Gu Ying's tone was ethereal, as if she hadn't yet realized why her fate had taken such a turn.

She stared blankly at Lu Fan, feeling that she had been born too late and had come too late.

Otherwise, it would have been her who discovered Lu Fan earlier, not that woman Jiang Manyue.

She also felt that she could definitely do more and better than Jiang Manyue.

But she arrived too late, and they got married.

What a pity.

Lu Fan was naturally unaware of the resentment Gu Ying harbored.

Who could know that what this girl is thinking about right now isn't the engagement, the fiancé who's going to be disabled, or the unknown changes to the marriage?

Instead, they were still fantasizing about how to poach Jiang Manyue and oust her.

but.

She was destined to be disappointed.

Lu Fan wasn't thinking about anything with the Gu family girl at all.

Instead, he was thinking about how to monetize his collaboration with her.

Therefore, he ignored Gu Ying's occasional flirtatious attempts to provoke him and simply disregarded them:

"So, Miss Gu, is there something you need from me?" Gu Ying was somewhat taken aback by such indifference and calmness.

From childhood to adulthood, she has always been the center of attention, surrounded by countless suitors.

But when it comes to Lu Fan, he always ends up getting the short end of the stick.

Gu Ying was somewhat deflated, ceasing her efforts to radiate her charm, and instead said listlessly:

"Since we've agreed on a collaboration, I'd like to ask, given the current situation, how does Mr. Lu intend to help me?"

She blinked her exceptionally innocent big eyes, which held a cunning and intelligence she had possessed since childhood.

Lu Fan chuckled inwardly, a slight smile appearing on his face as well:

"I think the fact that Miss Gu is dressed so neatly when she comes here means that she must have already made a preliminary plan regarding this matter, or rather, regarding the marriage agreement with the Wang family."

"So it's pointless for Miss Gu to ask me. You'd be better off asking yourself what you plan to do."

Gu Ying was stunned, not expecting Lu Fan to guess her probing intentions so quickly.

She bit her thin lips, hesitating slightly.

She was never satisfied with the engagement from the beginning, and now she'd rather just call it off.

She wouldn't even look down on a healthy Wang Ye, let alone this guy who's almost disabled now.

Since the engagement is off, does that mean the verbal agreement on cooperation with Lu Fan this morning is also null and void?

Gu Ying also wanted to continue contacting Lu Fan and take back control of the cooperation with the Gu family.

That's why I didn't pay attention to the negotiations and arguments between my family and the Wang family.

They secretly came to Lu Fan's place.

If we want to cooperate, we need Lu Fan's approval first.

However, Lu Fan had already guessed her intentions and was unwilling to cooperate.

Gu Ying felt quite annoyed.

Just as she was about to storm off in a huff, Lu Fan spoke up coolly, "Actually, Miss Gu, why are you in such a hurry? Whether it's Old Master Gu or some people from the Wang family, they're probably even more anxious than you!"

Gu Ying paused, frowned, and looked at Lu Fan in confusion: "What do you mean by that, Mr. Lu? I don't understand at all."

Why are they in such a hurry?

The Gu family is probably just eager to sell her for a better price now.

The Wang family, on the other hand, was eager for her to marry into the family as soon as possible, to bring good luck to Wang Ye or, in other words, the Wang family.

No one took her wishes seriously at all.

Even her grandfather, Old Master Gu, who had always doted on her, sold her for a high price when he could.

Gu Ying experienced the darkest moment of her life and severed all remaining ties with her family.

Her heart had grown cold, and she had become increasingly hard-hearted.

The only tenderness she might have was from Lu Fan, who was constantly rejecting her.

Lu Fan shook his head with amusement, his eyes full of seductive intent:

"Miss Gu, open your eyes and take a look. Are you really so stupid that you can't even see the huge benefits that are being offered to you?"

He wasn't afraid to waste words and said directly:

"The marriage contract is for you to be with the royal family, not for the royal cause."

If the Wang family doesn't have a better candidate for you, then choose Wang Ye.

"Anyway, you don't think much of Wang Ye. You won't compromise or indulge him, so just consider him dead."

"A dead or crippled member of the Wang family—if you want, are you afraid you don't have the means to win him over, bring him under your control, and make him a weapon in your hands?"

As Lu Fan spoke, it was as if a door to a new world had opened before Gu Ying's eyes, and a golden flower path was beckoning to her.

Gu Ying had unconsciously taken it to heart, and a smile appeared on her face. "Great idea, really a great idea."

It was as if she had come to know Lu Fan all over again; the shrewdness in her eyes had faded, replaced by pure admiration.

"Lu Fan, thank you, thank you so much. I know what I need to do now."

Lu Fan merely raised an eyebrow, completely ignoring her emotions, and simply said "Oh," intending to inquire about her future plans.

Gu Ying smiled and said, "I'm going to the Wang family right now!"