Chapter 31
Chapter 31
Chapter 31
Anyone with eyes could see that the two people nearby were locked in a heated dispute.
The receptionist wasn't blind; in fact, she possessed a pair of beautiful, lush, and captivating eyes.
She couldn't fathom how, in the mere instant her back was turned, Su Shengli—the second young master of the Su family, recently quite famous online—had escalated from arguing with the handsome young man who arrived later to a full-blown physical altercation!
Su Shengli's eyes were slightly red, conveying a sense of grievance, yet his entire demeanor was aggressive as he fiercely clutched the other young man's clothes, radiating an unwavering determination to pursue the matter to its bitter end.
In stark contrast, the young man he had accused of theft stood tall and straight, his expression aloof, his gaze cold. A faint trace of annoyance creased his brow as he tilted his chin slightly, looking up at the ceiling as if he couldn't be bothered to acknowledge Su Shengli.
Gu Yubai was not the least bit anxious to defend himself.
Anyone with an ounce of sense would realize that the brief moment he had stood at the door earlier was nowhere near enough time for him to bend down, pick something up, and then discreetly tuck it into his pocket.
The receptionist who had led him there had only just turned away—Su Shengli’s scheme was utterly devoid of intellect.
Compared to the elaborate and treacherous plots Su Shengli had concocted to frame him in his past life, this one was a marked deterioration in cunning.
As for the reason, Gu Yubai could guess. In this life, he hadn’t returned to the Su family, and Su Shengli already knew that Gu Yihong was an impostor. From beginning to end, Su Shengli had never lost sleep over another person appearing in the Su family to compete with him for status and affection.
Moreover, during this time, Su Wanlin and Song Manman had clearly shown him undivided adoration—endowing buildings and opening a film company for him. Even if Su Shengli had originally been cautious and wary, he had now grown completely swollen with arrogance.
He believed he had nothing to fear.
Even if Gu Yihong’s imposture and Gu Yubai’s true identity were exposed in the future, they still couldn’t compare to him—the favored adopted son!
Su Shengli continued gripping Gu Yubai’s clothes, his eyes flashing with disdain as he looked at the silent Gu Yubai.
“Say something! If you don’t confess honestly, I’ll call the police and have them interrogate you!”
The receptionist nearby immediately grew nervous. She quickly stepped between the two, measuring her words carefully to persuade Su Shengli.
“Young Master Su, perhaps there’s been a misunderstanding? This gentleman just arrived at the meeting room door—he had no idea anyone was inside before he opened it. Besides, I was with him the whole time. Maybe your watch fell on the ground, and he happened to pick it up, leading to this misunderstanding.”
Unfortunately, it was currently the company’s lunch break, and most employees had gone to the cafeteria. There weren’t many people around, and she was the only one in this area.
The receptionist’s words were purely to give Su Shengli an out. She knew the Yu and Su families had close ties.
An ordinary person would have taken the opportunity to step back, but Su Shengli was determined to teach Gu Yubai a lesson today.
This was a rare opportunity—who told Gu Yubai to wander into his crosshairs? He was the one setting Gu Yubai up; of course, he knew this was all his own orchestration.
A smirk curled at the corner of Su Shengli’s lips.
The next second, he turned to glare at the receptionist with reddened eyes, his expression pitiful but his tone firm.
“Are you saying I’m lying?”
“Well...” The receptionist looked troubled. “How about this—let’s not call the police just yet. When our security team returns, we can check the hallway surveillance footage. I’m sure the cameras will clear everything up.”
“No!” Su Shengli refused outright.
“I don’t understand. I personally pulled my missing watch out of his pocket—isn’t that proof enough that he stole it? Are you worried about getting in trouble? Don’t worry, I’ll have a word with your boss.”
The receptionist was stunned, staring at Su Shengli in disbelief.
If anyone was confused here, it was her! Good heavens, she’d run into a certifiable nutjob today! He was hell-bent on dragging an innocent, handsome young man into his false accusations!
Just as the receptionist was about to say more, footsteps sounded from nearby.
Yu Li’s voice, cold as ice, came from behind them.
“What exactly did you want to tell me? That you’ve come to my company to stir up trouble and cause a scene?”
His tone was so cold and harsh that even the receptionist could sense the severity and displeasure in his words.
She immediately took a step back and said softly, “President Yu, the situation is...”
Yu Li waved his hand, cutting her off. “No need to explain. I already know everything.”
The composed young executive swept a stern gaze over Su Shengli and Gu Yubai before stepping forward and wrenching Su Shengli’s hand away from Gu Yubai’s clothes.
Su Shengli’s eyes were slightly red as he murmured, “Brother Yu... you’re finally back. This person just tried to make off with the watch my older brother gave me.”
Unlike Su Shengli’s performance of wounded innocence, Gu Yubai remained silent, only offering Yu Li a knowing smirk—not the slightest bit concerned with defending himself.
It was strange. Gu Yubai felt no panic at all. In his mind, he was bone-deep certain that Yu Li would take his side.
And indeed, Yu Li sided with Gu Yubai. He didn’t even need to hear the receptionist’s explanation to guess the whole story.
Yu Li gave Gu Yubai a helpless look before turning back to Su Shengli, his brows knitting together again.
His tone was indifferent.
“Su Shengli, what exactly are you here for? If you insist on making an issue out of this watch, then please leave. The Yu Corporation does not welcome guests who cause trouble and frame others.”
His words landed like a guillotine blade.
