At the same time.
Mingchuan Hotel.
The moment Gong Ze walked through the door, Qin Chuan ran over in a rage and grabbed him by the collar. “You said you would help the Qin family! So what’s this all about? My family’s project got snatched away by Sang Corporation — don’t tell me you didn’t know!”
“Calm down.” Gong Ze’s eyes instantly turned dangerous and commanding. He grabbed Qin Chuan’s hand and threw it off. “If I had done it, I wouldn’t be here today.”
Qin Chuan was clearly not easily convinced. His face dark, he said, “So Yan Liben suddenly targeting me wasn’t your doing? You didn’t have him steal the project?”
“Of course not.”
The real culprit spoke without changing his expression.
He smoothed out the wrinkles on the collar of his suit. Finding that they wouldn’t go away with pressing, he frowned slightly.
He looked up and glanced at the suspicious Qin Chuan, saying calmly, “I had no idea either. I initially thought there was no way this project would go to Sang Corporation. After all, given the close relationship between your father and Yan Cheng, these government projects have always gone to the Qin family, haven’t they?”
Qin Chuan’s expression softened a little.
Gong Ze continued lying with a calm face. “So at the bid opening, I didn’t even send a single senior executive — I just had Sang You go through the motions.”
“Sang You is just a spoiled young master. If I were truly determined to win that bid, why would I send him?”
“Qin Chuan, Old Qin’s mind is getting foggy with age — but have you gone stupid too, coming here to accuse me?”
“…That’s my father you’re talking about — show some respect!” Qin Chuan growled, displeased.
But despite his words, the anger in his heart was visibly wavering because of what Gong Ze had said.
True.
Gong Ze hadn’t even shown his face at the bid opening.
Sang Corporation hadn’t even sent a proper leader — just that milk-fed, delicate young master Sang You. Clearly, they hadn’t taken the bid seriously.
“So you also thought this project would go to the Qin family?” Qin Chuan asked.
“Of course. In Black City, anyone who knows the inside story would think the same.”
Gong Ze looked down at him condescendingly and gave a cold laugh. “And you actually suspected that I was secretly using Yan Liben to target you. Don’t forget — the only reason he’s not coming after you anymore is because I used our old connection to pull some strings and protect you!”
Qin Chuan: “Well…”
Qin Chuan opened his mouth, but his earlier fury had dissipated. Under Gong Ze’s accusatory questioning — which had turned the tables in such a way — he grew flustered, uncertain. A flash of guilty inadequacy crossed his face.
Gong Ze, guessing what he was thinking, deliberately sneered, “Don’t tell me you and your father think this was my idea too? Heh.”
The man’s expression clearly said: I’m looking at an idiot.
“What grudge do I have against you that I’d go to so much trouble to have Yan Liben beat you up? Even if I wanted to deal with you, why would I go around in such circles? Do you think I have nothing better to do!?”
Qin Chuan was speechless.
Right.
Gong Ze had no reason to send Yan Liben after him. Besides, he and Gong Ze had slept together several times.
Why would he have Yan Liben beat him up?
Seeing that Qin Chuan was convinced, Gong Ze narrowed his eyes and added fuel to the fire. Feigning a thoughtful tone, he said,
“According to my guess, this is probably Yan Cheng flexing his muscles to back up his son and settle scores, while also using the opportunity to crack the whip and remind your father who really runs Black City — hinting that you two need to behave and follow orders.”
“Otherwise, what he can give you, he can also take away.”
On the surface, Qin Chuan’s father appeared to be Yan Cheng’s trusted partner. But in reality, to Yan Cheng, he was nothing more than a subject or a subordinate — at best.
Their whole family had to kowtow to Yan Cheng and never dare disobey.
Qin Chuan and his father knew this very well.
Sure enough, after Gong Ze finished speaking, Qin Chuan’s expression turned ugly, his handsome face clouded with gloom.
After a moment of silence, Qin Chuan was persuaded. “…You’re right.”
Gong Ze curled his lips.
Qin Chuan bowed his head, thinking as he spoke. “Lately, because of Yan Liben, my father and Yan Cheng had a huge fight over the phone. Yan Cheng might be using this project to put pressure on my family and force my father into submission.”
The more he thought about it, the more he felt that Gong Ze was right.
