Tycoon: From Rags to Riches

It was nearly ten o’clock, and the entire Banquet Fusion was still brilliantly lit.

Gu Heng, surrounded by a crowd, emerged slowly from the elevator.

"Director Xia, regarding the Zhen Cui Group matter, I’ll leave it in your capable hands."

"Mr. Gu, you’re too kind. It’s our job."

Gu Heng and Xia Zhenzhong chatted as they walked toward the main entrance of Banquet Fusion.

They had barely taken two steps from the elevator when Gu Heng saw a beautiful young woman in a red business suit and black high heels striding quickly toward them.

If Gu Heng could see her, then of course, so could Xia Zhenzhong.

"Mr. Gu, allow me to make an introduction."

"This is Xia Siyao. She is also a member of your dedicated team."

"She is twenty-three years old and a graduate of the China University of Political Science and Law. She will be acting as your liaison and legal assistant. In the future, you can contact her directly for any of your legal needs."

Xia Zhenzhong hadn’t expected Xia Siyao to be waiting downstairs all this time. Worried she might be too forward and offend Mr. Gu, he decided to introduce her first.

Xia Siyao had been feeling a little nervous, but hearing her father’s words, she knew he wasn’t going to press the issue of her tardiness for the time being. She instantly relaxed.

"Hello, Mr. Gu."

Xia Siyao stopped in front of Gu Heng. After a slight bow of greeting, she proactively extended her fair right hand.

’They both have the surname Xia?’

’Could they be father and daughter?’

Gu Heng speculated inwardly. The surname Xia wasn’t very common, after all, and based on looks alone, the Xia Siyao before him did bear some resemblance to Xia Zhenzhong.

"Lawyer Xia. A pleasure."

Gu Heng shook her offered hand and gave a slight nod in return.

At the same time, he took a moment to size her up.

Red is a difficult color for anyone to pull off, regardless of gender. Yet, the woman before him, Xia Siyao, looked absolutely stunning in her red business suit.

Her jet-black hair was styled in a bun, with a few stray strands framing her ears. Paired with expensive diamond earrings, the look was formal yet possessed an indescribable, noble air.

She had a classic oval face, so small it was barely the size of her palm.

Her long, almond-shaped eyes held a natural allure. Her lashes were thick and long, her lips full like newly bloomed camellia petals. Their natural rose-pink hue perfectly complemented her red suit.

Her appearance could be summed up in a single word: glamorous.

That must be why she could pull off the color red so perfectly.

"Si Yao, Mr. Gu drove here."

Xia Zhenzhong instructed her, "You’ll be responsible for driving Mr. Gu home."

"Okay."

Xia Siyao nodded in agreement.

Gu Heng heard the arrangement but didn’t object.

The group then walked out of Banquet Fusion, accompanying Gu Heng to the parking lot.

Gu Heng took out his key fob and pressed a button. The geometric multibeam headlights of his Maybach GLS 600 flashed on.

No one was particularly surprised to see that Mr. Gu’s car was a Maybach GLS 600.

With the kind of wealth Gu Heng now possessed, they wouldn’t have batted an eye even if he drove a Rolls-Royce Phantom, let alone a Maybach GLS 600.

"Lawyer Xia, if you would."

Gu Heng handed the key fob to Xia Siyao.

"It’s no trouble at all. It’s my duty."

Xia Siyao opened the rear door for Gu Heng, her attitude exceedingly respectful.

"Si Yao, make sure you get Mr. Gu home safely," Xia Zhenzhong added.

"I will."

Xia Siyao nodded. Once Gu Heng was settled in the car, she quickly walked around to the driver’s side, opened the door, and slid in.

It was only after she sat in the driver’s seat that she remembered she was wearing high heels. She glanced at Xia Zhenzhong and the others standing nearby and immediately abandoned the idea of fetching the flats from her own car.

Xia Siyao leaned over slightly and slipped off her heels. She then placed them on the floor of the passenger seat and decided to simply drive barefoot.

"Mr. Gu, where are we heading?" Xia Siyao turned and asked politely.

"The Wanda Wenhua," Gu Heng replied.

Hearing this, Xia Siyao’s smile stiffened, a flicker of panic in her eyes. "A... a hotel?"

"That’s right." Gu Heng nodded, not noticing the subtle change in her expression.

’There’s no way I can go back to that shabby little rental. I don’t even plan on getting my things from there.’

’Until I find a place I like, I’ll just stay at a hotel.’ The Wanda Wenhua he had just mentioned was one of only a handful of five-star hotels in Beichun.

It was located in the bustling Red Flag Street commercial district, right next to two large shopping malls. With food, drinks, and entertainment all readily available, it would be a convenient place to stay.

"Alright."

Xia Siyao pressed her lips together, her voice inexplicably softer.

She then turned forward, pressed the accelerator, and drove away from Banquet Fusion, heading toward the R&F Wanda Wenhua Hotel on Red Flag Street.

At close to ten o’clock, traffic was light.

As Xia Siyao drove along the elevated expressway, she stole glances at Gu Heng in the rearview mirror.

"Are you Director Xia’s daughter?" Gu Heng, who had been gazing at the passing nightscape, suddenly turned to ask her.

"Yes."

Xia Siyao quickly pulled her gaze away, her hands tightening on the steering wheel as she answered truthfully.

Gu Heng’s eyes rested on the elegant curve of her neck and her stunning profile. "Director Xia seems very strict with you."

"I’m used to it. He’s been like that my whole life." Xia Siyao laughed, a hint of resignation in her tone.

Gu Heng was curious. "If that’s the case, why did you choose to come back after graduating?"

"Because there are more opportunities here," Xia Siyao answered frankly. "If I’d stayed in Yanjing, let’s not even talk about whether I’d get into a ’Red Circle’ firm. Even if I made it into one of the top ones, I’d just be a junior paralegal at the bottom of the ladder."

"I’d spend my days fetching coffee and paying my dues, with no idea when I’d ever get to handle a case on my own. But it’s different back home. Even though Old Xia is strict, I’m still his daughter. As long as I’m competent enough, I’ll be able to handle my own cases much sooner."

At this, she glanced at Gu Heng in the rearview mirror and smiled. "When there’s a shortcut available, only an idiot would insist on taking the long way around just to get beaten down by reality."

"That makes sense."

Gu Heng nodded, feeling a wave of emotion.

’Who says the second-generation rich are all idiots?’

’These kids are incredibly smart!’

’Not only are they hardworking and ambitious, but they also know how to leverage their parents’ resources to get ahead.’

’If I hadn’t gotten Brother Tongzi, forget having an elite heiress like Xia Siyao as my driver—I probably wouldn’t have even had the chance to meet someone like her in my entire life.’

Seizing the opportunity, Gu Heng and Xia Siyao continued to chat.

As they talked, the once-reserved Xia Siyao gradually began to open up...