Chapter 75 Part 3 一 Minmin Guild Retreated.
From the first day of the Spring Festival, Ruan Yōu never stopped targeting Gu Min’s business abroad using the initial user’s name.
The news that the initial user was Ruan Yōu’s investment advisor had already spread within the business circle.
Ruan Yōu’s current actions subtly expressed her dissatisfaction to Gu Min.
Deeply affected by this, Gu Min, in his dire circumstances, had only two choices to make.
Either he would give up the opportunity to compete for Bozhan, cancel the engagement with Wen Cheng, and give up everything to protect his own property, or he would continue forward regardless of everything.
Gu Min chose the latter.
Now, no one could stop him from getting engaged to Wen Cheng.
Even though Ruan Liuyu and Gu Youqian had already expressed their stance, as long as they were engaged, due to the complicated cooperation between the two parties, they would not be able to enter Bozhan for the time being, but Gu Min insisted on going his own way.
The future world that Cheng Guyuan portrayed in front of him greatly attracted Gu Min. He believed in Cheng Guyuan, mainly because the future events Cheng Guyuan spoke of seemed to be coming true right before his eyes.
Cheng Guyuan never thought he would end up like this. He used to look down on Yu Chi’s choices, but now he’s also following the path of relying on Gu Min.
But now, Ruan Yōu’s momentum was too strong, and he had no other choice.
Gu Min was the one who truly hindered Gu Fuchen.
Only he could change this bleak outcome.
On the fifth day of the Spring Festival, on the second day of Gu Min’s quiet exit from the online game, several bosses and young ladies finished playing the game and began to prepare for work.
After enjoying themselves for so long, it was time to get busy.
On that day, Ruan Liuyu received the engagement party invitation from Gu Min and Wen Cheng. As a member of the Gu family, regardless of how strained things were, Ruan Yōu, Gu Fuchen, Ruan Liuyu, and Gu Youqian had to attend.
If they didn’t go, rumors of discord within the Gu family would spread like wildfire in the business circle. Even if the truth was indeed as such, they couldn’t let it affect the day-to-day operations of Bozhan.
On the same day, in addition to the engagement party invitation, when Ruan Yōu logged into her initial user WeChat account, they also received a very interesting friend request.
It was from Gu Min’s first love, Sheng Tong.
Sheng Tong worked abroad for half a year in the financial industry and happened to work in the investment company of Yang Er’s friend.
When her boss, at the request of the ‘initial user,’ started targeting all of Gu Min’s overseas investment business, Sheng Tong had already sensitively noticed that someone had been quietly exerting pressure on Gu Min from behind.
After carefully investigating for a few days, she became very interested in the “initial user.”
As the engagement between Wen Cheng and Gu Min was being widely publicized nationwide, Sheng Tong took the initiative to contact the initial user and Ruan Yōu, seeking cooperation.
【Sheng Tong: Hello, I have something to discuss with Ruan Yōu.】
【Sheng Tong: It’s about Gu Min.】
Ruan Yōu shared her WeChat ID.
Shortly after, Sheng Tong’s friend request was accepted.
Ruan Yōu quickly logged into her WeChat account.
Sheng Tong was direct and didn’t hold back.
【Sheng Tong: The marriage between Gu Min and Wen Cheng is bound to affect the cooperation between the Wen family and the Gu family.】
Bozhan and Wen family have just signed a nearly 100 billion yuan cooperation project. If Wen Cheng and Gu Min were to get married at this time, there is a high likelihood that they would enter the cooperation project under the recommendation of their families and manage the cooperation between both sides.
For them, this is a very wonderful pie.
Gu Fuchen and Wen Juxi definitely don’t want this to happen, and the initial user is now targeting Gu Min, which is like a wake-up call.
The person issuing this warning can only be Ruan Yōu 一 the initial user’s old customer.
【Fat Cat: So, why are you reaching out to me now? What do you want?】
【Sheng Tong: I want to help you, and also help myself.】
Ten minutes later, Ruan Yōu’s personal email received some evidence.
Evidence that is infuriating to look at.
