Gu Yebai’s mind kept drifting back to the matter involving Ai Lian.
‘I hope she can also leave Linchuan one day through her studies,’ he thought, silently praying for her.
After parting ways with Ai Lian, he and Gao Hongyi took a ride-hail car back to the Ibis Hotel.
The sky had already grown dark.
The streetlights at the hotel entrance were lit, and under the dim, yellow glow, Gao Hongzhi stood there making a phone call.
His voice was not loud, but his articulation was very steady.
“Yes, I’ve already reviewed the latest version of the investigation report via email. The real problem with this company isn’t the technology; it’s that the management can no longer support the pace of the upcoming expansion.”
“The financial data looks healthy for now, but if we don’t intervene, both cash flow and the supply chain will run into issues within six months at the latest. I already brought this up during the morning meeting last week.”
“This is no longer a risk limited to a single company. Once they fall, at least three upstream and downstream production lines in our group will be dragged down with them. The situation will only be uglier then.”
“The valuation is too high?”
He paused for a moment.
“I can accept a price concession, but final control must remain in our hands. That is the bottom line.”
While discussing these matters, Gao Hongzhi did not even notice that Gu Yebai and Gao Hongyi had returned.
His attention was completely captured by the person on the other end of the line.
His tone was calm, devoid of any unnecessary emotion.
Standing not far away, Gu Yebai watched this scene and suddenly realized something.
‘Gao Hongzhi isn’t just “handling an emergency.” This is his daily life.’
This man was the kind of famous entrepreneur whose name could be easily searched for online.
The Horizon Core Technologies, Inc., controlled by the Gao family, was listed on the Nasdaq.
Their business spanned intelligent manufacturing, high-end industrial automation, new energy, and semiconductor equipment.
That was a world beyond the imagination of ordinary people.
Hundreds of millions were invested in any single production line.
A single shutdown could trigger a chain of defaults, and a strategic error in judgment often meant the livelihoods of countless people were affected simultaneously.
Gu Yebai suddenly understood.
‘Behind every decision made by a man like Gao Hongzhi, there are entire lives standing there.’
And now, such a person was standing in a small place like Linchuan County, just to find his biological son.
Even after finding him, he had not immediately rushed away.
Instead, he chose to slow down his pace to look after Gu Yebai’s feelings.
He understood Gu Yebai’s pain and the gratitude he felt toward the couple who had raised him.
Thus, he intended to stay by his side and handle everything slowly before leaving.
Even though he was busier than most people.
Even though his money was not easily earned.
Yet, he still did his best not to show any of the irritability or exhaustion born from his work in front of his family.
He simply took the results of his labor and quietly used them to ensure his family’s happiness.
“I understand. I’ll fly to Yanjing personally later.”
Gao Hongzhi ended the call and finally noticed that Gu Yebai and Gao Hongyi were standing in front of him.
“When did you two get back?”
“We just got back a little while ago,” Gao Hongyi replied with a smile, holding Gu Yebai’s hand.
“Today, Brother Bai and I went to the cemetery to pay our respects to his parents. Then we went to Linchuan Wanda, grabbed some coffee together, and met one of his old classmates.”
Gao Hongzhi was slightly startled for a moment before looking at his daughter.
“Was it okay, Hongyi? They were originally your biological parents, but they’ve already…”
“It’s fine, Dad.”
Gao Hongyi shook her head gently, her tone calm.
“I’ve never lacked love growing up. Brother Bai told me a lot about them. They were really wonderful people.”
“That’s good.”
Gao Hongzhi nodded and didn’t say anything more.
He was that kind of person.
Work was work, and life was life.
He never talked excessively about important matters.
Standing to the side, Gu Yebai suddenly felt an indescribable emotion.
This late-coming awareness made him realize that he had to leave Linchuan as soon as possible so that Gao Hongzhi could return to his normal rhythm of life.
In comparison, things like transferring schools or changing household registration were actually trivial.
They shouldn’t be the reasons that held someone else back.
‘Gao Hongzhi has stopped his pace for me for far too long. If I continue like this, I’m not being cared for—I’m a burden.’
Gu Yebai took a deep breath, as if he had finally made a firm decision.
“Uncle Gao, let’s leave tomorrow.”
“Leave tomorrow?”
Gao Hongzhi was clearly a bit surprised.
“Uncle Gao, I want to see the big city sooner. For me, the sooner I can leave Linchuan, the better. This place… there’s nothing left to miss.”
“Is there really nothing left to miss?”
Gao Hongzhi patted Gu Yebai on the shoulder.
He could naturally tell that Gu Yebai was lying.
This was his hometown.
There were still many people he needed to say goodbye to.
For example, Teacher Xu, who had always looked after him, or the neighbors and classmates who had once been kind to him.
That shabby but warm little house held the memories of his entire youth.
To leave just like that was a bit cruel for a teenager.
“Xiao Gu, it’s fine. I don’t mind staying in Linchuan for another week. Work is indeed hard, but I already arranged everything in advance to come find you.”
“No, Uncle Gao, I’m serious. Please take me to the big city as soon as possible.”
“You child…”
Gao Hongzhi looked deeply at Gu Yebai, and he couldn’t help but feel a sincere sense of respect for the couple who had raised him.
Aside from Gu Yebai’s naturally kind heart, their guidance had clearly played a vital role.
Moreover, looking at the reality of the situation, there were indeed several matters at work that required him to return and handle them personally.
“Alright, I understand. Then we’ll leave Linchuan tomorrow.”
“Thank you, Uncle Gao.”
“Silly child, I’m the one who should be thanking you.”
Gao Hongzhi smiled, and his tone suddenly lightened.
“Let’s go. Head back to your room and pack your bags. Oh, right, I picked out that Strike Gundam model for you. Once we get back to East Sea, I’ll show you the rest of my collection.”
“I have the Sazabi, the RX-78-2, the Unicorn, and even the Moonlight Butterfly.”
“If you like anime, we can buy some figures or posters. Money isn’t an issue; buy whatever you want. Young people should have their own hobbies. If you like traveling, go with Hongyi in the future. If you like e-sports, we’ll get you the best computer. If there’s a tournament in Seoul, we can fly there to watch it live.”
“By the way, do you play games?”
At this moment, the Gao Hongzhi who was just discussing mergers, layoffs, and production lines seemed to have completely vanished.
A moment ago, he had been like a cold and rational tyrant of the business world.
Now, he was more like a friend talking to Gu Yebai as an equal.