The five words turned Gu Ming's face ashen. She lowered her head in shame, her shoulders trembling incessantly.
They remained in silence for a while. Gu Tingyun blew on the nourishing tonic in his hand and brought it to his daughter's lips. "Mingming, here, have a bite. Your health is important."
"Dad..."
Gu Ming finally broke down in tears.
She had been estranged from her father for so long, and yet, what was the outcome?
Every time, it was her father who unconditionally helped her, doing his utmost for her, while she had never spoken a good word about him to others.
And now...
He had even used all that he possessed to ensure her health...
"I'm sorry."
These three words had been held back for a very long time. When they finally left her lips, Gu Tingyun's hand trembled. His eyes then welled up, his lips quivered. He struggled to suppress his emotions. As tears streamed down his cheeks, he spoke in a tone almost identical to his usual one, "What do you mean sorry? You are my daughter."
His tone was the same, but his emotions were different.
Afterward, Gu Ming took a sip of the tonic and began to weep uncontrollably.
Gu Tingyun put down the bowl, embraced his daughter, and patted her back, saying, "You've just recovered, and getting so emotional isn't good for your health..."
However, the more he said this, the more Gu Ming cried with heart-wrenching sobs.
...
The next day, Gu Tingyun was already at the company.
Most of the employees at the Gu family's company were actually unaware that their boss had changed. They were simply astonished to see Gu Tingyun arriving at work so early.
When the company's general manager arrived earlier than most employees, it made them feel uneasy.
Was the boss arriving so early to fire those who were later than him?
This was not good news!
Instantly, the news that Gu Tingyun intended to fire or reduce the salaries of those who were not as diligent as him spread throughout the company, causing widespread panic.
Little did Gu Tingyun know about this.
As he was handling documents, the secretary, while delivering them, cautiously asked, "Mr. Gu, you're here so early today... Is there a major development in the company?"
"Yes."
Gu Tingyun replied without looking up.
There really was a major development!
Upon hearing his answer, the secretary hurriedly withdrew and then spread the word about Gu Tingyun's attitude to everyone she knew.
Suddenly, the news that Gu Tingyun was planning layoffs spread like wildfire throughout the company.
When Gu Tingyun finished handling the documents and was preparing to discuss future company development and operations with Luo Qinghan, he noticed that no matter where he went, people were secretly watching him. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
Normally, not so many people would stare at him.
Gu Tingyun couldn't quite understand.
As he was about to leave the company, an older department manager suddenly blocked his path.
"Mr. Gu! I beg you, please don't fire me! I have elders to support and children to raise! For so many years, I've been diligent in the company. While I might slack off sometimes, I've never neglected any important work! Mr. Gu! Don't fire me! Don't cut my salary!"
Gu Tingyun stood there, looking at the tearful department manager. He remembered him; this manager had completed quite a few projects. The problem was, he had never said anything about firing him or reducing his salary.
"When did I ever say I was going to fire you?"
Gu Tingyun stood before him, utterly confused.
"You're not?"
Hearing Gu Tingyun's words, the department manager's face lit up with joy. "That's wonderful! Thank you, Mr. Gu, thank you, Mr. Gu!"
After two consecutive "Thank you, Mr. Gu's," he quickly left.
How strange?
Following this, it wasn't just this department manager. He then noticed that many people had a look of unease on their faces, clearly sharing the same worries as the department manager.
He found it strange; he had never said anything about firing them from start to finish.
Even after Gu Tingyun left, these employees were still unable to work with peace of mind.
...
"Mr. Gu, does Gu Ming not need to be looked after?" Luo Qinghan asked, surprised by Gu Tingyun's quick arrival.
"Her health has improved considerably. I've asked a nurse to look after her. I came over first to hand these documents to you. Here are some recent projects that require Ms. Luo's attention," Gu Tingyun said.
Of the entire Luo family, if Gu Tingyun admired anyone, besides the old patriarch back then, it was only Luo Qinghan.
To support a collapsing structure.
Few people could achieve this.
Luo Qinghan was clearly one of them.
"Alright, thank you, Mr. Gu. Please place the documents here. I'll look at them after I've finished with these." Luo Qinghan replied.
"Understood, Ms. Luo. I'll head back to the hospital then."
Gu Tingyun breathed a sigh of relief. The reason he was in such a hurry was to finish these matters as quickly as possible so he could rush back to the hospital to take care of his daughter.
He wasn't at ease leaving Gu Ming alone in the hospital at the moment.
Especially considering Gu Ming's current unstable emotional state.
"Go ahead."
...
"Brother Xiao, I've found something."
Ye Chen's voice came through Lin Xiao's earpiece.
"Hmm?"
Lin Xiao's eyes lit up. He immediately asked, "You've found it?"
"Although we can't pinpoint the exact location yet, I've managed to track down the general area," Ye Chen said. "Brother Xiao, I'll send it to you now."
"Okay."
Lin Xiao's spirits rose.
Through the two assassination attempts and the information provided by Ying and Jin, the location had finally been narrowed down.
Upon seeing the location, his eyes narrowed into a slit.
It was on Dongdao.
In that area, many Dragon Country forces found it inconvenient to interfere, while the US had a lot of business there.
No wonder.
Lin Xiao had been wondering what place allowed the Disha organization to remain at large for so long. So that was it.
"Brother Xiao, are you planning to go there these past two days?"
Ye Chen asked.
"Yes."
Lin Xiao was already preparing his belongings. He glanced at the travel time and then said, "We'll go and come back quickly. I'll tell my wife and try to be back by tomorrow morning. I still need to take my daughter to school."
"Okay, I'll arrange a flight right away."
Ye Chen understood Lin Xiao's intention immediately. He switched communication channels, applied for a plane, and requested takeoff.
Meanwhile, Lin Xiao changed his clothes and sent a message to Luo Qinghan: "Working overtime all night tonight."