In this situation, if these vicious gangs are really pushed to the brink, it will be a fight to the death, and no one will come out unscathed.
“Miss Gu, Miss Ling’s character is guaranteed, so you don’t need to have any concerns.”
Inspector Wang also offered words of advice, believing that Gu Zhong was worried about falling into another trap.
However, Gu Zhong's inner thoughts were completely different from what they expected. She had never liked owing favors, because favors were the hardest things to untangle, and could entangle one for a lifetime.
Moreover, if even true friends can betray or kick someone when they're down, how can she possibly trust a complete stranger she's just met?
She doesn't believe any philanthropist would donate so generously without wanting anything in return, whether it's fame or fortune; there's always something they can get for themselves.
Moreover, Gu Zhong considered herself to be all alone and had nothing left for others to covet. Ling Yan's actions were beyond her comprehension, making her even more hesitant to accept this inexplicable kindness amidst her doubts.
"Miss Ling, why are you helping me like this?"
Having voiced his doubts, Gu Zhong stared intently at Ling Yan, seemingly trying to discern her true intentions from the changes in her facial expressions.
"Perhaps he found Miss Gu quite pleasing to the eye and thought he could lend a hand."
Besides, this difficulty is only temporary. With Miss Gu's abilities, it's only a matter of time before she makes a comeback.
Lingyan spoke with complete sincerity, every word coming from the bottom of her heart.
He was a fragment of his lover's soul, so they naturally clicked; with her wholehearted help, it would be difficult for Gu Zhong not to make a comeback.
However, Gu Zhong thought it was all nonsense. It wasn't just tens or hundreds of thousands of yuan; he said he did a good deed on a whim because he saw a pitiful beggar on the street. It was a hundred million yuan—a huge sum that no family could afford to take lightly. Even the richest family wouldn't squander it so easily.
Furthermore, Gu Zhong knew that she was just a naive newcomer who had only recently graduated from school and knew only theoretical knowledge. In the cutthroat world of business, she herself could not be sure that she could restore the Gu family, so how could outsiders judge her?
None of these are valid reasons.
“Miss Ling, I have never believed in the idea of something falling from the sky.”
Gu Zhong suppressed his inner struggle and continued to stop him.
Although Lingyan's help could directly resolve the Money Gang issue and eliminate a huge hidden danger.
But there's a saying that makes a lot of sense: everything that seems free has a hidden price tag.
It has no price, which happens to be the most expensive.
Gu Zhong dared not believe any gifts.
After Gu Zhong said those words, Ling Yan instantly grasped his core idea.
Perhaps it's because he grew up in a merchant family in this life, and all he believes in is transactions; only transactions with clearly marked prices can put his mind at ease.
With a slight sigh, Ling Yan turned to the Money Gang and Inspector Wang with an apologetic smile.
"I'm sorry, please wait a moment while I speak with Miss Gu alone."
After saying that, Ling Yan pulled Gu Zhong straight into a nearby empty private room, leaving the anxious Third Brother stamping his feet outside, and the helpless Police Inspector Wang.
"Miss Gu, you seem to have many concerns and don't trust me?"
Lingyan asked softly, but her tone was full of certainty.
"I'm sorry, thank you for your kindness, Ms. Ling, but I can't trust anyone. This is just too incredible for me."
Gu Zhong sincerely apologized.
With a sigh, Ling Yan felt somewhat helpless. She never expected that the initial setback would happen to Gu Zhong.
Seeing Gu Zhong's state, she would never accept help without a reason unless she could come up with a convincing one.
"To be honest... it's a little embarrassing to talk about..."
After a moment of silence, having gathered her emotions, Ling Yan had no choice but to use all her acting skills to begin performing a script she had suddenly come up with.
"I fell in love with Miss Gu at first sight."
Lingyan uttered those words with the resolve of someone about to die.
Aside from self-interest, emotion is the best motivation and the most reasonable reason to drive a person to make irrational decisions.
In this life, Lingyan is prepared to simply be a qualified guardian.
Therefore, Gu Zhong's opinion of her was no longer important. She would try her best to do anything that could actually help Gu Zhong.
Seemingly startled by Ling Yan's sudden confession, Gu Zhong was momentarily stunned and stood there, unable to react.
"Miss Ling, what...does this mean?"
"Perhaps Miss Gu will find this feeling a bit strange, but that is indeed the reason why I did this—I don't want Miss Gu to have such a hard time."
As she spoke, Lingyan's eyes and brows were filled with deep affection and sorrow, as if she were truly a devoted lover who was genuinely worried about her beloved.
"This feeling—isn't surprising—"
Having studied in the US for many years, Gu Zhong is well-informed and has seen that even in Hong Kong, same-sex relationships are not uncommon among wealthy families.
