Chapter 5: If I Can Break Off the Engagement, It's Fine

Yue Xiaoqing was the girl my brother loved.

Zhang Jingsi’s interference had driven a wedge between them, causing the breakup.

Gu Li suddenly found the situation amusing. She pinched the delicate chin of the girl in front of her with one hand, applying just enough pressure to make Zhang Jingsi wince. Her smile never faltered, but her voice turned cold.

"Miss Zhang, are you hoping to make me play along with you, then?"

Zhang Jingsi's eyes widened in confusion at the unexpected harshness in Su Zheng’s demeanor.

Why?

Su Zheng, who once cowered and avoided confrontation, now stood before her, pinning her with a look of aggression. How had he become so ruthless? Was this still the same person who had previously submitted to her every whim?

Rather than anger, a smirk spread across Zhang Jingsi’s face. She pouted her red lips and teased, "Su Zheng, this isn’t an act. You need to show some affection, or my parents will never approve of our marriage."

Gu Li let go of her chin with a look of disgust.

She had heard from her brother how to drive Zhang Jingsi away, he had feigned timidity and weakness around her. But that didn’t stop the girl from clinging to him, all because she was taken with his appearance.

Zhang Jingsi’s parents, while willing to accept a marriage into the Su family, had never been particularly enthusiastic about the match. To them, this engagement was a passing fancy, something their daughter would eventually grow out of.

Gu Li's lips curled into a sly grin, a wicked glint flashing in her eyes. "Well, since you insist, Miss Zhang, I will gladly oblige."

Zhang Jingsi blinked in surprise. She hadn’t expected him to agree so quickly.

At that moment, the sound of a piano drifted over, soft and melodious.

From the direction of a grand fountain, Su Ying was seated at a beautiful piano, her fingers dancing over the keys with grace and concentration. The music quickly drew the attention of many guests.

Chairman Zhang, aided by a servant, slowly approached, leaning on a cane. He cast a fleeting glance at the girl playing the piano but didn’t seem particularly impressed.

Walking alongside him was Zhang Rui, the current head of the Zhang family and Zhang Jingsi’s father. His gaze lingered on Su Ying, his admiration clear.

"This young lady from the Su family is truly a talented socialite," Zhang Rui remarked. "She’s a senior this year and about to graduate. I’ve heard she’s signed with an agency, and will be heading abroad to further her studies."

His words carried an unmistakable appreciation.

Zhang Jingsi’s mother, Li Xin, nodded in approval. However, when her eyes caught sight of Gu Li walking toward her, arm linked with her daughter’s, her pleasant expression quickly darkened.

"I don’t understand how some people raised in the same family can be so... unpresentable."

Her words were unmistakably aimed at Gu Li.

Gu Li, unfazed, kept her eyes on Li Xin, the venom in the woman’s tone not lost on her.

Zhang Rui, noticing Gu Li still chewing gum without so much as a greeting, frowned in disapproval.

As the piano music concluded, applause filled the air, and many young men from wealthy families hurried forward to engage Su Ying in conversation.

But Chairman Zhang sneered, his voice cutting through the applause like a blade. "That didn’t sound good at all!"

The room fell silent in an instant.

Su Ying froze, stunned by the unexpected insult.

Never before had she been humiliated like this, especially not by someone as influential as Grandpa Zhang.

Gu Li, however, observed the situation with a gleam in her eye. She walked toward Grandpa Zhang, her expression unreadable.

"Grandpa Zhang," she began, her tone polite yet probing, "I’ve heard that you have an appreciation for ancient music?"

Grandpa Zhang, his cloudy eyes sharp with sudden interest, turned toward her. A flicker of recognition sparked in his gaze.

Before anyone could react, Su Hong, who had been watching in growing concern, rushed over and scolded, "Su Zheng! How dare you speak to Chairman Zhang like that? Apologize at once!"

He feared that Gu Li’s brash words might anger the Zhang family and jeopardize the Su family's fragile position.

But to his surprise, Chairman Zhang smiled and raised a hand, signaling for calm. "It’s fine," he said. "Yes, I enjoy ancient music. If you can play a beautiful piece, I’ll be happy to grant you any request you have."

"Oh?" Gu Li’s eyebrows arched in playful surprise, a sly smile tugging at her lips.

Zhang Jingsi, standing nearby, gaped at Gu Li, her confusion growing.

Grandpa Zhang nodded, confirming his earlier statement.

"What if I asked you to cancel the engagement?" Gu Li’s voice dropped, the words hanging in the air like a challenge.

(End of Chapter 5)

Chapters