Chapter 506: All-Out Support for Trade with Nanyuan 3
"As long as we have savings, that’s what matters. Having money brings the most peace of mind. I can’t help much with the funds, but I can certainly manage the business side. Leave the construction of the restaurants to your grandpa. I guarantee that within half a year, every major city in Beili will have a seafood-themed restaurant." Mr. Gu was also getting excited.
’To go into business with my grandson and great-granddaughter... Just thinking about it is exhilarating!’
Gu Shuo was speechless. ’How is he even more invested in this than I am?’
"Heh heh, since it’s the little girl’s wish, why don’t our families join forces?" Qian Fu suggested.
"Excellent idea! Nanyuan is too big for a single family to handle. Once we make a name for ourselves, we’ll surely have many competitors. When it comes to dealing with such matters, the lad from the Qian family is the most capable." Mr. Gu readily agreed.
"Then it’s settled."
"It’s a deal."
Exchanging a few quick words, Qian Fu and Mr. Gu settled the matter in the blink of an eye, completely disregarding the others present.
Zhan Chi looked unhappy. ’I should have brought my old man along.’
Listening to their conversation, Ye Qianning found it both amusing and exasperating. ’If they want to join, let them join. There’s a lot to do later, after all.’ Mr. Gu had a crystal-clear understanding of the business climate in several nations. If he grasped the key trends, the future seafood restaurants would make a name for themselves quickly.
Qian Fanji and Gu Shuo also remained silent, which signified their tacit approval.
Now, all they had to do was wait for Nanyuan. They could afford to wait; Nanyuan could not.
「 」
The next day, the Gu family sent a messenger to ask Mr. Gu to return to their residence.
Ever since Mr. Gu had laid down the law with them last time, the Gu family members no longer dared to besiege the General’s residence, no matter how serious the matter.
When Mr. Gu saw the messenger, he knew exactly what was happening. Without a moment’s hesitation, he stood up and headed back to the Gu family home.
Ye Qianning had spent a good while persuading him the day before, which was the only reason Mr. Gu had given up the idea of removing himself from the family register. An eighty-year-old man leaving his clan? Wouldn’t that just invite people to point and laugh behind his back?
Those who knew the situation would know he left voluntarily. Those who didn’t would surely assume he had done something so disgraceful that even his own clan could no longer tolerate him.
Although the old man insisted he didn’t mind, it would break their hearts as members of the younger generation to see their own elder be pointed at and slandered.
"Young Miss, Second Young Master Gu and his wife are here," a servant reported.
Ye Qianning frowned slightly at the news. Mr. Gu had just left, and now Gu Mingqiu was showing up with Mrs. Dai. ’This can’t be good.’ "Tell them I’m not here."
"Yes."
"Wait."
The servant had just turned to leave and hadn’t taken two steps before Ye Qianning called him back.
"Show them in."
"Yes."
Ye Qianning lowered her gaze. ’Gu Shuo’s parents. I can’t avoid them.’
’It’s just that...’
’This Gu Mingqiu looks honest on the surface, but in reality, he isn’t a good person. He doesn’t treat Gu Shuo or Mrs. Dai well, either. If not for the Gu family’s businesses, he would be the classic type of man who marries into wealth only to leech off his family.’
’Mrs. Dai manages everything at home, yet his words are always hurtful, and he even demands money from her.’
’If she doesn’t give it to him, he will surely berate her.’
’Back when Gu Shuo was framed, he didn’t say a single word in his son’s defense. Instead, he listed Gu Shuo’s faults in front of everyone, which was utterly heartbreaking. That was also why Gu Shuo had willingly left the clan.’
’Mrs. Dai, on the other hand, is a good woman—decisive, efficient, and incredibly perceptive.’
The servant led Gu Mingqiu and his wife in, bowed to Ye Qianning, and then withdrew.
From the moment he entered, Gu Mingqiu’s dark eyes sized up the small child sitting there, his brow heavy with gloom.
"Miss Xiang." Mrs. Dai curtsied slightly.
