How could I possibly be confined in a cage?

Chapter 194 Colluding with each other?

From that day on, Zheng Peilan no longer lived a secluded life, nor did she frequent dance halls. Instead, she cultivated her character and, together with several other wealthy women, opened a new art gallery.

Zheng Peilan announced in the newspaper that she had invited a group of celebrities to promote the opening and that the ceremony would be a grand and lively affair.

Anyone with eyes can see that the Zheng family is determined to avenge their previous humiliation.

However, things didn't go as planned. The so-called celebrities she invited showed little interest. Two or three even bluntly said, "Ms. Zheng, you really flatter us. Your Zheng family has already declined; do you still want to revive your former glory?"

Zheng Peilan suppressed her anger and said magnanimously, "My Zheng family has suffered some grievances, but we are not so badly ruined. Miss Li, Miss Liu, and others are all owners of this gallery. You should consider for yourselves how many of them you can afford to offend."

Despite Zheng Peilan's gentle smile, her tone was chilling. The celebrities looked around and fell silent.

Mr. Yu, the owner of the entertainment company, came in to smooth things over, saying, "Shut up! You've only been famous for a few days and you already know your place. Don't forget whose job you're doing all this for?"

After being scolded, the celebrities dared not speak out and left dejectedly, leaving the space to Zheng Peilan and Boss Yu.

Zheng Peilan felt relieved, and the smile on her face became more genuine.

"Thank you very much, Uncle Yu. We look forward to your visit the day after tomorrow."

Boss Yu reached out to stop him, "Hey, no need to be so polite. Besides, I'm not that much older than you. Just call me brother, why be so formal?"

Zheng Peilan was seething with anger, but she managed to maintain a smile. "I will definitely host a banquet to entertain you then."

Boss Yu laughed heartily, patted Zheng Peilan on the shoulder, and then turned and left.

Zheng Peilan watched his retreating figure, her teeth itching with hatred. That damned bastard would fall into her hands sooner or later!

She took a deep breath, wishing she could tear apart every part of that fat pig that had touched her—how dare he covet her! And those few minor celebrities, humph, just actors, how dare they give her attitude?

After enduring several attempts, Zheng Peilan finally couldn't take it anymore and smashed all the equipment backstage.

Once things calmed down backstage, the maidservant called to her tremblingly at the door.

"Miss, someone has delivered a flower basket."

"It's not like it's a grand opening, who's so clueless?"

"Yes, yes... he didn't write his name."

"Bang!" Another sound of shattering porcelain.

Zheng Peilan walked out gracefully, her messy hair now neatly combed. Only the thin layer of sweat on her forehead and her flushed face showed how excited she had been just now.

He snatched the flower basket and saw several large characters written on it in a flamboyant style: "Grand Opening".

There was no signature.

Zheng Peilan threw it away, saying, "Don't give me things like this again. Aren't you afraid it might be dirty?"

"Really? I'm dirty too?" A mocking voice came from outside the door, and a young man walked in.

Those phoenix eyes were slightly upturned, and the half-smile on his face gave him an exceptionally frivolous and roguish air.

Zheng Peilan was taken aback for a moment, then frowned and said, "Guo Ziyou? You are not welcome here."

Her father had told him that Guo Ziyou was also an opium addict, and that the warlord would certainly no longer value him.

Guo Ziyou chuckled and walked towards her without any hesitation. "Tsk tsk, the First Daughter? Being so hot-tempered isn't good, is it?"

Zheng Peilan gave her a cold look: "You and your brother are really two of a kind, both of you like to provoke me?"

Guo Ziyou paused, lowered his eyes, picked up the flower basket from the ground, and fiddled with the bunch of bright red roses, saying regretfully, "Roses, such beautiful flowers, so fragrant, but alas, there are too many thorns, they prick your hands."

Zheng Peilan watched coldly without replying.

Guo Ziyou continued talking to himself, "These flowers, blooming in the mud, are just wildflowers, worthless, and can be trampled on at will. But if you cut them down and arrange them in an expensive porcelain vase, they become elegant, a sight that ordinary people can't appreciate. Otherwise, no matter how well they're packaged..."

With that, Guo Ziyou threw the bouquet hard against the corner of the wall and stomped on it, saying, "I'd rather fall into the mud and be crushed into dust, but the fragrance will remain."

Zheng Peilan frowned: "What do you mean? Is there a hidden meaning in what Young Master Guo said?"

She emphasized the words "Second Young Master," but Guo Ziyou didn't seem to care. He smiled wickedly and said, "It's nothing, I just wanted to discuss a business deal with you, Miss Zheng."

Zheng Peilan remained unfazed: "Oh? I know nothing about business. I wonder what business the Second Young Master wants to do with me?"

Guo Ziyou didn't speak, but reached out and pointed to her left and right.

Zheng Peilan waved for them to leave.

Only the two of them remained in the vast backstage area.

"What would you say if I told you I wanted you to be the young marshal's wife?"

Upon hearing this, Zheng Peilan's heart pounded like a drum. "You?"

Guo Ziyou's flippant eyes were fixed on her face. "What, do you think I'm not qualified? You probably don't know, but Guo Zixing has been missing for a long time."

Zheng Peilan remained silent for a moment. Ever since Guo Zixing turned away so heartlessly, she had a deep understanding of the Guo family, especially the public humiliation, which she would never forget.

Just the young marshal's wife? That position is indeed tempting.

Everyone knows that "Young Marshal" is just a title, not a real position; it's just a respectful title for subordinates.

However, apart from the government, there are numerous warlords in various regions. Those who remain after being suppressed are no different from the feudal lords of ancient times.

Young Marshal, Great Marshal, only one word difference.

Zheng Peilan suddenly re-evaluated Guo Ziyou. In terms of appearance, he was slightly inferior to Guo Zixing. He lacked Guo Zixing's charming and composed demeanor and was more of a roguish and handsome man, but he was still good enough to be a husband.

Now that he says Guo Zixing is missing, as Guo's only adult son, he may still have a chance to take that position.

"Guo Zixing has disappeared? What happened?"

Guo Ziyou said casually, "It's absolutely true. I only caused him a little accident, but who knew he would be so disappointing. If you marry me, with my abilities, I can guarantee you wealth and honor."

After careful consideration, Zheng Peilan asked, "What do you want me to do?"

Guo Ziyou put away his joking tone and said seriously, "I want all of the Zheng family's weapons—past, present, and future."

Zheng Peilan narrowed her eyes, then suddenly smiled: "You only give me the title of Young Marshal's wife, and you want all my wealth?"

Guo Ziyou laughed heartily, “You truly are a businessman. Of course, you won’t just marry me for the title. From now on, I will expand our territory, and you will guard the rear. What I have, you will have too.”

Zheng Peilan was taken aback, her expression instantly shifting unpredictably. "Are you that confident?"

"Why not?" Guo Ziyou scoffed. "Planning is up to people, and so is success."

After saying that, he walked away.

Zheng Peilan stood there for a long time before finally clenching her teeth.