“Miss, here is your coffee.”
In the morning at the Su Capital Group building, Secretary Lin, carrying an iced Americano, knocked on the door and stepped into Su Ling’s office.
Strange, doesn’t Miss usually drink black tea? Why coffee today, and Americano of all things…?
“Oh, Secretary Lin, just put the coffee here…”
The small secretary looked up at the faintly whispered words and was immediately startled by today’s Miss.
Her fair and delicate face appeared even paler than usual, her bright phoenix eyes somewhat dull, faint dark circles lingering beneath them.
Even her usually meticulously groomed jet-black hair seemed to have lost its shine, lazily draped over the young lady’s shoulders.
What’s wrong with Miss?! Why does she look so listless?
Secretary Lin’s heart was filled with doubt.
“By the way, the documents from the Ruan family, have they all been verified?”
Su Ling took the coffee, sneezed once, and placed the straw between her somewhat pale lips, sipping slowly.
It’s all because of Zhixian’s actions yesterday—my mind kept replaying it last night, I couldn’t sleep well…
The black-haired Miss thought to herself, feeling a bit wronged.
“Yes, Miss, we have already found ways to verify the documents through our family’s resources and the Tang family’s local channels. The information provided by the Ruan family is very accurate.”
“Good. Then next, it’s time to close the net.”
Su Ling bit gently on the straw. Though her voice still carried traces of fatigue, it was clear and firm.
“Notify everyone that the Operations Meeting for the Gu family crackdown will start in ten minutes.”
“Yes, Miss!”
Secretary Lin bowed deeply and immediately hurried out with quick footsteps.
***
A little later, inside the Secretary Division of Su Capital Group.
“E-everyone! Listen up!”
The petite Secretary Lin burst through the door, slightly out of breath, her small chest rising and falling.
“Put down what you’re doing—we’re going to have a meeting!”
Her voice was not loud but filled with effort.
“Ohhh! Is the final operation against the Gu family finally starting?”
“Great! No more overtime for us!”
“Damn Gu family! You owe me my days off!”
“Guoguo’s notifying everyone is so cute!”
The crowded Secretary Division instantly erupted in cheers, while amidst the chaos, a pair of hands mischievously pinched Secretary Lin’s cheeks.
“Mm, mm, Zhang Jie, let go of me…”
Lin Guoguo struggled free from the mischievous hands, rubbing her face with a look of grievance at the culprit.
“All right, all right, Guoguo is so cute, pinching a little won’t make you lose any flesh~”
“Zhang Jie!”
Lin Guoguo’s soft little face showed more displeasure, pouting in a pitiful way.
“Okay, okay, Guoguo’s not mad, Zhang Jie was wrong, I apologize! Is that good?”
“You always say that, Zhang Jie!”
Seeing the little secretary’s reaction, Zhang Jie inwardly cursed. This time she might have gone a bit too far. Even repeated apologies barely had any effect, so she hurriedly switched the topic.
“Oh, by the way, Guoguo, when you went to deliver the coffee, did you notice Miss’s state today? Seemed a little different?”
Zhang Jie leaned in mysteriously toward the small secretary.
“Uh, yeah, kind of… I just felt Miss seemed really out of energy today… By the way, didn’t you answer the door for Miss this morning? Do you know something?”
Lin Guoguo’s attention was successfully diverted, and she curiously asked.
“Hehe, Guoguo, this is when you need the experience of a mature person…”
“If you ask me, Miss probably had a thorough ‘moisturizing’ session last night! That’s why she’s like this today…”
“Zzz, ‘moisturizing’?!”
The little secretary blushed furiously at the bold words, immediately refuting:
“Impossible! Miss was at home yesterday, at home—who would be there…?” Wait, at home…
It seemed, there actually was someone at Miss’s house…
A flash of realization crossed Lin Guoguo’s small head.
Who’s at Miss’s home? That would be Miss Ruan, right?!
And they’re a couple, Miss Ling admitted it herself!
Between couples, such things seem quite reasonable, right?!
“Hm? Guoguo, why did you suddenly stop?”
Zhang Jie keenly noticed the little secretary’s odd behavior.
“Forget it, forget it. It’s nothing. I was just saying that casually. After all, Guoguo, you’re right—it’s Miss Ling, probably just stayed up late working again last night.”
Zhang Jie didn’t dwell on the matter and silently breathed a sigh of relief.
Phew, luckily Guoguo is still pure enough to be easily distracted with a little joke.
“Ah, Zhang Jie, you’re right.”
Lin Guoguo responded casually, though her mind still dwelled on the earlier topic.
Miss Ling looks so exhausted, and there aren’t any obvious marks on her…
I get it! Miss must have been busy with that upstairs thing last night! No wonder she’s so tired!
As expected of Miss Ling—even in such matters…
The little secretary blushed deeply, her respect for Su Ling growing even stronger.
“Zhang Jie! Guoguo! What are you two still chatting about? The meeting’s starting!”
A passing secretary shouted loudly at the two.
“Ah! Coming, coming!”
The two, previously gossiping, quickly began tidying their things, flustered.
***
Meanwhile, in the Gu Group President’s office.
Gu Huaishan stood with his back to the large floor-to-ceiling window, holding a glass of expensive liquor.
The amber liquid swirled gently in the glass, reflecting the uncontrollable excitement and pride on his face.
On the desk lay several latest reports scattered about.
—The main department store under Su Capital Group saw a 30% drop in foot traffic today, forced to follow Gu Group’s discounts, suffering heavy losses.
—According to observations, Su Capital has apparently suspended the initial design bidding for the Binjiang Land plot, suspected due to financial difficulties.
Each piece of news was like a shot of adrenaline rushing through Gu Huaishan’s veins. He raised the glass and drained it in one gulp, the fiery burn from throat to stomach making him feel utterly elated.
“Su Ling… Hmph, just a yellow-haired girl!” He sneered softly, his voice echoing coldly through the spacious, luxurious office.
“She really thinks she’s the Su family’s heiress? She’s nothing but a loser in the family inheritance struggle! C City isn’t a place you can just come to whenever you want!”
Gu Huaishan walked to the window, hands clasped behind his back. Below, the city was bustling with traffic.
He had stood here countless times, feeling like the master of this city. And today, that feeling was especially strong.
“Price war? The Gu family can afford to wait you out! Even if you team up with the Tang family, let’s see how long you can hold on!”
He muttered to himself, a triumphant sneer on his face.
“Once I devour Su Ling’s market in C City, the Gu family will reach a new level! Then I’ll slowly deal with the Ruan and Tang families…”
Gu Huaishan had already begun fantasizing about his post-victory plans.
“President Gu! Something’s wrong!”
The Financial Director burst in, stumbling.
“What happened that you’re so flustered? What kind of mess is this?”
Gu Huaishan frowned at the rushing Financial Director.
The corpulent Financial Director gasped for breath.
“Um, the Su family is about to collapse—we’re winning, I know that.”
A satisfied expression appeared on Gu Huaishan’s face.
“But Su family is spreading news that we have major financial risks, and the Inspection Agency has demanded immediate repayment!”
“The Inspection Agency has also come to investigate our embezzlement!”
“What did you say???!!!!!!”
Gu Huaishan’s voice of disbelief thundered through the room.