The driver's words made Zhou Yu feel somewhat ashamed.
Beside him, Zhu Ling'er struggled to suppress her laughter, her shoulders twitching slightly.
This earned her a few more glances from Zhou Yu.
If he had known the driver was so talkative, he wouldn't have spoken so carelessly.
What was originally an excuse to avoid trouble had now become a binding oath.
All the way to the company, Zhou Yu silently listened to the driver expound on how men should be responsible.
By the end, Zhou Yu simply covered his ears and looked out the window.
Finally arriving at the company entrance.
Just as Zhou Yu was about to pay the driver.
To his surprise, the driver returned the money, saying to Zhou Yu.
"I won't take this money from you. It's not easy for a young couple."
"You should go home and apologize quickly. Running away isn't a solution."
With that, as if fearing Zhou Yu would insist on paying, the driver rolled up the window and sped off.
Watching the receding taillights of the taxi.
Zhou Yu's face was a mask of exasperation.
Zhu Ling'er could no longer hold back and burst into laughter.
"Divine Doctor Zhou, you truly are something else, to come up with such an excuse."
Zhou Yu, his face grim, retorted.
"Are you going up to find your father or not? If you keep talking like this, I'll turn the car around and leave."
Hearing this, Zhu Ling'er became anxious, quickly grabbing Zhou Yu's hand and repeatedly apologizing.
"Of course, I'm going up. I know I was wrong. Please don't hold it against me."
After speaking, Zhu Ling'er took the lead, pulling Zhou Yu along as they walked.
Zhou Yu wore a look of helplessness.
Meanwhile, inside the company's conference room.
Patriarch Zhu had finalized the detailed terms with Zhu Rong.
Zhu Rong was indeed a formidable character.
Even at such a critical moment, his eyes were not clouded.
He had meticulously reviewed every clause.
It was fortunate that Patriarch Zhu had no intention of using the clauses to trap him,
otherwise, Zhu Rong would have found many more loopholes!
These clauses were merely Patriarch Zhu's attempt to stall for time.
Zhu Rong reread the revised agreement and then smiled at Patriarch Zhu, saying.
"Alright, after my review, this agreement has no issues."
"Now, sign it, and as soon as you sign, I will release your daughter."
Patriarch Zhu had stalled for so long, only to have to sign in the end.
And there was still no news from Zhou Yu. At this moment, Patriarch Zhu hesitated.
"What? After all this discussion, you still refuse to sign?" Zhu Rong sounded displeased.
If Patriarch Zhu were to say "I'm not signing" right now,
he would surely explode!
Then Zhu Ling'er's life would be in grave danger!
Furthermore, even Patriarch Zhu would not be able to escape!
After all, most of the people from Luofeng Garden had been brought to the company.
"I'm not refusing to sign, I'm just questioning, if I sign, will you really release Ling'er?"
Patriarch Zhu stalled for time in a calm manner,
while also discreetly checking his phone for any new messages.
Unfortunately, the section for Zhou Yu's messages on his phone remained black, with no new information.
"Of course, I will do as I promised you."
"Sign it now."
Zhu Rong urged impatiently.
The surrounding enshrined elders also cast menacing glares at Patriarch Zhu.
Under these circumstances, Patriarch Zhu had no excuse to delay any further.
He hesitated for a moment, then reached out and picked up the pen from the table.
As the tip of the pen hovered over the final lines of the agreement.
Patriarch Zhu paused.
All eyes were fixed on Patriarch Zhu.
"Sign quickly! Stop dawdling!"
The other branches of the Zhu family had been waiting impatiently. Seeing Patriarch Zhu's prolonged inaction, they began to scold him.
The ink from the pen tip landed on the white paper, forming a black halo. Patriarch Zhu smiled slightly.
"My daughter is already in your custody, and I am in your hands, so why the hurry?"
"You must let me think a little longer. After all, I've been Patriarch for so long, and I'm a bit reluctant to give up this position."
Zhu Rong's expression shifted to one of understanding.
He looked at Patriarch Zhu with disdain and spoke words of insult.
"Isn't that right? There's so much profit in this position, who would be willing to part with wealth and status?"
"The tides are turning, and now it's my turn to enjoy myself."
Patriarch Zhu was not necessarily clinging to the position of family head; he simply had not found a successor.
Besides,
although the Zhu family members appeared obedient on the surface,
Patriarch Zhu knew in his heart.
That they were only loyal when there was profit to be made.
Once he relinquished his position as Patriarch.
His and Zhu Ling'er's fate would be worse than death!
This was the reason why Patriarch Zhu had been hesitant to hand over the position.
Now, upon hearing Zhu Rong's words.
Patriarch Zhu frowned.
Many within the Zhu family held similar sentiments.
They assumed Patriarch Zhu had amassed a fortune from this position.
In reality,
while there were profits to be made,
they were not as substantial as they imagined.
After all, the family had to support so many people.
The expenses were far greater than they could comprehend!
Although Patriarch Zhu had access to a lot of money in his position, he dared not embezzle it.
He feared that if the company operations required it and he had taken it, it would be disastrous.
As for the wealth that Patriarch Zhu and Zhu Ling'er possessed now, it was all derived from their shareholdings.
If Zhu Rong harbored such intentions, then Patriarch Zhu would be even more reluctant to hand over the position to him.
Otherwise, would the Zhu family continue to prosper as it did now?
"Enough, stop dilly-dallying."
"My brothers and sisters have been waiting for a long time, and they're getting impatient. If you continue to bore them, Zhu Ling'er's life will be at stake."
Zhu Rong said impatiently, watching Patriarch Zhu's pen hesitate over the paper.
The other enshrined elders also stepped forward,
giving the impression that if Patriarch Zhu did not sign, they would resort to violence.
With no other recourse, Patriarch Zhu began to sign.
As the first character was written.
Bang—
A loud noise echoed from outside the conference room.
Immediately after,
Zhou Yu, pulling Zhu Ling'er, kicked open the conference room door.
The two were slightly breathless, clearly having rushed there.
"Don't sign!"
Zhu Ling'er shouted in desperation.
Instantly,
all eyes turned to the doorway, especially on Zhu Ling'er.
Zhu Rong's brows furrowed, his heart churning like a thousand galloping horses.
"How did she get out?" Zhu Rong roared in disbelief.
However, no one present could answer his question.
The warriors from Luofeng Garden had all been redeployed.
Now, no one knew what the situation was over there that allowed Zhu Ling'er to escape!
"Catch her, immediately!"
Zhu Rong took a deep breath and said furiously.
His terrifying demeanor caused the other enshrined elders to spring into action.
If only Patriarch Zhu were present, Zhu Rong and the others might have succeeded.
Unfortunately for them, Zhou Yu was also there!