Ye Qianning hadn’t expected Mrs. Dai to bow to her. She quickly stood up and said, "Madam, there’s no need for such formalities. Please, have a seat."
Mrs. Dai shot Gu Mingqiu a look.
Gu Mingqiu huffed softly, turned, and sat down, muttering under his breath, "Why are you bowing to a little kid?"
Hearing this, Mrs. Dai shot him a fierce glare, her eyes filled with a potent warning.
’The person before us may be small, but she is the young miss of the General’s residence and the Crown Princess Consort personally betrothed by the Emperor. We are merchants. We cannot neglect our etiquette.’
"Are you here looking for Great-Grandpa? He just left," Ye Qianning asked, tilting her head.
Upon hearing her form of address, Gu Mingqiu glared at Ye Qianning several times, his face a mask of displeasure and anger.
Mrs. Dai, however, maintained a pleasant expression. "No, we came to see you."
"Oh?"
"My husband and I came here because we want to know if you, Miss Xiang, have accepted Gu Shuo as your godfather, or if you’ve only acknowledged the old master as your great-grandfather," Mrs. Dai said, cutting right to the chase.
"Is there a difference?" Ye Qianning asked, looking up.
Mrs. Dai looked at the cherubic, seemingly clueless little child before her, unsure if she would even understand an explanation. ’She’s so young. Surely she isn’t that scheming, right?’
"Tell me, was it you who bewitched the old master into splitting the family?" Gu Mingqiu couldn’t help but stand up and demand furiously.
"Hasn’t splitting the family been what the various branches of the Gu family have wanted for a long time?" Ye Qianning now had a good idea of why they were here.
"Who told you they’ve wanted it for a long time? The old master was originally going to leave the Gu family’s assets to our Gu Shuo, but you meddled and now there’s nothing left! Because of you, the old master even wanted to leave the clan! You’re a child from the Xiang family, not my Gu family. What good does it do you to incite the old master?" Gu Mingqiu had been stewing with anger since the last incident.
Mrs. Dai glared at him discreetly and whispered, "Don’t be so aggressive when you’re talking to a child."
"Me, aggressive? Take a look at the disgusting things the great Miss Xiang has done! I’m being kind enough as it is. If it were anyone else, they would have gotten physical by now."
If this child hadn’t been meddling, the old master’s assets would have been left to Gu Shuo, no matter how much the other branches objected.
Mrs. Dai looked at Gu Mingqiu with undisguised contempt in her eyes.
Hearing these words, Ye Qianning began to laugh, her laughter crisp and pleasant.
Gu Mingqiu froze, staring at the laughing child and thinking she wasn’t normal.
Ye Qianning’s smile vanished, her eyes turning sharp. "Disgusting things? Why don’t you tell me, Second Young Master Gu, what disgusting things I’ve done."
Gu Mingqiu was stunned again. When he recovered, he said, "A child from the Xiang family meddling in the Gu family’s affairs! Don’t think I don’t know. The matter of splitting the assets at the yamen—it was you who bewitched Gu Shuo and told him not to return to the Gu family."
"Do you even know what kind of person your son is, Second Young Master Gu?"
"Of course I know!"
"Then you should know even better whether he wants the family assets or not. What are you doing questioning me?" Ye Qianning’s voice was light.
"It was you—"
"Enough. Stop talking," Mrs. Dai interrupted Gu Mingqiu with great impatience.
Gu Mingqiu was extremely displeased at being cut off and turned to glare at her.
"What are you glaring at? You didn’t dare let out a peep when the family was being split. Who are you trying to act tough for now?" Mrs. Dai had wanted to let him save some face, but she knew her husband’s personality all too well.
’The more face you give him, the more he’ll push his luck.’
Gu Mingqiu glared at her a few more times. "Hmph."
"You should leave. I have some things to discuss with Miss Xiang in private."
"Why should I leave?"
"Fine. If you won’t leave, I will. You can stay here and make a scene all by yourself. Go on, cause a huge ruckus," Mrs. Dai said, standing up and heading for the door.
