Night, the Gu family study.
Gu Chengyu sat behind the desk with a grim expression. On the tablet screen before him displayed the investigation results just sent by his assistant, Zhao.
The further he read, the heavier the chilling aura around him became.
Zhou Yu'an.
A brother he had practically grown up with, gentle as jade, noble and restrained, one of the few people he was willing to trust.
Yet the report showed that as early as half a year ago, perhaps even earlier, while he was still immersed in the bliss of his new relationship with Qianqian, Zhou Yu'an had already taken notice of her.
Every time Zhou Yu'an approached or 'accidentally' met her using various flimsy excuses, it was all calculated, an attempt to steal her from him.
Even not long ago, that Lin Shu, who should have long vanished from the entertainment industry, inexplicably appeared at Qianqian's birthday party—Zhou Yu'an had a hand in that too.
What was he trying to do? Have Lin Shu cause trouble for Su Qianqian? Drive a wedge between him and Qianqian?
The thought that the mastermind behind the humiliation Qianqian suffered at the birthday party was actually a brother he trusted made Gu Chengyu sick to his stomach.
What a fine Zhou Yu'an! What a fine gentleman!
Outwardly gentle and harmless, yet secretly coveting his woman from the start, even resorting to such underhanded methods.
And that bitch Lin Shu, he had only made it impossible for her to survive in the industry before; it seems he was too merciful.
Gu Chengyu took a deep breath, temporarily suppressing the fury in his heart.
One, scheming to sow discord, and he hadn't even settled the score with her yet.
The other, a hypocrite coveting his brother's woman, pushing past his limits.
Since neither knew their place and showed no regard for past affection, they shouldn't blame him for being ruthless. He would clean them up together.
Gu Chengyu picked up his phone and dialed Assistant Zhao.
"Go poach the core personnel from the Zhou family's medical projects. Use any means necessary, get them over to our side."
"Also, find a way to cause trouble for those core patents from Zhou Yu'an's lab. Hold up the safety approval documents, keep him scrambling for a good while."
"As for Lin Shu, find that investor who nearly hurt Qianqian before, the one I bankrupted. Tell him to call a few of his friends..."
"Then deliver the one who caused his downfall to them. Let them have their fun with her."
"Take some videos while you're at it, so others might think twice in the future."
After hanging up, having dealt with the outsiders, Gu Chengyu didn't feel better. Instead, he felt worse.
Qianqian, why?
Why did you never mention a single word to me about Zhou Yu'an approaching you so many times?
What exactly do I mean to you in your heart?
Every time, were you just placating me on the surface?
Gu Chengyu closed his eyes, his thoughts spiraling.
He felt that no matter how wholeheartedly he treated her, how unconditionally he indulged her, she was never willing to like him just a little bit more.
Perhaps, in her heart, she never truly considered him her boyfriend.
The pain was almost suffocating.
Gu Chengyu could no longer bear this feeling of losing control.
He had to hold onto her tightly, bring her firmly within his sphere of control.
He picked up the phone again and dialed another number:
"Arrange for two people to follow Qianqian discreetly, 24 hours a day."
"I want to know where she goes, who she meets."
"Every detail, report to me daily."
"If any man approaches her, regardless of who he is, notify me immediately."
After hanging up, Gu Chengyu leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, and rubbed his aching temples.
The image of Su Qianqian's lovely, lively smiling face surfaced in his mind.
He muttered obsessively: Qianqian... don't blame me.
I'm just... too afraid of losing you.
