Chapter 333: Counting on You
It didn’t go the way Father Gu expected.
The lawyers Gu Shuangbai summoned weren’t just one or two people, but an entire professional team. They didn’t seem like people Gu Shuangbai could afford to hire, nor did they look like it was their first time handling such negotiations.
Father Gu’s usual legal team broke into a cold sweat but still couldn’t achieve what Father Gu had instructed at the beginning. In the end, the shares Gu Shuangbai obtained were higher than Father Gu’s expected price.
“These people aren’t yours. Let me guess — they’re from the Wu family?” Father Gu asked with a cold face.
Gu Shuangbai pretended to look helpless and said, “Dad, it’s not like I insisted on sending people to negotiate with you. It’s mainly because Xiao Yue wasn’t at ease. You know her — she’s a young girl, bold and reckless, and she was afraid I might suffer even the slightest loss.”
Father Gu forced a smile. Although Wu Yue was pampered at home, there was no way she could stir up such a big scene on her own. It must be her father, Wu Sr., trying to use this opportunity to get involved in Gu family affairs.
“I know you and Xiao Yue are close, but first, she hasn’t married into the family yet, and second, she’s a woman. Don’t let a woman ride over your head, and don’t let the Wu family’s influence reach too far,” Father Gu warned him.
Gu Shuangbai didn’t take it to heart. In his eyes, his future wife and father-in-law treated him way better than his own dad ever did. After all, the legal team was lent to him free of charge, and the Gu family shares he obtained were real and substantial.
Even though he resented the family business for dragging down his reputation, he was actually quite pleased deep down, turning his idle cash into tangible benefits before leaving the Gu family.
When he saw the young assistant, whom Father Gu had relied heavily on recently, hurriedly get out of the car and rush into the villa, Gu Shuangbai even gave him a friendly smile.
However, the assistant looked extremely upset, and even spoke with a hint of reprimand: “Second Young Master, the Gu family is in crisis. As a member of the family, how could you kick them while they’re down?”
Hearing this scolding, Gu Shuangbai found it utterly unreasonable. Seeing how flustered the assistant was, anyone would think it was his assets that were being lost.
“What business is it of a servant like you to interfere in the family’s affairs? Do you really need to bark non-stop here?” Gu Shuangbai snapped, unable to hold back.
The assistant’s face turned red with anger.
When Gu Fengchuan walked out of the villa, the assistant immediately complained: “First Young Master, Second Young Master isn’t a child anymore. You should really have a talk with him…”
Hearing this, Gu Shuangbai felt a bit guilty — after all, he had grabbed more shares, which meant his older brother might inherit less in the future.
But surprisingly, Gu Fengchuan didn’t scold him. Instead, he first dismissed the assistant: “Father is waiting for you. Go see him.”
Though still looking dissatisfied, the assistant hurried into the villa with the documents.
“Big brother, don’t mind me saying this, but isn’t Dad spoiling that assistant a little too much? He’s just an assistant, yet he dares to lecture the legitimate sons of the Gu family! It’s outrageous!” Gu Shuangbai tried to change the subject, afraid his brother might press on about the shares.
Gu Fengchuan smiled warmly and said, “It’s good you fought for more shares. I’m glad you’ve gotten smarter.”
Hearing this, Gu Shuangbai hesitated, unsure whether his brother was sincere or being sarcastic.
Gu Fengchuan put an arm around his shoulder and led him to a quiet corner of the yard. He said softly, “Of course the assistant is anxious. In his heart, he sees himself as the true heir of the company.”
Gu Shuangbai jumped in shock: “Big brother, what do you mean? Dad has four children. How could an outsider like the assistant…”
His voice trailed off. He mumbled, “We’re surnamed Gu, and he’s also surnamed Gu… Such a coincidence… Could it be, could it be… No! Impossible!”
Gu Shuangbai didn’t dare say more.
Gu Fengchuan sneered and said, “Why impossible? There are too many juicy secrets in this family. You just know too little.”
Gu Shuangbai stared wide-eyed: “There’s more?”
He couldn’t imagine what else had been hidden from him.
Gu Fengchuan hadn’t intended to tell him, but seeing the assistant getting bolder by the day, he couldn’t hold back his resentment toward all of Father Gu’s illegitimate children.
“Dad dotes on Xueying. Even though he knows she isn’t truly our sister, he still pampers her and refuses to let her leave the Gu family. Do you really think Dad is that kind-hearted, raising a complete outsider? Xueying is actually our half-sister.”
Gu Shuangbai, who rarely came home, was stunned that things had gotten so messy. His lips trembled, and after a long pause, he said, “Xueying is so sweet and well-behaved. I really liked her. Even without a blood relationship, the years of love weren’t fake… Her background shouldn’t be so…”
Gu Fengchuan coldly dropped a bombshell: “I secretly did a paternity test with her after returning from Hong Kong.”
Gu Shuangbai froze, and after a while, said weakly, “At least Xueying is always proper. She wouldn’t lose control like that assistant.”
“She has a child with the third brother,” Gu Fengchuan casually revealed.
“Xueying and the third brother… Do they know about their… relationship?” Gu Shuangbai stammered.
Gu Fengchuan sneered: “Of course they know. And you shouldn’t pity Gu Xueying — she’s more than willing.”
He had once sympathized with Gu Xueying, but after overhearing a private conversation between the two, he realized they were very much consenting.
Gu Shuangbai always thought he wasn’t the most virtuous person, but this left him completely speechless.
This was way beyond anything he could comprehend.
“Big brother, shouldn’t you stop them?” Gu Shuangbai asked.
Gu Fengchuan shook his head. As for Gu Shuangbai’s exploits in their social circle, he had heard plenty too.
“Now that you’ve got company shares and are an important shareholder, there are things I can’t hide from you anymore,” Gu Fengchuan said.
Gu Shuangbai immediately perked up: “What is it? Big brother, if the company needs my help, I’m all in!”
Gu Fengchuan said, “The Gu family has messed up a lot recently. Do you know why the Red Dragon King still keeps helping us again and again?”
Hearing this, Gu Shuangbai’s eyes lit up: “Such a big secret, and big brother is willing to tell me? I knew it — you’ve always cared most about me!”
Gu Fengchuan said meaningfully, “Don’t worry. I’m not just willing to tell you — I’m counting on you to do your part.”
