The affair between Ye Qianzhi and Lu Yuman had caused quite a stir in Sijiu City. Those their age, and even older individuals, were unaware of their relationship.
Ye Shaoting nodded, ceasing further conversation on the topic.
Ye Ziyu's identity was not particularly favorable to the Ye Corporation. After all, an illegitimate daughter kept hidden outside naturally invited more curiosity fueled by gossip and schadenfreude.
Elder Mr. Gu, tactfully changing the subject, said, "Take my regards back to your father."
"I will," Ye Shaoting replied.
"Mr. Di, may I have a word with you?" Elder Mr. Gu addressed Di Mingjue.
Few people knew of Di Mingjue's arrival in Sijiu City. The invitation to this grand banquet was only extended because Elder Mr. Gu had specifically focused on Di Jue Corporation.
The Gu Corporation had long desired to collaborate with Di Jue Corporation, and this occasion presented an opportunity through a fortunate coincidence.
Seeing Di Mingjue walk away with Elder Mr. Gu, Ye Jiaxu immediately expressed his thoughts to Ye Shaoting.
"Brother, is Elder Mr. Gu intending to collaborate with Di Jue Corporation?"
The Gu Corporation had a project that the Ye Corporation had also been eyeing, but they were a step behind and the Gu Corporation secured it.
The project was too large for the Gu Corporation to handle alone; it required cooperation with other enterprises.
All four sons of the Ye family were attending the banquet tonight, intending to express their desire for cooperation to Elder Mr. Gu.
Ye Shaoting quietly watched them converse elegantly.
"Brother, say something!" Ye Yubin grew anxious.
Ye Ziyu's appearance not only meant she would compete with them for Ye Corporation shares, but even Di Mingjue, who returned with her, would become their competitor.
The thought made them feel indignant; what they had worked hard to obtain could be easily snatched by others.
Ye Jiaxu glared hatefully at Ye Ziyu.
"It's just a conversation; whether they will cooperate remains to be seen."
Hearing Ye Shaoting's casual remark, Ye Jiaxu became displeased. "Elder Mr. Gu doesn't easily converse with people. Since he took the initiative, it means he has something in mind."
"So what if he has something in mind? It's merely a branch company of Di Jue Corporation?" Ye Shaoting retorted haughtily to Ye Jiaxu's speculation.
No matter how disadvantaged the Ye Corporation was, its scope was still wider than Di Jue Corporation's. Moreover, this was Sijiu City, not the capital.
Di Jue Corporation was still too green to snatch the Ye Corporation's project!
Ye Yubin grabbed Ye Jiaxu's arm and shook his head. "Brother is confident. If he says so, then victory is assured."
"Don't be too obvious with your desire to cooperate; things easily obtained are often not valued," Ye Shaoting cautioned.
Business competition was like a battlefield; people possessed a desire for conquest. The more unattainable something was, the more it captivated the heart.
Ye Shaoting turned away to socialize with others.
In a corner, Ye Ziyu finished a glass of juice. She felt as if she had taken a sleeping pill, drowsiness sweeping over her. Her head tilted, and she couldn't resist closing her eyes.
The lights before her suddenly dimmed, and she sensed a living presence in front of her.
After a moment of thought, she slowly opened her eyes.
"Hi, we meet again!"
Ye Ziyu looked at the stranger in front of her. She glanced behind her, confirming the person was speaking to her.
Again?
Had they met before?
The bewilderment in her eyes caused the man before her to exclaim in disappointment, "You don't remember? The beach was our first meeting."
Ye Ziyu furrowed her brows. She actually recalled.
"Thinking of me?" Gu Xiuyu pulled out the chair in front of her and leaned down to sit.
She did remember, but Ye Ziyu had forgotten his name. However, it was quite unexpected to see him here.
"Alone?" Gu Xiuyu glanced around, spotting Di Mingjue in the crowd. "It seems you've come with your husband."
"Yes," Ye Ziyu nodded. She disliked the way Gu Xiuyu was looking at her, as if appraising an object. Feeling uncomfortable, she stood up from the booth.