Volume One, Chapter 10: Are You the One Who Made Gu Break His Vow?

Starting at eight o’clock, the fireworks were set off for three hours straight, ending precisely at eleven—enough time to celebrate without disturbing anyone else’s rest.

“Alright, let them fly.”

“Fire!”

At Uncle Li’s command, the young servants lit the fuses one after another. Brilliant streaks of light soared into the night sky, blossoming into dazzling fireworks.

“Chirp—pop—chirp—pop—”

“Ruan Ruan, do you see them?”

Compared to the crackling fireworks, Tang Zhenguo’s voice was faint, yet to Tang Ruan’s ears, it sounded clear and grand.

Instantly, a sharp sting filled her nose, and her eyes swelled with emotion.

“Yes, I see them.”

She held her phone close, quietly watching the three-hour-long “fireworks show” unfold.

The continuous display of fireworks over the Tang family estate stirred quite a sensation throughout South City, prompting widespread speculation about a great joyous occasion.

Had they secured a billion-dollar contract? Or had their stock prices soared?

At the Huo family manor, Old Master Huo’s face mirrored the fireworks above—shifting from green to purple, a kaleidoscope of colors, reflecting his turbulent mood.

After a long moment, unable to contain his frustration, he jabbed his cane at Huo Yanchuan and scolded, “You foolish boy, blinded by your own ignorance.”

“You didn’t cherish such a good girl like Ruan Ruan. One day, when you have grandchildren, you’ll regret it!”

“Grandpa!” Huo Yanchuan covered his arm and called out in protest.

Though he was the blood grandson of the Huo family, his grandfather was striking him with a cane all because of an outsider like Tang Ruan.

That was not how an elbow was supposed to bend!

“Don’t call me grandpa. I am not your grandpa!” The old man snorted heavily and turned away, retreating indoors.

Out of sight, out of mind.

Huo Yanchuan turned to his father, Huo Qingjun, pleading, “Dad...”

Huo Qingjun sighed deeply. “Yanchuan, you have indeed been careless over the years.”

“If you agreed to the engagement, you should have treated Tang Ruan well and tried to make the marriage happen.”

“The Huo and Tang families hold significant influence in South City’s business circle. A strong alliance would have elevated both houses.”

“But you—well, it’s better left unsaid.”

At present, the annulment of the engagement between the Huo and Tang families had not yet been made public. The reasons remained unknown to outsiders, but once revealed, the Huo family would surely face considerable gossip.

“Dad, I’ve said I’m going to marry Tang Ruan, and she agreed too. Now she suddenly backs out. It’s clear she’s playing me, showing no respect for our Huo family.”

Huo Qingjun said nothing.

Beside him, Huo’s wife, Zhang Shuqin, interjected, “Old Huo, though Yanchuan is at fault, Tang Ruan isn’t exactly innocent. She usually seems obedient and well-behaved, but quietly sending her parents to cancel the engagement without any warning caught us completely off guard.”

“If we hadn’t reacted quickly, we would have lost both face and status.”

Huo Qingjun remained silent. Zhang’s words were true—the Tang family’s sudden annulment was unforeseen and left the entire Huo household unprepared.

If not for their swift response, they would have lost everything.

Thinking of the reason the Tang family gave for breaking the engagement, Huo Qingjun’s expression darkened. “That woman surnamed Lu—deal with her promptly.”

Even if the marriage with the Tang family fell through, such a person would never be allowed into the Huo household.

The Huo family was not some place for just anyone to latch onto!

Huo Yanchuan lowered his head, saying nothing.

“What are you standing there for?” Huo Qingjun shot him a sharp glare.

Zhang Shuqin quickly nudged him. “Your father is talking to you.”

Huo Yanchuan pressed his lips together, his expression somber. “I understand, Dad.”

***

In Country Y,

Tang Ruan and Luo Yu had booked a flight back to South City for early the next morning.

After packing, Tang Ruan entered the bathroom to wash and care for her skin.

Midway through her routine, there was a knock at the door.

In fluent Country Y language, she asked, “Who is it?”

“Room service.”

Room service? She hadn’t expected such attentive service from this hotel.

Without much thought, she went to open the door.

Outside stood not hotel staff but three or five tall, well-built men—clearly bodyguards judging by their attire.

Her reflexes were quick, and she tried to shut the door immediately.

But they were quicker, pressing their weight against the door.

Against such overwhelming force, her resistance was insignificant.

“Miss Tang, my master requests your presence,” said the lead man, who, though obviously a native of Country Y, spoke fluent Mandarin.

Seeing the disparity in strength, Tang Ruan decided not to act foolishly.

“Who is your master?” she asked, forcing calm.

The man smiled faintly, but the warmth never reached his eyes. “Miss Tang, you’ll know once you arrive.”

Tang Ruan was escorted out of the hotel and ushered into a waiting car.

Glancing at the hood, she couldn’t help but murmur internally. The bodyguards’ choice of vehicle was a Rolls-Royce—so the master must be someone of great importance...

“Miss Tang,” the man held up a black cloth.

Seeing the situation, Tang Ruan wisely closed her eyes and allowed the man to blindfold her.

The car started moving.

After an unknown length of time, it finally stopped.

“Miss Tang, we have arrived.”

The man removed the blindfold.

***

Tang Ruan barely had time to adjust to the light before the scene before her stunned her.

Not far away stood a colossal castle—not just one, but a cluster of castles.

The grand and imposing ensemble of stone fortresses was awe-inspiring.

She had only ever seen such castles in documentaries about Country Y.

Only nobles could live in such castles.

But she was new to Country Y and knew no nobles.

Moreover, before this, neither she nor the Tang Corporation had any dealings with Country Y or its aristocracy.

There was only one explanation—

She was led into the castle. It was vast and empty. Passing down a long corridor, she arrived at the grand sitting room.

At its center hung a massive crystal chandelier, shimmering under the lights.

Nearby stood an exquisite, luxurious chair. The crystalline stones on its back reflected a dazzling spectrum of colors.

Seated on the chair was a beautiful blonde woman, who regarded Tang Ruan with keen interest.

“Master, the guest has arrived,” the man said in Country Y language.

The blonde woman casually waved her hand and responded in the same language, “Thank you, Arthur.”

“To serve you is my honor,” Arthur replied respectfully, standing by her side.

The blonde woman studied Tang Ruan for a long moment before lazily withdrawing her gaze. Then, in Mandarin, she asked, “Are you the one who made Gu break his vow?”

“Gu?”

“Do you mean President Gu of TG?”

The woman arched an eyebrow, confirming silently.

Her guess was correct—this matter involved Gu Yu.

“A normal business collaboration has nothing to do with breaking a vow—”

“Nonono.” The blonde woman shook her head. “Gu never receives outsiders. You’re the first.”

Even she, a noble Countess of Country Y, had never been granted such an audience.

She leaned back, “Speak. What is your relationship with Gu?”

Tang Ruan paused briefly. “President Gu and I have a cooperative relationship.”

The woman smiled briefly, but the warmth quickly faded, and her voice turned cold. “Miss Tang, do not test my patience.”

She did not have much patience to spare.

Tang Ruan took a deep breath and repeated firmly, “President Gu and I are indeed only business partners.”

Suddenly, Arthur pressed a button on his earpiece. After a moment, he spoke to the blonde woman in Country Y language, “Master, Mr. Gu is outside.”

The blonde woman paused in surprise, then turned to regard Tang Ruan with a playful, piercing gaze.