Chapter 302: Try to Overcome It
It wasn’t that Xu Youyou was careless; it was just that from the beginning, in her mind, this trip to Hong Kong wasn’t for any particular task — she simply came with the mindset of sightseeing and leisure.
Because of that, she naturally didn’t pay attention to who was hosting the exchange event.
Now, upon hearing the name “Gu family,” she felt there seemed to be some intricate connection to the Gu family from Hu City.
“Is the Gu family of Hong Kong very influential?” Xu Youyou asked He Zhilan.
He Zhilan, as always, was completely open with her: “The Gu family of Hong Kong used to be the richest family in the city. They started their fortune in the shipping industry and had already financially supported the authorities as early as the 1930s.”
He Zhilan spoke somewhat euphemistically, but Xu Youyou immediately understood — this was a family that had historically chosen the right side.
“These past few years, they’ve declined a little, and the title of richest family has gone to others. But the Gu family is so big now that it can’t fall. There are even rumors that the Gu family’s eldest grandson might become the Governor of Hong Kong in a few years.”
Xu Youyou raised her eyebrows and asked, “Then what’s the real purpose behind them hosting this exchange event?”
He Zhilan smiled and said, “Just like the exchange events in the capital, selling things is secondary. The main goal is communication.”
As for what exactly was being “communicated,” it was obvious without needing to say it out loud.
Not long after Xu Youyou entered the main venue, she immediately saw many familiar faces. Some people she had met at the capital’s exchange event, others she had seen at a small auction in London.
Many wealthy businessmen and celebrities from Hu City had also arrived. This exchange event had a strong regional flavor — people from Hu City formed their own small circle, while guests from the capital gathered together.
Xu Youyou even spotted Cyril and Jiro Yasuda.
Jiro Yasuda was nodding and bowing alongside his grandfather, trailing behind Cyril and his daughter.
Xu Youyou wasn’t surprised by the obvious superior-subordinate relationship between the two groups. What did surprise her was that, even after messing up such a huge business deal for his family, Jiro Yasuda could still accompany his grandfather to socialize.
When Jiro Yasuda turned and spotted Lu Jingyao and Xu Youyou, his brows furrowed immediately, his eyes full of hatred.
Xu Youyou was a bit puzzled. Back then, she had bought Jiro Yasuda’s lost LV bag for a low price from a blond delinquent, and then sold the USB materials inside the bag to Lu Jingyao for $1.5 billion.
Could it be that Jiro Yasuda had found out about that?
Lu Jingyao, as if reading her mind, leaned close to her ear and said in a low voice, “Back then, even though we didn’t buy the technology directly from the Yasuda family, we still went into production. Even if I wanted to hide it, the money trail could still be traced. But don’t worry, the Yasuda family only suspects you — they can’t be completely certain.”
Xu Youyou thought to herself that with so many bodyguards around her now, she wasn’t really afraid of them. Still, she couldn’t help but ask, “With that much money involved, would they just attack directly?”
Lu Jingyao shook his head and said, “They wouldn’t dare make a move inside the country, and even abroad it would be hard for them to act. But if you went to their country… well, then anything could happen.”
Xu Youyou really wanted to say she would never go to their country, but her movements were determined by the system. She didn’t know if the system would suddenly glitch and send her target location to Japan.
“Such a perfect couple.”
Suddenly, Xu Youyou heard someone sigh behind her.
Following the direction of their gaze, she saw two more familiar faces.
Fang Qianqian and Gu Fengchuan.
The two were standing very close together, looking extremely intimate.
Xu Youyou thought Fang Qianqian was really good at playing her part. Whether her feelings were genuine or not, at least at this moment, her bright, starry-eyed gaze at Gu Fengchuan really made it look like he was her whole world.
No wonder onlookers would sigh and call them a “perfect match.”
Xu Youyou even had a strange thought — if Fang Qianqian was this good at acting, she could probably transition into being an actress without any problems.
As for why she suspected Fang Qianqian was acting, it was because based on their interaction a few days ago, Xu Youyou was certain that this girl was a very pragmatic person. She only looked sweet on the outside — there was no way she would be a lovestruck fool.
Gu Fengchuan seemed to enjoy being adored by a beauty. Having interacted with this cheap older brother across two lifetimes, Xu Youyou could easily sense that Gu Fengchuan was very pleased.
In contrast, Gu Fengchuan’s younger sister, Gu Xueying, standing behind him, seemed far less happy. She was dressed in a beautiful evening gown, but her expression drooped, and her eyes frequently darted to Fang Qianqian’s back, clearly deep in thought.
Maybe because Xu Youyou’s gaze was too intense, within half a minute, the Gu siblings noticed her.
Gu Fengchuan furrowed his brows but, constrained by Lu Jingyao’s presence nearby, simply pressed his lips together and said nothing.
Meanwhile, Fang Qianqian, light and graceful like a butterfly, walked slowly toward Xu Youyou and Lu Jingyao.
“Miss Xu, it’s only been a few days, and you’re still as dazzling as ever,” Fang Qianqian said with a smile.
Xu Youyou nodded lightly.
Fang Qianqian then pulled Gu Fengchuan over and said with a smile, “Miss Xu, you’re from Hu City too. My boyfriend is also from Hu City. I wonder if you two know each other?”
Gu Fengchuan stayed silent, his face cold.
Xu Youyou replied, “The young master of the Gu family? How could I not know him?”
Fang Qianqian frowned slightly, sensing a hint of sarcasm in Xu Youyou’s words.
Xu Youyou had no interest in hanging around the Gu siblings. She casually nodded to Fang Qianqian and pulled Lu Jingyao aside.
Fang Qianqian felt a little disappointed. She knew she had no chance of stealing Lu Jingyao from Xu Youyou, but she still hoped to get closer to them. After all, she liked to bully the weak but feared the strong — she wasn’t actually stupid.
She clearly understood that having more friends meant more opportunities.
She couldn’t help but complain to the Gu siblings, “Why didn’t either of you say anything just now?”
Gu Xueying, who disliked her future sister-in-law, lowered her head slightly and said, “Xu Youyou’s reputation in Hu City isn’t very good… Our family doesn’t like her… Big Brother also had some conflicts with her…”
Gu Xueying thought that by saying this, Fang Qianqian would side with her. Gu Shuangbai’s girlfriend treated her very nicely and seemed eager to win her favor.
Gu Fengchuan also cooperated, frowning and lecturing his girlfriend of just two days: “Xu Youyou’s money has shady origins. She’s not a decent person. You should avoid interacting with her.”
But to their surprise, Fang Qianqian looked at them with great astonishment and said, “Even if you don’t like her, can’t you at least try to overcome it?”
