Earth – Junhi Country – Star City
The Gu family mansion. The dining room.
The entire Gu family was having dinner together.
"So, Chen'er, how was your work in Yin City? Did you accomplish what you went there for?" his grandfather asked in a curious tone, curious about what he did in Yin City. At his question, everyone at the table looked at Gu Zhongchen to hear his answer.
"It went well. Yes, I did accomplish what I went there for," Gu Zhongchen replied, smiling.
"Good," Gu Fengzhou said, satisfied to know that his grandson accomplished his goal.
However, Shui Qingxia was not satisfied by the answer. She immediately asked in a probing manner. "It's good that you accomplished your goal. By the way, Chen'er, what exactly did you do in Yin these two months?"
These two months, Shui Qingxia had been really worried. She had never been away from her son for this long. During these two months, she had only ever been able to talk with Gu Zhongchen on the phone. So she really wanted to know what he did during this time.
Hearing her question, Gu Zhongchen smiled in amusement. He knew that Shui Qingxia didn't mean anything by it. She was just worried about him.
"Don't worry, Mom. You and everyone else will find out about it in a few days," Gu Zhongchen replied to his mother's question in a mysterious manner.
Seeing him acting mysterious and not answering the question, the older Gu family members all looked at each other. They all understood that he didn't want them to know yet.
"Alright, enough talk about work. Father, Mother, how was your trip overseas?" Gu Changsheng asked, trying to change the subject.
"Oh, it was wonderful. We went to so many beautiful places. The journey was very relaxing," Bai Lingling said, excited to talk about her trip.
"I hope you've brought souvenirs for me, Grandma," Gu Zhongchen said in a playful manner.
"Brat, you still want things at your age? If you want something, go buy it yourself," Gu Fengzhou said before Bai Lingling could say something.
As soon as Gu Fengzhou said that, Bai Lingling slapped his shoulder. She glared at him and said, "Shut it, old man." Then she looked at Gu Zhongchen and said, "Don't pay him any mind, Chen'er. Of course, I brought something for you. I will bring it to your room later."
Gu Zhongchen smiled and said, "Thanks, Grandma." Then he looked at his grandfather and said, "You hear that, old man?"
Saying that, Gu Zhongchen looked at his father and grandfather and said with a smug smile on his face, "You two old men should know your place. The women of this family will always only have one person in their hearts first and that is me."
"Shut it, brat!" both Gu Changsheng and Gu Fengzhou shouted at the same time, pointing at him. Then everyone at the table started laughing.
Just like this, the members of the Gu family had their dinner in playful banter.
After dinner, Gu Zhongchen said, "Actually, I wanted to talk to everyone about something."
"What do you want to talk about?" Shui Qingxia asked.
"I think it's time for Dad to retire," Gu Zhongchen said with a smile on his face.
Hearing him say that, his parents and grandparents looked at each other. Then his grandfather asked, "Are you sure you are ready to take this responsibility?"
"Yes, I am," Gu Zhongchen replied in a serious manner.
"Very well then. If you think you are ready, then you can take the mantle of the company. I wanted to retire for some time anyway," Gu Changsheng said, giving his permission.
Gu Fengzhou nodded, also giving his permission. He then said, "Alright, I will convince most of the shareholders. After a week, we can hold a board meeting to decide the new CEO."
Hearing that, Gu Zhongchen shook his head and said in a confident manner, "There is no need to do that. Hold the meeting the day after tomorrow. I will handle everything."
Seeing his confidence, Gu Fengzhou nodded and said, "Okay then. Since you're so confident, I will let you handle the matter."
After that, all the members of the Gu family went to their rooms to rest and sleep.
---
The next day at 10 a.m.
Gu Zhongchen was currently in his car, going to the Blackheart Investments Company. Lin Yao was with him.
Arriving at the company, he went straight to his office. Sitting in his chair, he said, "Assistant Zhou, good morning. How are you?"
"Good morning, sir. I am alright, and you, sir?" Assistant Zhou replied and asked back.