Gu Mingqiu was a classic coward. Seeing that Mrs. Dai was really leaving, he hastily got up to follow her.
"Why are you leaving?" Mrs. Dai asked, turning back.
Gu Mingqiu’s face was sullen, and he couldn’t get a word out.
"Hurry up and go," Mrs. Dai urged.
Gu Mingqiu, though displeased, wanted to say something several times but held his tongue. He reluctantly stepped out the door.
He grumbled to himself, ’Why is she so aggressive today? She’s not leaving me any face at all.’
Ye Qianning watched with great interest. Although Gu Mingqiu had no real ability and showed no affection for his wife, he was terrified of her and wouldn’t dare contradict her in private.
There was one thing, however: Gu Mingqiu wouldn’t allow anyone to speak about the other branches of the Gu family. Even if Mrs. Dai expressed dissatisfaction, the moment she mentioned anything about them—good or bad—he would pull a long face, either refusing to listen or starting an argument.
Gu Mingqiu’s mindset and attitude were truly rare. It was a wonder Mrs. Dai had been able to tolerate him for so many years.
Mrs. Dai walked back into the main hall and saw the little girl staring at her. She offered a faint smile, not at all embarrassed by the recent interruption.
"What did you want to talk to me about, Madam?" Ye Qianning asked.
"I want to know what’s going on between you and Gu Shuo."
"There’s nothing going on."
"Little one, don’t try to fool me. I know my son’s temperament better than anyone. He’s not the type to like children, nor would he associate with someone just because their child is cute." Mrs. Dai not only understood her son but also the old master very well.
’The old master thinks more than anyone. If he hasn’t figured something out for himself, no amount of persuasion will work.’
"Then what kind of relationship do you think Boss Gu and I have, Madam?" Ye Qianning asked in return.
Mrs. Dai thought for a moment, then shook her head. "I haven’t figured it out yet."
’If the girl before me wasn’t Miss Xiang, I might have thought she was Gu Shuo’s illegitimate daughter. But she has her own family, and Gu Shuo’s attitude is so abnormal...’
"It’s nothing, really. I just think Boss Gu is a good businessman, so my father asked me to discuss a deal with him, that’s all," Ye Qianning said, not revealing too much.
"Just business?"
"Mhm."
Mrs. Dai was skeptical. "What kind of business?"
"It’s a trade secret, so it’s not convenient to say. I’m sure you understand, Madam."
Mrs. Dai knew the rules of business, but she still couldn’t understand what kind of deal a Great General would entrust to a six-year-old child to negotiate.
"Regarding the Gu family split, I did say some things to Mr. Gu, which is why he agreed to a complete separation." She had nothing to hide about the matter.
’Thinking about it, I really did overstep my bounds.’
"I know," Mrs. Dai said, not surprised in the least.
"Aren’t you upset with me, Madam? Mr. Gu originally wanted Boss Gu to return to the clan and hand the Gu family over to him to manage." ’That’s such a huge sum of money. Even in modern times, it would be staggering, comparable to a massive business conglomerate.’
Hearing this, Mrs. Dai sighed. "Returning to the clan is not so easy. Even if the old master wanted it, he couldn’t win against the other branches, not to mention Elder Zhang from the clan. When they cast Gu Shuo out, they never intended to let him return. I know my son well. Even if the old master gave him everything the Gu family owns, he wouldn’t take it. He’s been very independent since he was a child. Once he’s made a decision, no one can change his mind."
"The Gu family’s current situation can be considered a good thing. At least from now on, we won’t have to deal with each other."
"For better or for worse, we’re on our own now. That feels pretty good."
Admiration filled Ye Qianning’s eyes. ’Mrs. Dai is so perceptive. She also has a great mind for business. With her managing the assets allocated to the second branch, they are sure to flourish.’
"I came today for two reasons. First, to ask about you and Gu Shuo, and second, simply to meet you," said Mrs. Dai.