Gu Zhong didn't really have any ill feelings about such things, but he never expected to face a woman's confession one day, and he suddenly felt a little at a loss.
"Miss Gu is not averse to this kind of relationship?"
Knowing that Gu Zhong of this world was not averse to feelings between people of the same sex, Ling Yan still felt a secret joy even though she had decided not to talk about feelings in this life.
"Yes, everyone has the right to like anyone."
Fearing that Lingyan might be emotionally hurt, Gu Zhong quickly expressed his support.
“Miss Gu, I know that pursuing someone is not something that can be accomplished overnight—but at this moment, I hope that Miss Gu can be merciful and accept my kindness, just as a sign of pity for me, the pursuer.”
Fearing that Gu Zhong would feel uncomfortable because of this sudden confession, Ling Yan tried her best to make witty remarks.
However, Gu Zhong was still somewhat at a loss.
Lingyan's confession fully explained her motivation, and allowed Gu Zhong, as the one being pursued, to accept her kindness with a clear conscience.
However, her good upbringing prevented her from pursuing personal gain without considering the feelings of others.
Since you've accepted it, you must give something in return.
The relationship between a pursuer and the pursued should never be one of one-sided giving.
Another unexpected thing was that she didn't feel any ill will towards Lingyan's confession and actions; on the contrary, she felt a faint sense of anticipation.
If it were someone like Yang Ruo who sponsored her under the guise of liking her, Gu Zhong would only think it was moral blackmail and would find it extremely offensive.
If this person were Ling Yan, Gu Zhong thought it wouldn't be a bad thing, and he would feel pity and soft-heartedness.
"Miss Ling, you are being far too cautious."
After a moment of quiet contemplation, Gu Zhong suddenly burst out laughing, which puzzled Ling Yan, who wondered what he was thinking.
"With your status and position, if you said you wanted to take care of me, I'm afraid I would have no choice but to agree given my current situation."
This cautious and careful pursuit is truly adorable.
“Miss Gu is joking. I still vividly remember Young Master Yang’s disheveled appearance today. Besides, such a statement is really disrespectful. I don’t think that’s how you should treat someone you like.”
Ling Yan felt embarrassed by Gu Zhong's teasing, as if she had suddenly lost control of the conversation and could only let Gu Zhong lead her around.
"Miss Ling, how about we sign an agreement?"
Gu Zhong leaned lazily against the door, his whole body in a relaxed posture, as if he had let down his guard and begun to show his trust.
"What agreement?"
Seeing Gu Zhong's appearance, Ling Yan became wary, feeling like prey that had willingly walked into a trap.
——
When Gu Zhong and Ling Yan walked out of the private room together, they had already reached a certain tacit understanding.
"Ladies, have you reached an agreement yet?"
Third Brother approached with a forced smile and asked impatiently.
"Where's the IOU?"
Ling Yan raised her hand and held the check he had been longing for right in front of his nose.
The third brother took the check, squinted at it for a moment in the dim light of the corridor, and then handed it to a henchman next to him. The man immediately went downstairs, seemingly to confirm whether the check could really be cashed.
"All the IOUs are here."
The document bag wrapped in kraft paper finally ended up in Ling Yan's hands, and she immediately handed it to Gu Zhong.
In front of everyone, Gu Zhong opened the file bag and began to check and confirm the information inside.
This was a necessary procedure, so the Money Gang didn't leave immediately and patiently waited in place.
For a gang to establish itself, it must always have some integrity in doing business.
"Is everything here?"
After the inventory was completed, Gu Zhong asked the question again.
"Miss Gu, rest assured, our Money Gang has rules, and we will definitely wipe it all out."
At this moment, the younger brother who went to check the check returned and respectfully handed the check back to the third brother.
"real?"
The third brother asked a question, still seemingly quite disbelieving.
"It's true."
My brother gave an affirmative answer.
"Miss Ling, you have such wealth at such a young age, it's truly impressive. When would you be so kind as to visit our Money Gang?"
Only then did Third Brother begin to truly assess Lingyan's value and extend a friendly olive branch.
"Thank you for your kind offer, but there's no need for that. We're not on the same path, so it's best if we each go our own way."
It was obvious what Third Brother was planning. Lingyan had no interest in lending or borrowing money, so she refused his invitation without hesitation.
Third Brother smiled, not angry at his straightforwardness. Some people have the right to be arrogant because of their status and position.
"Inspector Wang, could you please lend me a light?"
After carefully putting the documents back together, Gu Zhong turned to Inspector Wang and made a request.
It's more reassuring to burn such things to ashes.
Watching the enormous debt turn to ashes in the brazier, perhaps with good intentions, the third brother finally offered a kind reminder.