The Gu mansion felt different that morning.
Whispers floated through the halls.
Servants glanced at Lin Guo, then at Chen Yuxi.
And the ones who dared speak? Only in hushed tones.
Chairman Gu's office was silent except for the soft tapping of his pen.
Lin Guo stood before him, calm, composed, but with an intensity that made even the old man hesitate.
"Father," he said, "she is staying."
Chairman Gu narrowed his eyes.
"Do you understand the implications?"
Lin Guo's gaze didn't waver.
"She's not a liability. And she's smarter than anyone else I've seen in this family."
A beat of silence.
Then—
"Very well," the chairman said. "But one misstep, and she is gone. Understood?"
"Yes, Father," Lin Guo replied, voice steady.
Outside, Yue Xinyan fumed.
Her fingers clenched tightly around the champagne glass she had just poured.
He chose her. He actually chose her.
Her smirk was gone.
In its place: pure, boiling rage.
Chen Yuxi, watching from across the hallway, raised an eyebrow.
Interesting… so she's dangerous.
The system in her head flickered, buzzing faintly.
"Alert: scheming female attempting manipulation."
Yuxi smiled slightly, almost imperceptibly.
Let's play.
Xinyan approached, trying to corner her in the private lounge.
"You're going to regret this," Xinyan hissed.
Yuxi tilted her head, calm.
"I don't regret anything," she said lightly.
Xinyan's expression darkened.
"You have no idea who you're dealing with."
Yuxi smirked subtly.
System, run scenario: Xinyan's next move.
"High probability: she will attempt to undermine reputation at next banquet."
Perfect.
Lin Guo entered the room quietly, standing just behind Yuxi.
His presence alone made Xinyan stiffen.
"You should leave," he said softly.
Xinyan's eyes narrowed.
"And miss seeing you with her? Never."
Yuxi's lips curved faintly.
"You do know I can hear your thoughts now, right?"
Xinyan froze.
"Your schemes, your lies, your plans to manipulate…" Yuxi continued, calm, almost playful,
"I know them all."
A small smirk appeared on Lin Guo's lips.
She's using her gift now. My gift.
Xinyan's hand shook slightly.
"You… what?"
"I can read you," Yuxi said softly.
"And if you try anything, I'll make sure it backfires. Immediately."
Silence.
Xinyan finally glared, lips pressed thin.
"Then you're even more dangerous than I thought."
Lin Guo stepped forward, just close enough to remind Yuxi she wasn't alone.
"You're right," he murmured,
"And she's mine."
Xinyan froze.
Her smirk faltered completely.
The Gu mansion had just shifted.
And this time… the game had clearly changed.