. . . . .
Gu Min fell in love at first sight with a girl six months ago, named Sheng Tong.
Later, while abroad, they unexpectedly met at a certain company, and Gu Min pursued Sheng Tong, and they got together naturally.
She was his first love.
At this time, Gu Min’s feelings for Sheng Tong were indeed genuine.
His entire life revolved around Bozhan, and he desperately wanted to prove himself to Bozhan. Sheng Tong’s presence added some joy and meaning to his life.
His dull life now had color and value.
Love, to him, is a completely new experience.
During the first three months of their relationship, Gu Min was happy, and for a while, he didn’t even think about Bozhan. He wholeheartedly immersed himself in his first love.
It was only two and a half months ago when Ruan Yōu returned to the Gu family.
Everyone noticed that Gu Fuchen had become more vibrant. He had a new name 一 Ruan Chenchen. He went to the amusement park with Ruan Yōu, rode roller coasters, and had pictures taken together in the elderly care community. The joy and happiness in the photos seemed almost overflowing from the screen.
When Gu Min saw these photos, he felt uneasy.
He used to deceive himself into thinking that Gu Fuchen’s life was as oppressive as his own.
Gu Fuchen lived in the suppression of losing his sister, never seeing the light of day again. But now, he not only had a successful career at Bozhan but also had an exciting life.
It was as if Nüwa1 had given him all the good luck and favoritism when creating humans.
Gu Fuchen’s happiness was a sharp contrast to Gu Min’s.
Compared to Gu Fuchen, his career was not worth mentioning at all.
Gu Min had thoughts of returning to his home country.
Before returning, he informed his parents about Sheng Tong’s existence.
Sheng Tong came from a middle-class family, but in front of the wealthy, she was, at best, like Cinderella entering the castle uninvited.
Eldest Uncle had always wanted Gu Min to join Bozhan. He held shares in Bozhan, was part of the Gu family, and Gu Min had gained recognition from others outside. Joining Bozhan wasn’t difficult, but obtaining power within Bozhan was an incredibly challenging task.
In this situation, aside from marriage, they had no other choice.
Knowing that their son fell in love with Cinderella and dated her for three months, Eldest Uncle couldn’t contain his anger and wished he could immediately fly overseas to break them apart.
Gu Min also understood that there was a vast difference in their family backgrounds with Sheng Tong. If he were Gu Fuchen, he would unhesitatingly be with Sheng Tong. But now, he had to take a different path.
The two of them separated somewhat gracefully.
Sheng Tong didn’t cling too much, and Gu Min was busy dealing with the final matters of his overseas company. Everything was in order until a month after their breakup, when Sheng Tong discovered she was pregnant.
At that time, she still loved Gu Min and didn’t want to give up on their relationship. She had some very naive thoughts, thinking that if they had a child together, it might change Gu Min’s determination to focus on his career.
When the news got out, Sheng Tong’s world plunged into darkness.
She had never imagined that the gentlemanly and respectable man she had dated would, upon learning of her pregnancy hindering his career, coldly insist on her having an abortion.
Sheng Tong was different from Gu Min. She didn’t aspire to a career, she longed for a family.
To be precise, she hoped to establish a warm little home and live a peaceful and harmonious life together forever.
Her parents divorced when Sheng Tong was very young, and every year during the New Year, she felt like a guest in each of their separate households, living timidly in her father’s and mother’s respective families.
They both had families, but she didn’t.
Her parents didn’t give her love, but they did provide her with some money for studying abroad.
After studying abroad, Sheng Tong didn’t date anyone, and Gu Min was her first love. She had secretly delighted in meeting such an outstanding person.
It wasn’t until she told him about the pregnancy that Gu Min revealed his true nature.
Cold, selfish, stubborn, driven by strong desires, and indifferent to kinship.
Gu Min did not agree to Sheng Tong’s request for reconciliation.
After Sheng Tong cried a lot, she had the idea of raising the child as a single mother.
She had already made all the plans and didn’t intend to disturb Gu Min. However, when Gu Min found out about her intentions, he forced her to have an abortion.
