The Gu family head announced the accompanying spots at the dinner table that evening.
"Yaoqing, prepare yourself," Gu family head said, and Gu Yaoqing's eyes lit up.
"Yes, Grandfather." Gu Yaoqing clenched his fists at his sides, knowing his grandfather still cared about him. After all, he was the eldest legitimate grandson of the Gu family; how could someone like Gu Yaoyang compare?
Hearing the Gu family head's words, everyone at the dinner table had mixed expressions. Only a young man sitting at the end was quietly eating, as if none of this concerned him.
In reality, it didn't concern him much. He was only seventeen this year, and in everyone's eyes, he was still a child. Moreover, as the youngest of the main Gu family branch, he naturally received plenty of affection.
He had no interest in power struggles. What treasure map could possibly be as substantial as the chicken leg on his plate?
"Yaolin, you prepare yourself too." The Gu family head swept his gaze over everyone, taking in all their expressions before finally resting his sight on the young man.
Upon hearing the Gu family head's words, everyone was taken aback.
They had originally assumed that the two people the Gu family head would select today would be the next family head and an elder to assist him.
But…
They could barely understand the selection of Gu Yaoqing, as he was the eldest legitimate grandson and had the good fortune to be born into the Gu family.
Even if Gu Yaoyang was capable, wouldn't he still have to make way for Gu Yaoqing?
They could only suppress their dissatisfaction.
But to choose Gu Yaolin?
Everyone knew this boy was a simple-minded foodie. What was the point of bringing him along?
"Huh?" Gu Yaolin, who was in the middle of his meal, looked up in surprise when he heard the Gu family head's words, a grain of rice still stuck to his mouth. He truly looked simple.
"You'll be an adult next year. This time, you'll accompany me and your cousin Yaoqing to see the world," the Gu family head said, shaking his head at Gu Yaolin's appearance. "You're seventeen, yet you're still like a child. When you come of age, there will be many social events you'll need to attend. Don't embarrass the Gu family."
"Grandfather, I won't. I actually put on a good show when I'm out," Gu Yaolin immediately retorted, "They don't know I'm foolish!"
Hearing this, everyone at the table couldn't help but chuckle.
This foolish child indeed still had the heart of a child.
It was only natural, being the youngest grandson of the main Gu family, he was naturally favored by the family head and doted on by the elders, leading to his innocent and cheerful disposition.
The Gu family head was utterly speechless by Gu Yaolin, finally shaking his head with a mixture of amusement and exasperation.
Gu Yaolin's parents looked embarrassed, while Gu Yaoqing's expression was much more natural.
How could this brat compete with him?
Even Gu Yaoyang had been driven away by him; this little fellow would surely be at his mercy.
Fine, he would take him along to see the world, lest he embarrass the Gu family in the future.
With the assurance of his position, Gu Yaoqing's brows regained the confidence and arrogance of the Gu family's next patriarch.
This time, he granted his approval.
Meanwhile, in a luxurious suite of a star-rated hotel in the capital, the eldest young master of the Lei family was reclining on the bed, his expression blissful, his eyes adoringly gazing at the woman by the bedside who was putting on stockings.
The woman had long black hair casually draped over her shoulders. The white bandeau top was pushed upwards by her movements, revealing her full, enticing breasts. Her skin, recently stimulated, naturally held a rosy glow. Her gentle eyes were cast downwards, and her full red lips hummed an unknown tune softly.
"Yingyan, you are truly a little enchantress..." The eldest young master Lei looked at Yingyan, his eyes somewhat vacant, clearly indicating he was drained.
He had originally intended to escort Xi Fu back to her hotel, hoping for a more intimate encounter. However, that foreign woman had shown no appreciation, feigning an inability to understand Mandarin and ruthlessly shutting him out.
It was in the hotel lobby, fuming with anger, that the eldest young master Lei encountered this cute and charming woman—Yingyan.
She had a face of a pure and innocent jade girl, but her prowess in bed had nearly cost the eldest young master Lei half his life. Especially her slender, waist-cinching figure; how could she twist and turn so skillfully?
And her voice, so seductive, not only was pleasant when she cried out but also captivating when she hummed little tunes.
Just like now, he felt that familiar sensation of being in heaven.
By the bedside, a wisp of smoke curled from a small incense burner. Yingyan glanced at the eldest young master Lei, a smirk playing on her lips, and resumed her earlier inquiry: "Regarding the treasure map held by the third young master Lei, what else do you know? Tell me everything..."
"Mmm... tell you everything... I'll tell you... everything I know..." The eldest young master Lei's eyes grew increasingly hazy.
...
Dressed neatly, Yingyan left the hotel room and took the elevator directly to the top floor of the hotel, knocking on a door.
Soon, the door was opened, revealing a stunningly beautiful face – that of Xi Fu.
As soon as Yingyan entered, she relayed everything she had learned from the eldest young master Lei to Xi Fu.
"Alright, I understand." After listening, Xi Fu nodded thoughtfully and said, "The eldest young master Lei still has some value for now. Continue to string him along. When he's no longer useful, I'll hand him over to you, and you can execute him yourself."
"Yes!" Hearing this, Yingyan's previous dejection vanished, her eyes burning with intensity.
She, after all, loved dismembering useless scumbags the most.
After dismissing Yingyan, Xi Fu called Xiang Xueyuan, who was currently busy.
For the past two days, Aunt Liu had been live-streaming every day, with Xia Honglang always by her side. The interactions between the two were incredibly irritating.
Xiang Xueyuan had also recalled many of their past moments together.
He had already laid out a series of actions targeting the Xia Corporation.
He wanted to see if Xia Honglang, when pushed to desperation like he once was, would still have the leisure to indulge in such pretentious displays of affection.
Now, all that was needed was his command to commence the official implementation.
Patiently listening to Xi Fu's report, Xiang Xueyuan was taken aback and immediately asked, "You're saying that treasure map originated from the Lu family?"
"That's what the eldest young master Lei said." Xi Fu, for some reason, didn't understand why Xiang Xueyuan was so concerned about this point, but she elaborated further.
"I understand." Xiang Xueyuan's gaze deepened as he said, "I will book the earliest flight to the capital. I will personally attend the Lei Corporation's auction this time!"
Xi Fu was momentarily stunned but quickly recovered and replied, "I will make the arrangements."
After hanging up the phone, Xiang Xueyuan began preparing to leave.
"What about the matters concerning the Xia Corporation..." his special assistant asked hesitantly, looking at Xiang Xueyuan.
"Those matters..." Xiang Xueyuan's gaze grew somber. "We'll discuss them when I return."
"Yes."
He knew what was more important.