Chapter 352: Crazy Talk, a Turning Point
Chapter 352: Chapter 352: Crazy Talk, a Turning Point
Hua Yusen knew Elder Gu wouldn’t attend to personal matters before his work was done, and besides, the timing wasn’t right.
All he could do was wait.
In the study, Hua Yusen not only ensured Gu Qingyu’s safety but also helped him review documents. At times, he would even engage in discussions with Elder Gu.
Hua Yusen always managed to propose good solutions, but his youth sometimes meant his thinking wasn’t comprehensive. Whenever that happened, Gu Qingyu would patiently explain things to him.
Hua Yusen learned a great deal at Elder Gu’s side. While it might not be immediately useful, he was still young and had a long future ahead of him. The knowledge would certainly come in handy one day.
The next day, Liu Zhongjun and Li Gongde met in secret and reached a cooperative agreement. By the time Gu Qingyu received the news, it was already evening.
"Elder Gu, we need to leave this place at once," Hua Yusen said grimly. "Liu Zhongjun and Li Gongde have already agreed to terms. If we try to meet with Liu Zhongjun now, it would be tantamount to walking into a trap."
Of course, Gu Qingyu knew this. He just couldn’t accept it. If he couldn’t placate and win over Liu Zhongjun, it would have a major impact on the next phase of his plan.
The chairman’s health was deteriorating by the day, and he was running out of time. He had to stabilize his power in the peripheral markets as soon as possible.
"We can’t leave!" Gu Qingyu’s eyes narrowed, a sharp glint within them. "The moment we leave, we’ve essentially given up on Liu Zhongjun completely. Surrendering our influence here would be extremely dangerous for us. That’s why I must see Liu Zhongjun."
"And what good will seeing Liu Zhongjun do?" Hua Yusen disagreed. "Are we going to offer him better terms than the Li family? You know how they operate—they have no scruples and will promise anything. Whether they’ll actually deliver is another question, but we can’t possibly match the promises and benefits they’re offering him right now. In that case, it’s better to let me handle it personally. I’ll kill Liu Zhongjun. With their leader gone, this place will descend into chaos. We might be able to fish in troubled waters and seize control of the local market."
"Absolutely not!" Elder Gu quickly waved his hand and shook his head, rejecting Hua Yusen’s idea. "Yu Sen, violence and assassination can’t solve everything, especially at such a delicate time. Don’t forget, ’that person’ is still watching. He knows nearly everything we do. The losses would far outweigh the gains."
"SIGH!" Hua Yusen sighed. He knew Elder Gu had a point. He thought about ’that person,’ who always prioritized stability. Since that person had intervened to protect Elder Gu before, he naturally wouldn’t want to see him turn around and assassinate someone else.
The last time the Li family tried to assassinate Elder Gu, ’that person’ made a move. It left the Li family terrified and dealt them a crippling blow—they still haven’t recovered. If they were to rashly kill Liu Zhongjun now, ’that person’ would undoubtedly restrain Elder Gu and halt their expansion. All their previous efforts would be for naught.
"Don’t sigh, Yu Sen. This situation isn’t hopeless," Gu Qingyu said, noticing Hua Yusen’s frustration and trying to console him. "Liu Zhongjun once owed someone a great favor. I have a personal letter from that individual. He won’t refuse to see me. Even if he’s unwilling to cooperate, he won’t kill me and become a pawn for the Li family."
Seeing Elder Gu’s insistence, Hua Yusen knew he couldn’t change his mind. Gu Qingyu didn’t say who wrote the letter, and Hua Yusen knew not to ask.
"Alright, Elder Gu. You have more experience than I do and have clearly thought this through. We’ll proceed according to your plan," Hua Yusen said. "But before you go to see Liu Zhongjun, let’s have dinner."
With that, Hua Yusen went to the kitchen personally. He supervised the head chef’s cooking and had the chef taste the food on the spot. Only after two other people also tried it and showed no ill effects was the meal delivered to Gu Qingyu’s room.
Unbeknownst to Hua Yusen, however, the stone he carried was quietly undergoing a change. Far away in Jincheng City, the Little Red Carp sat cross-legged on a stone table, meditating. At a critical moment in its cultivation, it activated the stone’s miraculous properties. Wisps of energy, invisible to the naked eye, slowly drifted toward a room and passed straight through the door.
Hua Yusen walked down the hotel corridor, carrying the food container.
Suddenly, a woman with disheveled hair burst out from around a corner. A voice could be heard chasing after her, shouting, "Wu Qiaoqiao, get back here!"
Wu Qiaoqiao heard the voice, panicked, and ducked behind Hua Yusen. "Yu Sen, save me!" she pleaded. "That Li Gongde is drunk, and he’s trying to assault me!"
’Assault?’
’And by Li Gongde, of all people?’
’Well, well, is this for real?’
’If this is real, it’s like an answer to a prayer. The timing is perfect.’
Hua Yusen turned to look at the panicked woman behind him. "Wu Qiaoqiao?" he asked, a hint of suspicion in his voice. "You know me?"
"I’m Wu Jianxiong’s youngest daughter! My older brother is Wu Qingshan, and my older sister is Wu Jingjing," Wu Qiaoqiao explained. "We lived in the same housing compound when we were kids!"
Hua Yusen was taken aback. He took a closer look. ’She really has changed since she was a girl.’ He noticed her disheveled clothes and immediately took two steps back to maintain a safe distance, averting his gaze from her exposed skin. "That’s impossible," he said. "Li Gongde is Li Gongming’s older brother. That makes him your future brother-in-law’s brother. Why would he force himself on you?"
’They’re practically family. This could be a setup to frame me.’ Hua Yusen knew he had to be cautious!
"Yu Sen, Li Gongde is drunk—" Wu Qiaoqiao didn’t get to finish before Li Gongde caught up to them. "Qiaoqiao, you’re so beautiful... even more beautiful than your sister..."
Wu Qiaoqiao’s face went pale with fear. She stayed hidden behind Hua Yusen and spat, "You piece of scum! Shameless! You’re a psycho!"
Instead of getting angry at her curses, Li Gongde only grew more excited. "So fiery! I like it. The one in the room was useless. I hadn’t even started, and she already fainted."
Hearing this, Wu Qiaoqiao’s face grew even paler. She pleaded, "Yu Sen, I’m begging you! Please, save me and Qingqing."
Li Gongde finally registered Wu Qiaoqiao’s words and took a proper look at the man standing before him. He laughed boisterously. "You’re all about to be finished anyway! Get the hell out of my way!"
"Wu Qiaoqiao is the second daughter of the Wu family. She’s your sister-in-law’s sister. What you’re doing is wrong," Hua Yusen said, trying to reason with him. ’He desperately hoped this was all real. But even if it wasn’t, he’d play along and make it so.’
Li Gongde just chuckled. "Perfect! I was looking for a reason to get rid of that ugly hag I’ve got at home. I’ll just divorce her and marry Wu Qiaoqiao. Two sisters marrying two brothers—it’ll be a story for the ages!"