"Yaoyang, this is the last concession I can make." The Gu family head's gaze fell upon Gu Yaoyang's face, as if this were his final opportunity for him.
After hearing everything the Gu family head had to say, Gu Yaoyang took a deep breath and finally spoke: "I used to think that the Gu family merely implemented sophisticated egoism too thoroughly, lacking humanity. But your words today have made me realize that sophisticated foolishness is the most terrifying."
"What did you say!?" The Gu family head had never expected to hear such a response from Gu Yaoyang. He stared with disbelief, his eyes wide.
"I never intended to be the head of the Gu family, neither in the past nor now, and certainly not in the future. While the Gu family and the position of family head are treasures that everyone covets in your eyes, for me, they are both a burden. From the age of sixteen, I knew that with the Gu family's business model and industrial structure, we wouldn't get very far in the future. I don't see your constant favoritism towards Gu Yaoqing as wrong; what disappoints me is never your repeated, deliberate bias. In my opinion, that is your freedom. You value the position of Gu family head, and you value Gu Yaoqing as your successor; I can understand your choices. I have no complaints towards you or the Gu family, only a deep chill in my heart." Gu Yaoyang's tone remained calm, as if discussing a trivial matter, yet it made the Gu family head's expression grow increasingly grim.
"A chill? What do you have to be chilled about! You're not a Gu family member at all! Our Gu family raised you! Gave you food and paid for your education!" As if his core being had been touched, the Gu family head's tone turned volatile: "I never imagined the Gu family would raise such a rebellious, ambitious traitor!"
"It was this rebellious me who saved you three times, who handled all the detailed work for your surgeries. It was also this ambitious traitor who resolved two commercial traps for the Gu family, avoided a risk of fraud, and even helped everyone in the Gu family avoid misfortune."
"Then that's what you should have done!" the Gu family head retorted, taking it for granted. "Since you have the ability, the talent! You should do these things for the Gu family! For me! Even a dog raised by our Gu family should guard the house and be loyal!"
Hearing the Gu family head's words, Gu Yaoyang opened his mouth, but the words he wanted to say circled in his throat before he swallowed them back. It seemed everything had become meaningless. For people with completely different ways of thinking, every punctuation mark appeared superfluous.
"Then I wish the Gu family immense prosperity and great success, now that you are rid of this rebellious, ambitious traitor." After saying this, Gu Yaoyang turned and walked away.
"Stop right there!" The Gu family head took a deep breath, watched Gu Yaoyang's retreating back, clenched his fists, and said, "What is it you truly want! Tell me!"
"I want Xia Qingtian to be my wife, to be together forever, one heart, one soul." Gu Yaoyang turned back to look at the Gu family head, his tone indifferent.
"A woman?" The Gu family head's eyes were full of disbelief. "You're willing to give up the Gu family for a woman? Fine… You're amazing! So noble!" The Gu family head gave a thumbs-up, his eyes bloodshot, and sneered coldly, "I never knew the Gu family could produce such a lovesick fool!"
"Naturally, the Gu family cannot produce such a person," Gu Yaoyang said with a slight curve of his lips. "Fortunately, I am not of the Gu family." With these words, Gu Yaoyang turned and left, giving the Gu family head no further opportunity to speak.
Upon hearing Gu Yaoyang's words, the Gu family head was so enraged he almost spat out blood. He clutched his chest with one hand, swayed, and only managed to stand steady with all his might. He watched Gu Yaoyang's retreating figure, his eyes growing increasingly bloodshot and cold.
Gu Yaolin had been anxiously waiting. Upon seeing Gu Yaoyang return first, he immediately rushed forward: "Brother, how was it? Did you make up with Grandpa?"
"Yaolin." Gu Yaoyang looked at the youth before him, recalling how this boy used to like following him around when he was little, calling him "Brother, brother." Gu Yaoyang raised his hand and patted Gu Yaolin's shoulder, took a deep breath, and said, "The Gu family is not a place to stay for long. Get out as soon as possible. That's all I can say." After saying this, Gu Yaoyang passed by Gu Yaolin and went straight upstairs.
"Brother…" Gu Yaolin blinked blankly. When he turned to look for the Gu family head, he saw him standing there with a grim expression. Gu Yaolin immediately rushed over: "Grandpa! Grandpa, what's wrong? You and Brother…" Before Gu Yaolin could finish speaking, the Gu family head slapped him hard on the side of his face and warned him fiercely through gritted teeth, "Don't mention that beast in front of me again!" Gu Yaolin held his face, looked at the Gu family head, and dared not say another word.
"Go back." The Gu family head felt that the郁闷 in his chest had dissipated considerably after slapping Gu Yaolin. His tone was still fierce: "Even if it means sacrificing the Gu family's entire fortune today, we cannot let that beast get his hands on the treasure map! Let's go!" With that, the Gu family head strode directly towards the auction venue, and Gu Yaolin stumbled to catch up.
Seeing the Gu family head return, Gu Yaoqing, who had been anxiously looking for him, finally felt relieved. "Grandpa, the bidding has concluded. Not many people participated in the initial bidding," Gu Yaoqing said, as if seeking credit. "I vaguely overheard the chief supervisor of the Lei family telling the female auctioneer that the rules for the upcoming auction might be changed."
"Yes, I know." The Gu family head sat down and said coldly, "No matter the cost today, the Gu family must acquire this treasure map!"
"Yes!" Gu Yaoqing's eyes lit up at the words, his tone becoming excited. Gu Yaolin, clutching his burning cheek, looked at the Gu family head and Gu Yaoqing, who seemed to have lost their minds. Gu Yaoyang's words echoed in his ears once more: The Gu family is not a place to stay for long. Get out as soon as possible.
…
As soon as Gu Yaoyang returned and sat down, Xia Qingtian noticed that his expression was not quite right. He looked very serious, even a little gloomy.
"What's wrong?" Xia Qingtian picked up a grape, peeled it, and fed it to Gu Yaoyang's lips. "Who upset my… Mr.?" She had originally wanted to say "Mr. Gu," but remembering that it was the Gu family who had called Gu Yaoyang out, leading to his current anger, she changed the title to "my Mr."
Gu Yaoyang opened his mouth and ate the grape. The sweetness instantly spread between his lips and teeth. Gu Yaoyang looked at Xia Qingtian, and as his eyes met hers, the bitterness in his heart vanished. He had always known about the Gu family's coldness and selfishness, but he had never imagined the Gu family head would say such things. To make Xia Qingtian his secret lover, and to have him marry and have children with a woman the Gu family had always considered a sister? How foolish and selfish could a person be to utter such words? He hadn't said anything harsh out of respect for the Gu family head's age, but his heart truly ached. However, upon meeting Xia Qingtian's gaze, those matters seemed to have passed and were no longer important.
"Is it good?" Xia Qingtian asked Gu Yaoyang. "Is it sweet?"
"Yes, it's sweet."