The reason was horrifying.
He was afraid that in the future, she would bring the child to find him and ruin his entire life.
Sheng Tong wanted to laugh.
Laughing through tears.
Because of a reason he thought was “possible,” he forced her to abort the child.
In the end, he did just that.
In a small, sinister clinic, a place with closed space and darkness, she was forced to abort her child.
The moment the undeveloped child flowed out of her body, Sheng Tong’s heart died.
She gave up on Gu Min, gave up on the so-called family altogether.
When Gu Min left the cramped clinic, he placed a small box by her hospital bed.
Inside were foreign currencies, a box full of foreign currencies.
He asked her to keep it a secret.
If she told the truth, her parents in home country would have a very difficult time.
Sheng Tong had a strained relationship with her parents since childhood, but she hasn’t completely severed ties with them and has silently endured.
Moreover, even if she spoke out, she can’t bring down Gu Min.
Until she discovered the initial user and Ruan Yōu.
They were her saviors.
Sheng Tong was sure.
. . . . .
In the email, Shen Tong sent the chat records of Gu Min asking her to have an abortion, along with a box of foreign currency he had left behind, all photographed and sent.
Not only that, there were also audio recordings.
Ruan Yōu stored the evidence and, upon seeing messages about her parents, reassured her:【Don’t worry, he can’t harm your parents.】
Ruan Yōu asked Xia Shi to look after Sheng Tong’s parents and finally asked Sheng Tong:
【Do you want to return?】
Sheng Tong had always considered returning home, but she was worried about encountering Gu Min, and she feared not finding a suitable job in China, so she hadn’t returned.
Ruan Yōu added: 【If you want to return, I can introduce you to Yang Er or Cheng Xin. If the interviews go well, you can work there, and the benefits are better than elsewhere. If you stay abroad, it’s also good. The company you’re in now was founded by Yang Er’s good friend, and it has great prospects. After everything is settled, you can decide later, no rush.】
Ruan Yōu simply felt that Sheng Tong was a sensitive and fragile person who might also miss everything from her hometown while in a foreign country, which was why she asked this question.
【Sheng Tong: Thank you.】
【Fat Cat: You’re welcome.】
Ruan Yōu took a deep breath.
Gu Min and Wen Cheng’s engagement invitation quietly sits beside her, featuring their smiling faces.
They lean close to each other, intimately connected, with Gu Min wearing a white suit and a brilliant smile on his usually reserved face.
A person who has always been honest and straightforward becomes radiant with joy after encountering love.
No wonder someone said in the wealthy group, “Gu Min must have found true love, that’s why he’s so happy.”
It’s a pity that his true love is not Wen Cheng, but the value and benefits he can obtain after marrying Wen Cheng.
Indeed.
How could he not be happy when he thought about all this.
However, she is genuinely unhappy right now.
Feeling stuck and unable to move forward.
If she wasn’t happy, she wouldn’t make him happy.
Wen Juxi sends a message.
【Wen Cheng and Gu Min are married.】
【Fat Cat: I received the invitation, I’ll attend on that day. Will you be there too?】
【Wen Juxi: Yes.】
Wen Juxi was considering whether to suppress Wen Cheng in advance and keep everything simple. After receiving the news from Ruan Yōu, she was stunned.
【Fat Cat: Can you make the engagement ceremony even more luxurious? It’s best if it’s grand enough for the whole country to know.】
【Wen Juxi: What are you planning to do?】
Ruan Yōu didn’t do this out of kindness, both sides were well aware.
Wen Juxi received no reply from Ruan Yōu and, after a while:【I’ll give it a try.】
On the same evening, Ruan Yōu received the program schedule for the engagement party.
Eldest Uncle, considering Gu Youqian and Ruan Liuyu, didn’t want it to be too extravagant. Ruan Yōu looked at the program schedule two or three times and, after a moment, went to Ruan Liuyu. With a sincere expression, she asked, “Mom, can you suggest making Gu Min’s engagement party more extravagant?”
