In the car, Yu Xiaoduo burst out laughing when he heard the shouting from behind. This Gu Wan’er—she’s really having a stress reaction.
Just as he thought that, his phone dinged. Yu Xiaoduo thought it was a message from Sister Bai.
But to his surprise, it was from Gu Wan’er.
“Pick me up tomorrow morning, or forget about your paycheck.”
Yu Xiaoduo immediately swore under his breath. I’m not your driver—can’t you drive yourself to work? I’m not going to indulge you. Always threatening people with their salary… With that kind of attitude, you really think you’ll get far in the company?
It was almost 11 p.m. when he got home. To Yu Xiaoduo’s surprise, his parents were still awake, both sitting on the sofa watching TV.
“So, you were out on a date?” Tang Ling asked with a smile.
Yu Xiaoduo sat down next to his dad, peeled an orange to quench his thirst, and said, “Didn’t I tell you yesterday? We’re innocent.”
Then, Yu Taiduo, sitting to the side, suddenly lifted his son’s arm. “And you still say you’re innocent? Look at this bite mark. As a man, you need to know how to be tender and considerate.”
Yu Xiaoduo: “……”
He looked at the red bite mark on his arm. Even though only a faint trace remained, it was still very obvious.
“Let me see,” Tang Ling said, leaning in curiously to take a look. Then she slapped Yu Xiaoduo’s arm.
“Ouch! Mom, what are you doing?”
“Xiaoduo, this time I’m siding with your father. Wan’er is indeed very beautiful, but you still need to control yourself. Sigh, next time I’ll have a talk with Wan’er. We can’t just indulge you like this.” Tang Ling really felt sorry for her future daughter-in-law. Being bitten like that—she must have really been hurting.
Even though Yu Xiaoduo was usually sharp-tongued, he couldn’t muster a defense now. The evidence was irrefutable; there was no room for denial.
But aren’t your assumptions way off base here?
“It’s not what you think. Just listen to my explanation.”
Yu Taiduo said sternly, “Last time you even brought the girl home. Since you’ve done the deed, you need to take responsibility. You keep making all these excuses—are you two-timing someone?”
“Dad, how could I possibly be two-timing? My own boat is practically sinking.”
Just then, the previously serious Tang Ling suddenly beamed, scrolling on her phone and muttering, “It’s summer now, so the baby should be born in the spring. We need to get some baby clothes ready in advance.”
The corner of Yu Xiaoduo’s mouth twitched. Mom, you’ll just be hugging air by then. You’re way too obsessed with having a grandchild.
Yu Taiduo let out a long sigh. “If she really is pregnant, our two families should meet.”
Yu Xiaoduo: “……”
And to think, today I had already infuriated my future “father-in-law” to the boiling point. Our two families meeting? It would turn into a full-on brawl.
Forget it. There’s no explaining this. I’ll just let it go.
“I’m going to bed.”
Yu Taiduo chuckled quietly. “Now you know what it feels like to be tired, huh? I told you to exercise more. Don’t just go wild because you have a pretty girlfriend. You need to learn moderation. I’ll have your mom brew you a thermos of goji berry tea to take to work tomorrow.”
Yu Xiaoduo’s whole body went numb. Me, Yu Xiaoduo, tired? Not to brag, but you’re looking at a guy who can go seven rounds a night. Who dares to challenge that?
After showering, he lay in bed staring blankly. Ever since swapping bodies with Gu Wan’er, life had felt completely chaotic. He wasn’t sure if it was a good thing or a bad thing. But one thing was certain—it was pretty… steamy.
While Yu Xiaoduo slept, a luxury yacht floated in the waters of Yuegang Bay. In the pitch-black sea, it shone like a dazzling floating palace, about 112 meters long and 18 meters wide, equipped with a professional helipad and every entertainment facility imaginable. People often say the wealthy play with cars and watches, but this single yacht was worth 1.2 billion. Its routine maintenance and docking fees alone could buy a supercar.
Though it was almost midnight, the yacht was still bustling with music and merrymaking. Some men dove straight off the yacht into the sea, making the girls playing in the water shriek with excitement. It was a picture of utter debauchery.
Among this crowd of young people, quite a few middle-aged men were also having fun. Outsiders would see them as elites, but the person who gathered them all together was the man sitting at the bow, fishing. He wore a floral shirt, flip-flops, and, despite the late hour, sunglasses.
His name was Gu Yuanli, the second eldest of the younger generation in the Gu Financial Group, now just over thirty.
Suddenly, his fishing rod shook violently, as if a huge fish had taken the bait, but it went still after a few tugs.
Gu Yuanli calmly reeled in the line, revealing a human figure floating just beneath the surface. He said impassively, “Pull him up.”
Several bodyguards immediately jumped into the water, dragged the man onto the deck, and began resuscitation. After a short while, seawater gushed from the man’s mouth, followed by violent coughing.
Gu Yuanli flashed a slightly cynical smile. “I almost sent you on a free lifetime pass to explore the bottom of the ocean.”
“President Gu, I was wrong! I won’t dare do it again!”
“You weren’t wrong. You were just bolder than the others. Even bold enough to embezzle my money.”
The man knelt on the deck, pale and trembling. It was a fear that came from the depths of his soul. “Give me another chance, President Gu. You are a magnanimous man.”
“Fine, I’ll give you one more week. By then, I want to see double the money.”
“Double?! President Gu, I don’t have that much money!”
Gu Yuanli adjusted his sunglasses and curled his lip into a disdainful smile. “Paying with your daughter is acceptable too. And your wife is not without her charms, of course.”
“I… I’ll find a way! President Gu, I’ll find a way!” the man pleaded desperately.
Gu Yuanli crooked his finger, and a bodyguard came over respectfully, carrying a solid gold pipe. Gu Yuanli struck a match and lit the tobacco.
“Don’t even think about running. Unless you can run right off planet Earth—then I’d truly be at a loss.”
The man slumped to the ground in despair. Greed was a curse.
Gu Yuanli stood up, cracked his neck, and, pipe clenched in his teeth, walked toward the noisy revelry at the back. The evening’s activities were just getting started.
Just then, a middle-aged man in red shorts jogged over quickly. The fat on his belly bounced up and down as he ran, his face full of anxiety, clutching a cellphone. This man was Deputy General Manager Gu Xiao.
“Young Master.” Gu Xiao called out respectfully. Though he was over a decade older than Gu Yuanli, their statuses within the Gu family were worlds apart.
Gu Yuanli smiled when he saw Gu Xiao, even throwing an arm around his shoulder. “Look at our President Gu, all worked up. How do you like these young models? Better than the old ball and chain at home, right?”
Gu Xiao certainly knew they were a good time, but the call he just got had instantly killed the mood.
“Young Master, news just came in. The eldest young lady is now trying to acquire the new dock construction project in Longhai City.”
As expected, upon hearing this, half the smile on Gu Yuanli’s face vanished. But it quickly resurfaced. “That cousin of mine… she just loves to make trouble. Isn’t it good to just be a proper eldest young lady? Dressing up beautifully, having afternoon tea, hitting the spa with her girlfriends… but no, she has to stick her nose into men’s business.”
Gu Xiao stood silently to the side. It was better not to comment on the relationships between the main family line.
“Which family gave it to her?”
“I heard it’s the Liang family.”
“You go back to Longhai City immediately and get the full picture. This deal absolutely cannot go through, or you’re fired!”
