Master Gu never explicitly stated which son he favored the most, everyone knew it was Gu Xinhui.

Gu Xinheng had a gentle and honest temperament, which made the old master lose hope in his eldest son long ago. More importantly, Gu Xinheng had stubbornly refused to divorce his wife over the years or to find another woman to bear him children, despite significant pressure.

In contrast, Gu Xinhui, who had five sons, appeared exceptionally “outstanding.”

“Why am I hitting him?” Old Master Gu’s face was as dark as a stormy sky. “He’s brought so much shame to our family. Isn’t it humiliating enough? He’s ruined his body at such a young age, all because you, his mother, indulged him.”

Third Madam’s face flushed red, full of grievances she dared not express.

Old Master Gu turned his gaze to Gu Xicao.

Secretary Lin’s heart tightened. Oh no, is the old master about to flip out?

“Master Gu, I, Gu Zhongda, have never admired anyone in my life. You’re the first.”

Old Master Gu looked at Gu Xicao with a complex expression, gripping his cane tightly. “With your abilities, Master Gu, there’s no need to calculate one by one. Just tell me, which child can lead the Gu family to prosperity and glory?”

The crowd was momentarily stunned before their eyes turned nervously to Gu Xicao.

Having witnessed Gu Xicao’s abilities firsthand, no one doubted the weight her words carried with the old master.

“If you’re asking about your sons…”

Gu Xicao’s gaze swept over the three Gu men. Gu Xinliu looked at her with anticipation, silently regretting not flattering her earlier upon realizing how capable she was. However, he reassured himself that at least he hadn’t offended her.

Fourth Madam was also filled with regret. Among the Gu sons, the eldest was incompetent, the third was a failure, so naturally, her son was the only one left.

“None of them are suitable.” Gu Xicao withdrew her gaze and placed her hands behind her back. “Your eldest son has a good character but isn’t fit for the business world. He’s only suited for academia. Your third son is cunning but short-sighted, which would only lead the family to ruin. As for your fifth son, he’s too easily influenced by others. If the family business were handed to him, it would be doomed.”

Gu Xinheng, having never aspired to inherit the family business, remained indifferent.

Gu Xinhui and Gu Xinliu, however, both darkened visibly.

Unwilling to accept this, Gu Xinliu retorted, “Master, how am I too easily influenced? And besides, I’m still young. With my father’s support, there’s no way I’d ruin the family business.”

“Is that so?” Gu Xicao tilted her head slightly. “If you’re not easily influenced, then why, when you didn’t want to test me earlier, did you change your mind and go along with it the moment your third brother suggested it? In business, that kind of behavior is dangerous. Anyone could sway you into thinking their way is right.”

Gu Xinliu’s expression faltered. He looked at Gu Xicao with newfound respect, his lips pressing tightly together as he dared not say more.

“She’s right. The fifth has always been like this since he was young.”

Old Master Gu sighed, his face marked by defeat. “Could it be that fate is set on leaving our Gu family without a successor?”

“Master Gu, you’re wrong.”

Gu Xicao shook her head. “I only said your sons aren’t suitable. I never said your daughter isn’t.”

The crowd was shocked.

Gu Yueluo, in particular, stared at Gu Xicao in disbelief.

“The one who can inherit your family business and lead the Gu family to even greater success is your daughter—Gu Yueluo.”

Gu Xicao raised her hand, pointing to Gu Yueluo.

Following her gesture, everyone turned to Gu Yueluo. She appeared visibly surprised, meeting the cautious, suspicious, or jealous gazes of her siblings and stepmothers. Her expression quickly composed itself. “Master Gu, you must be joking. How could I possibly manage such a large family business?”

“Exactly! Second Miss has never been involved in business, and she’ll eventually get married. How can our family’s legacy rely on her?” Third Madam mocked immediately, inwardly suspecting that the second branch had bribed Gu Xicao to orchestrate this setup.

“Second Miss, there’s no need to be modest.” Gu Xicao ignored Third Madam and instead looked at Gu Yueluo. “Your business is doing so well. Why not share the good news with your family and let them celebrate with you?”

“Second Sister is in business?” Gu Yuehua exclaimed, looking at Gu Yueluo in shock.

Truthfully, Gu Yueluo was startled as well. Her secret ventures were something no one in the family knew about. She had been running them covertly all this time.

However, upon second thought, compared to the third brother’s matter, it wasn’t surprising that Master Gu calculated her affairs as well.

“Yes, I started a clothing company with my university friends. It’s called MIC,” Gu Yueluo admitted calmly. Since everyone already knew, she decided to just explain, “This company has been running for two years now.”

“MIC? Isn’t that the British women’s clothing brand?” Gu Yuehua widened her eyes, looking at Gu Yueluo as if she’d seen a ghost. “That brand is quite expensive. It’s an international luxury brand. Second Sister, are you joking? Could that company really be yours?”

