5 Madam Gu

Gu Liang devoted the remainder of her day to the arduous but delightful task of selecting the perfect ensemble for her evening with Sun Gang. The closet, with its opulent array of designer labels and exquisite pieces, seemed like a treasure trove of endless possibilities. She tried on gown after gown, each more luxurious than the last, searching for the one that would capture her essence of elegance and extravagance.

As she was immersed in her sartorial quest, the door to her walk-in closet swung open, and her mother, Madame Gu, made her entrance. Gu Liang turned to see her mother holding a collection of shopping bags, her face lighting up with surprise and delight.

"Mother," Gu Liang exclaimed, "you're spoiling me!"

Madame Gu offered a warm smile as she approached her daughter. "I decided to go shopping and get you a new dress for tonight," she explained. "After all, you must look absolutely fabulous for Sun Gang. He comes from a world that is different from ours."

Gu Liang's gratitude spilled forth. "Thank you, Mom," she said sincerely, her earlier confusion about what to wear now completely dispelled. She knew that with her mother's impeccable taste, the dress would be nothing short of extraordinary.

Madame Gu took a seat on the corner of Gu Liang's king-sized bed, her expression a mixMadame Gu's words carried a weight of significance as she engaged her daughter in a heartfelt conversation about the future. They sat together in Gu Liang's elegant bedroom, a space adorned with luxurious furnishings that mirrored the family's social standing.

"Liang," Madame Gu began, her voice a blend of maternal concern and ambition, "do you comprehend the profound implications it would hold for our family if you were to marry Sun Gang?"

Gu Liang furrowed her brow inquisitively, not entirely certain of her mother's underlying message. "What do you mean, Mom?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.

Madame Gu leaned in, her gaze steady and serious. "You've been trapped in that loveless union with Li Chen for far too long," she explained. "You've sacrificed your youth and happiness in a meaningless marriage." Her tone held a mixture of empathy and regret.

The mention of her soon-to-be dissolved marriage brought a triumphant smile to Gu Liang's lips. "I can't wait to rid myself of that eyesore," she admitted with a note of disdain. "I despise him."

Madame Gu nodded in understanding. "We all do, my dear," she confessed, a flicker of resentment for Li Chen crossing her face. "Except for your late grandmother. I'll never understand why she insisted on marrying you to that fool."

Madame Gu took a deep breath, her eyes resolute as she continued, "But Liang, if you were to marry Sun Gang, it would be a transformative event for our family. Our status would be elevated to heights we've never dreamed of, and we would become untouchable in our society."

Gu Liang's eyes widened as the magnitude of her mother's words settled in. The idea of marrying Sun Gang was not merely a personal decision; it held the potential to reshape the destiny of their family. It was a promise of a future far removed from the constraints of the past, a chance to ascend to the upper echelons of the elite. Gu Liang understood that the implications were monumental, and the weight of responsibility settled on her shoulders.ture of maternal pride and guidance. "Remember, Liang," she said, her tone gentle but firm, "first impressions matter, especially in the circles Sun Gang moves in. You must shine tonight, my dear."

Gu Liang nodded in understanding. "I know, Mother," she replied with a hint of determination in her voice. She was ready to embrace the challenge of impressing someone from a different world, armed with her innate charm and the exquisite new dress her mother had chosen.

Madame Gu's gentle caress of Gu Liang's hair underscored the seriousness of their conversation. She leaned in closer to her daughter, their bond as mother and daughter palpable in the air.

"It's excellent that you understand," Madame Gu began, her voice soft yet resolute. "That's precisely why it's imperative for you to leave a lasting impression on Sun Gang tonight. Ensure that he doesn't even entertain the thought of another woman after this evening."

Gu Liang's eyes widened in surprise at her mother's words. Her mother's expectations seemed to extend beyond the boundaries of a typical first date. She hesitated for a moment before voicing her concern, "Mom, do you mean I should... be intimate with him?"

Madame Gu shook her head gently, her expression unwavering. "No, not tonight," she clarified, "but you must convey to him that you're open to the possibility. You can't become involved with another man until you've successfully dissolved your marriage to Li Chen. You know what the old woman's will stipulated, and we can't afford to lose that inheritance. We've been patient long enough."

Gu Liang's eyes held a steely resolve as she responded to her mother's guidance. "I understand, Mom. I will follow your advice," she affirmed with unwavering determination.

