Gu Chen's words were tantamount to promising Zhao Haiqing that he could also establish a family like the Zhao Haiqing family! Even if it couldn't reach the same level of prominence as the Zhou Family, he would still be completely satisfied!
Zhao Haiqing was extremely excited and tried to get up from the bed, but Gu Chen held him down.
Zhao Haiqing said in a trembling voice, "Young Master Gu, Zhao Haiqing have no way to repay such kindness. My life originally belonged to you, and I will continue to serve you faithfully from now on, at your beck and call."
"Don't get so agitated," Gu Chen said. "Your daughter is my disciple, so it's only right that I treat her this way. Besides, I'm just giving you a suggestion. Although it's widely rumored in Zhou City that your Zhao Family is one of the three major families, and the Xiang Family Wen Family have already acknowledged it, you don't actually have a solid foundation yet. During this time, how to establish the Zhao Family, how to clean up your image, and how to set up a legitimate company is still up to you. Of course, you can also bring Qi Ming in."
"Understood." Zhao Haiqing nodded firmly.
"You should focus on recovering from your injuries during this time," Gu Chen said, helping Zhao Haiqing lie down before continuing, "Once you're healed, you'll be needed to assist Zhuge Kun in cleaning up the mess in Zhou City. As for how much of what the Qian Family and Su Family have devoured, that depends on your own abilities."
After saying that, Gu Chen walked out of the ward.
Initially, Gu Chen approached Zhao Haiqing and Qi Ming because of Wang Hu, only intending to utilize the Black Wind Hall while his power was still limited. But now, his cultivation has reached the Late Revolving Illumination Realm, and he is about to enter the Land of Heaven and Earth, so naturally he no longer needs these things. Moreover, Zhao Haiqing has been loyal to him during this time and almost lost his life. Without the Black Wind Hall, Gu Chen would like to find a way to compensate him.
Two days later, at the Su Family.
After being discharged from the hospital, Su Qingqing returned here. Now, outside the ruins of the villa complex, Chen Lan, Li Jing, and others are standing there. In front of them are Zhuge Kun Wen Ziqi, and others, who are holding Su Zhenbei and his son hostage.
The two knelt on the ground, both utterly dejected. Su Zhenbei's face was lifeless, while Su Yi, who had lost a leg, also had a sallow complexion and was completely dejected. They had been under house arrest by Zhuge Kun for some time, and although they were not yet dead, they were practically as good as dead.
Their eyes had long lost their fighting spirit and vitality. They didn't even notice Gu Chen and Su Qingqing getting out of the car; they were just disheveled and kept their heads down.
After Su Qingqing got out of the car, her expression was extremely complicated.
Gu Chen stood aside without saying a word. On the way here, Gu Chen had already said everything he needed to say. The decision was now in Su Qingqing's hands, and Gu Chen would support whatever she did.
All the dozen or so pairs of eyes present were fixed on Su Qingqing, waiting for her to speak.
The sound of high heels clicking on the ground came from behind her. After a long silence, Su Qingqing finally said, "Let... let them go."
Su Zhenbei shuddered, raised his head, looked at his daughter, his parched lips parted, but something seemed to be stuck in his throat, and he could only make hoarse, meaningless sounds.
In fact, during this period of time, he had thought a lot about his own fate, and even thought about how he should be sentimental and beg for mercy when Su Qingqing arrived.
But when the moment came, he couldn't speak. Like a prisoner awaiting trial, he was hopeless and his heart was ashen.
But to his surprise, the first thing Su Qingqing said after arriving was this, and he was filled with disbelief!
Su Qingqing's gaze shifted from initial complexity to struggle, then to disgust, and finally, to a sense of relief.
Let them go.
Su Qingqing repeated, "I will spare your lives, but from now on, you will have no further connection with the Su Family."
At this moment, Gu Chen seemed to see Su Qingqing again, the one he first met, high and mighty, as confident as a peacock. After everything that had happened, he knew that this woman had undergone another transformation. In her eyes, Su Zhenbei and Su Yi were no longer her father and brother; from now on, they were strangers, and all grudges were gone.
"Young Master Gu!"
Upon hearing this, Zhuge Kun frowned and exclaimed.
Having grown up in a prestigious family, he deeply understood the principle of "releasing a tiger back into the mountains, only to raise it to become a threat." He saw Su Zhenbei as a heartless and treacherous person, someone he deemed unfit to be allowed to live!
"Let them go." Gu Chen stretched out his hand, interrupting Zhuge Kun's impending words.
Gu Chen could be cold and ruthless, but he couldn't go back on his word to the woman he loved. Although he also wanted to kill Su Zhenbei and the other man, since Su Qingqing had already spoken, he would listen to her.
"Make them leave this city," Su Qingqing added.
Gu Chen glanced at her. In Zhou City, Su Zhenbei was no longer with the Su Family. With the empire crumbling, who could escape unscathed? He had so many enemies; wouldn't he be killed?
Beneath Su Qingqing's haughty exterior lies such kindness, but isn't that precisely why I'll eventually fall for her? Gu Chen smiled faintly, waved to Zhuge Kun, and signaled him to take Su Zhenbei and the other man away.
Only after they had all disappeared from sight did Gu Chen say in a deep voice, "The Su Family has bought a new house, Auntie, please take us there."
Chen Lan nodded and led them over.
After having lunch at the Su Family, Gu Chen pulled Su Qingqing into her room.
"I'm entrusting the Su Family business to you." Inside the house, Gu Chen said to Su Qingqing, "You've always been a strong woman, running a photography studio even before graduating from university. Now, it's perfect; the company is yours to manage."
"Hmm." Su Qingqing shook her head, sighed softly, and said, "Seeing them leave, a huge weight has finally been lifted from my heart, but why am I not as happy as I imagined?"
"Because everything you did wasn't to drive them away; they just deserved it." Gu Chen held Su Qingqing in his arms, inhaling the fragrance of her hair, and said, word by word, "I'm going on a long trip. Promise me you won't do anything foolish like last time, and don't make me worry anymore."
"Where are you going again?" Su Qingqing's delicate body trembled, then she said, "I know, one place cannot keep you. You are ultimately a roc, and the sky is your true home."
"That's not how it is." Gu Chen shook his head and said, "Soft jade and warm fragrance, a beautiful woman on a hot bed, who wouldn't want to indulge in that? But my destiny requires me to accomplish those things, otherwise, not only will I be unable to protect you, but when the enemy comes, I might even lose everything and be unable to protect myself."
"Are they very strong?" Su Qingqing asked.
"Strong." Gu Chen nodded solemnly and said, "That's why I also need to become stronger."
Su Qingqing smiled and said, "Okay, I don't understand men's affairs, but I will give up the postgraduate entrance exam, and I will help you manage Zhou City."