Gu Mingyang gave a wry smile, feeling a deep empathy.
He, too, found his father incompetent and didn't want to be implicated, wishing to escape Gu Yunfei's control as soon as possible.
Unfortunately, his efforts were in vain, as his fate was intertwined with his father's, impossible to escape or avoid.
As for why Gu Yunfei sent him away, he suspected it might be related to his father's illness.
His father had a terminal illness requiring substantial medical expenses. Gu Yunfei's salary wouldn't be enough, so he had to sell his son for money.
"Am I really going?" he asked Shi Xinxin.
Shi Xinxin nodded. "Yes, you must leave for America before midnight tonight, or it will be too late."
"Mm!"
Gu Mingyang nodded heavily, a flicker of deep reluctance in his eyes.
He yearned for his future, but reality told him these were ephemeral things. He had to leave this place, leave the Gu family.
...
Late into the night, Gu Mingyang emerged from his bedroom.
The living room was empty, save for the clatter of pans from the kitchen.
His heart tightened, and he rushed over.
Two male bodyguards stood at the kitchen entrance. They nodded slightly upon seeing Gu Mingyang, acknowledging his presence.
Gu Mingyang breathed a sigh of relief.
Although he had expected this, he couldn't help but worry when it actually happened.
After all, this would soon be a distant memory, a place he could no longer return to.
However, since he was leaving soon, there was no need for excessive sadness.
He walked towards the dining table and sat beside Shi Xinxin.
The food was well-prepared, exuding appealing colors, aroma, and flavor, whetting his appetite.
He picked up his chopsticks, took a few bites, and praised, "Your cooking is truly excellent."
Shi Xinxin looked at him with a sweet smile. "Do you like it?"
Gu Mingyang nodded.
"If you like it, eat more."
"Mm!!"
Gu Mingyang picked up a piece of pork rib and put it in his mouth. "This is delicious, I love it."
"If you like it, eat more."
Shi Xinxin served Gu Mingyang, urging him to savor it slowly, not to choke, and to have a drink of water.
Gu Mingyang obeyed. By the time he finished his bowl of rice, his stomach was full.
"Are you full?"
Shi Xinxin looked at Gu Mingyang with concern, hoping he wouldn't mind.
Gu Mingyang patted his belly. "Yes, I'm full. Thank you."
Shi Xinxin said, "Then rest. You're leaving tomorrow, and there will surely be many things to prepare. You need to rest well."
"Mm!!"
Gu Mingyang nodded and followed Shi Xinxin into the bedroom.
The bedroom was small, with simple, unadorned furnishings. The bed was also small, likely cramped for one person, let alone two.
Of course, Gu Mingyang wasn't picky; he wasn't one to quibble over details.
Lying on the bed, covered by a thin quilt made of cotton wadding, he closed his eyes and began to ponder.
He was contemplating his next steps.
Logically, he should board his flight immediately. However, he was unwilling.
He had long coveted the Gu family's wealth and power, especially Gu Yunfei's immense annual income, which remained a persistent thought.
He believed that with his intelligence and the stocks his father left him, he could turn his fortunes around and live a life of luxury.
Alas, this remained a dream he couldn't realize. He could only obediently accompany his father to America for treatment.
This grievance, he would never forget.
However, opportunities for revenge were not limited to this one instance.
He believed the stocks his father left him were worth a considerable amount. If he could find them, he was sure he could make a comeback.
But how to find them?
This was a difficult problem.
He considered going to the bank to inquire about the value of his father's stocks and then withdrawing the money.
However, this was too risky. If he attracted police attention, he wouldn't only fail to get the money but also be arrested.
This was not a conventional approach, and he dared not gamble.
He decided to investigate at the company.
But this was also extremely risky.
The employees of Gu Corporation recognized him. If he were to investigate the accounts of Gu Corporation employees, it would be a huge problem if he were discovered.
Even some of the higher-ups at Gu Corporation knew of his existence. If his father or brother found him investigating their company's accounts, he would be in grave danger.
Therefore, he couldn't investigate the accounts of Gu Corporation employees. He had to focus on the accounts of Gu Corporation's senior executives.
But how could it be so easy to investigate the accounts of Gu Corporation's senior executives?
Especially since these individuals had strong backgrounds. It was virtually impossible to infiltrate their computer systems through technical means.
Unless it was someone of his grandfather's caliber, but he didn't know anyone at that level. He couldn't reach out to them, let alone get their help in stealing information from Gu Corporation's senior executives.
Thus, to investigate the accounts of Gu Corporation's senior executives, he had to find an alternative route. But all of this depended on what he had left behind. And at dawn, he would be flying abroad.
Thinking about it was painful, yet this was the quickest way for him to change his destiny.
Gu Mingyang hated all of this, yet he was helpless. In the end, he chose to compromise and no longer persist.
The next morning, the car arranged by Sheng Chenjin arrived on time. Gu Mingyang brought his documents and got into the car.
"Wishing you a smooth journey!" Shi Xinxin bid farewell to Gu Mingyang, waving goodbye.
Gu Mingyang returned the gesture. "You too."
Watching the car drive away, Shi Xinxin returned to the old Gu residence to continue her work.
Inside the car.
Gu Mingyang sat in the back seat, his brow furrowed, appearing preoccupied.
He hadn't slept well last night, leaving him listless.
Yet he couldn't sleep, so he kept his eyes wide open, looking at the scenery outside the window.
It was beautiful and prosperous.
But his mood was somber, unwilling to appreciate the beauty outside, nor having any inclination to do so.
He had only one thought: that one day he would return to reclaim everything that belonged to him.
Meanwhile.
"Ring ring ring~~"
His phone suddenly rang. Sheng Chenjin took out his phone, glanced at it, saw it was Secretary Li, and answered immediately.
"Hello, Secretary Li."
"Mr. Sheng, do you have time now?"
"I do."
Sheng Chenjin replied without hesitation.
"Come to the company now."
"Why come to the company?" Sheng Chenjin asked, confused.
Secretary Li explained, "The company has just acquired an investment project. The chairman would like you to come and review it, and discuss the specific details."
"Investment project?"
Sheng Chenjin paused. "Isn't Mr. Wang responsible for investment projects? Since when is the chairman in charge?"
Secretary Li said, "I'm not sure either. The chairman said he has been quite idle recently, so he's overseeing it for a few days."
"Oh! I see!!"
Sheng Chenjin nodded and asked, "What kind of investment project is it?"
Secretary Li replied, "I'm not sure. It's reportedly an investment worth tens of millions. The company plans to use it to build a new industrial chain."
"Industrial chain..."