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Chapter 15: Countdown
Chapter Fifteen: Countdown
He declared loudly, "Miss Gu, you said that in choosing a business partner, one should look for someone sharp, sharp, and exceptional. I, Xiao Tianyou, unworthy as I may be, did graduate from a renowned international Ivy League institution."
That Rulong Group has become the fastest-growing enterprise in Tianhai City is in no small part due to my indispensable contributions.
"Tell me, just what makes me inferior to Ye Fusheng?!"
Xiao Rulong nodded inwardly. His son was a hundred times superior to Ye Fusheng — he was rather curious to see what she could possibly say.
Gu Ziqi fixed her gaze on him and said, word by deliberate word: "Just because — you — were — ridden — by — a — horse!"
Hahaha.
The banquet hall instantly erupted in uproarious laughter — some guests nearly choked. The matter had long since spread throughout Tianhai; it was simply that no one found it convenient to say so openly.
Who would have thought Miss Gu could be so ruthless—airing someone's dirty laundry right in front of everyone.
"I…" Xiao Tianyou was left utterly speechless, wishing he could find a crack in the floor to crawl into.
Xiao Rulong also lowered his head, the laughter ringing especially harsh in his ears.
With no one to stir up trouble, Huangfu Hai didn't dare speak either, and the atmosphere turned harmonious.
Ye Fusheng put in a few words to help things along, and then the toasting began.
Took a walk around.
Then he returned to the reception room upstairs.
In the reception room stood the very group of people who had been the last to appear moments ago.
"Uncle Feng, Uncle Wang, thank you both for coming to support me." Gone was the poised composure Gu Ziqi had carried during the toast just moments before; now she seemed nothing more than a little girl.
Walking beside Ye Fusheng, one couldn't help but marvel — what a waste that she had never become an actress.
"Nonsense!"
Wang Zhenshan did not return her smile. His face dark, he said with displeasure, "Ziqi, don't take offense at what your uncle is about to say — how can you put a criminal in charge of an investment this large? Do you think this is child's play?"
He had once served as a guard at Gu Ziqi's grandfather's side, and could be said to have watched Gu Ziqi grow up; the two shared a rather close bond.
Gu Ziqi's face flushed red, and she said awkwardly: "Uncle Wang, you can't judge people by their past — there's a saying that a prodigal son who turns over a new leaf is worth his weight in gold, not to mention that Ye Fusheng met someone in prison..."
"There's no need to say more!"
Wang Zhenshan cut him off with an icy tone, turning his gaze to Ye Fusheng, his eyes filled with contempt: "Kid, get out of here this instant. From now on, don't ever let me see you anywhere near Ziqi again — otherwise, I'll have you shot on the spot!"
"Uncle Wang…" Gu Ziqi wanted to say something to dissuade him.
"Ziqi, this is what I mean as well!" Feng Bonian spoke with gravity. He had a broad, square face that lent him a natural air of authority, as though he needed no anger to command respect. "Just now, I spoke with your father, but I made no mention of you choosing a criminal as your partner. Have him leave — don't let your father worry."
Gu Ziqi was growing anxious. If her father found out, he would likely call her straight back home — yet he knew Cai Chongyang, and must have been learning the ways of business from the Emperor of Wage Earners himself.
Just then.
Ye Fusheng smiled faintly. "A man on the verge of death, and a man whose life is worse than death — do the two of you really think yourselves worthy of threatening me?"
Everyone turned on Ye Fusheng at once.
Wang Zhenshan's temper flared: "What did you say? You dare curse me? Believe it or not, I'll put a bullet in you right now!"
Feng Bonian was a man of steady composure; he said nothing, yet the displeasure on his face was plain to see.
"Ye Fusheng, stop talking nonsense!" Gu Ziqi immediately reminded him.
These two — one the Commander of the War Department, the other the Provincial Governor — were not people Ye Fusheng could afford to offend. If he truly pushed them to the point where they went to complain to his father or grandfather, the most he could do was preserve Ye Fusheng's life. As for what Cai Chongyang had entrusted him with — securing the boy a future — that was out of the question.
"I'm not talking nonsense. As for whether it's true or not, it will soon be verified."
Ye Fusheng glanced over at Wang Zhenshan, a faint smile curling his lips. "Would you like to know how much longer you have to live?"
"You—" Wang Zhenshan seethed with rage. How many years had it been since anyone dared provoke him? And now a prisoner had the audacity to curse him to his face!
"Insolent whelp!"
"Insolent wretch!"
The others grew agitated as well: "If you dare spout such nonsense again, you won't get off so easily!"
"Still alive after all this!" Ye Fusheng extended one hand.
"Five hundred years!" Wang Zhenshan's eyes nearly split with rage.
As the words left his lips.
Ye Fusheng's fingers fell, one by one.
Four.
Three.
Two.
One…
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