Chapter 45

Chapter 45

Su Linyuan’s gaze toward Gu Yubai suddenly changed.

He suspected the young man before him was a *fox spirit*—his first impression of him had been favorable, and now the Old Master had taken a liking to him at first sight too.

Listen to what Yu Li just said—he’d rather suffer himself than let Gu Yubai come to harm.

Hmm… Did this young man save Yu Li’s entire family in a past life? Or does Yu Li have something on him?

Fortunately, the Old Master hadn’t lost his senses completely as to transfer money to the boy on the spot.

Following behind the Old Master, Su Linyuan suddenly felt that Su Shengli had been right—it was best to keep his distance from this young man.

After exchanging just a few words, the Old Master and Gu Yubai soon parted ways.

Gu Yubai glanced at the business card the Old Master had slipped him and casually tucked it into his pocket.

Turning to Yu Li, he noticed the man frowning at his phone.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

Yu Li’s eyes flickered sharply before he shook his head.

“Nothing. Let’s go home now.”

As the banquet neared its end, Gu Yubai, the lowly assistant, still had some wrap-up tasks to handle. Without complaint, he followed Yu Li, bidding farewell to the guests who had come to say goodbye, then boarded their car.

The driver took them straight home.

Gu Yubai started dozing off slightly, unaware that Yu Li beside him was watching him with a complicated gaze.

Yu Li recalled the message he had just received.

---“President Yu, if your earlier description is accurate—your friend turning pale and trembling uncontrollably for a while before recovering after suddenly being exposed to bright lights—then he indeed has PTSD. This is a psychological condition caused by trauma. Your friend likely experienced a horrific incident related to bright lights, leaving him with psychological scars.”

---“President Yu, if he’s willing, you could bring him to a psychiatrist for a diagnosis.”

After a long silence, Yu Li finally took out his phone and replied.

---“No need.”

------

Back at the Su family villa, Song Manman was comforting Su Shengli, who had left in a huff earlier.

Song Manman spoke softly, “Don’t be upset, sweetheart. Even if you can’t get Grandma’s inheritance, it’s fine. Everything I have will go to you alone, and I have substantial assets myself.”

“Later, I’ll persuade your father to compensate you more—houses, cars, whatever you want, we’ll transfer them to your name immediately. If the Su Group’s shares aren’t given to you, so be it. Your brother has been scouting several startups recently, and many of them have promising projects. If you can’t get shares in the Su Group, your brother can give you shares in other companies instead.”

“Besides, your father just told me he’s already connected you with a famous director, who’s creating a standout role for you in a film. This is a rare opportunity—they’re announcing it tomorrow. Your future is bright, so why bother with the Old Master? He’s so old already.”

Her voice lowered as she leaned in to whisper in Su Shengli’s ear.

“How much longer can he live? Once he’s gone, as long as you handle things properly, your father and brother will surely transfer some of the Su Group’s shares to you. Just endure for a few more years, and everything will fall into place.”

Song Manman gave a light laugh, covering her gentle eyes with a silk fan, her demeanor so calm it was as if she hadn’t just uttered something venomous.

Perhaps, to her, it was simply the truth.

The Old Master had been in poor health for years, and these past two, he’d nearly been living in the sanatorium, with few daring to disturb him.

If his health weren’t so dire, why would he rarely return to the old mansion?

Su Shengli looked up at Song Manman in surprise, then his face softened with emotion.

He buried himself in her arms. “Mom~”

The touching moment between mother and son was interrupted when Su Shengli’s phone rang. He pulled away, puzzled, and grabbed his phone from the couch.

The moment he saw the caller ID, his face fell.

Song Manman watched thoughtfully, her tone still gentle. “What’s wrong?”

Su Shengli nearly dropped his phone. He opened his mouth, struggling to speak for a moment.

“It’s nothing, just a classmate calling. Mom, I’ll head upstairs first. Have Butler Zhang send a midnight snack to my room later.”

Song Manman’s eyes flickered, but her smile remained tender.

“Of course. But no matter how urgent things are, don’t stay up late—remember, your mother is always thinking of you.”

Su Shengli glanced at the incessantly ringing phone he had just hung up on and gave a vague hum before rushing upstairs.

The moment he shut his bedroom door behind him, his composure shattered.

“What’s the rush? Are you in such a hurry to die? My mom almost saw your number! If you expose me, I swear you’ll suffer just as much as I will!”

A middle-aged man’s frantic voice came through the phone.

“Nephew! My dear nephew! You’re my own sister’s son! I’m your real uncle! My whole life has been for your mother and you—you can’t abandon me now! I’m trapped in a casino—send me money now, or they’ll cut my hands off!”

“I’m your uncle! I raised you in the Su family since you were little! You wouldn’t let your own uncle become a cripple, would you? Hurry, send the money! I just helped you hit someone with a car!”

Su Shengli’s grip on the phone tightened. After a long pause, he let out a mirthless laugh.

“Uncle, don’t talk nonsense. When did I ever ask you to kill someone? That person’s still alive—just brain-dead in the hospital.”

