The Gu Mansion's dining hall was bathed in a warm amber glow, light gliding across the polished surface of the long mahogany table. Crystal chandeliers shimmered softly above, their reflections dancing over fine porcelain plates and silver cutlery laid out with impeccable precision.
The air was rich with the scent of expensive cuisine—slow-braised meats, delicate soups, fragrant herbs, and rare spices imported from overseas.
Gu Hongmin sat at the head of the table, posture rigid and authoritative. His narrow eyes, sharp and calculating, flicked over the spread before him with the same detached appraisal he used on people.
To his right sat Madam Gu, composed and elegant, her movements refined to the point of being almost mechanical.
Across from them sat Gu Yingying, dressed in a pale yellow silk dress that clung to her frame with practiced sophistication. Her face was calm, but beneath it, emotions churned.
For a while, the only sounds were the quiet clink of cutlery and the faint hum of the mansion's hidden ventilation system.
Then Gu Hongmin set his fork down.
The soft tap echoed in the stillness.
"Well," he said in a measured voice, eyes sliding toward his daughter, "it seems you've been quite efficient lately."
Gu Yingying looked up slowly, her lips curving into a polite smile. "Efficient, Father?"
He leaned back slightly, steepling his fingers. "That Su—whatever girl. The scandal spreading around her… you were behind it, weren't you?"
A flicker of triumph glinted in Gu Yingying's eyes before she smoothed it away. "I merely gave the right people the right nudge," she replied lightly. "The rest was just… public enthusiasm."
Madam Gu lifted her gaze, a faint smile touching her lips. "People do love tearing down those who suddenly rise too fast," she remarked. "Especially trashes with no background."
Gu Hongmin let out a low chuckle. "Exactly. A scholarship student who dares to stand out? The masses will always enjoy dragging such people back into the mud."
Gu Yingying's fingers tightened slightly around her fork.
Her mind flashed back to Su Ning's calm, cold gaze in the school hall. To the way she hadn't bowed or flinched.
And to Li Zixuan standing in the way, pretending to be strong while letting Su Ning walk away unscathed.
A faint, bitter heat rose in her chest.
Weak men, she thought disdainfully. Always pretending they have a spine.
Outwardly, she smiled sweetly. "I just couldn't stand seeing someone like her walking around so arrogantly, Father. It's… offensive."
Gu Hongmin nodded in approval. "You did well. A lesson like this will remind her of her place."
Madam Gu tilted her head slightly. "Still, I heard the principal still hasn't taken action yet. Why is such a stain still allowed to remain in Fuyuan?"
Gu Hongmin's eyes darkened. "That Di Fulin has grown too comfortable in his seat. I'll deal with it."
Gu Yingying's heart skipped in delight.
"You mean—?"
"I'll have him step down," Gu Hongmin said coldly. "Tomorrow, we'll have someone more… cooperative installed."
Madam Gu smiled faintly. "That's more like it."
Gu Yingying felt a rush of satisfaction so strong it almost made her giddy. "Then Su Ning and Chen Anya will be expelled for sure."
"They will," Gu Hongmin replied without hesitation. "No poor girl gets to smear the Gu family's influence."
Her father suddenly changed tone, leaning back with a rare hint of indulgence. "By the way, Yingying. Since you've handled this so neatly, I've decided to reward you."
Her eyes lit up. "Dad, really?"
"The latest Bentley sports model," he said casually. "I have had it shipped from Egypt. It should arrive before the end of the week."
For a second, Gu Yingying forgot all about Su Ning.
"Dad!" she exclaimed, excitement breaking through her carefully crafted composure. "Are you serious?!"
He waved a hand. "It's nothing. My daughter deserves the best."
She rose from her chair impulsively and hurried around the table, wrapping her arms around his shoulders. "Thank you, Father!"
Madam Gu laughed softly. "And I'll get you that limited-edition handbag you've been eyeing in Milan."
Gu Yingying turned to her mother, eyes shining. "Mom!"
She hugged her too, the rare warmth making the servants nearby exchange quiet glances.
When she finally returned to her seat, her cheeks were flushed with delight.
Everything is going perfectly, she thought.
Her mind immediately leaped back to the school.
Once Su Ning and her loyal dogs were gone…
She smiled, sweet and dangerous.
"Father," she said, dabbing her lips with a napkin, "therebis also this girl, Chen Anya, she's just a scholarship student. I think people like them don't deserve to step into Fuyuan, who knows what shameful thing she might do too..."
Gu Hongmin snorted. "Ofcourse such nobodies are blasphemy to Fuyuan, I'll handle it."
"And there's also Mu Suying," Gu Yingying added casually, though her eyes were sharp. "Her father is powerful, yes… but she dared to stand on Su Ning's side."
Madam Gu frowned slightly. "We shouldn't provoke the Mu family unnecessarily."
Gu Yingying smiled. "Don't worry Father, I wouldn't be obvious about it. Just… Once the new principal is in place, it wouldn't be hard to tamper with her grades. Nothing dramatic. Just enough to teach her a lesson."
Gu Hongmin's lips curved into a thin smile. "You really do take after me."
Gu Yingying lowered her head slightly, hiding the spark of triumph in her eyes.
She decided that after dinner, she would return to the Villa and inform the other members of Su Ning's doom. She also could wait to brag about her new gifts that were on their way.
'Su Ning, we'll see how long you can stay calm now,' she thought.
As she continued eating, her mood was light, almost cheerful.