"Xiangyi, you're well aware of the current situation at Xiangyi Group. Without Young Master Chen's support, our family's legacy could be destroyed in an instant?"
Uncle Gu Chengjun immediately lifted his head upon hearing this. He looked at Gu Xiangyi and coldly reprimanded.
Second Uncle Gu Chenggang drew a prolonged sigh, speaking slowly, "Xiangyi, it's not that your second uncle wants to criticize you, but one can't be too selfish. One must think of the bigger picture. Given the current situation, you understand it well. When necessary, a little self-sacrifice is required."
Gu Xiangyi took a deep breath, feeling a bit stifled.
The Xiangyi Group in Jiangcheng, though just a second-tier business, was still dignified nobility to some common folk. Gu Xiangyi was born into such an environment, with a noble upbringing.
But at the same time, she had her own responsibilities.
The family always had certain missions pressing down on her, making it hard to breathe.
To exchange her body for Young Master Chen's happiness, thus saving the family business from disaster.
Gu Xiangyi clenched her fists tightly, not daring to think about how to face the entire Gu Family afterward.
"By the way, Xiangyi, who's that man behind you? Don't bring shady people in. After all, families like ours can't just let any Tom, Dick, or Harry in."
"Xiangyi, you're not in love, are you? This man isn't suitable at all. He reeks of poverty."
...
Sun Xiaohong and Shang Xiaoli sat on the sofa, haughtily sniping with sarcasm.
Xu Xiangbei slightly raised an eyebrow?
Come on, I'm just here to do a good deed.
Did I provoke you? Or are you jealous because I'm more handsome than your husbands?
Gu Xiangyi lifted her head, about to explain a few things. The housemaid, Sister Wu, rushed down from the second floor, looking alarmed.
"What's wrong, Sister Wu?" Gu Chengjun lifted his head, sitting on the couch without moving.
Sister Wu hurriedly came downstairs, speaking anxiously, "The old master is not doing well. Dr. Zhang says he is at death's door."
Old Master Gu Mingchun of the Gu Family had been frail for years, with countless renowned physicians unable to help. Over these years, he had been recuperating on the second floor, with private doctor Zhang Xuesong tending to him year-round.
Although his health was deteriorating, it wasn't to the point of sudden death.
Endured for so many years, finally, the time had come.
For Xiangyi Group, it was a thunderbolt out of the blue.
Xiangyi Group was founded single-handedly by Old Master Gu Mingchun in Jiangcheng, but he had two inept sons. So, in recent years, after his health failed, he entrusted it to his granddaughter Gu Xiangyi.
No one knew who Gu Xiangyi's father was, and her mother Gu Biezhi was the old master Gu Mingchun's youngest daughter.
However, in the memories of Gu Xiangyi and Gu Xinyan, their mother had been absent early on.
There wasn't a single photo of their mother at home.
Throughout the years, Gu Xiangyi has bravely steered the stormy Xiangyi Group from toppling. Some old business partners still remembered Old Master Gu Mingchun's former kindness.
If Old Master Gu Mingchun were to pass away, the Xiangyi Group would undoubtedly collapse instantly.
Gu Chengjun shook the cigarette between his fingers lightly.
The smoke became even more lingering.
Gu Chenggang's forehead veins popped out, clearly agitated inside.
"What's going on? Didn't Grandpa say he'd last through the winter?" Only Gu Xiangyi looked up at Sister Wu, her eyes slightly red, questioning anxiously.
Sister Wu shook her head vigorously, saying, "I don't know what happened. The old master suddenly got short of breath, his face flushed. Dr. Zhang said..."
"Said what?" Gu Xiangyi pressed her, becoming more anxious.
Xu Xiangbei smiled nonchalantly and said, "It's his last shine before dying. It's obvious, are you stupid or what? Go upstairs and bid farewell to the old master."
Gu Xiangyi immediately shot a glance at Xu Xiangbei, sharp as a knife.
Then, like a madwoman, she rushed upstairs.
Gu Chengjun and Gu Chenggang also quickly got up from the sofa, not in the mood to deal with Xu Xiangbei, and headed upstairs.
The previously grand villa instantly turned chaotic.
In a family like this, once the pillar collapses.
It could very well be irreparable.
However, for Xu Xiangbei, what did it matter?
He was just here to move house?
And by the way, check out Gu Xiangyi's sister, Gu Xinyan?
Wasn't she supposed to be quite pretty? Where was she?
In Old Master Gu Mingchun's room on the second floor, the entire Gu Family was crammed inside. Old Master Gu Mingchun lay on the large bed, his complexion not the pale kind typical of a patient.
But a kind of flush, like a peach blossom blooming on his face.
Beside the large bed, the calming Dragon Saliva Fragrance was burning.
The specially hired private doctor, long Zhang Xuesong, dressed in a white coat, around forty years old, wearing black-framed glasses. He stood by the side, shaking his head and sighing.
"There's really nothing I can do." Zhang Xuesong, seeing that all of the old master's sons and granddaughters were crammed into the ward, softly said, "The old master's filled with chronic diseases, lasting this long is already a miracle. A few days ago his health improved a bit, it seemed like he could make it through winter, but it seems he won't last the night."
With this brief sentence, Old Master Gu Mingchun's fate was sealed.
Who was Zhang Xuesong?
A specialist invited from Beijing, who studied in the US years ago, his awards are countless. In Beijing's major hospitals, he's known for countless successful surgeries.
A renowned doctor.
A famous doctor in the country.
If Zhang Xuesong had no solution, then the old master was really beyond saving.
"Is there really nothing that can be done?" Gu Xiangyi looked up, tears in her eyes, and asked Zhang Xuesong hopefully in a low voice.
Zhang Xuesong closed his eyes, shook his head, and said, "Accompany the old master on his last journey, there's nothing I can do. In this world, perhaps resurrecting him would require someone like the Daluo Golden Immortal."
Gu Xiangyi immediately burst into tears, even though the old master was quite strict with her over the years. However, in the years of having no parents, it was still old master Gu Mingchun who raised her.
And both Gu Chengjun and Gu Chenggang lowered their heads, exchanging glances.
There was no visible sadness, only eyes filled with plots.
The old master died, meaning Xiangyi Group was finished.
The estate would have to be divided, but how?
Still, having been crafty and experienced, they exchanged a look and pretended to wail.
Xu Xiangbei leaned against the door, squinting. Hearing the wailing in the room, he shook his head and lazily said, "He's not dead yet, what's with the crying? The doctor's skills are lacking, but what he said is true. He can't do anything, but a Daluo Golden Immortal can bring back the dead."
Paused, Xu Xiangbei curled his lips with a smile and calmly said, "Coincidentally, I am that Daluo Golden Immortal!"
The room, which was filled with wailing and hustle,
instantly fell silent.
Silent enough to hear a pin drop.
Only the cicada's chirping in the distance echoed within the South Mountain Lakeside Villa area, extraordinarily clear.