Su Shengli’s face instantly paled. He quickly waved his hands. “No, no, you’ve misunderstood. I...”
Yu Li watched him calmly.
His expression remained as composed and rational as ever, as if he could see right through Su Shengli.
Su Shengli immediately felt uncomfortable.
It was as if his ugliest intentions had been exposed under the sun, with countless people around him pointing fingers and muttering.
“I... I came to deliver an invitation. This year... the Ming City Charity Gala is falling under the auspices of our Su family. My father knew you had returned to the country, so he asked me to inform you personally and insist you grace us with your presence. With the Yu family’s participation, this year’s gala is sure to be a success.”
Su Shengli’s voice grew quieter. He paused, as if remembering something, and his previously pale face colored with excitement.
“Our Su and Yu families have been close for generations. In this lifetime, you... the Yu and Su families even had that... understanding. I also wanted to see you in person and ask for your thoughts.”
He shyly glanced up at Yu Li but was immediately intimidated by the other man’s cold expression.
He secretly glared at Gu Yubai, who stood nearby with an amused, mocking smile. Remembering the agreement between the Yu and Su families, his gut clenched, and a frisson of panic shot through him.
A struggle flashed across Su Shengli’s face, mixed with unwillingness.
“By the way, Brother Yu, you’ve really misunderstood me. Things aren’t at all what you think. I... I just...”
Yu Li had less than zero interest in entertaining another word from Su Shengli.
Gu Yubai’s shit-eating grin beside him seemed to taunt him—how could someone as shallow as Su Shengli ever stand a snowball's chance?
Su Shengli was making himself painfully obvious right now. Who wouldn't see through him?
Yu Li immediately said sternly, "Save your excuses. I can see the truth for myself."
Su Shengli's words died in his throat. He realized Yu Li didn't believe him at all—he'd rather trust some... outsider...
Had Yu Li forgotten that incident from ten years ago when Su Shengli had saved him?
Not only did Gu Yubai want to compete with him for his position as the Su family's young master, but he also wanted to steal Yu Li away!
Resentment surged through Su Shengli's chest. His head spun, and his complaints came pouring out.
"It's not that you don't want to hear my explanation—you're clearly under his spell and biased against me!"
"Do you even know who he is? Let me tell you, he's the elder brother of that 'True Young Master' Gu Yihong, the one who's been causing trouble for me and the Su family lately! He holds a grudge against me, and he's got an agenda with you!"
"Enough!"
This time, Yu Li's voice went ice-cold. He instinctively glanced at Su Shengli, his dark gaze burning with undisguised disgust and anger.
Su Shengli froze. He stared blankly at Yu Li, struck dumb.
Yu Li spoke coldly, "Don't change the subject. I'll ask you one thing—if today, you were the one publicly accused of stealing, what would you do?"
Su Shengli reeled from Yu Li's tone.
He couldn't speak for a long time, his eyes welling with hurt and disappointment.
Yu Li simply turned to the still-present receptionist.
He asked in a low voice, "If you were the one being falsely accused today, what would you do?"
The receptionist didn’t even hesitate before she shot back,
"I'd wring his neck!"
Su Shengli’s eyes widened in shock, barely keeping his composure.
"I... I..."
He couldn’t get a word out.
He'd never been so thoroughly humiliated. Su Shengli had always been pampered, and recently, the Su family had treated him like royalty. Since when did he endure such disgrace?
It was all Gu Yubai’s fault!
Rage flashed in Su Shengli’s eyes, but he knew better than to lash out at Yu Li.
"My bad! I apologize!"
He was smart enough to know that with Yu Li present, pushing his luck would backfire.
Su Shengli lowered his eyes, mumbling.
Gu Yubai still didn’t speak, but the calmer and more composed he remained, the more Su Shengli looked like a petulant child.
No one spoke, and an uncomfortable silence fell.
After a while, Su Shengli finally heard Gu Yubai’s measured tone.
"Sorry, but I don’t accept your apology."
He smiled at Yu Li, then spoke in a sickeningly polite tone.
"President Yu, no one's obliged to accept an apology, are they?"
Su Shengli's head snapped up.
He stared in disbelief as Yu Li, whose features had noticeably relaxed, gave a slight nod.
Yu Li smiled at Gu Yubai. His tone carried an intimacy that set Su Shengli's teeth on edge—though upon closer listening, it might have just sounded normal.
"You’re right. Even the law doesn’t force victims to forgive others."
Yu Li turned directly to the receptionist.
"Has security not arrived yet? Just have him escorted out."
Yu Li didn't mince words. "Get him out. And notify the security team downstairs—unless he has important business, ban him from entering."
"While our families go way back, that doesn’t mean just any Su family member can wander into Yu Corporation under the pretense of friendship. There are plenty of trade secrets here, after all."
Su Shengli’s mind exploded.
This was Yu Li openly declaring this in front of him!
He didn't even pretend to be civil, proving he truly didn’t take Su Shengli seriously.
Su Shengli couldn't process this.
He instinctively shouted, "You can’t treat me like this! Have you forgotten? I’m your intended—"
Before he could finish, security finally arrived.
Someone grabbed Su Shengli, and another covered his mouth.
His muffled protests were ignored as he was dragged away, his last sight being the departing figures of Yu Li and Gu Yubai walking off together.
They looked perfectly in sync.
Su Shengli’s eyes widened in fury!
Gu! Yu! Bai!
Gu! Yu! Bai!
Why did you have to show up?!
I wish you were dead.