“…” I was speechless… This is how conversations always die.
Tank Gu looked down at me and asked, “Why did you dump Chris He?”
“That’s my private matter, I don’t want to talk about it.” I lowered my head, feeling incredibly depressed, as if shrouded in a dark cloud.
“But Chris He must be feeling terrible about being dumped, I’m actually quite happy!” Tank Gu’s lips curled into a wicked smile, like a blooming poppy.
I said coldly, “That’s all in the past, let’s not mention him again.”
Tank Gu’s eyes turned sinister, like a demon, as if he wanted to devour me. “He… I will hate him for the rest of my life! Until he dies!”
I really didn’t understand. Shouldn’t you and Chris He be a matter between your parents? But Tank Gu’s temper was as terrifying as Shane Yu’s, so I didn’t dare ask.
Tank Gu continued, “Will you get back together with him?”
“We have no chance…”
I finished eating by then, got up, and picked up my plate to leave. Tank Gu reached out and grabbed my arm, his hand gripping mine tightly. “It’s good you didn’t get a chance. If you get back together with him, I won’t show you any mercy.”
Just then, Felix Xu saw Tank Gu grab my hand. “Tank, what are you doing?”
Snow Chen also stood up nervously and grabbed my hand. Her hand trembled with fear, afraid I would be hurt.
“I just asked her something, what’s the rush?” Tank Gu said dismissively.
Then he got up and walked away, his back like a demon, sending chills down my spine.
Snow Chen asked worriedly, “Sharon, what did Tank Gu ask you?”
“Tank Gu knows I’m Chris He’s ex-girlfriend.” I touched my forehead, somewhat helplessly.
“What? You’re Chris He’s ex-girlfriend?” Simon Hu was utterly shocked.
“Chris He? Who’s that?” Charlotte Wang asked, still unaware.
“Chris He is the person Tank Gu hates the most,” Simon Hu continued. “You two talk, I’ll go check on Tank.”
Simon Hu, worried about Tank Gu, ran out to chase after him.
Snow Chen asked, “She’s his ex-girlfriend, what else does Tank Gu want?”
Snow Chen patted my back, encouraging me, “Sharon, let’s stay away from him from now on.”
At that moment, my heart felt like it was being crushed by a heavy stone, and I forced a bitter smile.
Felix Xu came over, comforting me like an older brother, “Don’t worry, I’ll talk to Tank, I won’t let him do anything to you.”
“Okay!” I nodded, looking at their concerned eyes.
I wasn’t worried about what Tank Gu would do to me, I was worried about Chris He. His words about fighting Chris He to the death had deeply wounded me.
I think an unhappy family can have a huge impact on a child. Otherwise, Tank Gu wouldn’t have such an extreme personality.
At noon, I received a call from Shane Yu as expected. His voice on the other end was gentle, like the warm sun in winter.
“How was your first day back at school?”
“Great!”
“I’ll have Assistant Liu pick you up tonight. I have a party today, so I won’t be going back. If you’re scared, you can stay at Shirley Xiu’s villa next door.” Shane Yu’s voice was full of worry.
I asked, “No need, can I go home?”
Shane Yu’s temper flared immediately, and he growled, “Your home? Your home? Your home is where I, Shane Yu, am.”
Shane Yu’s voice was like thunder, making my eardrums hurt.
“Shane Yu, don’t be angry. I won’t be scared at home alone tonight. I’ll wait for you!” I quickly tried to calm him down.
He warned me sternly, “Don’t keep making me angry.”
“Okay! I know!”
Shane Yu hung up the phone immediately.
After school that evening, Assistant Liu called me to say he was stuck in traffic and kept apologizing.
“It’s okay, I can wait for you. Or I can take a taxi home myself,” I said tolerantly.
“Ms. Yao, I’ll be there in 10 minutes. I’m so sorry!” he continued apologizing, his voice filled with remorse.
“It’s alright, be careful!” I replied, my voice carrying a hint of reassurance.
Just as I hung up, Tank Gu sped past me on his expensive motorcycle, leaving me with a trail of exhaust fumes.
I glared angrily at his retreating figure, cursing him inwardly.
“Ms. Yao, I’m here.” Assistant Liu had arrived.
He quickly got out of his car and opened the door for me, his movements swift and fluid.
“No need for such formalities, Assistant Liu,” I said with a smile, then gracefully got in.
“It’s what we assistants do, Ms. Yao, please don’t blame me for being slow.” Assistant Liu looked ashamed, a hint of worry in his voice.
“No, Assistant Liu did a very good job.” I reassured him, sensing he was worried I might complain to Shane Yu, but he was only 10 minutes late; I wouldn’t complain.
…In a highly confidential and lavishly decorated high-class conference room, soft lighting illuminated the entire room. Exquisite paintings adorned the walls, and delicate wine glasses and refreshments were laid out on the table. High-ranking officials of Shengcheng sat around a large round table, conversing with Shane Yu.
Mayor Arnold Gu sat at the head of the table, smiling and engaging in friendly conversation with Shane Yu beside him. Next was Police Chief Ryan Lu, with sharp eyes; and Bank President Zhou Kun, with deep, mature, and composed gaze. They sat together, seemingly harmonious, but in reality, they were secretly colluding, each harboring their own agendas.
At this moment, the room was filled with an atmosphere of decadent extravagance. Soft, melodious music filled the air, and the scene was a dazzling display of lights and revelry.
A group of elegantly dressed women stood quietly at the back. Tall, shapely, and beautiful, each radiating captivating charm, they were blindfolded and their hands tightly bound, forced to await selection in revealing attire.
Ryan Lu, seeing that Shane Yu didn’t seem inclined to get up and choose, asked curiously, “Why isn’t there anything you like?” Shane Yu’s lips curled slightly, a barely perceptible smile flashing in her eyes, as she replied, “I had a minor surgery and need a few days to recover.” Hearing this, Ryan Lu couldn’t help but tease, “I was worried these ordinary beauties wouldn’t suit your taste!” Shane Yu chuckled and replied, “I painstakingly collected these; how could they be ordinary beauties? I specially prepared them for you to enjoy slowly.”
“Women need to be experienced; they have more charm,” Arnold Gu laughed.
Zhou Kun agreed, “Haha, we all know you like this kind.”
“Please enjoy yourselves!” With that, Shane Yu slowly stood up and walked towards the balcony. Ever since he met Sharon Yao, he hadn’t liked going out with women; he felt that other women lacked a certain something.
After a burst of laughter and chatter, the women were gradually escorted out.
Mayor Arnold Gu, seated at the head of the table, broke the silence first, smiling and asking, “How have things been lately?”
Shane Yu replied lazily, “Business is booming, and our lives are only getting better.”
At this moment, Director Ryan Lu suddenly stood up, walked to the conference room table, picked up a stack of envelopes, and slammed them onto the table. He frowned and said, “I’ve blocked all the whistleblower letters for you. Can’t you be a little more lenient? The real estate project in the northern suburbs has been making headlines lately; I heard someone jumped off a building yesterday.”
Ryan Lu continued to warn, “The municipal committee is sending people to inspect next month; you’d better behave yourself during this time.”
Shane Yu thought to herself: They’ve taken every penny, but now they want me to take all the blame.
Shane Yu was displeased, but she maintained a polite smile. A slight smile played on his lips as he nonchalantly said, “What’s so difficult about that? You’ll handle the reception of the people from above, and as for those troublemakers below, I’ll take care of them.”
He confidently promised, “I’ll definitely have them under control within three days.”
“Come, let’s raise a glass to our mutual benefit,” Mayor Gu said, inviting everyone to join in.