Madame Gu's smile was one of maternal pride, an acknowledgment of her daughter's compliance and commitment. "That's my girl," she praised, her voice filled with warmth and approval. She rose gracefully from her position on the bed, a vision of poise and elegance.

With a final reminder, Madame Gu said, "Now, get ready for the night. I'll come to see how the dress looks on you before you leave. Remember, you are a Gu, and that means you are destined for great things."

Gu Liang's smile mirrored her mother's confidence and ambition. "And I fully intend to achieve those great things," she declared, her eyes filled with determination. As she prepared for the evening ahead, she carried with her the weight of familial expectations and the resolve to shape her destiny in a world of ambition and social status.

Madame Gu gracefully exited the room, leaving Gu Liang to begin her preparations. With a sense of purpose, Gu Liang embarked on her evening routine. After a refreshing shower that left her feeling rejuvenated, she dedicated herself to the meticulous process of grooming and dressing.

Time seemed to slip away as she carefully applied makeup that accentuated her natural beauty. She chose her attire with the utmost care, the exquisite dress her mother had selected draping her figure in a way that left no doubt about her sophistication and allure.

As the final touches were made, nearly two hours had passed since she began her preparations. Gu Liang descended the grand staircase of her family's mansion with the grace and elegance that were her trademark. Her presence commanded attention, a testament to her poise and beauty.

In the living room, Madame Gu and Gu Hua awaited her arrival. Gu Hua couldn't hide his admiration as he greeted his sister. "Wow, sister, you look beautiful," he exclaimed with genuine awe.

Madame Gu joined in the admiration, her eyes gleaming with maternal pride. "Indeed, you look absolutely stunning," she chimed in. "You remind me of myself when I was younger."

Gu Liang's smile radiated gratitude as she accepted their compliments. "Thank you, brother," she replied with affection, "thank you, Mum. I must leave now; I don't want to keep Sun Gang waiting."

Gu Hua, ever the protective brother, added his voice. "You're right, sister. You can't afford to be late when meeting someone like Sun Gang."

Before stepping out, Gu Liang turned back to address her family with a parting request, her tone laced with determination. "Please, make sure the guards keep Li Chen locked in. I don't want him ruining things for me."

With those words, she left her family's home, her heart filled with a mix of anticipation and apprehension for the evening that lay ahead.

Madame Gu stood by the grand entrance of the mansion, her gaze following Gu Liang's departure with an unmistakable sense of pride. She knew that this evening held the potential to change the course of their family's destiny, and her daughter's graceful exit was a testament to their shared ambition.

Gu Hua, brimming with excitement and curiosity, couldn't hold back his questions any longer. He turned to his mother with a hopeful glint in his eyes. "Mom," he began eagerly, "do you think there's a chance that Sun Gang will become my brother-in-law?"

Madame Gu's response was measured, reflecting the gravity of the situation. "It all hinges on Liang's performance tonight," she explained, her voice tinged with both hope and expectation. "If she manages to impress him, our family could be on the brink of even greater things."

Gu Hua's expression showed a mixture of anticipation and regret as he spoke his mind. "I just wish Sister had never married that jerk, Li Chen."

Madame Gu offered reassurance, her voice filled with a sense of finality. "Don't worry, my dear. It will all come to an end soon enough."

Madame Gu was a woman who had been born into privilege, a life of opulence and prestige. From her earliest days, she had known nothing less than the best that life had to offer. Born into a prestigious family, she was accustomed to luxury and expected nothing less for her own children.

Her daughter, Gu Liang, inherited her mother's sense of entitlement and ambition. They both believed that they were destined for greatness and that life should shower them with only the finest blessings.

Madame Gu's own life had taken a significant turn when, a few years after her marriage, her family met a tragic fate. The circumstances surrounding their deaths remained a mystery, but she never delved too deeply into the matter. Her relationship with her father had been strained, especially after his remarriage following her mother's passing. Her dependence on her husband, both financially and for maintaining her social status, became paramount.

Madame Gu was determined to see her husband rise to greatness, not only for his sake but also for her own. Her luxurious lifestyle was non-negotiable, and she believed that his success was the key to continuing the opulent existence to which she had become accustomed. This was one of the driving forces behind her eagerness to see Gu Liang marry Sun Gang, as it represented an opportunity to secure the family's status and maintain their affluence.

As a woman who had known a life of privilege and luxury, Madame Gu was willing to go to great lengths to ensure that her family's social standing and prosperity remained intact, even if it meant orchestrating a carefully calculated marriage for her daughter.