No wonder Gu Yuehua was so shocked.

The MIC brand entered the Hong Kong market a year and a half ago. With celebrity endorsements, strategic marketing, and innovative business tactics, it had quickly become a favorite among Hong Kong’s wealthy elite.

Each season’s sales were astonishing. Female celebrities and socialites often competed to see who could get their hands on MIC’s latest outfits the fastest, especially the limited editions.

Gu Yuehua herself had pre-ordered their shoes and bags several times through sales associates. Yet she never expected that MIC was actually a family endeavor.

“The ‘M’ in MIC stands for the first letter of my English name, Mini.”

Facing the disbelief, Gu Yueluo remained composed. “When I was in university, my friends and I decided to start a women’s clothing brand in Hong Kong. But before we achieved any success, I felt too embarrassed to tell everyone.”

There was a brief silence among the crowd.

And she claimed this wasn’t success?

If any young heir could create such a profitable company, it would be something to boast about for days.

But Gu Yueluo? If Master Gu hadn’t revealed it, she might never have told them.

Even Old Mr. Gu was just as astonished as the others.

It was as though he was seeing his daughter for the first time. “Yueluo, you’ve truly surprised me. I never expected you to achieve so much,” he said, visibly moved.

Gu Yueluo paused, her feelings complex.

“But Master, no matter how capable the second miss is, she still has to get married. Her talents would only benefit her husband’s family,” the third Madam said anxiously, noticing Old Mr. Gu deep in thought. She quickly interjected to dissuade him.

Gu Xicao smiled and countered, “Third Madam, times have changed. The second miss doesn’t necessarily have to marry. She could have a husband join the family instead, with her children carrying the Gu surname. Or even if she doesn’t marry, it’s not difficult for a woman to have children these days. With the second young lady’s abilities, do you think she wouldn’t be able to find someone suitable?

“But Old Mr. Gu, you’re a wise man. Is it more beneficial to marry off such a capable daughter for a family alliance, or to let her inherit the family business and bring glory to the Gu name? You should consider this carefully.”

Gu Xicao’s words left everyone stunned.

Gu Yuehua immediately responded, “Of course, it’s better for Second Sister to inherit the family business. She’s so talented, marrying her into the Li family would be like throwing pearls before swine. Dad, if necessary, I’ll marry into the Li family instead. Anyway, I’m not ambitious and don’t have much ability. Isn’t this all about forming an alliance with the Li family?”

“Shut up!”

The fourth madam hurriedly covered her daughter’s mouth.

The eldest Li was already quite old and had children of his own. Marrying into their family wouldn’t be any kind of good match.

“Dad, I think what Master Gu said makes sense. The engagement between Second Sister and the Li family should be canceled. Second Sister can support herself; she doesn’t need to rely on the Li family,” Gu Xinheng mustered the courage to say.

He had always opposed this engagement, which Old Mr. Gu had insisted on to pave the way for the third son.

“Ahem.” Gu Xicao cleared his throat and said, “Actually, there’s another option.”

“What is it?” The Gu family turned to her in unison.

Gu Xicao glanced down, avoiding their eyes. “Well, the eldest Li is known to be… flexible in his preferences. The third young master actually fits his aesthetic quite well.”

Everyone: ???

Gu Xinhui immediately panicked, clinging to Old Mr. Gu’s leg. “Dad, I won’t marry! Absolutely not! That Li guy is even more of a player than me. There’s no way I’m agreeing to this!”

Gu Yueluo’s expression darkened, her gaze cold.

She had known that the eldest Li son had a few mistresses, but she never realized he also liked men. Gu Xinhui clearly knew this, yet he never mentioned it, even pushing her to marry into the Li family, bear children, and establish herself to help the Gu family.

This third brother of hers was truly disgusting!

“Enough! Our Gu family isn’t so desperate that we can’t survive without this marriage alliance,” Old Mr. Gu snapped, glaring at Gu Xinhui. “This engagement is canceled.”

For the first time, the entire Gu family collectively sighed in relief.

“Master Gu, that’s enough for tonight. Thank you for helping me navigate this matter.”

Old Mr. Gu generously signed another check for Gu Xicao, then turned to Gu Yueluo, his expression a mixture of pride and regret. “Yueluo, see Master Gu and Secretary Lin out.”

“…Yes, Father.”

Gu Yueluo seemed to realize something, a trace of joy flashing in her eyes. But she kept her composure, turning to Gu Xicao and Secretary Lin with a polite gesture. “Please, this way.”

The cool night breeze brushed past.

Gu Yueluo personally escorted Gu Xicao and Secretary Lin to their car.

She stopped and looked at Gu Xicao, her eyes filled with gratitude. “Master Gu, thank you so much this time. Otherwise, I really…”

The mere thought of the Young master Li made Gu Yueluo feel nauseous.