Chapter 284 — I'm Just Hitchhiking

When Xie Guangbo finished speaking, he cast a smug glance at Jin Gubang—only to find that Jin Gubang's face had gone black. Yes, very black indeed. At that moment, Jin Gubang was about to explode with rage.

Earlier, when Gu Pengzhan had proposed handing the entertainment division under his control over to Xie Guangbo, Jin Gubang had been delighted. But now Xie Guangbo had actually refused, and Jin Gubang silently cursed him as a fool.

Why did you refuse? Couldn't you have just taken it? It would be in your hands anyway—how could I not feel at ease? We're grasshoppers on the same rope now, and I'm not afraid you'd dare turn against me. If you did, would you still want to save your son?

But by refusing like that, wouldn't Gu Pengzhan immediately realize the relationship between us? Jin Gubang had not wanted to expose their connection too early, planning to deliver an unexpected, fatal blow to Gu Pengzhan at the critical moment.

Now that the relationship had been exposed ahead of time, the so-called element of surprise was impossible. Gu Pengzhan would certainly be on his guard; if Jin Gubang wanted to make use of this connection, he would have to strike early.

Jin Gubang truly wanted to curse someone out. He had finally obtained a trump card, only to find it played so soon. He did not want to fall out with Gu Pengzhan just yet, because even if he became chairman, as long as Gu Pengzhan remained and held most of the Gu Group's shares, he could never arbitrarily carve off and hand away the group's real estate company.

Jin Gubang shot Xie Guangbo a venomous glare, but the matter was done, and there was nothing he could do about it now. No matter how he denied or refused, anyone could see that Xie Guangbo was connected to him; explanations were useless.

"The capable should bear the burden, then. Since that is the case, we shall do as Chairman Xie suggests." Gu Pengzhan gave a cold snort. "The entertainment division will remain under Vice Chairman Jin's charge. I hope Vice Chairman Jin will train and reorganize it as quickly as possible, and that no similar accidents will occur again."

"Rest assured, Chairman, I will reorganize the amusement park immediately." Jin Gubang nodded. Gu Pengzhan was displeased, and so was he. How could Xie Guangbo be so brainless? Just like that, their relationship had been laid bare?

After the meeting adjourned, Jin Gubang did not go straight home but instead arranged to meet Xie Guangbo. Now that this connection had been exposed, they had to accelerate their pace so that they could complete the election of a new chairman while Gu Pengzhan was caught off guard.

……………………

On Monday, Wei Zhao rode to school in Qing Bo's car, but he had packed some shark meat in a保鲜盒—no, in a plastic container—to let Kang Xiaofeng, Tang Zhi, and little Fen at the hospital have a taste.

There was a whole shark, after all. Wei Zhao had roasted a large platter, and most of the shark was still left, stuffed into the freezer.

As for the torn map found in the shark's belly, Wei Zhao had put it away in a drawer. Since he could not make sense of it for the time being, he had not spent too much time studying it; he would slowly look into it when he had the chance later.

After what had happened on Saturday, the relationship among the three of them had grown a little more harmonious. At least Gu Mengyao no longer wore a sour face; even if she had some objections to Wei Zhao's philandering, she no longer brought it up.

Along the way, Gu Mengyao and Shen Yushu chattered about all sorts of inexplicable topics. Wei Zhao was not particularly interested—they were all things girls liked, such as trendy clothes and cosmetics—and he could not get a word in.

As they neared the school, Shen Yushu pointed at a Mercedes not far ahead and said, "Yao-jie, isn't that Zhong Yongliang's family car?"

Hearing Shen Yushu's words, Gu Mengyao could not help frowning. She looked up and indeed saw Zhong Yongliang getting out of the car.

Zhong Yongliang was under immense pressure. The night before, his uncle had specifically called to ask about his progress with Gu Mengyao. Upon hearing that he had not even held her hand yet, Jin Gubang had cursed him outright as a good-for-nothing.

His uncle's side seemed about to make a move against the Gu Group, yet he still had not won over Gu Mengyao. His uncle had already issued him a death order: within one week, it had to be done, by any means necessary—even force. As long as the rice was cooked, the Gu Group would be theirs.

Deep down, Jin Gubang was actually unwilling for Zhong Yongliang to be with Gu Mengyao. Gu Pengzhan had only one daughter, and his family fortune would surely go to Gu Mengyao in the future—which meant it would end up in Zhong Yongliang's hands. But Zhong Fabai was not a man content to remain subordinate to others. Though Zhong Yongliang being with Gu Mengyao might temporarily relieve the pressure on Jin Gubang to oust Gu Pengzhan and become the group's new chairman, it would only be temporary. Once Zhong Fabai gained power, he might well use the shares in Gu Pengzhan's hands to bite back.

But he had no choice. Now that his relationship with Xie Guangbo had been exposed, he could only seize the moment and rise to power. As long as Zhong Yongliang could win over Gu Mengyao and tie Gu Pengzhan's hands, he would have time to take control of the group.

Zhong Yongliang got out of the car and turned his head—only to see the Bentley from Gu Mengyao's family right behind. He was overjoyed. He had been worrying about how to get a chance to approach Gu Mengyao, and now that he saw her family's car, he immediately scurried over, waiting for her to get out.

"Yao-jie, he's coming over..." Shen Yushu said with a grin, watching Zhong Yongliang outside the car, his face full of eager attentiveness.

"God..." Gu Mengyao rubbed her forehead. Why was this man so persistent? Would he ever give it a rest? "Wei Zhao, get out and chase him away."

"Me? Get out of the car?" Wei Zhao was taken aback. If he stepped out now, wouldn't that expose his connection to Gu Mengyao?

"Yes, you get out and chase him off for me," Gu Mengyao nodded. "I don't want to see him, whatever the reason."

"And if he asks why I'm in your family's car, what then?" Wei Zhao said with a bitter smile.

"Same direction, catching a ride," Gu Mengyao saw nothing amiss in it. "Or better yet, don't explain at all. He won't overthink it anyway—you're Tang Zhi's boyfriend."

At that, Gu Mengyao gave a quiet snort of displeasure. The shield her father had paid to hire was now benefiting Tang Zhi for free, and the thought of it irked her.

"Heh..." Wei Zhao chuckled, opened the door, and got out.

"Yaoyao—huh? Wei Zhao? What are you doing in Yaoyao's family car?" Zhong Yongliang had assumed it was Gu Mengyao getting out and was about to trot over with a few ingratiating words, but to his astonishment, he found Wei Zhao instead.

"Caught a ride, same direction." Wei Zhao shot Zhong Yongliang a cold glance. "Three seconds. Get lost. One, two..."

"Fine. We'll see about this." Zhong Yongliang was furious. **How could his luck be this bad? He'd finally found a chance to strike up a conversation with Gu Mengyao, only to run into Wei Zhao again. But he couldn't afford to cross this guy right now, so he'd have to swallow it—just you wait. Once Zhang Naipao finishes his training and comes down the mountain, I'll have your life.**