Yan Cheng had even said that if he wanted to, he could make the Qin family disappear from Black City. What else couldn’t he do?!
“On the surface, Yan Cheng is the mayor of Black City, but behind the scenes, he’s no different from a gang boss. I don’t know what secret your father and Yan Cheng share, but I advise your father to swallow his pride and submit to him. Otherwise, you’re in danger, Qin Chuan…”
Gong Ze slowly walked over and gently placed his hands on Qin Chuan’s shoulders.
He lowered his head, bringing his mouth close to Qin Chuan’s ear. His moist lips curled upward. In a corner where no one could see, those long, narrow black eyes glinted with a seductive evil.
Like the serpent in the Garden of Eden tempting Eve.
He appeared to be dissuading, but was in fact delivering a stinging, soothing reassurance:
“Yan Cheng is ruthless and merciless. Right now, he’s bribing you with small favors, appearing to support the Qin family. But who knows — one day, when he’s displeased, the people who know his secrets might be silenced…”
“Once and for all…”
Caught in the shadow cast by Gong Ze, Qin Chuan’s pupils trembled. A moment later, he jerked his head up and grabbed Gong Ze’s arm with both hands, his grip fierce. “Gong Ze, you have to help me!”
Heh…
Gong Ze’s smile was sweet as he raised a hand and brushed the hair at Qin Chuan’s temple.
But his gaze was as cold as if he were looking at a slab of pork on a chopping board.
His voice was gentle as he said, “Don’t worry. I’ll help you…”
·
When his son returned, Qin Chuan’s father eagerly called him over and questioned him in detail about his conversation with Gong Ze.
Hearing Gong Ze’s earlier words, he nodded.
“I had also speculated that this project landing in Sang Corporation’s hands might just be a coincidence. The fact that he sent that inexperienced young bird Sang You clearly shows he didn’t take the bid seriously.”
“And since we and Sang Corporation are the only two companies in Black City with the capability, if that bastard Yan Cheng won’t let our family have the project, it naturally falls to Sang Corporation.”
It was like the top student’s exam paper being confiscated — naturally, the second-place student becomes first.
But when he heard Gong Ze’s later words — and the phrase “once and for all” — Qin Chuan’s father’s heart clenched violently.
His son didn’t know the secret of what happened back then, but Qin Chuan’s father knew it as clearly as a mirror.
He, the missing Sang father, and Yan Cheng had conspired to murder the entire Wen family of three. That event had drawn the three of them together as accomplices, bringing them closer.
On the surface, each of them held the secret over the others’ heads, making their alliance unbreakable.
But in reality, after so many years as mayor, Yan Cheng had grown increasingly powerful. Qin Chuan’s father had even been reduced to one of Yan Cheng’s lackeys, forced to constantly appease and ingratiate himself.
Of course, Yan Cheng had given him plenty of benefits in return.
But sometimes, Qin Chuan’s father thought: what if he and Yan Cheng had a falling-out? Then, instead of a weapon he could use to blackmail Yan Cheng and extract benefits, this secret would become a death warrant — a motive for Yan Cheng to have him killed!
“Father, we can’t stay on the defensive like this any longer!”
Qin Chuan said anxiously.
“Back when Yan Cheng first became mayor, wasn’t he dependent on us to get where he is today? And now? Not only do we put up with him ordering us around and yelling at us, even his son dares to lord it over you.”
“If this continues, our family might have to tolerate them for the rest of our lives!”
Qin Chuan’s face twisted.
He said to his father, “Gong Ze has already agreed to help us. We can’t just sit around waiting for our doom any longer. Let’s take this chance to kick Yan Cheng out of power. He’s controlled Black City for so many years — it’s time for a new mayor!”
Thinking of the secret from years ago, Qin Chuan’s father grew even more afraid that Yan Cheng might make a move against him.
He thought — perhaps this project was just the precursor.
His face tight, Qin Chuan’s father asked, “…Are you sure Gong Ze can be trusted?”
On this point, Qin Chuan was supremely confident. “Don’t worry, Father. Gong Ze only stayed with Sang You and managed Sang Corporation for him out of gratitude for Sang father’s past favor. His true love is me.”
“Gong Ze said that after we bring down Yan Cheng, he’ll break up with Sang You and marry me.”
If Gong Ze didn’t like him, why would he have embraced him so passionately so many times?
