Xu Zhongwen's screams continued...
"Any objections to me breaking one of your legs?" Gu Chen's voice was cold and calm, as though he were merely stating a fact.
"N-no!" Xu Zhongwen clenched his teeth, his face covered in fine beads of sweat. The pain made it nearly impossible for him to breathe.
Gu Chen gave him a cold look and continued, "You can negotiate with my father later about the company's losses, the vehicles you detained, and compensation. But don't you dare count on getting lucky. My father is a good man, but I have a bad temper! If I'm not satisfied, you know what'll happen!"
"Understood, understood!" Xu Zhongwen answered in a trembling voice, his eyes full of fear. "Young Master Gu, rest assured, I'll take care of it. I'll definitely take care of it!"
"Get lost!" Gu Chen waved his hand impatiently.
As though granted a great pardon, Xu Zhongwen kowtowed to Gu Chen several times before struggling to his feet and limping out of the company, every step a hardship.
After Xu Zhongwen left, Gu Beichi finally came to his senses. His face was grave as he looked at Gu Chen, his eyes full of confusion and worry.
"Dad, are you all right?" Gu Chen hurried over to him and asked with concern.
"Chen!"
"How did you come to know Zhao Haiqing?" Gu Beichi asked in a deep voice, a trace of authority in his tone.
Gu Chen had already prepared an explanation. He answered calmly, "That man is my friend. He and Zhao Haiqing used to be comrades-in-arms. I helped him out, and now we're all friends."
"Was that money from him too?" Gu Beichi pressed.
"More or less." Gu Chen pondered for a moment, then said, "Dad, don't ask so many questions just yet. Get the company back in order first and reassure the employees."
Gu Beichi looked at Gu Chen and said seriously, "Even if we were cast out of the Gu Family, we're still descended from a prestigious family. Even in business, I conduct myself honorably and aboveboard. Don't you ever stray onto a crooked path!"
"Dad, don't worry. I know what I'm doing!" Gu Chen took a deep breath and smiled. He knew his father still had the Gu Family bloodline on his mind, and that he was also concerned about him. He patted his chest and promised, "I can take care of these things."
Gu Beichi looked at Gu Chen, seeming both downcast and full of emotion, but in the end it all turned into a sigh. He turned and went into the company without another word. Gu Chen wanted to speak but stopped himself. He followed him inside, ready to help clean up the mess.
Deputy General Manager Zhu Jian had been beaten up, but he was still fairly clearheaded. Seeing the matter resolved so easily, he also began helping to clean up. The employees around them, however, no longer looked at Gu Chen the same way. Their gazes were now full of awe, and even some employees around his age who had once been close to him had begun acting distant and walking on eggshells around him.
Gu Chen felt helpless, but even more than that, he felt resolute. He knew this was the price of growing up. Only by becoming stronger could he win the respect and awe of others.
Half an hour later, word came that the trucks had been released. Though he didn't know whether Zhao Haiqing had ordered it or Xu Zhongwen had arranged it, the matter troubling Gu Beichi was finally resolved. A smile appeared on his face for the first time in a long while, and he looked much more relaxed.
"Dad, I'm heading home first."
Gu Chen knew his father still had things to deal with, so he didn't linger at the company. He said goodbye to Gu Beichi, then turned and left.
Outside, Wang Hu was smoking in the car. When he saw Gu Chen get in and pull the door shut, he smiled and said, "Mr. Gu, letting Xu Zhongwen off like that was far too easy on him."
Gu Chen smiled faintly. "He's just an ordinary person. There are too many sniveling opportunists like him. I can't possibly beat every one of them to death, can I? Besides, breaking one of his legs and keeping him alive is more useful than killing him."
In his previous life, Xu Zhongwen had committed an unforgivable crime against Gu Beichi. After Gu Chen was reborn, the flames of vengeance in his heart had nearly consumed him. Yet after cultivating for several thousand years, he had seen through many things, so he chose to let Xu Zhongwen off for the time being.
Wang Hu glanced at Gu Chen in surprise, not expecting the young man to be so clearheaded and calm. He nodded and said, "All right. Let's head back first, then."
After they returned to the residential complex, Wang Hu called out to Gu Chen as he got out of the car. "By the way, Mr. Gu, aren't you curious about the old master's identity?"
Wang Hu remembered that Gu Chen had never once asked about the old master from beginning to end! That left him curious and puzzled.
Gu Chen smiled freely and said, "Would asking make any difference? Brother Hu, I'm off. I'll go back and work on that thing for the old master. Come and get it tomorrow." With that, he waved and turned to enter the residential complex.
Wang Hu froze. After standing there for several seconds, he shook his head, got into the car, and muttered, "What a strange fellow. He's clearly a student, but he's so mature in both his words and actions."
After returning home, Gu Chen greeted Uncle Liu, then shut himself in his room. He called the number Zhao Haiqing had left him and made a point of thanking him for his help. Living his life over again, Gu Chen knew that Zhao Haiqing was, after all, an underworld kingpin in Zhou City. Since the man had been willing to give him face, he had to return the courtesy.
The two exchanged a few casual words and hung up. Gu Chen didn't ask about Li Sheng; he knew Zhao Haiqing would handle it.
After hanging up, Gu Chen began studying the cultivation manual the old master had given him. He finished revising it in a little over ten minutes. Just then, however, another thought rose in his mind. The old man said he learned this cultivation technique from the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion in Huaxia. What kind of place is that?
In his previous life, his world had been turned upside down within this month. After his father died, he had jumped off a cliff in despair, only to be saved by his master. He had never encountered any cultivators from Huaxia, so he knew nothing about such matters. It seemed he would have to ask about them next time.
But Gu Chen soon put the question aside and began meditating and cultivating. For Gu Chen as he was now, he would never pass up a chance to cultivate when he had the time. He knew all too well that only by gaining strength could he stand against that behemoth in Shangjing!
Time flew by, and before long, evening arrived.
Gu Beichi didn't come home for dinner. It was already past eleven by the time he got back. He first went to Gu Chen's room and stood for a while before the tightly shut door. Only then did he lower the hand he had raised to knock. He returned to his own room to rest.
In the dark room, Gu Chen's eyes shone as brightly as stars. He could see Gu Beichi's expression and movements clearly through the door. After Gu Beichi entered his own room, Gu Chen sighed, stopped cultivating, and went to sleep.
The next morning, Gu Chen woke only when the first rays of sunlight filtered through the curtains and fell into the room. He opened his eyes and glanced at the time, only to find that it was already past eight!
"Oh no!"
A wry smile appeared on Gu Chen's face. He must have been too tired the day before. After all, repeatedly consuming spiritual power so soon after his rebirth had taken a toll on him, which was why he had overslept.
He quickly got up, changed into his school uniform, and hurried to school.
Xinghua University placed great importance on academics and regular assemblies. Generally, Monday was the morning assembly for the entire school, while Tuesday was the morning assembly for the whole third-year class. And today was Tuesday.
Since the midterm exam had just been held yesterday, the Tuesday morning assembly was generally an occasion that left countless third-year students nervous and apprehensive. After all, third-year exams were directly tied to their graduation results, and were especially important for students hoping to get into graduate school. It was only natural for everyone to be concerned about their grades.
As soon as he entered the school and reached the field, he saw that the third-year morning assembly had already begun. More than a thousand students from the entire year stood in the square, their eyes fixed on the flag-raising platform in unison.