Ruan Liuyu’s reaction was similar to Wen Juxi’s.
However, she didn’t inquire further.
She understood her daughter.
At times like this, Ruan Yōu must have encountered something she wanted to resolve, and even if she asked, she didn’t want to answer.
Ruan Liuyu nodded after a moment.
“Of course.”
The next day, Ruan Liuyu personally went to Eldest Uncle’s house.
Gu Min wasn’t there.
Eldest Uncle and Eldest Aunt were sitting together, discussing the engagement party process. When they saw Ruan Liuyu, Eldest Aunt’s smile froze.
Ruan Liuyu handed the gift to the butler, then sat down on the sofa and said with a faint smile, “Are you talking about Gu Min’s engagement party?”
Eldest Aunt stammered, “Yes.”
“How can it be so simple? Gu Min is the first among the younger generation to get engaged, and the ceremony is too simple. Others might just come to watch and laugh,” Ruan Liuyu said casually.
The Eldest Aunt quickly understood and her smile became warmer.
Thinking that Ruan Liuyu was concerned about the relationship between the Gu family and gave them a way out.
Since the way out was given, wouldn’t Gu Min have the opportunity to win over Bozhan?
Both of them had high hopes.
Ruan Liuyu handled things and hurried back home.
On the day of the engagement party, many prominent figures were present.
While Gu Min’s status may not have been as high as Gu Fuchen’s, he was still a member of the Gu family. Irrespective of Gu Min’s personal reputation, people continued to hold the reputation of the Gu family in high regard. They had also heard that both the Gu family and the Wen family had ambitious plans, indicating a rather complex situation. Many people were present on that day.
Representatives from all six top wealthy families were present, and nearly seventy percent of the country’s wealthy families attended. The grandeur was no less than the banquet Gu Youqian had hosted for Ruan Yōu.
Ruan Yōu sat expressionless on a white bench.
Sheng Tong sent a message.
Just two simple words:【Thank you.】
In the chat history, there was also a conversation.
【Fat Cat: What do you want to do to him?】
【Sheng Tong: The reputation he values most and the status he desires have all slipped away from him.】
Ruan Yōu felt that there was nothing wrong with this.
He broke the law, so why should his reputation and status remain intact, even if he’s punished?
All of this is what he deserves.
. . . . .
When Gu Min and Wen Cheng heard that both the Gu and Wen families were planning to celebrate this event on a grand scale, they secretly rejoiced for a few days, feeling much more relaxed.
On the day of the engagement party, the major shareholders of the Gu and Wen families were all present, congratulating the couple on their beautiful love story and immersed in the joy of what seemed like a fairytale.
【Wei Wen: Everything is arranged properly.】
Ruan Yōu glanced down and put her phone back in her bag.
Now it’s time to watch the drama.
Fifteen minutes later, the engagement party began.
A singer came to the stage, and on the big screen, a beautiful MV of the two meeting was playing, making everything as romantic as a fairytale.
After the song ended, Gu Min took the stage to speak.
Everyone was immersed in this romantic atmosphere, and after a long list of grandiose thank-you speeches, Gu Min smiled deeply and looked at Wen Cheng, saying, “I will take good care of you in the future, always stand by your side, and love only you.”
When thunderous applause erupted from the audience, the big screen, which had been playing the beautiful MV of the couple, suddenly went black.
After a two-second shock, the big screen displayed a chat history with censored content.
This was Sheng Tong’s intention.
She wanted Gu Min to know that it was her who would ensure he didn’t have a happy ending.
Betrayal would lead to an unpleasant outcome.
- 女娲 (Nüwa) is a figure in Chinese mythology and folklore. She is often regarded as a goddess or a divine figure in Chinese culture. According to mythology, Nüwa is credited with creating humanity by forming humans out of clay or mud. She is also associated with repairing the sky and preventing it from collapsing, as well as various other cultural and moral achievements in Chinese mythology. ↩︎
Taw’s Note: I’ve been hating Gu Min all this time, and now retribution is coming the hard way~ \(๑╹◡╹๑)ﾉ♬