Remembering Gong Ze’s possessiveness and intensity, a flicker of sweet smugness rose in Qin Chuan’s heart. He swore to his father, “Gong Ze is absolutely trustworthy.”
Of course, Qin Chuan’s father knew about his son’s private proclivities — that he and Gong Ze had been going to hotels together wasn’t something he could hide.
He hadn’t expected that his son could hook Gong Ze into helping them. His earlier nervousness vanished, and he burst into hearty laughter.
“Haha, good son!”
“But after he’s done helping us and leaves Sang Corporation, he won’t be of much value anymore. Just keep him as a lover. As for marriage, you should still pick someone from a family of equal standing.”
Qin Chuan was taken aback for a moment, then laughed with sudden understanding. “Father, you’re even smarter.”
“After all, I have more years behind me.”
Qin Chuan’s father patted his shoulder, pleased.
Even if this was unfair to Gong Ze, his and the Qin family’s interests were more important.
Qin Chuan’s eyes shifted. Once Gong Ze left Sang Corporation, all of the Sang family’s wealth would fall into the hands of that brainless young master Sang You.
Sang You used to like him. He would choose Sang You as his marriage partner and Gong Ze as his lover.
One to maintain appearances at home.
One to satisfy him.
Imagining that day, Qin Chuan satisfiedly licked his lower lip.
·
If Gong Ze had heard the conversation between Qin Chuan and his father, he would have certainly said: Toads and frogs — ugly as sin but still want to play the field.
With him around, Qin Chuan, this protagonist gong, still wanted to follow the original plot and ruin his wife?
Gong Ze: ???
Were the chopsticks at the hotel still too short?
Having successfully bamboozled those two garlic cloves — Qin Chuan and his father — Gong Ze put away his fake smile and pinched the bridge of his nose. He didn’t linger but left the Mingchuan Hotel and headed back to the company.
After arriving at the company, he took the elevator straight upstairs. The moment he stepped onto the office floor, Secretary Zhang, who had been anxiously waiting for a long time, saw her boss and shot up from her desk. Clacking on her high heels, she ran over with a tense expression, making urgent, exaggerated gestures at him.
Gong Ze frowned. “What’s wrong?”
Secretary Zhang kept glancing behind her toward the chairman’s office. Covering her mouth, she whispered, “Mr. Gong, Young Master Sang is here. He’s in your office.”
Gong Ze: “…”
His footsteps faltered. His heart abruptly sank.
After a moment of silence, Gong Ze said in a low voice, “Got it. Go back to work.”
Secretary Zhang nodded uneasily and left. Gong Ze stood where he was, his heartbeat racing out of control. His brow furrowed tighter and tighter. A long-forgotten sense of tension pressed down on him.
[Holy crap, why is Sang You here?!]
The system was startled. [Shouldn’t he be at home? Sang You didn’t find out something, did he?!]
“Calm down.”
But on the cool, composed face of the cunning gambler, a thin layer of nervous sweat had appeared.
He had faced countless dangerous, high-stakes situations, lived through one life-or-death gambit after another. Gong Ze told himself — this was nothing.
But another voice inside his head said: But shit — this is the first time I’ve been caught by my wife at the door after doing something bad!
Gong Ze: …
The black-hearted scumbag felt a subtle twinge of guilt.
Appearing calm but with his mind frantically racing — then going completely blank — the man pressed his lips together. His lowered fingers curled slightly. After a moment, Gong Ze walked toward the office.
He pushed open the door. The moment his eyes met Sang You’s — who had turned around and was looking at him expressionlessly — Gong Ze’s gaze quickly darted to the keyboard on his desk, then slowly returned to the young master’s pale, dry, bloodless lips.
Silence stretched between them.
“I…”
Gong Ze ‘calmly’ parted his lips to speak, but Sang You cut him off.
“Where did you go.”
Gong Ze: “…”
“Who was more important than your sick boyfriend and the board of directors — who was the person you went to secretly meet?”
Sang You’s flat voice faltered. His eyes, locked with Gong Ze’s, reddened rapidly.
He gritted his teeth, forcing back the sob. All the scenarios he had imagined while waiting had already cut his heart into pieces.
Unable to hold back any longer, Sang You suddenly shot to his feet, hurled the lunch box to the floor, and yelled with red-rimmed eyes, “Tell me! Where did you go?!”
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