"I am fine as well," Gu Zhongchen replied with a small smile. He then gestured to Lin Yao and said, "This is Lin Yao. He will be my personal assistant from now on. However, don't worry. He is not here to take your job."
Hearing that, Assistant Zhou nodded. He turned towards Lin Yao, moved his hand forward for a shake, and said, "Hello, Mr. Lin. I hope we get along."
Lin Yao shook his hand and said, "Hello, sir. I hope so as well."
After introducing Lin Yao, Gu Zhongchen asked, "If I remember correctly, I had asked all the executives to be at the company today. Are they here?"
"Yes, sir. All the executives are here," Assistant Zhou replied.
"Wonderful. Then call them to a meeting," Gu Zhongchen said, getting up from his chair to go to the meeting room.
In the meeting room, everyone was sitting in tense silence.
Gu Zhongchen entered the meeting room, sitting on the head chair. He then said with a smile, "Good morning, everyone. How is everyone doing?"
Everyone greeted back and said they were fine.
"Good. I hope everyone knows why we are here?" Gu Zhongchen asked.
Everyone nodded at the question.
Seeing everyone nod, Gu Zhongchen said, "Okay then. I want a detailed report of each and every investment."
Hearing that, the executives started giving the reports of the investments done during these two months.
---
Five hours later
Gu Zhongchen was in the elevator, heading for the garage. Lin Yao was with him.
Arriving at the garage, Gu Zhongchen said to Lin Yao, "Assistant Lin, you are free from duty for the day. You may go back."
Lin Yao nodded and went away.
After that, Gu Zhongchen went inside his car.
"Where to, young master?" his driver asked.
"The Star City Railway Station 1," Gu Zhongchen said.
His driver nodded and started driving.
On the way, Gu Zhongchen was thinking about something, smirking.
There was a reason why he wanted to go to the railway station. The protagonist of the story, Xiao Yan, would come to the city by train, and his train would arrive at Star City Railway Station 1.
Gu Zhongchen's dear fiancée, Xu Xialing, would be there to pick him up. She had been tasked by her grandfather to do so.
According to the plot, after their first meeting, a thief would steal Xu Xialing's purse and Xiao Yan would catch the thief. That would get Xiao Yan in Xu Xialing's good graces and she would have a good impression of him.
However, this time it wouldn't play out the same because Gu Zhongchen had something planned.
Arriving at the busy station, Gu Zhongchen went inside. After searching for some time, he found the person he was looking for.
A few meters ahead of him was Xu Xialing. She was standing, looking like she was waiting for someone.
Gu Zhongchen smiled and went to a discrete corner and watched Xu Xialing from there. He was also looking for the protagonist.
After some time, someone approached Xu Xialing. Seeing the person who approached her, Gu Zhongchen smirked.
The person was the protagonist, Xiao Yan. He didn't look that special. He had an average face. It was a face that a passersby would glance at once and not look back for a second glance.
The protagonist, Xiao Yan, had black hair and brown eyes. He had a decent body, but it was hidden by his hideous clothes.
Gu Zhongchen went a little closer to hear what they were saying. With his Foundation Establishment realm cultivation, he could easily hear what they were saying from a good distance.
Xiao Yan went to Xu Xialing and introduced himself, asking if she was the one here to pick him up. Clearly, he had been told about who would receive him at the station.
Xu Xialing, hearing the name, told him her name with a cold expression. That's how she was. She always had that stone-cold face on and talked to everyone in a cold manner.
Seeing them talking, Gu Zhongchen smirked again. This time, a thief didn't appear. That's because he had already taken care of the thief. After all, he couldn't let someone ruin his plans.
After greeting him, Xu Xialing told Xiao Yan to follow her and started walking toward the exit. Xiao Yan also started walking behind her.
Seeing that, Gu Zhongchen smiled and started walking toward them.
After getting close to them, Gu Zhongchen put on a surprised face and said, "Xialing? What are you doing here?"
----
That's it for today. Hope you liked the chapter. If you see any mistakes, tell me. Bye.