“But there’s still one thing I don’t understand. Why would Minister Zhuang’s nephew beat up the vice president’s son? It doesn’t make sense no matter how you look at it. It defies logic. Minister Zhuang, can you explain the specifics?”
Zhuang Shu’s heart, which had just settled, was immediately in his throat again. So President Gu wanted him to admit that he’d arranged the beating—to vent anger for her pretty-boy boyfriend?
“President Gu, young people are bound to have some friction. My nephew was being immature. He hit someone.”
Gu Lin chimed in from the side. “Young people are hot-blooded. Getting into a fight over something trivial really does call for some discipline.”
Listening to both explanations, Yu Xiaoduo tapped the table with Gu Wan’er’s fingernails. “I’ll ask again. Why did Zhuang Cha hit Gu Long?”
“President Gu, Zhuang Cha told me privately that it was just a verbal dispute between men,” Zhuang Shu hurriedly explained.
Yu Xiaoduo sneered. “Zhuang Cha may not have a high education, but he’s not stupid enough to have no brains. He knows exactly who Gu Long is. Give him eight times the courage and he still wouldn’t dare start a fight inside the company. Do you take me for a fool?” When she said the word “fool,” Yu Xiaoduo raised her voice and her eyes turned fierce. This scared Zhuang Shu so much he nearly collapsed into his chair.
Just then, Yu Xiaoduo’s phone suddenly rang. She’d forgotten to put it on silent. Which bastard was this? Really messing up her rhythm.
She glanced at the caller ID. It was her father-in-law calling. Of course it was that old bastard.
Yu Xiaoduo didn’t answer. She looked at everyone. “Seems someone called for backup. I’m a little disappointed.”
“But today, if I don’t get a reasonable explanation for this, not even the King of Heaven coming down would help. I, Gu Wan’er, said so!” With that, Yu Xiaoduo turned her phone off completely.
Gu Xiao thought to himself that Gu Wan’er was bold. She wouldn’t even answer her own father’s call.
“President Gu, Old Zhuang has worked at the company for over twenty years. He definitely doesn’t have any bad intentions.”
Yu Xiaoduo replied calmly, “Working for over twenty years is not a reason to commit a crime.”
Gu Lin was also stunned. How had this suddenly escalated to the level of a crime?
Yu Xiaoduo continued, “Zhuang Shu, it’s useless to keep hiding. Even if you fire the person, I can still find him. Unless he’s vanished from the face of the earth. I have a thousand ways to make them tell the truth. If you come clean, I won’t hold it against you. If you don’t, then I’ll have no choice but to ask you to step aside early and give the young people a chance.”
Gu Xiao was taken aback. Why did that sound a bit like Gu Yuanli’s tone?
“President Gu, Old Zhuang may not have merit, but he has worked hard. Isn’t it inappropriate to say that?” Gu Xiao finally couldn’t hold back and forced himself to speak up. If he stayed silent any longer, he’d lose people’s loyalty. Then they’d all flock to Gu Lin’s side, and he’d be finished.
Yu Xiaoduo took a deep breath. “Seems Vice President Gu is involved too.”
“No, how could I be?” Gu Xiao smiled, but inside he was anxious.
“Since you’re not, then don’t interrupt me. Minister Zhuang, have you thought it through? Are you sticking to your previous statement, or do you want to revise it?”
Zhuang Shu let out a long sigh. “It was me. I was targeting Yu Xiaoduo. Who knew my nephew would grab the wrong person and beat up the wrong guy.”
Gu Xiao felt helpless inside. At least he hadn’t sold out anyone else. Otherwise, things wouldn’t end well for him.
The others were also sighing inwardly. They hadn’t expected Gu Wan’er to have this move. No wonder she was born into the direct line.
Yu Xiaoduo was also helpless. It seemed Zhuang Shu was more afraid of Gu Xiao and his people. The deterrence she’d given wasn’t strong enough. He’d taken all the blame himself.
“Crimes need motives. What was your motive?” Yu Xiaoduo asked in a low voice.
“I didn’t like him back when I was in the HR department. Then he suddenly got transferred away from your side, President Gu. I figured the opportunity had come. I’d have someone teach him a lesson, make him remember his place. He shouldn’t think he can do whatever he wants just because you’ve got his back, President Gu.”
Listening to Zhuang Shu’s words, Yu Xiaoduo was impressed. No wonder he’d made it this far. He was confessing his crimes while simultaneously flattering her, as if he were helping Gu Wan’er clean out pests.
“Are you sure? Not changing your statement?”
Zhuang Shu nodded seriously. “I swear. That’s the motive. If I’m lying, I’ll resign from my position as HR department head myself.”
“Good. Remember what you said today. Meeting dismissed!” With that, Yu Xiaoduo walked out of the meeting room with her head held high, displaying the bearing of a great general. The meeting room instantly fell deathly quiet.
Yu Xiaoduo also knew she couldn’t take all these people down at once. But when you strike a snake, you hit its vital spot. Today she’d established her authority. Another day, she’d come for their heads, one by one.
Gu Lin gave Gu Xiao a deep look, said nothing, and left. Huang Lifei also wore a contemptuous smile. A single Yu Xiaoduo had actually made Gu Wan’er explode. She really didn’t know how a bunch of men had been handling things.
After Gu Lin’s people left, Gu Xiao slammed his fist on the table and let out a stream of curses.
“Vice President, we have to take President Gu’s attitude today seriously,” Hong Lifei said, wiping the sweat from his temples with a tissue. He’d clearly been nervous just now too.
Gu Xiao glared at Zhuang Shu and snapped coldly, “Useless! You couldn’t even handle such a small thing, and you let Gu Wan’er catch you!”
Zhuang Shu lowered his head and said nothing. The trap had originally been set for Yu Xiaoduo. That idiot Zhuang Cha had grabbed the wrong person and even got caught on video. How could one person be that stupid!
“Vice President, calm down. The priority now is to consider joining forces. We can’t keep fighting with Vice President Gu Lin. That would be very bad for us,” Hong Lifei quickly advised.
“Do you think I want to fight him? He’s the one who won’t cooperate. I think Gu Wan’er was right. A security brigade commander got jumped and didn’t even react. Useless!” With that, Gu Xiao left in a rage, cursing Gu Lin’s entire family.
After Gu Xiao left, Hong Lifei let out a long sigh. He’d originally thought Gu Wan’er’s arrival wouldn’t cause any waves. A young person, even from the direct line, should be easy to deal with. But in less than a month, she’d broken through their passive situation and even driven a wedge between the two vice presidents.
“Old Hong, President Gu isn’t really going to fire me, is she?” Zhuang Shu asked, trembling with fear. Controlling the HR department at the Gu Group was a coveted position. Walking outside, even some bosses had to show respect. If he lost this position, it would be like a god being cast down to the mortal world. All his achievements would vanish into nothing.
Hong Lifei snorted disdainfully. “I told you long ago, don’t stuff your relatives into the company. And if you must, at least stuff in ones with brains. If something goes wrong, you’re on your own!” With that, Hong Lifei got up and left too.
This left Zhuang Shu sitting in his chair for a long time, unable to recover. He’d clearly become their discarded pawn now. But did he dare report them? Did he dare turn against them? Zhuang Shu didn’t dare. Above Gu Xiao was Gu Yuanli.
Looking at his nameplate on the table, Zhuang Shu felt unwilling. Twenty years of hard work, gone just like that.
Du Sheng looked at Zhuang Shu’s pale face and frowned deeply, as if seeing his own fate. With a heavy heart, Du Sheng went downstairs to his office.
