"Miss Gu, Mr. Gu paid more than the agreed amount," Manager Dui reported over the phone.
Gu Anran leaned back slightly. "Of course he did. His pride wouldn't allow him to let that house go cheaply."
Silence lingered for a second before Manager Dui asked, "How would you like to receive your portion?"
She tapped her finger lightly against the table, calculating.
"I heard the Xie Group is hosting a charity fundraiser for orphans and single mothers."
"Yes, Miss Gu."
"Allocate seventy percent of my share to the fundraiser. Publicly, if possible."
Manager Dui hesitated. "That is… a considerable sum."
Anran's lips curved faintly. "Then invest thirty percent in stable growth stocks. Long-term returns. The remaining seventy — make sure it's traceable."
"I understand," Manager Dui replied, admiration evident in his tone.
To him, she must seem generous.
To Gu Sheng, it would feel like humiliation.
He would know she had used his money to purchase goodwill.
"Thank you," she said before ending the call.
She imagined her father signing the inflated cheque, jaw tight, forced dignity intact.
The smile on her face deepened slightly.
Pride was expensive.
The apartment was quiet.
She walked into the kitchen and pulled out a pack of instant noodles. The irony amused her.
The Gu family mansion had once boasted imported ingredients and private chefs.
Now she stood in a modest kitchen, watching noodles bubble in a small pot.
Freedom tasted different.
When she took the first bite, she chewed slowly.
Simple. Unpretentious. Her choice.
No one could question how she spent her money now.
After washing the dishes, she went to bed early. A rested mind calculated better.
A few days later, she visited He Xun's studio.
The faint scent of fabric dye lingered in the air. He was bent over a worktable, focused on a half-finished design.
"It seems you're busy," she said calmly.
He startled slightly before straightening.
"Miss Gu — when did you arrive?"
She raised an eyebrow. "I told you to drop the formalities."
He coughed lightly. "I'll remember next time."
She took a seat, surveying the room with quiet assessment.
"Now that the contract is signed, it's time to secure a location. Do you have any options in mind?"
"Not yet. I can research several properties and send you proposals."
"Do that," she replied. "We are not opening a modest boutique. We are building a brand capable of competing. Don't let budget anxiety limit your imagination."
He Xun looked at her carefully.
"Understood."
"You'll also need staff. Choose carefully. Skill matters — but loyalty matters more."
She didn't elaborate.
He Xun nodded, unaware that this venture was more than business expansion.
It was positioning
A future foothold beyond the Gu family's influence.
Everything she did now was scaffolding.
And scaffolding, when placed correctly, held entire empires.
"Please prioritize locations with strong foot traffic," she added.
"I will," He Xun replied.
"We'll finalize the location first. The rest can follow."
Just then, her phone rang from inside her bag.
She pulled it out casually — but the moment she saw the caller ID, her fingers tightened.
An Rulan.
For a second, she simply stared at the name.
"Hello?"
"Gu Anran! Where did you disappear to?" An Rulan's lively voice burst through the speaker. "Forget that — come to Sky Bar. I just landed an amazing job. We're celebrating. And don't bring your green tea sister."
A faint laugh escaped Anran before she could stop herself.
"Where are you exactly?"
"Sky Bar! Hurry up!"
"I'll be there soon."
She ended the call, a warmth she hadn't felt in a long time spreading quietly through her chest.
"I need to leave," she told He Xun. "Keep me updated."
"Drive safely," he replied.
The bar was already lively when she arrived.
Lights flickered against polished surfaces, music pulsing through the air.
She spotted An Rulan immediately.
"Anran!" Rulan exclaimed, pulling her into a tight hug. "Where have you been all this time?"
"I moved out of the Gu family," Anran said simply.
Rulan froze, then her face lit up. "That's good! Those people never treated you well — especially that sister of yours—"
She stopped abruptly, biting her lip. "I'm sorry. I know you don't like hearing that."
Anran shook her head.
"You can say whatever you want. I don't care anymore."
Something shifted in Rulan's expression — relief.
"Then this really is a double celebration! We're not leaving until we're drunk!"
Anran looked at her.
In both lifetimes, An Rulan had been the only one who never calculated her worth.
"Fine," she said softly. "We won't leave until we're drunk."
Time blurred under flashing lights and rising music.
Glasses clinked. Laughter grew louder.
Rulan eventually drifted toward the dance floor, moving freely without restraint.
She was beautiful — not delicate, but vibrant.
Naturally, attention followed.
Anran felt the alcohol settling in more heavily than she expected. A faint wave of nausea rose in her throat. She steadied herself against the table.
From upstairs, inside a private room, a man leaned against the railing.
"That girl dances well," Xie Niangli remarked lazily.
His companions barely reacted. Sky Bar was never short of beauty.
On the dance floor, Rulan spun, unaware of the eyes gathering around her.
One gaze lingered too long.
Anran's vision sharpened despite the alcohol.
Mr. Sun.
Influential. Wealthy. Predatory.
She had seen his name attached to too many ruined reputations.
He stepped closer to Rulan, hand already lifting.
Without thinking, Anran pushed herself up.
The dizziness hit hard, but she forced her legs forward.
By the time Mr. Sun's fingers hovered near Rulan's waist, Anran was already there.
She caught Rulan's wrist and pulled her back with what strength she had left.
"That's enough," she said quietly.
Her voice wasn't loud.
But it carried.
"Sh!t isn't that Miss Gu" Xie Niangli exclaimed, finally the other guys paid attention even Lu Zhenyu turned his attention to her.
Lu Zhenyu looked at her, she was the cause of his sleepless night.
"Hey beautiful why don't you join us, let's have some fun" Mr Sun said not bothering to hide his lustful gaze when he saw Gu Anran.
Gu Anran felt nauseous just looking at him
"No thank you we're not interested" Gu Anran replied hastily dragging An Rulan who was now getting sober.