Then his tone turned icy. “If you’d actually hit the right person back then, I wouldn’t be living in fear because of Gu Yubai’s identity! If it weren’t for the rift between those two brothers, do you think I’d even have a place in the Su family now?”

“You messed up and still dare ask me for money? If Mom knew her own brother couldn’t even do this little favor for her son, she’d rise from her grave!”

After another round of frantic begging from the other end, Su Shengli’s expression grew impatient.

“Fine, fine. The Old Master’s in the country now—don’t you dare come back. I’ll have someone send you money later, but you better stay hidden.”

*Beep—*

The call ended. Su Shengli let out a shaky breath, only then realizing his back was soaked with cold sweat.

Su Shengli knew he was dreaming.

He was back on that night, opening his eyes to find himself being carried on someone’s back as they fled.

A young man was panting heavily, running toward the mountains behind the house, almost slipping and falling down the slope in his haste.

When he noticed Su Shengli was awake, the man cursed and said reassuringly.

“I’m getting you out of the Su family tonight! Before they realize I sneaked into the old lady’s room to change the will to help you. Once they figure out the will’s been changed, they’ll know we’re working together. We can’t let them catch us, nephew!”

“By the way, why was the room in such disarray when I took you? Did something happen to the old lady? All I did was knock some equipment over by her window…”

Yes, that old woman you mentioned died because of you.

Su Shengli thought bitterly as he answered the young man's question in his heart. His body bounced uncontrollably as the man fled, and when he turned his head, he seemed to see a young teenager chasing after them with something in his hand.

That was... Yu Li.

Su Shengli suddenly struggled violently, causing the young man to let out a pained yell. As the man fell, the child on his shoulder was sent tumbling a short distance away.

The Su family bodyguards were close behind Yu Li. The young man threw a helpless glance at the bewildered Su Shengli, gritted his teeth, and said,

"Cry, cry loudly! Don’t tell anyone I’m your uncle! Just wait... I’ll come back for you later."

Suddenly, someone stood behind him. The young Yu Li bent down with a worried expression.

"Little Shengli, are you okay?"

Su Shengli abruptly turned his head and realized his uncle, who had just warned him not to reveal their relationship, had vanished into thin air.

The next second, the confused child looked up at Yu Li, recalling his uncle’s instructions. Fear flashed in his eyes, and he let out a loud wail.

"Waaah! Big brother, I’m scared! Waaah~"

In the room, Su Shengli suddenly opened his eyes.

One question haunted him—

Back then, did Yu Li, who was close behind them, hear what his uncle had said to him?

He couldn’t let the Su family find out he was connected to the gardener who accidentally caused Madame Su’s death!

He couldn’t!

-----

Gu Yihong returned from the airport today.

After Gu Yubai returned last night, he organized the documents and sent them to Yu Li before collapsing into bed. He didn’t wake up until noon.

After cleaning up, Gu Yubai went to a nearby mall to eat.

Before he could even finish paying and leave, the large screen near the elevator immediately began playing a promotional video about Yu Li’s company making significant contributions to Mingcheng’s charity efforts.

Yu Li appeared on the screen, radiating energy.

Dressed in a white shirt and dress slacks, he smiled gently and introduced Yu Corporation’s origins and business direction in the country with a polished, gentlemanly air. Just standing there, his reliable and steady aura was palpable, making people instinctively place their trust in him completely.

This timing was precisely the promotional schedule Yu Li had discussed with his company yesterday.

After Gu Yubai took out his phone and looked around online, he confirmed that others in Mingcheng had enough sense not to release any competing hot topics in the media at this moment.

By the time Gu Yubai left the mall, interviews about Yu Li were everywhere.

Gu Yubai chuckled, sitting in his car to send Yu Li a message wishing him success before driving straight to the airport.

Gu Yihong looked even thinner than before his trip abroad.

He didn’t seem like someone who had traveled with friends—more like someone who had suffered a serious illness. His face was slightly pale, and though he wore an enthusiastic smile, his somewhat gaunt cheeks betrayed his exhaustion.

Gu Yubai narrowed his eyes, his gaze sweeping over Gu Yihong several times until the latter grew visibly uncomfortable.

Gu Yihong asked stiffly, "Wh-what’s wrong?"

Gu Yubai chuckled lightly and casually patted Gu Yihong’s shoulder.

"You’ve lost weight! Before school starts, Big Brother will fatten you up. Let’s go see Dad now."

Gu Yihong immediately perked up again.

He grabbed back his luggage Gu Yubai was carrying for him and asked bluntly,

"Bro, while I was abroad, the Su family didn’t give you trouble because of my background, did they?"

Gu Yubai paused, then gave Gu Yihong a meaningful smile.

"No. You made such a public scene with the Su family, cutting all ties. I’m not part of the Su family—why would they come after me?"

Gu Yihong nodded. "Right. Thank God that hacker exposed the Su family’s chat logs online during the Recognition Banquet. Otherwise, I’d never have been able to shake them off."

Gu Yubai pursed his lips and gave a faint smile.